CK: Hmm, I gotta admit, it’s pretty cool seeing a ranking before MSU. I think the Spartans like that too, and I don’t see them dropping out of the top 25 after one week. Sure, Northwestern runs the spread and MSU’s secondary was hit hard last week, but I have a feeling Otis Wiley, Danny Fortener and Kendell Davis-Clark will make some big plays. Oh, and Glenn Winston will return a kick-off for a touchdown. You heard it here first.

MSU 34, Northwestern 24

JC: This game all comes down to which C.J. Bachér shows up — the one who threw for more than 500 yards against the Spartans last year or the one who threw four picks in a meager 16-8 win over Ohio. (That’s Ohio, not Ohio State.) I’m putting Bachér somewhere in the middle against a more seasoned Spartans secondary and predicting Brett Swenson hits his third field goal in the final two minutes for a sixth straight MSU win.

MSU 23, Northwestern 21

AA: Properly executed spread offenses — such as ones employed by California and Indiana — have given MSU fits this season, and Northwestern’s attack fits the template of both those teams. But the true catalyst of Northwestern’s success has been its defense, which has allowed a meager 12.4 points per game. MSU will give Northwestern its toughest test of the semester, but Northwestern students usually ace big exams.

Northwestern 35, MSU 28

JH: They have better SAT scores. We drink better. I ask you: Which will be more important in life? Exactly.

MSU 31, Northwestern 24.

No. 5 Texas vs. No. 1 Oklahoma

Noon ABC

CK: In games like this where the two teams are so evenly matched, it’s really tough to pick a winner. That is, unless one of the teams has the best quarterback in the nation and the next Heisman Trophy winner, aka Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford. Bradford and Texas’ Colt McCoy will air it out in the Red River Shootout, with the Sooners getting the Big 12 win.

Oklahoma 45, Texas 38

JC: I’m trying to think of a football player with a better name than Texas quarterback Colt McCoy. He sounds like a cowboy gunslinger in pads and burnt orange. If the game was based on who had the superior name, Texas would get the nod. But dull Sam Bradford and the Sooners continue their tradition of sinking the Longhorns in the Red River Shootout.

Oklahoma 27, Texas 20

AA: This year’s Red River Shootout should live up to its billing, as both teams boast high-octane offenses fueled by future NFL quarterbacks. Both teams also possess electric defenses that swarm the field as vigorously as drunk MSU students swarm Taco Bell at 2 a.m. So what gives in this matchup? Oklahoma has running back DeMarco Murray.

Oklahoma 28, Texas 24

JH: Bob Stoops is 6-3 against Mack Brown. Make that 7-3.

Oklahoma 38, Texas 28.

Wisconsin vs. No. 6 Penn State

8 p.m. ESPN2

CK: Wisconsin can’t start 0-3 in the Big Ten. They can’t. They won’t. Right? Eh, I’d put my money on it. If the Badgers were facing any other team at 0-2 — even Ohio State this week instead of last — I’d take them, especially at home. But I just don’t see them beating JoePa’s Nittany Lions.

Penn State 31, Wisconsin 21

JC: Yes, Wisconsin can start 0-3. The Spread HD will beat up on Wisconsin’s beleaguered defense and Badgers quarterback Allan Evridge gets more calls for his head (or at least his starting job) by throwing two interceptions in the fourth quarter.

Penn State 30, Wisconsin 13

AA: Two straight losses booted the Badgers from the top 25 and probably BCS contention, but a win over Penn State would help them salvage something out of this season. With a multi-dimensional offense and stout defense, the Nittany Lions are a juggernaut of a team, but I simply can’t fathom Wisconsin dropping to 0-3 in the Big Ten.

Wisconsin 27, Penn State 24

JH: Darryl Clark is extremely underrated. He’s thrown nine touchdowns and one interception. That poise will be there on the road.

Penn State 23, Wisconsin 20.