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College Pick 'Em is a pick-the-winner game with a twist: Players must rank their picks in order of confidence. It's not as easy as it looks, so I'll weigh in every Thursday to help you make those tough decisions. Be sure to log in to the College Pick 'Em page on Mondays for the upcoming week's matchups and previews, and don't forget to check the message boards for plenty of chatter about all the week's action.

Last week's leader, Beast of the East, was dropped to second place by a 45-point performance by blck rhino, who moved into the lead. Week 10 leader Chunkross moved up from fifth to third. Congratulations to the leaders, and good luck to all!

Be sure to look for the updates to my rankings on the contest message board before making your final selections at locktime on Saturday morning.

Connecticut at Syracuse (10 points)

Quarterback Tyler Lorenzen probably won't start for the Huskies, who have dropped both meetings between these teams at the Carrier Dome. The senior has missed six weeks with a broken foot, but the Huskies hoped to get him back during last week's bye. Sophomore Zach Frazer may be ready, though. Frazer took over for Lorenzen for two games before suffering a concussion and giving way to freshman Cody Endres, who was not very effective in the last game against West Virginia. Frazer's return is a boost, but this team has a chance to be much better when Lorenzen returns for the final few games. For now, the Huskies will continue to lean on workhorse running back Donald Brown, who is the nation's second leading rusher and a finalist for the Maxwell Award. Brown should have no trouble moving the chains against a Syracuse defense that is the Big East's worst against the run. Syracuse will counter with Curtis Brinkley and its own strong running game, but the Huskies' stop unit is up to the task. Connecticut has a banged-up secondary but is moving back to its base 4-3 defense against the pedestrian Syracuse attack, rather than the 4-2-5 the team deployed against the spread schemes of Cincinnati and West Virginia. The Orange quarterback situation is not good, with Cameron Dantley entering a timeshare with inconsistent former starter Andrew Robinson. Connecticut is much stronger in the trenches and won't be threatened.
Connecticut 42-14

Florida State versus Boston College (9 points)

Florida State is favored and sports the better record, but the Eagles control their own destiny in the ACC race while the Seminoles do not. The Noles' offense has come alive this season behind a newfound running game, but like Boston College, this team is primarily known for its defense. Both squads have played standout defense all year, but Florida State has an advantage on the other side of the ball. Boston College quarterback Chris Crane hasn't been very productive, and the Eagles will miss injured fullback James McCluskey, a key lead blocker in the running game. FSU is likely to be missing some players of its own; suspensions resulting from a frat-house fight could be meted out later in the week. The Eagles' defense will be tough for FSU to dent, but Boston College will have an even harder time moving the chains. Yards on the ground will be hard to come by, and this is the best pass rush Crane has faced. The Seminoles have more big-play explosiveness, and while they'll probably be customarily sloppy, they should produce enough to bag a home win over an opponent that will have a very hard time finding the end zone.
Florida State 24-10

Notre Dame versus Navy (at Baltimore) (8 points)

Charlie Weis has resumed play-calling duties in South Bend, just in time to face a Navy team that has no hope of matching up with the talented Notre Dame receivers. The Midshipmen have been tortured for nearly eight yards per play through the air despite a dearth of capable passing teams on the schedule. Jimmy Clausen will put the ball up 40 times, and Navy won't be able to get its defense off the field. The Mids' only hope is to win a shootout, but the Irish defense has been solid against the run this year. It's obviously a big revenge situation for the Dame, as Navy won last year's three-overtime affair for its first series win in 44 years. The 2008 Irish haven't beaten a winning foe yet but have had no problem against the less-talented teams on the schedule. The triple-option attack will put some points on the board, but the Navy secondary simply can't cover the likes of Golden Tate and Michael Floyd.
Notre Dame 38-24

Ohio State at Illinois (7 points)

Terrelle Pryor has made strides, but Juice Williams' Illini are still the more potent offensive team. Defensively, the Buckeyes have a big edge, but this matchup may come down to which quarterback makes the most plays. Illinois, like Northwestern, has the pass rush to keep Pryor on the move. The freshman escaped time and again against the Wildcats, converting seven third downs of at least nine yards to go. His performance masked another lackluster effort from several upperclassmen. The Buckeyes have certainly looked lethargic at times, having had to regroup after losing their biggest games this year. The team has won all the others, though, and at 8-2 is still in the hunt for an at-large berth in a BCS bowl, while Penn State's loss reopened the possibility of a Big Ten title. At 5-5, Illinois is still fighting for a bowl berth of its own, and the host has been a pesky opponent for Jim Tressel's crew recently. Illinois has won three of the past seven, with three of the losses coming by a touchdown or less. The Illini upset the top-ranked Bucks last year, though the loss didn't end up costing Ohio State its opportunity to play for the national championship. Defense and special teams should earn the Buckeyes a win in Champaign, but Illinois can move the chains a bit, and the Buckeyes still don't have much of a passing attack. Expect a close game.
Ohio State 20-17

Minnesota at Wisconsin (6 points)

