Games To Watch: Week No. 5

#5 West Virginia versus #18 South Florida
Friday @ 8:00 PM ET on ESPN2
In what demonstrates a bustling Big East, these two face off for the first time ranked. South Florida has emerged as the king of the upset here recently. They beat a ninth ranked Louisville squad in '05 and have already beaten seventh ranked Auburn this season. And the Bulls have had WV's number before too, ruining the Moutaineers' BCS bid just last year. In what will be a thriller, two very mobile QBs square off. It won't be easy for the Bulls to repeat last year's win. The Mountaineers are even better and more Devine, as in Noel Devine. Plus, it looks like they may have found a defense. But with playmakers such as Jesse Hester and Amarri Jackson the Bull's are definitely in it to win it.
Picks—Randall: WV Erick: WV Chris: WV

Auburn versus #4 Florida
Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET on ESPN
It's not a good time to be a Tiger. Coming off loses to both South Florida and Mississippi State, Auburn is not faring well this season, but, hey, they did beat New Mexico State! In contrast, the Gators, save for a slightly vulnerable defense, is cruising through the season. But in the turbulent SEC, anything goes. One thing is for sure: Tebow > Cox. Cox has thrown five more interceptions and seven fewer touchdowns than "Timbow." Plus, Cox has thrown for 525 fewer yards and he can't run like the multi-faceted Gator QB. With those things and all of the playmakers the Gators have, Auburn's season will be a little darker unless they can pull of a miracle. Miracles do still happen.
Picks—Randall: UF Erick: UF Chris: UF

Michigan State versus #9 Wisconsin
Saturday @ 3:30 PM ET on ABC
Might this be a match-up between the two best teams in the Big Ten? Could be. Michigan State is off to a fantastic start under Mark Dantonio. Michigan State ranks 14 th in the nation in total defense. Wisconsin ranks 56th in total offense. Badgers may live underground, but if Javon Ringer and Jehuu Caulcrick pound it out on the ground for the Spartans, Wisconsin may be in trouble.
Picks—Randall: Wisconsin Erick: Wisconsin Chris: Wisconsin

#22 Alabamaversus Florida State
Saturday @ 5:00 PM ET on CBS
The Tide and the Noles are set to take over Jacksonville and ALLTEL stadium. Why? I don't know. I do hope that Bobby Bowden spent the bye-week coaching up his squad instead of lounging in his recliner, nodding off while drinking cans of Ensure. To be kind, the Florida State has been sluggish, and that's certainly not the case for Alabama. In two SEC slugfests, 'Bama is 1-1 and has looked good so far this season. Ranked 89 th in the nation in total offense, it's hard to see how Florida State could pose a serious threat to the Tide unless Jimbo Fisher worked some major magic over the break.
Picks—Randall: Alabama Erick: Alabama Chris: Alabama

#6 California versus #11 Oregon
Saturday @ 3:30 PM ET on ABC
On paper Cal just may meet its match on Saturday. Oregon is no joke. They average more total yards, more passing yards, more rushing yards, and score more points than the Bears. Nate Longshore is a solid QB, but Dennis Dixon already has eleven touchdown passes on the season, and he has rushed for four more. His mobility could very well be the difference in this PAC-10 showdown.
Picks—Randall: Oregon Erick: Cal Chris: Cal

#1 Southern California versus Washington
Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET on ABC
That big win continues to escape Ty Willingham and the Huskies. They played with Ohio State for the first half. Blew it in the second. And the UCLA game was back and forth for a while until UCLA ran away with it. So, at 2-2 the opportunity to get a biggest win they could is here. Jake Locker hasn't looked bad, but he can't do everything by himself. To even stay in this one, some other s players for the Huskies have got to step up.
Picks—Randall: USC Erick: USC Chris: USC