I’ve been on a roll of late, going 8-0 straight up the last two weeks and 7-1 against the spread. Let’s hope I didn’t just pour a big cup of jinx over everything this week.

No. 9 LSU at No. 3 Alabama, 3:30PM ET
A win this week secures the SEC West title for Alabama, while a victory for LSU puts them in the driver’s seat in the West, as well as keeps their national title hopes alive. While they eventually won the game thanks to a blocked field goal, there were some glaring issues with Alabama’s passing game in their victory over Tennessee two weeks ago. Mark Ingram is one of the best players in college football, but he can’t be expected to carry the offense week in and week out. Quarterback Greg McElroy must become more efficient in the passing game and test defenses vertically more than he has. The Tide beat the Tigers last year, but they had previously lost five straight to LSU so that’s a concern for Nick Saban. I don’t think the Tigers have enough offense to overcome the Tide’s No. 4 ranked defense, but this game is going to be close throughout and this might be another contest that isn’t decided for ‘Bama until the final seconds.
Odds: Alabama –7.5.
Prediction: Alabama 16, LSU 13.

No. 16 Ohio State at No. 11 Penn State, 3:30PM ET
This was supposed to be the game that decided things in the Big Ten. But with how well Iowa has played this year, one of these two teams will likely be knocked out of contention with a loss. It’s hard to imagine that OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor will walk into Beaver Stadium the way that he has struggled this year and beat a good Penn State defense…with his arm. Pryor isn’t going to win this game throwing for 250 yards (does he ever throw for 250 yards?), but if he can keep the chains moving with his legs and not turn the ball over, I bet Ohio State wins this game with its defense. This is going to be your classic Big Ten defensive struggle and the Buckeyes are due to pull off an upset of this magnitude. Penn State knocked off Ohio State last year on its home turf, and I’m calling for the Buckeyes to return the favor this season.
Odds: Penn State –3.5
Prediction: Ohio State 17, Penn State 16.

No. 8 Oregon at Stanford, 3:30PM ET
This is right around the time that the college football gods send everything into a tailspin and Oregon is a prime target this week. They’ve coming off an emotionally home win over previously No. 5 ranked USC and now have to go on the road to play a Stanford team that is only 5-3, but has played opponents tough this season. This has trap written all over it but I’m actually going to go against my gut and stick with my head. The Ducks have been so explosive offensively the past two games and know that one slip up will cost them a chance to play in the title game since they already have one loss on their schedule. Quarterback Jeremiah Masoli will once again carry his team and while Stanford might keep things close for a while, I see Oregon pulling away in the second half.
Odds: Oregon –6.5
Prediction: Oregon 37, Stanford, 27.

Northwestern at No. 4 Iowa, 12:00PM ET
I can’t decide whether or not the Hawkeyes are the most impressive 9-0 team I’ve ever watched, or the least impressive. Either way, this team is battle tested and overcomes adversity better than any team in the nation. After Indiana gave them a scare last week, some believe that Northwestern could do the same, especially with the way the Wildcats hung with Penn State in the first half last Saturday. But I don’t see it. Just as I figured Florida would against Georgia last week, it’s high time Iowa blows somebody out and I think it’ll be this Saturday at home. While their passing game is decent, Northwestern won’t be able to run the ball on Saturday and once they fall behind early, I think the Wildcats will start turning the ball over. The Hawkeyes should cruise.
Odds: Iowa –16.5.
Prediction: Iowa 38, Northwestern 17.