Oklahoma State at Missouri: Missouri’s schedule has been relentless. After close losses at Oklahoma, at Kansas State and at Arizona State, they play Oklahoma State at home and then travel to College Station. They look set to become the best team in the country to not appear in a bowl game. Wasn’t the Big 12 supposed to be easier?

Missouri has been at least competitive in every game. You’d have to assume they’d be better getting to play a very good to great team at home for once (outscored their patsies 138-23 there this year). That said, the Cowboys are battle tested and have a sneakily okay Big 12 defense. Have to like them in a close win. Don’t expect any of this.

North Carolina at Clemson: We’ll ask almost every week: is this where Clemson pulls a Clemson? The Tar Heels are capable. Sophomore Bryn Renneter has been one of the country’s best quarterbacks (Top 10 passer rating, 81 straight attempts without an INT). Giovani Bernard has been the best freshman running back. Their athletic front seven held Lamar Miller to under two yards per carry last week. Clemson had to fight doggedly to stave off an upset bid by Maryland last week, but this one is in Death Valley. It’s hard to predict the young offense spear-heading an upset, but UNC should keep it close.

Picks: Two of my picks kickoff at noon. Purdue (+4) vs. Illinois and Kansas State (-11) at Kansas.

Previously: College Football Week Eight Preview

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