Miami Herald sports writer Jeff Shain's college football predictions

-Ohio St. 24, Iowa 13: Here lies what could be the sneaky pothole that runs OSU off the championship road. Buck-eyes' last trip to Iowa City resulted in a 33-7 humbling, the worst loss in coach Jim Tressel's tenure. And with a vet-eran QB like Drew Tate, no one would put it past the Hawkeyes to deliver another dagger. But OSU's defense has come around faster than most everyone expected, with eight INTs and 32 points allowed in four games. Iowa, mean-while, has yet to really break loose against inferior opposition. Don't expect it to happen this week. (Favorite: OSU by 7.)

-Florida 26, Alabama 16: Tide's 31-7 romp last year turned into the blueprint for how to defend the Urban spread. Gators have had this one circled since then, and want to show they've learned a thing or two as well. Expect a defen-sive battle, decided by a big play or two. (Favorite: UF by 15.)

-Miami 28, Houston 20: OK, Hurricanes, show us what you've got. Cougs are 4-0 and average 312.2 yards passing, so they're not going to be shut down completely even by an angry UM defense. Then it's up to UM's offense to show some kind of spark. Otherwise, it gets real ugly. (Favorite: UM by 16.)

-Va. Tech 24, Ga. Tech 20: Quirk in ACC schedule sends Ramblin' Wreck second straight year to Blacksburg, site of a 51-7 pounding last time. This one ought to be more competitive. Jury's still out on Hokies, whose 4-0 mark was built on bottom-feeders and a I-AA foe. (Favorite: VaTech by 10-½.)

-Notre Dame 39, Purdue 22: Boilers have one of the weaker 4-0 resumes out there, with two wins over MAC teams and one over a I-AA opponent. Even so, Purdue has yet to keep any foe under 21 points. Not a good indicator when Charlie Weis' game plan is next on your to-solve list. (Favorite: ND by 14.)

-Boise St. 20, Utah 17: First elimination game in race for a possible outsiders' BCS berth. Not sold yet on the Utes, whose 3-1 mark is built on two winless teams and a I-AA foe. Their only legit test came vs. UCLA, falling 31-7. BSU slate includes a win over Pac-10 Oregon State. (Favorite: Utah by 5-½.)

-Texas Tech 38, Texas A&M 31: Aggies get off the pastry diet to face first real offensive threat schedule. None of A&M's first four foes resembles a passing team, so don't be fooled by their pass-defense numbers. Tech has scored at least 48 in three of past four meetings. (Favorite: A&M by 2-½.)

-Oregon 27, Arizona St. 23: Ducks are coming off open date, meaning they've had two weeks to listen about how they didn't deserve Oklahoma win. No motivation worries here. Doubly so after they saw the way Sun Devils were torched for four first-half TDs by Cal. (Favorite: ASU by 1-½.)

Last week: 7-1. Luck of the Irish was strong, and not merely Notre Dame's comeback. Hey boss, any money in the budget for another week of picks from Dublin? Vs. spread: 5-3.

Season: 25-7 (18-13 vs. spread).

(c) 2006, The Miami Herald.

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