Week 7 College Football

Saturday Lox of the Week


Premium Lox

USC (-10) @ Notre Dame

The Trojans have dominated this series with Pete Carroll and I expect this game to be no different. There are a lot of people expecting Jimmy Clausen and company to make a statement in this game but I think it will be the opposite sideline celebrating early and often. USC is motivated by the recovery of Stafon Johnson and you can bet they will play a great game. Notre Dame is hurting without WR Michael Floyd and I expect them to have trouble on offense as they have the last two years in this matchup. Jimmy Clausen will make enough plays to put points on the board but USC will wear down the Irish on both sides of the ball and cover the 10 points. PICK: USC 31 – Notre Dame 17

Washington (+6.5) @ Arizona State

The Huskies seem to be a team of destiny this year with improbable wins over USC and Arizona last week. The Sun Devils have not showed much this year and with the Huskies the underdog by a TD I will take that any day. The Huskies showed they can compete on the road as they took Notre Dame to OT two weeks ago. Sarkisian will call enough of the right plays and Jake Locker will do enough to keep Washington within a TD and possibly pull the road upset. PICK: Arizona State 26 – Washington 24

Iowa @ Wisconsin (Under 47.5)

This game holds much significance for the Big 10 and while the Hawkeyes travel to Madison as the underdog I expect this game to be a defensive struggle. Wisconsin held Ohio State’s offense in check nicely last week while Iowa had an unusual shootout win over Michigan. Both teams will try to limit the mistakes and turnovers and give themselves a chance to win in the 4th quarter. Although I think Iowa has a good chance to remain unbeaten in this game and pull the mild upset I believe the best bet is the under. PICK: Iowa 19 – Wisconsin 17

Regular Lox

Texas (-3) vs. Oklahoma

I have not been a big fan of the Longhorns this year as their offense has been unimpressive, their defense has been good, but not great and they have needed the special teams and Jordan Shipley to bail them out of their tough games. But I think they find their rhythm this week and step up their game against their arch rival. Oklahoma’s injuries are still holding them back with WR Ryan Broyles to play this week but probably not at full strength and Sam Bradford still recovering from his shoulder injury. As I’ve said though the biggest loss was TE Jermaine Gresham for the season because without that target in the middle of the field the Oklahoma offense has been average. This game can save their season after two losses non-conference, but I think the Longhorns have been waiting for this game since watching Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship and then the National Title game last year. They don’t want to leave any doubt this time as to who will be the last Big 12 team standing. PICK: Texas 30 – Oklahoma 24

UCLA (+4) vs. California

Neither of these teams expected to be facing a must win game this early. But starting off 0-2 in the Pac 10 will do that. Jeff Tedford has never won a game in Los Angeles and is favored in this one. That’s right, never beaten USC or UCLA in southern California. Cal will try to change their fortune and save a few bucks in the process by taking the bus 500 miles to the Rose Bowl rather than fly as normal. We’ll see if that energizes the Golden Bear offense that has been non-existent in their back to back losses. UCLA has been strong on defense while their offense has been equally as bad. But I think they will have enough on both sides to match Cal and with the home crowd behind them will continue their dominance of the Bears in LA. PICK: UCLA 23 – Cal 21

Texas Tech @ Nebraska (Under 60)

The Nebraska defense will be the key to this game as it has been all year. They will try to control the clock on offense and keep the quick strike Red Raiders off the field. Tech is coming off their best game of the year, a 66-14 shellacking of Kansas State, but they will face a hostile crowd and impenetrable defensive line this game. I think Tech will score because the Husker pass defense will have a few breakdowns, but with the ball control style favored by Bo Pelini in games like this they will not get enough chances to reach the total of 60. I think Nebraska wins the game by wearing down the Red Raider defense and putting enough pressure on the offense to limit the damage. PICK: Nebraska 30 – Texas Tech 21

Upset Special

Stanford (+4.5) @ Arizona

UCLA (+4) vs. California – see above