Week 9 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 9 College Football fans, and we have a few playoff elimination games on the docket for this weekend. This is a loaded post as I have all my thoughts from the football disaster in Minnesota that the Huskers made me sit through, as well as predictions for a loaded weekend. Let's jump right in!

     Despite my early season predictions, I drank the Kool-Aid and picked Nebraska to win the $5 Bits of Broken Chair trophy for the first time since 2018. The Huskers repaid my faith by giving what I believe to be the worst game performance and loss of the Matt Rhule era. Better yet, I was in attendance for the 24-6 disaster against the Golden Gophers on Friday night, frustrated like many of my fellow Nebraska fans. While young, this Nebraska roster is extremely talented, so a 6 point performance against a mid-range BIG 10 opponent is near unacceptable for fans. There's a lot to break down with this game, so I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD analysis followed by some thoughts on the wild week of College Football.

GOOD - Special Teams. We've certainly reached a new era of Nebraska Football where I've got the Husker Special Teams play in my GOOD category of analysis, but its well deserved. Starting with the only points Nebraska was able to muster in this one, Kyle Cunanan has become a very reliable weapon for the Huskers. While the field goals in Minnesota weren't particularly challenging, he still made both when called upon and is now 11/12 for the year with a long of 52 and is so far perfect on extra points. I've really appreciated his consistency and hope he continues to play well. Shifting over to the punt teams, Archie Wilson did well to flip the field against the Gophers, especially in the early 3rd quarter when his punt was downed at the 1 yard line, giving Nebraska's defense a golden opportunity, only to be ruined by a 14 play, 99 yard touchdown drive that took nearly 9 minutes off the clock. Regardless, Wilson did his part throughout the game with 5 punts for 223 yards, averaging 44.6 with a long of 53 and his coverage team allowed just 1 return for 2 yards. The cherry on top of my special teams praise goes to Jacory Barney Jr. and his punt returning abilities. He's extremely shifty when returning punts, and is very close to breaking one as he has been all season long. Very similar style to De'Mornay Pierson-El and I can't wait until we get him loose for a really big return. He had a long of 30 against Minnesota and on the season and that was his 3rd on the season of at least 30 yards. Bringing in Mike Eckler was a sensational move.

EXPECTED - Nebraska struggling on the road, especially in Minneapolis. We've seen this before, but the Huskers still have issues on the road. Under Matt Rhule Nebraska has a record of 3-12 when playing on the road (excluding the Kansas City game against Cincy because that was practically a home game with the Husker crowd). They will need to win at UCLA or at Penn State this year just to break .500 in true road games, but I have concerns about both of those games. I give Rhule credit with preparations for Maryland and how the team went out a day early to have extra time to rest and walk-through different things. However, we knew Minnesota would be difficult, especially on a short week. I don't know what it is about Huntington Bank Stadium, but the Huskers always seem to lose their common sense of football when playing against the Gophers there. Nebraska last won there in 2015, but since then the Huskers have averaged 13.4 points and 114.6 rush yards per game on the road in Minneapolis over the past 5 games, all losses. Minnesota also has 6 straight wins in the series and recorded a school record of 9 sacks against the Huskers on Friday night.

BAD - Pretty much everything, but especially the offense. As mentioned above, the Huskers allowed 9 sacks on the evening, which was 16.7% of their entire offensive plays. This is an absolutely ridiculous statistic, and is highlighted even more when you consider that Emmett Johnson mustered up 100 total yards on 19 touches (14 carries, 5 catches). Those 100 total yards were nearly half of the Huskers' 213 total yards in the game, and Johnson didn't see most of his touches until the second half when Nebraska was down. I was extremely frustrated with the game plan and offensive play calls in this one, and it seems to be a recurring issue that the plays are not always planned well with the players on the field. Raiola was consistently under pressure with no receivers yet in the break of their route and often times had to try and pull the ball down to scramble because a wideout didn't run the correct play. There were also instances of Raiola missing his reads and holding the ball too long, which again suggests there is a disconnect between what Dana Holgersen is looking for his team to execute and what they are understanding to execute. The remaining schedule for this team is very manageable, but also very much a disaster waiting if Nebraska doesn't get things figured out soon. Matt Rhule is 1-10 when Nebraska is sitting at 5 wins, and Husker fans won't be happy if that record continues to grow the wrong way. The offense needs to be the strength of this team as I said before the season, we'll see if they can bounce back this weekend.

Week 8 Results: 14 - 10

Overall Results: 128 - 50

Week 9 Predictions:

UCLA at #2 Indiana

     One of the potential spicier matchups in the BIG 10 this weekend somehow features the UCLA Bruins who are oddly enough, firmly in the BIG 10 title race with a 3-1 conference record after starting 0-3 and firing their head coach. Indiana has found themselves with the highest ranking in school history and seem just as determined to keep moving up as they do to keep Curt Cignetti as head coach. They extended the 2nd year head coach by 8 years and bumped his annual compensation to more than $11.5 million. If you think he's allowing an upset at the hands of the Bruins to occur on his watch, you're crazy. Especially with UCLA traveling 3 time zones and playing at a 12 Noon kick which is 9 AM body clock time for them, this has Indiana beat down written all over it. The Hoosiers are extremely balanced on offense, but look for a big day from QB Fernando Mendoza. He's coming off a 332 yard, 4 TD passing day against Michigan State in which he completed 85.7% of his throws. He's in a groove that won't be disrupted and Nico Iamaleava won't be able to keep up. Hoosiers 45, Bruins 20.

Syracuse at #7 Georgia Tech

     The Yellow Jackets are ranked 7th, which is their highest ranking since last reaching #7 in 2014 following their Orange Bowl Victory over Mississippi State. They look for a victory over the Orange of Syracuse today as they keep momentum building for a run at the ACC Championship. The 'Cuse are well coached by Fran Brown, but without QB Steve Angeli available, this team has really struggled over the past few weeks. Syracuse is 0-3 since losing their starting QB and has yet to score more than 18 points in his absence. Georgia Tech will look to grind it into the heart of the defense and wear them down through 4 quarters of smash mouth football. Brent Key has this team really playing well and I think the duo of QB Haynes King and RB Jamal Haynes will be too much to stop. GT 31, Syracuse 17.

#8 Ole Miss at #13 Oklahoma

     A heartbreaker for Ole Miss as they fell short between the hedges in defeating Georgia. After putting up 35 points in the first 3 quarters, the Rebels were outscored by the Dawgs 17-0 in the 4th. Now they go back on the road to battle a rugged Oklahoma team who is starting to get their rhythm back after beating South Carolina 26-7. The Sooners have an absolute GAUNTLET remaining, so this would be a big win to boost their confidence heading into November. Both teams need this win to keep playoff hopes alive, and as much as I love the offensive firepower of the Rebels, I think Oklahoma's defense at home is a difference maker. They do such a good job causing pressure on opposing QBs, racking up 28 sacks already this season, which is tied for 1st in the nation. It'll be best on best as the Rebels have only given up 7 sacks this season, but I like Oklahoma at home. This should be a very fun game to watch and I'm curious to see if Lane Kiffen can prove me wrong. Boomer Sooner as OU wins 27-21.

