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Each week this season, I will be posting a column previewing the upcoming weekend's Big East and Top-25 matchups. All rankings are from the ESPN/Coaches Poll. Picks are against the spread, and are for entertainment purposes only.

Last week: There was no "last week". I don't know what you're talking about!

Not in action this week: #5 Florida, #9 Penn State, #12 Arkansas, #22 Syracuse

#1 Ohio State (-27.5) @ NORTHWESTERN

Where oh where have the Wildcats gone ... where oh where have they gone?

Pick: Buckeyes

#2 UCLA (-14.5) @ CALIFORNIA

Hmm ... now Cal is an interesting case. They played Nebraska _very_ tough a few weeks ago, but lost last week to an injury depleted UDub team. UCLA is coming off of a big win over Oregon, and are hoping that they can keep the intensity. I don't think that the Bears' offense can keep up with UCLA though. This will be close for a while, but I think that UCLA will pull away late.

Pick: UCLA

#3 KANSAS STATE (-34.5) vs. Iowa State

The B-12 is doing well this year. So well, in fact, that once strength-of-schedule is factored into things, an 11-0 KSU might end up ranked #2 ... higher than an 11-0 Tennessee squad AND an 11-0 Ohio State team. This is what's known as "irony" ladies and gentlemen.

I said "might" ... we won't know until the end, and probably won't really have 4 undefeated teams anyway.

Pick: KSU

#4 TENNESSEE (-16.5) vs. Alabama

Roll Tide? Not likely.

Pick: Vols

#6 Florida State (-12.5) @ #19 GEORGIA TECH

Now this could be a good game. The Cavs tore through the GT defense like it was nothing for three quarters, but the Jackets came up big when it counted. The Tech offense is very capable, however, and will test the 'Noles as much as anyone they've faced to date. #1 in the ACC is on the line here, and if Tech can take it, it's all down hill to the Orange Bowl.

Pick: Georgia Tech

#7 NEBRASKA (-19.5) vs. #18 Missouri

Mizzou shoulda coulda woulda ... but didn't win this one last year. Nebraska will be pumped for this game, and knows that they can't afford to lose another Big 12 contest. Missouri is better than they were last year, however, so this will still be closer than 3 touchdowns.

Pick: Missouri

#8 Wisconsin (-6.5) @ IOWA

Wisconsin is simply marking time until they butt heads with Michigan and Penn State. They will be 9-0 ... and then 9-2. It's as simple as that.

Pick: Wisconsin

#10 TEXAS A&M (-9) vs. #25 Texas Tech

When you take a one-dimensional offense (Tech), and run them up against a dominating defense (aTm) that just shut down one of the most powerful rushing attacks in the nation (Nebraska), the results can be predicted fairly easily.

Pick: aTm

#11 Georgia (-1) @ KENTUCKY

Nope. Not buying it. This betting line is evidence that the Tim Couch bandwagon is getting awfully full. Georgia is a MUCH better team than is LSU.

Pick: UGA

#13 WEST VIRGINIA (-4.5) vs. Miami

For the sake of the Big East, I hope WVU wins. For the sake of our bowl hopes, I hope Miami wins. For the sake of humanity, I hope that a giant sinkhole opens up under Morgantown on Saturday.

Pick: WVU

#14 OREGON (-8) vs. Southern Cal

Oregon gave UCLA all that they could handle, but came up short. USC is quietly still very alive in the Pac-10. If the Ducks have too much of a let down, USC could take this one.

Pick: Trojans

#15 WAHOO STATE (-10.5) vs. NC State

With a loss here, Cavaliers likely headed for a 5-6 season.

Pick: UVA

#16 ARIZONA (-34) vs. NE Louisiana

Yup, 34 sounds about right.

Pick: Zona

#17 COLORADO (-8) vs. Kansas

The Buffs have raised winning ugly to an art form. Soon we're going to have to start calling them the Golden Tide or something ... but I still say they're a fraud. Kansas, however, is a joke.

Pick: CU

#20 NOTRE DAME (-22.5) vs. Army

This is part of that "national schedule" that ND doesn't want to set aside to join a conference.

Pick: UNBC

#21 Virginia Tech (-20) @ UAB

OK, follow my logic here. So far in three games w/o Clark starting, I've picked the opponent to cover twice (we won and covered both times), and Tech to cover once (Temple). Therefore, in the best interests of the program I am forced to pick the opponent to cover from now on when Al Clark is not the starting QB.

Pick: UAB

#23 Tulane (-20.5) @ RUTSGERS

RUTSgers has won three games. Two of them over actual I-A opponents. They were 20-point dogs last week at UPitt and pulled the upset. Tulane is a good team in a weak conference, and it's hard to get a bead on their overall talent level. Dare I pick the Scarlet Knights? I dare ...

Pick: Rutgers

#24 Mississippi St (+9) @ LOUISIANA STATE

LSU has lost two straight, and all hopes of an SEC title are out the window. Right now they're fighting for a mid-level bowl game. MSU, however, is a pretty good team that hasn't had to play much in the way of stiff competition. They are still very much in the running for a spot in the SEC title game. This could be a pretty good one, and I would suggest watching it if you are able.

Pick: Miss. St.

BOSTON COLLEGE (-15) vs. Navy

The BC offense has been held in check now for the past two weeks. Look for them to roll it up on the Middies Saturday. The interesting thing will be how well the BC defense can contain Navy's ground attack. If the Eagles can hold the ball for 30+ minutes, they win BIG.

Pick: BC

Game of The Week to Watch: FSU @ Georgia Tech

Upset Special: Hmm ... Georgia Tech, Missouri, Mississippi St, or USC ? GT is the only home team of the lot, so that's my pick.

Last week: 12 - 8

Season to Date: 73 - 65 - 3

Upset Special: 1 - 6