October 11, 2007

Mike Huguenin
Rivals.com College Football Editor

More Week 5: Five to Watch | Expert Picks | Pick 'em contest | Upset Poll | Conference Breakdowns All times Eastern
THURSDAY'S GAME
Florida State (4-1) at Wake Forest (3-2), 7:30 p.m., ESPN
The buzz: Wake won by 30 last season in Tallahassee, so the Seminoles are looking for payback. The line: Florida State by 6.??|??The pick: Wake Forest 27-23
FRIDAY'S GAME
Hawaii (6-0) at San Jose State (3-3), 8 p.m., ESPN
The buzz: Hawaii has won six in a row on the road, its longest such streak since 1982. The line: Hawaii by 18.5.??|??The pick: Hawaii 45-28
SATURDAY'S GAMES
Georgia Tech (3-3) at Miami (4-2), noon, ESPN
The buzz: Aggressive Yellow Jackets lead the nation with 61 tackles for loss. The line: Miami by 2.5.??|??The pick: Georgia Tech 23-20
Illinois (5-1) at Iowa (2-4), noon, ESPN2
The buzz: Illini have to avoid letdown after back-to-back "big" victories over Penn State and Wisconsin. The line: Illinois by 4.??|??The pick: Illinois 20-17
UCF (3-2) at USF (5-0), noon, ESPNU
The buzz: The Bulls have blown past the Knights in national prominence, so this is big-time chance for UCF to make noise. The line: USF by 12.??|??The pick: USF 27-17
Purdue (5-1) at Michigan (4-2), noon, Big Ten Network
The buzz: Purdue spreads the field, and Michigan's defense has struggled with that type of offense. The line: Michigan by 6.??|??The pick: Purdue 33-28
Virginia Tech (5-1) at Duke (1-5), noon, Lincoln Financial/GamePlan
The buzz: Hokies are last in ACC and 114th in nation in total offense (274.5 ypg). The line: Virginia Tech by 13.5.??|??The pick: Virginia Tech 24-14
Rutgers (3-2) at Syracuse (1-5), noon, GamePlan
The buzz: This is first road game of season for Rutgers, the last I-A team to venture away from home. The line: Rutgers by 17.??|??The pick: Rutgers 42-21
Minnesota (1-5) at Northwestern (3-3), noon, Big Ten Network
The buzz: Think about this: If not for a loss to Duke, Northwestern could have legit bowl hopes. The line: Northwestern by 7.??|??The pick: Northwestern 38-28
Eastern Michigan (2-4) at Ohio (2-4), noon, GamePlan
The buzz: We'll watch part of this because it's our job. If you watch, you need therapy. The line: Ohio U. by 5.??|??The pick: Ohio U. 31-16
Kent State (3-3) at Ohio State (6-0), noon, Big Ten Network
The buzz: Ohio State has outscored its foes 202-43 ? an average final of 34-7. The line: Ohio State by 30.??|??The pick: Ohio State 35-13
Oklahoma State (3-3) at Nebraska (4-2), 12:30 p.m.
The buzz: This week on "Coaches Gone Wild," Mike Gundy berates Huskers officials for giving Bill Callahan a contract extension. The line: Nebraska by 4.??|??The pick: Nebraska 30-24
Alabama (4-2) at Ole Miss (2-4), 12:30 p.m., Lincoln Financial/GamePlan
The buzz: This is 55th meeting dating to 1894, yet just the eighth time they've met in Oxford. The line: Alabama by 6.5.??|??The pick: Alabama 28-20
Texas (4-2) at Iowa State (1-5), 12:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net
The buzz: You wonder if new Cyclones coach Gene Chizik wishes he still was the defensive coordinator at Texas. The line: Texas by 16.??|??The pick: Texas 41-17
Baylor (3-3) at Kansas (5-0), 12:30 p.m.
The buzz: This is the fifth home game of the season for KU ? and each has been against a weak opponent. The line: Kansas by 25.??|??The pick: Kansas 45-23
Toledo (2-4) at Buffalo (2-4), 1 p.m.
The buzz: The last time Buffalo beat Toledo was 1934. (Did they even have electricity then?) The line: Buffalo by 3.??|??The pick: Buffalo 30-24
Western Kentucky (3-2) at Ball State (3-3), 2 p.m.
The buzz: Ball State has a really good offense (470.3 ypg, 35.3 ppg). The Cards also have a really bad defense (428.7 ypg, 29.0 ppg). The line: No line.??|??The pick: Ball State 40-23
New Mexico (3-2) at Wyoming (4-1), 2 p.m., The mtn.
