Purdue at MSU

SH — Can someone please explain to me how MSU is the favorite in this game? Did the Vegas oddsmakers miss last week's game against Indiana? This one has all the ingredients for another MSU loss: The Spartans coming off a demoralizing defeat? Check. A Spartan Stadium crowd that can't wait to express how it feels? Check. An opponent that has enough players so they won't have to forfeit? Check. Me finally deciding to not pick MSU? Check.

Purdue 31, MSU 20

EC — MSU was blown out by Indiana a week ago. What was its secret mid-week method of boosting team morale? Fire the coach! Yeah, that always works!

I really hope MSU can pull off the win. It's been a long year, and you can see it wearing on the players. But I'm done picking the Spartans to win, especially after watching Indiana's James Hardy torch the MSU secondary. Dorien Bryant should have similar success.

On the bright side, I'm looking forward to the third- and fourth-down play calling in this one, since the coaching staff is playing with house money. We might even see a punt in the red zone.

Purdue 17, MSU 13

TK — Anybody got a clue on this one? Purdue quarterback Curtis Painter leads the Big Ten in both passing and all-purpose yardage, and MSU is last in scoring defense. That makes me think Boilermakers blowout.

But nothing's that certain until we see how the Spartans respond to that whole our-coach-just-got-fired-but-he's-still-on-the-sidelines thing. If MSU rallies 'round Smith and puts up a couple wins, would you be at all surprised? Me neither.

I'll go with MSU — and then watch with great interest Saturday.

MSU 38, Purdue 28

LB — What does a decimated MSU program need? It's a Purdue team that hasn't beaten anyone worth mentioning. What does an underachieving Purdue program need? It's an MSU team that got destroyed by Indiana. Don't let the 3-9 combined record over the last six games for these two teams fool you. The game will be full of excitement (and disappointment) because defense will be optional. Purdue wins the game on its last drive despite missing two field goals and an extra point.

Purdue 34, MSU 31

No. 13 LSU at No. 8 Tennessee

SH — Tennessee quarterback Erik Ainge injured his ankle at the end of last week's game and was unsure how much he'd practice this past week. Although Ainge is one of the nation's best signal-callers, he'll need all the preparation he can get to beat the nation's best defense. Since he won't get it, the Tigers have the edge despite being on the road.

Wow, that was actual football analysis. I guess I'll leave the obvious Tennessee name game participant for Conley.

LSU 17, Tennessee 14

EC — No name game necessary here, Highfield. LSU has an incredible defense and its skill-position players on offense are incredible, but the Tigers can't win on the road. The offense was nonexistent against Auburn, and the players fumbled away a chance to beat Florida at The Swamp.

Ah, screw it, I'll take the bait. Tennessee's going to win this game for one reason, and one reason only. Jim. Bob. Cooter.

Tennessee 24, LSU 21

TK — The Tigers have lost two games this year, both to Top 5 teams, by a combined 17 points. They've won their other six games by a combined 238 points. Can you say, "overdue for a big win," boys and girls?

The Vols, meanwhile, have squeaked by the last two weeks. That's not good karma when you're playing a team that's desperate to prove it still belongs in the BCS picture.

LSU 23, Tennessee 12

LB — The rankings for these two teams make this game look a lot better than it will be. The Vols lost to No. 7 Florida by one point and have beaten two teams that were ranked in the Top 10 at the time. LSU's defense will collapse against a beat-up Erik Ainge at Rocky Top.

Tennessee 32, LSU 14

No. 18 Oklahoma at No. 21 Texas A&M

SH — As much as I like SEC football, flip it around and that's how much I dislike Big 12 football. Where has the excitement gone? The Big 12 could formerly boast about Barry Sanders, Vince Young, Nebraska's unstoppable option offense and Jason White's knees. Now, all teams other than Texas blend together to form a bland conference. That makes this pick easy — the team with home-field advantage wins.

Texas A&M 21, Oklahoma 20

EC — Hey, don't forget Barry Switzer's recruiting scandal and Brian Bosworth's striped hair. I'm not particularly interested in this game, either.

Maybe if you killed a case of beer with your buddies and made lots of Bear Bryant and Rhett Bomar jokes. Or maybe if ABC brings in Lamar "You don't come into the OB talkin' trash" Thomas and Brian "That's kinda gay" Kinchen to call the game. (Thomas and Kinchen were taken off the air by their respective employers for inappropriate comments, which are quoted above, made during broadcasts.)

Anyway, the Aggies will squeak by, and Bob Stoops will break his own record by whining for 18 straight days.

Texas A&M 17, Oklahoma 16

TK — After losing Adrian Peterson for the season, Oklahoma hasn't skipped a beat. Backup Allen Patrick has rushed for 267 yards in the two games since Peterson's injury, both wins. Wouldn't it be nice if life was always like that? Like, if the line at P.F. Chang's China Bistro was too long, you could go to Rice Kitchen and not taste the difference? I'm jealous.

Texas A&M scores points in bunches, but gives them up in bunches, too. That won't fly here.

Oklahoma 31, Texas A&M 17

LB — Man, life in the Big 12 must be nice. A&M is coming off of a win against Baylor, while the Sooners beat a Missouri team that is a lot worse than its record. Fortunately for Oklahoma, A&M is another program taking advantage of the Louisiana-Lafayettes of the world. Oklahoma wins in a no-doubter.

Oklahoma 27, Texas A&M 10

Air Force at Army

SH — This week, we see a battle between two of the nation's service academies. In typical Prognosticator fashion, I'll take the argument away from the football field. This week, it's all about school mottos. At Army, "Duty, Honor, Country" is a motto. At Air Force, an unofficial motto is "No One Comes Close." No one comes close? That sounds like bulletin board material for Army. They win this game on motivation alone.

Army 27, Air Force 24

EC — This one's easy. There are about 500,000 soldiers on active duty in the U.S. Army, but the Air Force only has about 350,000. The Army has a huge advantage in depth, and it's going to show in the fourth quarter.

Army 21, Air Force 20

TK — You'd think from its name that Air Force would be pass-happy, but it's actually completed almost as many passes as a team this season (38) as Brian Hoyer has by himself (26). Instead, the Falcons have racked up almost 270 rushing yards per game and boast four different players with more than 250 rushing yards. Talk about a ground invasion. Even Schwarzkopf's got to be pulling for Air Force in this one.

Air Force 24, Army 14

LB — This game caught me a little off guard. However, after consulting our campus editor (she likes the Army's uniforms better), the winner became apparent. Army doesn't care that the cadets can fly or that they lost to the Vols by one in Knoxville, Tenn.

Army 43, Air Force 39