CK: It took me a long time to make this pick. Of course I’m a Spartan and I truly believe MSU has a shot to win in Happy Valley. I know games aren’t won and lost on paper, but this is almost too much. The Nittany Lions are tops in the Big Ten in scoring offense, scoring defense, pass defense, kick returns, rushing offense, rushing defense, total defense … you get the point. I’m going with Penn State, but would love for the guys to prove me wrong.

Penn State 35, MSU 28

JC: Something has come over me the past few days. It’s not a cold and I don’t have flu-like symptoms. It can only be one thing — Spartan fever. My gut is telling me that Brian Hoyer will continue his spectacular play on the road and MSU will capitalize on a few Penn State turnovers for an upset. I’m 11-of-11 picking the winner of MSU’s game this season. For the sake of Spartan fans everywhere, let’s hope the streak doesn’t get snapped.

MSU 20, Penn State 17

AA: For months, Penn State looked simply unbeatable. Iowa disabused the country of that notion two weeks ago, but I’m still not sure how the Hawkeyes did it. Ranked No. 1 in the conference on both offense and defense, the Lions look better on paper than Benjamin Franklin looks on the $100 bill. Javon Ringer struggles against Penn State’s stingy defense and Penn State quarterback Daryll Clark tosses two touchdowns for the Big Ten champion Lions.

Penn State 34, MSU 20

AD: In what has been speculated as Joe Paterno’s final home game, the Spartans are going to send him to the retirement home on a bad note. This isn’t a matter of having a guilty conscious if I don’t pick the Spartans — I just really think MSU is going to win this game. I expect Mark Dantonio to out-coach the legendary dinosaur. Brian Hoyer will have his best game of the season and drive the Spartans down the field with under two minutes left for a touchdown pass that will earn MSU the victory and rose bouquets galore.

MSU 31, Penn State 24

No. 10 Ohio State vs. Michigan

Noon ABC

CK: I can’t even explain how much joy it brings me to say “Who cares?” It’s a meaningless game and the only thing I want to see is Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor account for 350 total yards and five touchdowns in an Ohio State romp of the Wolverines. Well, I guess seeing U-M go 3-9 on the season is frickin’ hilarious too.

Ohio State 49, U-M 14

JC: It’s gotten to the point where making fun of U-M is as redundant as calling Rosie O’Donnell annoying or telling Jay Leno he has a big chin. And yet, Spartans everywhere should actually be rooting for the Wolverines if they want MSU to have a shot at earning Rose Bowl berth. It’s painful and opposes everything I’ve ever been taught, but Michigan needs our support. So here is goes: GO B-L-U … awww, I can’t do it. Go Bucks!

Ohio State 52, U-M 6

AA: The comedic irony in this game is palpable. The Spartans (sans Mark Dantonio) will be rooting for U-M, their archrivals, to defeat Ohio State, while the Wolverines will try to defeat the Buckeyes, their archrivals, to give MSU a chance to win an outright Big Ten title. Unfortunately for the Spartans, their hopes hinge on the worst team in U-M history. Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells feasts on U-M’s defense like he’s at a Chinese buffet, piling on 175 yards and three touchdowns to lift the Buckeyes.

Ohio State 42, U-M 3

AD: Will it be possible for the worst U-M team in history to defeat a sound Ohio State squad? I think so. Call me crazy but I think the Wolverines are going to find a way to win this game. If Rich Rodriguez can earn the victory in the biggest game of the season, Wolverine fans will forget about acquiring his head on a platter for a weekend. The Michigan defense will keep the game close and frustrate Chris “Beanie” Wells on the ground.

U-M 21, Ohio State 17

No. 5 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Texas Tech

8 p.m. ABC

CK: It’s not the way most would like to see it, but this year’s BCS championship game will be decided by a tournament of sorts, with the eventual Big 12 Champion more than likely facing the eventual Southeastern Conference Champion. The reason everyone loves tournaments is for the upsets and they’ll get one Saturday night when Sam Bradford and the Sooners spoil Texas Tech’s perfect season.

Oklahoma 45, Texas Tech 35

JC: The BCS has suffered from a bad case of Murphy’s Law in recent years and I see no reason for a change this season. Texas Tech and Oklahoma have both stumbled in the middle of their Big 12 gauntlet and a Texas Tech loss would send the college football world into a “War of the Worlds”-type tizzy (There are eight one-loss teams and one spot in the national championship!!! What are we going to do!?) Murphy’s Law pushes the Sooners past the Red Raiders in Norman.

Oklahoma 42, Texas Tech 38

AA: Texas Tech proved against Texas that it’s no joke, but life on the other side of the Red River will present a new slate of challenges for the Red Raiders. For my marbles, Oklahoma is the best team in the nation, and with the Sooners still intent on a National Championship bid, they need this win to keep that dream on ice. Oklahoma quarterback throws five touchdowns and unseats Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell as the Heisman front-runner.

Oklahoma 56, Texas Tech 42

AD: I love Texas Tech. The Red Raiders have been in the public eye for the last month and have handled the pressure brilliantly. The odds have been stacked against them all along and they still have found a way to win close games. I really don’t care if the Sooners have a 23 game winning streak at home either. Texas Tech will find a way to get it done in typical shootout fashion and Graham Harrell will show why he deserves the Heisman.

Texas Tech 46, Oklahoma 38