Welcome to College Football Playoff Armageddon, a.k.a. Week 10. With 8 ranked teams playing on the road, 4 ranked vs. ranked match-ups and the classic Alabama-LSU showdown for the SEC West crown, we are in for some big time action today in CFB. Due to time constraints, I won't be able to do a large analysis on any of the games, but I will highlight a few reasons on why I picked the winners I did. Thank you for understanding and enjoy!
Week 9 Prediction Results: 8-7
Overall Prediction Results: 58-52
#19 Syracuse at Wake Forest
The Orange are ranked after knocking off NC State last week, but now travel to Wake Forest to take on the Demon Deacons. Greg Dortch is one of the best receivers in the nation for Wake Forest, and Syracuse ranks 106th in pass defense giving up 266 yards per game on average through the air. Wake has the offense to do some damage, but their defense won't be able to hold the lead in this game. Eric Dungey has another big game for the Orange and they win 39-33.
#20 Texas A&M at Auburn
Two SEC West teams just trying to make it to a decent bowl game square off in Jordan-Hare Stadium as the Aggies and the Tigers clash. Texas A&M has definitely met expectations with Jimbo Fisher's first year, hanging around in the division for a while, and you can expect more of the same in upcoming years. Auburn had their sights set on the CFB Playoffs after their opening week win against Washington, but have stumbled in multiple spots to a 5-3 record. Gus Malzahn could be on the hot seat after this season, and his team's offensive struggles have been a huge part in that. Texas A&M is on their third road game in 4 weeks, but I like Kellen Mond and Jimbo Fisher to out play/coach Stidham and Malzahn in this game. Aggies 33, Tigers 20.
#24 Iowa State at Kansas
Now this might not seem like a highlight match-up, but the Cyclones are trying to keep pace with the top dogs in the conference, and Kansas still has an outside shot at becoming bowl eligible. The Jayhawks rank second in the nation with a +16 turnover margin, but still struggle to stop opposing offenses from scoring. Watching the ISU-TTU game last week, the Cyclone receivers have a serious case of butterfingers. With a steady dose of David Montgomery on the ground, they'll be just fine in this game. Iowa State wins 30-17.
#6 Georgia at #9 Kentucky
The first of two big games in the SEC takes place in... Lexington, Kentucky? Yeah, you heard right! The 9th ranked Kentucky Wildcats host the 6th ranked Bulldogs in a game that will likely decide who wins the SEC East Division. Kentucky is in an unusual spot, but a hyped game at home could be just what they need to pull of the win. Benny Snell is the focus in this game, if he can get his touches and have a couple of open lanes, the Wildcats can pull off a major upset. However, the Kentucky defense will have to put a lot of pressure on Jake Fromm as well. I'm rooting for the 'Cats, but I'll go with my gut and pick Georgia. I think their defense is too dominant for Kentucky's one-dimensional offense to overpower. Praying for the upset, but Georgia wins 23-19.
#13 West Virginia at #17 Texas
This was a highly anticipated match-up for me at the beginning of the year. I picked West Virginia to win the Big XII and go to the College Football Playoffs. It's all still in front of them, but first they must get through a Longhorns team fresh off an upset which will likely keep them out of the Playoffs. The Mountaineers have had a couple extra days to prepare as they played on Thursday night last week, but no matter what, I expect some fireworks in this one. These defenses are going to have a tough time slowing down anything in this game, and I know WVU was watching film of the Pokes' passing attack which torched Texas for 321 yards last week. I still like what Will Grier brings to the table, and although Texas is almost back, they're not winning the Big XII this year. West Virginia wins a BIG road game 37-35.
#16 Iowa at Purdue
The Hawkeyes have another chance to prove themselves on the road as they travel to West Lafayette to take on the Boilermakers. If last week was any indicator, Iowa's success completely lies with Nate Stanley's arm. He completed just 36.7% of his passes last week and their defense scored most of their points. I'm torn here because both teams are coming off tough losses and need this win to get back in the West division race. David Blough struggled last week throwing 3 picks, compared to just his two from the rest of the year. This game depends on which QB can bounce back the best. Stanley will use his Tight Ends and Blough will use Rondale Moore. This is a tough choice, but I'm going with Purdue. Boiler Up and Purdue beats the Hawkeyes 24-21.
#14 Penn State at #5 Michigan
Penn State and Michigan square off for a BIG 10 East match-up in Ann Arbor. The Nittany Lions have bounced back from their losses to Ohio State and Michigan State with back-to-back wins against Indiana and Iowa. The Wolverines pose a much bigger task however, especially since they have the nation's top ranked defense, giving up just 14.4 points and 220 yards on average. Michigan had an extra week to prepare for this and their offense is playing well right now. Wolverines beat the Nittany Lions 30-17.
#22 Boston College at Virginia Tech
An interesting game in the ACC takes place as the Golden Eagles take on the Hokies. Boston College has climbed back into the rankings, with AJ Dillon carrying them along. He has 801 yards and 7 TDs on the ground so far this season, and ranks 4th in the nation with an average of 133.5 yards per game. Both teams are coming off a BYE week and Lane Stadium is the perfect place to knock Boston College out of the rankings yet again. This one should be tight according to the numbers, but I like the home team in this one. Virginia Tech wins 41-36.
#15 Utah at Arizona State
The Utes are sitting atop the Pac-12 South division, but with numerous teams right on their heels, there is not much room for error. Arizona State is coming off of a big win against USC at the Colosseum, but the Utes are a bit bigger of a challenge. They have the 7th ranked defense in the nation, and their secondary has 9 interceptions on the season thus far. I think the Utes are a very dangerous team, and should be able to handle Manny Wilkins and company. Sparky's receiving corps vs. the Utes' secondary will be a key factor to watch in this one. Utah 37, Arizona 20.
#4 Notre Dame at Northwestern
A big showdown in the city of Chicago takes place as the red-hot Northwestern Wildcats take on the 4th ranked Fightin' Irish. This is a very intriguing game and both teams are dangerous in their own ways. Northwestern has found some balance recently with freshman RB Isaiah Bowser, but this game still depends on Clayton Thorson. Ian Book for the Irish poses a threat, but I'm not sure it will be enough in this game. It's a bold pick, but I like the Wildcats in this game. They're a tough team to beat at home, and Notre Dame will really put this #4 ranking to the test. Sorry Uncle Joe, but I'm going with the BIG 10, Wildcats win a tight one at home 29-26.
#7 Oklahoma at Texas Tech
With a Bedlam date on the horizon, this is a potential trap game for Kyler Murray and the Sooners as they take on the Red Raiders in Lubbock. Two high-powered offenses will be full go and I expect a lot of points in this game. Freshman QB Alan Bowman brings his nearly 2,500 passing yards into this game, looking to take advantage of Oklahoma's lackluster secondary with a brutal air attack. However, the only thing you really need to know about this game is Kyler Murray. This kid is absolutely sensational and although Tech will put up a fight, I think Murray will be too much to overcome. Big Heisman statement and the Sooners score more points. Oklahoma 45, Texas Tech 33.
Stanford at Washington
After the Oregon win, this looked to be the game that would decide the Pac-12 North. But after 3 losses in the last 4 games for Stanford and 2 losses in the last 3 games for Washington, these teams are just fighting for a decent bowl game. Sub-par seasons have been the result for these two teams, and the lack of a productive offense is the primary contributing factor. Washington has one of the most experienced and best defenses in the nation, but has not been able to produce much with Jake Browning and Myles Gaskin when it comes to points. Stanford has been almost one dimensional with injuries to Bryce Love, focusing on a passing attack which is solid, but cannot keep up with the amount of points their defense lets up. Both of these teams honestly aren't very good this year, but I'll go with Washington in a tight one. Huskies beat the Trees 21-17.
Cal at #8 Washington State
Wazzu is ranked 8th in the nation, giving the Pac-12 slight hope of getting a team in the playoffs. The schedule tightens up over the next few weeks, and this is a tough match-up for the Coogs. Cal is looking to knock off both Washington teams in a span of two weeks and is a very dangerous team. Their defense gives up just over 300 yards per game, and an experienced secondary could make it tough sledding for Gardner Minshew. I do think Wazzu will stumble, but that won't come this week. This one will be tight, but I've got the Coogs winning 33-23.
#1 Alabama at #3 LSU
The game of the week (as it often does this time of year) takes place in Baton Rouge, LA as the Tide travel to take on the rival Tigers in Death Valley. No matter what the circumstances, this is always one of the most exciting games of the season because of these two teams. Now add in the fact they're both fighting for the top spot in the SEC West and for Playoff contention, this game gets even sweeter. Bama has yet to be challenged this season, but LSU will change that narrative quite quickly tonight. Both the Tide and the Tigers give up just about 15 points per game on average, but Bama tends to score 50 rather than 30 like LSU. Nonetheless, this will be a defensive showdown like always. Sophomore QB Tua Tagovailoa might even have to play in the 4th quarter of this game! With such stout defenses, Quarterback play will be a key factor. Tagovailoa has yet to throw an interception this season, and Graduate Transfer Joe Burrow has opened up the Tigers' offense with the use of his legs. There is a bit of 2017 smell in the air as LSU could be like Auburn last year where they beat Georgia and Bama during the regular season, square off against Georgia (if they beat Kentucky today) again in the SEC championship and lose, letting Alabama jump back into the playoffs. This will be a tight game, but Bama tends to finish well in Death Valley, winning the last 3 match ups there and the last 7 straight. LSU puts up a fight, but the Tide once again rolls to a 31-17 victory.
Nebraska at #10 Ohio State
The Cornhuskers travel to Columbus to take on the Buckeyes in what could potentially be a fairly high-scoring affair. Ohio State is two weeks out from their road loss at Purdue, and are still looking to fix the numerous issues that plague both sides of the ball for this team. With no run game, Ohio State will look to continue airing it out against the 111th ranked pass defense in the nation... yeah, the Blackshirts are not very good defending the pass still. If they cannot get pressure on Haskins, he will find more holes in the defense than Swiss cheese. However, their defense hasn't been the best either, giving up nearly 400 yards and 23 points per game. Adrian Martinez and crew have really been clicking lately scoring at least 31 in their last 3 games. Nebraska should play well in this game, and while Ohio State is a very tough task on the road, my mom would be quite upset if I picked the Huskers to lose today. I know she'll be helping them from up above and the Huskers upset the Buckeyes on the road 37-34! GO BIG RED!
Thank you all for reading my Gameday predictions and I hope you all have a fantastic Saturday. Let the chaos begin! There will be no CFB KnowItAll radio show on Monday 11/5, thank you for understanding.
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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