Week 13 Predictions

      We've got just 2 weeks left of College Football and while the season winds down, the Playoff race heats up. The SEC has their annual cupcake week with many of the teams playing FCS or Group of 5 programs, but there are still some potential danger games to look at. The Huskers are back in action this week and a night game in Happy Valley will be one of the feature games of the weekend. So sit back, read some game day predictions and enjoy a great weekend of College Football!

Week 12 Results: 22 - 5 (81.5%)

Overall Results: 198 - 80 (71.2%)

Week 13 Predictions:

#22 Missouri at #8 Oklahoma

     One of the few SEC games featuring real competition has former Big XII foes meeting for a showdown in Norman. Oklahoma knocked off Alabama last week in Tuscaloosa with a very impressive 23-21 victory. The Sooner defense has been suffocating most every opponent all year and have back-to-back road wins against Tennessee and the Tide. Mizzou does get Beau Pribula back, so we'll see how their air attack comes alive. RB Ahmad Hardy is the nation's leading rusher and will certainly test the Oklahoma defense. If the Tigers can get Hardy going early, this could be an interesting game to start the day with. I think Oklahoma is truly a playoff contending team, especially with their defense. I'll take the Sooners to win in Norman as they play Tigers back-to-back with LSU coming in next week. Mizzou hasn't won in Norman since 1966 though, Boomer Sooner 30-20.

Minnesota at Northwestern

     The Wildcats took Michigan to the wire last week, but were unable to finish the deal as the Wolverines won on a last second field goal. Northwestern had a +5 turnover margin but were unable to capitalize much on it, scoring just 22 points. Despite the offensive struggles, this defense is not one to overlook. They're allowing fewer than 20 points per game, and the Gophers are coming in after a beat down in Eugene. This should be a classic BIG 10 West slugfest, expect the first team to 20 to win the game. I'll take the Wildcats at home taking advantage of their turnovers this game. Northwestern wins 20-14.

Louisville at SMU

     One of the more underrated games of the weekend takes place in Dallas as the Ponies host the Cardinals in a must-win game for ACC Title hopes. Back-to-back losses by a combined 4 points have knocked Louisville out of ACC Championship contention, but SMU is looking to get back to the title game with a win here before traveling out to Cal. The Mustangs have had an extra week of rest coming off the BYE, but the Cardinals are looking to play spoiler now. Kicking issues were the demise in their last game, missing two Field Goals and a PAT throughout the game, ultimately causing their 1-point loss to Clemson. Cardinals QB Miller Moss is out today, and my key factor is the QB on the other side. Kevin Jennings is an all-around phenomenal athlete. He's really carried this offense as they lost a number of their weapons from a year ago, racking up 23 total touchdowns and evading sacks like a pro. I think he puts on an award-winning caliber performance to life SMU over Louisville and keep this ACC title hunt very interesting. Mustangs beat the Cardinals 36-28.

Kansas at Iowa State

     Both the Jayhawks and Cyclones have had disappointing seasons, especially coming in as potential contenders in the Big XII race. Kansas is still looking for bowl eligibility as they travel to Ames, and the Cyclones are looking to build off their first win since September as they defeated TCU by 3 last week. Jaylon Daniels and Rocco Becht are still the stars of this game, but neither have been able to get their teams over the hump as of late. Becht has especially struggled with turnovers, throwing 6 picks in the last 3 games. Statistically there's not a lot that separates these teams so I'll give the nod to the home team. Jaylon Daniels is always fun to watch, but I say the Cyclones get it done 27-23.

Baylor at Arizona

     Arizona came away with a surprising victory on the road against Cincy last week and now return home to face a Baylor team likely at a tipping point. The Bears gave up 55 at home to Utah last week and despite over 550 yards of their own offense, they only put up 28 points. Arizona threw haymakers all day against Cincy, also getting 2 picks. I like Arizona to win 31-21 at home as the Bears are fighting for post-season hopes.

Missouri State at Kennesaw State

     Despite their 5-1 C-USA record (7-3 overall), the Bears of Missouri State are not allowed to contend for the conference title or a bowl game due to this being their first season at FBS. This is a rule I've always taken issue with because you're moving these teams up to Division 1 to compete but then when they do right away they're not allowed to? Regardless, they could play spoiler to the Owls of Kennesaw State who are looking at a potential Conference USA title after just 2 wins in their debut season of Division 1 last year. Both teams have done well against similar competition this season, but the turnover bug has hurt the Owls with a -5 turnover margin. Missouri State is +3 in turnovers and will make you pay for your own, so give me the Bears in an upset win on the road, showcasing why they should be in the posts-season. Missouri State 33, Kennesaw State 27.

#15 USC at #7 Oregon

     College Gameday is headed back to Eugene, Oregon as the Trojans and the Ducks give us a playoff-type matchup with the loser likely being left out of the College Football Playoffs. Oregon does have some more ground to give with just 1 loss on the season to Indiana, but they don't have many great wins and this game would be a big resume booster. The winner of this game almost certainly secures the 3rd place spot in the BIG 10, likely in the CFB Playoffs. I'm expecting to see the best of these two offenses as they've been locked down lately. Oregon found some offense against Minnesota last week, but USC has found a way to win close games in the BIG 10. The QB Battle is one to watch here as Jayden Maiava and Dante Moore are two of the best in the nation, leading two of the most dynamic offenses. They do have a different of styles though, especially with Oregon starting to ground and pound with two different running backs averaging over 8 yards per carry and a third back averaging 7. Dante Moore takes care of the football, not giving many possessions away. For USC, I said it last week and they didn't listen, you need to start fast. Make this Oregon offense play from behind and push to make plays. If USC has to battle back in this game, I don't know if they'll be able to break through Oregon's defense. The Ducks rank 3rd in total defense. Oregon will be without a couple of top wideouts, so look for a heavy dose of running backs. Whoever starts this game hot should take it, and I can't go against the Ducks at home. Oregon wins 33-28.

Duke at North Carolina

     Basketball blue bloods meet on the gridiron as QB Darian Mensah and the Blue Devils look to bounce back from back-to-back losses while the Tar Heels fight for a bowl bid. UNC's defense has been the strength, but they'll need points if they want to beat Duke. If this one gets messy with turnovers, don't be too surprised with the upset. It would be fun to see Bill Belichick in a bowl game, so give me UNC to win 23-21.

