College Football Picks: Indiana's big chance; FSU's big fall

This Saturday, Indiana will play at Ohio State and Clemson will visit Florida State.

One of these games is a matchup of ranked teams that will go a long way toward deciding a division title. The other carries a 35-point spread.

As three-time national champion Florida State limps toward its worst season in 45 years, No. 9 Indiana will try to pull off the biggest upset of the season against No. 3 Ohio State.

The Hoosiers are in the midst of what could be their best season since 1967, the last time they went to the Rose Bowl. That 1968 New Year's Day game against No. 1 USC was also the only time Indiana football has ever played in a game matching two top-10 teams.

Meanwhile, Florida State's fall has turned what for years was the Atlantic Coast Conference's biggest game into mismatch.

For six straight seasons (2011-16), Clemson and Florida State played with both in the Top 25. Each time, the winner went on to win the Atlantic Division and then the conference championship.

The last three seasons, the Seminoles haven't stood a chance, losing by an average of 32 points.

Indiana hoops is unranked. Strange year.

The picks:

THURSDAY

Tulane (plus 6 1/2) at No. 25 Tulsa

Golden Hurricane last played as a ranked team in 2008, going 1-2 that season ... TULSA 27-23.

Kentucky (plus 31) at No. 1 Alabama

Wildcats play slow on offense and limit big plays on defense so maybe they can stay within shouting distance for a while ... ALABAMA 38-13.

No. 9 Indiana (plus 20 1/2) at No. 3 Ohio State

Hoosiers have already snapped a 24-game losing streak to Michigan. They have lost 25 in a row to the Buckeyes ... OHIO STATE 45-21.

No. 4 Clemson (minus 35) at Florida State

No. 6 Florida (minus 31 1/2) at Vanderbilt

Seems like a game for Gators QB Kyle Trask to pad his stats, but aren't they all these days? ... FLORIDA 56-21.

No. 7 Cincinnati (minus 6 1/2) at UCF

Biggest test yet for the Bearcats' stingy defense; the Knights are averaging 619 yards per game ... CINCINNATI 38-35.

North Alabama (plus 47 1/2) at No. 8 BYU

No. 10 Wisconsin (minus 7 1/2) at No. 19 Northwestern

Wildcats tend to give the Badgers fits; Or is it Fitz? ... WISCONSIN 24-20.

UCLA (plus 13 1/2) at No. 11 Oregon

Coach Chip Kelly's second visit to Eugene to face his old team; first one was a 21-point loss ... OREGON 45-24.

Mississippi State (plus 25) at No. 13 Georgia

No. 14 Oklahoma State (plus 7) at No. 18 Oklahoma

They call it Bedlam but the final result tends to be predictable; Sooners have won 15 of 17 ... OKLAHOMA 34-29.

Appalachian State (plus 5 1/2) at No. 15 Coastal Carolina

For first place in the Sun Belt East ... APPALACHIAN STATE 28-24.

Kansas State (plus 11) at No. 17 Iowa State

No. 20 USC (minus 3) at Utah

Utes have yet to play this season, but they have won three straight against the Trojans in Salt Lake City ... USC 28-21.

No. 21 Liberty (plus 3 1/2) at North Carolina State

Flames already have more ACC victories (two) than Florida State (one) ... LIBERTY 28-24.

Tennessee (plus 11) at No. 23 Auburn

TWITTER REQUESTS

LSU (minus 2 1/2) at Arkansas — @SurlyGabe

Razorbacks were a six-touchdown underdog to the Tigers just last year ... LSU 35-31.

San Diego State (pick) at Nevada — @GaryWCE

Mountain West contenders get the SEC's afternoon slot on CBS after Ole Miss-No. 5 Texas A&M was postponed ... NEVADA 28-24.

Cardinal looking to avoid first 0-3 start since they went 1-11 in 2006 ... STANFORD 30-27.

Virginia Tech (minus 3) at Pittsburgh — @TK_on_the_Coast

Panthers ranked No. 1 in FBS in sacks (38) and the Hokies are tied for second (30) ... VIRGINIA TECH 28-21.

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