1 Ohio State (-14.5, 49.5) at 17 Illinois 12:00 pm (FOX) - After being drubbed, 63-10, at Indiana, the Illini have come back with two straight conference wins: 34-32 over USC and 43-27 last week at Purdue. Their offense will be put to the test against the #1 Buckeyes, but wideout Hank Beatty (32 rec., 569 yards) will be a tough match-up.

The Ohio State defense is probably the best in the country. No team has scored more than nine points against them, and they’ve allowed only two touchdowns, one in their 14-7 win over Texas and another in a 37-9 rout of Ohio. The offense came to life last week against Minnesota, putting a 42-3 beating on the Golden Gophers. A tight, low-scoring affair appears to be in the offing.

Coin Flip: Ohio State

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Buckeyes 27 Fighting Illini 17

Pittsburgh at 25 Florida State (-10.5, 57.5) 12:00 pm (ESPN) - The Seminoles, after their stunning opening week defeat of Alabama, continue to plummet through the rankings, the latest blow to their reputation a home loss to Miami last Saturday, 28-22, and it wasn’t even that close. Florida State is now 0-2 in conference play, well behind 3-0 Virginia and Duke.

The Panthers, despite their 3-2 record, aren’t just going to roll over. The two losses were 31-24 at West Virginia and 34-27 to Louisville. Last seen, they were tearing up Boston College, 48-7. They’re an angry bunch who will be chasing FSU Qb Tommy Castellanos all over the field. If Florida State does manage a win, it’s not likely to be by much. The ACC is wide open.

Coin Flip: Pittsburgh

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Seminoles 31 Panthers 27

7 Indiana at 3 Oregon (-7, 55) 3:30 pm (CBS) - On September 27, the Ducks won at Penn State, 30-24, in double overtime, but after the Nittany Lions were upended by UCLA last week, one has to wonder about the quality of that win. Otherwise, Oregon has dominated in a creampuff schedule. This will be their first big test against a true quality opponent.

The Hoosiers may have a championship quality team, the best in decades. Winning last week at Iowa, 20-15, shows they don’t have to put up big numbers to achieve their goals. No team has scored more than 15 against Indiana, so, unless there are a lot of defensive miscues, this looks like a prime game to stay UNDER. Even though they’re on the road, the 5-0 Hoosiers don’t rate as the usual 7-point underdog and may very well win this going away.

Coin Flip: Oregon

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hoosiers 28 Ducks 17

22 Iowa State (-3, 52) at Colorado 3:30 pm (ESPN) - Coach Prime is expected to be on the sideline for the Buffaloes after a surgical procedure this week, and they’ll need all his guidance against the Cyclones, who, despite last week’s 38-30 setback at Cincinnati, are still in the hunt for the Big 12 title.

Iowa State is 5-1. Colorado is 2-4, and 0-3 in the conference. The Buffaloes aren’t sneaking up on anybody this season.

Coin Flip: Colorado

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cyclones 31 Buffaloes 14

6 Oklahoma at Texas (-1.5, 42.5) 3:30 pm (ABC) - This may be one of the more enjoyable games for Oklahoma fans in a long time. The Sooners head into the Red River Shootout at 5-0 and ranked #6, while the Longhorns have dropped out of the Top 25 after last week’s 29-21 loss at Florida and a 3-2 record.

Though Texas is listed as the home team, the game is actually being played at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, a neutral location with a Texas lean. How the Longhorns are 1 1/2-point favorites is anybody’s guess. Arch Manning has thus far proven to be nowhere near as good as his uncles Peyton and Eli. Oklahoma should rock them.

Coin Flip: Oklahoma

Fearless Rick’s Pick: Sooners 31 Longhorns 17