Jersey Contest: Week 7 -- Blogger Picks

If you haven't made your picks, you can do so here.  The deadline is tonight at 11.59 PM PT.

Dave's picks are again submitted without comment, though they may be added later.

Oklahoma vs Texas:

Jared:  I'm very tempted to go with Oklahoma on this one, but I just can't bring myself to do it. I think that both teams are very overrated, especially on offense. I think that this game will turn into a defensive battle, but Sam Bradford hasn't looked great under pressure, while Colt McCoy can improvise, and that will be the difference in the game. Pick: Texas

Nick:  Oklahoma may have a completely healthy Bradford back at QB, but I just don't think he'll have enough help on offense to keep up with McCoy, who has completed greater than 80% of his attempts in each of his last two games.  Oklahoma has also lost their only two games played away from Norman this year.  Look for that to be three after Saturday.   Pick:  Texas

Dominic:  Colt McCoy is all you need to know about this game. The guy is completing over 70% of his passes and has over 1400 yards. Bradford has won the heisman, Tebow has won the heisman. Time for Colt McCoy to take hold of the heisman trophy race and cement the Longhorns as National Championship contenders with a win in the Red River Rivalry. Pick: Texas

Jeremy:  Both teams got caught looking forward a little last week, but both pulled through it. OU benefits from having Bradford back, but the Sooners are missing some key weapons on offense. Texas needs to find its running game. I don't expect the same kind of shoot-out as last year.  Pick: Texas    

Paul:   I will actually be at this game this weekend, believe it or not.  My brother and I try to go on one non-conference Oregon road trip per year, but this year, Boise was the only legitimate option (thank God we didn't pull the trigger on that one, eh? We settled on the Red River Shootout, and because we'll be sitting in Texas's section, and the fact that Oregon has a tumultuous history with Oklahoma, I'll be rooting for the Sooners.  I also think they put it together, and Bradford outshines McCoy. Pick: Oklahoma

Iowa at Wisconsin:

Jared: Iowa has a good win against Penn State, in horrific conditions, and beyond that, have looked very pedestrian, struggling to beat two terrible teams. Wisconsin hasn't been stellar, but may be slightly underrated. Pick: Wisconsin

Nick:  Iowa has been one of the big surprises so far this season, already notching wins over Arizona, Penn State, and Michigan.  However, I think Wisconsin will knock them from the ranks of the unbeaten on Saturday.  Look for the Badgers to ride RB John Clay and try to grind this game out on the ground, attacking an Iowa rush defense that is giving up over 130 yards per game.  Wisconsin wins if they can avoid the costly turnovers that plagued them at OSU last week (which is no small task, considering Iowa is second in the nation with 19 takeaways).  Pick:  Wisconsin

Dominic:   Iowa seems to have Wisconsin's number in the last few years and the Hawkeyes are riding an 11 game winning streak. People have already started talking about challenging for the Big 10 title this year. All that being said, I think the Badgers will have a lot of success running the ball and if they can win the ball control game, I see Wisconsin pulling this one out in a shocker. Pick: Wisconsin

Jeremy:  Wisconsin strikes me as this year's almost-could-but-not-quite team in the Big 10. Iowa has mastered winning the close games, against both quality and crappy opponents.  Pick: Iowa    

Paul:    This should be an excellent game.  Wisconsin is coming off a brutal loss at the Horseshoe, Iowa off the big win over Michigan.  Because of the Hawkeyes' momentum, I'm taking Iowa. Pick: Iowa

California at UCLA:

Jared: Will the Cal slide continue? Will Kevin Riley show up? I have no idea, but Cal has more talent, and a better coaching staff. Pick: California

Nick:  Cal has been terrible the last few weeks and they will face their third straight solid defense.  On the bright side, it won't take much offense to knock off UCLA and Jahvid Best should have success similar to LMJ against the Bruin defense.  On the downside, I am pretty sure they'll need to score more than the three points they are averaging over the last two weeks.  I think this is the week that Cal gets back on track -- 21 points should be enough to win.  On a side note, I spoke with a Cal fan at a Pac-10 happy hour last night.  His thoughts were that this game is the turning point for the Cal season.  A win against UCLA would start the momentum needed to run the table and finish 10-2.  A loss and the Bears would flounder and finish no better than 5-7.   Pick:  California

