The Big E College Football Picks: Week 8

Most of the good action is stuffed in at 3:30 ET right when the Irish will be playing, so check your box scores intermittently and only during commercials, you guys.

Let's get right to the picks.

AP rankings used where appropriate.

Virginia Tech (+7.5) at No. 14 Clemson

12:00 PM ET

Pick: Clemson

What the heck is going on at Virginia Tech? They scored 41 unanswered last week to beat Duke, which is nice, but they were getting whipped before that. Their best wins are an overtime victory over Georgia Tech and the aforementioned Blue Devils. We're half way through the season and the Hokies have lost to any team with a pulse, not to mention dropping one to Pitt.

Clemson is coming off a bye week and things have been pretty quiet for them since their loss on the national stage to Florida State. This game scares me because the Tiger defense gives up points left and right, but I'm taking their explosive offense to cover over the troubled Hokie offense.

No. 6 LSU (-3.5) at No. 20 Texas A&M

12:00 PM ET

Pick: LSU

I think the Johnny Football dream comes to an end this weekend. Or maybe it doesn't come to an end, he could play well, but I just don't see the Aggies winning this game.

However, A&M has a really good offensive line and that offense could give Miles' Tigers some fits. It's been a nice start to the season but even with a new coach and hot quarterback I believe we'll see the same old Aggies.

Michigan State (+9.5) at No. 23 Michigan

3:30 PM ET

Pick: Michigan State

It's desperation time in East Lansing. The Spartans need this game BAD. Even though their season is already in the dumps they have a chance to derail Michigan's Rose Bowl hopes, and beat the Wolverines for the 5th time in a row---something they've never done.

Plus, State has had Michigan's number in recent years holding Denard Robinson & Co. to just 15.5 points over the last two meetings. Yeah, Sparty's offense is an abomination but I'll take damn near double digit points in this heated rivalry.

Nebraska (-6.5) at Northwestern

3:30 PM ET

Pick: Nebraska

Could you imagine what it would be like if Notre Dame was 6-1 having played Northwestern's schedule? Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Boston College, South Dakota, Indiana, Penn State, and Minnesota---geez that's damn near a D-2 schedule right there.

I don't respect Northwestern and they will get outclassed in this one.

No. 9 South Carolina (+3.5) at No. 3 Florida

3:30 PM ET

Pick: South Carolina

I'm merely going off the principle that Florida can't stay undefeated for very long and that the SEC is going to be better off with South Carolina winning this game. It gives more meaning to the World's Largest Cocktail Party later in the season.

Can we really trust Florida's offense? Do you? I don't.

BYU (+13.5) at No. 5 Notre Dame

3:30 PM ET

Pick: Notre Dame

See, OFD Game Day Countdown: Notre Dame vs. BYU

No. 4 Kansas State (+2.5) at No. 17 West Virginia

7:00 PM ET

Pick: Kansas State

Geno Smith still hasn't thrown an interception and he'll climb his way back in to the Heisman top spot eventually. I also don't like the notion that West Virginia might suck since they lost a game. Well, their defense sucks that much is true. And when your defense sucks you're not likely to beat top 5 teams.

The Big E isn't comfortable with the 'Neers being a favorite in this one.

No. 1 Alabama (-20.5) at Tennessee

7:00 PM ET

Pick: Tennessee

I think Alabama has covered every game this season except one. There's some mystery surrounding the health of quarterback A.J. McCarron and for all we know he might have torn ligaments and Saban is telling us he's fine...he'll play.

Is it tough to play inside Neyland anymore? I don't know, but I'll take the points. At some point some of the luster is going to be knocked off Alabama. Let's say this one is going to be closer than the experts think.

MAKE YOUR PICKS:

You may have to scroll down in the Google Doc to complete all of your picks.