Rivalries. Rankings don't matter. Records don't matter. Upsets matter.

I have finally recovered from the embarassing loss my Red Raiders suffered at the hands of Oklahoma last weekend and I still have hope for a big bowl game. Here are this week's picks, against the spread. Lines taken from MGM Mirage and quoted material from College Football News.

• LOSS - Texas A&M 9 at #2 Texas 49 (-35) - Thanksgiving Day - "This really has been the embodiment of the throw-out-the-record-books cliché when it comes to the rivalry, and this year, if A&M pulls it off, it might be the biggest shocker of the bunch." It won't happen, but 35 points won't either. GIG 'EM AGGIES!
• WIN - West Virginia 15 at #25 Pittsburgh 19 (+3) - The Backyard Brawl - Friday - "Last year was proof that no one brings out the best in Pittsburgh more than West Virginia. Forget the fact that the Panthers underachieved last week in Cincinnati. This will be a different team." GO PANTHERS!
• LOSS - Mississippi State 0 (+16) at Mississippi 45 - aka, The Egg Bowl - Friday - "Never discount the strange twists and turns of a rivalry game, but Ole Miss is too solid and MSU too flawed. The home team has won the last four games in the series. Make it five straight." But, the Dawgs will not exactly roll over and play dead. GO DAWGS!
• WIN - LSU 30 at Arkansas 31 (+4.5) - Friday - "The Hogs might not have much going on the defensive front right now, but they should still be able to slow down the LSU attack just enough to let Dick come up with another big passing game on the way to a tough, ugly win." SOOIIIEEE PIG!
• WIN - #22 Georgia Tech 45 (+8) at #11 Georgia 42 - "Georgia Tech is fired up for this game. If Georgia can’t match that intensity for four quarters, the winning streak will be over. While Johnson has narrowed the gap, as directed, his Yellow Jackets won’t be quite ready to win a game in Athens," BUT it will be close. GO YELLOWJACKETS!
• WIN - Auburn 0 at #1 Alabama 36 (-14) - aka, The Iron Bowl - "The Auburn offense is sort of like the economy. Everyone’s trying everything to get it started, and all the efforts just seem to make things go backwards.... Welcome to Alabama’s cathartic exhale six years in the making. Saban and the Tide won’t be looking to make a statement; they just want the win." Besides, It will be so much more fun to watch Florida obliterate an undeafeated Alabama next week. ROLL TIDE!
• WIN - #4 Florida 45 (-16.5) at #20 Florida State 15 - "Eventually, Harvin or Rainey will zip through a seam in the defense to quiet the crowd and end the threat of an upset. The Gators will build some space in the second half and start looking ahead to Alabama at some point in the final quarter." GO GATORS!
• LOSS - Baylor 21 at #7 Texas Tech 35 (-21) - "Texas Tech will get back on track and put itself in the position to stay in the Big 12 title discussion. Baylor isn’t that bad, but remember, its four wins came against Northwestern State, Washington State, Iowa State and Texas A&M." I think Harrell and Crabtree are pissed and will be ridiculously good in their final game in Lubbock. WRECK 'EM TECH!
• LOSS - #23 Oregon 65 at #17 Oregon State 38 (-3) - aka, Civil War - "There’s something special about this Oregon State team that isn’t easily explained. Even without a few critical parts, it continues to find ways to win games. The Beavers will feed off the home crowd and the play of the defense to outlast the Ducks and lock up a Rose Bowl berth." And, silence the USC apostles. GO BEAVERS!
• LOSS - #3 Oklahoma 61 at #12 Oklahoma State 41 (+7) - aka, The Bedlam Game - "One of two things will happen. Oklahoma will prove it’s a national title-caliber powerhouse by blowing through Stillwater with a 30+ point win and yet another nuclear offensive display, or the team will come in overconfident, Oklahoma State will be well-prepared, and this will be an epic firefight with the Cowboys pulling off the stunner." GO COWBOYS!