#18 South Florida at Memphis

     A likely playoff elimination game is set to take place in Memphis as the Tigers host South Florida just 1 week after being upset by rival UAB. The Blazers surged after firing Trent Dilfer and brought home one of the best college football trophies (that I somehow just learned about) in all the land. A full rack of BBQ ribs was taken by UAB in a stunner, and now Memphis is in need of a statement win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Unfortunately, they'll be up against South Florida and QB Byrum Brown. He's currently responsible for 22 total TDs and more than 2,100 total yards. It's time folks start paying attention to him in the Heisman race, and they likely will after he shines in the victory over Memphis. Bulls defeat the Tigers for a key road win 38-23.

SMU at Wake Forest

     A potential trap game awaits the Ponies as they head to Winston-Salem to take on the Demon Deacons. Wake Forest has been feisty all season, taking GT to the brink in Overtime and hanging tough with NC State earlier this season as well. SMU just won on the road at Clemson to avenge their ACC Title loss from last season and have Miami coming to Dallas next week. Certainly an easy spot to be looking ahead, but that's not what this team does. The Mustangs have a path back to the ACC Championship game and Rhett Lashlee certainly won't be letting his team overlook Wake Forest. We'll have a fabulous QB battle to watch as SMU's Kevin Jennings has nearly 2,000 passing yards with 17 TDs and 7 picks. His counterpart, Robbie Ashford, may not have the stats like Jennings, but is a dynamic playmaker within the offense, especially with his legs. He's rushed for 4 TDs this season and much like Jennings he'll extend drives with key scrambles on third down. Wake's defense has been good this season, but I like SMU's veteran experience to lead them though a tough road game and keep marching toward another ACC Title bid. Pony Up as SMU wins 27-21 on the road.

Kansas State at Kansas (Sunflower Showdown)

     One of the few rivalry games of the weekend features the Wildcats against the Jayhawks. K-State has bounced back with wins in 2 of their last 3 games, and they're coming off a BYE. Kansas is also well rested, but they've been sitting on a 42-17 loss to Texas Tech for two weeks. Jalon Daniels is the key player to watch in this game. He's accounted for nearly 2,000 total yards with 19 TDs and just 2 picks. He does a great job taking care of the ball, and the Wildcats have struggled against dual-threat QBs, and are allowing 27 points per game. This one is a tricky game to pick, as it seems like a game K-State will be ready for, but I like KU at home. Rock Chalk as the Jayhawks win 31-28.

#4 Alabama at South Carolina

     The Tide have been rolling since the opening loss to Florida State, and now head on the road to a South Carolina team nearing disaster on a once promising season. Ty Simpson has been lights out at QB, completing more than 70% of his passes for nearly 2,000 yards with 18 TDs and just 2 picks. South Carolina has done fairly well on defense, but offensively is where the struggles have been. The Gamecocks rank 134th in the nation in sacks allowed with 26. Alabama hasn't rushed the passer like they used to, but South Carolina's offensive line is paper thin. I expect Bama to have a strong presence in the backfield, limiting the rushing abilities of LaNorris Sellers. Ty Simpson will have the offense cruising and Alabama wins 34-14. Roll Tide.

#15 Missouri at #10 Vanderbilt

     College Gameday is in Nashville as Vanderbilt hosts Mizzou for a top 15 matchup. The Tigers struggled on the road last week, pulling one out of the fire in double overtime against Auburn. Vandy put up 239 rush yards on LSU and have no problem showcasing their identity each and every week. They are going to line up and hit you in the mouth over and over. They are going to grind out this game and smash Mizzou all afternoon. The tigers rank 7th in rush defense, so it will be very fun to see who handles the run game in this one. Offensively for Mizzou, Beau Pribula started the season strong, but has 4 interceptions in the last two games. If Vandy can force some turnovers early, they can hold the Tigers at arms length with the run game. I believe in Diego Pavia, and this man is going to start putting together some Heisman film. Vanderbilt 30, Missouri 21.

#11 BYU at Iowa State

     The Cougars travel to Ames as the last remaining unbeaten team in the Big XII. Iowa State has a lot of injuries this season and it's gone south with back-to-back losses to Cincy and Colorado ahead of their BYE. The Cyclones have ruined many a season with unbeaten teams coming to Ames, but BYU seems determined to prove they aren't tripping up any time soon. They commanded their game against Utah, and Bear Bachmeier has been fantastic in his first season. The stats don't necessarily jump off the page, but his ability to scramble and extend plays while taking care of the ball has helped BYU stay unbeaten. Iowa State QB Rocco Becht commands his offense well, so BYU needs to be sound on defense. I've been picking against the Cougars the last couple of weeks and they keep making me look bad. I'll take them on the road against the Cyclones and we'll see if they keep winning. BYU 33, Iowa State 28.

#23 Illinois at Washington

     A fun BIG 10 clash between Illinois and Washington, two of college football middle of the road teams that you probably don't want on your calendar in late October or November. Both of these squads are more than capable of spoiling a season, so we'll see what they can do against each other in that vein. Washington returns home after a frustrating loss to Michigan where the offense was surprisingly stagnant against a defense that has struggled at times this season. Quarterback Demond Williams Jr. threw 3 interceptions, limiting his team's options to move the ball. Illinois QB Luke Altmyer still has just the 1 interception on the season which came via a deflected pass off his receiver's hands, so I don't put much blame to him on that. The Huskies certainly have the defense to slow down the Illini and cause pressure on Altmyer, but depending on which of their offenses show up will be the difference maker. Washington will need to get back to running the ball, especially as Jonah Coleman has struggled to find space over the last a few weeks. I think this game is truly a toss up depending on which teams come out, but I'll take Washington at home primarily because Illinois doesn't travel well, especially West. Huskies 26-23.

Minnesota at Iowa (Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale)

     If you like high-powered offenses, dynamic air raids and big play breakaways, don't even think about tuning into this game. Minnesota and Iowa meet for their annual Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale, a Bronze Pig trophy taken by the winner. Few trophies rival Floyd for the true embodiment of college football, and when the Gophers and Hawkeyes meet, it's always a battle. The Hawkeyes have dominated the series of late, winning 9 of the last 10, primarily because of timely Minnesota mistakes. Iowa does have a rugged defense yet again and offensively they will run the ball right down your throat. Don't expect much action through the air as Minnesota makes their mark with smart, underneath throws, and Iowa still has yet to accept the forward pass as a strategic concept in the game of football. Iowa QB Mark Gronowski hasn't thrown a touchdown pass since September 13th, but somehow the Hawkeyes are 3-1 with a 5 point loss against Indiana over that time frame. Gronowski is essentially a running back who calls the plays in the huddle for Iowa, but he's been tough to stop with 10 rushing TDs on the season and an average of 4.3 yards per carry. He'll test Minnesota's 19th ranked rush defense, but I'm positive the Hawkeyes will find some way to win after the Gophers fumble a basic handoff in the 4th quarter while up 3 just because that Kinnick Stadium voodoo messes with you. Iowa hangs onto Floyd with a 24-20 win.

San Diego State at Fresno State

     The Aztecs travel north to the Valley as Fresno State unveils blackout jerseys with nasty looking helmets. The Bulldogs will need more than drip to beat San Diego State though, as both teams are on the brink of bowl eligibility. SDSU Junior RB Lucky Sutton is one to watch as he's averaging 5.1 yards per carry and has 6 TDs on the ground. Bryson Donelson isn't far behind 4.8 yards per carry for the Bulldogs, but SDSU ranks 16th in rush defense. If EJ Warner can take care of the rock, I like the upset potential at home. SDSU's defense doesn't get moved much, and despite the blackout uniforms, I don't think Fresno will be able to get many big plays on the Aztecs. SDSU 34, Fresno State 24.

