Good morning everyone, I hope you're all ready for another gameday packed full of big games! I went 4-4 last week, so we're going to try and better that record this week. If you have any games that you'd like me to make a pick on, please leave a comment. Also, please share this blog with any friends or family who might want to read it, I would greatly appreciate it! Now onto my picks for week 11.
1. Miami at 23 North Carolina
I doubted North Carolina's legitimacy last week, but they have proven to be one of the better teams in the ACC and the nation this year. I think everyone is still wondering how they lost to South Carolina in the season opener. UNC has been running wild since that opening loss, and QB Marquise Williams has been playing very well passing for over 2100 yards and has 15 TDs. Their run game is lead by both Williams and then star RB Elijah Hood. Hood is only a sophomore but runs hard, he has over 800 yards this season and 11 TDs. Miami has struggled greatly against teams with high-powered offenses, and I don't believe that will change today. The Tar Heels will spread them out with Marquise's ability to throw on the run, and then grind out yards with Hood. North Carolina likes to throw the ball deep, so look for their receivers to burn Miami's struggling defense all day. Tar Heels win this one 45-20.
2. 2 Alabama at 17 Mississippi State
This game is going to be a big test for the Tide. They're coming off of a big win against LSU, and heading into next week, they face Charleston Southern. Alabama doesn't overlook teams very often, so they should be ready to play today, because the Bulldogs have upset on their minds. Dak Prescott has been playing some of the best football in his life this year, throwing for over 2300 yards so far this season along with an incredible 18:1 TD to INT ratio. Prescott also has nearly 500 yards rushing and 7 TDs. The Bulldogs defense is ranked 11th in the nation in scoring so far this season, but they have yet to face Derrick Henry of the Tide. Henry has over 1200 yards rushing and 17 TDs. I think that Mississippi State will be able to keep it close, but Bama will roll with the win in the end. I would love to see an upset, but I think that Bama handles this one 28-21.
3. 21 Memphis at 24 Houston
The Tigers got blown out last week when they faced the Midshipmen. Houston has one of the best offenses in the nation scoring an average 44 points per game. Memphis is tied with that exact stat as their high-powered offense is lead by star QB Paxton Lynch. It will be an air attack today as these two defenses will struggle to shut down the opposing offenses. I think that this one could easily turn into a Big XII like shoot out, but the Tigers come out on top. Memphis wins this one 42-38.
4. Arkansas at 9 LSU
A classic rivalry down in the SEC as the Hogs and the Tigers facing off for the Golden Boot. The Razorbacks have had a few big wins this season, the craziest coming last week as they beat Ole Miss in overtime after converting a 4th & 25 on an incredible play (look it up on YouTube and be amazed). LSU is coming off of a big loss at Alabama while the Hogs have won 3 straight. These two teams have a couple of the best rushing attacks in the nation, so we'll see how these defenses handle this one. If Arkansas keeps it close, look for the upset, but I think Fournette will have the edge in this one. Tigers win it 30-20.
5. Oregon at 7 Stanford
The Ducks are headed to the Farm to take on the Trees. Always a big game in the PAC-12 North, especially when Stanford can win the division today. Not your typical Oregon season for the Ducks, but they're still a deadly team that can score a lot of points. The Vernon Adams & Royce Freeman duo can burn any defense in the nation at the flick of a switch. However, I'm all on board with the McCaffrey-Heisman train. I'm not sure if he'll win it, but I believe that he is one of the best players in the nation. If you get a chance to watch this game, watch number 5 for the Cardinal, this boy is one heck of a football player. He's extremely versatile too, Stanford will use him in the passing game quite a bit. I think that McCaffrey takes over this game and runs wild against a weaker Oregon defense. Stanford wins this one on the back of #5 by a score of 35-24.
6. Minnesota at 5 Iowa
Minnesota is headed into their third straight week facing a top 15 team. They had a close one against Michigan, and caused the Buckeyes headaches for a while last week. The Iowa rivalry is always a good one, and you never really know with a game like this. Like every other Iowa game, I think the Gophers will keep it close, but CJ Bethard and Iowa pull out another win. Bethard, even though banged up, has played very well for the Hawkeyes this season. The Hawkeyes will keep it on the ground with their tough running game and stuff the Gophers offense. Iowa 30, Minnesota 27.
7. 12 Oklahoma at 6 Baylor
The Bears are my team to beat in the Big XII this year. Even with losing starting QB Seth Russel, they are still one of the best teams in the nation. Baker Mayfield and the Sooners have blown out their last 4 opponents, but K-State, KU, TTU, & ISU don't compare to Baylor. Stud WR Corey Coleman has 20 receiving TDs so far this season, and has burned every opposing defense he faces. Look for the Oklahoma defense to be on it's heels most of the game. The key to this game will be turnovers and stops on defense. Both of these teams have high-scoring offenses, so expect another Big XII shootout. OU's defensive line will get pressure, but if QB Jarrett Stidham can get rid of the ball quickly and make his reads, Baylor will score like they have been all season. Let's not forget about the run game either, Shock Linwood and Samaje Perine are two of the best backs in the Big XII and arguably the nation. Baylor's offense isn't just pass it deep, they are also one of the best rushing teams in the nation. I like the Bears in this one, and I think that they will make it to the CFB Playoff this year. Their defense isn't the best, but they make key stops. That will be the difference in this game. Baylor puts up 52 and wins 52-38 over the Sooners. SIC 'EM!
8. Washington State at 19 UCLA
This is going to be my upset pick of the week. Wazzu has been playing upset all season and would love nothing more than to continue that trend. They are even still in the running for the PAC-12 North title if they get a little help from the Ducks. Josh Rosen has had an incredible freshman campaign, but I like the Cougars in this one. They air it out more than any other team in the nation averaging 417 yards passing per game. UCLA's pass defense has struggled against the pass, and today will prove that. I've got Wazzu winning this one 38-30.
9. Nebraska at Rutgers
The Huskers are coming off of a massive upset against Michigan State down in Lincoln last week. They have yet to put together back to back wins this season, but I think that will be changed today. Rutgers has a very deadly offense, and are looking to win out to be bowl eligible. Leonte Carroo, will be the player to watch for the Scarlet Knights on offense. He constantly burns defenses, so look for QB Laviano to go deep against Nebraska's weak secondary. Rutgers rushing attack isn't anything to worry about for the Huskers in my opinion. The Blackshirts have proven to be on of the better rushing defenses in the nation this season, so look for lots of 3rd & long throws to Carroo for Rutgers. On the other side of the ball, the Huskers need to score. Hopefully the budding new run game will give the o-line confidence walking into this one. The Scarlet Knights are not a defense that a talented offense should fear. They'll get a few stops, but the only reason Nebraska loses this game is by shooting themselves. We'll see if Nebraska can break their terrible trend of being horribly inconsistent between games. Tommy and the receiving corps are ready for today, and they're not going to accept a loss. Huskers win it 38-21.
Thanks for reading my picks, and please comment if you have any other games to pick or topics you'd like me to cover. Enjoy your Saturday and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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