The buzz: "Hey, we like the scenery." Lobos have won in their past three trips to Laramie. The line: Wyoming by 3.5.??|??The pick: Wyoming 24-16
Tennessee (3-2) at Mississippi State (4-2), 2:30 p.m.
The buzz: Can Bulldogs, who have thrown an SEC-low three TD passes, take advantage of shaky Vols secondary? The line: Tennessee by 7.??|??The pick: Tennessee 27-17
Bowling Green (3-2) at Miami University (3-3), 3 p.m., Fox Sports Net Ohio/GamePlan
The buzz: We think the winner of this one will end up winning the MAC's East Division. The line: Miami by 2.??|??The pick: Miami 24-17
San Diego State (2-3) at Utah (3-3), 3 p.m.
The buzz: SDSU already has nine interceptions, matching its total from last season. The line: Utah by 14.??|??The pick: Utah 31-21
Army (3-3) at Central Michigan (3-3) , 3:30 p.m.
The buzz: This is Army's third MAC opponent of the season. The Black Knights are 1-1. The line: Central Michigan by 13.??|??The pick: Central Michigan 44-24
Rice (1-4) at Houston (2-3), 3:30 p.m., CSTV
The buzz: These schools are the closest I-A neighbors: The campuses are about five miles apart. The line: Houston by 21.??|??The pick: Houston 45-21
Wisconsin (5-1) at Penn State (4-2), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN
The buzz: Badgers basically must win this if they want to stay in Big Ten title hunt. The line: Penn State by 6.5.??|??The pick: Wisconsin 20-16
LSU (6-0) at Kentucky (5-1), 3:30 p.m., CBS
The buzz: History lesson: LSU is 23-3-1 vs. Kentucky when the Tigers are ranked in the top 25. The line: LSU by 9.5.??|??The pick: LSU 28-17
Texas A&M (5-1) at Texas Tech (5-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/GamePlan
The buzz: A&M's pass defense isn't that good. And that cackling you hear is coming from Tech QB Graham Harrell. The line: Texas Tech by 8.5.??|??The pick: Texas Tech 45-35
Connecticut (5-0) at Virginia (5-1), 3:30 p.m., ESPNU
The buzz: These teams are a combined 10-1. But is either really that good? The line: Virginia by 3.5.??|??The pick: Virginia 20-17
South Carolina (5-1) at North Carolina (2-4), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/ESPN/GamePlan
The buzz: These next-door neighbors haven't met since 1991, the year before the Gamecocks joined the SEC. The line: South Carolina by 7.??|??The pick: South Carolina 31-21
Boston College (6-0) at Notre Dame (1-5), 3:30 p.m., NBC
The buzz: BC is off to its best start since 1942. Coincidentally, the Irish were good that season, too. The line: BC by 13.5.??|??The pick: BC 28-13
Arizona (2-4) at USC (4-1), 3:30 p.m., ABC regional/GamePlan
The buzz: We would expect the Trojans to take out their frustrations on the Wildcats. The line: USC by 21.??|??The pick: USC 38-14
Washington State (2-4) at Oregon (4-1), 3:30 p.m.
The buzz: The Cougars' next three are Oregon, UCLA and Cal, teams that are a combined 13-3. The line: Oregon by 18.??|??The pick: Oregon 43-28
Western Michigan (2-4) at Northern Illinois (1-5), 4 p.m., CSN Chicago
The buzz: NIU already has thrown 12 interceptions, a big reason it has a minus-11 turnover margin. The line: Western Michigan by 4.??|??The pick: Western Michigan 38-20
Fresno State (3-2) at Idaho (1-5), 5 p.m., Altitude/GamePlan
The buzz: Fresno State allowed an astounding 702 yards last week ? and still won! The line: Fresno State by 10.5.??|??The pick: Fresno State 41-24
TCU (3-3) at Stanford (2-3), 5 p.m.
The buzz: Here's a rarity: These teams never have played each other. The line: TCU by 6.??|??The pick: TCU 24-20
Air Force (4-2) at Colorado State (0-5), 5:30 p.m., The mtn.
The buzz: Rams will be looking to stop their 12-game losing streak, second-longest in nation. The line: Colorado State by 3.5.??|??The pick: Air Force 31-26
Temple (1-5) at Akron (3-3), 6 p.m.
The buzz: Temple won last week on a FG with 10 seconds left. Akron topped that: Zips won on last-play kick return. The line: Akron by 10.5.??|??The pick: Akron 35-21
Georgia (4-2) at Vanderbilt (3-2), 6 p.m., ESPN2
The buzz: Georgia QB Matt Stafford has been a mild disappointment. Vandy QB Chris Nickson has been a huge disappointment. The line: Georgia by 7.??|??The pick: Georgia 28-16
Missouri (5-0) at Oklahoma (5-1), 6:30 p.m., Fox Sports Net
The buzz: Mizzou becomes a legit national-title contender if it can win this. The line: Oklahoma by 10.??|??The pick: Oklahoma 35-28
Oregon State (3-3) at California (5-0), 7 p.m., Vs.
