This week's picks: Beware the Blue

Mississippi State faces a difficult test Thursday night when the Big Blue Kentucky Wildcats come to Starkville.
The Wildcats have won eight national championships. They have the highest winning percentage in NCAA history at 76.2. They sign the nation’s top recruiting class nearly every year. They have dominated the SEC for years…
Oh wait, what’s that you say, State and Kentucky are playing football, not basketball? Kentucky hasn’t won an SEC game this year and is 1-5 overall? The Wildcats lost to Western Kentucky to start the season? Oh well, then never mind.
Mississippi State 30, Kentucky 17 — Important to note: The Bulldogs also are looking for their first SEC win and Kentucky hasn’t played an unranked opponent in a month. State should win, but the Bulldogs need to put together a complete game and play well in the second half.
Ole Miss 59, Idaho 7 — Don’t know how much the Rebels are paying for Idaho’s playing the role of cannon fodder, but it will be money hard-earned.
 North Texas 24, Southern Miss 17 — The Golden Eagles are starting a true freshman quarterback and 15 other true freshmen are expected to play significant roles. The lineup is looking more and more like a junior college team from an age perspective. Might as well build for the future. Todd Monken is a good, solid coach but this reclamation project is going to take some time.
 Alabama 24, Tennessee 10 — Looks to me like Tennessee has finally found the right coach to succeed Phil Fulmer. Alabama has had the right guy for a much longer time.
Texas A & M 31, Vandy 28 — They may have to tape Johnny Football together to play this one, and if he goes down completely, Vandy will win. That’s how much difference Manziel makes for an otherwise average football team.
Missouri 27, South Carolina 23 — Missouri is dominating the SEC East, which is kind of like Southern Cal winning the SEC West.
Tulane 34, Tulsa 24 — Break up the Green Wave, 5-2 as I type. And, yes, it’s football.
Oregon 52, UCLA 24— Alabama vs. Oregon for the National Championship? Oh, how I hope this truly classic matchup happens.
Texas 24, TCU 21 — Apparently, widespread predictions of Mack Brown’s imminent firing were premature.
 Saints 30, Bills 17 — Let’s see, here we have Drew Brees vs. Thad Lewis… Enough said.
My ship is sinking fast … 5-5 last week for 60-23 overall. If this trend continues, I am going to start picking games like LSU-Furman.