Picks, Thursday Edition

1. Texas vs. Oklahoma

The Oklahoma defense had to step up in the absence of Sam Bradford and it responded by allowing BYU and Miami to score late, leading to two losses and the end of OU's BCS championship hopes. The Sooner offensive line is still putting up as much resistance as a revolving door and top WR Ryan Broyles is probably going to be out for the game, so once again this game will rest in the hands of the Sooner D.

Texas hasn't played a defense the caliber of OU's, but they will score enough points and the Longhorn defense will put Bradford on his back and keep the Sooner offense under wraps.

Texas 24
Oklahoma 17

2. USC at Notre Dame

I've been hearing all week how ND finally believes they can beat USC... yeaaaah I don't believe them. The game will be more competitive than in year's past due to an improved Irish offensive line and USC's inexperience on offense, but USC will still win comfortably.

USC 34
Notre Dame 20

3. Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech

This is by far VT's toughest remaining game. I thought Georgia Tech might take a bit of a fall this year as the ACC gets its second look at the triple option offense, but GT has been averaging a league-best 426.7 ypg. Virginia Tech leads the conference in scoring at 34.2 ppg. Will this be a high scoring shootout like last week's GT win over Florida State?

I'm not so sure. Virginia Tech was able to hold the GT offense to 17 points last year, showing that defensive coordinator Bud Foster has a decent handle on the triple option offense. Georgia Tech's defense has been a little suspect this year, allowing 26.5 ppg. In the end, I think QB Tyrod Taylor and RB Ryan Williams do enough on the ground to grind out a win.

Virginia Tech 31
Georgia Tech 21

4. Cincinnati at South Florida (Thursday)

Cincinnati's potent offense faces off against South Florida's stingy defense in the biggest Big East game of the season to date. The winner keeps alive national title hopes while the loser relinquishes control of its own destiny for a Big East championship.

Cincinnati QB Tony Pike is 8th nationally in passing efficiency and he guides a quick strike offense that scores the third most points in the country (42 ppg) despite averaging the nation's lowest time of possession at 24 minutes a game. USF will counter Cincy's passing attack with the 9th best pass defense. Offensively for the Bulls, QB B.J. Coleman has filled in admirably for injured senior starter Matt Grothe by throwing for six scores against just two interceptions.

That Cincinnati time of possession statistic scares me a little too much, especially against a team that can stop the throwing game like USF can. If Coleman can come up big again for his team, USF will pull off the upset.

USF 31
Cincinnati 28

5. South Carolina at Alabama

Hmm, maybe if this game were at home for SC... ehhh no, probably not even then. Alabama is just too good on defense and they will be able to pound the ball on Carolina's defense. Stephen Garcia has had a nice season, but I have a feeling he will be ineffective against Nick Saban's stout defense.

'Bama 24
South Carolina 10