Pigskin picking

You’ll have to excuse my 10-6 record of last week.
I lacked the proper focus and motivation.
To ensure I’m emotionally charged enough for this task, I’m going to leave the sideline and dance in the end zone after my first correct pick of this week.
Even if it means that my press box seat will be moved to the 8-yard line.
I’m 95-39 for the year, so I can afford an excessive celebration penalty.

Thursday appetizer

ACC

No. 11 Virginia Tech (6-2) at Georgia Tech (5-3)
Let’s see: Georgia Tech’s two best tailbacks are out with injuries. It can’t throw the ball. It’s facing one of the top defenses in the country. Sure, it makes perfect sense that they're 2.5-point favorites.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 20, Georgia Tech 13

Saturday main course

SEC

Troy (6-2) at No. 10 Georgia (6-2)
OK, based on the admonishment of SEC commissioner Mike Slive following Georgia’s end zone celebration against Florida, we probably won’t see Bulldogs offensive lineman Fernando Velasco doing a bump and grind dance on the goalpost after his team’s first touchdown against Troy. For that, we should be thankful. This has the makings of a trap game, but the Bulldogs should be motivated after last week. Plus, there’s a chance do-everything Troy QB Omar Haugabook won't play because of a hamstring pull. Don’t be surprised if the Trojans continue their habit of scaring the hair off Bowl Championship Series conference opponents.
Prediction: Georgia 38, Troy 27

No. 3 LSU (7-1) at No. 17 Alabama (6-2)
Alabama coach Nick Saban has spent most of the week denying there would be any trace of emotion when he faces off against his former team. Why is that so hard to believe? When has anyone seen Saban show a sappy, sentimental side?
Prediction: LSU 21, Alabama 17

Tennessee Tech (3-4) at No. 19 Auburn (6-3)
Auburn will momentarily interrupt its pattern of winning ugly and scoring as few points as possible.
Prediction: Auburn 42, Tennessee Tech 7

No. 23 South Carolina (6-3) at Arkansas (5-3)
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier can’t seem to settle on a quarterback. It’s Chris Smelley. No, it’s Blake Mitchell. No, it’s Smelley. OK, we’re in agreement. The revolving QB idea stinks. Fortunately for Spurrier, Arkansas coach Houston Nutt can’t figure out how to maximize the talents of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones.
Prediction: South Carolina 21, Arkansas 17

Vanderbilt (5-3) at No. 18 Florida (5-3)
Don’t get too excited, but Vanderbilt could receive the stamp of bowl approval for the first time in a quarter century if it gets one more win. You don’t go that long between bowl berths without blowing a few opportunities along the way.
Prediction: Florida 26, Vanderbilt 20

Louisiana-Lafayette (1-7) at No. 24 Tennessee (5-3)
That coughing sound you heard late last Saturday night was a blown 21-point lead lodging in the throat of Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer. He can breath thanks to an overtime win over South Carolina that quieted rumblings about his job security (for now). This week, he can transport himself back to a happier time when he picked up his first career victory as a head coach. The year was 1992. The team was Southwestern Louisiana, which evolved in Louisiana-Lafayette.
Prediction: Tennessee 45, La. Lafayette 13

Northwestern State (3-5) at Ole Miss (2-7)
I got crucified by Ole Miss fans for ranking Ed Orgeron 12th in my preseason ranking of SEC coaches. That was August. Guess what I've heard from them during a run that includes zero SEC wins and a combined 11 points in the last two games.
This is the sound of crickets chirping.
Prediction: Ole Miss 23, Northwestern State 10

ACC

No. 21 Wake Forest (6-2) at Virginia (7-2)
If anyone has a chance to knock off Boston College before the ACC championship game, it’s Wake Forest.
Prediction: Wake Forest 24, Virginia 23

N.C. State (3-5) at Miami (5-3)
Miami has the chance to salvage something positive out of this season after storming back to beat Florida State last week.
Prediction: Miami 28, N.C. State 14

No. 25 Clemson (6-2) at Duke (1-7)
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden’s name continually pops up on various hotseat lists, but he always does just enough to keep his posterior out of the fire.
Prediction: Clemson 31, Duke 14

Maryland (4-4) at North Carolina (2-6)
Maryland has lost two games in a row.
Prediction: Maryland 25, UNC 21

Florida State (5-3) at No. 2 Boston College (8-0)
Boston College QB Matt Ryan didn’t have a particularly efficient game against Virginia Tech last week, but is there any doubt about his Heisman Trophy credentials? He’s proven to be Mr. Clutch.
Prediction: Boston College 34, FSU 24

Dessert

No. 6 Arizona State (8-0) at No. 4 Oregon (7-1)
It’s time to talk about Oregon as a possible BCS championship game sleeper.
Prediction: Oregon 38, Arizona State 31