Week 9 Predictions

      Happy Saturday football fans! We've got some serious football weather here in Lincoln as it's supposed to be close to freezing temps tomorrow for the Husker's game against Purdue. This post has a quick break down of the Northwestern victory for the Huskers along with my predictions for all the Week 9 games you want to watch. Tons of information packed into this post, so let's get to it.

     Nebraska's victory against Northwestern last week helped the Huskers reach an above .500 record for the first time since 2019. It wasn't pretty, but with another stellar performance by the Blackshirts, Nebraska held the Wildcats to just 9 points. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories for my game break down below.

GOOD - The Blackshirts. The Husker defense has quickly become not only a strength of the team, but the foundation of it. Defensive Coordinator Tony White deserves every penny of his paycheck and probably deserves Marcus Satterfield's paycheck as well. The Blackshirts smothered Northwestern all game long and bailed out the offense from multiple disaster situations. With a decent offense Northwestern probably should've been up 17-0 halfway through the first quarter, but the defense held them back. With 8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, it was one of the best (non-signal stealing) defensive performances I've seen in a while.

EXPECTED - Special Teams improvements. This area of the game has slowly been improving for the Huskers this season and it's great to see. Freshman Kicker Tristian Alvano drilled a 47 yard field goal, Brian Buschini downed 4 of his 7 punts inside the 20 and Tommie Hill had a 36 yard kick return. Lots of work to do in this category, but small victories are a big step in this area of the game.

BAD - Offensive play calls. Opening with a pass play against the worst rush defense in the conference is just one of the many concerning calls from the game against Northwestern. Emmett Johnson was running the ball in the first half, but the Huskers opted to attempt Joshua Fleeks early in the second half. There were 3 fumbles and a couple of bad picks in this game by the Huskers as well. Some of this blame can go to the players for a variety of reasons, but putting them in a successful position has been limited. Don't expect the offense to be winning us games right now.

Week 8 Record: 13 - 6

Overall Record: 102 - 31

#6 Oklahoma at Kansas

     Week 9 has potential for a lot of teams to get upset if they're not prepared for a battle, and the first of those upset possibilities is set to take place in Lawrence, Kansas. The Sooners travel up to take on the Jayhawks in a series they have DOMINATED throughout history. Kansas hasn't beat the Sooners since 1997, but could this be the year? The Sooners came out flat against UCF last week and had to stop a 2 point conversion in order to prevent that game from going to overtime. Kansas is coming off a BYE after a bad loss to Oklahoma State, so they're itching to get back in the conference title game race. Jason Bean will be starting again, so no Jaylon Daniels to help spice up this offense. Bean has been solid this year, throwing for 913 yards with 9 TDs and just 2 picks. He'll need to be sharp today as Sooner QB Dillon Gabriel is likely to put up big numbers as always. With more than 2,100 yards, 19 TDs and just 3 picks, he's certainly on some Heisman radars. This could be a high-scoring affair, and as much as I want to see (and will be rooting for the upset), I think Oklahoma has a bit more firepower. This should be a fun one to watch, but I'll take the Sooners on the road 38-28.

Clemson at NC State

     The Tigers are coming off an overtime loss against Miami, who got their first victory against Clemson since 2010. NC State had a BYE week to think about their 24-3 loss to Duke and will certainly be looking to score some more points in this game. Despite the offensive struggles for both units, defense is always a guarantee in this game. Currently both squads don't rank where they normally do as Clemson is 39th in scoring defense and NC State is 55th, but with just 1 victory (2021) over the Tigers since 2013, this is likely to be a gritty game. It's hard to know what to expect from either offense, especially with the struggles Cade Klubnik has had this season. I'll take Clemson, but this will be a grind of a game. Tigers win on the road 26-17.

#1 Georgia vs Florida

     The Bulldogs and Gators meet in Jacksonville for their annual showdown, but star TE Brock Bowers will be out for Georgia. This is another "upset potential" game as Georgia has been seen as flat this season, but we just don't know what to expect from Florida. They're so up and down and I struggle to see how they'll manage this game. However, this rivalry has had some crazy finishes before. The Dawgs have won 5 of the last 6, largely due to dominating the turnover margin. However, they're sitting at an even 0 turnover margin on this season while the Gators are -2. Turnovers make some of the biggest impacts when it comes to rivalry games, and I'll take Georgia 27-17.

#20 Duke at #18 Louisville ($)

     The Blue Devils fell apart in the 4th quarter after arguably dominating their game against Florida State. Star QB Riley Leonard is questionable for this game, and if he had been able to finish the FSU game it could've easily gone the other way. Defense is the big story in this game as Duke and Louisville rank 24th and 26th in total defense respectively. Jeff Brohm has the Cardinals at 6-1 in his first year at the helm, but have been sitting on their BAD loss to Pitt a couple weeks ago with they BYE week. The extra week should help, but I think Duke wins this one close on the road with another big performance by their defense. Blue Devils 27, Louisville 23.

#8 Oregon at #13 Utah

     Can the Utes pull off back to back PAC-12 upsets? They finished off the Trojans on the road with an impressive late drive and game-winning field goal, but now host the electrifying Ducks in Salt Lake City. I'm bummed this game is during the Husker game, because I really wanted to watch this one. Oregon has the most efficient offense in the nation, averaging over 550 yards per game and 47 points per game. The Utes play a rugged style of football though and the Ducks haven't won in Salt Lake City since 2016. This is always a great rivalry and both teams are coached by two of the best in the country. If you can watch this one, expect to see a great battle between Bo Nix and the Utes defense. Utah got a lot of pressure on Caleb Williams last week, securing 3 sacks but rushing his decision making and causing issues in the timing of their offense. With all the hype from Oregon, Washington and USC this year, people forget there's only one team that has won the last two PAC-12 Championships. Utah, Oregon and Washington are all in battle for that opportunity to represent the conference in the Playoffs, so this is a difficult pick. The Utes lost once to an Oregon team already, and the Ducks were a field goal away from going to overtime with Washington. This will be a good one, but give me the Ducks to edge this one out! Don't count the Utes out of the PAC-12 Championship yet, but Oregon wins a BIG one on the road 31-28.

Wyoming at Boise State

     Both the Cowboys and Broncos come into this Mountain West Rivalry game off a BYE week following a tough losses to Air Force and Colorado State respectively. The Broncos blew a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter to lose that game, so you know they're looking to right that ship. Wyoming is going to show up and run the ball right down your throat. I've talked about him a few times this season, but Junior RB Harrison Waylee averages 7.2 yards per carry, and loves to run through defenders, not around them. I think he carries them to victory and further into the mix for the Mountain West Championship. Cowboys rope the Broncos up on the road 23-17.

#21 Tennessee at Kentucky

     The Vols are looking to bounce back after their loss to Bama, but now travel to Kentucky as the Wildcats come off a BYE week. Both run defenses are physical and give up under 110 yards per game on the ground, so pacing a run game will not be easy in this one. Look for a lot of the action to come through the air, Joe Milton III and Devin Leary will be slinging it, but neither of these offenses have been has dynamic as expected. I still think Tennessee's one of the better teams in the East though and if they want to compete with Georgia they need to win this game on the road. Vols win it 30-24.

