Week 7 is here and this is the week that everyone has been waiting for since December 6th, 2008. On that day the final BCS standings were announced, pitting Oklahoma against Florida in the National Championship and sending Texas to the Fiesta Bowl. Texas fans have had this Saturday circled on their calenders since that day and we are almost here. Lucky for us fans, in addition to the Red River Shootout, we have 4 other HUGE games between ranked teams.

I have had a very mediocre season picking games this year as my column record is now 18-17. Simply terrible but I hope I can turn it around this week, so lets get to the pick.


Thursday 7:30pm ESPN - #8 Cincinnati at #21 South Florida [65% of FanIQ is picking Cincinnati]

Our college football week gets started with two unbeaten teams taking the field on a Thursday night. Cincinnati is riding high behind the arm of Tony Pike who has played himself into the Heisman discussion with his play so far this season (1493 yards and 13 TD's). Cincinnati has looked very good this season but they have yet to face the defensive force that is the South Florida Bulls. The Bulls lead the nation in scoring defense (9.4 ppg) and ranking fourth nationally in total defense (263.0 ypg) while their pass defense has been particularly stingy (158.0 ypg). Cincinnati hasn't faced a defense like this but consequently South Florida hasn't faced an offensive team like this. I think South Florida will feed off of the Thursday night home crowd but Cincinnati will have just too much offense and will escape out of Tampa with the Big East lead. Bearcats 24 Bulls 17

Saturday 3:30pm NBC - #6 USC at #25 Notre Dame [74% of FanIQ is picking USC]

In the Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh takes place this year in South Bend. USC has made Notre Dame their whipping boy since 2002, outscoring them by the average score of 45 to 14 in that time frame. The Trojans received some great news this week as Stephon Johnson was released from the hospital after his freak accident. This weekend the Trojans will be wearing this helmet sticker honoring their fallen teammate. The Trojans haven't looked like the Trojans of yesteryear which has the Irish believing that this could finally be the year that they could knock them off. Notre Dame sits at 5-1 but have needed two great late game efforts to get to 5-1 while USC has looked great in some games and not so great in others. If Notre Dame can't be USC this year, then it might not happen for another few years as Matt Barkley is still around. I don't think Notre Dame has it in them to knock off the Trojans, but they won't be blown out. Trojans 35 Irish 17

Saturday 7:45pm ESPN - #22 South Carolina at #2 Alabama [90% of FanIQ is picking Alabama]

South Carolina has already knocked off one highly ranked team and they will get another shot to do so on Saturday. Alabama has looked like the best team in the nation so far and currently have the longest regular season winning streak in the nation at 18 games and while Alabama has won 11-of-13 all-time meetings with South Carolina, the Gamecocks won the most recent matchup back in 2005. This should be a very good defensive football game as South Carolina is allowing 18 per game and Alabama is allowing 12 point per game. The difference in this game is the potency of the Alabama offense. While I think South Carolina's defense to keep it close early, look for Alabama to flex their muscle in the 2nd half and roll to 7-0. Crimson Tide 27 Gamecocks 7

Saturday 6:00pm ESPN2 - #4 Virginia Tech at #19 Georgia Tech [73% of FanIQ is picking Virginia Tech]

Yet another game between top 20 teams, this Saturday is shaping up very nicely. Virginia Tech is looking to continue its dominance it has shown since its opening season loss to Alabama while Georgia Tech is looking to gain ground in the ACC on Virginia Tech and prevent them from basically locking up the Coastal Division. Virginia Tech has made their reputation on defense but it is the offense led by Tyrod Taylor that has stepped up his play. Not only is he a threat to run the ball but he is settling in as a passer. Georgia Tech as we all know, runs the triple option very well. Georgia Tech also has over 1,000 yards its past two games. Both of these teams are rolling on offense and defense will be the difference, which is why I give Virginia Tech the edge. Hokies 21 Yellow Jackets 17

Saturday 12:00pm ABC - #20 Oklahoma vs. #3 Texas in Dallas [79% of FanIQ is picking Texas]

The Red River Shootout. In my opinion this is the best college football rivalry. No other rivalry splits the stadium equally right down the middle. Before last season this was one of the most intense rivalries in all of college football, but after last seasons controversially Big 12 tiebreaker, it took a step up. This is the biggest game of the weekend even though the Sooners have dropped a couple games. Both teams need a signature win, and this game would provide that. Texas has looked good not great against lesser opponents and Oklahoma has lost two games by 1 point each and could very well be unbeaten, but hasn't looked great at times. This was suppose to also be a Heisman showcase game for Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford, but lackluster play and a shoulder injury has hurt both in terms of that. Both teams are loaded on the defensive side of the ball and this game should remind everyone of the 2001 game that was full of big hits and great defensive plays. On a personal note, I will be at this game tweeting pictures (@Jubanator14 on Twitter) from it and cheering on the Sooners to a victory. Now my heart wants me to pick the Sooners but my head says Longhorns. Sadly, my head is going to win out. Longhorns 24 Sooners 21


Now for my "Locks of the Week"

Ohio St (-13.5) over Purdue
Houston (-17) over Tulane
Missouri (+7) over Oklahoma St.
Kansas (-10) over Colorado
Arkansas (+24.5) over Florida


So there you have it, my picks for the big games in week 7 of the College Football season. Share yours picks below or tell me why I am an idiot for picking the way I did.