Despite my recent run of mediocrity for my picks of the week, I had a very good run last week in upset handicapping.  I hit three out of five of my picks, including two near misses by my longshot picks UL-Monroe (+9.5 against FIU) and Rutgers (+10.5 vs. USF).  Both of those teams either lost in the final minute of the game or in overtime.  This week I will try to extend my success by giving you a slew of upset picks for you to consider.  The lines below are ordered from smallest underdog to largest, and the value in each parentheses represents the number of points by which each team is currently an underdog according to the World Sports Exchange.

Virginia (+1.5) vs. Maryland- The Terrapins are having a surprisingly impressive season, yet their best road win thus far is a 3 point victory at BC.  Meanwhile, UVA knocked off Miami the last time they played in Charlottesville.

Colorado (+2.5) vs. Iowa State- I know I picked Colorado in this exact same situation two other times this season, but I’m hoping the third time is the charm.  Colorado was a slight home dog at home against both Texas Tech and Baylor and lost both games after I picked them to win on this blog.  I think the Buffaloes will play with a lot of heart after seeing their coach get canned just a few days ago.

Kent State (+2.5) vs. Army- I think these two teams are pretty evenly-matched, so I’ll go with the home team.  Believe it or not, this game has huge ramifications, as it could be a de facto bowl play-in game with the winner having a great chance of getting a bid and the loser likely staying home for the holidays.

Baylor (+3.0) vs. Texas A & M- See my analysis for this game in my picks of the week entry below.

Rutgers (+3.0) vs. Syracuse- The Big East is an absurd mess, so I don’t feel comfortable putting this game in my top 10 picks of the week column. However, Rutgers still has a great chance of getting a big win here.  Syracuse received way too much hype after their West Virginia win, and Rutgers will play with a lot of emotion, as this is their first home game since the Eric LeGrand injury.

UNLV (+6.0) vs. Wyoming- See my analysis for this game in my picks of the week entry below.

Texas (+6.0) vs. Oklahoma State- Just one of those games that I have a strange feeling about.  Going into Austin should never be taken lightly, and based on the Longhorns’ recent struggles, I think OK State may do just that.

South Carolina (+6.5) vs. Florida- The Gators should win this game due to SC’s inability to execute on the road.  However, I’m still giving the Gamecocks a shot here.  At times, it has seemed like this is their year of destiny, and if they play up to their potential and Florida plays like they did earlier this season, then South Carolina can and will win.

Fresno State (+9.0) vs. Nevada- See my analysis for this game in my picks of the week entry below.

Longshot Pick of the Week: Northwestern (+10.0) vs. Iowa- See my analysis for this game in my picks of the week entry below.

Super-Duper Longshot Pick of the Week: California (+19.5) vs. Oregon- Cal has played really well in Berkeley all season, and Oregon is past due for a legitimate scare.

Way back in college football’s inaugural season of 1869 two polls were formed that enabled a group of  fans to vote on a national champion.  One of those polls, the College Football Researchers Association Poll (also known as the CFRA poll), emerged as the most preeminent poll in college football until the Associated Press rankings took its place in 1936.  As a general notion, the poll treated Notre Dame unfavorably by voting against them twice in years where they earned split national titles (1919 and 1930).  And instead gave a great deal of respect to Alabama by awarding them split championships in 1925, 1926, and 1930.   At any rate, to honor this significant piece of football history, the College Football Researchers Association Poll  is now being reinvented on this blog.  The CFRA poll will be voted on each week by me and other college football fans  deemed worthy enough to participate .  The first edition of the poll will come out this Monday and then be published every week thereafter.

 If you would like to become an official member of the CFRA and obtain the ability to vote in this weekly poll, then send an email to bmatthews85@gmail.comand give your name, location, and a brief description of your credentials (how long you have been watching cf, who your favorite team is, etc.).  If you are chosen to participate in the poll, then you will be notified.  Also, overly biased rankings (ex: voting Clemson # 1) will result in your disqualification from the poll and the revocation of your future voting privileges.  Seriously though, join the poll.  I’ve always thought it would be cool to come up with a rankings system that complied the votes of friends and other fans.  At the very least, it should generate some good debate.  Again, let me know if your interested in participating.