Guest Column: College Football Picks by William Jones

Sorry I missed you last week...just to make it up, I'll deliver the goods with these three winners:

Texas (-6) @ Texas A&M - If not for a "look ahead" loss to Kansas State and a nailbiter loss in the aforementioned look ahead game against Oklahoma,the Longhorns have played solid football this season. While they cut it close in many games (winning two of the last three each by 3 points), they are poised to bury A&M, a program in shambles. Coach Fran has on foot out the door, the players don't even have pride to play for and UT needs a big win just in case Oklahoma slips up vs. Okie State and they can backdoor their way into the Big 12 Title game. Every A&M loss has been by at least 8 points with them losing to Miami (FL) by 17 and lowly Nebraska by 22. This one has massacre written all over it. Take Texas -6

Virginia Tech (-3.5) @ Virginia - I blindly called this game VT -12, and, upon further review, it will be more lopsided. VT, since losing to LSU in Week 2, has pummelled opponents, winning their last five by a combined 195 -75, scoring in the forties 4 times. Virginia has gotten by through the grace of God...three of their last four wins were each by 1 point! They lost to a so-so NC State team and beat up on a disorganized Miami Hurricane team. The last ranked team they beat was 'tweener Wake Forest, hardly on anyone's National Championship list. This game will decide who wins the ACC Coastal. VT needs this to help get over the horrible tragedy, they would love to beat their in-state "rival" to continue to win the recruiting war going on down there and they would have a chance to vindicate themselves against the Boston College team that won in the rain. VT wants this and we're going with them -3.5

And the Upset Special of the Week

Hawaii (-4) vs. Boise State - It's hard to beat Hawaii at home...it just doesn't happen. It's a nightmare roadtrip... flying kids to the most isolated place on earth. It's going to take it's toll at gametime. That being said, Hawaii's schedule was a cakewalk until they brought a determined Fresno State team to Oahu where the Bulldogs knocked out (literally) gunslinging QB Colt Brennan just one TD pass short of the NCAA record. Folks, I saw the hit Colt took and I would be more than surprised if he plays this weekend. It's a huge game and I know he will be game, but starting Colt after such a violent hit that had him on his back for at least 5 minutes, will hurt Hawaii more than help. With a healthy Brennan, I'd say this game was too close to call. However, I'd have to say there's no way he's ready to go and, if he does start, Boise's Defense will look to confuse him enough to make at least two huge mistakes. From there, the Boise offense will grind out points and kill the clock. Without Brennan, I thought the game would be Boise (-8) so I'm going with the Broncos at +4!