Daily Illini Writers’ Picks

Jim Shay, 5-5

Sports editor

UL-Lafayette at #24 Illinois

Cajuns have a record-setting running back in Tyrell Fenroy. Illini defense can’t, and won’t, be caught off guard.

Winner: Illinois 35, UL-Lafayette 14

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#13 Kansas at #19 South Florida

USF drops this one for making me look bad last week.

Winner: Kansas 35, South Florida 27

#5 Ohio State at #1 USC

Something crazy could happen in this game. Even without Beanie. I’ll play it safe.

Winner: USC 41, Ohio State 41

#10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State

No matter what happens in Pasadena, the Big Ten will maintain some credibility here.

Winner: Wisconsin 28, Fresno St. 14

Michigan at Notre Dame

Over/under on the touchdowns scored in this game: 2. It will be messy.

Winner: Notre Dame 20, Michigan 13

Wes Anderson, 6-4

Football writer

UL-Lafayette at #24 Illinois

Weren’t these guys the evil school in The Waterboy?

Winner: Illinois 38, UL-Lafayette 17

#13 Kansas at #19 South Florida

Either I’m cocky from being over .500, or I just hate “waving the wheat.” Either way, I call upset.

Winner: South Florida 35, Kansas 31

#5 Ohio State at #1 USC

Big Ten allegiance aside, there’s just too much for the Buckeyes to handle here.

Winner: USC 21, Ohio State 14

#10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State

Mark it – southpaw Allan Evridge will be the best Badger QB this side of Brooks Bollinger.

Winner: Wisconsin 31, Fresno St. 24

Michigan at Notre Dame

The Wolverines might actually make Jimmy Clausen look serviceable, for once.

Winner: Notre Dame 28, Michigan 17

Daniel Johnson, 4-6

Football writer

UL-Lafayette at #24 Illinois

Yawn.

Winner: Illinois 45, UL-Lafayette 21

#13 Kansas at #19 South Florida

Magino is fat, there, I said it. Rock chalk.

Winner: Kansas 28, South Florida 14

#5 Ohio State at #1 USC

I hope this doesn’t solidify my burgeoning mancrush on Mark Sanchez. Crap.

Winner: USC 48, Ohio State 28

#10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State

Fresno State’s kicker is named Kevin Goessling. I don’t like “The Notebook” and he may be related to Ryan.

Winner: Wisconsin 31, Fresno St. 24

Michigan at Notre Dame

I would have made myself physically ill whichever way I went with this one.

Winner: Michigan 3, Notre Dame 2

Laura Hettiger, 3-7

Football writer

UL-Lafayette at #24 Illinois

Illinois’ third 40-point game in a row? Done and done.

Winner: Illinois 42, UL-Lafayette 10

#13 Kansas at #19 South Florida

Even though Reesing threw 400-plus yards last week, SFLA learned a lot from its near upset to UCF.

Winner: South Florida 21, Kansas 17

#5 Ohio State at #1 USC

USC? On the road? This won’t be a good day to be a Buckeye.

Winner: USC 38, Ohio State 24

#10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State

P.J. Hill will run over the smaller Fresno State’s defense.

Winner: Wisconsin 28, Fresno St. 17

Michigan at Notre Dame

It’s a huge rivalry, and I’m a Big Ten fan . . . Plus I HATE Notre Dame.

Winner: Michigan 35, Notre Dame 17

Kyle Betts, 5-5

Football columnist

UL-Lafayette at #24 Illinois

The Cajuns are ranked #111 in the nation . . . take that Florida International.

Winner: Illinois 42, UL-Lafayette 10

#13 Kansas at #19 South Florida

All Mark Mangino jokes aside, Kansas is going to devour USF. I’m trying hard to resist.

Winner: Illinois 42, UL-Lafayette 10

#5 Ohio State at #1 USC

It’s the BCS Championship game in September . . . which means Ohio State will lose by at least 40, right?

Winner: USC 45, Ohio State 20

#10 Wisconsin at #21 Fresno State

The land of beer meets wine country. College students know the right choice.

Winner: Wisconsin 24, Fresno St. 21

Michigan at Notre Dame

The best part about this match-up is that someone has to lose. Let’s flip a coin and say Michigan.

Winner: Notre Dame 15, Michigan 14