Bragging Rights: PB Staff Picks the Top 25 - Week 6

With Ryan Coleman, David Cooper and Neal Turnage
October 2, 2008

Will it ever stop?  Once again the week was full of upsets all over the scoreboard, with four top10 teams losing.  The blame can only go to one place for this sudden deluge of upsets: Appalachian State.  Since the Mountaineers beat then-No. 5 Michigan in Ann Arbor, college football has gone insane. Last year it seemed like no team wanted to be number two in the rankings.  This year a flailing Oregon State dominated the number one team in the nation. Only time can tell how long this upset bug lasts, but we doubt it will end anytime soon.

Ryan's Game of the Week: No. 5 Texas at Colorado

Don't look now, but Colorado is 3-1 with its only loss coming against Florida State in Tallahassee.  Texas has impressed people by blowing out opponents, but has yet to face any real competition, with its best opponent being Rice at 3-2.  Not only does the lack of quality opponents work against Texas, but the home field advantage for Colorado does as well.  The Buffaloes are 3-0 at home this season, and upset then-No. 3 Oklahoma in their Big 12 home opener last season.  Colorado will win this with the crowd of black and gold pushing all the way.

Winner: Colorado

David's Game of the Week: No. 23 Oregon at No. 9 USC

I am curious to see how USC will bounce back after its arguably shocking loss to Oregon State.  Oregon is another formidable Pac-10 opponent, and I expect Oregon to make this yet another tough match for USC.  I believe that Mark Sanchez will not lose at home, but I do expect some aftereffects of the loss to present themselves at this game.  The BCS bust already reared its head this past week, and look for it to do it again, just not at this game.

Winner: USC

Neal's Game of the Week: No.14 Ohio State at No.18 Wisconsin

Despite embarrassing losses early, whichever comes out on top in this encounter can still make it to Miami by running the table.  This will be classic, smashmouth-style football at its best. Buckeye running back Chris "Beanie" Wells, back from his foot injury, will do all he can to get back into the Heisman hunt but will face a physical Badger defensive line loaded with experienced upper classmen (98 combined starts).  But if Wells runs into a wall, Terrelle Pryor, in his first road start, may be asked to do more than he's ready to handle.  The Badgers are 6-0 at night under third-year coach Bret Bielema and are the only team in the Big Ten with a winning record against OSU (3-2) in the Jim Tressel era.  Wisconsin wins a slugfest to set up next week's game of the week against Penn State.

Winner: Wisconsin