Welcome Head Coach, Matt Rhule

      On Monday, November 28 the Nebraska Football Program began a new era as they welcomed Matt Rhule as the 31st Head Coach in program history. I'll be the first to admit, I was a bit skeptical of the hire myself when I heard the news. While there is still much work to be done, it seems as though Coach Rhule is getting pieces in place quickly. He wants to be successful and says Nebraska is the right fit. I've got a full breakdown of the Monday Press Conference and his first few days as a Husker.

     Set up in the Hawks Championship Center on the Huskers' indoor practice facility, a large crowd stood around a stage with HUSKERS displayed in lights below. The band played the fight song as Trev Alberts and Matt Rhule made their way through the crowd up to the stage. Trev kicked off the press conference and thanked Mickey Joseph and his staff for the efforts on the season. When talking about what led to the decision with hiring Matt Rhule, Alberts mentioned 13 different coaches were interacted with throughout the process, and that Rhule was target "1A" for the Huskers. The vision Alberts gave for Nebraska is to once again be the "premiere development program in college football", with a focus on "toughness". Alberts said Rhule posses the leadership, strategic thinking and attention to detail needed to build this program and culture.

     As Matt Rhule stepped to the stage you could tell one thing for sure, he looked excited. He looked happy to be there, far more than his predecessor. Rhule opened his remarks by thanking his family, saying he took this job because it is the right fit for them. He appreciated the "leadership and alignment" found with Trev throughout the search and is excited to be part of a program focused on player development once again. I wasn't surprised too much by his opening remarks, but his demeanor started to draw me in. His own vision for the program sparked my attention as he not only wanted to "build a team that's tough and hard-working", but one that Husker fans "could be proud to watch". This stuck out to me. Although not a Nebraska native, Rhule has done his homework and quickly learned what the Husker Football team means to the people of this state and beyond. He wants to bring this program to a level in which fans don't have to moan and groan each Saturday morning, wishing the team would play competent football for four full quarters. Understanding the fanbase and how to manage that relationship is a big part of this job and argubly one of the toughest in all of College Football. Nebraska isn't necessarily a people that demand perfection, but they demand effort. They demand passion. We know the Sea of Red will give it right back come September of 2023, so until that point the Head Coach of Nebraska Football needs to give that drive and passion back to the fans.

     As for building success on the field, "winning the line of scrimmage" is the key according to Rhule. Recruitment focus will be targeted with his connections in Texas but also wants to put a revived emphasis on recruiting in-state athletes as well. "We have to recruit people who want to wear the N". This was a big statement from Rhule that clearly shows what he wants to build. He stated he was offered other jobs during the process, but chose Nebraska over those and sitting out a year because of the opportunity to build the culture here. Last but not least, Rhule wants his players, his program and especially his family, to be part of the community. "We're going to be at restaurants, we're going to be at little-league games", he stated. This particular note of his press conference is where I was truly impressed. This has been a side project for far too long, mostly supported by other organizations like the Team Jack Foundation. But to have a primary focus on this for the Husker Football program, I think that is a great thing. I'm not the only one either, I spoke with UNL Chancellor, Ronnie Green, following the press conference and that was the sentiment he appreciated most. "We haven't had that truly since Osborne I believe," said Green. One thing is for sure, Matt Rhule is here to make a difference.

     Over the last few days we've all seen many tweets and posts wondering who Matt Rhule would bring in for his coaching staff. While not all the dust has settled yet, here's what some of the positions look like thus far along with their most recent role.

Offensive Coordinator: Marcus Satterfield - South Carolina OC/QB Coach

QB Coach: Jake Peetz - LA Rams Asstant

Running Backs: E.J. Barthel - UConn RB Coach & was with Rhule at Temple & Carolina

Defensive Line: Terrance Knighton - Carolina Panthers Asst. DL Coach

Secondary: Evan Cooper - Carolina Panthers Cornerbacks Coach, Recruitment Experience

Special Teams Coordinator: Ed Foley - Carolina Panthers Asst. Special Teams Coach

Strength Coach: Corey Campbell - Carolina Panthers Asst. Strength Coach

     This is looking to be a solid team of coaches thus far. Unsurprising with the connections to the Carolina Panthers as Rhule was fired from that program earlier this fall. Statistically, Rhule's teams have always had impressive defensive ratings. While at Temple in his final season with the owls in 2016, they ranked 3rd in total defense in the nation. Baylor ranked 3rd in the Big XII and 39th overall in 2019 when he was named Big XII Coach of the Year.

     This is an interesting hire with a lot riding on its shoulders. I think there's certainly great potential with Matt Rhule, and his opening press conference as Head Coach of the Huskers certainly gave me a shot of Kool-Aid I wasn't expected. Excited to see what promises turn into actions and more excited to see if he needs a top notch recruiter who knows this program better than most on this campus. Good luck to Coach Rhule and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Rivalry Week Predictions

      Happy Thanksgiving football fans! I am extremely thankful for you all reading my blog each week, This is always my favorite football weekend of the year as it often has some of the best games accompanied by the wonderful Thanksgiving Feast. While conference realignment and scheduling has taken away some of the great rivalries in college football, we still have many of the great ones to watch and there are a lot of big implications on the line with some of these games. So, grab a plate, sit back, and enjoy a full weekend of some of the best College Football games of the year. IT'S RIVALRY WEEKEND!

Week 12 Record: 13 - 2

Overall Record: 123 - 60

Mississippi State at #20 Ole Miss (The Egg Bowl)

     Lane Kiffin has emphatically stated he is not going anywhere and has his sights set on the Egg Bowl trophy for the Rebels of Ole Miss. They welcome in the Pirate Mike Leach and his Bulldogs from Starkville into Oxford. Both teams are statistically equal in terms of points per game and points given up. Ole Miss has a more balanced offensive attack averaging over 500 yards per game. Quinshon Judkins leads their rushing attack with a 6 yard per carry average and 16 TDs on the season. Mississippi State has been decent against the run game, but if the Rebels can get Judkins moving that will open up a lot of things on offense. I honestly expect a high scoring game between these two tonight as both offenses are the focal point of these teams. This one will be close but Kiffin has something big to prove in this one after all the rumors this week. Rebels take the Egg Bowl 38-33.