Michigan State at Minnesota ($)

     The Spartans and Gophers clash for a chilly BIG 10 battle in the Twin Cities. Michigan State has lost 5 straight games since their 2-0 start and Mel Tucker being fired. Minnesota has bounced back into the BIG 10 West race with their victory over Iowa last week, so this is an important game to keep them in the mix. There actually is a very unique opportunity for the BIG 10 West to end in a perfect 7-way tie, the perfect ending for the most special conference division in football in my opinion. Regardless, I expect Minnesota to handle business at home. Their defense should hold strong against the Spartans and offensively, Freshman RB Darius Taylor is one to watch. Sparty is all out of sorts and it doesn't look like it will be fixed soon. Gophers at home 23-14.

#3 Ohio State at Wisconsin

     After a big win against Penn State in the Horseshoe the Buckeyes head to Mad-town to take on the Badgers. Former Buckeye defensive lineman and interim Head Coach Luke Fickell now runs the Wisconsin squad and would love to secure a top 5 victory in his first season as head coach. The Badgers have a tough defense, but offense has been a struggle this year. They've shifted back to a run-focused attack after QB Tanner Mordecai injured his hand against Iowa, but back-up QB Braedyn Locke led an impressive 4th quarter comeback against the Illini last week. Ohio State is a different beast though. Marvin Harrison Jr. is damn near impossible to stop out at wide receiver, and the Buckeye defense will smother the Badgers. Ohio State stays tough 34-14.

Colorado at #23 UCLA

     The Buffs return after their BYE week to take on UCLA on the road. Quickly trying to forget their monumental collapse against Stanford, but the Bruins defense will not be easy to deal with. Colorado has been able to put up points in almost every game, so we could see a lot of offense here. Travis Hunter and Shedeur are a connection made in heaven, but the Buffs have weapons all over the offensive side of the ball. For UCLA, they run (literally) through Junior RB Carson Steele. With a 5.3 yard per carry average the Buffaloes need to tackle well to stay competitive in this game. I like the Bruins at home though as Colorado drops to 4-4 following a 33-21 loss.

#11 Oregon State at Arizona ($)

     In all the upset potential games this weekend, this is my biggest pick. I've been a big fan of the Beavers the last couple years and think they are one of the most dangerous teams in the conference with how they run the ball. HOWEVER, the Wildcats down in Arizona have been sneaky all year long, and coming off they BYE week to be rested, watch out for this game. They lock down teams for under 100 yards rushing per game so their defense against the Beaver offense will be fun to watch. Beardown as the Wildcats pick up the upset win at home 27-24. Spooky things happen during PAC-12 after dark!

Purdue at Nebraska

     We've got a cold, late October, BIG 10 West game set in Lincoln as the Boilermakers come to town to take on my Huskers. Nebraska is riding high with their first winning record since 2019, but the Spoilermakers are looking to notch another BIG 10 win under new head coach Ryan Walters. They've won 1 of their last 5 as opposed to Nebraska who has won 4 of their last 5 (very weird, but wonderful, to say that). Nebraska's defense is the big storyline of this game, as they rank 21st in the nation in total defense. Pressure on the QB should be consistent as the Huskers average more than 3 sacks per game and Purdue has given up 17 so far this season. This is a BIG 10 West game, so you know the drill. First team to 20 wins the game! I've got my Huskers at home as they inch closer to bowl eligibility. Huskers 23, Boilermakers 18. BOILER DOWN!

Quick Hit Predictions:

West Virginia at UCF - The Gold Knights are so close to getting their first Big XII victory, and hosting West Virginia is the perfect chance. The Mountaineers are on the downslide after back to back tough losses, so give me the Gold Knights! 36-31 UCF.

BYU at #7 Texas - The Longhorns were bailed out with a TERRIBLE ball spot for Houston last week, but now host BYU in Austin. The Cougars have been too up and down for me this year. Hook 'Em as the horns win it 35-14.

Mississippi State at Auburn - Neither of these teams have much of a say in what happens with the SEC West, but this is a fun match up to battle for bowl eligibility. It's a great spot for Auburn to get their first conference victory of the season and finish out a close game. The Bulldogs have two straight wins, but that defense is still a question mark to me. I'll take the Tigers close at home 27-24.

#24 USC at Cal ($) - The Trojans suffered back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Utah, primarily due to their horrible defense. Offensively they were smothered by Notre Dame too, and Utah was pressuring Caleb Williams all night long last week. They need a bounce back win and should handle this one 38-20.

Marshall at Coastal Carolina - Solid QB battle in this one, but defense tells the story. Coastal is a solid team and plays very well at home. Marshall is not a bottom of the conference team though, and they upset the Chanticleers on the road 34-30.

UNLV at Fresno State - Two 6-1 Mountain West teams do battle in an effort to keep pace in the tight Mountain West race. Both teams have been able to find a way to win close games, but give me the Bulldogs at home off a BYE week. Fresno State 24, UNLV 21.

Perfect Parlay:

1. Minnesota over Michigan State but under 40.5 total points.

    - I like this bet because it's a classic BIG 10 game. Cold, rugged and two teams that don't do much on the score board. Gophers in a low scoring affair.

2. Duke over Louisville

    - The Blue Devils are likely getting Riley Leonard back and have one of the best defenses in the nation. Louisville will be high-flying on offense, but this is going to be won in the trenches. Blue Devils win!

3. Arizona over Oregon State

    - I told you this was my big upset pick of the day and although it's an undercard game, the Wildcats will make a big statement. Arizona beats the Beavers at home in the desert.

4. USC -14 over Cal

    - The Trojans need a bounce back win and need points. Caleb Williams and this offense is still deadly, they're going to show it. USC wins by 14+.

Thanks for reading my Week 9 Predictions and GO BIG RED! Stay warm if you're watching the Huskers!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 8 Predictions

      Happy Saturday Football Fans! We're into week 8 of the College Football season and are set for the back half of the year when conference games get heavy and the matchups mean more. The Huskers are set to run their back half of the season following their BYE week hosting Northwestern at home and we've got a lot of other big games to watch today as well. This post will give a brief reflection of the Huskers at the mid-way point of the season, and my keys to work on in the second half along with all my Week 8 Predictions and my Perfect Parlay of the week. Clearly my CFB knowledge has not translated over to the sports betting world as of yet, but we're starting to get some things figured out. Enjoy the games this weekend and GO BIG RED!

     Through six games the Huskers are sitting at 3-3 with a wide open BIG 10 West ahead of them. There are certainly winnable games left on the schedule, but Nebraska still has a ways to go before we can trust this team to perform at a high level consistently. In the last decade, the Huskers have never finished better than .500 after the BYE week, so there's a lot to be said about finishing what you've started. Here are 3 things we have learned from the first half of the season and 3 things to watch for in the second half.

What we have learned:

1.    Heinrich Haarberg is QB1, but this offense still needs a lot of help. Injuries to playmakers have made it difficult to move the ball consistently and find big plays. The Huskers rank 113th in the nation in plays of 10+ yards.