Minnesota has an excellent shot at reclaiming Paul Bunyan's axe despite losing star wide receiver Eric Decker to injury. The Gophers started strong this year before losing to Northwestern on a miracle interception return. The hangover from that setback was on full display last week in a blowout loss to Michigan, but this is still an improved team with plenty to play for. The Badgers are having a ho-hum season, and this game doesn't mean as much to them as to the Gophers, who are the team that feels disrespected in this one-sided rivalry. Wisconsin has taken four straight and 11 of the past 13, and bad blood has cropped up between the two teams, as well as a coaching rivalry between Bret Bielema and Tim Brewster. Wisconsin has gotten more production from P.J. Hill in recent weeks, and the Badgers' offensive identity still revolves around their trademark power running game. Minnesota's defense is a much-improved unit. The Gophers haven't allowed more than two offensive touchdowns to any of their last five opponents. Running quarterbacks have torched Minnesota lately, but Wisconsin's Dustin Scherer, while mobile, isn't really a threat to take off downfield. The Badgers' defense has struggled against spread teams, and Minnesota has piled up its share of yards in this series, outgaining the Badgers in five of the past nine games. Wisconsin's season is unsalvageable, while Minnesota's could become the school's best in years with a meaningful win. The Gophers want it more, and they match up well.
Minnesota 34-31

Oregon State versus California (5 points)

California was set to become the No. 1 team in the nation last year when the struggling Beavers pulled off a 31-28 upset in Berkeley. The Bears will look for revenge this week in Corvallis, and history is on their side, as the visiting team has claimed five straight in this series. Kevin Riley has been named the Golden Bears' starting quarterback, while Sean Canfield will again fill in for injured Oregon State starter Lyle Moevao. With question marks at quarterback, both sides will be looking to run. Cal's Jahvid Best and OSU's Jacquizz Rodgers will be the featured performers, and both should find moderate success against the opposing run defenses. Oregon State has won four straight and is in command of the Pac-10 race, but the Beavers have a tough three-game stretch to close the season. Cal is equally confident after a big win over Oregon and a good showing in the Coliseum. These squads are pretty evenly matched, but the Bears have more playmakers on defense and a better kicking game. I'll call that good enough for a tight road win over the team that ruined their 2007 season.
California 27-24

UCLA at Washington (4 points)

The Huskies are the only winless FBS team, but they actually played better last week, leading Arizona State in the mid-third quarter before succumbing 39-19. Players credited better preparation habits resulting from team meetings intended to refocus the squad after a spate of blowout losses. The Sun Devils had too much offense in the end, but a repeat effort could give the Dawgs a chance against a UCLA offense that's equally inept. The 3-6 Bruins are all but out of the postseason picture, and it will be hard for them to get fired up for a road trip to Seattle. The media obsession with Rick Neuheisel's return to his former school is a distraction as well. There's little sense of urgency within the rebuilding UCLA program right now, and while the Bruins are easily a superior defensive team, an upset at the hands of a hungrier UW squad wouldn't really be a surprise.
UCLA 17-16

Kentucky versus Vanderbilt (3 points)

Kentucky enjoyed its best offensive performance of the season last week against Georgia thanks to option schemes installed to take advantage of new quarterback Randall Cobb's athleticism. An edge at quarterback could make the difference in what should be a defensive struggle. Neither team has moved the ball consistently this year, while both defenses have played well. Vanderbilt hasn't had much time to scout a Wildcats offense in transition, and the Commodores might be missing their own signal-caller after Mackenzi Adams suffered a hip injury against Florida last week. Vanderbilt needs this one more, as the Dores are looking to secure their first bowl berth since 1982, while the Cats have basically locked up a postseason invitation. Still, it's a must-win affair for Kentucky if the team wants to do better than a third straight trip to the Music City Bowl. Home field earns UK a win not unlike its 14-13 slugfest with Mississippi State.
Kentucky 13-10

Maryland versus North Carolina (2 points)

These teams are equals, and both sides need a win to stay in the thick of the ACC title chase. Injured Tar Heels quarterback T.J. Yates played late in the Georgia Tech game -- his first action after a six-week absence due to a broken ankle -- but junior Cameron Sexton will remain the starter when Carolina travels to Maryland. The Terps are retooling their defensive line rotation after Virginia Tech freshman Darren Evans torched them for a school-record 253 rushing yards Thursday night. Carolina won't repeat that feat in College Park, and this game shapes up as a fair fight on both sides of the ball. These teams' overall production is very similar in all three phases, and there are few advantages for either side. Maryland is undefeated at home this season and has had two extra days to prepare. North Carolina needs this game regardless, but the Heels will be in better spirits if Miami loses to Virginia Tech on Thursday. Butch Davis' team has the distraction of needing outside help in the conference race, as well as the constant questions about his possible candidacy for the Tennessee job. I'll lean with the homestanding Turtles.
Maryland 27-24

Michigan versus Northwestern (1 point)

Michigan will be home for the holidays, but a dominant win over Minnesota has the Wolves poised to finish the season strong. Backup quarterback Nick Sheridan was solid in place of Steven Threet, who was out with a concussion. The Wildcats have uncertainty under center as well. Rushing specialist Mike Kafka could make a third start in place of C.J. Bacher. The Cats are also down to their third-string running back, though Michigan's corps of backs is banged up, too. The Wolverines haven't been a passing threat with either triggerman, averaging just 144 yards per game through the air this year. Northwestern is the more productive team on both sides of the ball, but injuries are really starting to take a toll on the team's depth. Northwestern is still in the hunt for a New Year's Day bowl assignment. The Cats have more to play for and have proved they can win on the road. Michigan is playing its best football of the season, though, and sporting a lot of confidence and momentum after crushing the Gophers. A close game is on tap, but it'll be tough for Northwestern to win in the Big House for just the second time since 1960.
Michigan 24-21

Will Harris is a college football and fantasy baseball analyst for ESPN.com.