Dominic:  I was very impressed with UCLA's defense against Oregon but they have trouble scoring. California has had issues on the defensive and offensive sides of the ball in the last couple of games but those games were against Oregon and USC. I'm still sticking with the Golden Bears for now but if they lose this game, the wheels have officially come off the cart for this season. I think Jahvid Best is stlll the man, I just wonder how the Cal fans are feeling about Andy Ludwig now. Pick: California

Jeremy: Which of the hibernating bears will awake from their stupor? Cal's QB play has been bad against good defenses. UCLA's offense is just plain not good. I'm tempted to take UCLA because their defense is probably stronger than Cal's. Instead, I think Tedford will have his troops re-focused and ready to get back on the right track.  Pick: California    

Paul:  Cal desperately needs to get back on track, and I think it starts here.  They're coming off a bye week and should put up big numbers against an inexperienced UCLA defense.  UCLA, after suffering a disheartening loss to Oregon, is on tilt, and likely won't get it done on the offensive side of the ball. Pick: Cal

Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech:

Jared: Georgia Tech can't stop anyone. Against Mississippi State and Florida State, they forced only one punt. Unfortunately, this week they run into a good defense. Pick: Virginia Tech

Nick:  I keep claiming that VaTech is overrated and that I have serious doubts that Tyrod Taylor can pull out a win with the game on his shoulders, so why stop now?  While the Hokies have a very strong defense, I think Georgia Tech's spread option offense will be able to create enough points for them to win at home.    Pick:  Georgia Tech

Dominic:  I love Georgia Tech's offense. Maybe I'm just a sucker for crazy formations but I really love watching them tear people up. Both teams have excellent running games and virtually no passing attack whatsoever. I think this game comes down to defense and I like the Hokies just a little bit more than Georgia Tech in that area. If Virginia Tech can get through this game, they don't have to play anymore ranked opponents. I think they get the job done. Pick: Virginia Tech

Jeremy:  Tough call in the unpredictable ACC. Georgia Tech's offense presents challenges for even a tough defense like VaTech. The bees will buzz around in all directions and probably turn this game into a shootout. VaTech's Tyrod Taylor is getting better, but he might not be able to keep up with GaTech's scoring. Plus, I'm still pissed at VaTech for that win against Nebraska.  Pick:  Georgia Tech  

Paul:   VA Tech is my moneymaker. I keep talking about my theory regarding offensive line experience and how it directly translates to wins in the first half of the year, or at least improves a team's chances of winning in every game. So, I'm sticking to my guns and going with the Hokies on the road. Pick: Virginia Tech

Stanford at Arizona:

Jared: Ahh, trying to figure out the Pac-10. I still think that Arizona is a pretty good team. The big offensive question mark was QB, which has been a nice surprise, the defense is solid, and the screw-job last week should provide some nice motivation. Stanford is good, but they can't play from behind, and Arizona has the ability to get out ahead early at home. Pick: Arizona

Nick:  The Wildcats have a lot going for them in this game.  They return home for the first time in over a month.  Sophomore QB Nick Foles has been solid in two straight games after taking over for Matt Scott in the Iowa game.  And, Nic Grigsby must be chomping at the bit to get at a Stanford defense that was gashed by the Beavers for over 460 yards, including 189 by Quzz last week.  Pick:  Arizona

Dominic:  I said before the Stanford/Oregon State game last week that I thought Oregon State would rip Stanford up and the game wasn't nearly as close as the final score indicated. The Cardinal got exposed on defense and I think that continues in the desert. I like Nick Foles and what the coaches are doing to fit his skills. Give it up to Mike Stoops. If it wasn't for a freak play at UW, the Cats would be 4-1 and co-leading the Pac-10. They have a swagger about them and I just don't see Stanford rebounding from the loss to the Beavers...not on the road. Pick: Arizona

Jeremy: I thought Stanford had the goods coming into the season. I still do, maybe, despite their horrible defense in Corvallis last week (Quizz has a way of making teams look bad). Whoever loses this game gets to start feeling shitty about their chances in conference play this season. I think Bob Stoops deserves such a fate.  Pick:  Stanford 

Paul:  A grudge match in the middle of the Pac-10.  Arizona seems to be on the verge of making a push for the top half of the Pac-10.  Stanford, after its loss to Oregon State, appears its not quite sure it's a legitimate Pac-10 contender. I like the Wildcats in this one, as they should be effective (enough) at stopping Toby Gerhart and the Cardinal rushing attack. Pick: Arizona