Baylor at #21 Cincinnati

     The Bearcats have been red hot on offense since their opening season loss to Nebraska, and QB Braden Sorsby is my dark horse Heisman candidate if they can keep up this level of play. His only pick on the season came from Malcom Hartzog with Nebraska, and since then he's thrown 18 TDs with nearly 1,800 yards and then has another 340 yards rushing with 6 TDs. The Cincy offense is averaging 37.9 points per game, ranking 15th in the nation. Baylor has no problem putting up points, but defensively they give up quite a few as well. Sawyer Robertson has nearly 2,400 yards with 21 TDs and 7 picks, so we could easily have an old fashioned Big XII shootout. The Bears are -7 in turnover margin, so give me Cincy to keep rolling at home. Bearcats best the Bears 40-24.

#22 Texas at Mississippi State

     The Longhorns narrowly escaped Kentucky with an overtime win after stuffing the Wildcats on the goal line and walking it off with a field goal. They've got a few dangerous games left on the schedule to prove me right when I say they're going to lose at least 3 more games. Could the Bulldogs pull the upset and be one of those games? Mississippi State has hung tough with teams, but has yet to win an SEC game since 2023. Their defense has been stingy though, ranking 21st in the nation with a +5 turnover margin. Arch Manning has still struggled in recent weeks, despite the wins, and I know the Bulldogs will look to put pressure on him early. Offensively for Mississippi State, everything runs through QB Blake Shapen. He's thrown a pick in each of their last 3 games, all losses in SEC play. Texas has a top tier defense and will likely shut down Shapen and company fairly quickly. If he can make smart and efficient throws, there's certainly opportunity for an upset. Texas won't score much offensively and with a home date against top 10 Vandy next week, they could fall into the trap game. As always, I'm rooting for the upset, but Texas likely escapes from another upset option. Building up to a big fall to finish the year. Hook 'Em for a 27-17 win.

#25 Michigan at Michigan State (Battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy)

     The Paul Bunyan Trophy is on the line as Michigan and Michigan State battle under the lights in East Lansing. Despite their struggles this season, Sparty always gets up for this game. This is one of the most heated rivalries in college football, and could be the final straw for Jonathan Smith at MSU if they don't perform well. The Wolverines don't do anything special, but solid defense and a strong running game has given Bryce Underwood a somewhat comfortable start to his college career. Michigan State will be anything but nice to the freshman QB, so expect a lot of blitz pressures from the Spartans. Offensively, I don't believe Aiden Chiles will have enough firepower around him to put up points on the defense. I expect a classic BIG 10 slugfest, potentially with some scuffles, but Michigan wins 27-17.

Houston at #24 Arizona State

     The Sun Devils are right back in the Big XII mix after their upset win against #7 Texas Tech. Sam Leavitt returned from injury and threw for 319 yards and 1 TD against the Red Raiders. Houston beat Arizona by 3 last week and are squarely in the conference title picture as well. I've been impressed with the fight the Cougars have week in and week out, but I'm not sure they're ready to handle the desert. When Leavitt is playing, Arizona State is a completely different team. Houston will certainly hang around, but I don't think they'll make the key plays to win this one on the road. Arizona State 36, Houston 24.

#2 North Dakota State at #1 South Dakota State (Battle for the Dakota Marker)

     I don't often cover FCS games in my blog, but when we've got the battle of the Dakotas you know I'm weighing in. Statistically these teams match up extremely well, both QBs have 11 TDs with just 1 pick. Both running backs are averaging around 5 yards per carry, and both teams each own 2 of the previous 4 National Championships. There's a good chance we see them battle again in the playoffs or maybe the Natty again, but I'm going with my home-state Jackrabbits to beat the Bison. SDSU 34, NDSU 32.

#3 Texas A&M at LSU

     The highlight game of the night features the undefeated Aggies of A&M heading to Death Valley and facing off against the Tigers of LSU under the lights. LSU is in serious danger of this season going off the rails after losing at Vanderbilt last week and giving up 239 rushing yards. The Aggies are primed to find themselves in the SEC Championship and at the very least, a home game for the Playoffs. The remaining schedule also includes road games at Mizzou and Texas, but if they survive Death Valley, things are looking good for A&M. Mike Elko has his defense playing very high caliber football, but only at home. Road games have not looked great for the A&M defense, allowing 40 to Notre Dame and 42 to Arkansas. The offense has been great for A&M all around, led by QB Marcel Reed. He's taken big steps in year 2 and has accounted for 19 total TDs. His wideouts Mario Craver and KC Concepcion are two of the best in the nation and have racked up 30+ catches a piece for 647 with 4 TDs (Craver) and 500 with 6 TDs (Concepcion). LSU's defense is improved but will be without star LB Whit Weeks. This will be the best wideout room they've faced this season though, and I'm curious to see how they stack up in the secondary. Offensively, fans are growing restless of poor performances. The run game is essentially non-existent, ranking 117th in the nation and Garrett Nussmeier has spread the ball well, but doesn't have a single wideout over 325 yards on the season. Night games in Death Valley with A&M facing the pressure of a top 3 ranking is begging you to take LSU, but I think Elko has this Aggie squad feeling different. They were 1 game away from the SEC Championship a year ago and I think they make it this year. Aggies win in Death Valley 30-26.

Northwestern at Nebraska

     The Huskers return home after an abysmal performance in Minneapolis, once again looking to get bowl eligible. I've ben wavering from my initial season predictions and picking Nebraska to win games I originally thought they would lose. This was going to be a game I had no issues picking as a victory, but the Wildcats have surprised many (including myself) with a 5-2 start. Preston Stone has found new life in his QB career with Northwestern and most importantly their defense ranks 22nd in total defense and 11th in scoring, allowing just 15.1 points per game. They shut down the run well and will likely blitz the Huskers after watching Minnesota film. Nebraska should match-up well on defense, keeping this to an Big 10 West type battle. My rule for those is the first team to 20 often wins and if you score 30 it's a lock. I don't think Northwestern can get to 30 on the Blackshirts, but it will depend on if the Husker offense decides to play or not. Nebraska had just 36 rush yards last week and Raiola looked very confused in the pocket as receivers were not in their breaks and the offensive line let players through with little to no contact. The Huskers have talent built all around in this offense, but establishing the run with Emmett Johnson needs to be a top priority. He only had 7 touches in the first half last week and the run game was quickly abandoned despite the close game. It would be nice to get Jacory Barney Jr. involved again as he's been quiet the last few weeks offensively. Nebraska should bounce back in this game and I've got the Huskers winning 31-21 at home.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Rutgers at Purdue - Two winless BIG 10 teams coming off terrible losses meet in West Lafayette with Purdue hosting Rutgers. Outside of RBs Antwan Raymond (Rutgers) and Devin Mockobee (Purdue), I don't have much to say about either squad. Boilermakers are -11 in turnover margin, so let's go with the Scarlet Knights on the road 31-24.