East Carolina at UTSA

     The Pirates finish the season with back-to-back road games against two of the American Conference's best offenses, starting with UTSA. ECU is very much in the conference title race after defeating Memphis at home last week, but the Roadrunners have already pulled a few upsets this season. Two of their three losses are by a single touchdown and they have a very balanced offense averaging over 400 yards per game and 32.3 points per game. My key stat in this game is 3rd down conversions. UTSA ranks 60th, in the middle of the pack, in conversion rate allowed. The Pirates are 10th in the nation as they stay ahead of the chains and convert more than 50% of their 3rd downs on average. Give me the Pirates on the road for a big win in the American 32-24.

Kansas State at #12 Utah

     The Wildcats are fighting for bowl eligibility as they travel to Salt Lake City and take on the #12 Utes, who are in the mix for the College Football Playoffs, despite needing help to get to the Big XII Championship. K-State has done well to bounce back from the rough start to the season, but they still have troubles against the top teams in the conference. Typically I'm focused on Utah's defense, and they'll likely hold down the K-State offense, but after dropping 53, 45 and 55 in their last few games, the Utah offense is my key factor here. The Utes are 10th in the nation in total yards with so many weapons contributing. I don't see them slowing down and these big wins are big statements for the CFB Playoff Selection Committee. Utah 42, Kansas State 17.

TCU at #23 Houston

     The Cougars are technically still alive in the Big XII race, but they need a lot of help. Looking at their record though, their only losses are to Texas Tech and then the puzzler against West Virginia. The QBs Josh Hoover and Connor Weigmen lead their respective offenses, but have struggled with turnovers as of late. Hoover has thrown 4 picks in the last 2 games and was sacked 4 times last week against BYU. Weigman has 5 picks in the last two games to go along with the 5 sacks he's taken. Whoever can cause the most pressure in this game, they'll have the advantage. I'll give the nod to Houston as both of these teams rank very close in sacks statistically, but the home crowd might provide a boost. Cougars beat the Frogs in a Big XII shootout 36-31.

Pittsburgh at #16 Georgia Tech

     The Ramblin' Wreck seem to be trying everything to avoid the playoffs after giving up 48 to NC State a few weeks ago and needing a late comeback to defeat the lowly Golden Eagles of Boston College. Haynes King is still having a Heisman-type year, but the last two weeks have knocked his stock down. Regardless of what the voters are saying, he's one of the best in the nation with more than 3,000 total yards, 24 total touchdowns and just 2 picks. Pitt struggled against the run last week with Notre Dame racking up 175 yards and nearly 5 yards per carry. The Yellow Jackets need to ground and pound in this game, get back to their bully ball from early in the season. I think GT is squaring up for a big matchup against rival Georgia next week. Yellow Jackets beat the Panthers 27-21.

#20 Tennessee at Florida

     ESPN's prime-time game features the Vols and the Gators in the annual SEC showdown. Florida is still looking for their next Head Coach while Tennessee is looking to get back into the playoff picture. A ranked matchup on Rocky Top with the Commodores is set for next week, but don't overlook these Gators. Florida could've very easily beat Georgia and Ole Miss, putting those teams near the upset fire. Florida couldn't quite pull those upsets, but Tennessee might be more vulnerable. The Vols has yet to beat a Division 1 with a winning record this season. The Gators are 3-7, so they're the type of opponent Tennessee would beat, but if they turn it over and get down early, this could get interesting. Joey Augilar has thrown 4 picks in the last two games against Oklahoma and New Mexico State. Florida's lack of offensive production has been their achilles heel this season, not finishing drives or converting when needed. DJ Lagway throws some very questionable interceptions from time to time, but today I think he cleans it up. I want Tennessee to be exposed before Vandy, so give me the Gators to win 27-24.

#21 Illinois at Wisconsin

     The Bret Bielema Bowl takes place in Madison today as the Illini head North to take on the Badgers. This has been a disaster season for Wisconsin, but with a confirmation that Luke Fickell will return, the Badgers are hoping more money pours into the roster. Their defense is still competitive, but Illinois should have the talent to win this one outright. QB Luke Altmyer has been great this year and I expect him to finish on a high note in BIG 10 play. Fighting Illini 28, Wisconsin 20.

Cal at Stanford (The Big Game - Battle for the Stanford Axe)

     The Big Game between Cal and Stanford should be a fun battle this year as both teams have been playing close games all season long. Stanford is still searching for their next Head Coach as Andrew Luck works to turn this program around. They're hosting the Cardiac Cal Golden Bears who seem to play wild an wacky games every week. Both teams had a week to rest before this one and are coming off close games out on the East coast. I think Stanford has some upset potential next week with Notre Dame, but they struggle to finish out games. I think they'll cause some headaches early, but Cal's freshman QB Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is going to have another big game. Golden Bears win the Axe with a strong 2nd half 30-21 over rival Stanford.

#11 BYU at Cincinnati

     The BYU Cougars are squarely in the Big XII and Playoff mix with just 1 loss to a tough Red Raider squad. They travel to Cincy, hoping to knock the Bearcats and a few other Big XII teams out of conference title contention. I was bamboozled by Cincy the last few weeks as they've fallen off here in November, losing back-to-back games on the road at Utah and at home against Arizona. The Bearcats had taken care of the ball very well all season, but in those two losses QB Brendan Sorsby has thrown 3 picks after throwing 1 in the first week against Nebraska and no others. BYU loves to take the ball away, forcing 18 turnovers this season and ranking 12th with a +8 turnover margin. Cincy has been beaten up by the rushing attack in the last couple of weeks, and I would expect a heavy dose of Bear Bachmeier and LJ Martin running downhill at the Bearcats all night. Give me the Cougars with a statement on the road, trying to get a rematch with Texas Tech 34-21.

#25 Arizona State at Colorado

     A prime-time game for Coach Prime and the Buffs as they host Jeff Sims and the Sun Devils. The ex-Husker QB did not perform well last time he visited Boulder, turning the ball over 3 times against the Buffs while making his second start at Nebraska. This time around though he seems much more comfortable in the ASU offense and he'll be up against Colorado defense ranking 107th with 30 points per game allowed. Depending on what happens with BYU and Cincy, the Sun Devils are still very much in the Big XII title race, but it will likely come down to tie-breakers. Unfortunately for Colorado, this season has been a bit of a disaster. I'm curious to what Deion will do this offseason as there's a very smart exit ramp to mutually part ways and focus on his health. This game likely won't be close, but Sun Devils win 37-21.

Washington at UCLA

     The Huskies put a beat down on the Boilermakers last week while UCLA was pummeled by Ohio State. The former PAC-12 foes meet in the Rose Bowl as Washington looks to push for better bowl position come post-season. They've been a very solid team this season and QB Demond Williams Jr. gives the future a lot of potential being only a Sophomore and accounting for 21 total touchdowns and accounting for over 3,000 total yards. The Bruins defense has struggled to stop mobile QBs in the last couple of weeks and I don't think their offense will keep pace with the likes of Dubs who continue to roll. Washington 34, UCLA 21.

