Rivalry Week Predictions

      Happy Thanksgiving Football fans and welcome to the best weekend of the year! Food, family, friends and football, there's nothing better. Plus we have an incredible slate of games this weekend with a lot on the line. This post will highlight all the big rivalry games of the week and all the impact they will have on the College Football Playoffs. I'm going to skip over my reflection of the Husker game last week because it's all the same issues, bad special teams, questionable play calls and just a frustrating one-score loss. We'll see if things can change this week, but you've got to read the predictions to find out!

Week 12 Record: 11 - 4

Overall Record: 125 - 68

#9 Ole Miss at Mississippi State (The Egg Bowl)

     We start our rivalry weekend tonight with the Egg Bowl as the 9th ranked Rebels travel to Starkville. On paper, both teams shake out to be pretty even. There should be a lot of points going up on the board as these QBs can light it up. Rebel QB Matt Corral has 3,100 passing yards with 19 TDs and just 3 picks. Will Rogers for the Bulldogs nearly doubles that with 34 TDs and 8 picks to go along with more than 4,100 yards in the air raid attack. This is always a bitter rivalry and there's an outside shot at a New Year's Six Bowl for Lane Kiffin's squad. You know Mike Leach and the Bulldogs are itching to spoil that, so I'm taking Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl 37-35.

Washington State at Washington (The Apple Cup)

     Despite an up an down season, the Coogs have a shot at representing the North division in the PAC-12 Championship. They need a little help from the Beavers tomorrow, but first they need to beat the Huskies in Seattle. Washington State hasn't won in Seattle since 2007 though, and the Huskies have a 7-game win streak in this rivalry. Washington is favored in this game, but are on a 3 game skid, losing some close games to Oregon, ASU and Colorado. Their defense has kept them in games, giving up just 21 points per game on average. Unfortunately for the Cougars, they always fall short against the Huskies and that will keep them out of the PAC-12 Championship yet again. Huskies win the Apple Cup yet again 26-17.

Boise State at #21 San Diego State

     The Broncos can end up with a 3-way tie atop the Mountain West Mountain Division if they knock off San Diego State and Air Force and Utah State walk out of the weekend with victories. The Aztecs are the toughest of the three matchups this weekend, as they rank #21 in the nation and can lock up the West division with a win here. Both teams have two of the toughest defenses, ranking 10th & 11th in scoring defense in the nation. Former Husker RB Greg Bell leads the rushing attack for the Aztecs, averaging nearly 5 yards per carry and with 7 TDs so far on the season. Boise State will look to expose the weak pass defense of SDSU as the Broncos average 263.5 yards per game through the air and the Aztecs give up 236.4 on average. This should be a close one down to the wire, but I think Boise State edges this one out. Broncos win to make things interesting in the West Division 27-24.

#2 Ohio State at #5 Michigan

     This rivalry never needs any extra fire, but we've got plenty of it as the winner goes to the BIG 10 Championship and has an inside track to the College Football Playoffs. Traditionally, this is where Jim Harbaugh's team falls short in horrendous fashion as the Buckeyes often run wild in this game. Michigan will have a tough task slowing down the Buckeye offense as they rank first in the nation and average 47.2 points per game. The Buckeye defense has improved tremendously throughout the season, giving opposing backfields major headaches by giving up just 103 rush yards per game on average. Michigan lives by their run game as Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum lead the 15th best run game in the country. This game will come down to how well Cade McNamara can throw the ball though. He's going to be under pressure and likely behind on the scoreboard because of how fast the Buckeyes score. Last but not least the Wolverines defense needs to slow down the trio of NFL-caliber wideouts in Garrett Wilson, Chris Olave and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Unfortunately for Michigan, that's not possible and neither is beating Ohio State for Jim Harbaugh. Buckeyes win big again 42-20.

#3 Alabama at Auburn (The Iron Bowl)

     The Tigers host the Tide as the Iron Bowl takes place with low key stakes. Alabama has already wrapped up the SEC East, so this game is to ensure they keep pace for the College Football Playoffs. Auburn QB Bo Nix made some news this week by making comments suggesting the SEC officials favor Alabama, so there's probably a bit more of a target on his back than normal. On the other side, Bryce Young seems to have this offense humming now, and needs another big stat line to keep pace with C.J. Stroud for the very underwhelming 2021 Heisman race. I've got Alabama rolling big in this one 45-21.

Oregon State at #11 Oregon

     The Beavers and the Ducks meet in Eugene for a rivalry game that once again carries some weight to it. More than just bragging rights in the state, the winner of this game is likely playing for a spot in the PAC-12 Title game. Oregon was demolished by the Utes in Salt Lake City last week, and despite coming home, Oregon State is hungry to be back in the spotlight. The Beavers have a very stingy defense and their run game doesn't give opposing offenses much time to utilize during their possessions. The Ducks could not stop the rushing attack of the Utes last week, so B.J. Baylor will likely give them a lot of headaches with his 6.1 yard per carry average, 1,200 yards and 12 TDs. The Beavers won last year's meeting in a surprise, so Oregon won't be caught off guard in this one. I think Anthony Brown will have a much better game, but Oregon State has a big statement to make and I think they do that in this game. THE BEAVERS win this one in Eugene 33-30.

