Pigskin Pickin Machine

The pickin machine moves to the biggest game of the season here and bragging rights for the season here are on the line as Ohio State defends their new number one ranking going into vicious Camp Randall Stadium against the Wisconsin Badgers.

Now the michigan game is still the top rivalry,but considering the family interests here,the Wisconsin game is just as large here as michigan.
Wisconsin has been the one team that has played the Buckeyes straight up since Jim Tressel has become the head man in Columbus.The Badgers play a physical,hard nosed game based on the ground attack and that has helped them against Ohio State through the years against both Tressel and his predecessor John Cooper.
This was one of the two games that I had concerns about entering the season with the other being at Iowa later in the season,but the Badgers have had struggles against some less than powerhouse teams and the loss to Michigan State was a surprise,although it looks a bit better now than it did then.
Look for lots of John Clay and the other Bucky backs because if OSU gets up early,that will not be the Badger forte with the comeback.Going to be a close and helmet crackin' battle at the "Jump Around".

Texas Tech comes off an exciting win over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl last week and while we are at it-kudos to the Dallas area for caring about tradition in times that sell it for the slightest buck.With Texas and Oklahoma always playing at the end of the fair and Arkansas and Texas A&M renewing their old SWC rivalry yearly now at the Cowboys stadium at the beginning of fair week,Baylor and Texas Tech should continue to play at the Cotton Bowl every year to kick the fair off right.
That would give the Dallas area three meaningful games to count on every year around the State Fair and give both Tech and Baylor more Metroplex exposure.
The 3-2 Red Raiders host the 5-0 and ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys and their coach Mike "I'm a MAN" Gundy in Lubbock.The Cowboy offense averages over 500 yards a game and Tech didn't exactly look like powerhouse despite the win over Baylor.Look for lots of throwing and scoring here.

The game of the week goes back to the SEC as the only battle of ranked teams other than Ohio State-Wisconsin takes place in Alabama as number seven Auburn hosts 12th ranked Arkansas.Ryan Mallett has a chance to redeem himself in a return match against a ranked team from Alabama.Auburn has squeaked by in four games this season.Mallett ends the streak this time.

Our Picks
Ohio State over Wisconsin 20-17
Oklahoma State over Texas Tech 48-35
Arkansas over Auburn 38-28

The Browns travel to Pittsburgh in what looks to be the first start for Colt McCoy as a pro.This might be the worst possible scenario for McCoy as the Steelers are coming off a loss and their bye to go with the return of Ben Rothlisberger plus a home game.
This one might take a miracle.

The Seahawks are in Chicago after their bye week and the 4-1 Bears get Jay Cutler back.Chicago hasn't impressed me much for a 4-1 team and if this game was in Seattle,I might be tempted to pick the upset-But it isn't.Seattle has been totally different away from Qwest Field and they have been putrid in their two road games.

Our game of the week features the Ravens heading into New England.The Ravens look like the better team and New England moving Randy Moss for essentially Deion Branch doesn't do it for me either.
That said Joe Flacco is turnover prone and Bill Belichick might have some surprises for Murderin' Ray and his birds.

Our Picks
Steelers over Browns 27-6
Bears over Seahawks 19-13
Patriots over Ravens 24-20