2.    The Blackshirts are stout and deserve a lot of credit for the team's success. Defenses often click sooner than the offense when learning a new system, and DC Tony White certainly has this squad on the same page. The Huskers rank 24th in the nation in total defense and give up an average of just 21 points per game.

3.    Poor decision-making and a lack of discipline continue to be a major issue on this team. From questionable play-calling/clock management to the Huskers ranking 70th in the nation for penalties with an average of 53.3 yards per game.

What we need to look for:

1.    Better play-calling. With a new system and so many injuries (forcing coaches to play younger players), I can understand why Satterfield may not open up the entire playbook. However, situational play-calling has been extremely questionable throughout the season and I'd really like to see that change. Multiple times with a lead late in the game Nebraska opts to throw multiple pass plays and avoid running down the clock. This is a young offense with a not very good offensive line, keep it manageable.

2.    Someone needs to be a playmaker. Malachi Coleman has been named a starter for this week, Anthony Grant has a wide open backfield to takeover in, Thomas Fidone should be a major threat in the passing game. Look for someone in this offense to step up and make big plays for the Huskers in the back half of the season, the team needs it bad.

3.    Blackshirts set it up, but the offense needs to finish. The Husker Defense will certain keep the team within striking distance of every game remaining on the schedule, but finishing drives and scoring points is the only way Nebraska finds a bowl this season. The Huskers rank 2nd to last in the nation in Red Zone Conversions, this stat needs to change.

Week 7 Record: 14 - 5

Overall Record: 89 - 25

#7 Penn State at #3 Ohio State

     We start off this week's picks with one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, Penn State at Ohio State. The BIG 10 East could very well wind up with Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan all beating each other. However, I think this game gives a big indication to us on who will be taking control of the West. Ohio State didn't hold back against Purdue last week, despite the injuries to their playmakers on offense. Penn State had a nice tune up game beating UMass 63-0. This game will be a major challenge for each offense as their young QBs take on two of the best defenses in the nation. Drew Allar has yet to throw an interception this season for the Nittany Lions but Kyle McCord and the Buckeyes have one of the best talents in the nation at Wide Receiver with Marvin Harrison Jr. He's got 5 TDs to go with his 604 receiving yards, so Penn State's secondary will be tested quickly. Their pass rush is what makes the difference in this game though, as they rank 3rd in the nation, averaging 4.5 sacks per game. Putting heavy pressure on Kyle McCord will pay off as I think the Nittany Lions win this one on the road 30-28.

#22 Air Force at Navy

     The Falcons are 6-0 and top dogs of the Mountain West. However, none of that matters when you play your rivals. The Midshipmen would love nothing more than to start reclaiming their crown as the top Military Academy in Football. They've struggled the last few years, but there's always an extra boost in a battle like this. Both teams are going to come out with heavy rushing attacks, looking to control the clock and pound the rock. It's going to be chilly, rainy weather as well, so I wouldn't expect a lot of big plays. Air Force should take care of this one and I've got the Falcons on the road 24-14.

Washington State at #9 Oregon

     The Ducks are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Washington on the road after a missed field goal failed to push the game into overtime. Wazzu is coming off back to back losses after being ranked as high as #13, and last week's loss was a throttling by Arizona 44-6. This game has potential for some points if Cameron Ward and the Cougars can find their offense again. No matter what though, this game is all about the Ducks. They played a fantastic game in Seattle and are likely itching to get back on the field again. I don't think they'll be any hangover in this one. Bo Nix puts up big numbers and the Oregon defense suffocates Cameron Ward and the Cougars for a 40-17 victory at home.

#17 Tennessee at #11 Alabama

     This game was an absolute THRILLER last season as the Vols upset the Tide and tore down the goal posts at Rocky Top. Everyone is waiting for Tennessee to have a breakout game this season as their offense has not been quite as dynamic, ranking in the 30s for both Total Offense and Scoring compared to their first place finish a year ago. Joe Milton III has a cannon for an arm but chemistry with the receiver corps hasn't quite been there yet. Jalen Milroe for Bama is starting to get in his groove, throwing for nearly 1,400 yards with 11 TDs. However, he's been sacked 26 times already this year, so pressure in the pocket is a big area of concern for Alabama in this game. Tennessee ranks 6th in the nation in sacks, so this will be the stat to watch. This one could get close at the end as Bama has struggled to hold teams completely down, but they still with an arm's length victory of 30-20. Roll Tide

South Carolina at #20 Missouri

     The Gamecocks have had a tough few weeks, but none more frustrating than giving up two late touchdowns to the Gators and ultimately the victory last week. Missouri has quietly become a sneaky team to watch in the SEC East. Their offense has been extremely efficient with Brady Cook at QB but most importantly WR Luther Burden III has been a menace to opposing secondaries. The Sophomore standout has 808 yards with 5 TDs on the year. South Carolina gives up an average of 321 yards per game though the air, so expect Burden to have a day. Tigers get to 7-1 at home 34-20.

Minnesota at #24 Iowa (Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale) ($)

     We've got a Bronze Pig up for grabs as the Hawkeyes host the Gophers in a game where you should expect the ball to be kicked more than it's thrown to a receiver. The Hawkeyes managed 37 pass yards in their game against Wisconsin and actually completed a pass to a receiver unlike their game against Purdue. The Gophers are looking for a rebound game after losing 3 of their last 4 and wanting to get back into the BIG 10 West race. Their offense hasn't been much better than the Hawkeyes, but Freshman RB Darius Taylor has been a bright spot with nearly 550 yards, 4 TDs and a 6.1 yard per carry average. He'll be up against the equivalent of a brick wall with Iowa's defense though. The Hawkeyes rank 10th in scoring defense, giving up just 14.9 points per game. This is in large part due to their fantastic punting game, which averages more yards than their offense and consistently flips the field to put opposing teams in bad field position. Punting wins games and (unfortunately) it will win the game again for Iowa, along with a couple of dumb 4th quarter mistakes by the Gophers. Iowa 13, Minnesota 7.

Wisconsin at Illinois ($)

     Another BIG 10 West Battle where you could see a baseball score heading into the second half. Wisconsin is coming off a very disappointing loss to Iowa at home where they also lost Tanner Moredecai to a hand injury. Illinois bounced back from their loss to my Huskers as they surprised everyone with a walk-off field goal win on the road in Maryland. The Bret Bielema Bowl should follow my rules for BIG 10 West Football which means the first team to 20 wins the game. Wisconsin will be back to running the ball more and I still don't trust Illinois despite their performance last week. Badgers 23, Illini 13.

Oklahoma State at West Virginia

     Are the Pokes and the Mountaineers the best challengers to Oklahoma in the Big XII? These two teams have gotten hot recently and despite two weeks of picking against the Cowboys they've proven me wrong. Both teams have developed strong run games behind their Sophomore Running Backs Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) and CJ Donaldson Jr. (WVU). Both backs are tough to bring down with Gordon measuring in at 6'1 211 and Donaldson at 6'1 238. The Mountaineers have had a few extra days to sit on their last second loss to Houston from the Hail Mary, so look for them to come out ready to play. Maybe the 3rd time is the charm because I'm picking against the Pokes again. WVU wins at home 33-27.