Penn State at #12 Michigan State (Battle for the Land Grant Trophy)

     The Nittany Lions have lost some close ones this season, but have a chance to finish the season with a big win over rival Michigan State. The Spartans are trying to quickly forget the beat down they received from the Buckeyes in Columbus last week, but all hopes of a BIG 10 Championship and CFB Playoffs are done. They will look to get Kenneth Walker III back on track as he had just 6 carries for 25 yards last week. Sparty does much better when they control the pace of the game, and that's done by Walker getting his yards. Penn State have been solid against the run, holding opposing teams to an average of about 130 yards per game on the ground. Sean Clifford will need to use his possessions wisely though, and convert on third down. The Nittany Lions have struggled in this area, and they've struggled to win the close games. This one could come down to the last minute, but I think Michigan State bounces back and wins a close one over Penn State. Sparty 31, Nittany Lions 27.

#14 Wisconsin at Minnesota (Battle for Paul Bunyan's Axe)

     The Badgers can lock up yet another BIG 10 West division crown with yet another win over the Gophers. Wisconsin has dominated this series as of late, losing just once since 2004. They have the top ranked defense in the land, and have won seven straight since starting the season 1-3. The Gophers have been up and down, but ultimately lost their shot at the BIG 10 a couple weeks ago in the loss to Iowa. This one should be a classic BIG 10 slug fest as both teams have a heavy focus on the ground game. Wisconsin's offensive line is dominant, and they lead the way for a rising star in freshman RB Braelon Allen. He's averaging a staggering 7.6 yards per carry and is very difficult to bring down as the Huskers found out last week when he ran through an absurd number of tackles on his way to the endzone (multiple times). This game will certainly be decided by who can slow down the opposing run game, and I trust the Badgers more than the Gophers. On Wisconsin as they win 27-17.

#10 Oklahoma at #7 Oklahoma State (BEDLAM)

     We've got BEDLAM in Stillwater, Oklahoma this weekend and this year's edition has CFB Playoff implications. The Sooners are in need of a statement win to rebound from the Baylor loss a couple of weeks ago while the Cowboys want to keep edging toward that top four ranking with a win here and in the Big XII Championship. The Pokes don't put up as many points as usual, but their defense ranks third in the nation as they give up fewer than 15 points per game on average. Oklahoma likes to score, and their dynamic offense led by QB Caleb Williams will certainly tests the limits of the Pokes' defense. The Sooners have struggled against teams with strong defenses, so this could be the year for Oklahoma State. They haven't won BEDLAM since 2014. A win by the Sooners would solidify their spot in the Big XII Championship game, which they have not missed since it was brought back in 2017. Oklahoma State is essentially playing to see who they want their opponent to be in the Big XII Championship, as their spot has been locked in. If they win, Baylor would get in (as long as they beat Texas Tech) because they have the head to head over Oklahoma. As usual the Cowboys give me another headache when making their pick, but in honor of my roommate Nate traveling to Stillwater for Thanksgiving with his family today, I'm taking the Cowboys in a surprising BEDLAM upset! Oklahoma State wins 30-24.

#16 Iowa at Nebraska (Hero's Game)

     Despite a 5 game losing streak and a 6 win/loss difference to Iowa, the Huskers come into the game favored by 1 point. This both excites and worries me as it's looking like a very tasty glass of Kool-Aid to guzzle down. The Hawkeyes have NOT been an impressive team this season. Their defense has been solid and consistent, but the offense is abysmal. However, unlike the Husker offense, Iowa doesn't often times shoot themselves in the foot, knee, stomach, arm and head throughout the game. The Hawkeyes are very consistent and play with few mistakes. The Blackshirts need to slow them down on the ground and force Iowa to pass the ball. Neither QB has been very impressive, but it looks like Alex Padilla will get the start. On the Husker sideline, Adrian Martinez's injured shoulder will keep him out of Senior day as Logan Smothers will make his first start at QB for the Huskers. I'm anxious to see what the offense looks like with him, because Nebraska actually ranks quite high in offensive production, racking up over 450 yards per game on average. Once the Huskers cross the 20 yard line into the red zone however, all production goes out the window. It would be wonderful to spoil Iowa's season a little more and finally stop losing to a team that is more than beatable, but the Huskers always find a way to lose in the worst way possible. I imagine another special teams blunder of some sort will hold this team back, but with Smothers at QB, things could get very interesting on the offensive side of the ball as well. We may see quickly why Martinez was playing as QB1 while injured. I hope they prove me wrong because I hate losing to Iowa, but I have the Hawkeyes winning 26-24. GO BIG RED, please don't make me sad!

Quick Hit Predictions:

UTEP at UAB - The Blazers lost to the Roadrunners on a last second TD a week ago, but now get to unleash that fury on the Miners from UTEP. This one won't be pretty as the Blazers torch them 38-17.

North Carolina at #20 NC State - The Wolfpack are looking to make amend for the previous 2 years where the Tar Heels have won by multiple scores. NC State's defense is the difference in this game and they reek havoc on Sam Howell as they win 34-21.

#18 Wake Forest at Boston College - After a chomping by the Tigers last weekend, Wake Forest must win this week on the road in order to solidify their spot in the ACC Title game. Clemson can jump in because of the head to head win if the Eagles can pull off the upset win at home. Sam Hartman bounces back though and the Demon Deacons win the ACC Atlantic division for the first time since 2006. Wake Forest wins 40-24.

