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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 each week 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.

Congrats to M. Skipper, who grabbed the lead at 250 points last week. Previous leader J. Stewart is still near the top, as he fell into a tie for second with K. Willinger. Also, look for updates to my rankings on the contest message board before making your final selections at lock time Saturday morning.

The Tigers haven't won in Lincoln since 1978, but they clearly have the better team this year. Missouri's offense, which averages nearly 600 yards and 54 points per game, may be the nation's best. Its defense, however, is another matter. Illinois quarterback Juice Williams, who averaged fewer yards passing than any quarterback in the Big Ten last year, threw for 451 yards against a Tigers secondary that badly misses 2007 captain Pig Brown. The Big 12 is full of great offensive teams, and Missouri's offense undoubtedly will have to bail the team out in some close calls this year. That said, next week's game against Oklahoma State looks more dangerous than the trip to Lincoln. Nebraska will find the end zone plenty, and the defense has every reason to be motivated after last year's 41-6 embarrassment. But the Huskers are still finding their way under first-year coach Bo Pelini, and I'm not convinced that the team really believes it can win this game. Nebraska will make a better showing than last week's loss to Virginia Tech, but a veteran Missouri offense will prove unstoppable when it counts, even in the team's first road game.
Missouri, 49-38

A Penn State rushing attack that's averaging 6.3 yards per carry should keep the chains moving against a porous Purdue defense that's suffering from a linebacker shortage. Penn State has a three-game stretch against Wisconsin, Michigan and Ohio State on deck, but the Boilermakers may have confidence issues because they were mopped up by Notre Dame in the second half last week. Purdue triggerman Curtis Painter leads a capable -- albeit turnover-prone -- offense, and the Boilermakers won't be shut down completely. Still, the Lions should control the line of scrimmage on both sides and won't allow many sustained drives. They'll earn a time-of-possession advantage that will wear down the host as the game wears on. The Boilermakers will give good effort every week in coach Joe Tiller's final season, so this team is just good enough not to be overlooked.
Penn State, 27-17

After the Wildcats allowed 303 rushing yards to Louisville on Sept. 17, Kansas State coach Ron Prince made his defense run wind sprints as soon as the team plane landed back in Kansas at 2 a.m. Either the message wasn't received, or the Wildcats' defense just isn't any good. The team allowed UL-Lafayette to roll up 335 rushing yards on even fewer carries the following week. This week, the K-State stop unit draws another juggernaut, but one that has an aerial attack. Texas Tech fields its best team in Mike Leach's tenure, yet the coach openly blasted the passing game's production, even after a 426-yard average through the season's first month. That's a clue that the ninth-year boss isn't willing to settle for less than a special season, and the Wildcats likely won't stand in the Raiders' way. Kansas State is a capable offensive team as well, but the Raiders field the better defense and should be focused enough to come out on top in the Big 12 opener for both schools.
Texas Tech, 34-27

Texas owns a beatable secondary and a suspect running game, but the Horns are playing as well as anyone overall. The run defense has been impenetrable, and quarterback Colt McCoy is one of the early Heisman front-runners. Colorado doesn't match up too poorly, though. The Buffaloes' capable passing game can keep the chains moving, and the team's weak run defense won't be completely blown up by a Texas ground attack that's struggling to find consistency. With four consecutive undefeated teams on deck, it will be difficult for the Longhorns not to peek ahead here, and the always-tough-at-home Buffs upset Oklahoma in the exact same spot on last year's schedule. Texas is playing with a lot of confidence, but the Buffs have the firepower and the mojo to stay in the game.
Texas, 31-24

It's all aboard the Vanderbilt bandwagon, as the undefeated and nationally ranked Commodores host ESPN's College GameDay for the first time in school history. The Dores are one of the biggest surprises of the 2008 season, and for good reason: They've been lucky. Vandy has been outgained by 326 yards in its four games this year, yet has outscored the opposition by 51 points. Vandy has been opportunistic, but it's unreasonable to expect South Carolina's special-teams collapse or Mississippi's six turnovers every week. The reality is that Vandy is averaging just 281 yards per game, and only 81 of those yards are through the air. Quarterback Chris Nickson and his offensive mates are not likely to suddenly find their way against a stout Auburn defense. Auburn has its own offensive issues, but the Tigers have a big enough talent edge to find the end zone even if the team isn't able to sustain many long drives. The Commodores did have a bye week this prime-time tilt, whereas Auburn has played three consecutive physical wars against Mississippi State, LSU and Tennessee. Still, it's hard to envision Vanderbilt picking up more than 10 first downs, and for that to do the trick, they'll have to get lucky one more time.
Auburn, 20-7