UTSA at Florida Atlantic ($)

     An under the radar game in the American, but these two teams are fighting to keep pace with SMU and Tulane in the conference. Both teams got back on track once October started after a rough September. Both teams also average in the mid-upper 20s for points per game, so this one should be tight the whole way. On paper the stats match up all quite evenly between their top playmakers, so I'll take the home team. I think FAU has some potential in the back half of the season to make a run in the American. Owls win over the Roadrunners 31-28.

#13 Ole Miss at Auburn

     The Tigers have lost 3 in a row but now get to host the Rebels for a potential upset. Ole Miss has handled their business apart from the Alabama loss and have a good opportunity to win the West with a Bama stumble. Jaxon Dart has been torching defenses all season long and I expect a similar result in this one. Rebels win on the road 37-21.

#2 Michigan at Michigan State

     The Big Brother and Little Brother meet again amid a NCAA investigation into alleged sign stealing by the Wolverines and coaching chaos in East Lansing after firing Mel Tucker a few weeks ago. Michigan has looked nothing less than impressive this season, pounding the rock and taking care of business in every facet of the game. Michigan State blew a 21 point 4th quarter lead against Rutgers last week and have struggled offensively this season. Wolverines roll in this rivalry 40-17.

#16 Duke at #4 Florida State

     One of my most anticipated matchups of the weekend takes place in Tallahassee as the Blue Devils take on Florida State for one of the top spots in the ACC. This should be a really interesting game to watch, especially if Duke QB Riley Leonard can play. FSU is my dark horse for the natty and they've been playing a very high caliber of football. Jordan Travis and his receivers have been near unstoppable and the defense forces a lot of turnovers, sitting at a +5 turnover margin so far this year. Duke’s defense is no slouch though, they rank 4th in the nation for scoring defense and have only given up double digit points twice all season. FSU is on major upset watch in this game and I think it could be far closer than the experts think. I’ve got the Seminoles hanging on in a scare from the Blue Devils down in Tallahassee. FSU 26, Duke 24.

#14 Utah at #18 USC

     The Trojans come home after a brutal loss in South Bend to the Irish, and now host the reigning conference champs who beat them not once, but twice last season. Cam Rising is still out however, so the offensive production for the Utes will likely be mediocre at best. Caleb Williams is looking to bounce back from his first ever 3-interception game. He'll be up against a Utah defense that loves to bring pressure, ranking #7 in the nation for sacks. Williams has been sacked 10 times in the last two games, so look for this to cause issues for the Trojan offense. Typically, they score in bunches, but against Utah, that's not likely. They have a very disciplined defense, ranking #1 in Opponent 3rd Down Conversions with just 23% given up. I'm taking the Utes on the road. Utah wins 38-28.

Clemson at Miami

     An ACC battle that involves two teams trying to put a full game together in hopes of getting back into the conference race. Clemson is not the powerhouse it once was, but their defense is still extremely difficult to move the ball on. They are giving up around 260 yards per game to opponents, but have not been able to get their own offense clicking. Miami needs to get that Monkey off their back after losing two straight to Georgia Tech and North Carolina. I like how Tyler Van Dyke has been playing but give me the Tigers for a 28-17.

Arizona State at #5 Washington ($)

     A potential hangover game for Washington as they host the Sun Devils of Arizona State. I don't see ASU hanging around much in this one, but it's fun to watch Michael Penix Jr. and this offense get to work. They have great play calling and a team with their eyes on the prize. Huskies cover and win 38-10

Northwestern at Nebraska

     The Huskers are back home and host a (surprising) 3-3 Northwestern team that had a horrible mess of firing Pat Fitzgerald. I laid out my keys to this game (and the rest of the season) above, but one area that concerns me in this game is 3rd down. The Huskers' have not had great at converting, sitting at 37.84%. Northwestern has plenty of struggles, but getting of the field on 3rd down is one of their strengths, giving up just 40%. Heinrich Haarberg will have a big target on his back with the Northwestern defense, but celebrating 100 years in Memorial Stadium, there's no way the Huskers are losing. The Huskers need some playmakers to step up, but this is a BIG 10 West matchup, which means I follow my rule, first team to 20 wins the game. I've got my Huskers at home 21-14.

#1 Wisconsin at #2 Nebraska (Volleyball)

     We have a BIG TIME showdown at the Devaney Center tonight as Husker Volleyball takes on their arch rival and #1 team in the nation, Wisconsin. The Badgers and Huskers are both 16-0 on the season and have dominated everyone in their path. Wisconsin owns this series as of late, winning the last 10 meetings, including the 2021 National Championship that went to 5 sets. Nebraska is youthful with not a single senior in the rotation, but those ladies have TALENT! Ex-Gator Merritt Beason has been dominating all season and Husker Freshman Harper Murray is one to watch. My eyes are always on Lexi Rodriguez though because she does not let a single ball hit the floor. The Huskers have a phenomenal defense, allowing opposing teams to hit just .144. GIVE ME BIG RED AT HOME! Huskers win 3-1 and take the #1 spot in College Volleyball.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Texas Tech at BYU - Both of these teams have disappointed me in recent weeks with my predictions so I really don't know which way to go. I expected much more from both of these offenses, but I'll take the Red Raiders on the road. Wreck 'Em for a 31-26 victory on the road.

TCU at Kansas State - A Big XII Title game rematch, the Frogs take on the Wildcats. These teams are difficult to get a read on this year, but I'll take K-State with being at home. 27-21 Wildcats.

Boston College at Georgia Tech - The Golden Eagles and Yellow Jackets are set to play each other after each coming off a BYE. There's a lot of similarities in the numbers, so I'll take Georgia Tech 27-21.

The Perfect Parlay

1. BIG 10 West Parlay

• Iowa/Minnesota Over/Under at 32.5
• The line dropped from 32.5 to 30.5 after I placed this bet and I'd still take it.
• Wisconsin/Illinois Over/Under at 42.5
• It's the BIG 10 West, SMASH THE UNDERS

2. Florida Atlantic Money line over UTSA

• The Owls are a home underdog with a dynamic offense. UTSA has been a cinderella for a while, but I think FAU has more offensive firepower this yeas.

3. Washington -26.5 with the Under on 59.

• Again, I think Washington covers, but after a big game like Oregon, this team could sleep walk a bit. I think they cover, but I don't trust going over 59.5. The Sun Devils don't have any threat of making this a game in my onion.

Thanks for reading my game day predictions! Enjoy your Week 8 matchups and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 7 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 7 Football fans, and for the Huskers we get to enjoy the BYE week! I apologize I didn't get a reflection post out about the Huskers' win over Illinois, but I'll be including some information on that during my mid-season reflection post after this weekend. Regardless of the Huskers having the week off, there's still a ton of great games to watch today, so I've got a full slate for you today. Check out all my picks below and enjoy your College Football Saturday!