#16 Virginia at North Carolina - The Cavaliers control their own destiny (with a very manageable schedule) to reach the ACC Championship. The Tar Heels have not looked good this year, and as long as Virginia keeps their balance on offense, points will be on the board. Cavaliers win 38-21.

Appalachian State at Old Dominion - Certainly not the sexiest of games, but a Sun Belt squabble between two teams in desperate need of a bounce back game. The Mountaineers run the ball well, but I like ODU to win at home. Give me the Monarchs 33-28.

Auburn at Arkansas - Both Auburn and Arkansas are in need of a win. The Hogs nearly knocked off A&M last week while Auburn has 4 close losses in a row to start off conference play. Arkansas has lost close multiple times this season as well, so I'm curious to who will step up and make the big play. I'll trust QB Taylen Green to be that guy, especially at home. Woo Pig Sooie as Arkansas beats Auburn 37-31.

Wisconsin at #6 Oregon - The only question to ask in this game is if Wisconsin will score any points. The Badgers have been shut out the last two weeks against Iowa and Ohio State, and have yet to score above 20 against anyone not named Middle Tennessee State. Luke Fickell has the support of the Athletic Department for now, but this could get ugly. Ducks roll 48-7.

Colorado at Utah - The Utes have been unable to get over the hump in big games this season, falling to rival BYU 24-21 last week in Provo. They will likely be without starting QB Devon Dampier, but they should handle Colorado at home. Utah 24, Colorado 21.

Thanks for reading all my Week 9 Predictions and the reflections from last week. I appreciate all my followers on the blog and hope you have a fantastic College Football Saturday. GO BIG RED!

Nebraska at Minnesota - Huntington Bank Stadium

Reunited with my former co-worker Brandon Nutting

Husker games with my love, Taylor Pike

Taylor Pike, Rebecca & Kelly Johnson

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 8 Predictions

      We've reached the halfway point of the College Football Season and there are still so many questions on which teams will make their way into the playoffs. Week 8 brings us a fantastic set of games, many of which will help to clear up this playoff picture. It's time for some teams to make a statement and separate themselves from the rest. Before we get to all that, I do need to give a quick recap and analysis from the Huskers' win on the road at Maryland last week. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD breakdown below. Enjoy Week 8 of College Football!

GOOD - Emmett Johnson and 4th Quarter Dylan Raiola. Starting with the Husker QB, he's really been great all season long, but when looking at his 4th quarter stats alone, he's been sensational. Against the 3 BIG 10 opponents, he's 24-33 (72.7%) with 267 yards and 3 TDs while leading 4 TD drives and 3 FG drives. That is elite level QB play. If Raiola can continue this level of play, especially in the 4th quarter of BIG 10 games, Nebraska could make a serious run into playoff contention with the remaining schedule. Combine that with the absolute BEAST that Emmett Johnson is at running back, and the Nebraska offense could finish as a top 20 offense in the nation. Johnson racked up 196 yards of total offense against the Terps and has been the most reliable source of offense for the Huskers through the first half of the year. Keep feeding him Huskers, let Emmett run wild!

EXPECTED - Maryland QB Malik Washington putting on a show. Despite the Huskers big win, I want to tip my cap to Malik Washington for his performance. The freshman QB was dynamic all afternoon, throwing for 249 yards and 1 TD with a 72.9% completion rate. He rushed for another 23 yards and extended multiple drives and plays with his scrambling abilities. Washington spread the ball around to 8 different receivers on the Terps' squad and kept the chains moving with the offense going 7-15 on third down. He's going to be fun to watch not just through this season, but for years to come. Terps better get ready to pay him because he will be sought after quickly with NIL deals in the Portal.

BAD - Interceptions. I've given Dylan his flowers, but now is time for some critique. After a strong start to the season, he's thrown five interceptions in the last three games and had three of them against the Terps, one of which went for a touchdown. There have been a few other throws that probably should've been picks over those games too and this is an area Nebraska cannot afford to play poorly in. The Huskers are not dominating teams enough to give away multiple possessions a game. I'll give Maryland some credit as they are the top team in the nation with 12 picks and 3 of them going for touchdowns, but Raiola needs to take care of the ball as the Huskers head further into conference play.

Week 7 Record: 15 - 5

Overall Record: 114 - 40

Week 8 Predictions:

Louisville at #2 Miami

     Week 8 action kicks off with a loaded Friday night that includes a spicy ACC battle in addition to my Huskers on the road at Minnesota. The Cardinals are at #2 Miami and could be in for a trap game. The Cardinals rank 12th in total defense and could easily be unbeaten had they not botched the Virginia game 2 weeks ago. Both teams are coming off a BYE week and each offense has done well to put up points this season. Miami has been dominant on the line of scrimmage though, allowing just 6 sacks all season. Miller Moss has been much better with the Cards than his days at USC, but Carson Beck has been playing at an elite level through the season thus far and I think Miami's defense should make a couple of big stops. Give me the 'Canes in a battle at home 36-27.

#10 LSU at #17 Vanderbilt

     Vandy welcomes a top 10 LSU squad into Nashville, and for the first time since 1948, they're favored against the Bayou Bengals! QB Diego Pavia is a big reason for that as he leads this gritty offense to their top 20 total offense ranking and has them averaging 43.2 points per game. LSU's defense has yet to give up more than 24 points in a game, but their offense hasn't scored more than 20 against a P4 opponent. The Tigers shut down South Carolina last week, but Vanderbilt has proven to be a different beast, and they've been sitting on their Alabama loss for 2 weeks as they come out of a BYE. They went toe-to-toe with the Tide, and with some better throw decisions from Pavia in the red zone, that could've been a different game. This team is on a war path and I wouldn't want to be in their way. Offensively for LSU, QB Garrett Nussmeier has struggled in conference play, completing just 59.6% of his passes with a 4 TD and 4 INT ratio against SEC opponents. Combining that with a lack of a rushing attack and you can understand why LSU's offense has been questioned by the media. Give me the Commodores at home 30-20.

#12 Georgia Tech at Duke

     The Yellow Jackets and Blue Devils square off to see who can keep their perfect conference record intact. Duke was initially written off by me (and plenty of other CFB analysts) following their early season losses to Illinois and Tulane, but have 3 ACC wins in a row scoring 45, 38 and 45 points. Darian Mensah has found some rhythm with his offense and has a 15:2 TD to INT ratio to prove it. For the Yellow Jackets, they've been tested a bit in the last couple of weeks, but have found ways to keep their record unblemished. You know what they're going to bring to the game, they have a bully-ball mentality on the line of scrimmage and look to push teams around in the run game. Duke is in the upper middle of the pack in terms of rush defense, so I'm anxious to watch how they handle Haynes King and Jamal Haynes pounding the rock behind one of the one of the best offensive lines in the country. They will need to take care of the ball though, as Duke's defense has 12 takeaways on the season and have a +5 turnover margin on the season. Duke could certainly make this spicy, but I'm riding with Georgia Tech until the wheels fall off the Ramblin' Wreck. Yellow Jackets 28, Blue Devils 24.