Texas Tech at #8 Baylor - As mentioned earlier, the Bears are rooting hard for the Cowboys to win BEDLAM, but they also need to take care of business at home first. The Red Raiders shouldn't pose too much of a threat, especially with the Bears' defense playing as well as they have. Sic 'Em as Baylor wins 35-14.

Florida State at Florida - The Sunshine Showdown is a battle for bowl eligibility as both the Seminoles and Gators are looking for their 6th win. Florida fired Dan Mullen (which is think is a terrible idea) and the team has been spiraling, losing 4 of their last 5. FSU has edged out a couple wins, but I have no idea what this game will be like. Neither team has much defense, but I'll take the 'Noles since they seem to be on the rise and the Gators are more on the fall. Florida State wins 30-27.

#15 Texas A&M at LSU - In what could be Coach O's last game at LSU, the Tigers are battling the Aggies for bowl eligibility. They've struggled in close games, and I expect both defenses to keep this one tight. I'm sure Coach O would like one more game, but it's fitting for his tenure to end in Tiger Stadium. Aggies win 24-21.

Thanks for reading all of my Rivalry Week Predictions and have a Happy Thanksgiving! GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 12 Predictions

      Hello Football readers and welcome to late November College Football! We're in the best time of year as the games have a lot on the line and those big hits are just different in that crisp November air. We've got a great slate of games to watch as the regular season draws to the end and we push toward the Conference Championships and College Football Playoffs. Kick back, relax and let's enjoy some football!

Week 11 Record: 7 - 6

Overall Record: 114 - 64

#7 Michigan State at #4 Ohio State

     I kick off the predictions this week with arguably the biggest game of the weekend as the Spartans and Buckeyes meet in the Horseshoe to ultimately decide the BIG 10 West Division. Michigan is still in the mix, but all eyes will be on Columbus Saturday morning as Sparty tries to knock off Ohio State. Despite both teams putting up fairly similar numbers this season, the Buckeyes are a 19 point favorite in this game. The run game will be a major factor in this game as Heisman hopeful Kenneth Walker III looks to continue his dominant November. The Ohio State rush defense could struggle to slow him down as Walker is averaging 6.5 yards per carry. If Ohio State can force Michigan State into third and long, the game will rely on Payton Thorne's arm. He's been serviceable this season but is certainly not the focal point of the offense for a reason. On the flip side, Ohio State will need to establish more of a run game to keep the pressure of C.J. Stroud as Sparty is likely to blitz. Luckily for Ohio State, the Spartans ranks dead last in pass defense, so the NFL talent wideouts Stroud will be throwing to should have a big day. This is the primary factor to watch because if MSU can't get their ground game going, they can't keep Stroud and the offense on the sidelines. Closer than experts think, but the Buckeyes win this one 31-21.

#10 Wake Forest at Clemson

     The Demon Deacons can clinch a spot in the ACC Championship game with a victory over the reigning 6-time ACC Champion Clemson Tigers. Despite losing to UNC just a couple weeks ago, Wake Forest is still undefeated in ACC play because of a weird setup in their rivalry where due to some scheduling needs, their game in 2019 along with the one a couple of weeks ago took place outside of the conference and did not impact the conference records of each team. This is favorable for Wake Forest as they are looking at fighting back into the playoff conversation, but the only way to do that is by winning out with an ACC Championship. Clemson poses a number of threats to that though, as they still have a top notch defense giving up just 15.3 points per game. The Tiger offense has had a number of issues this year, but have a chance to put up some points against a very poor Wake Forest defense. The Demon Deacons are nearly impossible to stop on offense however, and Clemson let Kenny Pickett and Pitt throw for over 300 yards and 2 TDs on them. Wake has an even more dynamic passing attack, and I think they upset Clemson on the road! Demon Deacons win a fun one 34-28.

Iowa State at #13 Oklahoma

     Over in the Big XII, Oklahoma looks to rebound from their first loss of the season. For some odd reason, the College Football Playoff Committee ranked Baylor ahead of Oklahoma after the victory last week. I didn't know we were back to having head to head victories matter (because it still doesn't matter with Michigan and Michigan State), but whatever. The Sooner offense struggled mightily against the Bears' defense last week. Caleb Williams threw two interceptions, and the team had just 260 total yards. Iowa State battled back late but couldn't overcome Texas Tech last week. The Cyclones have been very inconsistent in 2021. Oklahoma should bounce back a bit quicker and win this game at home 33-28.

#21 Arkansas at #2 Alabama

     The Hogs travel to Tuscaloosa as Alabama looks to clinch their spot in the SEC Championship. The Tide haven't looked like their usual dominance this season, and Arkansas has some talent on offense that can cause headaches for the opponents. Bryce Young has been one of the best in the nation this season though, and the talent should outlast Arkansas in this matchup. Things could be interesting early on, but I would expect Alabama to take control of this game sometime in the third quarter if they don't already have it. Tide Roll as they win 38-21.

SMU at #5 Cincy

     The Ponies and the Bearcats meet this afternoon for possibly the last true test Cincy will face during the regular season. They've had a couple of scares lately, and SMU is not one they should overlook. The Playoff Committee is waiting for a statement game from the Bearcats, so this is their best chance. SMU loves to air it out, averaging just under 280 per game from the passing attack. The QB battle between Tanner Mordecai and Desmond Ridder will be a key factor in this game. Both QBs are very talented and use their experience well. Neither turn the ball over as Mordecai has 10 picks this year and Ridder has just 6. Cincy has a tough defense, but they've shown cracks lately, and SMU will look to take advantage of those. Desmond Ridder is a winner though, and I think he's going to have a big day against SMU's defense. They will struggle to contain him and the Bearcats win this one 34-21.