Week 6 Record: 12 - 5

Overall Record: 75 - 20

Iowa at Wisconsin (Battle for the Heartland Trophy) ($)

     A bronze cow is up for grabs as the Hawkeyes and Badgers meet up in Mad-town. This looks like one of the most BIG 10 West matchups you could imagine as both offenses have struggled this season, especially Iowa. They're now led by back-up QB Deacon Hill, who failed to complete a pass to ANY Hawkeye receiver last week against Purdue. Luckily for them they have the 16th best scoring defense in the nation, and are 5-0 this season when they score at least 1 point. Wisconsin has been somewhat quiet in Luke Fickell's first season, but they've had a very balanced offense averaging over 200 yards both passing and rushing. They're better built for the run with star RB Braelon Allen averaging 6.5 yards per carry. Their offense needs to run through him. Defensively they shouldn't have many issues because the Hawkeyes are unbelievably bad and there's a good chance for turnovers. As always, I follow my rule with BIG 10 West games, which is that the first team to 20 wins the game. They might not even make it to 20, but I'll take the Badgers 17-9.

Texas A&M at #19 Tennessee

     The Aggies fought hard at home against Alabama last week but fell short. Now they turn around and travel to Rocky Top to take on a Vols team that is looking for a statement win. They've got an SEC gauntlet coming up for their schedule with back-to-back road trips to Bama and Kentucky, so this home game is an important one for momentum. Joe Milton III has been solid this season, throwing for more than 1,100 yards with 9 TDs and 3 picks, but the secret to their offense is Junior RB Jaylen Wright who is averaging 7.1 yards per carry. I think they need to feed him today, despite the Aggies tough run defense. He can help bring balance to the offense and take pressure off Milton. A&M ranks 10th in the nation in rush defense, giving up just 84 yards per game on the ground. They also lead the nation in sacks, so Milton will be under pressure a lot. Unfortunately (much like Nebraska) their offense doesn't help their defense very much. The Aggies are -3 in turnover margin and that will be the difference today. Close one in Rocky Top, but turnovers and the Jaylen Wright run game help the Vols win 26-23 at home.

#23 Kansas at Oklahoma State ($)

     The Jayhawks were DOMINANT last week over UCF, even without Jalon Daniels, winning 51-22 over the Golden Knights. Oklahoma State finally woke up and beat K-State 29-21 at home. They've been very inconsistent though, especially at the QB position. Kansas has been very consistent despite their QB injuries. Jason Bean is likely to start again, but bring lots of experience and has a 4:0 TD to INT ratio so far this season. The run game will be a focal point in this one as KU rushed for a step under 400 yards in the game, and Oklahoma State gave up 220 to K-State. Despite their loss to Texas this Jayhawk team is legit, so don't sleep on them. Rock Chalk as Kansas wins convincingly on the road over the Pokes 34-20.

BYU at TCU ($)

     Sticking in the Big XII, the Cougars take their first trip to the Lone Star State as conference members to take on the Horned Frogs. We all know by now this is NOT the same TCU squad from last year, but after back-to-back tough losses, they'll be looking to right the ship at home. A big issue with this plan is QB Chandler Morris being injured for the next few weeks and is expected to miss multiple games. The Frogs have struggled on offense this season and Morris' injury only adds to that stress. BYU plays very fast on defense as well, forcing lots of turnovers with 9 on the season leading to a +4 margin. Junior RB Emani Bailey has nearly 700 yards on the ground for the Frogs, so look for him to be a major factor in this game, but I like the Cougars in a sneaky upset. Kedon Slovis at QB leads a very good passing attack and the Horned Frogs were torched for nearly 300 by West Virginia a couple weeks ago. BYU beats TCU 37-31.

#14 Louisville at Pittsburgh ($)

     The Cardinals might be the Cinderella team of 2023 as they're 6-0 in Jeff Brohm's first season back home and just beat Notre Dame by two scores. Now they have a bit of a trap game against 4-loss Pitt before heading into the BYE week. This is the perfect spot for the Panthers to pounce on a potential hangover from Louisville and get a big upset. I don't think the Cardinals are a hangover team though, and they're looking to put up points and be one of those top ACC teams. Turnovers will again be a big focus as the Cardinals are +6 and the Panthers are -4. Louisville romps them 38-17.

Arizona at #19 Washington State

     The Coogs let me down in my bet last week falling to UCLA, as they could not get any offense going against the Bruins defense. There was nothing but offense with Arizona and USC last week as the Wildcats took the Trojans to to triple overtime in a 43-41 loss. When you look back at the Wildcats' schedule you might be surprised to learn they lost by just a touchdown to Washington and a touchdown in overtime to Mississippi State on the road. Arizona might be a dangerous team and Wazzu can't just expect an easy victory back home. The players to watch in this one are Arizona WR Tetaiora McMillan and Wazzu QB Cameron Ward. Ward we know about, he threw his first 2 picks of the season last week at UCLA, but has over 1,500 yards passing and 14 TDs. McMillan is a dangerous threat to the Wazzu defense as he has 524 receiving yards and 5 TDs so far this season. He's the favorite target for the Wildcats, and at 6'5 210 you can see why when he walks into the building. Sizing up a receiver that big is difficult for any defense, so look for him to be a problem. Often times when I pick Wazzu they let me down, so we're going to take the upset this week. Arizona turns some heads with a 34-28 victory! #BearDown

Kansas State at Texas Tech

     The Wildcats are needing a bounce back after a surprising loss to the Pokes in Stillwater last week, but they have a tough road test again down in Lubbock. The Red Raiders are starting to hit their stride after an up and down start to the season, just like I thought they would! This is a big test for them though as the Wildcats are always a tough defense, giving up just 20.6 points per game so far this season. Texas Tech has found their offense the last two games, scoring 49 and 39 in the last two weeks. If this game becomes a track meet, K-State doesn't have the firepower to keep pace. Slowing this game to a slug fest is the goal if the Wildcats want to win. They racked up 220 yards on the Pokes last week, so look for them to pound the rock again. I picked the Red Raiders to be a dark horse in the Big XII this year, and that starts with a victory here at home against the reigning champs. Wreck 'Em as the Red Raiders win a good one at home 36-24 behind a big time offensive attack.

Wyoming at Air Force

     The Falcons of our US Military are unbeaten and host Mountain West rival Wyoming in a key game to determine the top spot in the conference. There's still a lot of football games to be played, but this matchup has a lot of weight to it. The Cowboys had an impressive win against Fresno State at home last week, especially on the defensive side of the ball. The slammed the door on the Bulldogs, holding them to 38 yards rushing. That will be the battle to watch in this game, because Air Force averages 329 yards per game rushing. Wyoming has a rushing attack of their own, led by Junior Harrison Waylee, who averages 7.2 yards per carry. This will likely be the closest game Air Force has played all season, so being able to hold Wyoming at arm's length will be a new challenge. I like the Falcons at home in a close one, but this will be a good game to watch if you have time to check in on it! Air Force 28, Wyoming 23.

