Zach Anderson

The college football season is already four weeks in, and there have been some surprising upsets already. Washington over USC, BYU over Oklahoma and Florida State over BYU are some of the upsets that have shaped the rankings. The upcoming weekend will feature revenge on the minds of both Ohio State and Penn State, while Miami and Virginia Tech square off to prove who is the team to beat in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

No. 13 Ohio State vs. Illinois

In 2007, Illinois snapped Ohio State’s 28-game regular season win streak at the Horseshoe. Ohio State looks to keep proving they belong in the rankings after a 38-0 win at Toledo last weekend, while Illinois has looked disappointing in 2009 with an embarrassing loss to Missouri on opening weekend. The Illini rebounded with a win over Illinois State 45-17 two weekends ago and had the last weekend to plan for Ohio State.

Pick: Even with Arrelious Benn, I don’t think Illinois will be able to stay in the game with Ohio State. There are just too many question marks after they got blown out by Missouri to say they have a chance against Ohio State. Ohio State wins by a couple scores.

Iowa vs. No. 5 Penn State

Last year, Penn State’s only loss was against Iowa in a game that cost them a chance to play for the National Title. Penn State was 9-0 when they went to Kinnick Stadium and suffered a 24-23 loss to the Hawkeyes.

This year, Daryll Clark returns at quarterback for the Nittany Lions after accounting for a school-record 29 touchdowns in 2008. Iowa returns Pat Angerer at linebacker and sophomore defensive back Tyler Sash who recorded his fourth interception of the year in a 27-17 win over Arizona. Penn State rolled Temple to a 31-7 win for their third win of the season on Sept. 19. This game will prove the first real challenge for Penn State this year.

Pick: One team will come out of this game 4-0. I think that Penn State will be playing angry after Iowa cost them a shot at a national title last year. Penn State is playing at home and should be able to beat Iowa by at least a touchdown, if not more.

No. 9 Miami vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech

A surprising Miami team – who just dismantled a good Georgia Tech team last weekend 33-17 – will look to continue proving that Miami is back and to stay in the national spotlight. Virginia Tech beat Nebraska on a late second-half touchdown to avoid going 1-2 on the year. This game will reveal who is the front-runner in the Coastal Division of the ACC and may carve out a favorite to win the ACC Championship.

Pick: I think that Miami is on its way back up as a program after slumping for a few seasons. The Hurricanes should win this game by at least a touchdown.