This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
Conference play is finally here, and no one is happier than the folks that run the Big Ten. At some point this weekend, one team from the Big Ten will emerge as the "elite" team from the conference and begin its run of domination over the rest of the conference. It might take a few weeks, but at some point, we will forget just how bad the Big Ten was in non-conference play and actually let the thought creep into our mind that there might be a team worthy of making the final four.
That said, MSU might actually have a case to make, after all, the Spartans only blemish came at the hands of the Oregon Ducks, and that was on the road. OK, so Sparty gets a pass, but no one -- and I mean, no one -- else.
Beyond the Big Ten, the final four can start to finally take shape. The powers that be in the SEC start the process of trying to knock each other off the podium, while the other conferences clashes will give us some insight into which teams might come out on top of their respective conferences and therefore likely find a spot in the playoffs.
The one exception, of course, is the SEC, which, depending on how everything shakes out, might get multiple teams in the big dance. That, however, will not be known for a couple months, so let's just sit back and not worry too much about what the
Conference play is finally here, and no one is happier than the folks that run the Big Ten. At some point this weekend, one team from the Big Ten will emerge as the "elite" team from the conference and begin its run of domination over the rest of the conference. It might take a few weeks, but at some point, we will forget just how bad the Big Ten was in non-conference play and actually let the thought creep into our mind that there might be a team worthy of making the final four.
That said, MSU might actually have a case to make, after all, the Spartans only blemish came at the hands of the Oregon Ducks, and that was on the road. OK, so Sparty gets a pass, but no one -- and I mean, no one -- else.
Beyond the Big Ten, the final four can start to finally take shape. The powers that be in the SEC start the process of trying to knock each other off the podium, while the other conferences clashes will give us some insight into which teams might come out on top of their respective conferences and therefore likely find a spot in the playoffs.
The one exception, of course, is the SEC, which, depending on how everything shakes out, might get multiple teams in the big dance. That, however, will not be known for a couple months, so let's just sit back and not worry too much about what the end of the season will look like. Let's just enjoy the action on the field.
Another strange week as my top plays didn't hit, but I crushed in the lower two categories. I mentioned last week that I was hitting a good percentage of my Passing Thoughts, so that may be the route to take until the tide turns on my top plays.
As always, I'll tweet any insights I come up with post-article each week. You can follow me at @gregvara.
Cream of the Crop (Week: 0-2; Season: 1-6)
Saturday
Maryland at Indiana: The last thing at the Terps needed was a matchup against a team that can move the ball. On the surface, Maryland looks to be doing fine, but a closer look reveals an inability to stop any half-decent offensive attack. In fact, though the Terps won last week, they surrendered 370 yards on the ground to Syracuse. That won't work this week as they can't count on getting two defensive scores every week. Indiana has issues of its own on defense, and this one looks like one of those good old fashioned shootouts.
Total: Total over 69.5
Notre Dame vs. Syracuse: I'm not sure what the Fighting Irish have done to deserve a top-10 ranking, but there's a decent chance they get exposed this week. I know Golson makes them a much better team, but the best team they've played to this point is Michigan. Syracuse was a bit unlucky last week as the Orange had two turnovers returned for TDs, but outside of that, they looked pretty solid. I expect this one to be close most of the way with the Irish pulling it out late.
Side: Syracuse +9.5
Arkansas at Texas A&M: The only question entering this game is can Arkansas keep up with Texas A&M for a bit. If so, then the total in this game should be hit somewhere near the end of the third quarter. Arkansas has yet to play in a game with less than 66 combined points scored, and we all know what A&M is capable of. The only way this one goes south of 70 is if Arkansas has trouble moving the ball early.
Total: Over 70.5
Florida State at N.C. State: I heard last week how FSU has historically struggled at N.C. State, and while that's a fun fact, it has no bearing on the outcome this week. Check that, it might actually play into FSU's favor this week as the coaches likely have the kids on high alert. Oh, and then there's the fact that Winston is back and likely looking to make a statement this week. Throw in a lot of talk lately about how FSU does not look like the same team from last year and you have a recipe for a statement game.
Side: FSU -18.5
Best of the Rest (Week 3-0; Season: 5-4)
Thursday
UCLA at Arizona State: UCLA has failed to impress at every turn this season, but something tells me that now that the Bruins are in conference play, they'll kick it up a notch. ASU has looked good early on, but the Sun Devils enter this game without their unquestioned leader, Taylor Kelly. Kelly makes that much of a difference, the difference between a win and a loss in this case.
Side: UCLA -4
Friday
Fresno State at New Mexico: It's bad vs. worse in this clash of titans on Friday night and something's got to give. Neither team can play defense, but what loses out -- the stoppable force or the movable object? We are about to find out. My guess is the stoppable force finds a way to move the ball on the movable object. That or the stoppable force turns the ball over in its own territory several times.
Total: Over 71
Saturday
Tennessee at Georgia: Tough spot for the Vols as they have to face a Georgia team coming off a tough loss at South Carolina. Although Georgia dropped its first conference game, its season is not done yet, not in the SEC. It will take a strong performance this week and the rest of the season for that matter, but the Bulldogs can still find their way back into the final-four if everything goes right.
Side: Georgia -17
PASSing Thoughts (Week: 4-1; Season: 15-4)
Saturday
Minnesota at Michigan: Neither team has impressed, and I dare say that the Gophers have looked like the better team. That said, Minnesota's attack is horribly lopsided, and I'm not sure that the Gophers will be able to move the ball Saturday. However, Michigan will likely have problems moving the ball as well, which will make it difficult to cover this rather large number.
Side: Minnesota +11.5
Louisiana Tech at Auburn: Coming off a close one at Kansas State, I would expect Auburn to be hitting on all cylinders, but LT can put up some points. So I expect the Bulldogs to hang in there for a while and stay within this large number.
Side: Louisiana Tech +32.5
Missouri at South Carolina: I think the Gamecocks are back on track, and they're ready to defend their home turf again. Missouri suffered a tough loss last week to Indiana and I'm sure they'll be ready to go this week, but it won't matter.
Side: South Carolina -6
North Carolina at Clemson: Tough to back Clemson after the heart break from last week at FSU, yet it's tough to back NC in Death Valley. I'll take the over in the hopes that this one gets out of hand early and gets a little crazy.
Total: Over 67.5
Stanford at Washington: With the exception of the Eastern Washington game, the Huskies have done a good job of keeping their opponents in check, and Stanford has yet to allow more than 13 points to any opponent all season. The under looks like the play here.
Total: Under 47.5
