Friday College Football Picks, Week #14: Rivalry Edition

It's a last-ditch effort to get my record respectable after last week's 4-4 output...making my record for this crazy football season 43 wins, 50 losses and 3 ties. But, we've got a lot of rivalry games slated and anything can happen. However, if this season holds true with craziness there won't be any upsets and all the favorites will win every game. I'm thinking it'll be more craziness. Anyway, there are more games than usual here because of so many good games (and it's a chance for me to improve the record or go down swinging). On to the picks:

Nebraska (+4.5) at Colorado: It's already snowing in Colorado and this old Big 8 rivalry gets renewed with a Nebraska team that's awful and an unpredictable Buffalo team. They're up and down. While you can't predict the Buffs, the Big Red is predictably awful...so I'll give the points and take the Buffs at home. Diner Prediction: Colorado 24, Nebraska 17.

Arkansas (+12) at L.S.U.: The Razorbacks run. That's it. Maybe my view is skewed, but if you're one-dimensional and a team dares you to do what you're weakest at doing, you get shut down. Against Alabama the Hogs were able to throw. Against Auburn, they weren't. L.S.U. is better on defense than both of them, and they're playing at home. I'd feel better about the points if it was at night, but I'll give them just the same. Houston Nutt to Baylor, anyone? Miles to Michigan, anyone? Diner Prediction: L.S.U. 31, Arkansas 17.

Boise State (+3) at Hawaii: Quite simply, the Rainbow magical season comes to an end. Granted, these Broncos aren't Kragthorpe's version, but they're still athletic and I think their defense can keep Colt Brennan in check just enough to win. Diner Prediction: Boise State 35, Hawaii 31.

Mississippi (+6.5) at Mississippi State: The Bulldogs are bowl eligible but need a win to secure a spot. Ole Miss is likely going to be playing on emotion for their hot-seated coach. It'll be nasty and penalty plagued as it always is, but for some reason, I'm a big believer in Sylvester Croom and the job he's done. They'll win, but they don't score much, so I'm taking the points. Diner Prediction: Mississippi State 17, Ole MIss 13.

Texas at Texas A&M (+5.5): Francione's out (Sunday meeting with Tuberville, anyone?). And the Aggies can get after folks every now and then. Texas still hasn't found an identity, other than letting Lorenzo Charles run wild in the 4th quarter of games. Texas A&M at home and getting points is tough to pass up, but I think Texas will win in revenge mode and in all likelihood it'll be a 4th quarter comeback. Diner Prediction: Texas 24, Texas A&M 17.

Clemson at South Carolina (+2.5): I'm taking South Carolina because Steve Spurrier, much like Croom, needs to win to secure a bowl bid and Clemson's Bowden can't seem to win when he has to. The Tigers just never get over the hump. Diner Prediction: South Carolina 31, Clemson 21.

Florida State (+14) at Florida: This ain't your father's Florida State. Tebow will be on Heisman display and do what he does every week. He'll throw for 200 and run for 100 and lock up the trophy. Diner Prediction: Florida 38, F.S.U. 21.

Georgia at Georgia Tech (+3.5): The Dawgs have a lot more to play for than just a rivalry. They're still being considered for a BCS bowl and need this one in a big way. Richt has taken the shackles off this team and they're responding with all good play, much to the chagrin of the staid SEC fans who don't like their staged celebrations and generally obnoxious behavior. Or their winning. But they've won doing it, will win today doing it, and wait for Kentucky vs. Tennessee to see if they're going to the SEC Championship game. Diner Prediction: Georgia 27, Georgia Tech 21.

Kansas vs. Missouri (+2) at Kansas City: Much ado about nothing here, folks. The Big 12 schedule has allowed Kansas to put up numbers against the weaker teams (not to mention a soft schedule out-of-conference, too) while Missouri has been going toe to toe with the conference elite. It's even at a neutral site. Kansas gets exposed and another #2 team falls...and they'll fall hard. Diner Prediction: Missouri 41, Kansas 21.

Tennessee (+3) at Kentucky: The Vols have laid eggs at the least opportune times this season and then throttled teams that nobody thought they could beat. Kentucky has been up and down, too, but at home they beat the best team in the conference. Of course, they lost to Mississippi State and Florida at home, too. When they lose it's usually to passing teams...or at least balanced ones. The Vols have won 4 in a row, but I think if Alabama can score in bunches against them, Andre Woodson can, too. Really, I just want to see Georgia and LSU in the championship game as it'll be a better matchup. Diner Prediction: Kentucky 35, Tennessee 31.

Oklahoma State (+11) at Oklahoma: This one's usually nasty in the Bedlam rivalry and the line opened at 14 and has now dropped since Oklahoma didn't look so good against Tech...but Sam Bradford's been cleared to play, which helps, but they're banged up at running back and on defense. That said, I think the Sooners win at home but don't cover. What would be more fun is to see OSU win and make a mess of the Big 12 south, having to go to the 7th tie-breaker, being BCS positioning. Diner Prediction: Oklahoma 27, Oklahoma State 21.

Notre Dame (+3.5) at Stanford: Stanford had their big win against U.S.C. and we haven't heard from them since. Notre Dame is bad, but I think they still have some talent there, right? They have to be better than Stanford, right? Not this year. Diner Prediction: Stanford 38, Notre Dame 31.

Virginia Tech at Virginia (+3.5): Virginia is playing for a spot in the ACC championship game and Charlottesville will be amped. Virginia Tech is playing well, too. In games like this, special teams make a difference and I give the nod there to the Hokies. Diner Prediction: Virginia Tech 21, Virginia 17.

Washington State (+6) at Washington: Ahhh, the Apple Cup game. Washington wins the game about 75% of the time, making the Cougars much more intense about the whole thing. The last four years have all been evenly matched, though getting the Huskies back into it. I'm a huge fan of Ty Willingham (and if Tuberville leaves Auburn, their first phone call should be to Seattle) and think they'll win at home. Diner Prediction: Washington 27, Washington State 20.

Connecticut (+17.5) at West Virginia: Somehow, the Mountaineers have snuck back into the national championship picture and are counting on Missouri to win this week, followed by Oklahoma beating Mizzou in the Big 12 championship to make that happen. West Virginia will win in Morgantown. As long as West Virginia's Pat White can keep from turning the ball over, they'll win big. Diner Prediction: West Virginia 38, Connecticut 17.

Alabama (+6) at Auburn: There's nothing important about this year's Iron Bowl except Auburn has a chance to increase their winning streak over the Tide to an unprecedented six games. The two teams have 9 losses between them, not championship of any kind at hand and coming off big losses. This one comes down to the play of the quarterbacks...when they're good they're very good and when they're bad their teams lose. It's really a toss-up as this rivalry game is usually close no matter what and both teams have their backs to the wall. It's a shame to see this game bumped by Florida State/Florida AND Kentucky/Tennessee because they'll miss a pretty good game. I hope Auburn wins on a late field goal, but I have a bad feeling that Bama will play their best game and make it a miserable night on the Plains. So, this pick is really a hope more than a belief. Diner Prediction: Auburn 23, Alabama 21.

Lots of games this week, folks! Your thoughts while I go put up Christmas decorations on The Diner?