Week 10 Predictions

      November Football is upon us and this weekend is primed to be one of the best over the past few seasons. A phenomenal slate of games awaits us and my Huskers get to kick us off on Friday night. With the first CFP Rankings released, teams now know what kinds of statements they need to make in order to move up in the rankings. I'll give my thoughts on Nebraska's loss to Washington along with some things from around the nation, then run through the full weekend of games. Let's get into it!

     The Huskers did everything right for 3 and a half quarters for the third game in a row. Out gained Washington by 120 yards, held them to 33% conversion rate on third down and Nebraska was averaging 4.6 yards per carry. Of course, none of that mattered once an opportunity to win the game presented itself, and the Huskers got spooked on Halloween Night. First and goal at the 5 with a chance to go up 11 points and the Huskers turn that into a delay of game, two incomplete passes and a failed QB draw that lost 8 yards, setting up a missed field goal. Washington decided to end the game a different way, utilizing a 12 play, 81 yard drive that featured a 3rd and 15 scramble for a first down and a phenomenal 4th & 18 throw and catch, to take the lead late in the game. Nebraska wanted to twist the proverbial knife a bit more for their fans, so a 48-yard pick six sealed what Husker fans already knew to be a finished game. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD breakdown below, read along if you can stomach it.

GOOD - The Blackout atmosphere. Once again, Husker fans delivered. Memorial Stadium was rocking on Saturday night and with the Blackshirts logo on midfield, the scene was spectacular. Husker fans were ready to move past the previous two botched 4th quarters, and celebrate a special night in Lincoln. I've got some photos posted below and it was very fun to be part of.

EXPECTED - Great 3 quarters, basic strategy ignored and a 4th quarter collapse. As mentioned above, Nebraska owned every major statistic in this game apart from turnovers. Despite two drive killing picks early in the 1st quarter, they didn't do much damage to the Huskers. At halftime Nebraska had 93 rushing yards to Washington's 8, but ignored the run game in the second half. Jamal Rule was the leading rusher with 72 yards and averaged 5.5 yards per carry, but didn't touch the ball once in the 3rd quarter. When he finally got carries again in the 4th, he helped the Huskers to that 1st and goal at the 5, but instead of having a play ready for your back, the Huskers take a delay of game and were completely unprepared in the red zone. I'm not sure why it still hurts so much watching this team snatch defeat from the jaws of victory week after week when you know how it will end, but we will do it again and again, over and over. That's the Husker way.

BAD - Fans angry enough to throw trash on the field. I've been a Husker fan my whole life, my Mom raised me on Nebraska Football. Never in my life did the thought even cross my mind that the "Greatest Fans in College Football" would get to a breaking point of throwing trash on the field. I don't condone those actions in any way, shape or form (especially since one of my students had part of a beer dumped on her because of this while shooting photos on the sideline), but I understand the frustration level that got us here. The fans have given everything. The fans have continued with unwavering support for decades, simply asking for competent football at this point, not even worrying about championships. They want a program they can be proud of, especially with the extra money being asked of them to support it. The fact that we're at this point, the fans' breaking point, is bad. It's bad for the Huskers, it's bad for Matt Rhule and it's bad for College Football. I'm not sure Rhule can win them back, but we'll see what happens.

Week 9 Thoughts:

- Miami survives, but looks shaky.

- Gophers nearly pull the upset, Indiana looks unsteady as well. Also, back-to-back 60 field goals is nuts.

- Utah flexes, BYU manages. Utes looking the part while the Cougars need to step up.

- Arizona falls short in Lubbock, but what a day from Thomas Castellanos. Red Raiders still in the mix.

- Wake is a very good football team, no matter what the CFP ranks them.

- Sad SMU Ponies and sad Northwestern Wildcats. Raiola throws for 336 and 3 TDs, can Husker fans have anything nice?

- Texas State at Boise was the game of the day, absolutely wild.

- Oregon State fell flat out of the bye but what a win by Fresno State.

- USC stays alive and Ohio State has issues.

- Iowa State is one of the toughest playing teams in the nation. No reason they should be .500 but they may make a bowl. Well done Cyclones.

- CFP rankings favoring SEC teams is no surprise, but still annoying. PLEASE WATCH THE GAMES!

Week 9 Results: 17 - 10

Overall Results: 139 - 87

Week 10 Predictions:

Virginia Tech at SMU

     The Hokies and the Ponies have missed some opportunities this year and find themselves squaring off at 6-2. SMU is coming off a 3 point loss on the road to Syracuse as their run game and defense really struggled. Virginia Tech is off a bye, but riding a two game win streak. James Franklin certainly has VT on a much better path, but a win in Dallas won't be easy. Kevin Jennings has been picking apart opposing secondaries, and the Hokies rank 78th in pass defense, allowing 218 yards through the air per game. Jennings should put up more than that and I think SMU gets back on track with a 30-21 win.

#9 BYU at #3 Utah (Holy War - Battle for the Beehive Boot)

     A 10 AM local time kickoff for the Holy War as BYU travels North 45 minutes to Salt Lake City. This game features two dynamic, dual-threat quarterbacks who always seem to make the big play. Utah's Devon Dampier has 2,269 total yards and 23 total TDs on the season while BYU's Bear Bachmeier isn't far behind with 2,086 yards and 19 total TDs. The BYU defense has shown up in big spots, but have been leaky at times. Utah's defense does nothing but smother opponents, but don't be surprised if the BYU wideouts get free for a big play. I've enjoyed watching both these teams this year, and I think both have playoff caliber if they play at their best level. Toss up choice, but I picked BYU to be in the playoff in my preseason prediction, so give me the Cougars to win 23-21.

#7 Texas at #18 Missouri

     Texas has lost their star running back Hollywood Smothers to a torn MCL going into this game, and Arch Manning won't be the best Quarterback on the field. Mizzou's Austin Simmons out ranks Manning in every category, throwing for nearly 2,000 yards with 16 TDs and just 2 picks. He'll likely face a tremendous pass rush, so look for the Mizzou run game to set the pace. If they don't get going early, it could be along day. As much as I want the upset here, I know Mizzou doesn't win the big games. Hook 'Em with a road win 34-21.

#8 UCLA at Minnesota

     The Bruins aren't getting much respect from the CFP despite their unblemished record, but a conference road win gives them a great opportunity to make a statement. This is also an extremely dangerous spot as we start November, and teams always lose in November, especially on the road. Minnesota just fell short against Indiana last week, but made the College Gameday selection much more interesting than originally advertised. The Gophers were very up and down through October, defeating both Michigan and Iowa but also losing to Purdue in addition to Indiana. Quarterback Drake Lindsey is the engine of this offense, but they're typically slow moving. Up against a UCLA defense allowing just 13.4 points per game, things won't be easy in this one. Minnesota's defense will need to force some turnovers if they want a chance at pulling the upset. November is when ranked teams on the road tend to lose, but I'm sticking with UCLA and their power run game. Bruins 21, Gophers 17.

Texas A&M at #21 South Carolina

     The Gamecocks have new life in the back half of the season, riding a three game win streak since losing in overtime to Kentucky. LaNorris Sellers has some swagger back after throwing for 790 and 8 TDs over those 3 games. He does have 3 picks over those games, and that's really A&M's only chance to pull an upset. The Aggies don't have many takeaways on the season, sitting at a -1 turnover margin. Marcel Reed has really struggled this season, throwing 8 TDs and 8 picks. The Aggies offense will face a heavy pass rush from South Carolina and I don't think they'll keep up with their offense. Lots of points for the Gamecocks as they win 38-20.

#5 Alabama at #14 LSU

     Alabama travels to Death Valley and I can't remember the last time this matchup wasn't a night game. Regardless, the atmosphere will always be rocking in Baton Rouge, especially with CFP opportunities tied to this game. For some unknown reason (other than CFP Committee bias), Bama is ranked 5 with 2 losses. LSU is back at 14, but can jump back into the mix with a win over the Tide. Texas and Tennessee await the Tigers after this one, so still a lot of shuffling to do in the month of November. Alabama has a number of injuries across their team, ranking from star wideout to Ryan Coleman-Williams and defensive back Zabien Brown. They're missing a couple of linemen too, and if those players are unable to play, LSU has a big advantage to focus their attention on Keelon Russell. The Tigers rank 2nd in sacks with 34 on the year, so Bama's front will need to be ready for a heavy rush. Keelon Russell showed he can get flustered quickly with a pass rush against Tennessee where the Vols had 5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss in their 16 point win. Offensively for LSU, I expect Lane Kiffin to have a big game plan for this one. Geaux Tigers 27-17.

#23 Oregon at #12 Ohio State

     Somehow we ended up with a ranked matchup for this game, but it's not the top 5 showdown we anticipated at the beginning of the season. Both the Ducks and the Buckeyes have 2 losses, and a third one here is likely to knock them out of the playoffs. Dylan Raiola stepped up last week for 336 yards and 3 TDs against Northwestern, but on the road in the Horseshoe is a different story. Ohio State is coming off a loss to USC where they out gained the Trojans, went nearly 50% on third down conversions and dominated time of possession, but just could not punch it into the endzone. The offense has sputtered a bit since losing Julian Sayin at quarterback, so all eyes are on Luke Fahey to see if he can step up and lead this team down the stretch. Defensively, both of these teams have talent, but tend to give up big plays. I'll trust the Buckeyes at home though to force a couple of turnovers, because they will likely blitz Raiola to rattle him. Ohio State 30, Oregon 21.

#6 Kentucky at #13 Tennessee

     A big time battle on Rocky Top as Tennessee goes dark mode with their black jerseys. The Vols have dominated this series, suffering just 3 losses since 1984. The Wildcats are looking to prove this season is something special, and keep themselves in the SEC and CFP races. Tennessee has proven me wrong a couple of times this season, but I'm still not sure I'm bought in on this team. Their only win against a team with a winning record is against Alabama (which was impressive), but they've struggled to move the ball against better teams. Kentucky's defense isn't their strength though, and if they give Tennessee a short field with a turnover or two it could get away from them quickly. Look for the Vols to put a lot of pressure on Kenny Minchey, meaning he'll need to be accurate and make quick decisions to get the ball out. He does well to protect it though, and there's something special about this Wildcat team. I say they pull the upset on Rocky Top. Kentucky 26, Tennessee 23.

#1 Miami at #11 Notre Dame

     The Irish host the #1 team in the nation as the Hurricanes come into South Bend. Notre Dame needs to win this game if they want a chance at the College Football Playoffs, especially with the committee ranking them at #11. Miami will be without star wide receiver Malachi Toney after he injured his ankle in practice on Wednesday and requires surgery, knocking him out for a few weeks. Notre Dame is very beaten up in the secondary, so this is a massive benefit for them and not having to cover Toney. Miami QB Darian Mensah has plenty of other weapons to utilize, but Notre Dame's run defense allows just 85 yards per game, so some other Hurricane receivers need to step up. Offensively for the Irish, Miami's defense has holes in it and they've allowed 93 points in the past 3 weeks. That's too many points, especially as the road team, so give me Notre Dame to put up some points and the Miami crumble begins. Let's shake things up in the rankings. Irish 31, Hurricanes 21.

#2 Georgia at #10 Ole Miss

     A CFP rematch from last year, Georgia visits the Grove to take on Ole Miss. Trinidad Chambliss torched the Bulldogs for 362 and 2 TDs through the air last year, and is looking to put up similar numbers in from of their home crowd. He'll have to carry more of a load in this one since running back Kewan Lacy is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder at Texas. Georgia flexed their defensive muscles against Florida, but offensively their struggles continue. Gunnar Stockton didn't throw much, but the ground game was cruising against Florida with 217 yards on the ground. If they can establish the run like Texas did against Ole Miss, they should win this game. However, we need to make ranking decisions hell for the committee and an Ole Miss upset would do just that. Give me the Rebels to beat the Bulldogs at home. I believe Ole Miss to be better than advertised and they get the win 34-27.

#19 Iowa at Northwestern

     The Hawkeyes go on the road to new Ryan Field as the Wildcats look to bounce back from their lost at Oregon. Northwestern gave up over 330 yards through the air to Dylan Raiola, but I don't think Hank Brown can put up those same numbers. Iowa's defense will be challenged a bit more if Aiden Chiles is able to go and Chip Kelley has things dialed up. Unfortunately it looks like Chiles won't be available. Perfect let down spot for the Hawkeyes after a big win against Wisconsin, and I want the upset so badly. That's exactly why Iowa will win and I've seen it too many times. This is one of those do-nothing Iowa games that they somehow win 23-17. Hoping for an upset, but I'll go with Iowa.

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

     Researchers are collecting urine from tailgaters at this game and honestly that might be the most interesting thing in this matchup. Both Michigan and Michigan State have been very unimpressive this season. The Spartans have lost 6 in a row and a majority of their roster is injured. Michigan just has bad vibes all around, especially after scraping by Rutgers. The Wolverines defense is solid though, and without so many playmakers unable to suit up, they should win this one. Ugly game, Wolverines win 23-10.

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

     Air Force and Army meet in West Point as two of the service academies collide. Both teams lean heavily on the run game, ranking 1st and 2nd in the nation with Army on top. It's true American Football with the triple option attack. Falcons QB Liam Szarka was lost for the season about a month ago due to injury, and although they've done well to keep winning without him, but a road game to Army is not easy. The Black Knights were torched through the air by Memphis, but despite their name Air Force doesn't throw it all that much. I'll go with the home team here, but it should be tight. Army 30, Air Force 24.