#25 Miami at #12 North Carolina

     By now we've all heard/seen the unfathomable way Miami loss their game to Georgia Tech last week. After refusing to take a knee the 'Canes fumbled allowing Georgia Tech to win in the final second when the game was all but over. Miami has a chance to bounce back on the road against North Carolina in a match-up that has been decided by just 3 points in 3 of the last 4 meetings. Drake Maye and the Tar Heels are ramping up their offense, scoring 41 and 40 in the last two weeks. There's not many teams that score with the efficiency UNC does, as they post an 88% red zone conversion rate. Miami's defense is tough though, and they are coming in with a mission to put pressure on Maye all game long. I can't trust a team with poor coaching decisions though, so I'll take the Heels 34-31.

#18 UCLA at #15 Oregon State

     The Bruins are ranked after their big defensive win against Wazzu last week, but now they travel to Corvallis to take on the Beavers. Oregon State's only loss is a 3-point road defeat to Wazzu, but they are arguably the most dangerous 1-loss team in the PAC-12. UCLA is trying to take over that title, but they need to stop big DJ Uiagalelei and the Beaver rushing attack. Johnathan Smith's team averages over 200 per game on the ground and the Bruins give under 65 rush yards per game. Big DJ is my key factor though, because he's been extremely efficient, throwing for 13 TDs and 4 picks. This will be a grind it out game, but I like the Beavers at home. Oregon State wins 27-23.

#10 USC at #21 Notre Dame (Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh) ($)

     The Trojans and Irish renew their rivalry as USC travels to South Bend. Notre Dame has their 4th straight prime time kickoff against an undefeated ranked opponent. They gave up a last minute drive to Ohio State, were able to hold off Duke but fell hard against the Cardinals of Louisville. Now they host the #1 scoring offense in the nation led by the 2022 Heisman winner and arguably the best player in the nation. Caleb Williams accounts for 62% of the Trojan offensive attack, and practically carried them on his own to a triple overtime victory against Arizona last week. Unfortunately he doesn't have much help from his defense as they 80th ranked scoring defense in the nation. Notre Dame's defense ranks 15th, so their battle against Caleb Williams will be fun to watch. Offensively the Irish need to run. Sam Hartman needs helps making the big plays, especially from his wideouts. He's experienced and will clean up the turnovers, but I like USC in this one. Too much offense and too much Caleb Williams. The Jeweled Shillelagh goes to LA. Trojans 36, Irish 28.

#8 Oregon at #7 Washington

     The best game of the day will take place in Seattle as Oregon takes on rival Washington for the last time (regular season) as PAC-12 foes. Both teams will be joining my Huskers in the BIG 10 next season and thankfully both their QBs will be in the NFL when Nebraska faces them next. Michael Penix Jr. and Bo Nix have been two of my favorite QBs in college football over the last few years and I've followed them both closely since they were at Indiana and Auburn respectively. Both of them are in fantastic offensive systems and this is probably one of the toughest picks I've ever had to make in my 8 years of writing this blog. This game is always one of the best to watch, as 3 of the last 4 have been decided by 4 points or less. Bo Nix has the highest completion percentage in the nation with 80.4% and Michael Penix Jr. lead the nation with 399.8 yards per game through the air. Oregon's defense is one of the best they've ever had, but Washington's receiver corps is nothing to mess with. This could be a shoot out because the Washington defense has struggled to slow teams down and Bo Nix is a very smart runner out of the pocket. Home field advantage with the crowd noise will be a factor as they will look to get the Ducks' offense off script. I can't wait to see how this one goes, but I'll take the Huskies at home over the Ducks in a fantastic 31-30 victory!

Quick Hit Predictions:

#3 Ohio State at Purdue - This is the time of year we hear about the Spooky Train and they love nothing more than upsetting a highly ranked Buckeye squad. The Buckeyes are beat up with a lot of injuries as well, missing their top two running backs. Ohio State starts slow, but I don't think Purdue has enough right now to pull the upset. Ohio State 30, Purdue 17.

NC State at #17 Duke - The Blue Devils will be without star QB Riley Leonard, but are coming off a BYE week following their loss at home to Notre Dame. NC State's defense is always tough, but I think Duke makes some big plays to win this game. Blue Devils 30, Wolfpack 21.

Florida at South Carolina - The Spurrier Bowl features two SEC East teams who are all kind of forgotten about. I really don't know what to expect here but I say the Gators chomp them 33-28.

Auburn at #22 LSU - The SEC West Tigers square off in Death Valley as Auburn takes on LSU. The LSU defense has not been great, so there are points on the table for Auburn. However, they can't stop Jaylen Daniels. LSU wins 37-24.

Syracuse at #4 Florida State - After back-to-back losses the Orange are looking to play spoiler against the 'Noles. Florida State has been very consistent this year, and it all starts with Jordan Travis at QB. He's going to have another big day and the Tomahawk Chop continues as FSU wins 38-21.

Georgia Southern at James Madison - The Dukes are undefeated (again) yet still unable to go to a bowl game because of the NCAA's annoying rule of a 2 year waiting period for new D-1 Teams. Despite that they have a big match up against Clay Helton's high-flying Eagles. GSU averages just under 340 yards passing per game, but JMU doesn't lose football games. Dukes win 36-31.

Cal at #16 Utah - The Golden Bears would love nothing more than to knock off the reigning PAC-12 Champs, but even with out Cam Rising the Utes are too tough at home. Utah 27-10.

The Perfect Parlay:

1. Kansas -3 over Oklahoma State

     - The Jayhawks just laid 50+ last week without Jalon Daniels and Oklahoma State's inconsistency leads to a perfect opportunity to take the points on this one. Rock Chalk and they win by more than 3.

2. Louisville -7.5 over Pitt

     - The Cardinals are red hot and Pitt has lost 4 in a row BAD. This is a trap game but Jeff Brohm has his team ready to put up points. They put up 33 on Notre Dame last week and will go bigger here, take the points!

3. Iowa vs Wisconsin O/U 34

     - There's only 4 games in betting CFB history that had a 34 point over/under mark, and Iowa has been part of 3 of them. Classic BIG 10 West matchup and there's no way these teams reach 34. I've got the under.

4. BYU at TCU

     - As mentioned above the Frogs are without Chandler Morris for a few weeks and their team does not have the firepower of last year. The Cougars have a fast defense and they pull the upset on the road.

5. USC at Notre Dame

     - This is a dicey pick because Notre Dame always bounces back well from a loss, but the Trojan Offense and Caleb Williams are too much to handle for the Irish. Trojans win in front of Touchdown Jesus for the first time since 2011.

Thank you for reading my Week 7 Predictions and enjoy your College Football Predictions!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 6 Predictions

      Hello and welcome to Week 6 of College Football! I am back from my travels which means I'm back with predictions for all the big games to watch and a BRAND NEW segment of the blog, look for the ($) next to certain games. You'll have to read on to find out what the surprise is, but that shouldn't be a problem with all the CFB information you'll get in this post as well. I've got all the big games of the weekend laid out for you and have it ready a day early as the Huskers play tonight. Read on and enjoy!