Nebraska at Penn State

     My Huskers head back East for another road night game against the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. This is a game I had the Huskers losing in my original season predictions, but I'll give you the ways they can win because we're all about belief in my team! TJ Lateef looked good in his homecoming debut out in LA against the Bruins, but the most important part of that victory was the Huskers finally followed my basic game plan: FEED EMMETT JOHNSON. Making life easy for TJ comes through establishing a run game early. Penn State has playmakers all over the defense, but the run game is an area where they've struggled. Get Emmett Johnson going early and mix things up with Lateef involved in the run game. Keep the Nittany Lions guessing. Utilize your speed on the edge with Hunter and Barney, simple routes with easy reads and throws. The Blackshirts will have their own hands full with the run game as Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen have combined for 21 TDs and are a dangerous 1-2 punch. Allen is averaging 5.6 yards per carry, so full wrap-up tackling will be VERY important in this game. If Nebraska can sell out early on the run (like they should've done against Michigan), and force the Nittany Lions to win by passing, they've got a chance. Matt Rhule has an opportunity to make a big statement for Husker fans in this game, showcasing he is getting this team to the next level. I need to see this team take a step forward in this game. Prime time game, under the lights in one of College Football's biggest stages. Show me the lights aren't too bright and put some respect back on the Nebraska Football name. Run early and often, make life easy for TJ as best you can and load the box against Penn State. I've picked the Huskers in every game this season to stay positive, so I'll continue that for today. Huskers 26, Nittany Lions 21.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Rutgers at #1 Ohio State - Eventually the Buckeyes will play a team that can be remotely competitive, today is not that day. Ohio State suffocates yet another BIG 10 bottom-dweller 38-10.

Syracuse at #9 Notre Dame - The 'Cuse have had it very rough since losing ex-Notre Dame QB, Steve Angeli (who is still the leading passer for the Orange) to a season-ending ACL tear. The Irish shouldn't have many issues in this game. Notre Dame 38, Syracuse 7.

Kentucky at #14 Vanderbilt - Kentucky is on the precipice of Bowl eligibility, but have the Commodores and arch rival Louisville Cardinals in their way. Diego Pavia is going to do everything possible to get this team to the playoffs, so expect them to handle Kentucky with Authority. Anchor Down 27-13.

Michigan State at Iowa - The Hawkeyes have lost two close games in a row to Oregon and USC. Luckily for them they host a Spartans team completely off the rails with 7 straight losses, all in conference play. Iowa's defense should suffocate them, and they might even put up points. Build that confidence so the Huskers can tear it down! Iowa wins 31-7.

#13 Miami at Virginia Tech - Miami would've had this game as their flop game if not for Louisville and SMU already doing the trick. However, don't discount the Hokies too quickly. Some of these players likely want to show what they can do for the newly hired James Franklin and ball out. Don't let them hang around or this could get really bad (funny) for Miami (me). Hurricanes handle business 35-17.

Arkansas at #17 Texas - The Hogs come into Austin with a perfect opportunity to knock off the Longhorns who just got demolished by Georgia and could be peeking ahead to Texas A&M. If this Texas team doesn't regroup quickly, Taylen Green will be causing them a lot of headaches. Hook 'Em 33-24.

Jacksonville State at Florida International - The Gamecocks are sitting atop C-USA with a perfect conference record. FIU has back-to-back wins and could be looking for more this weekend. Be sure to watch both running backs if you take a peek at this game, they are both sensational. JSU wins on the road 38-23.

#18 Michigan at Maryland - Michigan is setting up for another showdown in The Game with Ohio State next week, just take care of the ball against Maryland. The Terps have been in free fall since September Maryland ended, but there's a lot of young talent on this team to lean on for the future. Wolverines 34, Terrapins 20.

Thanks for reading my Week 13 Predictions and enjoy your college football Saturday! GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll🏈🧠

Alex Fernando 

Week 12 Predictions

      As we creep further into November, the chaos continues to build throughout College Football. This seems like a weekend where business should be handled, especially with so many ranked teams playing lower tier conference opponents at home. However, this is when the cracks in a team are not only found, but exposed. We could see some interesting upsets as we move into the final few weeks of the season, and more chaos will ensue. This post highlights all the games to keep an eye on this weekend along with my predictions. I'll do my best to get some reflections and CFB Playoff Predictions up soon, but I appreciate you all for reading and hope you have a fabulous College Football Saturday.

Week 11 Results: 15 - 7 (68.2%)

Overall Results: 176 - 75 (70.1%)

Week 12 Predictions:

South Carolina at #3 Texas A&M

     It's hard to stay quiet as the #3 team in the nation, and while the Aggies are starting to get some serious conversation about them, they've still been secondary compared to other teams in the SEC and around the nation. I'm sure Mike Elko wouldn't have it any other way, but I've been on this team since their road win at Notre Dame. The defense has had a couple of scares, but they always seem to make the right play at the right time. Most importantly, Marcel Reed has been fabulous this season. More than 2,500 total yards and combined 25 TDs with just 6 interceptions. He makes very good decisions and while isn't getting many Heisman looks this year, he's my lead pick for next season. The Gamecocks season has been derailed by injuries and poor offensive line play. The hype deflated quickly, and it's likely they're not making a bowl game. However, this is the weekend where a game like this could be a surprise upset. All the focus is on Georgia, Texas, Alabama and Oklahoma for their games. A&M doesn't want stories about them this week, so they take care of business. Beware of this pass rush, they rank 2nd in the nation with 34 sacks on the season. Gig 'Em 42-17.

#18 Michigan at Northwestern

     A very sneaky lurker in the Playoff conversation is the Michigan Wolverines. They've got road games against the Wildcats and the Terrapins before hosting the Buckeyes to finish. With the 13th best scoring defense allowing just over 17 points per game they likely won't be tested until the big one with Ohio State. The Wildcats are coming off back to back losses with a BYE week in between to my Huskers and USC on the road. They host the Wolverines at Wrigley Field, but I would expect some struggles on offense. Michigan's defensive prowess is already mentioned, but to double down on it the Wildcats have yet to score more than 22 points against a Power 4 opponent. Bryce Underwood has a couple more games to get some practice in before he faces a truly aggressive defense like Ohio State, so lean on the run game and get him good play-action pass looks. Wolverines 31, Northwestern 17.

