Hlastradamus doesn't have the same good feeling he had the previous two weeks, but will have another winning week on sheer guts and determination instead of athleticism and talent.
(Season record vs. the spread: 11-3)
1. Indiana +3 vs. Illinois: These are two teams on the rise. Indiana hasn't grabbed the oddsmakers' eyes yet. But the Hoosiers are going to a bowl game this year, and winning this game is one reason why.
2. Nebraska -23.5 vs. Ball State: The Cornhuskers will be hung over from getting routed by USC last week, but they need to turn right around and beat up on someone smaller than themselves or the state of Nebraska will implode.
3. Ohio State -22 vs. Northwestern: You don't lose to Duke at home and give Ohio State a good battle in Columbus. You just don't.
4. USC -25.5 vs. Washington State: Style points do count. USC, LSU, Oklahoma and Florida will need to smash opponents to not lose ground in the polls. The Trojans will do plenty of smashing this week.
5. Notre Dame +12 vs. Michigan State: There's no logic to this pick since the Fighting Irish are America's worst team, at any level, in any sport. But the Spartans aren't as good as their 3-0 record indicates, and it's their first road game.
6. Toledo +3.5 vs. Iowa State: Toledo's pretty rotten, too, especially on defense. Hosting a BCS conference team is a big deal for a Toledo, and the Rockets surely will want payback for their three-overtime loss at Ames last year. But USC is a much, much, much better play this week than Toledo.
7. Iowa +8 at Wisconsin: Just a hunch, and nothing more.