UAB at #22 UTSA

     The Blazers are looking to upset and torch the Roadrunners as they meet for a Conference USA battle that will determine who wins the West Division. UAB has won the division crown the last 3 years, and claimed the conference title 2 of those years as well. UTSA is the cinderella of 2021 as the Roadrunners are ranked #22 in the nation and unbeaten at 10-0. Both teams have a solid defense, giving up around 20 points per game each. The offenses will have their work cut out for them. UTSA racks up a lot of yards and points, and in true Roadrunner fashion, they're just hard to slow down. I think this offense has a big day and makes a big statement win today with a 33-21 victory.

#9 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech

     A potential trap game awaits the Cowboys as they travel to Lubbock to take on the Red Raiders. I think this is a trap game because BEDLAM is on the horizon, and after their victory last week, the Red Raiders are more than happy to play spoiler. This game could turn up quick as both teams can put up points fairly quick. The Pokes have a much better defense, and they've held their last 3 opponents to a combined 23 points. They will create havoc in the backfield and look to force turnovers as the Red Raiders sit at -5 in the turnover margin. Oklahoma State may have a scare early, but they win this game 30-20.

#3 Oregon at #23 Utah

     A likely matchup for the PAC-12 Championship in just a couple weeks takes place early tonight as the Ducks travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Utes. This is always one of the best PAC-12 games between these two teams, and this chapter should not disappoint. The Ducks have been winning since their stumble to Stanford early in the year, but their wins haven't been very impressive. Now they have to go into the lion's den essentially as Utah is one of the best teams at home in the last decade. They have a very tough defense and will look to slow down the fast-paced ducks. Anthony Brown will need to be flawless today as Kyle Whittingham and his crew will be vicious. A loss for the Ducks opens the door for the Beavers to sneak into the PAC-12 Championship in their game next week, but I don't think Oregon wants that to happen. The Utes are favored, but I like Oregon as the road underdog in this game. Big win for the Ducks as they edge out Utah 27-24.

Nebraska at #15 Wisconsin

     My beloved Cornhuskers are back in action today after a newsworthy week off where Scott Frost's contract was restructured and nearly the entire offensive staff was let go. This is certainly a step in the right direction for the Huskers, but I don't think it will have a drastic impact on the remainder of this season. I'm still waiting for this team to prove me wrong and win another game this season. Wisconsin poses a tough challenge as Nebraska has not beat the Badgers since 2012. There have been a couple games that game down to the wire, but most with Wisconsin go south fairly quick. Yet again the Badgers have a dominant defense and a nearly unstoppable rushing attack. Their offensive line paves the way as opposing defenses are usually on their heels. The Blackshirts have been a sturdy defense in 2021, holding teams to an average of 20 points per game. They force a lot of field goals, but very rarely have help from their offense to make it meaningful. I'm sure the Blackshirts will play with pride and force Wisconsin to use their passing game more than they'd like, but the true key to victory is Nebraska's offense scoring points. I'm guessing Martinez will be banged up out there, so they won't use their best weapon in his legs, and that means he'll drop back 25-30+ a game to pass. This is never a good recipe for success and with a brick wall sitting in front of the Huskers' run game in Wisconsin's defense, it could be a long afternoon. I hope some of the changes that were made over the BYE week show some hints of progress, but Wisconsin should walk out with yet another victory in the Freedom Game. On Wisconsin as the Badgers win 27-17.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Texas at West Virginia - After losing to Kansas last week, Texas is the centerpiece of conversation. Both squads in this game are looking to keep their bowl eligibility alive. One of my only solaces with Husker football being bad is that Texas is also bad. Unfortunately I think they win this one 30-24.

Virginia at #18 Pitt - The Cavaliers are hoping to get their QB Brennan Armstrong back. He missed the Notre Dame game last week and it was very obvious as their usually dynamic offense racked up just 3 points. Defensively they have to deal with the veteran Kenny Pickett, and that is going to be too much as Pitt wins 40-21.

UCLA at USC - The Battle for LA doesn't have any big implications, but it's certainly a rivalry that never disappoints. The Trojans are looking to move one game closer to bowl eligibility, but Chip Kelley doesn't want to fall behind in this series. UCLA wins a bit of a shootout 38-33.

#11 Baylor at Kansas State - The Bears and their rugged defense upset Oklahoma last week, but now travel to Bill Snyder Family Stadium. K-State is never a great place to come in feeling high, but I like the Bears in this one. The Wildcats will cause headaches for sure, but Baylor's defense rises up again and Gerry Bohanon has another big day as Baylor wins 26-17.

Cal at Stanford - This is a very old rivalry, but it is very low key this year as neither team has been impressive. I'll always side with David Shaw though, and Stanford wins "The Game" 26-23.

Arizona State at Oregon State - Both teams need help from the Oregon-Utah to stay alive in their respective divisional hunts, but a win in this game is the other key to that crown. Arizona State has been skirting by the last couple weeks after a rough end to October while the Beavers lost 3 games they really shouldn't have. Late at night, up in Corvallis, weird things tend to happen. Beavers win this one 35-28.