Week 4 Record: 15 - 3

Overall Record: 64 - 15

Week 6 Predictions:

#12 Oklahoma vs #3 Texas (Red River Rivalry)

     The Sooners and Longhorns face off for the final time in the Red River Rivalry as members of the Big XII, next time they place this game it will be as members of the SEC. Both teams have had hot starts to the season, but Texas is certainly the focal point of this game. Since beating Alabama on the road they have dominated opponents over the month of September and are looking to put a stranglehold on the Big XII. Quarterback Quinn Ewers has been sensational with over 1,350 yards passing to go along with 10 TDs and 1 pick. Opposing defenses have really struggled to slow down the Longhorn offense, and Sophomore Running Back Johnathan Brooks is a big part of that. He averages just shy of 7 yards per carry and the Sooners have yet to give a rushing touchdown this season, so what will give? Offensively, Oklahoma runs through QB Dillion Gabriel and an air raid offense that averages over 350 yards passing per game. This could be one of the best games we've seen from this rivalry, but I'm giving the nod to Texas. They may actually be back with how their team is playing in 2023. Longhorns 37, Sooners 31.

Maryland at #4 Ohio State

     Two unbeaten teams from the BIG 10 East square off in the Horseshoe as we look to see who is for real and who is not. It's honestly just a test for Maryland as Ohio State is a heavy favorite over the terrapins. Ohio State hasn't been overly impressive with their wins this season, but their late game comeback against the Irish on the road was a big boost to their profile. They've had a week to rest and will be fresh for this one. Maryland is a mystery team to most. They are not usually in the mix of the top tier BIG 10 teams, but have impressive wins this season as their lowest scoring output was 31 points against Michigan State. The offense runs through Senior QB Taulia Tagovailoa, but keep your eye on Sophomore RB Roman Hemby. He averages nearly 5 yards per carry and has balanced the once pass heavy Maryland offense. Nonetheless, winning in the Horseshoe is really something only Ohio State does, this feels like one of those break out games for the Buckeyes, but we'll see if Maryland is legit by the point spread a the end. Brutus beats the Terrapin 35-17.

#23 LSU at #21 Missouri

     One of the possible SEC Tigers vs SEC Tigers games takes place this weekend as LSU travels to Mizzou. The Bayou Bengals are coming off a 55-49 loss in the final minutes against rival Ole Miss last week and were unable to score despite an impressive last drive into the red-zone as time ticked down. The defense certainly faulted against the Rebels' high-octane offense as you often win most games you score 49 points in, but regardless I'm sure Jayden Daniels and the offense will look to put up big numbers again. As for Mizzou, they're undefeated but nothing has been particularly interesting about their season thus far. The game-winning field goal against former Big XII rival K-State was impressive but this will be their first true test on that undefeated record this season. Junior QB Brady Cook has yet to throw a pick this season, but I imagine LSU will dial up some pressure and coverage packages to make life hard. I think this is a bit of a "get right" game for LSU and they win the Tiger battle 35-21.

#10 Notre Dame at #25 Louisville

     The Irish were able to close out the game at Duke last week with a strong defensive stand, somewhat easing the pain of the Ohio State loss from the week before. The go on the road again to square off against Louisville and will have to shut down the deadly passing attack of the Cardinals if they want to win. Ex-Boilermaker Jack Plummer followed Jeff Brohm to his new school and hasn't missed a beat with his head coach. The Senior already has over 1,400 yards passing with 11 TDs, but his 6 picks are one of the higher totals in the nation. Notre Dame already has 6 picks of their own this season, so ball security is key in this one. On the other side, Sam Hartman has been solid as usual, but a big performance in this game could help boost his Heisman stock. The Irish need to start getting some statement wins to turn heads in the College Football Playoff Committee, and I think this is one where they ball out. Notre Dame 37, Louisville 21.

#13 Washington State at UCLA ($)

     The Coogs hit the road to take on the Bruins in the Rose Bowl as the PAC-12 race starts to heat up. Wazzu has been one of the unique stories of College Football this season, as they are looking to go 5-0 for the first time since 2015 where they started 6-0. The program has not been involved in any conference realignment and are sitting in the remaining "PAC 2 or 2-Pac" with Oregon State, who they beat a couple weeks ago. Junior QB Cameron Ward has been sensational and has nearly 1,400 yards passing with 13 TDs and no picks to go along with his 3 rushing TDs. The air-raid attack has Wazzu ranked 2nd in the nation in passing offense, just behind their arch rival, the Huskies from Seattle. They'll be up against the nation's 24th ranked pass defense with the Bruins who already have 6 picks on the season. They held Utah to just 14 points last week and would love nothing more than to upset a ranked team at home. Offensively Chip Kelly's squad has struggled to get things moving this year. Usually a high-powered offense, they're averaging a touchdown less than last season. This game has potential for some points, but I really like how Wazzu is playing this season and coming off a BYE should be very helpful for a road game. Cameron Ward show's the nation why he's on the Heisman watch list and the COOGS win 27-21.

#11 Alabama at Texas A&M

     The Crimson Tide travel to College Station, TX in hopes of revenge from 2021 where the Aggies walked it off with a field goal. Outside of their loss to Texas, Bama has looked fairly similar to the Bama of old, holding SEC foes at arms length throughout the game. However, the offensive production has dropped them from the 11th ranked total offense in 2022 to the 88th ranked total offense in 2023. Jalen Milroe is still finding his footing as QB1 and the lack of a dynamic run game has really stunted this team. The Aggies have a perfect opportunity for Jimbo to put them back in the national spotlight with this game. Back-to-back divisional wins has A&M quickly forgetting about their opening week loss to Miami, but losing Sophomore QB Connor Weigman for the season to a foot injury is certainly not ideal. Look for the run game with Sophomore RB Le'Von Moss to be a bigger factor moving forward, especially if he can keep up the 6 yard per carry average he's currently posting. It's hard to beat Bama though and the more time Milroe has in the game the more things will click for that offense. Saban always gets revenge and the Tide Roll in College Station 30-21.

Syracuse at #14 North Carolina

     The Orange travel to Chapel Hill as the Tar Heels look to keep pace in the ACC. Syracuse suffered their first loss last weekend getting thumped by Clemson, so they're in need of a bounce back game. The QB battle will be a fun one as Garrett Shrader and Drake Maye look to light up the scoreboard. The Tar Heels average just under 36 points per game while Syracuse is just above them with 38. My big key factor is the running backs for this game. Both have very similar numbers on the season but provide a great change of pace for the pass heavy offenses. I like North Carolina to take this one at home 42-34.

Purdue at Iowa

     Thanks to a Cooper DeJean 70-yard punt return, the Hawkeyes fended off Michigan State in a game that featured very little offense. The Hawkeyes have lost transfer QB Cade MacNamara for the season so all eyes are on back-up Deacon Hill to see if he can help "Save Ferentz" with OC Brian Ferentz needing to average 25 points per game to keep his job. The Boilermakers are starting to find their rhythm with Hudson Card at QB and stomped Illinois 44-19 last week. This is the BIG 10 West (with Iowa), so expect a lot of punts and a low scoring output. As usual, I so badly want to go BoilerUp and watch them beat Iowa, but the Hawkeyes just have a way of making opponents do stupid things at stupid times. Hawkeyes at home 18-10.

