Every week T-Roc will share his thoughts on what is going on in college football, make picks and fire back at your nasty comments. Want to learn more about him, check out his first post or visit his archive.

Homeward bound this weekend, with family functions to attend for my parents’ 40th anniversary. Congrats to Mom-Roc and Pop-Roc on the longevity and setting a fine example on how a marriage should run. Not that I’ve followed their lead and actually married someone…

Luckily, anniversary events are Friday and Sunday, leaving Saturday wide open for college ball. Last year’s autumnal home visit fell on Canadian Thanksgiving, which coincided with the epic Texas-Oklahoma game. It impressed the shit out of my dad and underlined how much better college ball is than the NFL.

Too bad there’s no Red River Shootout in this weekend’s schedule. Nebraska at Virginia Tech is my best hope for a great game, I think, but my hopes aren’t high.

Here are six Saturday pixxx, with all odds taken from Pinnaclesports.com as of Thursday morning.

Northern Illinois at Purdue, noon ET: Over 55 ½

Purdue lost its skill position leaders from last year but continues to light up the scoreboard. NIU should be able to put up at least 20 points in West Lafayette on Saturday.

If the two head coaches fought a la Thunderdome (“Two men enter, one man leaves”), based on their names, NIU’s Jerry Kill would have to be at least a -400 favourite over the Boilermakers’ Danny Hope.

North Texas at Alabama, 12:20 p.m. ET: North Texas +38

‘Bama’s the far better team but 38 points is a boatload. The Tide haven’t beat an FBS school by 38 or more points in a dog’s age.

Todd Dodge has North Texas headed in the right direction, as illustrated by 2009’s early games. Here’s hoping the Green stay Mean in Tuscaloosa.

Utah at Oregon, 3:30 p.m.: Oregon -5

Utah hasn’t lost since the 2007 regular season while Oregon’s looked like shit so far this season. I know this.

But the Ducks’ woes have received a disproportionate amount of press while the Utes’ struggles have been largely ignored. Utah’s posted two unimpressive wins so far in 2009 and the personnel losses finally catch up to the Utes on Saturday.

Nevada at Colorado State, 5 p.m. ET : Colorado State +3

No magic here - when a decent Mountain West school is a home underdog against a WAC school other than Boise State, I’ll take the points.

The Rams started the season off great in Boulder, then nearly shit the bed in their home opener. I’m banking on a rebound performance from Steve Fairchild’s boys.

Georgia at Arkansas, 7:45 p.m. ET: Arkansas -1 ½

Tennessee at Florida is going to hog the headlines this weekend but this is a way better SEC showdown. Bobby Petrino’s had an extra week to prepare for Georgia and it’s the true home opener for Arkansas, with the school’s opener played in Little Rock.

The Dawgs have been largely outplayed in both games this season and I love taking an improved Razorbacks team at home, favoured by less than a field goal.

Texas Tech at Texas, 8 p.m. ET: Texas -17 ½

Yup, the Red Raiders who remember last year’s loss to Texas are going to play with a chip on their collective shoulder on Saturday. But the talent discrepancy between the schools is too wide for another close game.

I’m looking to the most recent pre-Graham Harrell TT-UT scores as a guide for Saturday. The ‘Horns won 52-17 in 2005 and 51-21 in 2004. Sounds about right for 2009, too.

Last week: 2-4

2009 to date: 7-5

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