Week 5 College Football Picks

#6 Cal vs. #11 Oregon

Every year there's that sexy pick that looks like a sure upset until the favorites finally turn n that light. In this case, the Golden Bears have to flick on the light in the defense and DeSean Jackson has to return... as a receiving threat. As attractive of an upset pick as Oregon may be after Michigan and (my personal favorite)Dennis Dixon's Heisman-caliber season, I can't abandon my Pac-10 and national title favorites in Week 5. California wins 35-37.

#21 Penn State at Illinois- Ron Zook's 5th ranked run offense faces a stiff challenge in Penn State's 8th ranked run defense led by pre-season all-American linebacker Dan O'Connor. Illinis quarterback Juice Williams is going to have to make a great leap forward as a passer in Illinois' spread option offense if they plan to have success running the ball.

Freshman phenom Arrelious Benn(from Washington, D.C) will have to use his size as an advantage over Penn State's outstanding junior cornerback Justin King

However, Penn State's offense is so anemic, that I expect Illinois to triumph in a nailbiter,and deliver the defining win of Zook's term in Illinois, 27-20.

Notre Dame at Purdue

Purdue wins 24-38.

#13 Clemson at Georgia Tech
Clemson wins 49-30

Florida State at Alabama- Reunion Weekend

Crimson Tide meet the Crimson-Garnett and gold meet in a clash of coaching legacies. One is an aging legend who's former powerhouse program is spiraling downwards while the other is a proven winner whose new mission to resurrect a downtrodden dynasty has seen positive results early on.

Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Bobby Bowden spent a portion of his childhood in bed, sick. It was around this time that his love for football increased, as he would listen to Alabama football on Saturday mornings. Tomorrow he returns to his alma mater for the first time since transferring from Alabama as a head coach. Nick Saban matches wits with former offensive coordinator, Jimbo Fisher for the first time since their glory days at LSU.

Alabama wins 31-17

Auburn at #4 Florida

Florida wins 42-13

#1 USC at Washington

USC wins 30-21

#8 Ohio State at Minnesota

Ohio State wins a close one 21-18

Michigan State at #9 Wisconsin

Wisconsin wins 34-28.

Kansas State at #7 Texas

Texas gets redemption from Ron Price's Longhorns, 42-27.

#19 Hawaii at Idaho

In no way is Idaho expected to seriously challenge Hawaii's lionized passing attack or their wildly underrated defense. USC made mashed potatoes of the Idaho Vandals, 38-9 in the season opener. Hawaii is a different team away from Paradise, however, I expect them to bake french fries of Idaho deep in the belly of potato country.

Hawaii wins 67-20.