College Football Picks Week 9

This week is shaping up to be the best slate of games thus far this season, which means all the games will probably end up sucking. Nevertheless, I'm excited about them now and what could enhance that excitement more than my terrible predictions costing you money?

As always I pick against the spread and the winners are in red. Explanations follow when I see fit.

Tennessee at # 17 South Carolina (-14)
South Carolina will rebound after two straight losses with a win that will certainly seal Derek Dooley's fate. Cheer up Dooley, there's plently of schools with poor shower etiquette to correct.
#23 Texas (-21) at Kansas
Mack Brown seems to be falling apart. His defense is getting its doors blown off and he's openly squawking about the Longhorn Network being a detriment. This may be the middle of the slow death march to early retirement. I like Coach Fuda to keep it closer than the experts think.
Colorado at #4 Oregon (-45.5)
The only concern here is that Oregon pulls its foot off the breaks early as it did last week. But as bad as the Buff are, Oregon may be 45 by the end of the first quarter. Quack, quack, quack, quack Mrs. Ducksworth!
#2 Florida (-7) vs. #10 Georgia
The Gator defense shut down Marcus Lattimore last week and should be able to do the same against Gurshall this week. Can Jeff Driskel generate enough points to cover? Sure.
#14 Texas Tech at #3 Kansas State (-7)
Tech is coming off two impressive wins but the Raider defense will be a unique test this week in the form of Collin Klein. Add that to the challenge of facing Arthur Brown and the Wildcat defense and Tech's hot streak must come to an end.
#9 USC (-6.5) at Arizona
Arizona's defense was a bragging point going into the Oregon game last week. Not so much now. I think Matt Barkley pours some salt in the wounds here.
Michigan State at #25 Wisconsin (-6)
#20 Texas A&M (-15.5) at Auburn
Johnny Football will love playing against the Tigers much more than the ones he faced last week.
Washington State at #17 Stanford (-25)
Mike Leach is only halfway through one season and he's already in full Madboy mode, banning his players from Twitter this week. How long until we get a fat, little girlfriends comment?
#5 Notre Dame at #8 Oklahoma (-11)
I think Oklahoma takes this one but I can't see Notre Dame getting beat by 12 as good as the Irish defense is playing. I'll take the points.
#22 Michigan at Nebraska (-2)
It pains me to pick against my Huskers but nothing about Nebraska gives me confidence going into this game. Nebraska has been blasted in their two losses by running QB's (Brett Hundley and Braxton Miller). Nebraska will score but not enough to keep up with Shoelace.
#11 Mississippi State at #1 Alabama (-24)
Alabama has to play a close one some time this season, right? Mississippi State has yet to beat an opponent with a pulse but the Bulldogs have been blowing the doors off their competition. I think it's close for a while before Alabama turns it on for a two touchdown win.
TCU at Oklahoma State (-7.5)
Different quarterback, same result for the Cowboys as TCU is struggling mightily against passing teams at the moment.
Ohio State (-1) at Penn State
Braxton Miller is banged up going into a clash with the best defense in the Big Ten. Penn State may actually be the best team in the conference right now and I'm calling for the slight upset.
#7 Oregon State (-4.5) at Washington
Can Cinderella find her shoe again this week? Sean Mannion returns to give the team a spark that will be much needed against a tough Seattle crowd. But it won;t be enough.