Washington at Michigan

     Michigan plays host to Washington as both teams look to keep their name toward the top of the BIG 10 list. The Wolverines were beaten soundly out in LA 31-13 by USC, mustering just 109 rushing yards on the ground. The Huskies rank 7th in rush defense an have already held the Buckeyes to 149 on the ground. Having watched this Michigan squad against Nebraska, it's clear Bryce Underwood is extremely talented, but also very young. Again, this is just his 7th college football game, and Washington's defense will be tough to move on, especially if Justice Haynes can't get the ground game going. As for the Dubs' offense, I would expect a heavy dose of RB Jonah Coleman. Sophomore QB Demond Williams Jr. gets a lot of praise (as he should), but in my opinion the true x-factor for the Huskies is Coleman. He's racked up 11 rushing TDs to go with 518 yards so far this season and averages 5.4 yards per carry. Michigan is typically stout against the run, but USC dropped 224 rush yards on the Wolverines, most of which came from backup RB King Miller after Waymond Jordan went down with an injury. If Washington can get a ground game with Coleman established, Michigan will have a tough time defending the dual-threat ability of Williams, especially in play-action. Give me Washington with a statement on the road in the Big House. Huskies beat the Wolverines 27-21.

Michigan State at #3 Indiana (Battle for the Old Brass Spittoon)

     James Franklin may not be the only BIG 10 coach fired in the next couple of weeks as Sparty fans are not pleased with Jonathan Smith in East Lansing. Michigan State has lost 3 straight to start conference play and now travel to Bloomington to take on Indiana who arguably has a claim to the #1 ranking in the nation. Regardless, I don't think the Brass Spittoon is going anywhere as Indiana looks to flex their muscles after extending Curt Cignetti's contract and making him one of the highest paid coaches in the nation this past week. The Hoosiers won by 37 last year and it could be worse this year. Aiden Chiles will be under a lot of heat and I've got Indiana big. This could prompt the Jonathan Smith firing as Indiana will bury Sparty 52-10.

Baylor at TCU (Bluebonnet Battle)

     Both teams are still dangerous contenders in the Big XII race, especially when Sawyer Robertson and Joshua Hoover are playing at their best. These two are leading the nation as the top two passers with Robertson throwing for 2,058 yards and a 19:4 TD to INT ratio, followed closely by Hoover with 1,893 yards 18 TDs and 6 interceptions. The respective pass defenses for these teams tend to struggle, so I would expect a high-scoring affair for this Big XII classic. Multiple times I've picked each of these teams in key games and they've let me down. From watching both I think Baylor has the higher ceiling, and even on the road I'll take them to win a close one. Sic 'Em Bears for a 38-34 thriller.

#14 Oklahoma at South Carolina

     John Mateer's return against Texas was plagued by miscues as he threw three interceptions. Despite the hand still in recovery, I think most of those mistakes were mental based due to missing so much practice time. With a week back in the saddle, I expect him to have a much better command of this offense against South Carolina. The Gamecocks are spiraling with a 1-3 conference record and begin a gauntlet over the next few weeks with Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M on the schedule. If they don't steal this one, there's a very high possibility of finishing with 1 SEC win by the end of the season. LaNorris Sellers has been a bit banged up this year, limiting his effectiveness. He's also limited help from his playmakers as this offense has gone a bit stagnant. I expect Oklahoma's defense to get pressure early and often, hopefully forcing some turnovers as that's one of the few areas they need to improve in defensively. Boomer Sooner 30-21.

#4 Texas A&M at Arkansas (Southwest Classic)

     I think Texas A&M is the best team in the SEC and they're about to showcase it against their rival Arkansas. Bobby Petrino had the hogs playing well against Tennessee but ultimately fell short. Unfortunately for him, the Aggie's defense rank 19th in total defense as opposed to Tennessee's 101st ranking. Texas A&M is efficient when you watch this team defensively. There's not a lot of wasted movement with their linebackers and defensively linemen flowing to the run game, and the secondary always seems to be in good position to either make a play on the ball or the tackle. They rank 1st in the nation with just a hair over 20% of third down's being converted on the Aggies. Offensively, Marcel Reed still has plenty more of his game to develop before he's an elite QB, but he takes care of the ball and puts his playmakers in position to get yards after the catch. This offense is improving by the week, and when you have a lock down defense you'll continue to win games. Hogs get shut down by the Aggies defense and Texas A&M wins 34-20.

#5 Ole Miss at #9 Georgia

     Two top 10 teams meet between the hedges as Ole Miss travels to Athens to take on Georgia. The Bulldogs survived their trip to Auburn last week, but a few questionable calls may have helped them out. Their only loss is the Alabama at home, but we haven't seen the traditional dominance from Georgia this year as we've come to known over the last few seasons. They rank 52nd in total offense and have been very mediocre in most every stat category throughout the season. Ole Miss has a dynamic QB at the helm with Trinidad Chambliss, and his legs should be a big factor in this one. I'm not convinced Ole Miss is the best team in the SEC, but with a better Oline and a defense holding opponents to 19.2 points per game, they have a great opportunity for a statement win here. I'm leaning toward the Rebels despite being on the road. If they get hot quickly, I don't believe Georgia has the offense to keep pace in a shootout. Ole Miss wins a big one on the road 31-24.

UNLV at Boise State

     The Rebels have been playing with fire, gasoline and dryer lint each and every week of the seasons, but still find themselves unbeaten and atop the early standings of the Mountain West Conference. Now they travel to the reigning champs as the Broncos host on the Blue Turf. Boise has looked good offensively in conference play, but the defense has been another question. I expect a lot of points in this one as both rank 74th (Boise) and 111th (UNLV) in points allowed per game. Give me the home team with a shootout win 41-30. Go Broncos!

#7 Texas Tech at Arizona State

     Other than a road trip to K-State and BYU at home, this is arguably the toughest game left on the Red Raider schedule. The Sun Devils are coming off a beat down at the hands of Utah, and are still unsure if Sam Leavitt will be back in the line up or not. Jeff Sims started last week against the Utes and Arizona State's offense amassed just 273 total yards with 10 points. Texas Tech may be without their starting QB as Behren Morton left the game last week against Kansas. Freshman Will Hammond has stepped in well multiple times this season and with the Red Raider defense suffocating opponents, I trust him much more than Jeff Sims. Guns Up, Wreck 'Em! Texas Tech 34, Arizona State 17.

Mississippi State at Florida

     The Bulldogs have been so close, but still can't capture that elusive SEC conference win. Florida is once again trying to save their season and Billy Napier's job, but the writing may be on the wall for that already. Regardless, they've got a football game to play and Mississippi State comes in averaging more than 33 points per game. Florida's strength this season has been the defense, allowing just 19.8 points per game. Offensively they're still a mess, but playing at home always helps. Gators Chomp the Bulldogs in the Swamp 27-17.

Penn State at Iowa

     The Nittany Lions season is in complete disarray from just a couple of weeks ago as they've fired HC James Franklin after losing 3 straight games. They've also lost veteran QB Drew Allar for the season to injury. Now they travel to Kinnick Stadium for a night game against the Hawkeyes. There certainly won't me much to watch for pass game enthusiasts with this one, but if you love defense welcome to BIG 10 country. I'm really curious to see if Penn State will get off the mat for this game because this season could spiral completely out of control in the back half. Iowa will do their normal things, solid defense with little to no offense yet somehow be in the mix to win things late due to a Penn State mistake. I'd like to see the Nittany Lions bounce back with some life, and I always enjoy picking against Iowa. Let's go Penn State 23, Iowa 17.

#11 Tennessee at #6 Alabama (Third Saturday in October)

     It's the third Saturday in October, which means we have Bama and Tennessee. The Vols find themselves in the SEC mix, but have to visit T-Town to try and get a step closer. They haven't won at Bryant Denny Stadium since 2003, and have a very difficult Alabama team to deal with here in 2025. Ty Simpson has been one of the best QB's in the nation since the opening week loss against Florida State, throwing for 16 TDs and just 1 pick on the season while completing more than 70% of his passes. Vols QB Joey Augilar has been dynamic as well, throwing for 14 TDs with 5 picks on the season. Bama could be without star running back Jam Miller, so the Vols could look to bring extra pressure on Simpson. Defensively I'm anxious to see how Alabama deals with Augilar because they have yet to be fully tested in the secondary. The Vols rank 7th in pass offense in the nation, so look for a couple of big plays downfield. This should be a fun one in the history of the rivalry, but I trust Bama at home to get things done. Look for Simpson to move the pocket with his legs and avoid pressure. Roll Tide 36-31.

#16 Missouri at Auburn

     Two of the SEC's Tigers meet in Jordan Hare Stadium as Mizzou goes on the road to take on Auburn. After a close loss at home against Bama, this is a key game for Missouri as they look to get back on track in the SEC. They've got a couple of tricky games coming up and Auburn is on a 3-game skid. The War Eagle Tigers had Georgia on the ropes last week, but some questionable officiating and a scoreless second half led to another loss and the temperature of Hugh Freeze's seat being turned up. Defensively both squads have been better than I initially predicted, ranking 16th (Missouri) and 18th (Auburn) in scoring defense. Points could be hard to come by in this one, but I was very impressed by Missouri's fight against Alabama, especially how they moved the ball on their scoring drives. If they get out to a fast start I'm not sure Auburn can keep up. Missouri wins the battle of the Tigers 24-20.

#20 USC at #13 Notre Dame (Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh)

     The Trojans and Irish meet for what looks to be another classic in the rivalry with both teams ranked in the top 20. Notre Dame doesn't have many big wins to hang their hat on this season, so beating a ranked USC team would certainly give a boost to their resume. USC is back into the BIG 10 mix after last week's win over Michigan, but if they want to get to the Playoffs, they need  a statement win against last year's runner-up. The Trojans were able to shut down Michigan's run game last week, holding the Wolverines to just 109 yards on the ground. Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price are two of the best backs in the nation, combining for more than 950 yards and 15 TDs while averaging 5.3 and 6.7 yards per carry respectively. USC will need to be sound in their rush defense on the line of scrimmage for the second week in a row and force CJ Carr to throw the ball. Carr has been very impressive as a first-year QB, especially with taking care of the ball. He's got a 13:3 TD to INT ratio and does well to stay out of harms away. He'll need to make sure the offense is humming in this one though as USC looks to put pressure on him early like they did with Bryce Underwood, sacking him 3 times last week. Road games have always been a tricky spot for Lincoln Riley, especially in the BIG 10. However, he's got a veteran QB in Jayden Maiava and Notre Dame's secondary has been torn apart for an average of 245 yards per game, ranking 106th in the nation. USC's RB room is banged up with Waymond Jordan out, but I like the Trojans for an upset victory on the road. Fight On! USC 36, Notre Dame 33.

#23 Utah at #15 BYU (Holy War: Battle for the Beehive Boot)

     An in-state rivalry with major Big XII Conference implications and a Boot inside of a Beehive on the line. Utah and BYU meet in Provo, UT for the Holy War and with the Cougars still unbeaten, the Utes need to win this to get back on the inside track to the conference title game. BYU QB Bear Bachmeier and crew pulled one out of the fire against Arizona on the road last week, but face a Ute squad with a much tougher defense. Both defenses have been impressive in the first half of the season, and I expect both QB's to be tested as Devon Dampier will continue to lead things for Utah. I really see this game going either way, but it's time to see if BYU is for real. I said Utah would rematch with Texas Tech in the Big XII title game, so I'll take the Utes and see if the Cougars can prove me wrong. Utah 26, BYU 24.

#25 Nebraska at Minnesota (Battle for the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy)

     The Huskers are back in the top 25 and now take that ranking on the road to Minneapolis on a short week for the Friday night game on FOX. There's a Broken Chair trophy on the line and Emmett Johnson had this game circled on his calendar and the Husker RB looks to make a statement in his homecoming to the Twin Cities. He's averaging 6.2 yards per carry and ranks 2nd in the BIG 10 in rushing. Minnesota ranks 28th in rush defense, so they will put the test to Emmett Johnson and the Husker Oline. This is where Raiola needs to continue his impressive play and try to cut down on the interceptions. Defensively for the Blackshirts, Minnesota is led by two fabulous freshmen at QB and RB. The Drake Lindsay/Fame Ijeobi duo has had a strong start to their careers in the twin cities, leading the Gophers to a 4-2 record. Lindsay especially has been fun to watch, throwing for nearly 1,300 yards with 9 TDs and 3 picks while also leading the 4th quarter comeback against Purdue last week. This game was one that I had as a potential loss for Nebraska early in the season, especially with the short week on the road. The Huskers always seem to struggle in this stadium as well, but I'll be in attendance and hope to see the same 4th quarter dominance we've seen over the last few weeks. Feed Emmett Johnson and hopefully the Blackshirts can get some pressure to make Lindsay uncomfortable early in the game. Nebraska wins the chair 37-28 and don't forget to donate to defeat childhood cancer with the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Link. GO BIG RED!

Quick Hit Predictions:

North Carolina at Cal - Bill Belichick is about to learn the hard way what the Calgorithm is all about. Golden Bears 31, Tar Heels 21.

#1 Ohio State at Wisconsin - It's nearly impossible to understand how Luke Fickell still has a job at Wisconsin right now, but Ohio State should finish his tenure there. The Badgers can't move and the Buckeyes should have no issues. Ohio State 45, Wisconsin 14

Arizona at Houston - The Wildcats nearly pulled the upset on BYU last week, but couldn't close it out at home. The defense was shaky late in the game, but Noah Fafita was impressive as he's been all season long. I'll ride with him and Arizona pulls off a good looking road victory against an under appreciated Houston team. Wildcats 33, Cougars 30.

SMU at Clemson - The Ponies travel to Death Valley to rematch the Tigers from the ACC Championship. Clemson held off the SMU comeback and found their way into the Playoffs by way of a game-winning field goal in the ACC Championship last year. Both teams have fallen off a bit from that, especially Clemson, but playing at home is always a boost. Kevin Jennings needs a bit more help on offense in games like this, but I sold all my Clemson stock a few weeks ago and I'm taking the Ponies for an upset on the road. This defense is still stingy and can force some Clemson turnovers. SMU is +5 while Clemson is -4 in turnover margin, so look for that to be the difference maker. Pony Up as SMU wins 30-23.

#8 Oregon at Rutgers - Dan Lanning knowns how to get his team to respond after a loss. Despite the long travel, I've got the Ducks putting up a lot of points in this game while Rutgers just won't be able to keep pace. Oregon 48, Rutgers 14.

Maryland at UCLA - In a somewhat meaningless game by conference title race standards, we do have two dynamic QBs to watch. Nico Iamaleava and the Bruins have had a resurgence since the firing of Deshaun Foster, scoring 80 points over the past two weeks. Maryland is coming off back-to-back losses at home, but Malik Washington has been fabulous in both games. I think Maryland is the better team overall, but traveling East to West is not easy. I'll give them the nod because I don't think the UCLA resurgence will last much longer as their schedule difficultly increases. Terps 34, Bruins 31.

