Week 8 Predictions

     Hey everybody, I hope you're all ready for another week of College Football! There are not a lot of big games this week, but this is the kind of set up that a lot of upsets tend to be pulled out on. I don't see a lot of major upsets this week, but you never know in College Football. I'm posting my picks tonight since I have to be at the stadium at 8am for tours tomorrow morning. If you're going to the game, remember to bring black as the Huskers will be wearing their alternate blackout uniforms against Northwestern turnover. Now let's get to the picks!

1. Kansas State at Texas
     The Longhorns are coming off a bye week and their stomping of arch rival Oklahoma two weeks ago. After that game everyone started cheering and boasted about how Texas was back. They might want to hold off a little bit before they think Texas is back in the major ranks of College Football. Bill Synder's Power-Cats are never an easy team face. They took Oklahoma State and TCU down to the wire, but were crushed by the Sooners last week 55-0. Even though they have struggled on offense throughout the year, they have been able to hang with high-powered offensive teams. I think that they will make this game interesting down in Austin, but the Longhorns' newly found run game will carry them to victory. Texas 38, K-State 27.

2. 6 Clemson at Miami (FL)
     The sixth ranked Tigers travel down to South Beach to take on the dangerous Hurricanes. Brad Kaaya has the 'Canes offense flying high averaging over 300 yards passing per game. Clemson's defense is never one that you'd like to see on your schedule, but this game has upset potential. An 11 am kickoff, on the road, Miami getting back on track... Not the ideal recipe for a Tigers victory. Clemson has handled all of their conference games quite well so far this year, and I imagine they will continue that trend all the way through the ACC Championship. Kaaya will be under too much pressure from Clemson's front four, throw two big interceptions at key points in the game, and the Tigers will win 30-21.

3. 23 Duke at Virginia Tech
     The Hokies have had a number of tough games, along with a number of tough injuries. They are still a dangerous team, and Junior backup QB Brenden Motley has been playing very well with over 1100 yards and 11 TDs. Duke on the other hand has been looking for a birth into the ACC Championship since day one, and has not let up. They have the 2nd ranked scoring defense in the nation giving up only 9.3 points per game. I think that their defensive pressure will be too much for a banged up Hokie team, and the Blue Devils will win 34-21.

4. Texas Tech at 17 Oklahoma
     The Sooners are coming off of a beat down up in Manhattan where they handed the Wildcats a 55-0 stomping. They seemed to find their offense last week after losing it against Texas in the Red River Rivalry. We can expect a lot of offense to occur in this one, the Red Raiders are averaging 49 points a game while the Sooners average 40. The Red Raiders have made it interesting against a couple teams this year, most notable is TCU, but Oklahoma at home will be too much. Baker Mayfield will have a stellar game against his former team and make Kingsburry wish he had offered him that scholarship. Sooners 48, Red Raiders 38.

5. 15 Texas A&M at 24 Ole Miss
     The Aggies are coming off of their big loss at home to the hands of the Tide. Ole Miss is coming off of a big upset from a red hot Memphis team. It's hard to say who will be more motivated in this one. This is the only match up between top 25 teams this week, and it features two very good QBs. Chad Kelly out of Ole Miss has been phenomenal in their wins, but has struggled mightily in their losses. The most surprising thing to me is that Ole Miss's defense has been torched in their two losses. Their land-shark defense was one of the best in the country last year, so it's odd to see them struggle this year. This plays well into the hands of Aggie QB Kyle Allen. Texas A&M has had a very strong offense all season, and I anticipate a big game from Allen. Another big factor will be the pressure A&M can get on Chad Kelly. Defensive End Myles Garrett has been reeking havoc on opposing QBs all year, and won't let up this week. Chad Kelly will be harassed all game and the Aggies will win this game 35-24.

6. Western Kentucky at 5 LSU
     By name, this doesn't look like a very interesting game to watch, but this will be an interesting one. WKU has a very prolific offense, and although they might not be on the same level as the Tigers, they can score points. I can see upset potential here, but it's a stretch. The Tigers may feel like they can cruise into their bye week after they knocked back the Gators with a fake field goal last week, but the Hilltoppers will make them work for it. Brandon Doughty has WKU's offense as the 3rd best passing offense averaging over 400 per game, and the 6th best scoring offense averaging 44 points per game. He has over 2700 yards, and a 24:4 TD to INT ratio. If LSU tries to overlook the Hilltoppers, they could be in trouble. I still have the Tigers winning 38-31, but I would not be shocked if an upset occurred. Watch this game, it will be interesting.

7. 3 Utah at USC
     The Utes have survived a couple of scares the past couple of weeks, but they are walking into an upset friendly Coliseum down in LA. The Trojans are coming off of two straight losses and their coach recently being fired. They have all the weapons to pull the upset, but they'll need to slow down Devontae Booker to do so. Booker has continued to run wild, and in my opinion should be in the conversation of the Heisman. I think that USC will get a lead, but the Utes will ride Booker to victory in a second half comeback. Utah stays unbeaten with a 31-27 comeback.

8. Northwestern at Nebraska
     The Huskers are coming off a major confidence boost as they beat the Gophers 48-25 last week. Northwestern comes to Lincoln on the heels of two blow out losses after starting the year undefeated. Their offensive struggles have caught up with them the past couple games, and should continue in Lincoln. Freshman QB Clayton Thorson struggles mightily under pressure, and with the Huskers getting both Freedom and Michael Rose-Ivy back from injury, expect a lot of sacks against a leaky Wildcat O-line. On the other side of the ball, look for Nebraska to follow Michigan's & Iowa's example and run the ball. The Northwestern defense has struggled a lot against the run the past couple weeks giving up 201 to Michigan and 294 to Iowa. I think that the Huskers will continue to get better and bring out another dominating performance. The Blackout will result in a 45-20 win for the Huskers!

     I hope you all have a great Saturday of watching football! I'm going to have a blast hanging out with the recruits before the game. Please comment if you have any other picks, and GO BIG RED!