Backup quarterbacks are the main story line in this ACC-Big East clash. Carolina's Cam Sexton wasn't named the starter the week after T.J. Yates went down with an ankle injury against Virginia Tech, but he came off the bench to lead the Tar Heels to a comeback victory over Miami. Sexton's feat was matched by Connecticut sophomore Zach Frazer, who led the Huskies' comeback over Louisville when senior starter Tyler Lorenzen left with a broken foot in the third quarter. Frazer is a highly touted Notre Dame transfer, but Saturday's Tobacco Road affair will be the strong-armed sophomore's first start. Connecticut will try to test Carolina deep a few times, but the offense will primarily rely on workhorse Donald Brown and a running game that's averaging 255 yards per game. That's good news for a North Carolina defense that has fared well against a slate of similarly pedestrian running offenses. The Heels miss Yates, but Sexton has his teammates' confidence, and the Tar Heels have the game's most explosive weapon in wideout/return man Brandon Tate. Connecticut has won just three of its 12 games against ACC foes during the past five years, with two of the wins coming against Duke. The Huskies' defense will keep them in it, but a road win against a quality opponent is too much to ask of a green quarterback who doesn't have many playmakers at his disposal.
North Carolina, 24-17

Florida State rolled up an uncharacteristic 249 rushing yards against Colorado, but the Seminoles didn't entirely alleviate the offensive concerns raised versus Wake Forest. Christian Ponder played the entire game at quarterback but went just 10-for-22 passing for 119 yards. The Noles' passing game will need to do better than that against a Miami defense that has held opponents to just 2 yards per carry. Of course, the FSU defense is a rock as well, and this matchup likely will be dominated by the two stop units. Miami's pass defense is vulnerable, but the Seminoles haven't demonstrated they can capitalize. Because there will likely be few sustained drives, the game will turn on a few big plays. Both sides boast big-time speed at the skill positions, but the Hurricanes have shown more of a propensity for the home run and boast the more-consistent rushing attack necessary to keep the FSU secondary honest. Both of Florida State's starting cornerbacks are ailing this week, but both are expected to play. This looks like a fair fight, but the young, penalty-prone Seminoles offense will find the sledding tougher on the ACC road.
Miami, 9-6

Arizona State rarely wins in Berkeley, but the rested Sun Devils might be catching Cal at a good time. The Bears already were hurting along the offensive line and will play without super running back Jahvid Best for a few weeks. Rulon Davis, a playmaker at defensive end, also will miss the game. The Bears' offense is dealing with more than injury issues. The quarterback competition has been reopened, with former starter Nate Longshore getting a shot to replace a largely ineffective Kevin Riley. Arizona State has suffered two straight losses, as both UNLV and Georgia used eight-man coverage packages to exploit the Devils' lack of a running game. Cal has been characteristically solid against the run this year, but this week the Sun Devils will regain the services of top rusher Keegan Herring. His return will give Arizona State more balance, allowing quarterback Rudy Carpenter's receivers extra space. Arizona State has been an average defensive team, but with Cal's offense struggling, the Sun Devils have a good chance. The Bears gained just 348 yards against Colorado State last week, doing most of the damage on special teams in the 42-7 win. This should be a back-and-forth, down-to-the-wire affair.
California, 27-24

Michigan picked up a big win last week after erasing a 19-0 halftime deficit against Wisconsin. But the Wolverines' offense is still struggling, averaging just 285 yards per game. Running back Sam McGuffie will find room to run against an Illinois rushing defense that's been scalded for 182 yards per game, but the Michigan passing game may lack the firepower to keep pace with the Illini's offensive playmakers. Quarterback Juice Williams gave the Penn State defense fits last week, and the talented junior already showed off his big-play arm with 451 passing yards against Missouri. Michigan's defense will be a stiffer test than the Tigers' mediocre stop unit, but the Wolves aren't any tougher on that side of the ball than Penn State. Illinois is the superior offensive team, and the Wolverines will have to shut down Williams to win. That's a tall task for a defense that had to step up and bail out its offense in an emotional win last week. It's difficult to win in the Big House, as Wisconsin was reminded last week, but Illinois will prove the hungrier team in this matchup, and the Illini have the goods to deliver the team's first big win of the year.
Illinois, 24-21

The Badgers joined the Buckeyes among the bubble-burst teams last week, as Wisconsin blew a 19-0 halftime lead in an ugly loss to Michigan. Now Ohio State comes to Camp Randall Stadium for the first time since 2003, meaning that none of the Bucks' current players has made that trip before. That includes quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who will make his first road start. Pryor and the Buckeyes' offense got a big lift from the return of Beanie Wells last week, and Saturday's game in Madison will be just the second time the Buckeyes have had both backfield stars on the field together. Wisconsin also is getting healthier, as tight end Travis Beckum is expected to make his second start of the year and several other contributors are in their best playing shape of the season. Coach Bret Bielema says his team is healthier than in past weeks and likes the way the Badgers have responded in practice after the difficult loss. The Buckeyes also are looking for some mental healing and hope their first opportunity for a meaningful win since the USC debacle will unfold differently than the game in the Coliseum. Ohio State's rushing attack has been just as productive as Wisconsin's, but the Buckeyes' passing game has been virtually nonexistent all year. The Bucks will need more from Pryor and his receivers to win this one, as the Badgers' run defense has been stout since the return of star linebacker Jonathan Casillas, who is finally healthy after missing the first two games. The Badgers have better balance offensively and the benefit of a tough home venue. They're the pick to win a tight, physical game.
Wisconsin, 17-14

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