College Football Picks, Week #13

Now we're getting into the rivalry games & traditional holiday matchups, so it'll be awfully tough to even get my record against the point-spread back to a mildly respectable .500 percentage...but in this nutso college season (anybody want to be ranked #2? Anyone? Anyone? Didn't think so...and manalive I never would've thought the Ducks would get beaten in the desert on Thursday) as I'm 39 wins, 46 losses and 3 ties. But if I can have a bunch of coin-flip picks go my way, who knows?

So, here's this week's picks:

Ohio State at Michigan (+4.5): This game's kind of a throwback in that two tradition football powers are playing a rivalry game with the Rose Bowl at stake. Now, players from both sides can give the required media rhetoric about how the Rose Bowl isn't a consolation prize and blah blah blah...but in this case it is as both teams had national championship hopes. But, winning the Big 10 is no big deal but it's all they'd have as any other conference champ pummels them if they were to get the BCS bid. But, since they're playing the game anyway...I like the Wolverines at home & getting points even if I don't think I'll need 'em.Diner Prediction: Michigan 24, Ohio State 21.

Oklahoma at Texas Tech (+9.5): Most of the folks around here seem to think this one will be a game with little defense. To me, it's a 50/50 deal for the Red Raiders. If Graham Harrell is on, they can't stop him. But if he's off, they are dismal. So, really, the points are only relevant if Tech can move the ball...if not they'll lose by half a hundred. Hence, the only thing that matters is whether or not the Tech offense can execute against a weak secondary. It's at home. It's at night. Leach, with his fine for complaining about Big 12 officiating has given the Raiders a chip on their shoulder. My guess is that the Red Raiders will be focused...but the talent will win out in the end. It'll be close, though. Diner Prediction: Oklahoma 45, Texas Tech 38.

West Virginia at Cincinnati (+6.5): Every logical thought says the Mountaineers in a blowout. But since it seems that the BCS has one team with a shot at the National Championship gets beat when the shouldn't have, I'm taking the Bearcats. They're sorry on the road, but they have beaten two ranked teams at home. It isn't logical, but I'm kind of on board with the pick anyway. Diner Prediction: Cincinnati 23, West Virginia 21.

Kentucky (+7.5) at Georgia: Did anybody notice that Georgia is playing the best football in the SEC right now? And the little child Knowshon shall lead them...and boy is he ever. He frees up Stafford for big plays. The only reason Kentucky will stick around is Woodson and that core of receivers. Other than that, they don't have a chance between the hedges, and much like last week, it'll be close at the half but the Dawgs pull away at the end. Diner Prediction: Georgia 35, Kentucky 24.

Boston College (+7) at Clemson: It's time for Clemson. Much like my beloved Auburn Tigers, Clemson is always in limbo between the upper echelon of college football and being a top-notch 2nd-tier team. Bowden has so much to play for because the Clemson nation is hungry to get their first ACC championship in a decade-and-a-half. They'll rub the rock and run down the hill. They control their own destiny in front of a regional audience on ABC. I think it's their time and I've thought BC has been overrated all season. Diner Prediction: Clemson 27, Boston College 17.

Missouri at Kansas State (+7): Which Wildcat team shows up? The one that faught Auburn to the wire on the road or the one that let an awful Nebraska team score 70? I don't think it matters because Missouri is better than both of those teams and are coming off a little bit of a wake-up call against the Aggies last weekend. Seven points isn't near enough and I think the Tigers blow 'em out of the water. Diner Prediction: Missouri 45, Kansas State 23.

L.S.U. at Ole Miss (+19): I know the L.S.U. fans kind of get worried about this game because historically the Rebels gear up more for this one than L.S.U. does. And, especially this year when all the upsets have every single team looking over their shoulder. And, yes, you might see an early score update showing the Rebels with the lead. But, there's just isn't enough talent and the program is in disarray and they'll roll over and play dead. While L.S.U. struggles early, they dominate late and pull away. The spread does worry me, though, but I think the Tigers have enough. Diner Prediction: L.S.U. 35, Ole Miss 13.

Vanderbilt (+11.5) at Tennessee: As hard as it is to believe, the Vols control their own destiny because they beat Georgia in Neyland stadium. Vanderbilt has been a pleasant surprise this season but I think too much is going against them in this game since they upset the Vols last year. Tennessee will be focused, much like Clemson will be, because of how much is at stake and they have enough firepower to cover the spread. Diner Prediction: Tennessee 24, Vanderbilt 10.

One little side note before I open to floor for your insights: Four-touchdown underdog Iowa State will get after Kansas, who will be looking ahead. Gene Chizik got the light-bulb to go off for his team after a slow start and they have learned to get after people on defense (Auburn fans will always love Gene Chizik since AU loves solid defense and his 2004 team might've been the best ever) and with the Jayhawks looking ahead...pay attention to the score updates for a while. It'll be interesting until the talent wins out and Kansas wins.

Your picks?