Five consecutive winning weeks in the NFL going 4-3 last week to bringing my season total to 23-12 (65.7%). My ranking has held strong at the Sports Monitor while I provide more weekly picks than most of the competition. Another poor week in the NCAA drops me below the 50% mark for year. I will right the ship in the NCAA this season and hope to begin that process this week.

Week 7

NCAA

1.) Oklahoma St. (+4) at Nebraska

The Cornhuskers are struggling as I predicted during the pre-season. This Nebraska team has had various struggles this season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The Cowboys have played very well since being embarresed at Troy earlier in the season. The Cowboys offense should move the ball at will pulling the upset in Lincoln.

Pick: Oklahoma St. by 4

Result: Oklahoma St. 45, Nebraska 14 (Win)

2.) Air Force (+3.5) at Colorado St.

The Falcons have been playing solid ball this season while the Rams have really struggled. Colorado St. lost at home on homecoming to a weak San Diego St. team last week. Hughes stadium has lost its luster as a difficult road trip for any team. Air Force should control the clock on the ground and pound a big MWC road win in this one.

Pick: Air Force by 3

Result: Air Force 45, Colorado St. 21 (Win)

3.) E Michigan (+4) at Ohio

E. Michigan has surprised this season playing at a much higher level than last season. Ohio has been a big disappointment in the MAC. I like the way this Eagle team is fighting while it appears the Bobcats have thrown in the towel. Go with the improving team who is tired of losing versus the team fallen on hard times and doesn't appear to have much fight left in them.

Pick: E Michigan by 3

Result: Ohio 48, E Michigan 42 (Loss)

4.) E Carolina (+2.5) at UTEP

The Miners have played exceptionally well at home this season, but the Pirates hammered thier place among the elite of Conference USA last week destroying a trendy UCF team. UTEP can be scary at home having knocked off a decent Tulsa team last week, but E Carolina could be the class of USA and will win this one on overall talent.

Pick: E Carolina by 5

Result: E Carolina 45, UTEP 42 (Win)

5.) Georgia Tech (+2.5) at Miami

It's always difficult to pick against the Canes in Miami, but I love the way the Yellow Jackets match up against this Canes team. Tech has a fantastic defense while the Canes have struggles once again on offense. This should prove to be a defensive battle with points being at a premium. I think the Jackets have distinct coaching advantage in this one and really needs an ACC win after a few losses in their roller coaster season.

Pick: G tech by 4

Result: G Tech 17, Miami, FL 14 (Win)

6.) Mississippi (+6.5) v. Alabama

The Rebels can be a tricky team at home, just ask the Gators. Bama has looked very average since their early win over Arkansas. Bama has also stuggled on the road and their are no gimmies in the SEC. I expect Mississippi to be on top of thier game in this one with a real opportunity to pull the upset.

Pick: Alabama by 1

Result: Alabama 27, Mississippi 24 (Win)

7.) Stanford (+6) v. TCU

After pulling one of the biggest upsets in college football history winning by 1 at USC (+40) last week the Cardinal are full of confidence. Let the Tavita Pritchard era begin at Stanford. TCU has completely quit on this season after lofty BCS dreams entering the season. The Cardinal keep rolling pulling out another last second stunner.

Pick: Stanford by 1

Result: TCU 38, Stanford 36 (Win)

(Blowout of the Week) S Florida (-11) v. UCF

The Bulls had a letdown last week versus Florida Atlantic but that won't happen this week against UCF. The Knights were exposed last at E Carolina and will be embarrased this week at South Florida. The Bulls defense will be back this week and the home crowd has made Raymond James one of the most difficult places to play in the NCAA.

Pick: USF by 24

Result: S Florida 64, UCF 12 (Win)

(Underdog Play of the Week) Navy (+4) at Pittsburgh

Pitt is a terrible team once again this season. Wannstedt should be fired as soon as possible if the Panthers ever hope to improve. The Panthers were destroyed at home by Conneticut and on the road at Virginia the past couple weeks while Navy has shown steady improvement. Both teams struggle on defense but I'm somewhat surprised Navy is the dog in this game.

