Week 12 College Picks

#25 South Carolina @ #4 Florida - Florida has been the most explosive team in the nation in the last few weeks but South Carolina brings in a tough defense, allowing just 16 points per game. The Gamecocks also bring in head coach Steve Spurrier, who returns to the Swamp for the second time as a visitor. Last time he was there, 2 years ago, the Gators pulled out a late win against the Gamecocks after 3 field goals were blocked by UF. The late emergence of Heisman winner Tim Tebow has helped spark the offense along with quick sparkplugs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey in the backfield. South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia has to look out for more than Brandon Spikes and the Gator defense but also umpires in the field.

Florida, 51-13

#19 Florida State @ Boston College - Because of a fight with a fraternity on campus, Seminoles have suspended 5 players from their game against the Eagles. Even without those players, FSU should be able to control the clock with their grind it out, smash mouth running game. FSU's stars on the ground, Antone Smith and Jermaine Thomas, should be able to pound the BC defense and put up more points than Notre Dame did last week. Florida State's defense should also be able to put pressure on the quarterback and pull out the home win.

Florida State, 21-17

#3 Texas @ Kansas - Longhorns head to Lawrence to battle the underacheiving Jayhawks. Texas quarterback Colt McCoy should have a field day against the 116th-ranked passing defense of Kansas. The vaunted Jayhawk offense, led by quaterback Todd Reesing and wide receiver Jake Sharp, has been subdued lately in big games against Texas Tech and South Florida. The Longhorns welcome back defensive end Brian Orakpo to the line that will put pressure on Reesing.

Texas, 63-21

#16 North Carolina @ Maryland - Key ACC matchup pits a UNC team coming off a big win against Georgia Tech while Maryland is coming off a thrashing by Virginia Tech. UNC was able to shut down the triple-option attack of GT, only allowing 7 points. Maryland, on ther other hand, wasn't able to slow down Hokie freshman running back Darren Evans, who ran for 253 yards. The Terps are a much better team at home than on the road and are figting for their ACC lives.

Maryland, 24-23

#11 Ohio State @ Illinois - Ohio State looks to avenge last year's loss to Illinois. Freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor has bounced back nicely after the Penn State game mostly remembered for Pryor's key fumble. Meanwhile, preseason Heisman hopeful Beanie Wells has quietly bounced back from and early season injury. At Illinois, it has been a tough season, missing Rashard Mendenhall more than expected.

Ohio State, 45-13

#10 Georgia @ Auburn - Bulldogs come off last second win at Lexington, Kentucky, winning 42-38. In Auburn, the offense has struggled to score 42 points in the last 5 games. In the end, Knowshon Moreno and A.J. Green are too much for Tiger defense.

Georgia, 35-16

#13 Oklahoma State @ Colorado - Pokes come into Boulder looking to bounce back from blowout loss in Lubbock. OK State's Zac Robinson and Kendall Hunter tandem are similar to West Virginia's Pat White and Noel Devine (who Colorado beat earlier this season). And although their offenses are similar, their defenses are not.

Oklahoma State, 45-21

Notre Dame @ Navy - Irish have not beaten a team with a winning record this year and are 1-16 in their last 17 games against such teams. Navy has a winning record.

Navy, 23-13

Last Week: 5-3. Thursday night games screwed up a promising Saturday.