This article is part of our College Football Picks series.
Another week and another reshuffle atop the rankings. Well, not quite at the top, but certainly close to the top as fourth-ranked Baylor fell victim to the upset last week.
It's become commonplace this season to see a top-tier team fall each and every Saturday, which is going to make the playoff committee's job at season's end difficult. I'd say I don't envy them, but who am I kidding? I'd love to be on that committee.
Now, as for the decisions they'll have to make -- they won't be easy. For starters, you've got the SEC conundrum. Four of the top-5 ranked teams are from the SEC. Could the committee really put three or four teams from one conference into the first-ever playoff?
It certainly could, but human nature won't allow it. Here's the problem and mind you, this problem would exist no matter which system was in place. The problem is human bias. Don't get me wrong, I like the human factor, but to say that preconceived notions will have no effect on the outcome of the final selections is ridiculous.
For example, Ole Miss and Mississippi State play each other Thanksgiving week. Let's say both teams are undefeated. One team is going to have a loss after that game, and that loss will be that team's last impression on the committee. As much as I respect the committee members, I have a hard time believing that the individual members will give the loser of that game as much
Another week and another reshuffle atop the rankings. Well, not quite at the top, but certainly close to the top as fourth-ranked Baylor fell victim to the upset last week.
It's become commonplace this season to see a top-tier team fall each and every Saturday, which is going to make the playoff committee's job at season's end difficult. I'd say I don't envy them, but who am I kidding? I'd love to be on that committee.
Now, as for the decisions they'll have to make -- they won't be easy. For starters, you've got the SEC conundrum. Four of the top-5 ranked teams are from the SEC. Could the committee really put three or four teams from one conference into the first-ever playoff?
It certainly could, but human nature won't allow it. Here's the problem and mind you, this problem would exist no matter which system was in place. The problem is human bias. Don't get me wrong, I like the human factor, but to say that preconceived notions will have no effect on the outcome of the final selections is ridiculous.
For example, Ole Miss and Mississippi State play each other Thanksgiving week. Let's say both teams are undefeated. One team is going to have a loss after that game, and that loss will be that team's last impression on the committee. As much as I respect the committee members, I have a hard time believing that the individual members will give the loser of that game as much respect as, say a one-loss Alabama team or any other one-loss team from the SEC.
Human nature will dictate that a traditional powerhouse will get the benefit of doubt, while the up-and-comer will not. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, it's just how everybody associated with this sport thinks. Then again, if a top-4 team loses every week, then we won't be having this discussion a month from now anyhow.
Slightly under par on the whole last week, coming in just under the .500 mark. I took a couple tough losses on the over in the WVU and UCLA games. Both games had chances to go over, but each stalled in the fourth quarter.
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: 1-3; Season: 6-16)
Saturday
North Carolina at Virginia: North Carolina has found itself in some stupid-silly score-fests this season, and although Virginia is generally on the conservative side of the spectrum, I don't think anything can slow down this Tar Heel train. Virginia has found itself in a couple high-scoring affairs this season already, so we know it's possible for the Cavs to get caught up in a scoring-fest.
Total: Over 66
Rutgers at Nebraska: This is a spot where the Cornhuskers have fallen flat the last few years, but I have a feeling this Nebraska team might have a little more moxie than those of the past. Rutgers, on the other hand, seems to be going the wrong way after a solid non-conference start to the season.
Side: Nebraska -17
Texas Tech at TCU: The Horned Frogs are playing at a high level, but I am a little worried about this spot as it comes in the middle of a five-game stretch of some tough matchups. That said, Texas Tech is simply not the team we've become accustomed to over the last decade. The Red Raiders offense is not nearly as potent as it's been the last 10 years, and the defense is just as bad as its been over that stretch.
Side: TCU -23
Michigan at Michigan State: I realize what a big rivalry this is, but the talent disparity as well as the coaching disparity and just about everything else for that matter is dramatically in favor of MSU. The only way this game stays close is if MSU makes a ton of mistakes.
Side: MSU -17
Best of the Rest (Week: 2-1; Season: 9-11-1)
Friday
Oregon at California: One of these weeks I'm going to get the wild Pac-12 shootout that I've been looking for. This looks like a decent spot as Oregon's defense is generally better at home than on the road, and both of these offenses can light up the scoreboard.
Total: Over 79
Saturday
Minnesota at Illinois: Tricky spot for the Gophers as they enter as a healthy favorite, but I'm not sure they are equipped for it. We saw how they handled being a heavy favorite last week, and although that probably served as a wake-up call, I'm still not comfortable laying almost a touchdown here.
Side: Illinois +6.5
Maryland at Wisconsin: Bye weeks can do wonders for teams, and I think that will be the case for Wisconsin this week as the Badgers needed a week off after a couple tough Big Ten games. The Badgers have not impressed in conference action this season, but that works in our favor as the line is set in a nice spot. And you know they'll be some urgency to look the part this week at home.
Side: Wisconsin -10.5
PASSing Thoughts (Week: 2-2; Season: 24-14)
Thursday
Miami at Virginia Tech: Virginia Tech is not a consistent squad, but I like the Hokies in the underdog role, especially at home. The crowd will be jacked for this game, and I look for the Hokies to feed off that energy.
Side: Virginia Tech +3
Saturday
Mississippi State at Kentucky: Call me a sceptic, but I'm not completely sold on MSU as a powerhouse just yet. What makes a team a powerhouse? Well, taking care of business as a big road-favorite for one. MSU will get its chance this week, but I expect this game to be fairly close.
Side: Kentucky +13.5
Alabama at Tennessee: I don't want to overreact to last week's game, but it looks like Bama might have figured out a few things. If that's the case, get ready for a butt-whooping this week, as well.
Side: Alabama -17
Mississippi at LSU: Purely on here because it's such a big game. I don't have a good feel for this game, but I'm going to side with ... Ole Miss. I know, you expected me to side with LSU, but I think there's something missing from this Tiger squad this year.
Side: Ole Miss -3.5
