IrishCentral’s weekly college football picks

My fourth grade teacher once told me the only way to reach goals is by setting them.

Well then after another 4-3 record against the spread-- which raised my season total to 47-29-- I’m making it a point to finish 20 games over .500.  I’m two back of that mark and will do everything in my prediction power to hit it.

It’s a rare off-weekend for college football’s ranked teams (no games between the nation's top-25).  Of course, we'll start with the lifeless Irish.

Connecticut (+6) @ Notre Dame
There are countless head coaching rumors circling South Bend like a hurricane. The Huskies enter at an opportunistic time.  This is a team that ND should have no problem handling, if they had a suitable play caller.  UConn has a solid defense that could give Clausen fits,  but as you could see my mind is always on superstars Golden Tate and Mike Floyd.  It’s impossible for me to pick against them versus UConn.  The Irish win by seven.

Prediction: ND 31, UConn 24

Colorado @ Oklahoma State (-17) Thursday night
Dan Hawkins benched his son Cody because Colorado was losing every game by 150 points.  His replacement Tyler Hansen isn’t performing much better.  OK State has been crushing horrible teams and losing to good ones all season.  CU fits that category of horrible. 

Prediction: OK State 40, CU 20

California (+7) @ Stanford
The only way I can pick Cal in this game is if I take a hit of acid like the Golden Bear hippies used too.  Stanford gives up points, sure, but their offense is unstoppable right now.  QB Andrew Luck is spot-on and RB Toby Gerhart is rolling through defenders like a 16lb bowling ball does pins.  No way Cal contains them, not on the road anyway.  

Prediction: Stanford 49, Cal 30

Ohio State @ Michigan (+11.5)
The rivalry of rivalries.  Well, not really this year.  Not with Michigan’s defense that ranks 84th in the country in points allowed. State’s offense can be suspect at times and Pryor has tendencies of making mistakes.  Add that to Tate Forcier’s ability to make plays in big games and you have the upset.  Well, the cover at least.
Prediction: OSU 27, Michigan 24

Oregon (-6) @ Arizona
Oregon on the road is scary.  Especially against a smart, disciplined Arizona team.  They'll get it done by a late, game-winning field goal. Expect a ton of points in this one. 

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