SH - It seems like years ago when MSU went on the road and handily beat Pittsburgh (which is now 6-1, by the way). Since then, the Spartans have been busy losing four straight. But if any team is struggling more than MSU, it's Northwestern. While MSU was getting blown out by the nation's two best teams, the Wildcats were getting whipped by Wisconsin and Purdue. Strength of schedule means something, right?

MSU 31, Northwestern 14

EC - After what's happened in the last four weeks, no sensible person would pick the Spartans to win. But I can't look at that Northwestern roster and say, "This team is beating Drew Stanton." I hope MSU proves me right. The Spartans can't sleepwalk through this one — they need to score early and often to build up some confidence for the rest of the season.

MSU 34, Northwestern 24

TK - This should be the Spartans' easiest test since Illin … oops, never mind. Losing streak aside, MSU has every reason to win this game. Let's just hope they got the memo. (Sidenote: If anyone else gets thrown off the team this week, any chance they might reinstate Agim Shabaj? You know he's available.)

MSU 33, Northwestern 17

SA - I sat through last year's MSU-Northwestern Homecoming debacle at a freezing cold Spartan Stadium with my mom, a 1977 alumna who nearly burst into tears when it was over. Come on boys, this one is a no-brainer! The Spartans beat up on Northwestern, clear their names and avenge my mom.

MSU 27, Northwestern 10

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Iowa at No. 2 Michigan

3:30 p.m. Saturday, Michigan Stadium, ABC

SH - Let's look at the big picture. After this game, both U-M and Ohio State have easy schedules. So a win for the Wolverines on Saturday basically guarantees U-M and Ohio State will be undefeated for their end-of-the-year showdown, with the winner playing for the national championship. If that doesn't motivate the Wolverines to victory, maybe they can steal the playbook Indiana used to beat Iowa last week. Yes, I said Indiana.

Michigan 24, Iowa 13

EC - How will the Hawkeyes recover from that loss to Indiana? Will they come out with a fury? Or will they take the MSU approach (rolling over and playing dead)? Forget it. It doesn't matter. Michigan looks too good to look past Iowa this year, especially at the Big House. The score will be close — the actual game won't.

Michigan 20, Iowa 14

TK - There are some reasons to believe Iowa could put an end to U-M's perfect season — an underachieving team with a great defense and something to prove — but I can't pull the trigger. Michigan's defense is just too good — Drew Stanton compared it to last year's Ohio State squad — even if the Wolverines offense keeps squandering scoring chances.

Michigan 17, Iowa 7

SA -This is a classic case of arrogance vs. anger. The haughty Wolverines may be undefeated, but Iowa is P.O.'d after losing to Big Ten bottom-feeder Indiana. Iowa is fighting mad and will channel that angst to knock off Michigan on Saturday. Plus, my ex-boyfriend went to U-M, and I can think of another A-word for him, too.

Iowa 17, Michigan 13

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No. 5 Texas at No. 17 Nebraska

Noon Saturday, Memorial Stadium, ABC

SH - Cool name alert! We all know about Texas quarterback Colt McCoy, but do we know who'll be trying to stop him this week? How about a Nebraska defensive line comprised of guys like Cryer, Steinkuhler and Dagunduro. Good luck with that, McCoy! And if you get past them, linebacker Bo Ruud will be waiting to give you a "rude" welcome to Nebraska. Thanks, I'll be here all week.

Nebraska 31, Texas 21

EC - McCoy already took his lumps against the Ohio State defensive line. He'll be ready for Nebraska's big uglies. And so will Jamaal Charles and Selvin Young, who are going to run all over the Cornhuskers' defense. Texas wins easily.

Texas 38, Nebraska 17

TK - Can we shut up about Colt McCoy for one second? He's quickly approaching John Bice for most wasted ink in this paper.

The six teams Nebraska has beaten are a combined 15-24. Even the Harlem Globetrotters have played a tougher schedule than that. The Longhorns, who are second in the nation in points per game, should romp in Lincoln.

Texas 42, Nebraska 21

SA - I could use this pick to make a political statement about everyone's favorite Texan in the White House, but I'll refrain from that so as not to start a heated letters-to-the-editor war here at The State News.

This is the game to watch this week. Each team lets off a barrage of offensive fireworks, but the Huskers go home burned.

Texas 38, Nebraska 31

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Alabama at No. 7 Tennessee

3:30 p.m. Saturday, Neyland Stadium, CBS

SH - This is what I love about SEC football. Everyone knows Florida, Auburn and LSU can bring it. But in a week when those three teams are either on a bye or playing nonconference games, there's still this matchup of two great teams. You think people in SEC country salivate over a Penn State-Wisconsin or Iowa-Purdue game? Come on, I don't even salivate over those.

Tennessee 28, Alabama 24

EC - You mean there are teams in the Big Ten other than U-M, Ohio State and Penn State? Highfield's right: These SEC rivalry games are can't-miss. 'Bama might be having a down year, but I think Bear Bryant's going to be smiling down on the Crimson Tide. Or sending bolts of lightning toward the Tennessee sideline — whichever you prefer.

Alabama 31, Tennessee 28

TK - Stop the presses! I've just discovered the best college football name of the season: Alabama running back … (drum roll, please) … Jimmy Johns! The punch line possibilities here are endless. Do you think drunk Alabama kids mistakenly call him on Saturday nights asking for a Turkey Tom? Sadly, he's going to get devoured by the Vols (Can you blame them?)

Tennessee 27, Alabama 10

SA - Couldn't decide on this one, so I asked my sorority sisters for a little help. Using an ancient top-secret sorority formula, we looked at the rosters and bios of each team, computing the players' general hotness, majors and whether they seemed likely to resort to using cheesy lines at the bar. The result? 'Bama is the runaway winner here. Quarterback John Parker Wilson can Facebook ME any day.

Alabama 24, Tennessee 20