ESPN

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 week to help you make those tough decisions. Be sure to log in to the College Pick 'Em page on Tuesdays for the upcoming week's matchups and previews.

Missouri is on a major roll after destroying Nebraska last week in Columbia. That was the game the Tigers had been pointing to all year, and you have to wonder how much they have left in the tank for Saturday's tilt at Oklahoma. If the Sooners show up as motivated as they were before the Colorado loss, it will be a runaway. Oklahoma can at least slow the Missouri attack, and the Tigers won't be able to stop the Sooners at all. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops has an excellent record against spread passing teams, although it's better against quarterbacks with less mobility than Chase Daniel. Still, Daniel isn't exactly Brad Smith, and Oklahoma's defense should be able to get off the field unscathed more often than not. Missouri is the real deal, but it just doesn't match up well here. This one will be close if Oklahoma doesn't take the Tigers seriously, but if Oklahoma renews its focus, it will be a statement win. Oklahoma, 38-19

After a comeback for the ages against Florida last week, it would be reasonable to put the Tigers on "letdown alert" for their visit Saturday to Lexington. Kentucky is a quality team, and it has a puncher's chance against any opponent, even LSU. The Tigers' run defense is impenetrable; to beat them, a team must be able to throw the ball. The Cats have the requisite passing game, but their defensive profile isn't that of a team that can slow the Tigers, who have scored 37.8 points per game. To slow LSU, a team must have great speed at linebacker. That's what it takes to slow down Ryan Perrilloux and the Tigers' stable of running backs -- whether it's Jacob Hester running north-south in the middle of the field or Trindon Holliday on the perimeter -- and force quarterback Matt Flynn to pass. Virginia Tech has great linebackers, and it didn't work for the Hokies. The only way the Kentucky defense has a chance to make enough stops is if the Tigers show up hung over from last week's draining win, thinking that if South Carolina can smack Kentucky around, the No. 1 team in the country certainly can. Unfortunately for Wildcats fans, Les Miles has said his team has had great practices so far and he really likes the way his team has responded this week. Receiver Early Doucet's return also helps the Tigers, while the Cats might be missing elusive all-purpose back Rafael Little. If the Tigers were going to show up flat and vulnerable through this part of their schedule, last week was the week. LSU, 35-24

Not all the blame lies with quarterback Anthony Morelli, but Penn State's underachieving, turnover-riddled passing game is all that separates the Lions from a No. 2 ranking. Wisconsin is the perfect matchup for Penn State because the Badgers are a team the Lions can beat without throwing the ball much. Penn State's defense is stronger in the back seven than on the line, and P.J. Hill will get his yards, but Penn State back Rodney Kinlaw is running well, too. Ultimately, the war in the trenches will go to the home team. Penn State, 27-13

Oregon State suffered some tough breaks at Cincinnati and blew leads against UCLA and Arizona State, but the Beavers rescued their season with a must-win victory over Arizona. Beating Arizona might not seem like much, but these Beavers are a capable lot, averaging only 28 yards of offense less than California against a similar schedule. Oregon State also boasts one of the nation's best rush defenses, allowing only 43 yards per game and 1.3 yards per carry. Justin Forsett and the Cal running game are essential to the success of quarterback Nate Longshore and the passing game, so if the Beavers shut down Forsett, the Bears could be in for a long day. The Bears' main concern, however, is their own success. If the players spent the bye week reading their own press clippings, they will be in big trouble against a 3-3 Oregon State team that's capable of playing as well as anybody on their schedule. Beavers running back Yvenson Bernard torched the Bears last year, so the likely game plan Saturday will include Cal stacking the line of scrimmage and trying to force Oregon State's rookie quarterback Sean Canfield to throw the ball. Canfield has racked up some yardage this year, but he also has thrown 17 interceptions (against only seven touchdowns). The Oregon State defense will play well, and my sense is that Cal will come out a little overconfident in the first half, but turnovers will prevent the Beavers from delivering the knockout blow, and the new No. 2 team will come from behind to win a closer-than-expected game. Cal, 27-21

The Red Raiders have won six straight in Lubbock in this series. While Tech can't boast any wins over quality opponents this year, the team has been dominant, outgaining foes by an average of more than 250 yards per game. This year is the first since 2002 that Tech has had a returning starter at quarterback, and the success of the offense this year can be attributed to the team's ability to replace receivers and linemen in Mike Leach's system as easily as it has replaced signal-callers in the past. The Texas A&M pass defense is ill-equipped to stop the Tech attack, especially since the team has shown no pass rush whatsoever. But the Aggies' punishing ground game should move the chains often enough to limit Red Raiders possessions. The past five games in this series have averaged 74 points, and there will be plenty of offense on display Saturday, as well. Neither defense will be able to hold up, and the last team with the ball will win. I predict that will be ... Texas Tech, 41-37

The Bulls might be ranked in the top five, but I'm still not sure they're that much better than this week's opponent. The two have played similar schedules, and the Knights' advantage in offensive production is at least as great as the Bulls' edge on the other side of the ball. With the exception of kickoff coverage, Central Florida has one of the best special teams units in the country, while South Florida's special teams have been a disaster. Kevin Smith has been one of the nation's best backs, and Central Florida has been successful enough rushing the ball to protect its questionable passing abilities. The Bulls don't throw much, either, preferring to let quarterback Matt Grothe make plays with his legs. These teams are very similar, with the Knights sporting the better offense and the Bulls fielding the better defense. The Knights are fired up to win their first game in this developing rivalry, and if they hadn't suffered a demoralizing comeback loss to East Carolina last week, I would have called for an upset. Instead: South Florida, 27-24

Illinois has been impressive and clearly is one of the most improved teams in the country. Facing the Hawkeyes in Iowa City will not be an easy task, however, and the Illini have shown some chinks in their armor. Despite the 5-1 resume that includes only a close loss to 11th-ranked Missouri, Illinois has not shown enough passing offense to prove that the team will be able to move the ball against defenses that can stop the run. Iowa's front four is perhaps the best in the Big Ten, and this game presents matchup problems for the Illini. More important, however, is the young team's vulnerability to complacency. The Illini are in uncharted waters, and if the team is looking past Iowa to a showdown at Michigan, it will lose Saturday. Even if Illinois is focused, it might not have enough weapons to dent a tough Hawkeyes defense if the home team is ready to make a stand. Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz has had a tough season-and-a-half, but this team circles the wagons well and always plays great in big home games. The Hawks haven't looked like much so far, but the team has lots of talent on defense, and this game sets up nicely for the host. I think the Illini get "Zooked" this Saturday. Iowa 20-17

Both teams still are in the wide-open race for the Big 12 North, but the home team can ill afford a second league loss. The trouble is that when the Wildcats can't make big plays on special teams, they just aren't that good. The defense has been solid but not fantastic, and the offense hasn't sustained drives all year. Led by the nation's leading tackler, linebacker Jordan Dizon, the Buffaloes play scrappy defense and shouldn't allow Kansas State much room to run here. Statistically, these two teams have been about equally productive, but it's the visitors who have played the tougher schedule to date. Colorado showed its focus in avoiding a letdown last week against Baylor, and while home-field advantage looms large in the Big 12, the Buffs look like the better team. Colorado, 21-17

Purdue couldn't get it done against the Buckeyes in yet another big October home game, but the team still is a darkhorse Big Ten contender and likely will be favored in all of its remaining games, except this one and a road date at Penn State. Spread passing attacks with mobile quarterbacks have given the Wolverines trouble this season, and while Purdue's Curtis Painter can't compare with Oregon's Dennis Dixon when it comes to mobility, he is a dangerous passer who was fourth in rushing among Big Ten quarterbacks last year. The Boilermakers' high-flying attack should find some room against a Michigan defense that still is struggling to replace five NFL draft choices. However, Purdue doesn't play much defense, either, and Michigan running back Mike Hart will keep the chains moving. The return of star wideout Mario Manningham from suspension and the continued recovery of quarterback Chad Henne from injury should boost the Wolverines' offensive production in a game that's likely to see plenty of scoring. Michigan, 35-31

The blueprint for beating Arkansas is playing outstanding run defense and running the ball effectively against the Hogs' vulnerable rush defense. Auburn would seem to fit the mold: The revenge-minded (after last year's stunning upset) Tigers are primarily a rushing team and allow only 3.3 yards per carry to opposing backs. The Razorbacks, however, average well more than 6 yards per carry, so only teams with premier run defenses can stop them, and Auburn's unit is not on that level. The entire Auburn offense is playing much better, however, especially quarterback Brandon Cox, and the Tigers probably will be able to slow the Hogs just enough to outscore them. Auburn, 31-28

Check out our full preview of the weekend ahead! Fantasy Football: College Pick 'Em