Thanks for reading my Week 12 Predictions and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 11 Predictions

Hello Football Friends and welcome to Week 11! Despite the BYE week for the Huskers, there’s been plenty of news around the football team and I’ve got a full break down on that along with Ohio State. I’ll also give my predictions on all the games to keep an eye on this weekend. I’ve got a big post today with all sorts of content, so let’s dive right in!

 

Starting with the Huskers, I’ll give my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD from the Ohio State game. Then I’ll break down the changes to Scott Frost’s contract and the changes to the Husker Football Coaching staff.

 

GOOD – The Husker defense and especially JoJo Doman. The Blackshirts stepped up big once again, and I’ll be honest, I was not expecting them to. I thought they had fallen off after some sub-par performances against the Gophers and Boilermakers, but Ohio State was held under 100 yards rushing and was forced to kick 4 field goals. They did give up 405 passing yards to the Buckeyes, but the Huskers kept everything in front of them and most importantly kept their team in the game until the very end. The defense has performed well for a majority of the season, and one of the leaders on this unit has been JoJo Doman. Earlier this week he announced his retirement from the Huskers as he is likely looking to get healthy before moving onto the next level. Some fans may be a bit biffed by the fact he won’t finish out the season with his team, but he gave more than enough to the Huskers during his career. Especially this year, Doman has racked up 44 solo tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles and 2 interceptions. A great way to end his career at UNL and all the best to him as he hopefully moves onto the NFL.

 

EXPECTED – Special Teams screwing Nebraska over. Of course, immediately after I give Chase Contreraz his props, he goes 1/3 on field goals. A frightening statistic I saw reported over the weekend was that special teams has directly cost Nebraska 37 points this season, and the Huskers have lost all of their games by a combined 42. The 13-yard punts, lack of any ability to set up a return and most importantly the missed field goals are unacceptable when you’re in year 4 of developing a program. There will be some misses or shanks here and there, but the fact that it’s an issue in every game of the season shows it is not being addressed in practice and that’s probably because there is not a designated special teams coordinator on this staff. Mike Dawson may have that title thrown on top of his position at linebackers coach, but it’s clear there’s no focus on the special teams unit.

 

BAD – Husker offense. Apparently the starting QB for the Husker offense has both a broken Jaw (for over a month now) and a high ankle sprain. Props to Adrian for gutting it out, but why the hell would you play an athlete with those kinds of injuries? This cannot be helpful to offensive production and it showed yet again as the Huskers failed to finish drives and missed multiple opportunities to take control of a game that didn’t have much in terms of momentum swings. It was nice to see Samori Toure get the ball as he racked up 150 yards and a TD through the air, but late in the game when the Huskers needed a big drive with points, Toure wasn’t given the ball much. Another star player who doesn’t get the ball enough, Austin Allen, was standing on the sidelines for that dive because there is no offensive game plan to get him the ball despite his incredible athletic abilities. Poor use of talent is a primary reason why the Huskers have struggled so much the last few years.

My thoughts on the restructured contract of Scott Frost are quite simple, it was very obvious. I wasn’t surprised when it was announced that he would return next year, but I’m glad to see Alberts finally holding his feet to the fire. It’s good to see changes to the offensive coaching staff, but I’d like to see a Special Teams Coordinator hired along with a new recruitment staff. We’ll see if this extra year can help change things and turn it around.

 

 

Now let’s get to the game predictions for this week!

 

Week 10 Results: 10 - 5

Overall Results: 107 – 58

 

 

#6 Michigan at Penn State

The Wolverines travel to Happy Valley to take on the Nittany Lions. For absolutely no reason at all they’ve been ranked #6 by the College Football Playoff Committee, ahead of Michigan State at #7 who beat them just two weeks ago. Despite that, Michigan plans to keep pace in the BIG 10 East by rolling through Penn State with their ground game. Hassan Haskins will be the feature back as Corum did not make the trip. He's been tough to slow down this year, but Penn State does have a tough defense. Both teams are giving up around 16 points per game, so the offenses will need to make the most of their opportunities. The difference maker is Penn State’s inability to run the ball. This gives Michigan the edge on time of possession, and as long as they can get pressure on Sean Clifford, they should be able to get out with a victory. Wolverines survive thanks to some big plays on defense 24-21.

 

 

#8 Oklahoma at #13 Baylor

The Sooners haven’t had a terrible amount of competition throughout the season this year, but that changes for the last few weeks as they kick off a Big XII Gauntlet with a road trip to Waco. The Bears stumbled last week against TCU, and need a big win to stay in the hunt for a Big XII Championship. As most matchups in this conference go, I would expect a lot of points. Caleb Williams looks to be the real deal for Oklahoma, racking up nearly 1,200 passing yards and 14 TDs in just 3.5 games. Baylor’s defense struggled mightily against the pass last week and I don’t expect that to change. Sooners win this shootout 47-33.

 

 

#19 Purdue at #4 Ohio State

The giant killers are looking for their next victim as the Boilermakers travel to the Horseshoe ready to take down the Buckeyes. I am very much rooting for the Spoilermakers to go 3 for 3 on top 5 opponents this season, but everyone will be looking for it. However, they are playing some fantastic defense, and the Buckeyes did not look very impressive against Nebraska last week. Having attended that game, I was constantly questioning the play call decisions made by Ryan Day and company. Ohio State still racked up over 400 yards passing, but was held to just 26 points, did not crack 100 rushing and only took a couple of deep shots down the field. If Purdue can stifle the Buckeyes run game things could get interesting. Aiden O’Connell will need to keep hold of the rock and play at a high level against an aggressive and fast Ohio State defense. David Bell needs to be the focal point of the offense complimented by the run game with Horvath and Doerue. Unfortunately, I think the talent of Ohio State will outlast the Boilermakers and Ryan Day will be looking to make a statement in this game. I like things for Purdue if they can keep the ball away from the Buckeye offense, but I think Ohio State will win this game 30-17.

 

 

Minnesota at #20 Iowa (Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale)

We stay in the BIG 10 Conference as there is a Bronze Pig on the line in Iowa City. The Gophers and Hawkeyes meet as they battle for not only Floyd, but the top spot in the BIG 10 West as well. This could turn into an interesting game as Iowa has shown their true colors the last few weeks. Minnesota has been up and down all season long. They will be looking to rise back up today as they need to bounce back quickly from their very bad loss to Illinois at home last week. Against Iowa they will need to force the Hawkeyes to pass. Iowa benched QB Spencer Petras last week, so we’ll see if that change is permanent or not. Either way, Tyler Goodsen cannot have a big day if Minnesota wants Floyd to come home with them. Unfortunately, I think this will be one of those dumb games that Iowa wins because of all the mistakes made by the other team. Iowa wins the pig as they beat the Gophers 27-21.

 

 

#11 Texas A&M at #15 Ole Miss

    The Aggies need some help, but still have a shot at the SEC West division. They need to fend off a feisty Lane Kiffin offense in order to do so, but that’s easier said than done. Ole Miss hasn’t played well against teams with a tough defense, but if they can turn this game into a shootout the odds certainly shift into their favor. A&M has struggled to put up points, so this should be a unique game to watch. The Aggies did handle Auburn pretty well last week though, so I’m giving them the edge on the road. Texas A&M wins this one with defense 28-20.

 

 

 #9 Notre Dame at Virginia

The Irish travel to Charlottesville to take on the Cavaliers in a sneaky game that could be dangerous for Notre Dame. Virginia can put up points, and their air attack averages over 400 yards per game. If the Irish get caught in a shootout, things could get ugly. Notre Dame has the better defense in this one, but their offense might not be able to keep pace with Brennan Armstrong's 3,500+ yards and 27 TDs. Virginia's defense needs to step up big if they want to pull this upset. I think they're going to pull it off. A little night game magic and the Cavaliers upset Notre Dame in a barnburner 41-38.

#16 NC State at #12 Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons may not be undefeated any more, but they still have the inside track to winning the ACC. They host a hungry Wolfpack who are always looking for an upset. NC State has one of the best defenses in the nation, ranking 19th in total defense and giving up just an average of 16 points. They'll need to slow down a red hot Wake Forest offense that averages 44.7 points per game, good for second best in the nation. Devin Leary and the Wolfpack offense have been good this year too, putting up 31 points per game. I think Wake Forest is going to bounce back and get this victory at home. Demon Deacons win a thriller 39-35.

Nevada at #22 San Diego State

Out in the Mountain West, the Wolfpack and the Aztecs battle for the top spot in the division. This game should be a fun night cap as it features one of the conferences best offenses against one of the best defenses. Nevada's air raid attack averages over 375 yards per game behind the big arm of Carson Strong. He's thrown for 3,197 yards with 25 TDs and just 7 picks this season. San Diego State has their work cut out for them , but often play some lockdown defense, giving up just 300 yards per game. This could really go either way, but I'm going to stick with my preseason pick and take Nevada to win this game 31-28.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Mississippi State at #17 Auburn - The Bulldogs are looking to play spoiler as they are one game away from bowl eligibility, but the Tigers need a bounce back win from getting thrashed by A&M. Auburn wins it at home 33-21.

West Virginia at Kansas State - The Mountaineers need to turn it on late in the season to reach a bowl game, but taking on the Cats in Bill Snyder Family Stadium is not usually a good way to do that. Both of these teams have been very up and down, but I'll take the home team as K-State wins 24-21.

UCF at SMU - The Ponies have dropped their last two games and now host a Golden Knight Team that could send this game into another shootout. I think SMU hangs on to win this one late, but they need a big performance from QB Tanner Mordecai. Mustangs win 48-41.

Iowa State at Texas Tech - The Red Raiders can get bowl eligible with an upset win over the Cyclones today, but Iowa State is still hanging to a chance of making it back to the Big XII Championship. They need this win to stay in the race and Matt Campbell should have his team ready. ISU 31, TTU 17.

Arkansas at LSU - A Golden Boot is on the line as the Tigers host the Hogs. Arkansas' offensive production has dropped off significantly in the second half the season, and they're going up against an LSU defense that just held Alabama to 20 points. The Tigers are fighting to send Coach O out on a high note with a bowl game, and it starts with this game right here. Tigers win the Golden Boot trophy at home, chomping the Hogs 30-20.

I hope you enjoyed reading all my reflections and predictions. Enjoy your Week 11 of College Football and as always... GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 10 Predictions

      Hello Football Fans and welcome to Week 10! I've decided that until the Huskers win another game, I will just do an abbreviated reflection at the beginning of my predictions post. Basically that means you'll have to wait until next season to read a full Husker reflection post, but it's pretty clear where the issues of this team are. So this post will include a reflection from the Purdue game along with my predictions for all the interesting games to watch this weekend. Enjoy!

     As predicted by yours truly, the Huskers refused to bring their heads to the home game against the Boilermakers last week, and lost 28-23 at home. Poor decision making, play calling and just overall energy led to yet another pathetic performance on the field. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories below.

GOOD - Chase Contreraz. I don't know why it took 9 weeks to switch out kickers, but Chase Contreraz stepped in and hit his 33 yard field goal and extra points just like he should despite all eyes on him. There's a lot of pressure with kicker at Nebraska these days, kudos to Chase.

EXPECTED - Defensive downfall. It was only a matter of time before the strain of carrying the team in the first half of the season dug into the defense and the Blackshirts began to fall off. Signs of the grind showed in Minneapolis, but with the Boilermakers holding the ball for nearly two-thirds of the game, it was inevitable. That's more on fault from the offense, but the defense is beginning to waiver.

BAD - Adrian Martinez and the Husker offense. This was easily Adrian's worst performance of the year, and possibly his career. He looked like a completely different quarterback on Saturday, and unfortunately for all the fans in red at Memorial Stadium and beyond, it was not a quarterback who knew what he was doing. Poor offensive line play and predictable play calling didn't help the situation, but Martinez threw 4 interceptions and completed less than half of his passes. There was no run game developed throughout the game and Frost still refuses to use his best weapon on the field, Martinez's legs. This offense has three tough defenses to face the rest of this season and it will not go well.

Now onto the Week 10 predictions!

Week 9 Record: 13 - 5

Overall Record: 97 - 53

Army vs. Air Force (Battle for the Commander in Chief Trophy)

     The Black Knights and Falcons are set to meet down in Arlington, TX where the Rangers play. Army had a rough October, suffering three straight losses and all in close games. The Falcons also lost a close one recently, falling 20-14 to San Diego State a couple weeks ago. Both teams had a BYE week leading into this, so the extra rest and preparation should make for a good game. It's going to be all ground and pound in this one as both offenses run the triple option and average 400 (Army) and 395 (Air Force) yards per game on the ground. This one should be tight, but I like Army to steal one and bounce back from their three game skid. Army beats Air Force 35-30.

#9 Wake Forrest at North Carolina

     The Demon Deacons have reached their highest ranking in school history with #9 in the opening rankings of the College Football Playoffs. All that really means is they are in prime position to get stuck in the tar as they take on North Carolina in Chapel Hill. I would expect a lot of points on the board in this one as neither team has played much defense yet this year. The QB battle will be fun to watch though, and the Sams square off to see who's the best with the name in the ACC. Sam Hartman for the Demon Deacons has been on fire this season, throwing for nearly 2,500 yards with 22 TDs and just 3 picks so far. Sam Howell has struggled a bit with a young offensive line and weapons around him, but he's still racked up nearly 2,200 yards with 19 TDs. Wake has a very difficult schedule remaining, but they've proven they can find the edge in close games, and I think they get it done. Sam Hartman make some very good decisions with the ball and the Demon Deacons remain undefeated with a 44-38 victory.

#3 Michigan State at Purdue

     Sparty is in with the first College Football Playoff rankings of the season, but today they travel to West Lafayette where ranked teams go to die. That scary train whistle off in the distance can mess with your head, so Peyton Thorne and company will need to be ready, as Purdue already has one big upset on the season after knocking off Iowa. This is likely do be a defensive game, as Michigan State gives up just an average of 20.5 points per game while Purdue gives up just 17.1. Both teams have some talent on offense. Purdue will look to the air and wants to get the ball to star wideout David Bell as much as possible. Sparty is going to hand off the rock to Kenneth Walker III. The Junior sensation averages nearly 7 yards per carry and has 14 TDs so far this season. He's given headaches to numerous defenses and often times runs over defenders. The Boilermakers have a few different QBs they could play, but it seems like Aiden O'Connell is starting to take the lead of the team. This is likely to be an interesting game, but I think the ground game being established early gives Michigan State the edge. I want to say BoilerUp, but I think Sparty takes this one 31-24.

Tulsa at #6 Cincy

     Despite the College Football Playoff Committee not giving Cincy any respect, the crew from College Gameday is headed to the Queen City to highlight the matchup between Tulsa and Cincinnati. Statistically, there's not much to this game, the Bearcats are better in all ares. The have the 6th ranked total defense in the nation and one of the best (and most underrated) QBs in Desmond Ridder. He's led this team for the past few years and has done nothing but impress. This season he's accounted for 21 total TDs and could be set up for a Hesiman-caliber performance today. Cincy needs more statement wins to have the colleges that would. Bearcats win 38-10.

#17 Mississippi State at Arkansas

     The Razorbacks have quickly fallen out of the rankings while the Bulldogs have quickly jumped in after knocking off Kentucky last week. On paper, these teams look to be evened out well. They do have their strengths though. Arkansas loves to run the ball, averaging 249 yards per contest, but they'll be up against the 2nd best run defense in the nation. This game will come down to the QB play, and both KJ Jefferson and Will Rogers have had both good games and bad. Rogers is on a bit of a hot streak after throwing for nearly 350 yards last week, so I'm giving the edge to the Bulldogs. This should be a fun one to watch! Mississippi State 36, Arkansas 31.

#11 Oklahoma State at West Virginia

     Despite the head to head win, Oklahoma State has Baylor right on their heels in the race for the Big XII Championship game. West Virginia has bounced back after some tough losses earlier in the season and knocked off Iowa State last week. This is a very important game for the Pokes to not overlook as Morgantown is not always an easy place to win. The Mountaineers have some playmakers on offense, and one person who will get the ball a lot today is running back Leddie Brown. Brown averages 4.6 yards per carry and has 11 TDs on the season thus far. He'll be up against a tough Oklahoma State run defense, but if he can find some lanes, his speed will open up the WVU offense. As usual, Oklahoma State finds themselves in a game that's difficult to pick and I almost always pick wrong with them. However, it's my roommate Nate's birthday and his family has OSU ties, so Pokes win this one 30-24.

#13 Auburn at #14 Texas A&M

     Our only ranked versus ranked matchup of the week takes place in College Station as the Tigers look to get a big win on the road and keep pace with Alabama in the SEC West. A&M isn't quite out of the race due to their head to head win over the Tide, but they will need this win and some help if they're to make it to the SEC Championship. This should be a very fun game to watch as both teams have solid defense and offensively have talent that can certainly light up the scoreboard when needed. Bo Nix has been playing very well at QB for the Tigers this season, throwing for 1,764 yards with 9 TDs and just 2 picks. He's also added another 4 TDs on the ground, so A&M will certainly have to watch him outside of the pocket in the red zone. The Aggies will look to cause a lot of havoc in the backfield as their d-line is one of the nation's best. They have 24 sacks on the season so far as a defense, and the offensive line for Auburn has given up just 9, so this will be a tough battle. Could be a close one, but I like Auburn to edge things out. I think the talent and experience Bo Nix has will lead them to victory. Tigers 34, Aggies 28.

Boise State at #23 Fresno State

     I'm telling y'all, there's some good games in the Mountain West that have been going on this season. This personally has been one of my favorite conferences to watch this year as there are so many teams fighting for that top spot in the conference. Boise is having an uncharacteristically tough season at 4-4, but they've shown they can hang with top teams both winning and losing some close games. Fresno State however is on a roll, and they've recently beaten two of the best teams in the conference on back-to-back weeks. Boise will put up a fight on the road, but Fresno at home will be too much. Bulldogs beat the Broncos 33-27.

UTSA at UTEP

     The Roadrunners and Miners are set to do battle late Saturday night and you may want to tune into this one. This is a battle for the top spot in the West Division of Conference USA, and the Roadrunners are looking to remain unbeaten and get one of those fancy little numbers by their name. They have a hyper-charged offense, scoring nearly 40 points per game, led by Senior QB Frank Harris. Harris has nearly 1,800 yards through the air on the season with 16 TDs and just 3 picks. His dual-threat ability gives teams headaches and helps to balance out UTSA's offense, which averages almost 450 yards per game. UTEP will have their hands full in this one. They have a tough defense, but often fail to put high point totals on the board. If they can slow UTSA down to their pace, they can pull of the upset, but I've got the Roadrunners running away with this one 40-21.

#5 Ohio State at Nebraska

     I'm going to be honest, this one won't go well today. It rarely does when the Buckeyes visit Memorial Stadium, but the wheels seem to be falling off for the Huskers as this season moves toward the end and I'm not confident these players and coaches are remotely ready for what Ohio State brings to the table. Their defense has been completely dominant since losing to Oregon, and each week that passes just gives more chemistry and experience to Freshman QB CJ Stroud. He has a list of NFL talent around him including Garrett Wilson, Jaxson Smith-Njigba and the famed Chris Olave. All of these receivers average at least 16 yards per catch. Garrett Wilson will not be playing though, so this does help the Huskers out a bit. Despite the Blackshirt's confidence and strong performances this season, Ohio State is at another level, they will have a field day against the Husker secondary. Offensively, Nebraska needs to to establish the run, get the ball to their playmakers and not turn it over. Unfortunately, that's competent football and we all know how this season has gone. I'm hoping the performance by Adrian kicks up a few notches from last week, but if he doesn't run and the Buckeyes get pressure on him early and often, this one will be over quick. I'm hoping we break 20, but I don't think Nebraska is keeping this game within the 14.5 spread. Buckeyes roll 45-20.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Texas at Iowa State - Both teams are in need of a pick me up, but the Longhorns are on a 3 game losing skid and there's few things that would ease my Husker pain than Iowa State extending that to 4 games. Cyclones win it with defense at home by slowing down Bijan Robinson, 30-21.

Liberty at Ole Miss - Hugh Freeze returns to the grove as Liberty takes on Ole Miss. That's really the only headline for this game. There will be points galore with these offenses, but Matt Corral and the Rebels light it up 52-24.

LSU at #2 Alabama - The Tide are going to make a statement and their opponent in this one will not be able to keep pace. Alabama 38, LSU 17.

San Jose State at Nevada - The Spartans are looking to fight in the West division of the Mountain West Conference, but Nevada should have few problems against a pass defense that ranks 48th. Carson Strong lights it up and wins it 35-21 for the Wolfpack.

USC at Arizona State - The Trojans are looking to spoil the Sun Devils season more while they are looking to keep pace with Utah in the South. ASU's offense has been very underwhelming this year, but I think their defense holds on for them. Forks up as they win 28-17.

Thanks for reading my gameday predictions and I hope you all have a fabulous Saturday. GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando