Good morning football fans and welcome to Week 11(ish) of college football... or at least what's left of it. With 15 games either postponed or cancelled across the nation, including three games featuring a top 5 team, we are left with a bit of a lackluster day in the CFB world. Don't fret though, we have some good games to watch and I've got all the things to watch for and predictions for y'all. Read on and enjoy!
Week 10(ish) Record: 8 - 4
Overall Record: 26 - 14
#9 Miami at Virginia Tech
The Canes are looking to stay in the hunt for an ACC Championship as they travel to upset-ready Blacksburg, VA to take on the Hokies. Virginia Tech lost a wild one against the Liberty Flames last week, even after they thought they had won the game. QB Hendon Hooker and RB Khalil Herbert lead a dynamic VT offense that averages 37.3 points per game with 465 yards and nearly 280 of those coming on the ground. Miami's rush defense has been stout, giving up an average of 148 on the ground, so that will be a good battle to watch. The true battle of the game will be between the Hurricanes' star QB D'Eriq King and the Hokie defense. King has been one of the best offensive playmakers in the nation this season, racking up 1,831 passing yards, 406 rushing yards and 20 TDs so far in 2020. The Virginia Tech defense has not faired well against opposing offenses, giving up more than 31 points per game. Many experts think this one is going to be close and favor VT to win, but I'm going to flip the script. Miami and VT have both played some tight games in the last few weeks, but I think this one is going to be one sided. I like the Canes to win big and make some noise in the ACC. Miami 38, Virginia Tech 20.
#10 Indiana at Michigan State
The Hoosiers are red hot and have a delicious upset possibility next week at Ohio State. However, the need to make sure they don't look past Mel Tucker and the Spartans. I still don't think he was the move this program should've gone with, but the Michigan game a couple weeks ago proves he's full of surprises. Neither team runs the ball well, so the secondaries will be tested in this one. If a team can establish a ground game, they'll likely win. However, I look at the two QBs and their turnovers for the keys to this game. Indiana's Michael Penix Jr. has just one pick on the season compared to Sparty's Rocky Lombardi with 5. Indiana is out to prove something this year and they're not letting up for anyone. Hoosiers win big over Michigan State 37-17.
Wake Forest at North Carolina
Two high-powered ACC offenses clash as the Demon Deacons take on the Tar Heels in Chapel Hill, NC. The two Sophomore Sams battle for a leg up in the ACC as both teams look for the top teams to stumble. Nonetheless, this is an important game for the two teams as WF won by 6 last year, holding off a Tar Heel comeback in the fourth quarter. Sam Howell leads UNC with more than 2,000 passing yards to go along with his 17 TDs while Sam Hartman has just 1,253 yards with 4 TDs. He's managed the offense well, and has yet to turn the ball over this season. Both running backs will be fun to watch as well since they often find the endzone. Kenneth Walker III has 11 TDs and a 5 yard per carry average for the Deamon Deacons while Jovonte Williams rumbles in with 14 TDs and a 7 yard per carry average. There should be plenty of points in this game, and as much as I would love to see Mac Brown lose again, I just can't pick against Sam Howell in this one. He's a baller and he's going to have a big game. Heels win the shootout at home 43-33.
#2 Notre Dame at Boston College
The Fightin' Irish knocked off top ranked Clemson last week but now have to regroup after their celebration to square off against the pesky BC Eagles on the road. Boston College nearly upset the Tigers before Notre Dame did, but couldn't hold their lead after halftime. They do have former Irish QB Phil Jurkovec leading their offense though, and he's been tremendous this season. He performs really well when under pressure in the pocket, standing in and making big throws. This has him with 2,083 yards and a 15 to 4 TD to INT ratio. The Eagles don't score much though, and that could be a problem if Notre Dame gets rolling. Star RB Kyren Williams has 10 TDs so far this season and averages nearly 6 yards per carry while QB Ian Book has more than 1,500 yards through the air with another 258 on the ground, scrambling at just the right moments to give opposing defenses head aches. The last time Notre Dame knocked off a #1 team they lost to Boston College the following week. I don't think that'll happen this time around and the Irish win 34-20.
#23 Northwestern at Purdue
Two unbeaten BIG 10 West Teams clash as the Wildcats and Boilermakers look to find the inside track to the BIG 10 Championship with a win over the other. Both have looked strong early in the season, but Purdue got an extra week off after their game against Wisconsin was cancelled last week. Rondale Moore will be a game time decision yet again, but WR David Bell has been torching opponents for the Boilermakers in their first two games. He's got 243 yards and 4 TDs in just two games, but will be tested against a tough Northwestern secondary that ranks 24th against the pass and already has 8 interceptions on the year. The Boilermakers do have a monster of a RB with Zander Horvath though. The 6'3, 230 pounds Junior averages 5.4 yards per carry and does not go down easy. Northwestern's strength on defense is definitely at the Linebacker position, as Blake Gallagher, Paddy Fisher and Chris Bergin are numbers 1, 2 and 3 for tackles on the team. They'll look to put up a wall to set up Peyton Ramsey and the Wildcat offense. He'll need to play well and keep Purdue at arms length to win this one. Should be an interesting game, but I like the Wildcats on the road in a rugged 27-23 win. Northwestern has yet to give up any second half points this season!
Arkansas at #6 Florida
One of the few SEC games to be played today features the Razorbacks and the Gators down in the swamp. This one is probably off the radar for most, but for Arkansas QB Feleipe Franks, this game has been circled on the calendar for a while. The ex-Gator is having a solid season thus far with 1,428 yards, 14 TDs and just 3 picks. His replacement has been on fire though, with 1,815 yards and 22 TDs with just 3 picks. Neither team has great defense, but Florida's has been improving and I like the Gators. Maybe a slow hangover after beating Georgia for the first time in three years, but they'll get the job done. Gators win this one 37-21.
#13 Wisconsin at Michigan
The Badgers are finally a back in action after cancelling their previous two games, and they get to travel to a reeling Michigan team. The Wolverines have dropped their last two games after pounding Minnesota (who appears to be horrible) in the season opener. Joe Milton has not been extremely efficient in the passing game, but the Wolverines have plenty of talent to run the ball with. They'll be up against the Wisconsin defense though, and even though they've been off for a few weeks, they are always tough to move the ball on. This is a tough game to get a read on statistically, but motivation wise I give the edge to Wisconsin. Everyone is wondering if they're able to come back and I think Michigan might be down for the count on this season. We'll see how this shakes out, but I've got the Badgers 28-14.
Penn State at Nebraska
Another battle of two teams with similar records takes place in the BIG 10, but in this one they're both looking for the first win of the season. The Nittany Lions roll into Lincoln with their worst start since 2001 while the Huskers look to avoid yet another 0-3 start under Scott Frost. Penn State comes in with a tattered defense that gives up 36.3 points per game. The Blackshirts aren't much better at 36.5 points per game, but their run defense has been fairly stout overall this season. The Nittany Lions have no rushing attack and have confirmation that their leading rusher from 2019, Journey Brown, won't be returning after medically retiring earlier this week. They do however have some dangerous receivers in Jahan Dotson and Parker Washington. The two of them have combined for 8 TDs on the season and look to feast on the spotty Husker secondary. The Blackshirts will need to get a lot of pressure on Sean Clifford in this one, and it can be done. He's already been sacked 13 times through three games. On the offensive side, Nebraska is still a mess. The Penn State defense hasn't played well this year, but they have talent. Defensive End Shaka Toney will look to pressure the QBs of the Huskers while Safety Lamont Wade holds down the secondary. The Huskers lack of a passing attack will continue to be their demise and if Wandale Robinson doesn't get many touches again you can chalk up a Husker loss already. I'm really trying to be positive here, but the inconsistencies of the Husker offense doesn't bode well for this game and I'm not sure things will be fixed by 11 AM. I do hope to see more of Luke McCaffrey as he's proven the QB1 spot fits him well. If Nebraska can jump out to a quick start in this game, they have a chance at pinning Penn State down quick. Unfortunately penalties and mistakes will continue to plague this team no matter what, and until a downfield passing attack is developed, there is no hope of winning a game like this. Penn State handles the Huskers and wins 27-14. Should be interesting seeing 4 QBs in one game for two teams.
Quick Hit Predictions:
#20 USC at Arizona - The Wildcats are playing in their first game and the Trojans are amped after their comeback. Kedon Slovis lights it up and the Trojans win 30-21.
Louisville at Virginia - Two bottom dwellers in the ACC, but an interesting game nonetheless. Both had a week off to prepare for this one, and it should be interesting as these teams have made it tight against tougher opponents. I like the Cards in this one, Javian Hawkins is just too much fun to watch. Louisville wins 38-36 on the road.
Colorado at Stanford - The Buffs won a shootout with UCLA last week, but Stanford poses a different task. It's hard to read these teams after just one game, but I like Stanford when they play on the Farm. They struggled to score points against Oregon, but the offense moved the ball. Stanford 31, Colorado 21.
Middle Tennessee at #16 Marshall - On the 50 year anniversary of the tragic plane crash that took the lives of so many Marshall football team members, The Heard plan to honor them with a special game. There's no way they lose this one and The Heard Thunder on. Marshall 34, Middle Tennessee 14.
#11 Oregon at Washington State - The Ducks handled business against Stanford and now travel to Wazzu. The Cougars aren't as much of an upset threat without the Pirate himself, but never underestimate the PAC-12 at night. Ducks 37, Coogs 24.
Thanks for reading my gameday predictions and I hope you all enjoy this incredible Saturday full of sports. We've got The Masters, a full slate of College Football and a Terence Crawford fight tonight. My predictions for the Masters are either Tiger Woods or John Rahm to win it all! Should be a good day and hopefully the Huskers can pull things together, GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
No comments:
Post a Comment