David Just, 34-11

Sports editor

Illinois at Minnesota

Are we going to see the road Illini as they were against Indiana or the road Illini as they were against Iowa? I’m banking on the former.

Winner: Illinois 24, Minnesota 17

#21 Wisconsin at #1 Ohio State

I want an undefeated Ohio State for next weekend’s Illini game in Columbus. Wisconsin is good, but it’s no match.

Winner: Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 17

#4 Arizona State at #5 Oregon

The undefeated Sun Devils will be handed their first loss in an ugly blowout. Perhaps even uglier than Oregon’s uniforms.

Winner: Oregon 42, Arizona State 10

#3 LSU at #17 Alabama

I can’t decide who this game is bigger for: Nick Saban or Les Miles. Each has a whole lot at stake here.

Winner: LSU 31, Alabama 28

Florida State at #2 Boston College

Boston needs a bad sports team. I mean, come on already.

Winner: Boston College 28, Florida State 17

Steve Contorno, 31-14

Deputy sports editor

Illinois at Minnesota

I still don’t trust Illinois on the road in the Big Ten, but Minnesota is the worst team ever to play football.

Winner: Illinois 33, Minnesota 27

#21 Wisconsin at #1 Ohio State

The Badgers have slowly declined into just another Big Ten disappointment while THE Ohio State has far exceeded my expectations of what it was capable of.

Winner: Ohio State 27, Wisconsin 13

#4 Arizona State at #5 Oregon

Oregon’s spread option makes it seem like the field is twice as big and the game is being played in fast forward. ASU has been good, but not good enough.

Winner: Oregon 33, Arizona State 17

#3 LSU at #17 Alabama

LSU will struggle against the Crimson Tide and its old coach, Nick Saban. The Tigers are showing signs of being worn down after a tough SEC schedule, but in the end, they’ll find a way to win.

Winner: LSU 21, Alabama 17

Florida State at #2 Boston College

BC has been playing out of its skin for too long. If Florida State can put together four quarters of football – a big if – then it can boot Boston College off its pedestal.

Winner: Florida State 24, Boston College 21

Jason Grodsky, 33-12

Football writer

Illinois at Minnesota

This could be another trap game for the Illini. But Minnesota’s defense is about as good as Lou Holtz’s commentary on “College GameDay.”

Winner: Illinois 28, Minnesota 14

#21 Wisconsin at #1 Ohio State

The Badgers are the most overrated team in the Big Ten while the Buckeyes are probably the most underrated No. 1 team I’ve ever seen.

Winner: Ohio State 35, Wisconsin 17

#4 Arizona State at #5 Oregon

At the beginning of the season all the talk in the Pac-10 was about USC, Cal and UCLA. I guess people forgot that they play football outside the state of California in the Pac-10.

Winner: Oregon 31, Arizona State 24

#3 LSU at #17 Alabama

The Tigers will take full advantage of their opportunity to beat up on their old coach and take a commanding grip on the SEC regular season title.

Winner: LSU 24, Alabama 14

Florida State at #2 Boston College

BC will win this game, but hopefully the Eagles will get beat in the coming weeks or at least get “screwed over” by the BCS so I don’t have to see them in the title game.

Winner: Boston College 28, Florida State 10

Mike Theodore, 31-14

Football writer

Illinois at Minnesota

The curse of the Mississippi River ends as the Illini wallop the Gophers for their first victory on the west side.

Winner: Illinois 38, Minnesota 13

#21 Wisconsin at #1 Ohio State

The Buckeyes are too good to trip up at home – at least for one more week.

Winner: Ohio State 31, Wisconsin 13

#4 Arizona State at #5 Oregon

I wonder if Dennis Dixon is carrying on the pianist tradition Joey Harrington left behind.

Winner: Oregon 27, Arizona State 20

#3 LSU at #17 Alabama

The Bill Self of college football meets the kids he left behind and gets embarrassed.

Winner: LSU 42, Alabama 0

Florida State at #2 Boston College

I refuse once again to pick the old man from Tallahassee. The Eagles defend their lofty ranking at home.

Winner: Boston College 17, Florida State 13

Daniel Johnson, 34-11

Football columnist

Illinois at Minnesota

Where does Tim Brewster get off scheduling us for his homecoming game?

Winner: Illinois 72, Minnesota 0

#21 Wisconsin at #1 Ohio State

This might be a better game if Wisconsin still had Luke Swan and it wasn’t playing in Columbus, and if The Ohio State wasn’t the much better team.

Winner: Ohio State 62, Wisconsin 0

#4 Arizona State at #5 Oregon

After thinking for way too long, I gave up trying to think of something witty to say. The speed of the Oregon offense and Dennis Dixon will make the Sun Devil defense look fowl.

Winner: Oregon 38, Arizona State 31

#3 LSU at #17 Alabama

I’d love to pick Alabama and Saban’s squad, but I think that LSU’s defense led by potential No. 1 overall draft pick Glen Dorsey will flush away the Crimson Tide. Geaux Tigers.

Winner: LSU 28, Alabama 24

Florida Sate at #2 Boston College

Apparently every sports team in the New England area is playing out of its mind this year. Must be something in the clam chowdah.

Winner: Boston College 31, Florida State 14