#24 South Florida at Navy

     The Bulls are in the driver seat for the G5 playoff bid, but the American Conference isn't clinched yet. There are 5 different teams with just 1 conference loss, and they don't all play each other. These two will look to knock each other out of contention today and it's the perfect place for an upset. South Florida will be heavily favored the rest of the way, but that triple option is not to be overlooked. It's a question on if Midshipmen QB Blake Horvath will play, but I don't think they'll be able to hold up against the Bulls regardless. USF ranks 23rd against the run and offensively I think they'll create some big plays over the top of Navy. South Florida wins on the road over Navy 27-14.

Arizona at #25 Cincinnati

     The Wildcats are looking to Bear Down as they take on the Bearcats who need to get back in the Big XII Playoff conversation. Cincy has a BIG game with BYU next week at home, so the trap is set with Arizona coming in. You certainly don't want to over look the Wildcats as Brett Brennan's team took BYU to overtime and lost by 3 to Houston. The last we saw of Cincy they were moving the ball fairly well against Utah, but could not put up any points. Bearcat QB Brendan Sorsby completed just 33% of his passes and struggled to get the ball out to his playmakers. Arizona QB Noah Fafita has been very impressive with 2,200 passing yards to go with 23 TDs and just 4 picks. He hasn't had star wideout Tetairoa McMillan this season, but has done very well to spread the ball around to teammates all over the field. I've really enjoyed this Arizona team and glad we'll see them in the post-season, but next week has a lot of story behind it if Cincy takes care of business. Wildcats give them a scare, but the Bearcats avoid the trap game at home and win 30-24.

Arkansas at LSU (Battle for the Golden Boot Trophy)

     Two interim coaches will do battle as the Boot-shaped Golden Trophy replicating both states of Arkansas and Louisiana is up for grabs. These are two of the 4 SEC schools with coach vacancies and I'm anxious to see who steps up in this one. The Tigers benched star QB Garrett Nussmeier late in the game against Alabama, but the Razorbacks couldn't stop a 3rd grade offense let alone LSU's. I would expect a high-scoring affair as the Hogs look for their first SEC win of the season. LSU has lost 3 in a row and it seems like their offense is in shambles. Even in Tiger Stadium, I think we're gonna see some Woo Pig magic today. Bobby Petrino is trying to coach his way out of the interim title and a strong offensive performance with a rivalry win on the road would be good for his resume. Give me Arkansas to pull the upset in Death Valley. Razorbacks win 38-35 behind a fabulous performance from Taylen Green.

UCF at #6 Texas Tech

     Texas Tech did not shy away from the spotlight last week after hosting College Gameday and the BYU Cougars. The Red Raiders suffocated the BYU offense, allowing just 255 yards and 7 points. Their defense is as good as any in the nation and if QB Behren Morton can stay healthy. Scott Frost and the UCF Knights come to Lubbock looking to keep bowl game hopes alive. I have always enjoyed UCF, but now enjoy watching Scott Frost lose more, so this should be a good one for me. The Knights are a very young team though, so look for them to build momentum for next season as we finish 2025. Guns Up & Wreck 'Em as the Red Raiders win 38-10.

NC State at #15 Miami

     The Hurricanes have been caught up in a storm the last few weeks with a couple of close conference losses, and now they're on the outside looking in. They need some help to not only make the ACC Championship, but the Playoffs as well. The Wolfpack just knocked off unbeaten Georgia Tech a couple weeks ago and now come in rested to play a Miami team who is starting to rip at the seams. I knew I was wrong to give Carson Beck his flowers as he's thrown 6 interceptions in the two losses. He struggles in the big moments and without a run game to lean on the offense becomes very one-dimensional. The Wolfpack rank 2nd to last in pass defense though, so Beck has an opportunity to bounce back with a statement. NC State is led by QB CJ Bailey and RB Hollywood Smothers, who missed the Georgia Tech game. Bailey accounted for nearly 400 yards of offense alone against the Yellow Jackets, but Miami's front is a bit more formidable. They've got 24 sacks on the season and while I don't think the Hurricanes will get to the playoffs, their defensive front will win them this game. Wolfpack hang around but Miami wins 31-21.

Penn State at Michigan State (Battle for the Land Grant Trophy)

     Both the Nittany Lions and the Spartans are winless in BIG 10 play, setting up a pride battle with the Land Grant Trophy on the line. Defensively, Penn State holds a significant advantage in this game. They nearly knocked off Indiana last week and were a menace in the backfield against Fernando Mendoza. They had 3 sacks and 8 tackles for loss against the Hoosiers, and now face the Spartans who rank 124th in the nation already allowing 30 sacks. Michigan State looked better after benching QB Aiden Chiles in favor of Freshman QB Alessio Milivojevic. Milivojevic threw for 311 and 1 TD against Minnesota while completing 20/28 passes and keeping the offense on schedule. Jonathan Smith's seat is getting extremely hot in East Lansing, but with the recent penalties from Mel Tucker recruiting violations, it could be difficult to attract a coach there if they do decide to fire him. First thing is first, they need to try and stop the Penn State rushing attack, and their defense ranks in the middle of the road at 66th against the run. Give me Penn State in a very impressive performance on defense with a lot of QB pressure. Nittany Lions win 28-10.

#21 Iowa at #17 USC

     The BIG 10's biggest game of the weekend takes place out west in LA as the Hawkeyes travel to take on the Trojans. Iowa is looking to spoil USC's playoff hopes a week early as a trip to Eugene looms next week. Don't you dare overlook the pesky black and gold from the heartland, this Iowa squad will ALWAYS find your weakness and bring it to light. Their defense ranks 4th in the nation and loves to muck up games against opposing offenses. I saw first-hand how Nebraska was able to shut-down the #1 offense in the nation (now technically #2 by 0.9 yard), and Iowa is looking to do just the same. If the Trojans want to avoid falling into the pit of despair that the Hawkeyes somehow call football, they need to start fast. If Iowa hangs around in the game, it could be a bad day for USC. The weather is much more Iowa-like than LA-like today out west, so look for USC to get Jayden Maiava on the move and allow him to use his legs. Iowa nearly knocked off Oregon last week, but that was in Kinnick. It's not a late night game, but traveling out west is always tricky. I think the Trojans learned some lessons in Lincoln and will look to get out of the gate quickly and be a bit more aggressive on offense. I'll take USC to Fight On and beat Iowa in the Coliseum 24-14.

#19 Virginia at Duke

     The Cavaliers fell to the Demon Deacons last week and now need a bit of help to get back into the Playoff picture. QB Chandler Morris left the game last week with an injury which brought in former Husker QB Daniel Kaelin. Kaelin played well but was unable to fully spark the offense. Duke fell to UConn (as I predicted), but Darian Mensah has this offense scoring more than 35 points per game. If Morris can't go, the Virginia offense likely won't have enough firepower to keep pace, and I don't know if their defense will be able to stop the Blue Devils. The magic for Virginia may be finished as the Duke Blue Devils win this one at home 33-28.

