Rivalry week picks (and some comments about Committee's current 4)

So, we are down to the next-to-the-last week -- RIVALRY WEEK -- as the media likes to call it.

Reminder for those of you in the Yahoo group: there are noon Friday games (2), and more Friday afternoon, so don't forget to do your picks early enough.

This is a tough week to pick.  I've been doing my homework and here's what I have learned about the big games --

Michigan v. Ohio State?  The line is "pick 'em"; the ESPN Big10 Bloggers are split 3-3 on it.

Iowa v. Nebraska?  It's all of 1.5 Iowa and the bloggers are 4-2 on Iowa.  Massive!

UCLA v. USC? It's USC by 3.5 on the spread, but the Bloggers have it 3-2 UCLA. Helpful?

Stanford v. Notre Dame? Pure clarity with Stanford 3.5 favs & a solid (#irony) 3-2 vote for them.  Whew!

Baylor v. TCU? Baylor by 1.5 and 2-1 votes for them!!!  Wa-la!

OU & Oak State? OU by 7 (on the road!) with the Bloggers unanimous at 3-0!  I'm not sure why, but that looks to be the clearest choice.  They are both 10-1 and it's in Stillwater.  What's with that??!!?

In SEC, LSU v TA&M?  Somehow LSU, who seems about to fire their coach, is 5.5 favorites, and 3-2 among the bloggers.  I guess I have to believe them, and A&M hasn't looked good, either, but this is the vaunted SEC West?  Two crippled, dysfunctional teams you can't pick?

Ol' Miss v. Miss. State?  The Rebs are 1 point favorites on the road, but State is 4-1 among the "experts."  Huh?

Florida v Florida State (the Sem-holes)?  State is 2.5 favorites and 4 of 5 pick them.  I guess being the SEC East champ isn't that impressive.  But they haven't shown any offense the last few weeks.

It's going to be a tough weekend of picks.

Which makes next week's F4 picks interesting.  The most likely loser among the top 5 is Iowa, which would change the Big10's chances A LOT.   Even if Michigan St. beats them then, it might not help their cause enough.

On the other hand, Notre Dame is expected to lose, too.  Who moves up? Baylor?  Ohio State (who is supposed to lose)?

Clemson, Alabama...Oklahoma? Michigan State?

Well, there's two weeks to go.   The wild ride continues.