Pick: Navy by 3

Result: Navy 48, Pittsburgh 45 (Win)

Other Games:

1. Memphis over M Tenn by 1
2. Kansas St. over Colorado by 1
3. Buffalo over Toledo by 12
4. Michigan over Purdue by 2
5. S Carolina over N Carolina by 17
6. Florida St. over WF by 3
7. ULM over N Texas by 15
8. BYU over UNLV by 20
9. LT over N Mex St. by 3
10. LSU over Kentucky by 5
11. Miami, OH over BG by 3
12. Auburn over Arkansas by 1
13. Cincinnati over Louisville by 17
14. N Mexico over Wyoming by 1
15. Tulsa over Marshall by 9
16. Arizona St. over Washington by 8
17. Illinois over Iowa by 5
18. Ohio St. over Kent St. by 43
19. Fresno St. over Idaho by 14
20. Tennessee over Miss St. by 9
21. Oregon over Wash St. by 24
22. Georgia over Vanderbilt by 9
23. C Mich over Army by 17
24. S Miss over SMU by 12
25. Texas Tech over Texas A&M by 7
26. Utah over SD St, by 17
27. Cal over Oregon St. by 17
28. BC over ND by 11
29. Arkansas St. over La-lafayette by 11
30. Houston over Rice by 25
31. Penn St. over Wisconsin by 7
32. Kansas over Baylor by 28
33. Boise St. over Nevada by 29
34. Uconn over Virginia by 1
35. Texas over Iowa St. by 18
36. Hawaii over SJ St. by 20
37. Rutgers over Syracuse by 19
38. Oklahoma over Missouri by 12
39. USC over Arizona by 19
40. Indiana over Mich St. by 1
41. VTech over Duke by 13
42. UAB over Tulane by 3
43. NW over Minnesota by 7
44. W Mich over N Illinois by 4
45. Akron over Temple by 10

NFL

 1.) Green Bay (-3) v. Washington

I love the Packers coming off that tough loss to the Bears last week. The Redskins are slightly overrated in my opinion and will have their hand full at Lambeau. Favre and company will get back on track this week in a battle of two surprising NFC teams.

Pick: Packers by 5

Result: Packers 17, Redskins 14 (Push)

2.) Chicago (-5) v. Minnesota

Last weeks win for the Bears may have been the turning point in their season. The Vikings finished last year and started this season playing very poorly. The Viking do not have the offesne to compete with the top teir squads coupled with the Vikings struggles on the road should lead to a Bears victory.

Pick: Chicago by 7

Result: Vikings 34, Bears 31 (Loss)

3.) Jacksonville (-6.5) v. Houston

Every year I get burned picking Jacksonville to beat Houston and they never do. I always note the Jags struggles against the Texans and still take J-ville anyway. I guess this is my annual contribution on this game. The Jags never put together solid performances but they really impressed me dominating the Chiefs at Arrowhead last week. Maybe this team has turned the corner?

Pick: Jaguars by 8

Result: Jaguars 37, Texans 17 (Win)

(Blowout of the Week) NY Jets (+3.5) v. Philadelphia

Philadelphia has been outstanding following a bye and should be returning most of the starters who missed the Giants game. However, the Eagles have struggles against AFC competition especially on the road. Both teams really need this one and every publication and so called expert are calling for an Eagles rout. That is a recipe for disaster. The Eagles troubles continue as they get steam rolled at the Meadowlands again.

Pick: Jets by 11

Result: Eagles 16, Jets 9 (Loss)

(Upset Special) Carolina (+4.5) at Arizona

The Panthers might start Testaverde in this game, Arizona is on a roll, and at home were they play very well. So I'll take the Panthers? I have no reasoning for this pick except I have a strong feeling the Panthers will do excatly the opposite of what is expected, as usual. Panthers defense plays like the Panther defense of old.

Pick: Panthers by 14

Result: Panthers 25, Cardinals 10 (Win)

(Under 45) Miami at Cleveland

I actually beleive the Dolphins defense is improving from their horrid start. The Browns offense is much improved but they seem to always follow the opposition lead. Miami will try to slow the game down and make it into a defensive battle and the Browns will follow thier lead as usual

Result: 72 points -- Browns 41, Dolphins 31 (Loss)

(Under 40.5) Washington at Green Bay

This will be hard fought defensive game and I expect the points to much lower than the publice expects.

Result: 31 points -- Packers 17, Redskins 14 (Win)

Other games:

1. Tampa Bay over Tennessee by 4....The Bucs will be up for this one at home
2. Cleveland over Miami by 4...the Browns are hanging around in the playoff hunt
3. Cincinnati over KC by 3...this is a must win Lewis and the Bengals
4. San Diego over Oakland by 5...the Raiders are much improved and usually play the Bolts tight
5. New Orleans over Seattle by 3...they have to wake up sometime, right?
6. St. Louis over Baltimore by 3...stunner of the week
7. New England over Dallas by 9...Dallas is not ready for this matchup
8. Atlanta over NY Giants by 3...this is the Falcons Super Bowl