Thanks for reading my Week 8 Predictions and enjoy a fantastic weekend of College Football! GO BIG RED!

Red Letter Day Presentations before heading to Minnesota. CoJMC Ambassadors Elise St. Clari-Fenton and Josh Warner with me.

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 7 Predictions

      Hello football fans and welcome to Week 7 of the college football season! We have a fabulous slate of games for this weekend, so there is a lot to break down with these predictions. This post has all the games you need to watch this weekend and my keys to each game. Enjoy!

Week 6 Record: 19 - 4

Overall Record: 99 - 35

Week 7 Predictions:

#24 South Florida at North Texas

     One of the best games to watch this weekend is the Friday night matchup of the USF Bulls on the road against the Mean Green of North Texas. Both of these teams have a shot to represent the Group of 5 in the playoffs, but a lot of their chances hinge on this game. The Mean Green could make a very big statement with a win at home. They're unbeaten so far this season, and most of their success is from the performance of Freshman QB Drew Mestemaker. He's thrown for 1,247 yards with 11 TDs and 0 picks so far this season. He has a lot of weapons around him, so if the offense gets rolling, this could be a high-scoring affair. Looking at the USF Bulls, they have impressed in every game separate of Miami. QB Byrum Brown has accounted for 13 total TDs and is always a handful for opposing defenses. The difference maker will be on which defense makes the big stops. So far this season, USF's defense has been impressive and while the Mean Green is unbeaten, they've given up quite a few points. I'll take USF with some key stops on the road 38-33.

#1 Ohio State at #17 Illinois (Battle for the Illibuck Trophy)

     The Buckeyes are once again on Big Noon Kickoff as they travel to Champagne, IL to take on the Fighting Illini. These two teams play for one of my all-time favorite trophies in college football, the Illibuck. As the second oldest BIG 10 rivalry trophy this wooden turtle carries a lot of tradition. Illinois has a big statement opportunity if they want to get back in the mix for the BIG 10 Title. This is easily the most difficult game remaining on their schedule, and while they'll still be a playoff factor at 10-2, a win here would put them on the inside track to the College Football Playoffs. QB Luke Altmeyer is playing near flawless with more than 1,500 yards with 12 passing TDs and 0 picks. His counterpart, Julian Sayin has tremendous talent, but is still young. Luckily, Ohio State's defense is incredible and will suffocate the Illini offense before they truly get rolling. Ohio State 33, Illinois 14.

#8 Alabama at #14 Missouri

     The Tide Roll onto Missouri who is hoping to gain some time in the spotlight with a big win. Star RB Ahmad Hardy is one of the top backs in the nation, rushing for 730 yards and 9 TDs thus far. Penn State transfer Beau Pribula has looked very impressive with 1,203 yards to go with 9 TDs of his own and 3 picks. This could be a game where we see a lot of points as both offenses have playmakers all over the field. Bama QB Ty Simpson has been very impressive since their loss to Florida State, throwing for 13 TDs and just 1 pick. This is an easy trap game for Alabama coming off two big games against Georgia and Vandy, especially when many believe Missouri's ranking might be a bit high. Perfect opportunity for the Tigers, and they usually hang tough in the first half of these games. I'll give Mizzou some credit to hang around, but I think Alabama will be ready for this game and take the win 34-21.

#7 Indiana at #3 Oregon

     In back-to-back weeks College Gameday has gone to a Vanderbilt game and an Indiana game. Unfortunately for both of those teams, they're playing against a couple of the best teams in the nation with Bama and now Oregon. I really do like this matchup for a couple of reasons. First of all, we'll get to see Indiana against elite competition. Their schedule apart from Illinois has been easy thus far, and while I do think Illinois is a good team, they're not Oregon level. Secondly, both of these head coaches don't give a flying f*** about who they are playing or what the game should look like, they're going to put up points. Both Curt Cignetti and Dan Lanning want to completely bury your team every chance they get. Looking at some of the key players in this game, Dante Moore and Fernando Mendoza are both finding themselves in Heisman talks with their play so far this year. Moore has more than 1,200 yards with a 14:1 TD to INT ratio and Mendoza has similar yardage with a 16:1 ratio and another 2 TDs on the ground. Both defensive fronts will have a lot of trouble containing these two in the pocket, so third downs will be crucial to convert in this game. I've learned not to discount the Hoosiers and Cignetti, but I think Oregon is still the top team in the BIG 10 right now. Indiana will certainly be in the mix for playoffs, but I'm following my East to West rule and I like Oregon at home. Ducks beat the Hoosiers 31-24.

#6 Oklahoma vs Texas (Red River Rivalry)

     One of the best scenes in all of College Football is the Cotton Bowl split down the 50 yard line with burnt orange and maroon. As a Husker, I despise both of these teams, but as a College Football Fan this is always one of my favorite games to watch. I have my doubts on Sooner QB John Mateer actually being able to play in this game, but they do have him as questionable coming off his hand surgery. If he plays, it's lights out for Texas, especially with how abysmal their offense has been. If Oklahoma has Michael Hawkins under center, then their offense will struggle as well. These games can typically turn into a shootout, but that's likely not the case today. Both teams have fantastic defenses and the offenses can get stuck in the mud sometimes. Arch Manning has really struggled this year (a little more than I predicted, but I still called it), and Oklahoma's defense loves to get pressure. The Sooners are 2nd in the nation with 21 sacks on the year and Texas' new offensive line has looked very disorganized. Oklahoma also ranks 1st in the nation for opponent 3rd down conversions allowing 17.4%, and Texas ranks 116th in the nation in converting 3rd downs at 34.4%. Too much defense for the Sooners and the Texas tailspin continues. Boomer Sooner in the Red River Rivalry as they win 23-10.

Arkansas at #12 Tennessee

     Bobby Petrino's first game as the Razorbacks Interim Coach takes him to Rocky Top as the take on the Volunteers. Arkansas pulled a major upset in this game last year, and we could be in for another wild one. Arkansas QB Taylen Green has accounted for nearly 2,000 total yards this season and has 14 TDs to his name. Unfortunately for the Razorbacks, defense has been their issue, and Tennessee can put up some big numbers on the scoreboard. Transfer QB Joey Augilar has picked apart opposing defenses for nearly 1,500 yards with 13 TDs and 5 interceptions so far this season. Sophomore RB Desean Bishop has done well taking over for Dylan Sampson, averaging 6.8 yards per carry with 335 yards and 4 TDs on the season. Arkansas gave up 210 yards on the ground a couple weeks ago to Notre Dame, and I'm not sure that's going to get fixed by firing the coach. Tennessee wins at home 34-24.

Florida at #5 Texas A&M

     The Gators knocked off the Longhorns last weekend and always seem to play their best when Billy Napier's seat is blazing hot. The Aggies come in with a very solid looking team that almost no one is talking about. They've started a few games at a slower pace than some fans would like, but I really like the growth I've seen from QB Marcel Reed. He's done well distributing the ball to his playmakers with 9 of his 11 TD passes going to either Mario Craver or KC Concepcion. The Aggies have leaned on their stout defense the last couple of weeks, ranking 5th in opponent 3rd down conversions. You never know what Florida team you're going to get, so the upset is certainly in play, but you do know the type of team Mike Elko will bring you. Gig 'Em Aggies as they beat the Gators 27-21.