#19 Tulane at #24 Cincinnati

     This ranked v ranked matchup in the American Conference has big weight to it as the winner locks up their spot in the American Conference Championship game and home field advantage. The loser needs the almost impossible task of 1-10 USF upsetting rival UCF so they can still attend the conference championship for a rematch of this game. UCF has head to head wins over both Tulane and Cincy, so the loser falls beneath them in conference rankings. Looking at this game, both teams are almost identical in the stat sheet. Green Wave RB Tyjae Spears will be an X-factor in this game as he average 6.4 yards per carry and helps with the Time of Possession game for Tulane. The QB battle is about dead even, so turnovers are the big key to winning this game. Both teams are in the positive margin for turnovers, so I'll lean toward the home team. Cincy has had sustained success over the past few years and I think they hold on to attend their 4th straight American Conference Championship. Bearcats beat the Green Wave at home 31-24.

NC State at #17 North Carolina

     A surprising Georgia Tech upset has knocked the Tar Heels down a few pegs, and now they have to host the in-state rival Wolfpack in order to bounce back. NC State is looking to bounce back as well after they've fallen to Boston College and Louisville the last two weekends. The Wolfpack have always been tough on defense, but the offense this year has struggled. As for the Heels, their sensational Freshman QB Drake Maye is making a hell of a Heisman Campaign with over 4,000 total yards and 39 TDs so far this season. I think he'll be too much to stop and the Heels win this one behind a big performance from Maye. North Carolina 33, NC State 20.

Florida at #16 Florida State

     The Gators have had a disappointing season, but have a unique opportunity to spoil some Florida State fun as they're looking for their first 9-win season since 2016. Whenever you talk Florida football these days, it starts (and ends) with Sophomore QB Anthony Richardson. The 6'4, 230 lbs. hometown kid leads the Gator offense and has accounted for 23 total touchdowns so far this season. There is talent around him, but nothing has quite clicked this year. Still many pieces to figure out, but this could be a dangerous unit next year. This year however,  I give the nod to the 'Noles. Florida State is led by Junior QB Jordan Travis who has 26 total TDs and just 4 picks on the year. The biggest story is the FSU defense, giving up just 18 points per game on average, they rank 11th in the nation in total defense. That's the deciding factor in this one and I've got Florida State winning the Sunshine State Showdown 30-17.

South Carolina at #8 Clemson

     Over the last 7 years (Clemson's current win-streak in the rivalry), this game hasn't been much to shake a stick at. Clemson has dominated the series with only one game being decided by single digit points. This year however could be different. The Gamecocks have been up and down but have a big spark with their upset win over Tennessee last week where they dropped 63 on the Volunteers and knocked them out of Playoff contention. The Tigers still have an outside shot at getting back into the playoff picture, but they need some help and they need to make some statements. South Carolina isn't a big feather in the cap as a win, but if they can flex their muscles this would be a helpful piece to the resume. Clemson's defense is much tougher than Tennessee's though, so I wouldn't expect 63 points from the Gamecocks in this one. If Clemson can get a ground game going to help out DJ Uiagalelei a lot. Tigers win their 8th straight against the Gamecocks 35-17.

Coastal Carolina at James Madison

     Due to a (stupid) NCAA rule, despite the early and impressive success in their first season as a member of the FBS, James Madison is not allowed to participate in post-season games including the Sun Belt Conference Championship. Coastal Carolina has that spot locked up from their division, but an asterisk would certainly be put next to their name should the Dukes come out victorious in this one. The Chanticleers are always one of my favorite teams to watch and Junior QB Grayson McCall continues his winning ways with over 2,300 yards passing, 21 TDs and just 1 pick. The QB on the other side is no slouch though. Senior Todd Centeio has 2,410 yards passing so far this season with a 21:5 TD to INT ratio. James Madison is favored by 14 points at home but that just doesn't sit right to me with how Coastal Carolina has played the last few weeks. Chanticleers with the upset on the road for another 10-win season. Coastal Carolina 31, James Madison 28.

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

     There's more than just the Axe on the line for the Gophers in this one. Minnesota is looking for their first set of consecutive wins in the series since 1993-94. Wisconsin has dominated this series over the last few decades and despite their disappointing season, they could still finish 7-5 and with a bowl game on the horizon. Despite a 263 yard performance from Mohamed Ibrahim, the Gophers threw away (literally) an easy victory against the Hawkeyes. Watching that game in person was very fun (and cold), but I once again could not believe how stupid decisions always cause teams to flop against the Hawkeyes. Wisconsin is tough on defense as usual, but if the Gophers stick to the ground game they could run away with this one. Ibrahim is one of the best running backs in the nation and has been nearly impossible to stop all season long. GIVE HIM THE BALL AND THEN GIVE IT TO HIM MORE! Gophers win two straight against the Badgers for the first time in nearly 30 years with a 21-17 victory.

Kansas at #12 Kansas State (Sunflower Showdown)

     The Wildcats are riding a 13 year win streak into this rivalry game, and usually don't give this matchup much concern. However, no one is overlooking the Jayhawks any more. Despite some bumps in the road, Kansas is bowl eligible for the first time since 2008 and could spoil their in-state rival's season with an upset win, potentially keeping them out of the Big XII Title game. Jayhawk QB Jalon Daniels brings a dynamic spark to the offense, but back-up QB Jason Bean is always ready if injuries occur. He's stepped in multiple times this year and played well, so the offense should run well with both. Kansas State's offense also has two talented QBs with Junior Will Howard and ex-Husker Adrian Martinez. Both bring a different skillset as Howard brings the air attack while Martinez manages the option game. It looks like Howard is starting to take the QB1 spot, but don't discount the option of both being played. With so many QBs on both sides being options, the defensive units have a lot to prepare for. K-State's defense has been impressive all year and I'll give them the nod as they make it to the Big XII Championship for the first time since 2003. Wildcats 38, Jayhawks 17.

