14 games

Louisville @ #17 Notre Dame - The Cardinals have bounced back nicely after losing consecutive home games, by winning 5 straight. However, the lost their only road game to this point in the season.

Kansas State @ Xavier - Freshman Bill Walker makes this squad a legitimate tourney team, and a very dangerous one to the "Big Dogs" of the Big 12. The last 5 games have been brutal for the Musketeers, losing three (@Creighton, @ Cincy, at home to Bucknell) and winning two (Arizona State and Illinois, both at home).

Northwestern @ Penn State - This battle of typical Big 10 cellar teams takes on a new meaning this year. Northwestern's 3 losses have been by a combined 9 points, and Penn State's 4 losses have been by an average of 6 points. Could we be seeing two decent teams? Naw.

#23 Clemson @ Florida State - Clemson, as everyone knows, is boasting a 14-game winning streak to begin this season. Three of those games were on the road, against decent competition. Those 14 wins come by an average of 19 points. FSU has lost only two games: at Pittsburgh, and at Wisconsin. Since then, they have won 8 straight, including a win over then-#1 Florida, and a 30-point rout of Providence.

Chattanooga @ Furman - These SoCon contenders meet for the first of two times this year, and both come in with .500 records and winless in Southern Conference play. Looming in front of each of these teams in a few days is a SoCon powerhouse. On January 6th, Chattanooga hosts Appalachian State (11-3, 3-0). On January 10th, Furman hosts Davidson (12-3, 3-0). Both teams need a win to take positive momentum into the conference season.

Villanova @ #25 West Virginia - A rarity for BCS conference teams, Villanova played 7 of its 12 OOC games on the road. They are rewarded with an RPI of 12. They should be well-prepared for a tough Big East schedule. The Mountaineers have demonstrated that they can win at home, handing then-#9 Connecticut its first loss.

DePaul @ St. John's - At home, the Blue Demons are 8-0, with wins over Kansas, Wake Forest, and California. On the road, they are 1-5, with losses to Northwestern, Bradley, and UAB. On the other hand, St. John's can't beat anyone who is anyone, no matter where the game is. The high point of the year for the Red Storm was a loss to Texas, if that says anything.

Rutgers @ Seton Hall - Things are finally starting to look better for Rutgers. After losing their first five DI games, they have won six of seven. Four of Seton Hall's eight wins have come against team outside the top 300 in RPI.

New Mexico @ TCU - Don't kid yourself. Neither of these teams will challenge Air Force.

Illinois @ Michigan - The Wolverines can't afford consecutive losses at home. Look for Michigan to make a statement, following their so-called "soft" OOC schedule.

Evansville @ Northern Iowa - In the MVC, holding home-court is everything. UNI needs to avoid a letdown coming off the huge win at Wichita State.

Air Force @ Colorado State - Both teams have won 9 straight. CSU is coming off its biggest win yet, a road triumph over Chattanooga. Remember back in the day, when AFA was blowing out BCS schools right and left? They shouldn't lose more than one MWC game.

Gonzaga @ Virginia - After tonight, one of these teams will be headed back in the right direction. The other will probably be a bubble team come March.

Hofstra @ NC-Wilmington - Hofstra seems to have turned around since an 0-3 start, winning 8 of 9. But what about the Seahawks? Last year's CAA champs are 3-7, and not looking at all like a CAA contender.

01/03/07 Picks:
Overall record (6-3)
at Notre Dame 76, Louisville 61
Kansas State 70, at Xavier 68
Northwestern 82, at Penn State 78
at Florida State 85, Clemson 80
at Furman 72, Chattanooga 66
at West Virginia 72, Villanova 71
Depaul 86, at St. John's 66
at Seton Hall 62, Rutgers 61
New Mexico 65, at TCU 59
at Michigan 78, Illinois 60
at Northern Iowa 69, Evansville 56
Air Force 70, at Colorado State 45
Gonzaga 87, at Virginia 81
Hofstra 67, at UNC-Wilmington 51