Memphis at East Carolina

     Memphis likely lost their playoff chances with the late Friday loss to Tulane last week, but a 3rd straight season with double-digit wins is on the table as they travel to Greenville, NC to take on the Pirates. East Carolina has been one of my upset-minded dark horses in the American this season, and are looking to continue sailing their pirate ship to the conference championship game. They'll face 3 of the best offenses in the American to finish the season, starting with hosting the Tigers. ECU QB Katin Houser has been on fire lately, throwing 7 TDs with 1 pick over the last 4 games. The Tigers gave up 332 pass yards to Jake Retzlaff last week and I think ECU will find similar success. Give me some chaos in the American and let the Pirates get in the mix for the conference title. Pirates beat the Tigers 33-31.

Florida at #7 Ole Miss

     The Rebels are squarely in the Playoff mix as long as they don't overlook their final two opponents in Florida and Mississippi State. They host the Gators today and it looks like they've given up on the season after losing to Kentucky 38-7. Ole Miss had the annual SEC cupcake in late November as they defeated Citadel 49-0 last week, but it's always a good to get extra players some minutes and keep guys healthy late in the season. Trinidad Chambliss should have another good showing as the Gator defense ranks 60th in pass defense, but they also gave up over 220 yards on the ground. Look for Ole Miss to get Sophomore RB Kewan Lacy going early as they want to establish a good rushing attack heading into the end of the year and the playoffs. Rebels win 34-17.

#13 Utah at Baylor

     The Utes are hoping for a bit of help as they want a rematch with Texas Tech in the Big XII Championship. They travel to Waco as Dave Aranda and the Bears are trying to hang on at the end of the season. There's some extra drama as Baylor's AD has stepped away from both that role and the CFB Playoff Committee Chair position. It's unclear of what Aranda's future looks like, but this season has certainly been disappointing to say the least. Utah does well to beat the teams they're supposed to, and they did flex a bit on Cincy a couple weeks ago. The Bears have a lot of weapons on offense, but Utah's defense will look to get after QB Sawyer Robertsen and get him off schedule. They've got 25 sacks on the season and will look to add to that total. I think Baylor will hang around a bit longer than expected, but Utah will dominate time of possession and keep them at arms length. Utes win 31-17.

TCU at #12 BYU

     The Cougars couldn't move the ball last week against Texas Tech, finishing with just 255 total yards. Defensively they did well to force the Red Raiders into 5 field goals, so they are tough to score on in the red zone. TCU's offense has slowed down a bit the last couple of weeks, especially since they have very little run game to lean on. The Frogs rank 107th in rush offense, which means BYU has full authority to rush the passer. I think the Cougars defense will hold this team together and help the offense get back on track. Give me BYU over TCU 30-21.

Kennesaw State at Jacksonville State

     Both squads are 5-0 in C-USA play and could play again for the C-USA crown despite a loss today. The Owls don't have the most dynamic offense, but when your defense allows just over 21 points per game, the offense doesn't always have to do too much. Jacksonville State averages 29.9 points per game to rank 2nd in the conference, so we've got best on best when they're on the field against the Owls defense. Junior RB Cam Cook is the player to watch as he's looking to keep his 5.9 yard per carry average up against the Owls rush defense. Turnovers are the difference maker though, and Jacksonville State is +3 on the season while Kennesaw is -1. Gamecocks beat the Owls at home 23-21.

Boise State at San Diego State

     The Aztecs were somewhat in the mix for the G5 playoff bid until their trip to Hawaii last week where the Rainbow Warriors buried them 38-6. SDSU has struggled on offense at times throughout the season, averaging just 26.3 points per game. Boise State has had their own issues, and they seem to keep piling up as starting QB Maddux Madsen will miss this one due to injury. The Broncos don't have much for offense outside of Madsen and with the Aztecs coming home off a bad loss I'm sure will wake up this 6th ranked defense to come after Boise State. Give me the Aztecs 27-21.

#11 Oklahoma at #4 Alabama

     A must-win game for the Sooners is set in Tuscaloosa as Alabama looks to get some revenge from last season when the Sooners shocked them (and the nation) with a 24-3 victory in Norman, ultimately knocking the Tide out of the Playoffs. Alabama has been rolling and looks to add an SEC Championship game to their schedule in a few weeks. This will be one of the best defenses Alabama has played all season, and John Mateer is looking back to his September-Heisman self. The Sooners forced 3 turnovers and caused a lot of QB pressure last season in the win, I'm guessing the game plan is similar today. Bama is led by QB Ty Simpson who has just 1 pick on the season. I'm anxious to see how he handles some adversity because Oklahoma is going to shut down the run game and force him to beat them with his arm. He's done that well through the season, but a couple of turnovers could change the tune. Offensively for Oklahoma they need to get their receivers involved. Mateer opens the run game up and can move the pocket, but Bama's defense will also force the QB to win this game through the air. It been hard to see Alabama losing this one at home, so I'll Roll with the Tide. I'd love the upset for some SEC chaos, but the offense of OU needs to match the defense and I'm not quite sure they're ready for it. This could be one of the best games of the weekend. Bama 24, Oklahoma 21.

#10 Texas at #5 Georgia

     Both teams have have defied my predictions and continue to win games. Luckily, someone has to lose this so I'll finally get my wish of watching one of these teams lose. Georgia plays so well at home and their offense is dynamic with Gunnar Stockton throwing and running it all over the place. Texas leans on the strength of their defense, but Arch Manning and the offensive have come alive in recent weeks. They always seem to pull one out of the fire, but road trips have been scary for the Horns this year. This is their first experience between the hedges and I don't think they'll make it out in one piece. I'm taking the Bulldogs to win at home with some key takeaways on defense and getting after Arch Manning with the pass rush. Bulldogs beat the Horns 33-23.

#9 Notre Dame at #22 Pitt

     The Irish look to add to their playoff resume with a ranked road win against the Pitt Panthers. They'll be up against one of the best rush defenses in the nation, as Pitt is allowing just 2.39 yards per carry and 80.9 yards per game on the ground. Notre Dame has two of the best backs in the nation though, and the duo of Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price have combined for 22 touchdowns so far this season. Offensively for the Panthers, they're led by Freshman QB Mason Heintschel who is 5-0 since being named the starter. He's got lots of weapons including a talented RB of his one with Desmond Reid. He's a dual-threat back with receiving skills adding to his rushing abilities. He'll give the Notre Dame defense a lot of headaches if they cannot tackle him on their first try. Lots of chaos and upset potential with Pitt in this game, but I think the run game of Notre Dame will break through. Obviously we're hoping for the upset, but I'll make my Uncle Joe happy and go with the Irish today. Notre Dame 26, Pitt 21.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Wiscionsin at #2 Indiana - The Badgers saw some life by beating Washington last week, but Indiana was pushed to the brink and I imagine Curt Cignetti wants to fix those issues. Indiana will be without their top receiver Elijah Sarratt again, but look for their offense to protect Mendoza better. 28-10 Hoosiers.

West Virginia at Arizona State - The Mountaineers have back-to-back wins and need 2 more to get bowl eligible in Rich Rod's first season back in Morgantown. Arizona State is coming off a BYE week and I've got to give Jeff Sims some credit because he set a school record and showed some great toughness in that win against Iowa State two weeks ago. I can't fully say I'm forgiven on him for his Husker days, but I think he gets the job done here. Sun Devils beat the Mountaineers 36-23.

Maryland at Illinois - The Terps have lost 5 straight and their offensive production has fallen off quickly, scoring no more than 20 in 4 of their last 5. Illinois hasn't been able to run the ball much, but Luke Altmyer and his experience will push them past Maryland. Illini 34, Terps 24.

Purdue at Washington - The Boilermakers have a lot of rebuilding to do, and it likely won't come together in Seattle. The Dubs need a bounce back after losing to Wisconsin, but don't let Purdue hang around, they've had a lot of close losses in the BIG 10 and could be primed for another upset. Huskies win 28-21.

UCLA at #1 Ohio State - Nico Iamaleava has the experience of playing in the Horseshoe from the Playoffs last season, but his legs along won't get him a win against the #1 defense in the nation. Buckeyes suffocate again and flex a bit on offense 38-7.

Mississippi State at Missouri - State couldn't get things going against Georiga, but Mizzou is spiraling a bit. The Bulldogs need this one or the Egg Bowl to get bowl eligible and they host the Egg Bowl at home. Tough road environment and I'll give it to the Tigers to bounce back 30-27.

Wyoming at Fresno State - The Cowboys head West to take on Fresno as both teams come off a BYE week. This is one of the last battles we'll see between these teams as Fresno State heads to the PAC-12 next season, and they're not going out on a loss to Wyoming. Bulldogs take it at home 27-21.

Thank you for reading my Week 12 Predictions and enjoy a great day of College Football!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 11 Predictions

     We're in the thick of November football and this weekend will certainly start to shake up who's truly in the hunt for the college football playoffs. We've got our first official playoff rankings from earlier in the week and there weren't too many surprises. Now it's time to see which teams can survive the late season battles and earn their way into the field as one of the top 12 teams. Unfortunately my Huskers fell short against USC last week, ultimately knocking them out of any CFB Playoff considerations. That combined with the loss of QB Dylan Raiola for the remainder of the season with a broken fibula left HuskerNation in a disappointed mood this week. A full weekend of college football usually does the trick though, and Week 11 brings a great list of games for us to watch. Ive got all my predictions below, enjoy!

Week 12 Results: 15 - 11

Overall Results: 161 - 68

Week 11 Predictions:

#2 Indiana at Penn State

     The Hoosiers and Nittany Lions meet for a Big Noon showdown in Happy Valley. Unfortunately it's not quite the heavyweight battle we anticipated early in the season, but strange things happen in the BIG 10 in November. Indiana comes in off of back-to-back performances where they outscored their opponents 111-16. This team is absolutely rolling and Penn State has lost 5 straight including both games since firing HC James Franklin. They're playing backup QB Ethan Grunkemeyer and this team is not in it. They have a shot at a bowl game if they win out against Michigan State, Nebraska and Rutgers, but that's about it because Indiana is not going to stop. Fernando Mendoza for the Hoosiers is one of your Heisman frontrunners and with more than 2,100 passing yards and 25 TDs with just 4 picks it's easy to see why. Indiana keeps rolling and wins this one 48-21.

#5 Georgia at Mississippi State

     The Battle of the SEC Bulldogs takes place in Starkville, Mississippi as State hosts Georgia. There will be a heavy dose of cowbells to distract Gunnar Stockton and the Georgia offense. They've been able to pull a few games out of the fire, but they always keep winning. At the beginning of the season I predicted Georgia would lose 3 games and miss the College Football Playoffs. They only have a few games left, so we'll see if that prediction comes true. Mississippi State has been upset minded all season long, but always seems to fall short. They took Tennessee to double overtime and had a 17 points lead over Texas in the 4th quarter before falling in overtime. Blake Shapen and this offense has the ability to put up points, and Georgia's defense has weak points. They rank 65th in the nation for pass defense, so I would expect a heavy dose of air raid and points. Mississippi State won their first SEC game since 2023 last week over Arkansas and could have momentum. Teams always get exposed in November, and we need some more chaos. Give me the upset and I'll take the Mississippi State Bulldogs to win 33-31. HAIL STATE!

#7 BYU at #8 Texas Tech

     The Cougars and Red Raiders have a high noon showdown in Lubbock for the inside track to the Big XII Championship. TV deals have taken the opportunity away for this to be a prime time game on Saturday night, but regardless, this is one of the most exciting matchups of the Big XII season. Both teams have fabulous defenses that love nothing more than forcing turnovers. BYU is +10 on the season and Texas Tech is +8. Whoever takes care of the rock will certainly be winning this game. Offensively, the Red Raiders get QB Behren Morten back, but he's battled a few injuries throughout the season, so extra protection may be needed as their back-up QB is now out for the season with a torn ACL. Look for the back or tight end to stay in for extra blockers, giving the Cougars an extra defender in the secondary. Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier leads the BYU offense and his dual-threat ability is one of the key difference makers. He's rushed for over 400 yards with 9 TDs and is their number 1 option in the redzone with RPOs. Texas Tech's defense is one of the best in the nation and I think they'll show it today. Texas Tech wins in a rugged game 23-20. Guns Up, WRECK 'EM!

JMU at Marshall

     The Dukes are very much in the Playoff picture as the American Conference continues to eat itself alive. JMU has been rolling through Sun Belt competition and have the opportunity to make another statement this weekend. Marshall was torched on the road last weekend against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers despite a hot start, losing 44-27. The Dukes give up an average of 16.1 points per game and Marshall won't be able to move much against this defense flying around. Give me JMU over Marshall with a road victory 34-14.

Southern Miss at Arkansas State

     Staying in the Sunbelt, the West Division has its top 2 teams squaring off in Jonesboro with the Golden Eagles and the Red Wolves. Southern Miss could potentially play their way into the College Football Playoffs with a hot streak and some help, so don't sleep on this team. Charles Huff came over this season from Marshall after winning the conference title last year and having a contract dispute with the school. He may be looked at for some of the open Power 4 jobs, but for now he just keeps winning. Arkansas State has a dynamic player in Junior QB Jaylen Raynor, but he'll have his hands full with a Southern Miss defense that has 21 sacks on the season. Raynor has some dual-threat ability to avoid pressure though, rushing for over 300 yards with 7 TDs on the ground to go with his 11 passing TDs. Southern Miss will keep that pressure on him to score though, as their offense is led by QB Braylon Braxton who's got 19 total TDs and has the Golden Eagles averaging 33 points per game. Southern Miss is one of the under-appreciated teams in the nation, and I'm showing them some love. Golden Eagles 31, Red Wolves 21.

#3 Texas A&M at #22 Missouri

     The Aggies are ranked 3rd in the nation and look to be on their way to the College Football Playoffs as long as the wheels don't fall off. Missouri jumped to the SEC with A&M back in 2011 and is very much looking to spoil the season for the Aggies. Unfortunately they lost QB Beau Pribula for the season and will be starting a freshman against the Aggie defense. Texas A&M ranks 4th in the nation with 32 sacks on the season and 1st in opponent 3rd down conversions, allowing just 22.22%. Missouri's offense is about to be put in a blender and while that's happening Marcel Reed is going to bomb it over the top to KC Conception and Mario Carver for some big points. This feels like easy money with A&M only covering -6.5, we'll see if they live up to they hype. Gig 'Em Aggies as they romp the Tigers 38-14.

#9 Oregon at #20 Iowa

     The Ducks and the Hawkeyes battle in Kinnick as the BIG 10 looks to add another team or two into the Playoff mix. It's going to be cold and rainy in Iowa City today, so the elements heavily favor the home team. They'll look to muck up this game and slow down the Oregon offense. The Hawkeyes always have a great defense and this year is no different. They're currently ranked 3rd in the nation for total defense and will look to force Oregon QB Dante Moore into a few mistakes. The Ducks have been quiet since their lost to Indiana at home, and need a statement win to get back in to the playoff mix. Their defense is no slouch either though, ranking 11th in opponent 3rd down conversions with just over 30% allowed. Iowa needs to keep their down and distances short because we know they don't have much of a passing attack. If Oregon can shut down the run early and keep the chains long for the Hawkeyes, they'll win this game. A true BIG 10 West vibe which means the first team to 20 likely wins. Give me the Ducks and their defense to make a statement 24-17.

Duke at UConn

     Another under-appreciated team to take a look at is the UConn Huskies. Jim Mora has them bowl eligible for the 4th time in 5 years after most people thought this program was dead. His QB Joey Fagano has yet to throw an interception on the season and the Huskies have the second-leading receiver in the nation in Skylar Bell with 994 yards and 11 TDs. They'll have a big test with Duke coming into East Hartford, and if you get a chance this could be one of the most exciting games of the day. UConn also features a dynamic rushing attack behind Cam Edwards and his 5.7 yards per carry. Duke is led by Darian Mensah with 21 TDs and just 2 picks on the season. Both teams love to take the ball away with Duke at +5 and UConn at +10 in turnover margin. I'm riding with the Huskies at home because they need some love and they're one of my dynasty teams in the College Football 25 video game. UConn wins 35-31.

Kansas at Arizona

     The Jayhawks have really struggled in the middle of this season, losing 3 of their last 5 games. Arizona is at a similar mark, but those losses have been close against some of the best teams in the conference. KU has been stomped on by some of those teams and now have to go on the road into a tough environment in the desert. The QBs will be the feature of this game as Jaylon Daniels and Noah Fafita lead their respective offenses. Both of them take care of the ball well and use their legs to avoid pressure and pick up first downs. This pick is purely eye-test but I like Arizona in the desert to win 36-28.

Iowa State at TCU

     Another middle of the road Big XII battle taking place in Fort Worth as Iowa State travels to take on the Horned Frogs. With pure chaos (as the Big XII often provides), TCU isn't completely out of title contention yet. The Cyclone have lost 4 straight after their hot start in September, and injuries have decimated this team. They have struggled against the pass due to these injuries being particularly bad in the secondary. TCU loves to air it out and Josh Hoover is still putting up big numbers with more than 2,300 yards to go with 22 TDs and 6 picks.

Auburn at #16 Vanderbilt

     The Tigers have fired Hugh Freeze and now travel to Nashville to take on a very pissed off Commodores team. Vandy fell short in their comeback against Texas last week as the onside kick recovery slipped through their fingers. They're still very much in the mix for the Playoffs with a bit of help, but a statement against Auburn would get them back on track as well. The Tigers' defense has been sensational all year, one of the 3 teams to not allow any opponent over 24 points. The offense has been a different story, and ultimately is why Freeze was fired. With top tier wideouts like Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr., everyone expected more. We'll see how they open things up this week as Vanderbilt was torched against the Longhorns in Austin. I don't think that's happening twice and I believe Diego Pavia and Vandy still have some magic in them. Commodores 27, Tigers 21.

#23 Washington at Wisconsin

     Normally I'd say any west-coast BIG 10 team traveling to Badger town would be in for a rough day, but this Wisconsin squad is a disaster. They've doubled down on Luke Fickell and are planning to put more resources into the program for him, but that doesn't help with this season. They've scored just 27 points combined from the last five games, and that won't cut it against the Huskies. Demond Williams Jr. has the offense averaging 35.5 points per game and he should put up big numbers today. Senior RB Jonah Coleman looks to add to his 13 TDs on the season and should run all over the Badger defense. Give me Washington to win on the road 28-14.

Wake Forest at #14 Virginia

     The Demon Deacons were throttled on the road against Florida State last week while a pick-6 gave the Cavaliers their first double-digit point win since they beat Stanford back in September. Virginia knows how to pull out those close games though and Wake will be another test. If the Cavaliers can start hot and put up points early, they'll be in good shape. If the Demon Deacons hang around into the 4th quarter, this is a dangerous upset brewing in the ACC. The Cavaliers have their path to the ACC Championship and Playoffs laid out ahead, but they need to take it one game at a time and hang onto the rock. I think this Virginia team has something special and they win at home 30-23 over the Demon Deacons.

California at #15 Louisville

     The Golden Bears are looking to play spoiler as they travel east to take on Louisville. The Cardinals are one of the MANY teams in the mix for the ACC title which almost certainly will come down to tiebreakers. Jeff Brohm's crew doesn't want to think about that, they just want to play ball. Statistically these teams match up fairly well, but that's a long road trip for Cal and I predicted before the season those East coast games would not go there way. Louisville wins 33-21.

