Every week, Maxwell Award winner, Heisman Trophy finalist, former NFL starting quarterback and CBS Sports analyst Brady Quinn will be here offering his picks on some of the closest, most-competitive college football games.
We have already seen some surprises, but you can set your mind at ease this weekend with these straight-up winners.
Last week: 0-2 | Season: 8-9
Last week was an abysmal performance on my part; however, in my defense, the postponing of the LSU-Florida game did not allow me a saving grace for a rough day. This week, we will get back on track.
Stanford at Notre Dame: The Irish come home after playing in what appeared to be a water park in Raleigh, North Carolina. The game should be no indication as to how Notre Dame should be judged based off its performance this year. Even though the Irish have struggled, this matchup is favorable. Stanford has struggled to find ways of getting running back Christian McCaffrey involved, after consecutive weeks of being limiting him to under 50 yards rushing. To make matters worse, McCaffrey left last week's game with a leg injury, so even if he plays, he may not be 100 percent.
Furthermore, Stanford ranks 100th in rushing this season averaging 140 yards per game, which is a far cry from their ranking just a year ago. On defense, Stanford has been plagued by injuries in their secondary. This is a bad time to have multiple starters miss time against one of the best passers in the country. Irish quarterback Deshone Kizer will have his pick of matchups to utilize on the outside. Stanford has been stingy against the run, but I don't know that it will matter. Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has been very keen on throwing to win if that's what it takes. Last week, Kelly was criticized for not throwing enough; this week, that won't be an issue. I like the Irish. Pick: Notre Dame
SportsLine ATS projection: Notre Dame (-3) -- Analysis
No. 12 Ole Miss at No. 22 Arkansas: The Rebels have lost the past two years to the Razorbacks, but this year is different. The Landshark defense has struggled to stop opponents, but that's more of a result of a schedule that's included Florida State, Alabama and Georgia. Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly has come up short the past two years, in particular last year with a tragic loss in overtime after Laquon Treadwell was injured while fumbling as he approached the goal line. The difference this season is the Razorbacks are struggling to protect QB Austin Allen. The pressure will create negative plays and a lack of ability to match Ole Miss's fire power. Look for tight end Evan Engram to have a big game in the Rebels' victory. Pick: Ole Miss
SportsLine ATS projection: Arkansas (+7.5) -- Analysis
No. 2 Ohio State at No. 8 Wisconsin: The Buckeyes have already had one statement road game this season vs. Oklahoma. I think the Sooners' offense presented more issues than the Badgers' does. The Badgers have gone to freshman Alex Hornibrook, who's held his own at quarterback, but Wisconsin's rushing attack has been stagnant at eighth in the Big Ten compared to the Ohio State's second-ranked rushing attack. J.T. Barrett has shown the versatility to impact a defense either through the air or on the ground. Barrett struggled passing against an up and coming Indiana defense but went to work on the ground accumulating 137 yards with a touchdown. Combine that with a defense that's only giving up only 10.8 points a game, and I like the Buckeyes to make another statement on the road at Camp Randall. Pick: Ohio State
SportsLine ATS projection: Ohio State (-10) -- Analysis