Walker Sports College Football Pick'em Week 7

A new week is upon us, and I'm looking to bounce back after going 2-2 in consecutive weeks. Things aren't getting any easier with teams in the middle of their conference schedules, and many of the races are wide open. Nonetheless, that won't keep me away from picking winners.

USC -3 v. Cal: The Trojans are not themselves this season. Maybe it was all the off the field distractions during the off season. Maybe the kids are not motivated after the sanctions came down and the two year bowl ban was put into place. Most likely the problems can be attested to the coaching change, but I'm not here to bash Lane Kiffen. At least not right now. Despite some recent struggles, this is a talented USC team that needs to bounce back with a solid win. The guys in this program understand the tradition, and they have a lot of pride in the jerseys they are wearing. There is no chance the Trojans roll over for a third consecutive week.

Winner USC wins the game and covers the 3 points.

Iowa -3.5 v. Michigan: The Wolverines were exposed last week for what they really are, an average team with a great talent at quarterback. Now that Superman finally had his cape clipped by Michigan State last weekend, it will be interesting to see how Denard Robison handles the loss and can he bounce back. The Hawkeyes, are a solid team, it's difficult to tell if they are truly contenders in the Big 10, but they do have a stingy defense which allows them to remain competitive in every game. One stat of note for the Hawkeyes, they have given up the fewest plays of 7 yards or more in the country, including no third down conversions from that distance. That is one to keep in mind when Iowa tries to keep Denard Robinson from breaking loose on Saturday.

Winner Iowa wins the game and covers the 3.5 points.

Auburn -4 v. Arkansas: This game features two of the best quarterbacks in the country. Despite a late game meltdown against Alabama, Arkansas' Ryan Mallet has played some great football this year. He has a host of talented receivers around him and a coach who lets him throw the ball down the field. Auburn has been a complete surprise to me this season. They are undefeated, and Cam Newton is proving to be a dark horse in the Heisman Trophy race. While Cam leads the offense it is the depth and the talent on the defensive side of the ball that has won Auburn so many games this season.

I've learned my lesson in dealing with Auburn, they are a good team but they struggle to put teams away. That's why I like Auburn to win the game, but I have Arkansas covering the 4 points.

Ohio State -4 v. Wisconsin: A classic Big 10 battle brewing here. Wisconsin has aspirations of challanging for a Big 10 championship and in the confines of Camp Randell they are a hard team to beat. In typical Wisconsin fashion, the Badgers are big and physical and they run the ball very well. For Ohio State they are slowly progressing into the 21st century and opening their playbook up. That's easy to do when you have Terrelle Pryor running the show. Pryor is slowly becoming a well rounded quarterback who can toss the ball around the field with some success. However, he still has 4.3 speed and can break the pocket and dash a sleeping defense. Wisconsin is a good team and they are built to win the Big 10. However, Ohio State is a great team and is built to win the National Championship. The Buckeyes team speed will prove to be too much for the Badgers to slow down.

Winner Ohio State wins and covers the 4 points.