Auburn at #9 Alabama (The Iron Bowl)

     The 2022 Iron Bowl doesn't have as much weight behind it as previous years, but it's still the game you don't want to lose for either school Auburn can get bowl eligible with an upset win, but Bama doesn't just lose 3 games in a year willy nilly. Bryce Young and the Tide have slowly been getting more rhythm on offense. Auburn has been playing tough the last few weeks under interim head coach Carnell Williams. They could hang around in this one but I like Bama to win their 3rd straight in the series. Crimson Tide 34, Tigers 17.

#13 Washington at Washington State (The Apple Cup)

     The Huskies are hoping for a big Beaver upset over the Ducks as they play this game late Saturday night. They'll know that result ahead of this kickoff, but regardless the potential for a 10-win regular season for a first-year head coach in Kalen DeBoer is phenomenal. Ex-Hoosier QB Michael Penix Jr. has been a key piece in that, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards and accounting for 28 total TDs. His counterpart, Cameron Ward, is a D-II transfer who had 47 TD passes a year ago with Incarnate Word. This season he's currently sitting at 21 passing TDs with another 4 on the ground. He's led the Cougars on a 3-game win streak throughout November and they'd love nothing more than to win two in a row against the Huskies. This should be a close in up in the Palouse, but I think UW takes the Apple Cup home with a 30-27 victory.

#15 Notre Dame at #6 USC (Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh)

     Notre Dame and USC battle in LA as the Trojans look to boost themselves into the College Football Playoffs. They got snubbed in the rankings yet again as they should be ahead of LSU in the CFB Playoff rankings by my count. The Trojans have one of the best offensive attacks in the nation led by ex-Sooner QB Caleb Williams. He's accounted for 40 TDs so far this season and nearly 4,000 total yards. The Irish have been very impressive since early in the year, losing just 1 of their last 9 games. They would love to spoil USC's season and give Marcus Freeman a 9-win regular season to start his tenure at head coach in South Bend. Their defense has been stout, holding points to an average of 20.3 points. They'll need to have a big night if they want to slow down the USC offense. The big factor in this is the USC defense. They have been susceptible to points, but lead the nation with a STAGGERING +20 turnover margin. The Irish are dead even on the turnover margin and have lost 11 fumbles this year. That won't cut it in this game. USC builds their Playoff resume with a win over the Irish and snap a 4-game losing streak in the series. Fight On as the Trojans win 34-28.

#9 Oregon at #21 Oregon State

     The annual showdown between the Beavers and the Ducks carries a little more weight as Oregon State could potentially knock their in-state foe out of the PAC-12 Championship game. The Ducks need a win to lock in their spot. Senior transfer QB Bo Nix has been fantastic this year and is not getting enough attention as a Heisman candidate or top tier draft pick in my opinion. He came back from an injury against Washington to help the Ducks hold off Utah last week. They will need a big night from him as the Beavers rank 2nd in the conference in total defense and 25th overall. They've got home field in Corvallis, but I like the Ducks in this one. I think their offensive firepower will be too much for the Beavers to keep pace with, even with a couple of stops. Bo Nix leads Oregon to the PAC-12 Title game with a win against in-state rival Oregon State. Ducks 33, Beavers 24.

#3 Michigan at #2 Ohio State

     There's never much needed to add fuel to the fire in this rivalry, but a top 3 matchup and an inside track to the College Football Playoff will do just that. The Wolverines and Buckeyes meet as unbeaten foes for just the fourth time in series history. The other historical fact to mention is that Michigan has not won in the Horseshoe since 2003. This game is tough to predict to be honest. Michigan has looked solid all season long but had a few close calls, especially last week. Ohio State has looked dominant all year but nearly stumbled last week as well and injuries have plagued many of the key weapons on this team. The defenses will be fun to watch in this one as they have to try and slow down these high-powered offenses. Michigan brings in the 4th ranked rushing offense in the country behind Junior RB Blame Corum. He's got nearly 1,500 yards on the ground to go along with his 18 TDs. He's the focal point of their offense and will set up the play action passes downfield to Ronnie Bell. Ohio State has been solid against the run this year, but gave up nearly 300 yards through the air last week to Maryland, so look for Michigan to attack the secondary with play action. On the other side, Ohio State's offense is all run through Junior QB C.J. Stroud. He's rocking a 35:4 TD to INT ratio so far this season and many of those have gone to Sophomore stud Marvin Harrison Jr. at wideout. Harrison Jr. has been uncoverable this season, catching passes for 1,037 yards and 11 TDs. Michigan's secondary is going to have a number of headaches with him. I really can't tell how dominant each of these teams are as the BIG 10 has not been extremely impressive this season but Michigan came out early and punched Ohio State in the mouth last year on their way to victory. They will need to do the same if they want to make that happen this year. I think Ohio State is looking to return the favor and I'll take the Buckeyes at home. This should be a good one! Ohio State 31, Michigan 28.

Nebraska at Iowa (The Heroes Game)

     Nebraska and Iowa set up for their annual Black Friday game as the Hawkeyes look for a birth into the BIG 10 Championship. I once again am furious at the fact that despite their atrocious playing of the game, Iowa still wins games. Mostly due to the incompetencies of their opponents, but credit needs to be given where it is due. The Hawkeyes have a solid defense which keeps them involved in every game and they don't shoot themselves in the foot. They simply lie in wait until their opponent shoots themselves and take advantage of the opportunity to win. Nebraska has more than enough talent and ability to win this game and knock the Hawkeyes out of Indianapolis, but luckily for the black and gold faithful, the Huskers are the "hold my beer" program of shooting themselves at the worst possible moment. In modern college football I don't know if I've seen a program find more ways to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory than the Huskers. Many of those instances occur against Iowa too. I hope I'm wrong, but here's how I predict this game going. Nebraska takes a 10-7 lead with strong defensive play and a turnover in the first half. Unfortunately, the Huskers are done scoring from that point and after multiple punts in the second half Nebraska will have a golden opportunity to hand the ball to Anthony Grant and put the game on ice, potentially with another score late in the 4th. However, they'll opt to try an ill-advised pass to the double-covered Trey Palmer while the offensive line lets a 4-man pass rush through in under 2 seconds to hit Casey Thompson while throws. An Iowa linebacker takes it into Husker territory and the defense decides to have a communication breakdown resulting in a Spencer Petras touchdown pass with less than a minute on the clock that Nebraska will subsequently waste with a sack and an attempted screen pass. Again, I hope I'm wrong. I hope Mickey Joseph and crew noticed that Mohamed Ibrahim averaged 6.7 yards per carry against the Hawkeyes and Anthony Grant could do similar damage (and be the first Husker to rush for 1,000+ yards in a season since 2018) if the ball was just put into his hands with a couple of sensible blocks in front of him. I hope the defense can manage more than 1 takeaway and sack against a Hawkeye offense that ranks 130th out of 131 teams in the nation. I hope clock management and field position are taken into consideration when making decisions. As for now though, that is all just a hope. I'll be proudly donning my BEAT IOWA hat and crewneck all day tomorrow despite the result, but I've got the Hawkeyes winning 14-10. I really hope I'm wrong and I hope Purdue is able to go to the BIG 10 Championship.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Baylor at #23 Texas - The Longhorns need a win and a K-State loss to get into the Big XII Championship game. Baylor nearly knocked off TCU last week and would love to spoil the Texas season finale. I don't think they're going to be overlooked though. Hook 'Em as Texas wins 28-21.

Purdue at Indiana - The battle for the Old Oaken Bucket takes place in Bloomington as the Boilermakers and Hoosier write another chapter in their rivalry. The Boilermakers could find themselves in Indianapolis for the BIG 10 Title game with a win and Hawkeye loss. Their offense is tough to stop when O'Connell is on, so expect a big day from him. Boilermakers win 38-24.

Arizona State at Arizona - The Duel in the Dessert features two teams that don't have much to play for other than pride. The Territorial Cup is on the line in this one and Jedd Fisch is looking to get his first win in the series as HC of the Wildcats. They've lost 5 straight to the Sun Devils, but I like their chance in this one. Neither team has much defense, so expect a good amount of points. Wildcats win at home 40-33.

#18 UCLA at Cal - The Bruins fell short of their PAC-12 Title game chances in the battle for LA last week, but can finish the regular season with 9 wins and get a good bowl game slot with a victory here. Cal is looking to build momentum for next year and there's potential Wilcox could get fired as he's on the hot seat. DTR should have a big game in this one as UCLA wins 38-21.

Wyoming at Fresno State - There's not anything big on the line in this one, but the Cowboys fell to the Broncos last week by just 3. If you're betting I'd take Wyoming to beat the 15 point spread in this one. The Bulldogs have been susceptible to the run game and Titus Swen for Wyoming averages 5.3 yards per carry. Closer than the experts think but Fresno State holds on 30-21.

Georgia Tech at Georgia - The Ramblin' Wreck need a win to get bowl eligibility. Unfortunately it must come against the #1 team in the nation. Bulldogs roll in this one 45-10.

Memphis at SMU - This will just be a fun game to watch for the offensive firepower. If you're betting I'd take the over. Ponies beat the Tigers 48-42.

Michigan State at #11 Penn State - The Spartans have multiple players charged from the incident at Michigan and that will be a big distraction. They lost the Old Brass Spittoon to Indiana last week and their season is all but over. Nittany Lions win big, get the Land Grant Trohpy and get a nice bowl slot. Penn State 35, Michigan State 14.

#5 LSU at Texas A&M - Just a few years removed from the 7 OT thriller, this rivalry game doesn't have much zest to it this year. A&M has been the biggest disappointment of 2022. They could play spoiler to the Tigers, but this team doesn't have it. Tigers big with a 30-14 win.

#10 Tennessee at Vanderbilt - The Vols stumbled big against South Carolina last week and lost star QB Hendon Hooker in the process. Vanderbilt upset Florida and is one win away from their first bowl game since 2018. Motivation is key in this one and although I've been touting Rocky Top all year long they better watch themselves in this game. Give me the Commodores on Rivalry weekend with a 27-24 stunner.

Oklahoma at Texas Tech - The Sooners clinched bowl eligibility last week but I still don't trust them in many games. The Red Raiders have been good at home separate of the Baylor game so Guns Up! Texas Tech finishes their regular season strong with a 30-24 victory over the Sooners. Their first win in the series since 2011.

Thanks for reading all my Rivalry Week Predictions and I hope you've all had a great Thanksgiving. GO BIG RED and BEAT IOWA!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 12 Predictions

      We're here at Week 12 of the College Football season, which means almost all SEC teams get to have their mid-November cupcake on their schedule. Despite the built-in BYE weeks down south, there are still quite a few interesting matchups to watch this weekend. Here's all the big games to watch!

Week 11 Record: 9 -10

Overall Record: 110 - 58

Illinois at #3 Michigan

     After having the BIG 10 West Division nearly locked in, the Fighting Illini now find themselves with a 4-way tie for first place with Minnesota, Purdue and Iowa all joining Illinois at 4-3 for conference play. The Illini have lost the last two games and now travel to the Big House to take on the Wolverines. Both teams have a solid rushing attack and stout defenses. However, I think Michigan is far more legit than the Fightin' Illini. Michigan 34, Illinois 14.

#4 TCU at Baylor

     This is a BIG trap game for TCU to watch out for. Coming off a big win on the road at Texas with all the pageantry and hype from College Gameday, a road trip to your arch rival is just a recipe for disaster. Luckily the FROGS are quite adept at finding a way to win tough games. TCU keeps on winning and beats rival Bears 27-24.

#15 Kansas State at West Virginia

     The Wildcats are looking to hold onto that number 2 spot in the Big XII so they have a revenge opportunity against the Frogs. West Virginia had a surprising win at home against Oklahoma last week that likely saved their coach (at least for now), so don't count them out with this game being played in Morgantown. They will need to stop the run, but I think K-State will be too tough on defense to let this one slip. Wildcats win on the road 28-17.

Iowa at Minnesota (Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale)

     A bronze Pig Trophy is on the line as the Hawkeyes and Gophers meet for their annual BIG 10 West Battle. Both teams are tied for first in the division with records of 4-3, so this is a big game with only one more week before we go to conference championships. I will actually be attending this game today rather than the Husker game, so be sure to look for me on TV! I have the unique opportunity to rep my 'skers by wearing my BEAT IOWA hat and BEAT MINNESOTA sweatshirt. I'm excited to see a new stadium and rivalry game in person, but this will certainly be a cold, gridlock BIG 10 game. Iowa's stout defense should shut down the Gopher offense, but scoring for themselves is an entirely different question. I think the first team to 20 (if they get that many) wins this game and having watched Minnesota in person and with them being at home I'll give them the not. Gophers win the Pig as they beat Iowa 20-17.

#22 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (BEDLAM)

     Unfortunately the last BEDLAM game doesn't have much spice to it as the Sooners come in at 5-5 still trying to make a bowl game and the Cowboys have been embarrassed multiple times this year. This is yet another historic rivalry conference re-alignment is killing off and it's sad no one is making an attempt to keep it with a permanent non-conference matchup for rivalry weekend like Georgia Tech/Georgia, Florida/Florida State or Clemson/South Carolina. Nonetheless, this is still BEDLAM and crazy things happen. Oklahoma State is a 7 point underdog on the road despite being ranked and this one should be a shootout. Both defenses have been a mess this year and I really don't know who to trust. Oklahoma very rarely loses BEDLAM though, so I'll take them at home 40-35.

#7 USC at #16 UCLA (Battle for LA)

     The Trojans and Bruins are square off in a major conference showdown that could make things very interesting in the PAC-12. Without divisions this year, there are multiple scenarios that could lead to teams leapfrogging over someone they've lost to due to weird tiebreaker rules. USC sits atop the conference and has their best (still slim) shot at making the College Football Playoffs. However, they're ranked #7 without having played or beaten a ranked team. UCLA slipped up last week, losing to Arizona, but don't discount the Bruins. Having watched them play a lot this year, look out for this offense. USC's got all they hype with Caleb Williams, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson is a veteran QB with a lot of weapons from ex-Michigan RB Zach Charbonnet and ex-Duke receiver Jake Bobo. This could be a high-scoring affair and I'm sure USC is out to prove they are the real deal. I'm not quite sure I buy it yet, so Bruins it is. UCLA 44, USC 37.

#10 Utah at #12 Oregon

     The Ducks slipped (literally) up last week and lost a game to the Huskies they certainly should not have. They need to rebound quick with a dangerous Utah team coming to town. Again, the PAC-12 could get really interesting the last couple weeks trying to see who will go to the conference championship. Utah is always tough on defense and poses a big threat to Oregon, but they struggle on the road and you know Oregon is looking to make up for last week. S'co Ducks as they win 37-31.

Wisconsin at Nebraska (Battle for the Freedom Trophy)

     It's been a decade since the Huskers last beat the Badgers in Football (and unfortunately half that time in Volleyball as well). The Freedom Trophy didn't even exist last time the Huskers won this game. Both teams are not good this year and this will be a cold, rugged game in Lincoln today. The Badgers will look to lean on RB Braelon Allen who has over 1,000 yards with 10 TDs on the ground. The Husker defense should hold solid for a while, but if the offense doesn't start something soon this game will putter out in favor of the wrong red and white team. Casey Thompson is expected to return for Nebraska which should help significantly, and if they were going to beat Wisconsin this would be the year. However, I still can't trust this team to make it to 20 points before their opponent as Nebraska is usually done scoring after the second drive at best. Wisconsin wins again as the Huskers fall on Senior Day. Badgers 21, Huskers 10.

Quick Hit Predictions

#1Georgia at Kentucky - Headaches early but DAWGS win big 38-13.

#24 NC State at Louisville - Watch out for the Cardinals, Louisville with a sneaky one 24-21.

Texas at Kansas - Jayhawks need to score early if they want to win this game. Get Texas down quick. However, the defense is too much, Hook 'Em. Texas 28, Kansas 17.

Texas Tech at Iowa State - Cyclones have a stingy defense, but the Red Raiders should take this one 33-27.

Boise State at Wyoming - A little Mountain West action to keep you on your toes. Great rivalry game but the Broncos still have this number 34-20.

#14 Ole Miss at Arkansas - The Hogs hung around with LSU last week without KJ Jefferson. If he's able to go today I like their chances. Woo Pig Sooie upsets 24-21.

Syracuse at Wake Forest - Both teams have fallen from the ranks quick but have great QBs to watch in this one. Demon Deacons at home, I'll give it to Sam Hartman. Wake Forest 33, Syracuse 28.

Thanks for reading my gameday predictions and remember to watch for me on TV up in Minnesota. GO
 BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 11 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 11 of College Football! This is always a unique point in the season where things are just a few weeks from wrapping up the season but still so much to decide. We had a lot of big shakeups last week with the CFB Playoff Rankings, but there's potential for more upsets this week. Let's dive right in and look at the big games to watch for Week 11.

Week 10 Record: 7 - 10

Overall Record: 101 - 48

Wisconsin at Iowa

     The Badgers and Hawkeyes meet in battle for a bronze Cow. This game has potential for some BIG 10 Championship game implications, but even with a win both teams will need some help by Illinois stumbling. Regardless, this classic midwestern matchup should feature rugged defense and tire-fire offense led by a semi-strong ground game. Both teams have had numerous struggles on offense this year but with a heavy dose of rushing attack both defenses should know what to expect. Surprisingly though, the Hawkeyes' offense has the 119th ranked rushing attack this year, so even that has fallen with their woes. Their defense will keep things tight, but I don't think they have enough boost to finish off the Badgers. Wisconsin wins in Iowa City 24-17.

#9 Alabama at #11 Ole Miss

     The Alabama Crimson Tide have lost 2 regular season games for the first time since 2019 and are essentially eliminated from the College Football Playoffs this season. They travel to the Grove to take on the Rebels today who have stumbled a bit, but Lane Kiffin's squad has been on the right side of a majority of their close games. The offensive weapons for Ole Miss, RB Quinshon Judkins and WR Jonathan Mingo need to be the focus in this game. They are some of the best athletes in this game and can be the difference-makers against an angry Alabama defense. On the flip side, I don't see many issues for the Bama offense in this one. They woke up in the second half against LSU, scoring 25 points after halftime. However, their defense continues to give up big chunk plays at the wrong time this season. They need to step up in this one and I think they will. Roll Tide as they win 36-27.

#22 UCF at #17 Tulane

     The Green Wave were so close to hosting College Gameday, but Austin, Texas got the nod instead. Although many are ignoring the 8-1 boys from New Orleans, the Knights of UCF aren't taking anything for granted. Statistically these teams are nearly identical, so this is where I dig deep and find a hidden stat that could break this game open. One interesting stat is that the UCF defense has the best Red Zone Conversion rate in the country, giving up scores just 61% of the time. However, a stat going the way of the Wave is the turnover margin. UCF is -5 while Tulane is +4. Turnovers are a game breaker, and I want to see the Wave keep rolling. Plus they did their own College Gameday bit to announce their uniforms for today. Tulane wins a good one at home 31-28.

#25 Washington at #6 Oregon

     A classic battle in the Pacific Northwest takes place as the Huskies look to keep pace in the PAC-12 conference. A loss here would all but eliminate them from PAC-12 Title contention, but they've lost 3 straight to the Ducks. With Bo Nix playing at a Heisman level, Autzen stadium is going to be wild tonight. Nix is responsible for 35 Touchdowns so far this season and has Oregon's offense rated #2 in the nation. Washington has a talented QB of their own with ex-Hoosier Michael Penix Jr. He's accounted for 25 TD's himself, so we could see plenty of points in this one. The Huskies have won a lot of close games this year, but they've struggled against high powered offenses and I really like Oregon at home. Ducks beat the Huskies 40-24.

#19 Kansas State at Baylor

     The Wildcats stumbled against the Longhorns at home last week, which means they need some help to get into the Big XII Title game. The Horns, Bears and Wildcats are all sitting at 4-2 in conference play. Baylor has a November gauntlet to run through with K-State and TCU at home then ending on the road at Texas. These next few weeks will help a lot with who is going to end up in the Big XII Title game as TCU takes on Texas today and Baylor next week. Regardless, in this game, K-State will look to bounce back with a heavy dose of Deuce Vaughn and Adrian Martinez. Defensively is where most of their issues came from last week as they gave up nearly twice the average amount of points they allow. Texas got out to a hot start and the Cats had to claw back into the game. If Baylor hits them with a couple of big punches early, this could slip from K-State as well. I see this being a tight game, but I like Baylor to edge it out at home. Sic 'Em as the Bears hold off the Wildcats 34-30.

Kansas at Texas Tech

     Another Kansas team visits a Texas team this week as the Jayhawks take on the Red Raiders. Kansas is bowl eligible for the first time since 2008 despite losing their star QB a couple of weeks ago. The Red Raiders are just a couple games off of bowl eligibility in the first season under hometown hero Joey McGuire. This will be a fun and unique game to watch if you have the time because both offenses are sneaky explosive and can put up points. Texas Tech needs to win 2/3 to become bowl eligible and while this will be a tricky one, I think they take this one at home. Guns Up! Red Raiders 37, Jayhawks 33.

#15 North Carolina at Wake Forest

     The Tar Heels keep squeezing out victories while the Demon Deacons continue to fall short the last few weeks. UNC ranks 120th in the nation in Pass Defense, so if Sam Hartman and the Wake Forest offense can wake up, they should have a field day. Defensively for Wake, they need to get pressure on Drake Maye. The Freshman sensation has 31 TDs through the air this season with just 3 picks. This should be a great QB battle and I'm still going to give my nod to Sam Hartman. Wake Forest 38, UNC 31.

#23 Florida State at Syracuse

     I had probably too much hype for the Orange the last few weeks and they’ve now lost 3 straight. The ‘Noles on the other hand have won their last two after a few close losses in October. Junior QB Jordan Travis leads a dynamic offense that averages just under 34 points per game. Syracuse has struggled to slow opponents down the last few weeks, so look for FSU to have success with big plays. Seminoles win on the road 34-24.

#4 TCU at #18 Texas

     Gameday is in Austin yet again as the Longhorns take on the 4th ranked Horned Frogs. TCU's offense is #1 in the Big XII and leads the nation in 60+ yard plays with 8 so far this season. The Longhorn defense is no slouch though, their linebackers fly all around the field making tackles and sitting very well in zone coverage to make things difficult for Max Duggan. Duggan never seems to waver though, he's always calm, cool and collected. TCU just knows how to win games and with Duggan leading the charge, they are tough to stop. Star wideout Quentin Johnston is questionable with an ankle injury, but there's too much talent, speed and power on this offense to be slowed down. Hypnotoad is in full effect as TCU wins a big one on the road 38-31. FROGS!!!

Nebraska at #3 Michigan

     This matchup between College Football blue bloods takes place as Jim Harbaugh is looking for his first 10-0 start to a season since he was with the University of San Diego. The Huskers on the other hand are looking for a coach who can win more than 3 or 4 games in a season. This one is likely to get ugly because although the Husker defense has been playing well the last few weeks, Michigan's offense is at another level. Star RB Blake Corum has nearly 1,200 yards on the ground with 16 TDs so far this year and 6 yard per carry average. The Huskers need to gang tackle him in order to slow down the rushing attack and prevent him from running wild. On the flip side, Nebraska will be without QB Casey Thompson again. This means we are likely to see Chubba Purdy and Logan Smothers again, although I think Smothers should get the nod. He looked far more under control against Minnesota and the Huskers probably could've won the game if he had been put in sooner for the second half. Regardless, the number one goal for the Huskers is get the ball to Anthony Grant and Trey Palmer in space. They really need to ride Grant more when he's hot. Through the first two drives last week he had 12 carries for 86 yards. Until the middle of the 4th quarter he only had 5 more carries for 11 yards. USE YOUR BEST PLAYERS! Don't get your hopes too high Husker fans, we might not cover. Michigan 45, Nebraska 14. GO BIG RED!

Sidenote: The first ever Bussin' Bowl takes place as there is now a trophy from the Bussin' with the Boys podcast hosted by ex-Husker Will Compton and ex-Wolverine Taylor Lewan.

Quick Hit Predictions:

#7 LSU at Arkansas - The Tigers have a trap game today in the battle for the Golden Boot Trophy. Arkansas has fallen off the radar a bit with a 5-4 record, but with LSU coming off the Bama win and Pig Sooie motivated at home this could be closer than the Tigers want. They should get out with a W though. LSU 27, Arkansas 21. KJ Jefferson is out for Arkansas.

Oklahoma at West Virginia - The Sooners still need a win to get bowl eligibility and WVU is spiraling toward firing their head coach. Mountaineers need a spirited effort but I don’t think they have it. Boomer Sooner 41-24.

Liberty at UConn - The Huskies are just one win away from bowl eligibility under Jim Mora, but a win over Liberty today is a big ask. They will play well but I expect Liberty to walk out the victors in this one 33-17.

Maryland at #14 Penn State - A classic rivalry out east takes place as the Nittany Lions host the Terps. Maryland has looked good in games against lesser opponents, but against a defense like Penn State they will be on lockdown. Nittany Lions 35, Terrapins 14.

Louisville at #10 Clemson - The Clemson Tigers do not look great this year and there’s legitimate fears around the CFB world they could lose to Louisville at home. Although the Tigers’ offense is struggling and the Cardinals lead the nation in sacks, I don’t believe Clemson has fallen as much as people say. They need a shake up for sure and to get some new playmakers on offense, but they win this one in Death Valley 38-21.

Purdue at #21 Illinois - The Boilermakers fell quickly in the BIG 10 West ranks, and despite their surprising loss last week the Illini still have a 1 game cushion over the rest of the division. They should ground and pound this one so Illinois 27, Purdue 17.

Iowa State at Oklahoma State - Both teams had huge hype around Big XII Championship Dreams and both have fallen off drastically. The Cyclones still need a couple wins to get Bowl Eligible and The Poke are in a bad spiral. I can never predict either of these teams right but I’ll take Iowa State for no particular reason. Cyclones 30, Cowboys 28.

Appalachian State at Marshall - Both the Mountaineers and the Heard are one win away from bowl eligibility, and they have the exact same remaining schedule with Georgia Southern and Georgia State. This game is more for bragging rights, but features a solid App State offense on the road against the Heard's defense. I usually give the nod to the defense at home, but there's just something about Chase Brice with App State. Mountaineers take this one 27-24.

#1 Georgia at Mississippi State - Stetson Bennett is legit and I apologize for doubting him. The Pirate’s air raid could give some headaches, but don’t expect them to hang around for long in this game. UGA wins the battle of the Bulldogs 42-14.

Thanks for reading my gameday predictions and enjoy your College Football Saturday!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 10 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 10 of College Football and for the Huskers, it's BROKEN CHAIR WEEK! Nebraska squares off against Minnesota for the best trophy in all of sports, the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy. The Twitter feud-made trophy has not found its home in Lincoln since 2018. This week has a MASSIVE slate of big games, and some very sneaky games you'll want to keep an eye on. We're into November football, so upsets will occur. Enjoy the GAMEDAY predications and GO BIG RED!

Week 9 Record: 10 - 3

Overall Record: 94 - 38

Texas Tech at #7 TCU

     The Horned Frogs are on the outside looking in after the first CFB Rankings, but can continue their unblemished season with a win at home over Texas Tech. A statement win would help TCU tremendously, but despite the Red Raiders 4-4 record, they are very talented on offense and will be upset minded in this one. Last week TTU could not get things moving as they fell to Baylor 45-17. They have not been consistent this season and the inconsistency will cost them against TCU. No matter what, the Frogs find a way to win. They'll be in a bit of a battle, but expect to see some muscle in this game. TCU wins 38-23.

#18 Oklahoma State at Kansas

     The Pokes were stunned last week by K-State as they lost 48-0, and now they travel back to the Sunflower State to take on the Jayhawks. Kansas has fallen off the radar the last few weeks suffering 3 straight losses after their hot start to 2022. They will be looking to right the ship against the Pokes, but a bounce back game might not be the best place to start. Oklahoma State will look to demolish KU as they try to fight back into the Big XII Title game mix. Look for Oklahoma State to bounce back in this one with a 37-33 victory.

#24 Texas at #13 K-State

     Despite the constant beatdowns the Wildcats are serving up to their Big XII foes, Texas is still favored in this one. Star QB Quinn Ewers is back and leading this offense well, but K-State's defense is the 11th ranked unit in scoring defense for the nation. They've shut out both Oklahoma and Oklahoma State this year. The Longhorns are coming off of a BYE week which is helpful, but Kansas State (the underdog) wins this game with a solid performance. Adrian Martinez is a game time decision, but backup QB Will Howard has been sensational in replacement, so no matter who plays, the Wildcats beat the Longhorns 34-21.

#4 Clemson at Notre Dame

     The Irish proved me wrong by knocking off Syracuse, but now the #4 ranked Tigers come to South Bend. Both teams will look to ground and pound with their running backs in this one. My X-factor to watch is the turnover game on defense. Notre Dame has just 5 takeaways all year while Clemson's defense has 12. If the Tigers start ripping the ball out, it could be along night for Notre Dame. My uncle can call me a hater all he wants, but I haven't seen enough to say the Irish are winning. Clemson holds off Notre. Tigers win this one 28-20.

#1 Tennessee at #3 Georgia

     There's a battle of Titans set between the hedges this afternoon, for just the 3rd time in College Football history we have a #1 versus #1 matchup. The Vols and the Dawgs square off for the biggest game of the season and the inside track to both the SEC Championship and the College Football Playoffs. Georgia has not had many challenges outside of their near stumble at Missouri earlier this year, so there's a lot of questions on how good they really are. They've dominated lesser competition all year long but due to that fact they were given a #3 ranking in the CFB Playoffs compared to their #1 AP ranking. They have one of the best athletes in the country playing Tight End, Brock Bowers. The appropriately named Sophomore leads the Bulldogs in receiving with 547 yards and 3 TDs. He's a very difficult force to bring down, and is not one to miss a block in the ground game. Tennessee will need to know where he's at on the field at all times. As for the Volunteers, they walk into Athens with the #1 offense in the nation. The QB-WR duo of Hendon Hooker and Jaylin Hyatt have accounted for 14 TDs together and look to blow the top off this Georgia defense. There's a lot of hype around UT and they will need to manage that target on their back. This feels like a game where Georgia crushes the glass slipper of this year's Cinderella, but Tennessee has shown they are built different this year. I'm taking the Vols in a crazy upset, I hope this one is as good as it looks. Vols 31, Dawgs 27. Good ole ROCKY TOP!

#6 Alabama at #10 LSU

     Normally the biggest game of a weekend like this, but the classic SEC West Rivalry between Bama and LSU takes a bit of a back seat today. They are still the prime time game tonight and the lights in Death Valley always make the game interesting. Bama & LSU have a lot to fight for still as the Tide look to recover from their loss on Rocky Top a few weeks ago and the Tigers still have a shot to get to the SEC Championship in Brian Kelley's first year. Junior QB Jayden Daniels has been playing very well this season, throwing for 12 TDs and just 1 pick. He also leads LSU in rushing this year with 524 yards. The Tigers' offense hasn't been anything special, but they've been consistent and one of the best in the nation on converting 3rd downs with 49% conversion rate. The Tide's offense has woken up the second half of this season and Heisman winner Bryce Young is looking to be in top form with a 19 TD to 3 INT ratio. Both defenses in this one have their work cut out for them, but I'll give the nod to Alabama in this one. Brian Kelley has turned this first year around since the opening week loss, but beating Bama your first year in the conference doesn't happen. Roll Tide as they win in Death Valley 34-20.

#12 UCLA at Arizona State

     We've got two fantastic PAC-12 After Dark games, and we'll start with UCLA on the road in the desert. The Sun Devils have had an up and down season since firing Herm Edwards, but they're always a pick for an upset. UCLA has skirted that loss a few times so they need to be sharp tonight. Keeping pace in the very crowded PAC-12 is their only shot at potentially avenging that loss to Oregon in the conference championship. I think DTR has a big night and lights up the Sun Devil defense down in the desert. Bruins win 37-20.

Cal at #9 USC

     Our other late night upset potential out west takes place in LA as the Golden Bears take on the Trojans. USC is also looking to square off against (most likely) the Ducks in the PAC-12 Championship, so they can't afford any more slip ups. Caleb Williams has Heisman caliber numbers with nearly 2,400 pass yards with 24 TDs and just 1 pick. He should light up the Golden Bear defense, but look for Jack Plumber to give some headaches to USC. The Trojans rank 94th in pass defense, so Cal has an opportunity to keep pace in this game. USC pulls away in the second half though and looks good with a 45-21 victory.

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

     The Huskers host the Golden Gophers as they battle for the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy! Nebraska is in dire need of a moral boost after a very poor offensive performance against the Illini last week. The Gophers come in with a solid defense, giving up just 14.4 points per game. The Huskers' offense has been extremely inconsistent this season, and with Casey Thompson being questionable for today, things could get ugly if a ground game is not established. There was no patience with it last week and I think there was a lot more opportunity for Anthony Grant to get yards if they would've tried more on the ground. It's likely that if Thompson can't go the nod will go to Chubba Purdy. I personally think Smothers is a better option due to his ability to run the option, but we'll see what happens. Purdy did not look great in the second half of last week's game. He locked in on receivers, threw across the middle late and had no rhythm. A lot of that can also be attributed to the Husker O-Line, but who every plays QB for the Huskers today needs to take command and make some big plays. Minnesota's defense is vulnerable, especially if the Huskers can get the ball to Trey Palmer. Defensively, Nebraska played very well last week and kept the Huskers alive all game. They will face another heavy dose of run game today with Mohammed Ibrahim and the Gopher O-line. They should handle it fairly well, but will need support from the Husker offense so they're not on the field the whole time. There are plenty of ways the Huskers can win this game, most of them going through giving the ball to Grant and Palmer, but unfortunately this team just does not have it. You could feel it last week watching in the stadium, nothing about the product on the field will really get better this season they way they're playing. As much as I hate to make predictions like this, I think the Gophers walk out with the Broken Chair yet again. Hopefully they prove me wrong, but I've got Minnesota beating Nebraska 24-14. Someone fix this and bring me home a broken chair. GO BIG RED!

Quick Hit Predictions:

#21 Wake Forest at #22 NC State - The Demon Deacons should've dominated last week, but with 6 turnovers, they got dominated. They can't do that against NC State's rugged defense, but I like Sam Hartman to bounce back. Wake Forest wins 34-30 on the road.

Florida at Texas A&M - The Aggies have been so close the last few games but can't get over the hump. Now they've got the Gators coming to Kyle Field and have a shot. Neither team has done very well this season, and I really don't know who to trust. I'll take the home team, but this is not a confident pick for either side. Aggies 27, Gators 21.

#20 Syracuse at Pitt - The Orange let me down last week and Pitt did as well. Not sure who will step up first in this game, but the Panthers were shredded by the pass game last week so I'll give the 'Cuse the nod. Orange 37, Panthers 31.

Iowa at Purdue - The Hawkeyes and Boilermakers meet in West Lafayette for a typical BIG 10 mediocre November football matchup. Both teams have been underwhelming this year, despite Purdue having some big wins in early October. Good defense is always a staple at Iowa, but I've got Purdue hanging on at home. 23-20 Boilermakers win!

Maryland at Wisconsin - I still can't figure out the Badgers this season, but they should be able to handle Maryland at home. Feed Braelon Allen at RB and On Wisconsin as they beat the Terps at home 28-13.

Baylor at Oklahoma - Two teams that were pegged to be atop the Big XII standings are stuck in the middle due to some very rough performances this season. The Bears only have close losses though, so Sic 'em as Baylor wins on the road 38-35.

BYU at Boise State - The Cougars started hot but have disappeared quick. They didn't have a single win in October and I think they start November with a loss too. Broncos win 40-20.

Florida State at Miami - The Seminoles and Hurricanes clash in a classic rivalry that has lost its luster. Miami won last week but didn't score a TD. The Seminoles have been scoring a lot of TDs lately with 32.1 points per game on average. FSU beats Miami 36-28.

Thanks for reading my GAMEDAY Predictions and GO BIG RED! Someone bring me that Broken Chair!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando