The Big E College Football Picks: Week 5

This might be the worst week 5 we've seen in quite some time. No ranked teams are playing each other which left ESPN with the decision to go to South Carolina to watch a team that just lost to Indiana rebound in SEC play. I would have gone to Seattle or College Station.

LEAGUE STANDINGS

Congratulations to the trio of DomerDore, Paint St. Paint, and Touchdown Jesus! for leading the way in week 5 with pick 'em records of 11-4. However, FigThings (NDZibby) holds on to this overall lead with a 55-22 record. He is the first person to go two consecutive weeks with the overall lead.

After starting 6-0 last week and feeling invincible I finished the weekend with a still-solid 10-5 record. Moving up the standings!

Big E: 50-27 (9th place)

Now for the picks this week...

UTEP (+27) at No. 25 Kansas State

Pick: UTEP

The Wildcats are coming off a frustrating loss that could have drained them for preparation this week. UTEP gave Texas Tech a good game recently and I'll take the points for this 11 AM local start.

Wyoming (+28) at No. 9 Michigan State

Pick: Wyoming

MSU is averaging nearly 50 points per game while Wyoming has to make a long-ish trip back east for this one. So many indications that Sparty will cover but they're due for an offensive let down. Also, a noon start.

South Florida (+34) at No. 19 Wisconsin

Pick: Wisconsin

I have zero faith in a team from Tampa traveling up to Madison and playing well. The Badgers were scary productive on offense last week and could face a team that does not want to be that close to Canada.

Tennessee (+17) at No. 12 Georgia

Pick: Tennessee

The Vols are coming off a bye and a moral victory in a defeat at Oklahoma in their last game. I think they can do just enough to slow down the Dawgs running game and keep this somewhat close.

No. 1 Florida State (-18.5) at N.C. State

Pick: Florida State

As mentioned in this week's TV Guide the Seminoles have had an abysmal record at NC State in modern times. That probably explains why this spread isn't 7 or 8 points higher. I bet NC State gets a rude welcome from FSU after starting with one of the weakest schedules in the country.

Arkansas (+9.5) at No. 6 Texas A&M

Pick: Arkansas

Don't look now but is Bret approaching DGT™ territory after a horrid start at Arkansas last year? The run game certainly has looked awesome in recent weeks and they are already at 1,298 yards and 17 touchdowns this year. I'm looking for that ground game to keep the Aggies offense off the field in a close game.

Western Kentucky (+7) at Navy

Pick: Western Kentucky

Most of Navy's games this year have been really close and WKU throws the ball all over the place. They'll put enough stress on the Middie's defense to cover or outright win.

No. 16 Stanford (-8) at Washington

Pick: Washington

UW appears to be working the kinks out with Cyler Miles and he's finally getting comfortable as the Huskies run the crap out of the ball. I think they matchup fairly well against Stanford.

Louisiana Tech (+33) at No. 5 Auburn

Pick: Auburn

In recent times I wonder what Malzahn has done in the games after his offense has been stifled? I bet it isn't pretty for his opponents.

Cincinnati (+17) at No. 22 Ohio State

Pick: Ohio State

Early returns show us that Gunner Kiel might be real good but they also show that Cincinnati's defense might be all sorts of terrible. Perhaps the Bearcats move the ball with some success this weekend but when you're giving up almost 1,000 yards to Toledo and Miami (OH) how will you ever slow down Ohio State?

Missouri (+5.5) at No. 13 South Carolina

Pick: South Carolina

Was Missouri exposed last week? I'm going with, yes.

New Mexico State (+43) at No. 17 LSU

Pick: LSU

This should be a pissed off LSU team. There are few scarier things than a pissed off LSU team.

Memphis (+21) at No. 10 Ole Miss

Pick: Ole Miss

I've been buying Ole Miss stock this year. I don't think Memphis is going to make me re-think that position. Maybe Alabama or A&M later in the season. Not Memphis.

No. 8 Notre Dame (-9.5) at Syracuse

Pick: Notre Dame

A plummeting line late in the week makes me nervous, you guys.

No. 7 Baylor (-21) at Iowa State

Pick: Baylor

On the one hand, Baylor lost at Iowa State last time they played in Ames. On the other hand last year's score was 71-7. When in doubt trust Baylor to run up the score, I guess.

Illinois (+21.5) at No. 21 Nebraska

Pick: Illinois

Just a hunch that this will be a very close game with Nebraska escaping with a victory.

Oregon State (+9) at No. 18 USC

Pick: Oregon State

Like many of you I have not watched Oregon State play this year. USC typically does not play well in Corvallis but this one is in Los Angeles. Still scarred by that performance at Boston College.