I hope everyone is ready for an action-packed Saturday of College Football, because we have some great games to watch today! Conference play is starting up for the BIG 10 along with many other teams, and I've got some big games all over the nation to pick. If anyone would like to receive an email whenever I make a new post, I have added a feature where you can subscribe to my blog! Hopefully this will notify all my readers a little more than my Facebook posts. Now onto the picks!!
1. North Dakota State at South Dakota State
This is a special pick for some of my SDSU friends! Everyone knows about NDSU and how they're looking for their 5th straight Division 2 National Title. This new rivalry with the Jackrabbits of SDSU will be a fun one. Both teams have very strong football programs in Division 2 and are the top two teams in the Missouri Valley Football Conference (MVFC). Both schools have a very balanced attack on offense, NDSU is a little stronger in the run game while SDSU is more so in the passing game. The key factor to watch in this game will be defense. NDSU is known for one of the best defenses in all of Division 2 football, so this will be a hard fought game. I think the home field advantage will play a big role and SDSU will get revenge for their 3 point loss last December. Sorry Bison, I've got to go with my home state, we're the better Dakota! SDSU 31, NDSU 27.
2. 23 West Virginia at 15 Oklahoma
I personally am still questioning the strength of the Sooners. They have not played very well against mediocre competition so far this season. However, West Va. hasn't really played anyone worthwhile either. Oklahoma has the impressive OT comeback at Tennessee, and WVU has that 45-6 torching against Maryland, but this will be the first true test for each team in my opinion. Conference play always raises the bar up a level, and this game has big implications on the Big XII. Obviously Baylor & TCU are the top dogs, but if either of these teams want a chance at taking away their title, this is a must win. As you would expect with most Big XII games, there will be a lot of offense and not much defense in this one. I think that WVU will be able to spread out the struggling OU defense and pull out the win. Baker Mayfield will make it a close game, but WVU will get a couple interceptions to seal the game. West Va. 40, Oklahoma 30.
3. Minnesota at 16 Northwestern
This will be an interesting game to watch for the BIG 10. The West Division is wide open and this game will be a very good indicator on what each of these teams will bring to their conference schedules. Minnesota has more or less fizzled out since giving TCU a scare on opening night. Northwestern has two of the most impressive non-conference wins as anyone in the nation with their shutdown of Stanford and their tough road win versus Duke. I think that they will continue their current path and roll the Gophers. There are just too many questions going on up in the Twin Cities for Minnesota to put together a complete game. Northwestern will spread them out far too much and win 35-20.
4. Iowa at 19 Wisconsin
This looks to be the first true test for the undefeated Hawkeyes. They played well against mostly lower class opponents during the non-conference games, so opening at Wisconsin this week will be interesting. Iowa has a very balanced attack, and QB CJ Bethard has been playing really well early in the season. Wisconsin on the other hand has the loss to Alabama in the opening and then 3 easy wins against sub-par opponents. It's really hard to say how good these teams are based off of their schedules so far, I think that this game will tell more than anything else they've done so far. Iowa on the road looks promising for an upset, especially in a rivalry like this, but I think that Wisconsin will somehow squeak this this one out. Badgers in a close one 28-24.
5. 1 Ohio State at Indiana
Honestly, if I had to pick an upset for the week, this might be my choice. Indiana doesn't have the most impressive non-conference wins, but then again, neither does Ohio State. Indiana has a very big one over WKU, and everyone has seen Ohio State struggle the past few weeks. Nate Sudfeld has been playing lights out with nearly 1000 yards, 9 TDs and only 1 pick. UAB transfer Jordan Howard has 675 rushing yards in 4 games for the Hoosiers as well. I think that Ohio State is inside of their own heads a little bit, and their struggles on offense are going to continue. Indiana has kept Ohio State on the ropes in previous years, and I think they will pull the upset. The Hoosiers are going to spread Ohio State's defense every which way, and the Buckeyes struggles on offense will be their demise. It's a bold pick, I know, but just watch Jordan Howard on a few carries and then you'll see why I have confidence in this pick. Plus it'd be kinda nice to see a top team fall this week! Indiana 43, Buckeyes 38.
6. Texas Tech at 5 Baylor
We've got another shootout set up in Waco today. Last week, the Red Raiders nearly knocked off TCU in a non-stop, action packed, offensive explosion. TTU showed that they can hang with the high-powered offenses in the Big XII. They'll score, just like they did in Fort Worth, but I'm not sure if it will be enough. This will be Baylor's first true test since their non-conference schedule didn't have much to look at. Expect to see a lot of yards and a lot of points. Baylor takes this one 62-56.
7. 13 Alabama at 8 Georgia
Alabama walks into a game listed as an underdog for the first time since 2009. That alone is going to make for an interesting game. Obviously Bama has had a number of issues this season, specifically at finding a QB. UGA has been tearing opposing defenses to shreds and looks to do the same against the tide. Georgia often struggles in big games however, so Bama could count on the choking factor of the Dogs. In the end, I think that Nick Chubb churns out too many yards and Georgia pulls out a win between the hedges. UGA 24 and Bama 21 in a close one.
8. 3 Ole Miss at 25 Florida
It's always tough to win in the Swamp, but I'm not quite sure if the Gators are ready for the Rebels in this one. Chad Kelly has this offense cruising at a very high level, and Florida struggles on offense. The Gators have a strong defense, but Kelly will find some holes. Florida pulled it out against their rival Tennessee, but Ole Miss has a much stronger defense than the Vols, and Robert Nkemdiche will be in the backfield before Florida can get the snap. Ole Miss rolls the Gators 35-20.
9. 6 Notre Dame at 12 Clemson
Big game in bad weather, doesn't get much tougher than that for these two unbeaten squads. Notre Dame's backup QB DeShone Kizer has the Irish playing at a high level on offense. He'll be up against a very fast Tiger defense when they walk into Death Valley though. Kizer will have to make a lot of pre-snap reads and get rid of the ball quickly to avoid sacks. Ball security is key in this game, especially with the weather. Deshaun Watson has played well against low class opponents this year, so it's hard to say how good the Tigers really are. I think the Irish will force too many turnovers and get the win. Notre Dame 42, Clemson 21.
10. Nebraska at Illinois
Conference opener for both teams and a big road test for my Huskers. I've heard rumors of people picking the Illini to upset the Huskers, but I can't quite see it. I will say that Wes Lunt and the Illini offense will spread out the struggling Blackshirt defense a lot. The biggest key for the Huskers in this game is getting pressure on Lunt. The Huskers have a formidable defensive line, but they often disappear for most of the game. Expect them to get a lot more pressure against a weaker offensive line. On the other side of the ball, the Huskers will likely get explosive Sophomore De'mornay Pierson-El back in rotation this week. He looked very good in practice this week and will give Tommy another vital weapon on offense. Expect the Huskers to use him on a lot of the Jet Sweeps and screens. Hopefully he can bring some life back to special teams as well. I think that the Huskers will have too much offensive power for the Illini to keep up today, and the Blackshirts will get some big turnovers. Nebraska 45, Illinois 28.
If you have any picks or think you can pick some of these games better than me, leave a comment! Also, remember to sign up with your email so you can receive updates when I make more posts! Enjoy your Saturday and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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