Iowa at Wisconsin (Battle for the Heartland Trophy)

     If you miss the BIG 10 West, this is your chance to feel nostalgic. With two solid defenses and very rough offenses, there aren't many points to be had in this one. Both teams have struggled with their passing attacks, ranking 96th (Wisconsin) and 125th (Iowa) in the nation. Other than the Bronze Cow up for grabs, there really isn't much interesting in this game. I'm dusting off my old rules for this one, and my main rule for the BIG 10 West is the first team to 20 points wins the game. Iowa will win this snoozefest 20-14. Bet the under.

#10 Georgia at Auburn

     The Bulldogs travel to Jordan Hare Stadium to take on Auburn in an SEC battle with some upset potential. The Tigers are still trying to find their footing offensively, but certainly have the playmakers to make things interesting. Jackson Arnold needs to find wideouts Eric Singleton Jr. and Cam Coleman, especially against a Georgia defense 85th against the pass. Auburn has not found much balance to their offense though, and in the two losses against Oklahoma and Texas A&M, they finished with just 119 rushing yards combined. Georgia's offense has been strong to start the season, averaging 34.6 points per game. Even on the road, I trust Kirby Smart more than I do Hugh Freeze. Bulldogs win 28-14.

#15 Michigan at USC

     The Trojans host Michigan in a BIG 10 matchup that could get them back in the mix with a win. Both teams have a favorable schedule apart from a game or two that could keep their BIG 10 title and playoff hopes alive. We know the Wolverines are looking to run and run a lot. Junior RB Justice Haynes has racked up 654 yards with 8 TDs this season. USC has been sitting on their loss to Illinois over the BYE week and should take notes from Nebraska's game against Michigan. Bryce Underwood is and will be a fantastic QB, but he's only in his 6th college game. Another tough road environment, traveling 3 time zones and looking at a team with 17 sacks already this season, USC should make his life miserable. Sell out to stop the run and force Underwood to beat you in the passing game. Offensively for the Trojans, leave the ball in your quarterback's hand. Jayden Maiava is one of my dark horse Heisman candidates, especially if they get the win here. He's thrown for nearly 1,600 yards with 11 TDs and just 1 pick. He's got 4 more on the ground and his ability to extend plays will certainly cause Michigan headaches tonight. It's time to show up or show out Trojans, Fight On and beat Michigan 33-28.

South Carolina at #11 LSU

     The Gamecocks had a lot of momentum coming into this season, but a rough start has them at 3-2 with both losses coming in SEC play. LSU has had two weeks to sit on their loss to Ole Miss and try to get some life into their offense. South Carolina has struggled offensively as well, so this could be more of a defensive battle than originally expected when the season began. Look for LSU's defense to blitz early and often as South Carolina has given up 15 sacks and 31 tackles for loss on the season. LaNorris Sellers has been under pressure a lot and there's little to no run game giving him support. The offensive line has been pushed in the wrong direction for most of this season, and now they have to deal with an LSU crowd in Death Valley at night. I think Garrett Nussmeier and the Tiger offense will bounce back and lead them to a 27-17 home victory over South Carolina.

#21 Arizona State at Utah

     The Sun Devils are on the road against the Utes for a classic PAC-12, I mean Big XII after dark. Utah has a perfect get right game in front of them with Arizona State coming in. The reigning Big XII Champs are likely to be without starting QB Sam Leavitt, which means ex-Husker Jeff Sims will be starting at QB. I don't trust him to win a football game in any way, shape or form, so I'm already on the Utah side of this pick. Combine that with a night game at home and I know Kyle Whittingham will have his team ready. I still have them both as feisty Big XII contenders, but Devon Dampier should have a big night against a defense that has been burned by a few big plays this season. The Sun Devils are always a tough win, but with Jeff Sims at QB, I'm picking Utah big. Utes 35, Sun Devils 20.

Nebraska at Maryland

     The Huskers have their first true road trip as they take on the Terps in Maryland. They blew a 20-3 4th quarter lead against Washington last week, so Nebraska better be ready to get their worst. Freshman QB Malik Washington has been dynamic to start this season, throwing for 1,257 yards with 9 TDs and 2 picks. He's got dual-threat ability as well with 3 more TDs on the ground. Nebraska did well to contain Aiden Chiles last week, but Brendan Sorsby ran all over the Huskers in Arrowhead. The Blackshirts still rank #1 in pass defense, but look for the Terps to test that as they have 4 players with at least 18 catches this season. They spread the ball well to their playmakers, so Nebraska will need to be extremely disciplined with their coverages, especially in zone. The Huskers have done well to get pressure last week, so I hope that trend continues today. Offensively for Nebraska, the game plan needs to focus on getting Emmett Johnson rolling in the run game and feeding Jacory Barney Jr. and Nyziah Hunter the ball. Dylan has been dishing it out well, so trust him to make the reads. However, the protection has been rough and if Nebraska can establish the run early that will take a lot of pressure off him with shorter chains to manage. Nebraska needs at least 120 yards on the ground in this one, which won't come easy as Maryland ranks 24th in rush defense giving up just 96 yards per game on average. Feed Emmett Johnson and make smart throws to keep the chains moving. I think Nebraska has a chance to make a great statement on the road and get on a run here for conference play. GO BIG RED for a 36-24 win.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Pitt at #25 Florida State - The Panthers love to live dangerously, but could knock FSU out of the rankings with a win on the road. The Seminoles are in a bit of trouble with back-to-back losses and now facing a revived Pitt squad with Freshman QB Mason Heintschel at the helm. I think they bounce back and Florida State wins 33-27 at home.

UCF at Cincinnati - The Bearcats are red hot and can keep rolling in the Big XII with a win at home. They've got a very favorable schedule and it starts with a 36-24 win over UCF.

NC State at #16 Notre Dame - The Irish are starting to hit their grove after the 0-2 start and now host the upset minded Wolfpack of NC State. Unfortunately, they struggle to get teams off the field on 3rd down, and Jeremiah Love will keep ND in 3rd and short. Irish 37, Wolfpack 17.

TCU at Kansas State - Frogs keep living dangerously and the Wildcats are starting to get their offense back on track. Unfortunately, K-State likes to shoot themselves in the foot, and if Josh Hoover can play a bit more consistently, the Frogs should handle this one. TCU 30, Kansas State 24.

Kansas at #9 Texas Tech - The Jayhawks offense has been one of the best you haven't watched this season, all behind QB Jalon Daniels racking up over 1,700 yards and 17 total TDs. Unfortunately for my KU friends, they're about to get Wrecked by the Red Raiders. Texas Tech needs to make sure they don't look ahead to Arizona State, but I've got them winning 38-17. Guns Up, Wreck 'Em!

#18 BYU at Arizona - Another couple of teams hanging in the weeds of this Big XII race are BYU and Arizona. The Cougars haven't been tested too much this season, but the Wildcats playing at home are certainly not one to sleep on. Two great QBs to watch in this one with Bear Bachmeier and Noah Fafita. This smells like an upset, so let's go Wildcats 34-31.

Thanks for reading my Week 7 Predictions and enjoy a fantastic day of College Football!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando