WEEK 8 COLLEGE PICKS

Mississippi State vaulted Florida State to move into the top position in the polls, but the Bulldogs still have a daunting schedule the rest of the way, with games at Kentucky, followed by Arkansas, Alabama and Ole Miss the rest of the way. If they get through that gauntlet, then they’ll be facing an SEC East foe in the conference championship game. It will most likely be a jumbled mess by the time the playoff committee meets in early December to name their final four teams.

I’ve been doing a lot of work in preparation for the release of my second book in the PK Frazier series, “Roughing the Passer - A PK Frazier Novel”, which is now available at www.smashwords.com, www.amazon.com and iBooks. So this week’s picks segment will be fairly brief, focusing more on the projected scores.

Overall 118 - 50

(5) Notre Dame (6 - 0) 27 @ (2) Florida State (6 - 0) 30: I’ve been a believer in the Irish all season, but last week’s close win against a weak UNC team leaves me wondering.

Tennessee (3 - 3) 16 @ (3) Ole Miss (6 - 0) 27: The Rebels defense will prevail.

(4 ) Baylor (6 - 0) 34 @ West Virginia (4 - 2) 28: This is a very difficult game for the Bears. Morgantown is a tough place to win.

(21) Texas A&M (5 -2) 20 @ (7) Alabama (5 - 1) 23: Look for more focus and intensity from the Tide today.

(8) Michigan State (5 - 1) 30 @ Indiana (3 - 3) 20: Indiana pulled a surprise on Missouri earlier in the season, but that win has been diminished with Missouri’s performance last week.

Washington (5 - 1) 27 @ (9) Oregon (5 - 1) 31: The Ducks had better be on upset alert today.

(10) Georgia (5 - 1) 23 @ Arkansas (3 - 3) 24: If the Razorbacks can get a call or two to go their way, Bret Bielema could get his first SECC win.

(14) Kansas State (4 - 1) 24 @ (11) Oklahoma (5 - 1) 27: The winner jumps into the playoff picture, the loser is out.

(15) Oklahoma State (5 - 1) 37 @ (12) TCU (4 - 1) 34: The Cowboys have gone mostly unnoticed since their opening loss to Florida State.

Rutgers (5 - 1) 20 @ (13) Ohio State 28: Rutgers had two weeks to prepare for this game. It probably won’t help, even though I’m a fan of the New Jersey team.

(22) Stanford (4 - 2) 27 @ (17) Arizona State (4 - 1) 28: Tough call here.

(19) Nebraska (5 - 1) 27 @ Northwestern (3 - 3) 21: The Wildcats have looked good and not so good at times. The ‘Huskers are still hanging around the playoff conversation.

Colorada (2 - 4) 21 @ (22) USC (4 - 2) 31: The Trojans finally get a game they should win.

(24) Clemson (4 - 2) 30 @ Boston College (4 - 2) 24: The Tigers head north to try to keep momentum.

(25) Marshall (6 - 0) 37 @ Florida International (3 - 4) 28: The Thundering Herd is hoping to challenge ECU for a major bowl bid.

Virginia (4 - 2) 27 @ Duke (5 - 1) 23: The Cavaliers are the turnaround story of the season. This game has significant impact on the ACC Coastal.

Georgia Tech (5 - 1) 38 @ North Carolina (2 - 4) 30: The Tar Heels put a real scare into Notre Dame last week, but still gave up 50 points.

Kansas (2 - 4) 31 @ Texas Tech (2 - 4) 37: It’s time for the Red Raiders to get a victory.

Iowa (5 - 1) 24 @ Maryland (4 - 2) 20: Where did Iowa come from?

UCLA (4 - 2) 42 @ California (4 - 2) 31: This could look more like a basketball score.

Missouri (4 - 2) 23 @ Florida (3 - 2) 27: Pride is on the line in the Swamp.