#21 Cal (5-2) at #4 arizona state (7-0)
Saturday October 27, 9 PM CT, CBS
Line: Arizona State -3
The match-up with Cal starts a difficult stretch for the 7-0 Sun Devils, which includes Oregon, UCLA, USC and Arizona. Cal’s defense has allowed an average of 175 rushing yards over the last three games, but Arizona State is without starting running back Ryan Torain. Cal playmaker DeSean Jackson will lead the attack on all fronts, and the Golden Bears will be too dynamic for Arizona State. Cal 49, Arizona State 31.
#10 south florida (6-1) at #23 uconn (6-1)
Saturday October 27, 2:30 PM CT, ABC
Line: South Florida -5
Each of these young Division-I programs has been impressive thus far. South Florida hopes to rebound after dropping eight spots in the BCS. UCONN beat Louisville last week on a controversial ‘no call.’ Last season against the Huskies, South Florida sophomore quarterback Matt Grothe scored three rushing touchdowns and one passing en route to a 38-16 victory. Expect more of the same. South Florida 42, UCONN 28.
#11 florida (5-2) AT #18 georgia (5-2) -neutral site (Jacksonville, Fla.)
Saturday October 27, 2:30 PM CT, ABC
Line: Florida -8.5
The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party is back in Jacksonville and it couldn’t be at a better time. Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow, the nation’s leading passer, has been Mr. Everything this year for Florida, but it’s taking a toll: a severely bruised shoulder and weekly bumps and bruises. Junior quarterback Matthew Stafford will play well and Georgia will keep it close, but the Bulldogs aren’t ready to win a game like this. Florida 31, Georgia 21.
#12 usc (6-1) at #5 oregon (6-1)
Saturday October 27, 2 PM CT
Line: Oregon -3
USC has not been an underdog in any of its last 45 games. Until now. USC is a three-point underdog at Oregon, where the Trojans face the second-ranked offense in the country. Senior quarterback John David Booty should play Saturday in Eugene and it looks as if USC has regained its stride after a shellacking of Notre Dame. The Trojans cruised to a 25-point win over Oregon last year. The teams may be different, but the result won’t be. USC 31, Oregon 24.
#7 West virginia (6-1) at rutgers (5-2)
Saturday October 27, 11 AM CT, ABC
Line: West Virginia -6
Last year West Virginia handed Rutgers a triple-overtime loss, causing Rutgers to miss out on the Big East championship. After losing earlier in the season to South Florida, it appeared that West Virginia’s national title hopes were gone. Not so fast. If the Mountaineers can win out, a national championship game berth would not be out of the question. Ultimately, which junior running back has a better day – Steve Slaton of West Virginia or Ray Rice of Rutgers – will determine the outcome of this Big East thriller. West Virginia 27, Rutgers 24.
