Here’s the Campus Press pick ’em of the week:
Stirling Wade – Sports Editor – Overall: 47-41, Last Week: 5-3
The First Five:
Navy 35, Army 21 – If Tom Osborne of Nebraska has half a brain, he would give Navy coach Paul Johnson a serious look.
UCLA 17, (8) USC 24 – The Bruins took advantage of a banged up opponent in Oregon last week. They won’t be as fortunate this time around with a Trojan team that has a Rose Bowl bid on the line.
Oregon State 33, (17) Oregon 30 – Brady Leaf isn’t capable of running the Ducks’ offense and it’s caused major problems in the past two weeks.
Arizona 10, (13) Arizona State 21 – Arizona will keep it close, but the Sun Devils are just the better team.
Washington 24, (12) Hawaii 35 – I can’t envision Colt Brennan and Co. letting this one get away when they know a BCS bowl is riding on a win.
Championship Games:
(6) Virginia Tech 20, (11) BC 16 – A low scoring game here. The Hokies owe the Eagles one after letting a victory slip away in Blacksburg last month.
(14) Tennessee 23, (7) LSU 27 – What’s happened to LSU’s once vaunted defense? I’m not sure, but I do know that the Tigers will be one angry team after watching their BCS championship hopes go down in flames last weekend at home.
(1) Missouri 34, (9) Oklahoma 33 – This is going to be one close game. One thing to remember, the Sooners will be without their big play threat in the backfield: DeMarco Murray. Meanwhile, the Tigers feel they let the Sooners beat them earlier this season. I’ll take the No. 1 team in the land.
Margot Schneider – Sports Writer – Overall: 52-36, Last Week: 6-2
The First Five:
Navy 34, Army 20 – Paul Johnson has never let Navy lose to Army. I doubt that happens in his sixth season.
UCLA 13, (8) USC 27 – Wait, UCLA has a chance to go to the Rose Bowl? This is the same team that lost to Notre Dame, right? Well, it doesn’t even matter. With that mess of a quarterback situation, this pick is easy.
Oregon State 27, (17) Oregon 20 – Without Dennis Dixon, well, there is no reason to rub it in.
Arizona 14, (13) Arizona State 31 – Why are we picking this game? Arizona is terrible. The Pac-10 is bad too.
Washington 20, (12) Hawaii 35 – Hawaii is undefeated and not a national title contender, while pretty much every other team that has broken the top 10 this year will be thrown in the mix. Thanks, BCS.
Championship Games:
(6) Virginia Tech 17, (11) BC 10 – This will not be a repeat of last month. Two touchdowns in three minutes for the win? I’d like to think the Hokies can hold off BC for a full 60 minutes this game.
(14) Tennessee 24, (7) LSU 31 – This should be LSU-Georgia, come on.
(1) Missouri 28, (9) Oklahoma 31 – A fourth quarter self-destruction.
Brad Cochi – Sports Writer – Overall: 47-41, Last Week: (4-4) *Brad didn’t turn in picks last week, but for the sake of being a good person I’ve decided to give him a 4-4 record for last week, which is one game worse than the worst picker, myself – Stirling Wade, sports editor
The First Five:
Navy 31, Army 13 – Navy has been rolling of late and Army has not. Navy wins this military match up.
UCLA 17, (8) USC 28 – UCLA doesn’t have a chance against a USC team that will do anything to go to the Rose Bowl.
Oregon State 23, (17) Oregon 17 – This is another easy pick. When Oregon lost Dennis Dixon they lost everything.
Arizona 13, (13) Arizona State 31 – We should be picking whether or not Arizona State beats the spread (and they will), not who wins this game.
Washington 21, (12) Hawaii 38 – Jake Locker vs. Colt Brennan.Please.
Championship Games:
(6) Virginia Tech 24, (11) BC 17 – Tech gets the redemption its been waiting a month for.
(14) Tennessee 24, (7) LSU 28 – There’s no doubt the Tigers had bigger plans for their season. They’ll be looking to prove a point against Tennessee.
(1) Missouri 34, (9) Oklahoma 31 – I’m not quite used to Missouri being ranked No.1. If the team loses this game, I just won’t know what to believe.
Amanda Walck – Sports Writer – Overall: 41-46, Last Week: 6-2
The First Five:
Navy 31, Army 17 – Navy will send Army packing with its power running game.
UCLA 17, (8) USC 28 – I love a good rivalry game in Pasadena. Too bad it won’t be much of a competition.
Oregon State 24, (17) Oregon 20 – A redshirt freshman can’t replace a Heisman candidate.
Arizona 10, (13) Arizona State 28 – No more Rose Bowl for you, ASU.
Washington 28, (12) Hawaii 38 – Colt Brennan will help his team earn its very first BCS bowl invitation.
Championship Games
(6) Virginia Tech 24, (11) BC 21 – Matt Ryan, you only get that lucky once in a lifetime. The Hokies will hold on for the win this time.
(14) Tennessee 21, (7) LSU 28 – I would pick Tennessee to win this one, but, sadly, the team isn’t playing. I’ll go for LSU instead.
(1) Missouri 35, (9) Oklahoma 31 – Missouri is just a better team when it really gets down to it.
Derek Schimmel – Sports Writer – Overall: 48-40, Last Week: 6-2
The First Five:
Navy 28, Army 14 – One if by land, two if by sea…
UCLA 17, (8) USC 31 – The Trojans are back. A win here will guarantee them a spot in a BCS game.
Oregon State 20, (17) Oregon 28 – Even without Dixon, the Ducks will be playing tough on their home turf against an in state rival.
Arizona 10, (13) Arizona State 31 – Arizona is one of the most disappointing teams this year. Even after that big win against Oregon, they stand a little chance of winning in Tempe.
Washington 24, (12) Hawaii 35 – Hawaii was more than impressive last week against Boise St. Everyone knows about its offense, but the Hawaii D isn’t as bad as people think.
Championship Games
(6) Virginia Tech 21, (11) BC 10 – After VT’s debacle in the last two minutes against BC a month ago, the team will want this one badly.
14) Tennessee 24, (7) LSU 20 – LSU is coming off a tough loss against Arkansas. Les Miles already has his heart in Ann Arbor. I’m going to go with the underdog.
(1) Missouri 24, (9) Oklahoma 35 – I think Missouri is the better team. That being said, with all the chaos that has gone in FBS this year, its only fair that the No.1 team in the land loses one more time.