Oklahoma at #24 Florida

     The Sooners fired offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle after the offense ranks 109th in points per game with 21.9. The Gators were stomped on by Georgia, and the Sooner defense is no slouch, so this could be an ugly game to watch. I don't expect Oklahoma's offense to suddenly wake up though, especially in the Swamp. Give me the Gators at home with a bit more scoring than the Sooners, which shouldn't be too difficult to do. Florida 26, Oklahoma 21.

West Virginia at #15 Texas Tech

     The Mountaineers travel to Lubbock to pit their 5th ranked run defense against the Red Raiders under the lights. WVU Quarterback Michael Hawkins Junior has been sensational all year, accounting for 2,434 total yards and 27 TDs all by himself this season. He's joined by Cam Cook who is currently 9th in the nation with 923 yards on the ground. Texas Tech found some new offensive life with Tommy Castellanos last week, and their defense stepped up big to stop Arizona at critical points in the game. I think they'll fend off the Mountaineers in this one and win 38-21. Guns Up, Wreck 'Em!

Texas State at Oregon State

     The Beavers flopped in Fresno last week while the Bobcats gave all they had against the Broncos and fell short by just 1 point. I expect the Oregon State offense to wake up here, meaning if you like points you'll want to keep an eye on this one. This could be a late night barn burner in Corvallis. Bobcat running back Torrence Burgess Jr. is a name to watch in this one as he's had two games already this season over 200 rushing yards. Oregon State's rush defense ranks 74th in the nation and they gave up 190 to Fresno State last week. Back-to-back tough road games for the Bobcats, but they'll hold their own to keep it close. Give me the Beavers to win it though, 38-31.

Nebraska at Illinois

     The Huskers highlight a Friday night slate with a road trip to Illinois. The Illini have dominated this series as of late, winning 4 of the last 5. Quarterback Katin Houser has adapted well to the BIG 10, thrown for 1,663 yards with 13 TDs & 5 picks so far this season. The Blackshirts have done well this season to hold opposing offenses to low points and yardage, but will the Husker offense be able to help them out? The Illini rank 79th in total defense, so if Nebraska can't put together some points in this game it could be a long night. Jamal Rule would be a good man to feed in this game, hopefully opening the run game and allowing some play-action opportunities for the Huskers. This offense has to score consistently for any shot at victory, at least 1 score per quarter. Illinois doesn't have a lot of firepower, but I know this team will botch things yet again. Illinois wins 24-17 unless the Huskers can prove me wrong. I'll be hoping!

Quick Hit Predictions:

South Florida at ECU - Both teams have a couple of close losses in the American this season, so we should have a great one between the Bulls and the Pirates. ECU has a tough defense and that's hard to beat at home. I say the Pirates win 30-27.

TCU at #22 Arizona - Noah Fafita couldn't crack the Texas Tech defense in the second half, but should manage against TCU. Wildcats 28, TCU 17.

Iowa State at Baylor - Baylor woke up with Interim HC Joel Klanderman taking over, dropping 41 on my pal Scott Frost. The Cyclones have not quit though and Baylor is vulnerable. Playing at home i think they get the job done 31-21.

Clemson at Syracuse - Very quietly the 'Cuse are piling up upsets and knocking teams down a notch. Dabo Swineey doesn't have many notches left, and I like Syracuse QB Steve Angeli to make some magic happen. Syracuse Orange 24, Clemson Tigers 17.

Arkansas at Auburn - The Hogs would love a win here as Ryan Silverfield slowly works to build the culture. Auburn has been hot and cold this season, but playing at home gives them a big advantage. War Eagle with the Tigers beating the Hogs 33-24.

Oklahoma State at Kansas State - Both teams need a bounce back from a game they likely should've won. K-State is very off kilter this season though, and I like Drew Mestemaker to keep slinging it across the yard. Pokes win 38-28.

Cincy at #17 Houston - Cougars trying to keeping pace in the Big XII, need a win here 34-17. Look for Connor Weigman to have a big day.

Penn State at Washington - The Nittany Lions travel west to take on the dubs in Seattle. Having watched the Huskies in person last week, I don't think they should win this game. However, knowing Penn State, they will absolutely lose this game. Give me Demond Williams to have another big day, this time for a full 4 quarters and Washington win 23-21.

Thanks for reading my Week 10 Predictions and be sure to check out Week 10 of Inside Heart Football, your best source for all things football around the Heart of America Athletic Conference. Lots of big games this weekend including a battle for the North Division Crown between Grandview and St. Ambrose. Enjoy your weekend full of college football and GO BIG RED!

Nebraska Blackshirts logo drone light show.

Nebraska Hesiman numbers drone light show.

Husker fans blackout Memorial Stadium.

Fire twirlers performing on the sidelines.

#CFBKnowItAll🏈🧠

Alex Fernando

Week 9 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 9 of College Football friends and with a full day of games on Halloween, you know we've got some upsets on the way. It's spooky season, especially for top ranked teams as we've had a top 2 team lose in 3 consecutive weeks. This post will highlight all of the big games to watch this weekend along with my analysis and prediction. Thanks for reading along each week and be sure to share with another football friend. Let's see what Halloween Football brings!

Week 8 Thoughts:

- This season is impossible to predict and impossible to know who is really a dominant team. I LOVE IT!

- Scott Frost and UCF upset #2 BYU which means he got a ranked with at UCF before Matt Rhule at Nebraska. Somehow we lost the bye week.

- Bad year to be a top ranked team, lots of parity across the sport.

- Statement wins by Texas & Utah, both teams proved me wrong but are still flawed.

- New Mexico building toward a CFP appearance, don't sleep on the Lobos!

- Big XII race is wide open, don't be surprised if Arizona steps into the spotlight.

- Not sure how Minnesota flipped the script and had the Hawkeyes making mistakes, but I'm all for it. Gophers are holding the Floyd of Rosedale, Paul Bunyan's Axe and the Little Brown Jug (also the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy unfortunately) all at the same time for the first time since 1978. Impressive!

- Classic Lincoln Riley and USC. Had a road to the playoffs in front of them and turned left off a cliff.

- Baylor's Dave Aranda, NC State's Dave Doeren and Sam Houston's Phil Longo join Mike Locksley on the mid-season fired coaches list.

Week 8 Record: 10 - 12

Overall Record: 122 - 77

Week 9 Predictions:

#22 Arizona at #13 Texas Tech

     The Wildcats are out to prove they're a legitimate threat in the Big XII, so knocking off the reigning conference champs would be a good way to show it. Texas Tech is coming off a beatdown at Cincy last week, allowing 427 total yards including 255 on the ground. They were pushed around and the offense couldn't move anywhere. Now they come home to face a dangerous Arizona team with a veteran quarterback and stout defense. Starting with Noah Fafita, the Senior QB is one of the best in the nation at picking apart defenses. He currently owns the 8th best quarterback rating in the nation and is extremely careful with the ball, throwing just 4 picks so far this year. Texas Tech has not been getting the amount of pressure they did last year, and Fafita will pick you apart with 74.2% completion rating, good enough for #2 nationally. On the other side of the ball, Texas Tech can move between the 20s, but scoring in the red zone has become a serious problem. Combine the Red Raiders' 89th ranked red zone offense against Arizona's 5th ranked red zone defense and you've got an upset brewing. I like Arizona to make a statement here, 31-20 Wildcats win.

#25 Wisconsin at Iowa (Battle for the Heartland Trophy)

     A bronze bull is on the line as Wisconsin and Iowa meet for the 100th time. It's been a tight series with Wisconsin holding the edge 49-48-2, but Iowa has won the last 4 meetings. This year's matchup looks to be much more like the classic BIG 10 West battles from the mid 2010s, so I would look at taking the under. Both defenses have been extremely tough this year, currently sitting at 13 and 14 in the nation for total defense with Wisconsin ahead again. The offenses are a different story, averaging 28 and 27 points per game with Iowa leading that category. The Hawkeyes are reinserting Hank Brown in to the QB1 role after a disastrous performance last week against Minnesota from Jeremy Hecklinski, featuring 4 Iowa turnovers. Wisconsin looked like the Badgers of old against USC last week, but something about Iowa at home just gives me the creeps. Would love to see Wisconsin beat Iowa, but that also gives Luke Fickell an Iowa win before Matt Rhule which doesn't help me much either. I say the Hawkeyes bounce back, but it will have to be with defense or special teams as they also lost their star running back Kamari Moulton for the rest of the season. Hawkeyes 20, Badgers 14.

Boston College at Duke

     While neither one of these teams will likely be winning the ACC this year, both teams have proven to be frisky when looking for upsets. They're pinned against each other for this week, and while I thought Duke was a dark horse in the conference just a few weeks ago, they've quickly proven me wrong by losing back to back games against Georgia Tech and North Carolina. The Eagles of Boston College have been much better than anticipated this year, leaning on Junior QB Mason Mckenzie. He's thrown for over 1,300 yards with 8 TDs, but does have 7 picks. He's also the leading rusher with 614 yards and 5 more TDs. We'll see if he can keep pace with Duke running back Nate Sheppard's 875 yards and 9 TDs in this one. I've picked Duke a few times and they've let me down this year, I'll take them one more time at home, but will not be surprised with a BC upset. Blue Devils beat the Eagles 27-21.

Auburn at #12 Ole Miss

     The Rebels couldn't quite complete the comeback against Texas, but this offense proved it won't stay down for long. Auburn's defense has been hot and cold this season, especially after giving up over 550 yards to LSU last week. Byrum Brown continues to be difficult to tackle, but so is Trinidad Cambliss and I think he'll have the Rebels' offense moving. Ole Miss 34, Auburn 21.

#17 Florida vs #3 Georgia (World's Largest *Indoor Cocktail Party)

     The World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party has been moved indoors to Atlanta while the Jaguars stadium in Jacksonville is under renovations. Georgia gets a bit more home field advantage with this game being played at the Mercedes Benz Dome, but Florida has already taken down a couple of other top teams this season. The Dawgs have been sitting on the Auburn loss for two weeks though, and I think they're going to come out with an edge. Florida still doesn't have the defense to keep an opponent like Georgia down, but the Gators may find a way to put some points up on their own. Georgia flexes 38-20 in the win.

Minnesota at #4 Indiana

     The Gophers head to Bloomington to take on the Hoosiers with college Gameday in attendance. Neither offense looked great last week, but the defenses were solid. I wouldn't expect a lof of fireworks in this one, but it will be a hard-nosed BIG 10 game. The Hoosiers defense is suffocating, allowing just 12 points per game, ranking 2nd in the nation. Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey is what drives this offense, and so his protection is key. Minnesota has allowed just 7 sacks all season, but the Hoosier pass rush is next level. Indiana's offense has struggled as of late, especially with QB Josh Hoover banged up. If Minnesota mucks this one up, PJ Fleck could be primed for quite the upset. However, I don't think they'll be able to move against Indiana's brick wall of a defense. Gophers cover but don't win 27-14.

#20 Northwestern at Oregon

     One of our ranked teams on the road this weekend sets the stage for an interesting game. Oregon's championship hopes are completely crushed after getting worked by Illinois, and QB Dante Moore has shut it down for the year. The Ducks are left with Dylan Raiola and Brock Thomas, which doesn't seem to be getting them far. Both teams will look to run the ball, and former Oregon head Coach Chip Kelley will now be calling plays to take down the Ducks as the Northwestern's OC. Aidon Chiles fits so well in this systm, throwing for over 1,600 yards and 12 TDs with just 1 pick on the year. He's taking care of the ball and letting his backs get established with creative run designs. Oregon's strength still lies with the defense's front seven, who is allowing just 3.6 yards per carry. Northwestern has a stable to talented backs, and I think they use the ground game to pull the road upset. Northwesetern wtih a big win out West 27-17.

#6 Utah at Cincy

     Obvious let down spot for both teams, but who will let down more? Cincy upset Texas Tech at home last week while Utah defended their turf against Houston. The Bearcats and the Utes both have rugged rushing attacks, ranking 8th and 12th in the nation respectively. This is much more of an even matched game when you go through the stat sheet, but I'll give Utah the edge with Devon Dampier. This Utes team has flaws, but Dampier can cover some of them up in this game. Utah 28, Cincy 14.

Virginia at #14 Wake Forest

     The Demon Deacons are slowly climbing in the rankings, and with the first CFP rankings following this weekend, they'll want to keep on winning. The quarterback battle in this game features Beau Pribula with Virginia and Gio Lopez with Wake. Pribula brings in a little more of a running threat, but he's done well in the passing game this season, throwing for over 1,300 yards with 13 TDs and just 2 picks. Lopez has nearly 2,000 yards with 17 TDs and just 1 pick. They both take great care of the football, so any takeaways these defenses can get are extremely valuable. Virginia has been up and down this year, but Wake Forest's only slip up is an early season loss to Miami. Demon Decons are fresh off a bye and I think they handle business to move up the ranks again. Wake Forest 34, Virginia 17.

New Mexico at San Jose State

     The Lobos are in heavy contention for that G6 bid as I mentioned above, but a let down spot on the road against San Jose State is a dangerous one. The Spartans won this game last year 35-28 which was a contributing factor in keeping New Mexico out of the Mountain West Championship in their 3-way tie at the top. Head Coach Jason Eck quickly reminded his team about that after their big win against NDSU last weekend. The New Mexico defense is phenomenal though, and teams are struggling to do anything against them. They rank 1st nationally in scoring defense, 5th in total defense and 1st in turnover margin. Offensively they'll need to be careful of the Spartan pass rush, because San Jose State 29 sacks this season, ranking 4th in the nation. Look for the Lobos to lean on that defense and senior running back Scottre Humphrey who's averaging 4.8 yards per carry and has 9 touchdowns on the year. New Mexico is still my G6 pick for the playoffs, so I say the Lobos handle the tough road game 24-10.

South Carolina at Oklahoma

     The Gamecocks have new life after the bye with knocking off Tennessee, but now they travel to the Palace on the Prairie to take on the Sooners. Oklahoma's offense is still abysmal, but that defense is tough to move on. LaNorris Sellers is getting back to form, and his gritty run for the game-winning touchdown shows the lack of quit in this South Carolina team. I'm anxious to see what their defense mixes in against Oklahoma's offense, because they've scored just 4 offensive touchdowns in the past 3 weeks. They're 2-1 in those games, but I'm not sure John Mateer is ready for the South Carolina pass rush. They've got 18 sacks so far this season and Dylan Stewart is always looking for more. I trusted Oklahoma too many times and they failed me this season. Give me South Carolina to win 20-17.

#24 Oklahoma State at Iowa State

     Full tilt Halloween matchup as the Pokes are wearing all Orange with skeleton cleats and the Cyclones are in full blackout uniforms. Both teams have been frisky all season with their new head coaches and Oklahoma State is still in the mix with a chaotic Big XII race. They've got just 1 conference loss and with Texas Tech coming to Stillwater in a few weeks, their schedule lines up well to work their way toward the conference championship game. Transfer quarterback Drew Mestemaker has translated his game well to the Big XII, throwing for over 2,300 yards with 20 TDs this season and 6 picks. Iowa State's offense was stomped by Arizona last week, but they should be able to move the ball on Oklahoma State. This is a big game if the Pokes want to keep pace, but spooky things happen in Ames. I don't know if they'll have enough firepower to pull the upset, but they'll hang around for a while and Oklahoma State will need some big plays to pull away. Give me the Pokes in a Halloween win 38-28.

Clemson at Florida State

     A decade ago, this would've been one of the biggest games of the season, College Gameday would've been there, and we wouldn't question the primetime slot. This year, it's hard not to give this game a side-eye look. Both teams have really fallen off, and the quality of football is questionable at best. Clemson's offense has been a disaster this season, ranking 116th in total offense and 113th in scoring. Florida State has shown flashes, and their team has talent, but they've been unable to finish out games on the right side of the scoreboard. They gave up double digit leads to Louisville and Alabama, then fell short (due to a questionable holding penalty and a near Hail Mary) to upsetting Miami. Their offense has shown they can score in bunches though, so give me the Seminoles at home with Ashton Daniels in a strong performance. Florida State 27, Clemson 21.

#1 Miami at North Carolina

     Playing as the #1 ranked team on the road has not been easy this season, and with Notre Dame one week away, this is a potential let down game. The Hurricanes always seem to have that one game where they stumble and put themselves in jeopardy in the ACC race. Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney have been unstoppable with 952 yards and 11 touchdowns on 66 catches so far this season between them. North Carolina's defense is improved and will look to slow them down. They need to force some turnovers, but the Miami defense has been vulnerable. If they get an extra possession or two, don't be surprised if Miami gives up some points. I like Miami to stay steady here, Darian Mensah has been too dominant tossing the pigskin this season. Hurricanes beat the Tar Heels 36-24.

#23 Missouri at Arkansas (Battle Line Trophy)

     Another ranked team on the road and this time we've got a trophy on the line! The Missouri-Arkansas rivalry isn't the most heated, but with Ryan Silverfield trying to establish his new culture, a win here would do wonders for his reputation with the fan base. Junior QB KJ Jackson has shown some flashes this season, and the Mizzou defense has been hot and cold. The big storyline of the day is Tiger running back Ahmad Hardy returning to the field for the first time this season. Hardy suffered a gunshot wound in the offseason, and the Mizzou running back has been working to get healthy enough to play again. He was one of the best backs in the nation last year, and with Austin Simmons at QB, he'll have even more room to operate. Give me the Tigers to win the Battle Line over Arkansas 33-21.

Army at Memphis

     A sneaky important game in the American as the Black Knights travel to take on Memphis. If you're betting, I would certainly take the over as these defenses have been giving up points in bunches the last few weeks. Very different styles collide as the Black Knights bring their triple option attack led by Senior QB Cale Hellums. He's got 16 rushing touchdowns with another 3 through the air. Junior QB Marcus Stokes for the Tigers has a different approach to scoring, throwing for over 2,000 yards and 21 TDs this season. This is going to be a shootout, but I like the Black Knights to control things on the ground in the 4th quarter. Army 35, Memphis 31.

Oregon State at Fresno State

     The most electric team in football has a tricky road game against Fresno State tonight. Late night kick and the Fresno fanbase is going with a blackout as the Bulldogs have some badass helmets planned. The spooky tactics won't work against the Beavers though, this team is executing on another level this season. JaMarcus Sheppard has things rolling quickly in Corvallis and they've got their eye on that PAC-12 title and the playoffs as well. Star wideout Jesse Legree re-signed over the bye week with the Beavers, so expect him to have another big night. Fresno's defense hasn't faced an offense like this, and despite Oregon State's defensive struggles at times, I don't think the Bulldogs will keep pace. Oregon State wins in style on the road in a tough environment 38-21.

#2 Ohio State at USC

     Primetime on NBC has become USC's main TV spot, and last week it did not go well. They were stuffed into a bag and beaten down by the Badgers, now they return home to welcome the #2 Buckeyes to the Coliseum. Jaiden Maiava had a very uncharacteristic 2 interception game against the Badgers, and he was constantly under pressure with 5 sacks by Wisconsin. Ohio State has to navigate this game, and the remainder of the season, without their starting quarterback Julian Sayin. Jeremiah Smith is still on the field though, and if you throw it anywhere near him it will be caught. USC's defense under Gary Patterson has not panned out, but this is a must win game if Lincoln Riley and the Trojans want a shot at the playoff. I had them as a Playoff team, I though they would turn the corner this year. Ranked team on the road is not easy and we need a fun upset for the night. Give me the Trojans one more time, beating the Buckeyes to make things interesting 31-28.

Washington at Nebraska

     Halloween in Memorial Stadium means blackout conditions as the Huskers host the Huskies. Washington wearing all whites to try and make a bright spot in the darkness that awaits. The Blackshirts logo is at mid-field and the Huskers have all black uniforms with a script "Huskers" in red on the helmet. Fighting against history, Nebraska is 0-5 all-time wearing black uniforms, but today of all days is perfect to break the curse. Both teams come in a bit banged up and missing some key pieces. Washington QB Demond Williams is likely to play, giving the Huskies a much needed boost on offense. He's struggled a bit this year, but his dual-threat ability always keeps plays alive. Nebraska re-signed Anthony Colandrea yesterday, meaning he better have a breakout game. The Husker offense has been stuck in the mud the last few weeks, struggling especially to run the ball against the BIG 10 defenses. Colandrea has been the leading rusher in 3 of the last 4 for Nebraska, so supporting him from the backfield will be crucial. The Huskies are a very middle of the road defense this season, but with both teams coming off a bye, they've had an extra week to scheme up against Nebraska. The stadium atmosphere is going to be electric and I think the Blackshirts will make some key plays and turnovers to flip this script. Give the Huskers a short field and keep the crowd on your side. Nebraska's offense wakes up a bit and Colandrea leads them to a 31-21 win. GO BIG RED!

Quick Hit Predictions:

#5 Notre Dame at Navy - A traditional rivalry that dates back to World War II. Navy can sometimes give headaches for the Irish, but Marcus Freeman doesn't mess around much with them. Irish win 35-7.

#19 SMU at Syracuse - Ranked Ponies on the road with a sneaky Syracuse team. Kevin Jennings has the offense back in gear, look for him to have a big afternoon. SMU handles business 37-21.

Kansas State at Colorado - Not entirely sure how Colorado is favored here, but vibes are bad for both squads. I like Colin Klein better than Deion though, so I'll go with K-State despite them making me look like a fool week in and week out. Wildcats over the Buffs 31-27.

Stanford at Louisville - The Cardinal (color) have put a good looking offense together the last few weeks, but cross country travel has never been good for them. The Cardinals (birds) should put up some points here and get their offense moving after the bye. Louisville 38, Stanford 17.

Purdue at Penn State - I really don't know what to expect from either of these teams. Big opportunity for Penn State to get things back on track, but you don't want to mess with the Spooky Train on Halloween. I think Purdue pulls an upset on the way to bowl eligibility. Spooky Train 27, Nittany Lions 21.

Arizona State at #8 BYU - Cougars in a get right spot after stumbling last week. Bear Bachmeier gets this team back on track with some downfield passes to Glasker and Kasper. BYU beats ASU 35-13.

Mississippi State at #11 Texas - The Bulldogs will be without QB Kamario Taylor for the rest of the season and Texas is getting back in a groove. Hook 'Em 42-10.

Texas State at #20 Boise State - Sneaky PAC-12 game late night in Boise, don't sleep on the Texas State Bobcats. Exciting QB battle between Brad Jackson (TXST) and Maddux Madsen (BSU), so we should see quite a few points on the scoreboard. Both offense are complimented well with the run game and this is just an authentic football game to watch. Give me the Broncos at home in a thriller 38-35.

     Thank you for reading my Week 9 Predictions post, and don't forget to watch Week 9 of Inside Heart Football. This is my weekly show for the Heart of America Athletic Conference covering all the games across the Heart and highlighting our Clash of the Week. Check out the best conference in NAIA Football with the link. Have a Happy Halloween and a great gameday. GO BIG RED!

Blackshirts midfield logo for Nebraska's Blackout game versus Washington.

#CFBKnowItAll🏈🧠

Alex Fernando

Week 8 Predictions

      Welcome to Week 8 football fans, and after the carnage of Week 7, who knows what we're in for with the back half of the season. There were 5 (nearly 6) teams in the top 7 that lost last week, and the playoff bubble is filling with a wide array of teams. We've got an under the radar weekend, but there are multiple ranked teams on the road. Lucky for me, the Huskers are on a bye, so they can't hurt me this weekend. Regardless, I'll have my analysis on last week's late night last to Oregon and my thoughts from one of the best weekends in college football we've had in years. Let's get to it!

     Let's rip off the bandaid and talk about Nebraska. For the second week in a row, the Huskers gave up a double-digit lead in the 4th quarter, this time losing to their former quarterback Dylan Raiola. Myself and all other Husker fans who stayed up until nearly 2 AM Central time to watch this game received nothing but yet another gut punch from this team. There was truly nothing very exciting about this game, but there were some good things to build on. Unfortunately, the Huskers are again waiting for bowl eligibility after starting the season 5-0. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD breakdown below.

GOOD - Blackshirts vs Brock Thomas and safety run support. The story changed a bit when Dylan stepped in at quarterback, but for the first 3 quarters of the game, Nebraska's defense was lights out. The Ducks had just 91 total yards going into the 4th and couldn't do anything on the ground. This was yet another masterful performance by DC Rob Aurich and his squad, and holding Oregon to 17 points total should win you most games. Hope to see the Blackshirts keep playing like this as we move into the back half of the season. I also want to shout out the Husker safeties in their run support. Against Oregon last week, Caleb Benning and Dwayne McDougle III racked up 12 and 13 total tackles respectively. Benning came down to meet backs at or behind the line of scrimmage on multiple occasions, putting 5 solo tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss on the stat sheet. These guys both tackle well in space, and as a former defensive back, I love to see it. Keep it up Blackshirts!

EXPECTED - Colandrea is the offense and a 4th quarter collapse. Starting with the bad, we knew what was coming. There's no other life than pure, unending pain as a Husker fan. Of course Dylan Raiola would come into the game and lead a 4th quarter comeback to rip the hearts out of the fans who once praised him. Of course the Huskers would find yet another way to lose a close game, while making us lose sleep to watch them do so. I truly don't know how many other ways there are to lose a football game, but I'm sure we're bound to find out. However, on the positive side, Anthony Colandrea has more than lived up to the hype. The transfer signal caller accounted for all but 40 of the Huskers' total yards and is responsible for 63.2% of Nebraska's total yards so far this season. He's the second leading rusher on the team and I love how he's always looking to run north & south when he pulls it down. He's a dynamic player and he's won me over, keep doing your thing Anthony!

BAD - 4th Quarter Coaching and no one asking why Nebraska didn't blitz Raiola. Starting with my journalistic frustrations, how did no one as Matt Rhule in the post game press conference about why he chose not to blitz Raiola in the 4th quarter. Oregon made the change to put Dylan Raiola in at QB for the 4th quarter, and the Huskers chose to let him sit in the pocket with little to no pass rush. The Huskers rushed Raiola with just 3 or 4 defenders throughout the 4th quarter and let the Ducks take over the game with their run game and easy 5 yard hitches for Raiola to throw to. Oregon had 2 drives in the 4th quarter, one for 17 plays taking 7:42 off the clock and one for 20 plays taking 5:03 off the clock. Of all the quarterbacks in the nation, how do you not have a plan to beat Raiola. You know him better than anyone and yet you refuse to blitz him and make him uncomfortable? Arguably the easiest game plan to defeat Raiola, yet you avoid it. Back to the journalists, how do you not ask about this? You have one job and that job is to ask what happened in the 4th quarter. Offensive play-calling was not great either, and Husker fans could feel the loss coming all night. The other BAD part of this game was my decision to stay up and watch the whole thing before a 6 AM flight the next morning.

Week 7 Thoughts:

- This weekend is exactly why we don't need a 24 playoffs. These big losses matter, next year they won't.

- BYU's defense showed they're legit, BIG XII should have 2, maybe even 3 teams in the playoffs.

- Tennessee proved me wrong, tip of the cap to the Vols. Impressive defense, but Bama flaws showing.

- Great win for Alex Golesh and Auburn. Big fan of him as a coach and Auburn should be very happy they got him in the coaching carousel last year.

- Big problems brewing in Texas and I'm all here for it. This team looks like they've got a couple more losses coming.

- Ohio State survives by inches as Nick Marsh just steps out of bounds on what would've been a game winning TD pass. However, the Buckeyes have lost their QB for quite a while, potentially the rest of the year.

- UCLA is a team you want to bet on, they are consistent and didn't flinch with a back-up QB now leading the way.

- Oregon State is sensational and just re-signed their star wideout Jesse Legree. Must watch TV.

- Don't sleep on Houston, Wake Forest or Kentucky, dangerous teams.

- Mike Locksley is out at Maryland, the first firing of the year.

Week 7 Results: 18 - 8

Overall Results: 112 - 65

Week 8 Predictions:

#6 Indiana at Michigan

     For the first time in just a few weeks, we have drama in Michigan! Quarterback Bryce Underwood has been benched by new head coach Kyle Whittingham in favor of back-up Tommy Carr. Carr came in for Underwood against Penn State and helped lead the Wolverines to victory. The defense for the Big Blue is still one of the nation's best, so Indiana will be tested for the third week in a row to put up points. Josh Hoover did not play his best against Ohio State, and the mighty Hoosier run game has been lacking a bit, with just 138 yards on the ground between the last two games combined. They'll need to re-establish the run game in this one, but I don't see Curt Cignetti losing two in a row, and I think the Indiana wideouts will be too much. Hoosiers over the Wolverines 31-21.

#8 Texas Tech at Cincy

     The Red Raiders are starting to put the pieces together, demolishing Arizona State last week 53-25. Texas Tech will be leaning heavily on Junior RB J'Koby Williams. He's averaging 7.3 yards per carry with 5 TDs so far this season. He's extremely difficult to bring down, so Cincy will need to be sure with their tackling. The Bearcats are middle of the road in terms of run defense, so if Texas Tech establishes a push up front early, it could be along night for Cincy. This would be a big win for Scott Satterfield, but his teams tend not to perform the best in these big games. Guns Up & Wreck 'Em, TTU 34, Cincy 14.

#18 LSU at Auburn

     Both sets of Tigers are coming off much needed wins in Week 7, but a battle in Jordan-Hare Stadium is never an easy one. LSU has an extremely talented roster built on paper, but Kiffin has yet to get the most out of them. Auburn is riding a big high after beating Georgia, and things may be starting to click for Alex Golesh. LSU has a suffocating run defense though, and they could be the end. Auburn will need some help for the upset, but I'll take them just to spice things up. Auburn wins the battle of the Tigers 26-24.

West Virginia at TCU

     The definition of an unstoppable force meets an immovable object. The Mountaineers offense averages 37.6 points per game while the Horned Frogs allow just 12.2. West Virginia has struggled against higher level opponents, and being on the road makes it even more difficult. Michael Hawkins Jr. has been fantastic this year, fully highlighting what the Rich Rod offense can look like. TCU has a defense that could slow down the WVU offense, but they need to get their offense in gear at some point. Unfortunately for the Mountaineers, they do not have any defense, so give me TCU to win at home 30-24.

Western Michigan at Toledo

     Two teams fighting for a spot atop the MAC with big implications on the line. Toledo has Ohio to end the year, but the rest of their schedule is extremely manageable. Western Michigan avoids Ohio, but has a couple tricky games left. This one puts the winner on an inside track toward the MAC Championship. Both teams are led by fantastic quarterbacks, Broc Lowry for WMU and John Alan Richter for Toledo. They take care of the football with just 1 pick each, and do well to get the ball to their weapons. I could go either way on this one, but I like the Rockets at home. It think they have a bit more offense to get this win. Toledo beats Western Michigan to tighten up the MAC race 31-27.

Oregon at Illinois

     The Ducks travel to Illinois as the Illini come out of a bye week. Illinois has been up and down this year, but they're catching a questionable Ducks squad with Dylan Raiola back in the starting lineup. However, he'll be without star wide out Evan Stewart who is out for this game following some potential DUI/reckless driving issues following the Nebraska game. The Oregon offense was completely stuck last week until the 4th quarter. Some of that credit goes to Raiola as he was calm in the pocket and making smart throws. Illinois should do the exact opposite of what Nebraska did and send the blitz on Raiola. He's been known to struggle against heavy pressure and does not have a lot of mobility. Oregon's defense is tough to move on though, and because there is no justice in the world, I'm sure Dylan will start winning. Illinois will be without their starting QB Katin Houser following a broken hand, so that's a tall order for a back-up to come in against Oregon's front. Ducks on the road 27-17.

#2 BYU at UCF

     Bit of a trap game spot for the Cougars of BYU following their big win against Notre Dame, but since they're facing Scott Frost that trap is less of a danger. UCF is coming off a bye week, but has back-to-back losses against Houston and Oklahoma State. BYU's defense was extremely impressive against Notre Dame, holding the Irish at just the right time. As I predicted, their receivers reeked havoc on the Irish secondary, and they'll be looking to do the same against UCF's 104th ranked pass defense. The Cougar offense is in a groove right now, and Bear Bachmeier is tough to slow down once they get rolling. Cougars over the Knights 31-17.

Michigan State at #9 UCLA

     The Bruins held strong against Wisconsin last week and now welcome in a Spartan team who have lost 5 straight, including back-to-back one score losses. Michigan State is rebuilding under Pat Fitzgerald, and with all the injuries they had this season it's really about getting through and focusing on next year. Their run defense is decent, but not any kind of ready for what UCLA will throw at them. Give me another big rushing day for Bam Knights and the Bruins offense as they run away with this one 42-17.

#11 Tennessee at South Carolina

     The Vols have to follow up their big win against Alabama with a trip to South Carolina as the Gamecocks look to get things back on track following a bye. Tennessee needs to keep leaning on their defense, but don't be surprised if South Carolina finds a way to put up a few points. The Vols offense is still struggling though, and a road environment is never favorable to Tennessee. They proved me wrong last week, but I don't think they do it again. Give me the Gamecocks 27-21.

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

     The Hawkeyes travel to the Twin Cities as they battle the Gophers for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy. That's right, a 98 lbs. bronze pig is on the line in this classic BIG 10 clash. The Gophers were routed by Purdue before their bye week, and Iowa doesn't make many mistakes. I think Drake Lindsey can make a few big throws to keep Minnesota around for the first half, but not in the second. Iowa will get their run game going as Purdue racked up 305 yards on the ground. Iowa wins the pig 38-17.

Kansas State at Arizona State

     Vibes are bad in Tempe as the Sun Devils have given up big points in their three losses so far this season. Kansas State is coming off a big win in the Sunflower Showdown where QB Avery Johnson threw for 209 and rushed for another 132. His dual-threat ability is so difficult to stop and Arizona State's defense ranks 89th in the nation for total yards allowed. Cutter Boley was benched last week by Kenny Dillingham and things are starting to fall apart for Arizona this season. Give me K-State on the road with a big win for Colin Klein 34-17.

Virginia Tech at Clemson

     Clemson has just 2 passing touchdowns so far this season. Yes, you read that correctly, only 2 touchdown passes and we're in late October. They're still 4-2 and have tremendous talent across their roster. Virginia Tech is 1 win away from being bowl eligible in James Franklin's first season, but the next few games are not easy. The Tigers may not throw the ball much in the redzone, but they love to run it. Sophomore RB Gideon Davidson has 5 TDs on the season and is averaging 5.4 yards per carry. The Hokies rank 10th in rush defense though, and if they can limit the mistakes, this would be a big win in Franklin's first year. I'm not really sold on either team, but playing at home with a night game in Death Valley is a big boost for the Tigers. Clemson 30, Virginia Tech 23.

#16 USC at Wisconsin

     The Trojans travel to Badger town as they look to keep pace in the BIG 10 race. The next month will truly show us if USC is legit as Ohio State, Indiana and UCLA are all on the schedule. Lincoln Riley doesn't want to overlook at team like Wisconsin though, the Badgers are tough on defense, allowing just 16.7 points per game. Their offense could use som help however, and a questionable Trojan defense is often one to give up more than they should. The quarterback battle should be the focus as Jaiden Maiava of USC has been impressive, throwing for over 2,000 yards with 18 touchdowns and just 3 picks. He's completing passes at nearly 68% and is currently 3rd in the nation for passing yards. Colten Joseph for Wisconsin is both the leading rusher and passer for the Badgers, totaling over 1,500 yards with 14 total touchdowns. A night game at Camp Randall is always a tough environment, but I'm not sure Wisconsin has the firepower to keep up with USC. Fight on as the Trojans win 35-21.

#7 Ole Miss at #19 Texas

     Things are trending down for the horns quickly after back-to-back losses against unranked teams. I mentioned a week ago that Oklahoma exposed some big flaws in a very disjointed offense. Now Texas has to face a very determined looking Ole Miss team who won't have to worry about star edge rusher Colin Simmons. He'll be out with a high ankle sprain, giving Rebels' QB Trinidad Chambliss even more room to use his legs. Although Chambliss hasn't been putting up big yards with his legs, he's got 6 rushing touchdowns to go along with the 14 he's thrown through the air. On the other side of the field, Texas QB Arch Manning has all sorts of questions floating around him. He's been inaccurate and clearly struggling to read defenses this season. Texas has been unable to run the ball consistently this season either, and the Rebels held Mizzou to just 39 yards on the ground last week. If Texas can't run the ball to help balance the offense and keep the chains manageable for Arch Manning, this could get ugly for Texas. The Rebels do rank 117th in opponent third down conversions, so there's opportunity for Texas to sustain drives. I think Ole Miss has the better quarterback though, and the offense at Texas has been extremely disjointed so far this year. Horns down as the Rebels come out of Austin with a 30-24 victory.

North Dakota State at New Mexico

     A massive game in the Mountain West as two of the top teams collide. North Dakota State is the new comer to the conference, but they've proven they can play at this level with a 6-1 record in their first year of FBS. New Mexico lost their starting quarterback before the season started and has battled other injuries at that position too, but they're 5-1, looking every bit like the team I picked to go to the playoffs. Two great defenses will be battling in Albuquerque tonight, so protecting the ball is a must. The Lobos lead the nation with 21 total takeaways and a +17 turnover margin. NDSU isn't far behind with 14 takeaways for a +8 turnover margin, so whoever wins that battle likely wins the game. We saw the Bison lose a close one to UNLV a couple weeks ago, struggling to move the ball, while New Mexico had the same issue on the road at Hawaii last week. The Lobos cleaned things up, and coming home to play in the turquoise jerseys should give them a big boost. Whoever put this game on the CW completely missed the mark because this should be one of the best games of the day. Lobos win 20-17 in a defensive grudge match, taking the inside track to the Mountain West crown and possibly the College Football Playoff.

#14 Houston at #10 Utah

     Our game of the week is a late night Big XII matchup between two under the radar teams. When we talk Big XII, most everyone focuses on Texas Tech or BYU, deservedly so. However, I've been on the Houston train all year and this team gets better and better to watch as the weeks go by. Utah has caught my eye too, remaining unbeaten through the first half of the season under the new leadership of head coach Morgan Scalley. He's built a unique, two quarterback system on offense, led by Devon Dampier. His QB counterpart Byrd Ficklin doesn't throw it much when in the game, but loves to run the rock when he gets in. Both QBs can keep the chains moving with their legs, so Houston's defense will have one of their toughest challenges of the year. These two teams are nearly identical with their production on offense, and both defense don't give up many big plays. I look to Houston's QB Connor Weigman as the game-breaker though. The veteran has accounted for a nation-leading 26 touchdowns and does well to take care of the rock with just 2 picks. A night game in Salt Lake City is one of the most upset-prone environments, and technically Utah is favored. However, I've been a fan of what Willie Fritz has building for the Cougars. I've seen some holes in the Utah defense against Kansas and against Colorado the past two weeks, we'll see if Houston can take advantage. Cougars defeat the Utes on the road 31-23.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Pitt at #1 Miami - Pitt can't do much since losing their QB and after nearly being upset last week the Miami offense will look to get back on track. Darian Mensah to Malachi Toney all day as the Canes win 38-14.

Cal at #23 SMU - The Ponies are looking for revenge from last season and the Golden Bears offense is a mess. Pony Up with Kevin Jennings having a big day, 38-20 SMU wins.

Texas A&M at #13 Alabama - Angry Bama at home versus an A&M team with bad vibes. This is another 2 or 3 turnover game for Marcel Reed, give me the Tide rolling with a 48-17 win.

Oklahoma at Mississippi State - If Kamario Taylor plays (and stays healthy in the game), the Bulldogs win. If he does not or gets knocked out, Oklahoma wins. I'll take the Bulldogs, Oklahoma keeps letting me down. Mississippi State 23, Oklahoma 21.

Colorado at Oklahoma State - Pokes defense needs work, but their gunslinger QB is going to light up the Buffs and the scoreboard. Oklahoma State 45, Colorado 24.

Vanderbilt at #12 Kentucky - Will Stein has the Wildcats tied atop the SEC standings with just 4 conference games remaining. Get through Vandy and the Wildcats have a very interesting path toward that SEC Championship game. Wildcats win 36-24.

Thank you for reading my Week 8 Predictions and as always, be sure to check out the latest episode of Inside Heart Football where I break down all the action in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. There's great football all across the nation, so kick back and enjoy your College Football Saturday!

#CFBKnowItAll🏈🧠

Alex Fernando