UCF at Kansas ($)

     The Golden Knights have had a rough welcome to the Big XII with back-to-back losses against K-State and Baylor. They allowed the Bears to come back late in that game and had struggles closing it out. Now they travel to Lawrence where they're favored over the Jayhawks who were demolished by Texas last week. They were without star QB Jalyon Daniels and looks like they may be without him again this week. Back-up QB Jason Bean has plenty of experience, starting multiple games both last year and this year. KU hasn't been as spicy as last year, but big wins over Illinois and BYU at home have shown a lot from this team. They play very well at home and UCF has to wait another week before tasting victory in the Big XII. Rock Chalk as KU beats UCF 33-28.

Colorado at Arizona State ($)

     The Buffaloes and Deion had a rough couple weeks with Oregon and USC putting up 42 and 48 points respectively. The offense came back to life with 41 points in a near comeback against the Trojans last week, but some of the hype around this team has died down. This is the perfect time for CU to strike and get back into the spotlight. QB Shedeur Sanders has been no less than stellar this season, throwing for nearly 1,800 yards with 15 TDs and just 2 picks. He has weapons all over the field and the ASU defense has done little to stop opponents this season. The Sun Devils have yet to beat an FBS opponent in 2023 and with the 126th ranked scoring offense they could struggle to keep pace in this game. Buffs win big on the road 45-21.

#24 Fresno State at Wyoming

     A very under the radar game in the Mountain West is set for primetime on Saturday night. Fresno State and Wyoming square off in Laramie for a key conference matchup. The Cowboys lone loss is to Texas, but they did dance with the Longhorns for a while before getting blown out late in the game. As usual, the Bulldogs just show up to the next game on their schedule and leave with a W while providing a myriad of headaches for opposing coaches. The Bulldogs rank 14th in total defense, giving up just 282 yards per game on average. The player to watch in this game is Junior Running Back Harrison Waylee for the Cowboys. Through just 3 games he's rushed for 457 yards and has a 8.6 yard per carry. He could help the Cowboys stay on the field in key third down conversions, but in the 4th quarter I'm looking for Fresno State to come up with a big stop. Tight one to the end but the Bulldogs beat the Cowboys on the road in a big Mountain West game 24-21.

Nebraska at Illinois

     The Huskers travel to Champagne to play the Illini for some BIG 10 West Friday Night Lights. I will be the first to eat my words as I thought Illinois would be well on their way to steamrolling the BIG 10 West this season, but with all 3 losses coming by at least 3 scores and the 44-19 whomping from Purdue last week the team is not what I thought they would be. Illini QB Luke Altmyer has thrown 7 picks this season and the O-line has given up 21 sacks so far this season, so the Blackshirts have a golden opportunity to cause havoc on defense. With so many questions on offense for the Huskers, Nebraska needs to once again rely on the defensive side of the ball. Unfortunately they will be without star Linebacker Luke Reimer and Defensive Back DeShon Singleton. Most sources are expecting Heinrich Haarberg to start again at QB but Jeff Sims could make an appearance depending on gameplay. Anthony Grant will get the bulk of carries at Running Back, but the Huskers will need to find some help in that room. The most important key to this game for the Huskers is to establish that run game early. Illinois ranks 111th in the nation against the run and Nebraska would love to get that back on track after a poor performance against Michigan. At the beginning of the season this game was one of my losses for the Huskers, but it has shifted into the maybe category over recent weeks. I think there is a lot of opportunity here for Matt Rhule to get a BIG 10 win on the road and mix Nebraska into this divisional race. I expect a classic BIG 10 West battle where the first team to 20+ wins the game. I'll take my Huskers behind a big defensive performance with multiple sacks and turnovers. Nebraska wins by leaning on the Blackshirts 23-17. GO BIG RED!

Quick Hit Predictions:

Kansas State at Oklahoma State - Both teams are coming off a restful BYE week as they get set for their Big XII gauntlet. The Pokes have been a disaster this year, scoring no more than 27 point in any game yet this year. Typically one of the conference's best offenses, they will host a Wildcat defense giving up just 18.5 points per game. K-State wins on the road 28-14.

Wake Forest at Clemson - The Tigers bounced back from their overtime loss to Florida State with a 31-14 smashing of the Orange while the Demon Deacons had an extra week to sit on their loss to Georgia Tech. An extra week to prepare is always nice, but the Clemson defense awaits in Death Valley. Tigers win with few issues at home 31-10.

#2 Michigan at Minnesota (Battle for the Little Brown Jug) - The Wolverines head to Minneapolis for back-to-back BIG 10 away games, but should have few concerns in this one. Having watched the Gophers in person against my Huskers I fear (actually hope) this could be worse than last week. Wolverines 52-10.

Arkansas at #16 Ole Miss - The Razorbacks will look to upset the Rebels and snap their 3-game losing streak. Defense has been an issue for the Hogs this year though, and Ole Miss has the 8th ranked offense in the nation. Hotty Toddy for the Land Sharks as they win 34-21 at home.

Texas Tech at Baylor - A Big XII Rivalry takes place in Waco as the Red Raiders and Bears look to get their seasons back on track. The Bears have slid backward since their 2021 season which finished with a 12-2 record. Dave Aranda could use a big win but I really like what Joey Maguire is doing with the Red Raiders. It's close and going to start clicking. Wreck 'Em as Tech takes it in a shootout 37-35.

The Perfect Parlay:

     My new segment puts my money where my mouth is! As the College Football KnowItAll I thought it would be interesting to start backing up some of my predictions with a weekly wager. I put some money down at the casino and formed the "Perfect Parlay" for this week in College Football. You are more than welcome to utilize my CFB insights for your gambling needs, but my only disclaimer is that I am NOT responsible for any financial losses you may incur (only the winnings). This week's parlay is listed below along with my key reasons on why it will be a success. If you have other College Football bets in mind or want me to weigh in some opinions on your own picks please comment on the post!

1. Washington State over UCLA - Moneyline

    - I like this pick because Cameron Ward has been playing Heisman-caliber football and this team is very much ignored in the PAC-12 due to the success of USC, Oregon and Washington. UCLA's offense has been sluggish in the early parts of the season and Wazzu comes in rested from the BYE week.

2. Kansas over UCF - Moneyline

    - The Jayhawks are actually the underdog at home against the Knights in this game so not only can this pick get you a little more winnings, but it's also right where you want KU to be. They just got SMASHED by Texas and although UCF is dying for their first Big XII victory, Kansas will be ready to perform big at home. They've scored 30+ points in every game other than Texas and even with Jaylon Daniels this offense has a lot of firepower. UCF has given up 79 points in the past 2 games.

3. Colorado over Arizona State - (-4) spread

    - Vegas is giving the Buffs just 4 points over the 90th ranked scoring defense in the nation? Too easy of a pick in my opinion. The Buffs have been sensational on offense outside of the Oregon game and you know they're looking for a big win with 2 weeks of anger built up. The Sun Devils will get some shots on the Buffs defense, but there's no way they keep pace in this game. Take Colorado for the points as Shedeur balls out.

Thank you for reading my Gameday predictions along with my Perfect Parlay for Week 6! Enjoy your College Football Weekend and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando