CU Independent Pick’em, Week 12

It’s amazing how a week can change.

Last week, with our beloved Colorado Buffaloes’ season on the line, every panel member chose CU to beat Iowa State on the road. Of course, the Buffs lost 17-10. This week, with the Buffs’ bowl hopes dashed, every panel member is picking against CU.

But hey, a week can also change the standings. With two weeks left, it’s still a tight race for the top spot. However, a king reigns supreme by his lonesome self. CU Independent staff writer Chris King went 6-2 last week to break out of the first-place tie with CU:I men’s basketball beat writer David Starcer, who went 4-4 and fell into a third-place tie with CU:I co-sports editor Cheng Sio.

On the other end of spectrum, co-sports editor Ron Knabenbauer may have officially fallen out of the race, as he’s eight games behind King with 16 picks remaining.

Ashley McConnell, a junior economics major, follows Amanda Blackwell, who also went 6-2 last week, as this week’s guest picker.

Guest picker this season — Overall: 56-32, Last week: 6-2

Ashley McConnell, junior economics major

No. 12 Oklahoma State 35, Colorado 10: I hate to go against the Buffs but they have a lot of rebuilding to do. Oklahoma State is going to hand them another road loss.

No. 10 Ohio State 28, Michigan 13: With a Rose Bowl appearance clinched and Michigan on a four-game losing streak and tied for last in the Big Ten Conference, I don’t see Ohio State slowing down. Because this is a rivalry game, Michigan will come out fighting but Ohio State will come out on top.

Ohio 17, Northern Illinois 14: Ohio will upset Northern Illinois at home. With each of them having a 7-3 record, Ohio will prevail with the home crowd having their back.

No. 8 LSU 24, Ole Miss 21: LSU has won four straight in Oxford, Miss. and they are going to make it five. Hopefully, LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson will be good to go to lead the Tigers to a road victory.

East Carolina 31, UAB 24: Carolina will win at home, making its record 7-4. They are 3-1 at home and UAB is 2-4 on the road. I don’t see UAB winning on the road.

No. 17 Stanford 35, No. 25 Cal 28: Stanford will go five games above .500 and defeat Cal at home. Stanford will tack on 35 points to its high-scoring offense.

Kansas State 20, Nebraska 14: I can’t bring myself to pick Nebraska. I don’t care who is favored.

No. 11 Oregon 28, Arizona 10: Oregon easily wins in Arizona. I like the Ducks’ chances with their powerful rushing offense.

Cheng Sio — sports editor — Overall: 55-33, Last week: 6-2

No. 12 Oklahoma State 36, Colorado 21: CU’s season is over. What’s the point?!

Michigan 23, No. 10 Ohio State 13: If you look at Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez’s history, Rodriguez has participated in a bowl game everywhere he’s been by his second season (Tulane, 1998 Liberty Bowl; Clemson, 2001 Gator Bowl; West Virginia, 2002 Continental Tire Bowl). If Rodriguez is to keep the streak and his job alive, then he must beat the Buckeyes to be bowl-eligible. Plus, Ohio State has nothing to play for since they beat Iowa last week to clinch a Rose Bowl berth.

Northern Illinois 20, Ohio 16: A pair of second-place teams in the Mid-American Conference desperately need a win to ensure that they will be playing for a spot in the MAC Championship Game next week. Gimme the Huskies, who are a run-oriented and more explosive team, over the Bobcats, a team reliant on the pass and who squeaks out close games.

Ole Miss 32, No. 8 LSU 8: Both LSU and Ole Miss are very good defensive teams. That’s obvious. But LSU stinks on offense, which is why The Grove will be rockin’ after Jevan Snead and Dexter McCluster takes care of business.

East Carolina 15, UAB 7: There are two huge differences between these two teams as they fight for Conference USA’s East Division crown. The first difference is how they fare against non-conference foes. ECU’s worst loss is by 15 at West Virginia while UAB lost to its two opponents from BCS conferences, Texas A&M and Ole Miss, by 37 and 35 points, respectively. The other difference is style of play. UAB is a one-man band with QB Joe Webb while ECU employs a balanced attack led by QB Patrick Pinkney and running back Dominique Lindsay.

No. 17 Stanford 21, No. 25 Cal 20: How do you tell the difference between Cal and Stanford? Just look at their best players. Stanford RB Toby Gerhart is country-strong as he’s third in college football with 1,395 rushing yards and is considered a Heisman Trophy frontrunner. Cal RB Jahvid Best was considered a Heisman candidate, but he will miss the Big Game with a concussion. You can’t win if you don’t play.

Kansas State 35, Nebraska 21: Now that the Buffs’ season is over, we can only take joy in the Huskers’ suffering. Part one is Nebraska losing the Big 12 North to the Wildcats. Part two will be when CU beats Nebraska on Nov. 27 on national TV.

Arizona 36, No. 11 Oregon 35: Oregon, Stanford, Oregon State and Arizona are in a four-way heat for the Pac-10 Conference. In a weird way, both teams control their own destiny. If Arizona wins out, they will win the conference tiebreakers and go to the Rose Bowl. If Oregon beats the Wildcats and Oregon State in the Civil War, they will smell Roses. I was on the Ducks’ bandwagon since the season-opening loss to Boise State. Then, I jumped off when they laid an egg at Stanford two weeks ago.

Ron Knabenbauer — sports editor — Overall: 49-39, Last week: 4-4

No. 12 Oklahoma State 30, Colorado 22: I would love to see Colorado get its first road win in what seems like a decade, but I’m a realist and it is just not going to happen against a very good Cowboys team on national TV.

No. 10 Ohio State 24, Michigan 20: In any other year, I would pick Michigan. But with Michigan’s struggles, I am reluctantly going with the Buckeyes. However, don’t be surprised if this game turns out to be close and exciting near the end.

Northern Illinois 32, Ohio 27: This will be a battle between two of the best teams in the MAC this season. This one is going to be close, but I like the NIU offense and defense to stop the Bobcats’ hopes of a MAC Championship.

No. 8 LSU 28, Ole Miss 21: What happened to the Rebels this season? Though they may not be in the Top 25 anymore, I still think they will put up a fight against the Tigers. Unfortunately, it won’t be enough for the win.

East Carolina 31, UAB 17: UAB has set its sights on a comeback and a trip to the C-USA Championship game, but they will need to get a win against East Carolina to do it. It’s going to be a great game, but the Pirates will lock up a spot for the C-USA Championship game in the end.

No. 17 Stanford 33, No. 25 Cal 29: The way Stanford has been playing as of late, it will be tough for any team, including archrival Cal, to beat them.

Kansas State 23, Nebraska 13: K-State is the best team in the Big 12 North and they will prove it with a win over the Huskers.

No. 11 Oregon 27, Arizona 19: If the Ducks win out, then they will be heading to Pasadena, Calif. for the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Wildcats will give them trouble, but Oregon should prevail.

Alex K.W. Schultz — CU:I’s football beat reporter — Overall: 54-34, Last week: 5-3

No. 12 Oklahoma State 34, Colorado 16: If the Buffs stand any chance, sophomore QB Tyler Hansen has to have a HUGE game. The Cowboys’ pass defense is ranked among the worst in the Big 12 Conference, but their rush defense is near the top. The Buffs, however, have lost 11 consecutive road games, so history isn’t on their side.

No. 10 Ohio State 35, Michigan 17: Buckeyes head coach Jim Tressel has the Wolverines’ number as he is 7-1 against his archenemy. This rivalry is among the best in college football, but Ohio State is clearly the superior team this season.

Northern Illinois 26, Ohio 24: Don’t really know why we’re picking this game. Yes, both teams are 5-1 in the MAC and fighting for division titles, but honestly, who cares about the MAC? Maybe we should’ve picked the Central Connecticut State versus St. Francis (Pa.) game. That being said, I’ll take the Huskies by a deuce.

No. 8 LSU 20, Ole Miss 17: As much as I think they’re overrated, the Tigers always seem to step up in big games. I didn’t think they stood a chance against Georgia last month, but they won — in Athens, Ga. Yes, LSU squeaked out a tight one against Louisiana Tech last weekend, but something is telling me the Tigers are going to roll up the Rebels.

East Carolina 28, UAB 21: Can’t wait for this Conference USA showdown. Not really. Um, let’s see. The Pirates are 5-1 in C-USA tests and the Blazers are 4-2. OK, I’ve got it. East Carolina wins.

No. 17 Stanford 35, No. 25 Cal 24: The Cardinal put a whuppin’ on USC, who was ranked No. 9 at the time, last weekend. The Big Game or the Battle for the Stanford Axe, whichever you prefer, is a heated rivalry. But Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh has this program turned around. It won’t take any laterals or a flying trombone player for the Cardinal to defeat the Golden Bears on Saturday.

Nebraska 20, Kansas State 7: Big Red’s defense is just too good, which is scary because it will be on display in two Fridays in Boulder. The Huskers, who are on a three-game winning streak, shouldn’t have any problems with the Wildcats. Oh, and the Big 12 North is on the line, which is even more incentive for the Cornhuskers to impress in Lincoln, Neb.

No. 11 Oregon 42, Arizona 24: A good rushing offense against a good rushing defense. The Ducks have scored more than 40 points in their last four games and they haven’t shown any reasons why they would stop.

Chris King — staff writer — Overall: 57-31, Last week 6-2

No. 12 Oklahoma State 48, Colorado 20: Why Mike Bohn? Why must you put our poor, beleaguered Buffs on national TV once again? How many times must we endure national beat-downs before ESPN bans us from primetime games? That being said, this game has lost its luster. With Oklahoma State QB Zac Robinson potentially sidelined by injury and stud wide receiver Dez Bryant suspended for the remainder of the season, the Buffs may get a reprieve from the formerly daunting aerial attack. Unfortunately, this is still a top 20 scoring offense and the Buffs are 86th in scoring defense. Blowout City here we come.

No. 10 Ohio State 20, Michigan 10: An examination of these two coaches presents two different programs. The Buckeyes have Jim Tressel, founder of Tresselball and lover of the sweater vest. His conservative outfits match the conservative (read: boring) ball-control offense and tough defense that is Tresselball. The Wolverines have Rich Rodriguez, the fast talking southern boy who got Michigan into quite the snafu with his recent practice time troubles. Rodriguez is known for his innovative spread offense and, if this year’s Michigan team is any indication, not playing defense. How will these contrasting styles work on the field? The still overrated Buckeyes wins and holds the “Rod Squad” (a new nickname just coined right here) out of a bowl game again.

Northern Illinois 20, Ohio 3: I’ll spend as much time on this prediction as you would watching it. Northern Illinois is 25th in total defense. Ohio is 102nd in total offense. Huskies win and both schools fade back into obscurity. Seriously, this was one of the top eight marquee matchups this week? Must be some SLIM pickings.

Ole Miss 24, No. 8 LSU 21: Hello Dexter McCluster. The speedy senior, who is a jack of all trades, compiled over 250 rushing yards and four touchdowns against a supposedly dominant Tennessee defense. While the Rebels have yet to live up to lofty preseason expectations (ranked No. 8 in the Associated Press preseason poll), they have improved lately, winning four of their last five. The poor LSU Tigers, on the other hand, lost a heartbreaker against Alabama two weeks ago. During the game, they lost senior RB Charles Scott for the rest of the season with a broken collarbone. The Tigers experienced a close call against in-state rival Louisiana Tech last week and starting QB Jordan Jefferson is hoping to return from injury. His return won’t be enough as Ole Miss should be able to pull out the upset.

UAB 30, ECU 29: UAB QB Joe Webb may be the second best quarterback no one has heard of, the other being Central Michigan’s Dan LeFevour. Webb has compiled almost 3,000 yards rushing and passing and 26 touchdowns. His play has the Blazers on a three-game winning streak. What isn’t helping is the 116th-ranked defense. ECU played a tough non-conference schedule, playing Virginia Tech, North Carolina and West Virginia. While the Pirates currently sit atop C-USA, Webb and the rushing attack is arriving just in time to upset them.