The buzz: California, which hasn't started 6-0 since 1950, has won 10 in a row at home. The line: California by 14.??|??The pick: Cal 38-21
Louisville (3-3) at Cincinnati (6-0), 7 p.m., ESPNU
The buzz: Cincinnati has a nine-game winning streak; that's the second-longest in the nation to LSU's 13. The line: Cincinnati by 10.5.??|??The pick: Cincinnati 38-34
New Mexico State (3-3) at Louisiana Tech (1-4), 7 p.m., GamePlan
The buzz: Tech, playing at home for first time since Sept. 8, has lost seven WAC games in a row. The line: La. Tech by 7.5.??|??The pick: La. Tech 34-23
Indiana (5-1) at Michigan State (4-2), 7 p.m., Big Ten Network
The buzz: These teams play for the "Old Brass Spittoon," one of 15 trophy games in the Big Ten. The line: Michigan State by 5.??|??The pick: Indiana 41-38
Louisiana-Monroe (1-4) at North Texas (0-5), 7 p.m., GamePlan
The buzz: UNT has second-worst rush defense in nation, and ULM TB Calvin Dawson has 10 consecutive 100-yard games. The line: La.-Monroe by 7.5.??|??The pick: La.-Monroe 35-17
Marshall (0-5) at Tulsa (3-2), 7 p.m.
The buzz: This basically is a must-win game for Tulsa if it wants to remain in C-USA West title chase. The line: Tulsa by 14.??|??The pick: Tulsa 42-20
Tulane (1-4) at UAB (1-4), 7 p.m.
The buzz: The hounds ? and maybe about 100 other folks ? will be at Legion Field. This is the dog of the week. The line: UAB by 3.??|??The pick: UAB 30-24
Louisiana-Lafayette (1-5) at Arkansas State (2-3), 7 p.m.
The buzz: ULL leads Sun Belt in rush offense. Arkansas State leads Sun Belt in rush defense. The line: Arkansas State by 9.??|??The pick: Arkansas State 34-21
SMU (1-4) at Southern Miss (2-3), 7:30 p.m., CSTV
The buzz: Yikes. Southern Miss may be forced to use its fourth-string quarterback this week. The line: Southern Miss by 9.??|??The pick: Southern Miss 27-21
Auburn (4-2) at Arkansas (3-2), 7:45 p.m., ESPN
The buzz: This one comes down to Auburn's run defense. If Tigers keep Hogs under 230 rushing yards, they will win. The line: Arkansas by 3.??|??The pick: Auburn 23-21
Middle Tennessee (1-5) at Memphis (2-3), 8 p.m.
The buzz: Memphis has been turnover-free for three consecutive games. The line: Memphis by 4.??|??The pick: Memphis 24-21
East Carolina (3-3) at UTEP (4-2), 9 p.m.
The buzz: UTEP has scored 48 points in each of past two games ? and won both by a total of four points. The line: UTEP by 2.??|??The pick: East Carolina 42-38
Colorado (4-2) at Kansas State (3-2), 9:15 p.m., ESPN2
The buzz: If K-State harbors any hopes of winning the Big 12 North, this is a must-win game. The line: K-State by 6.??|??The pick: K-State 31-27
BYU (3-2) at UNLV (2-4), 9:30 p.m., The mtn.
The buzz: "We're away from home this week? Who cares!" BYU has won eight consecutive road games. The line: BYU by 10.5.??|??The pick: BYU 35-17
Washington (2-3) at Arizona State (6-0), 10:15 p.m., Fox Sports Net
The buzz: Hmmm. Arizona State is the only Pac-10 team allowing less than 20 points per game. The line: Arizona State by 11.5.??|??The pick: Arizona State 34-21
SUNDAY'S GAME
Nevada (2-3) at Boise State (4-1), 8 p.m., ESPN
The buzz: We consider this a bad omen for Nevada: Boise State never has lost a WAC home game (25-0). The line: Boise State by 26.??|??The pick: Boise State 45-24
LAST WEEK:
35-20 straight up, 24-28-1 against the spread.
OVERALL:
290-82 straight up, 155-144-3 against the spread. (Games involving I-AA teams don't have point spreads.)

Mike Huguenin is the college sports editor for Rivals.com. He can be reached at mhuguenin@rivals.com.