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#22 BYU at Michigan (12:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Ann Arbor, Michigan) UPSET WATCH
My pick/prediction: #22 BYU defeats Michigan 27-20
What to watch for: Michigan's defense. Michigan is 2-1 after winning two straight games. And their defense has been fantastic, but in this game, they'll need even more D to pull out a win vs a BYU team who could very well be 3-0 and ranked inside the top 15 right now after losing to #9 UCLA 24-23 on the road. And I think that Michigan's defense will play solid, but that Tanner Mangum and the Cougars of BYU will come up big late, once again.
My thoughts/reasons: I think that this game will be close the whole way through, and both teams will go back in forth and play good enough to get a win, but since BYU has been in this situation multiple times this season, I think they'll be able to come up big late to get another close win.
Photo credit: Danny Moloshok - AP
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Tennessee at Florida (3:30 PM ET, on CBS, in Gainesville, Florida)
My pick/prediction: Florida defeats Tennessee 20-17
What to watch for: Florida's defense. Florida's defense lived up to expectations in their last game, when they held Kentucky to just 9 points in a 14-9 victory to improve to 3-0. They suspended their second most notable DB in Jalen Tabor for this game, but I think that they will be able to rattle Tennessee QB Joshua Dobbs enough to get a huge victory at home.
My thoughts/reasons: Florida has beaten Tennessee 10 straight times, and I think this will become the 11th, but barely. I think that Tennessee has a lot of talent, but I also think that Florida's defense will prove to be too much for them in a game that will be tight the whole way through.
Photo credit: Mark Zerof - USA Today Sports
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#3 TCU at Texas Tech (4:45 PM ET, on FOX Sports, in Lubbock, Texas) UPSET
My pick/prediction: Texas Tech defeats TCU 45-42
What to watch for: TCU's defense. The Horned Frogs' defense has taken some blows, their top pass rusher, James McFarland, will miss the rest of the season with a broken toe. And safety Kenny Iloka suffered a season-ending knee injury in their last game vs SMU. So those losses will really hurt them in this game, especially since it is vs a high-powered offensive team in Texas Tech.
My thoughts/reasons: This game will be a close high-powered matchup, in my opinion. And since TCU is suffering from injuries on both sides of the ball, and plus, beating Texas Tech 82-27 last season, won't make it any easier for TCU. So I see Texas Tech defeating TCU in a close game that really shakes up the top 25.
Photo credit: Nelson Chenault - USA Today Sports
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#9 UCLA at #16 Arizona (8:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Tucson, Texas) UPSET
My pick/prediction: #16 Arizona defeats #9 UCLA 34-30
What to watch for: UCLA's defense. Like #3 TCU, the Bruins' defense has suffered some tough blows on their defense. They lost three starters on defense from injuries in star LB Myles Jack, DL Eddie Vanderdoes, and DB Fabian Moreau. But fortunately for them, they just got back DB Ishmael Adams. In this game though, I think that Arizona's offense will be able to come up big vs UCLA's defense for a huge PAC-12 victory.
My thoughts/reasons: Arizona has some injuries to deal with as well, but the home crowd will be very important in a game like this, because this is Josh Rosen's first road game of his whole career. And as much talent as Rosen has, even the most talented QB's are vulnerable to struggle in their first road game. I think that this game (like every other game I've picked so far for this week), will be a close, down-to-the-wire game. But, I have Arizona coming out on top.
Photo credit: Chris Coduto - Getty Images
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#19 USC at Arizona State (10:30 PM ET, on ESPN, in Tempe, Arizona)
My pick/prediction: #19 USC defeats Arizona State 41-24
What to watch for: USC's defense. USC moved the ball pretty well vs a very solid Stanford defense last week. The problem was their defense. They gave up over 470 yards of total yards, and 40+ points to Stanford at home, and on the road, they'll need to improve, and I think they will improve enough in this game to help their team bounce back from a tough loss last week.
My thoughts/reasons: I think USC will be motivated to bounce back after a disappointing loss last week, and I think they will. I think USC will jump ahead early, and maintain that lead throughout the game, and will be too much for Arizona State to handle in the end.
Photo credit: Kirby Lee - USA Today Sports
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My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week
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#25 Missouri at Kentucky (7:30 PM ET, on SEC Network, in Lexington, Kentucky)
My pick/prediction: #25 Missouri defeats Kentucky 31-28
What to watch for: Missouri's running game. In the first three weeks, Missouri's rushing game has been really, really bad. They've averaged 105.7 YPG on the ground, that's 119th in the FBS. But this week, they return their best RB in Russell Hansbrough who sat out the first three weeks with a sprained ankle. And his return will be crucial for Mizzou, because if they can't run the ball successfully, it'll be hard for them to pass successfully. With Hansbrough's return, I see Missouri pulling out a big road SEC East win, at least, standings wise.
My thoughts/reasons: I think that Kentucky will become bowl elidgible this season, they have the talent to do it. But, even though Missouri hasn't played very well so far this season. I think they'll be able to pull another win out in a close game, like they did vs UConn, and on the road at Arkansas State.
Photo credit: Denny Medley - USA Today Sports
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This week has the potential to hold a lot of excitement. Enjoy!
You can follow me on twitter: @Footballfile
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