No. 17 Stanford 45, No. 25 Cal 17: If the Heisman was based on the last two weeks, bruising Stanford RB Toby Gerhart would be a unanimous winner. Compiling over 400 yards and six TDs in Stanford’s two upset wins over Oregon and USC, Gerhart has been unstoppable. Helping his cause has been the stellar play of strong-armed freshman QB Andrew Luck, who looks better every week. Stanford’s offense has been almost unstoppable and head coach Jim Harbaugh’s call to go for a two-point conversion after going up 48-21 against USC was the best moment of the season, so far. Cal has fallen apart after high expectations and without star RB Jahvid Best, who suffered one of the scariest injuries I’ve ever seen, they have no chance.

Nebraska 17, Kansas State 14: This one is going to be ugly. Two defensive-heavy teams duke it out for the Big 12 North crown. Nebraska was expected to be in contention, but almost no one expected K-State to be in the same spot. The Cornhuskers have had offensive struggles (see their 9-7 loss to Iowa State), but their “D” is a top 10 unit led by monster defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who has been demolishing offensive lines all year. It’s going to be a slugfest, but the Cornhuskers will — and it PAINS me to type this — win the North. They will move on and get abused by Texas in the Big 12 Championship Game. But that’s for another day.

No. 11 Oregon 35, Arizona 20: The Ducks’ loss to Stanford looks much better after the Cardinal whipped USC on USC’s home turf last weekend. Arizona was everyone’s favorite scrappy little team, winning tough games with a solid defense (ranked 18th) and the solid play of sophomore QB Nick Foles. But after last week’s loss to Cal, their hopes of winning the Pac-10 and going to the program’s first-ever Rose Bowl might have been dashed. The Ducks are in the driver’s seat to win the Pac-10 and beating the Wildcats in Tucson, Ariz. is just the next step for them on their way to Pasadena.

David Starcer — CU:I’s men’s basketball beat reporter — Overall: 55-33, Last week 4-4

No. 12 Oklahoma State 45, Colorado 13: Anyone who picks Colorado in this one isn’t fulfilling their duties as a true college football prognosticator. Robinson will continue to haunt my dreams — and every Buffs fans for that matter — as the QB we could have had by shredding CU’s defense once again.

Michigan 31, No. 10 Ohio State 24: A complete gut pick on my part. The Buckeyes are on a roll after their thrilling overtime victory over Iowa clinched the Big Ten, but Rodriguez NEEDS a win to keep his job and get Michigan to a bowl game. I think he accomplishes that by ending Ohio State’s domination in this rivalry.

Northern Illinois 17, Ohio 7: I got nothing for this one guys. All I know is Northern Illinois’ mascot is the Huskies and Ohio’s head coach is Frank Solich, formerly of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. So I’ll take the Huskies over Frank Solich.

No. 8 LSU 20, Ole Miss 14: Ole Miss may be the most overrated team in college football and Snead the most overrated player. I’ll take the Bayou Bengals stout “D” to take out the Rebels in Oxford.

East Carolina 27, UAB 14: Again, no idea why we’re picking this one. But if I have to, Pirates by 13 at home.

No. 17 Stanford 38, No. 25 Cal 23: If I didn’t think Cardinal QB Andrew Luck and RB Toby Gerhart (1,395 rushing yards and 19 TDs) would shred Cal’s defense, I’d probably still take Stanford in this one because I LOVE STANFORD. OK, sorry about that guys. Anyways, Cal is undeserving of a Top 25 ranking and Stanford will fight to the very end to get a shot at the Rose Bowl.

Kansas State 20, Nebraska 12: K-State has been the most consistent team in the Big 12 North this season. I know that’s not saying much, but it’s true. RB Daniel Thomas has been huge for them. Look for Thomas to control the clock and the game for the Wildcats, who will emerge from Lincoln as division champions.

No. 11 Oregon 40, Arizona 27: Oregon needs this win to fend off Oregon State, Stanford, and…who am I missing? Oh yeah, these Arizona Wildcats, to hold on to the Pac-10 and the Rose Bowl berth that comes with it. The Ducks get the big road win heading into their Civil War showdown with the Beavers at the Autzen Zoo.

Compiled by Sports Editor Cheng Sio. Contact Cheng Sio at Cheng.sio@colorado.edu.