LSU at #4 Alabama

     Typically one of the biggest matchups of the season has a little less fire to it as the Tigers get set for their first game without Brian Kelly as their Head Coach. Bama has been rolling since the opening loss to Florida State and look to get back to the SEC Championship. Some teams get a boost after firing their coach, and LSU's offense has playmakers to make that happen. However, I'm not sure they'll have enough to keep up with Ty Simpson and Bama's offense. The Tide are averaging 34 points per game and while their run game has been lackluster, Simpson rarely misses a throw. Roll Tide over the Tigers 34-20.

San Diego State at Hawaii

     The Aztecs are quietly waiting in the G5 crowd to take the Playoff bid with a stifling defense, allowing just 10 points per game to opponents. They've got a road game against a sneaky Rainbow Warriors team who's already bowl eligible and looking for more. That's a long flight even from San Diego, and Hawaii has the Tokyo Toe, starting Kicker Kansei Matsuzawa. He's 21/21 on the season and could set an NCAA record if he continues to kick like that. I'm thinking he'll kick well, but overall Hawaii will struggle to get into the endzone against SDSU. A tricky road game late at night, but give me the Aztecs 21-6.

Nebraska at UCLA

     TJ Lateef is headed back to California and he'll be the starting QB for my Huskers in a late night showdown at the Rose Bowl. The Compton native takes over for the injured Dylan Raiola and we'll see if he can spark this offense. My rule for the Huskers this season was to score 30-35 points per game if they wanted to win this season. In the past 3 games, Nebraska has averaged 17. UCLA has been on a bit of a hot streak since firing DeShaun Foster apart from being stomped by Indiana two weeks ago. I'm hoping the Bruins burned up their offensive firepower already, but Nico Iamaleava is very dangerous with the ball in his hands. Nebraska's defense has done well to shut down opposing offenses and need to force turnovers to keep things easier on TJ Lateef. If Nebraska can score early and give Lateef a cushion rather than playing from behind, I'll feel much better watching this game. Emmett Johnson has crossed over 1,000 rushing yards on the season, the first time a Nebraska back has done this since Devine Ozigbo in 2018. He needs to be given the rock at least 25 times in this game and the Huskers need to lean on their run game. I'm excited to see TJ Lateef and I'm going against my late night travel rule and picking the Huskers. I'm sure this one will be stressful and it could go off the rails, but I have faith! Under the lights in the Rose Bowl: Nebraska 24, UCLA 21. GO BIG RED!

Quick Hit Predictions:

#1 Ohio State at Purdue: The Buckeyes won't be tested until the game with Michigan, so we can pray for a Spooky Train but I don't see it today. Ohio State 37, Purdue 10.

Maryland at Rutgers: Maryland and Rutgers meet in Piscataway for a BIG 10 game that could be a track meet. No defense, lots of points... give me the home team! Scarlet Knights 37, Terrapins 33.

Stanford at North Carolina: The Tar Heels finally got over the hump and made a statement against Syracuse last week winning 27-10. They're getting hot and I like Stanford, but that's a long way to travel. UNC 28, Stanford 17.

Florida State at Clemson: It's insane that this is a game between two teams toward the bottom of the ACC. Both teams are messy, but Clemson looks more messy and they've been tragic at home. Give me the 'Noles to win on the road 38-34.

Navy at #10 Notre Dame: The Irish are ranked in the CFB Playoff rankings at #10, squarely in the field if they handle their business. The Midshipmen haven't won in South Bend since 2009 and Marcus Freeman doesn't mess around when playing the service academies. They've been prepping for this game since the Spring and Notre Dame wins 34-14.

Thanks for reading my Week 11 Predictions and enjoy a fabulous day of College Football. GO BIG RED!

USC at Nebraska - 4th Quarter Light Show

USC at Nebraska - Blackout

Pregame Tailgate with Taylor Pike, Alisa Smith and Adam Wagler

USC Trojan Truck

Huskers 4th Quarter Light Show

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 10 Predictions

      Welcome to November College Football Fans! Halloween will be extended just a bit as my Huskers host a Blackout game against USC, but we've shifted into November football, which means the Playoffs are in sight. However, this is where teams always seem to have their season derailed, typically when playing just the wrong opponent. I've got an impressive slate of games for you all this week and hope you're excited for what's sure to be a crazy finish to an already wild season. We've got a crisp, cool evening in Lincoln for some football, so let's get those pads cracking and make some picks!

Week 9 Results: 18 - 7

Overall Results: 146 - 57

Week 10 Predictions:

Penn State at #1 Ohio State

     Before the start of the season this was a game thought to be one of the best to occur all year, with BIG 10 Championship implications on the line. Now, the Buckeyes are looking to choke the remaining life out of an already beaten and battered Penn State squad. The Nittany Lions are coming off a BYE and do have some pride to play for, but after their season derailed following their loss to Oregon, I don't see much hope in this one. James Franklin would always keep this game within reach, but never quite grab it. Without him and starting QB Drew Allar around, I'm not sure how this Penn State squad doesn't end up losing by a couple of scores. Ohio State's defense is essentially a brick wall reinforced with steel and barbed wire while being surrounded by a 12 foot moat. They rank top in scoring defense with an absurd 5.9 points per game allowed. While they have not faced the most dynamic of offenses yet this season, I don't think Penn State will be able to change that trend. Buckeys suffocate the Nittany Lions 30-10.

#9 Vanderbilt at #20 Texas

     The Commodores travel to Austin to take on Texas, who somehow is still (technically) in the playoff mix. They've got back-to-back overtime wins against Kentucky and Mississippi State, pulling wins out of the most unlikely places. I've got to give them credit, that was an impressive comeback against the Bulldogs last week. However, Vandy is no longer at the bottom of the SEC like the Longhorns' previous two opponents. Diego Pavia should be in the Heisman mix and a big game against Texas's 19th ranked defense could put him on the list. November is where teams truly show who they are, and I think Vandy is one of the best teams in the nation, while Texas has a lot of issues. Arch Manning is going to play after completing  concussion protocol, and the Commodores have a solid defense as well. I expect them to be aggressive and force Arch into inaccurate throws. This is where the losses begin for Texas to end the season and I'm going to enjoy watching this one. Vanderbilt throws down the horns 27-20.

#10 Miami at SMU

     The Hurricanes are playing their first game outside the state of Florida... and it's November. Not sure how they had a schedule built like that, but traveling to Dallas to take on the Show Ponies is no easy task. SMU lost their first ever regular-season ACC game on a last second field goal with Wake Forest last week, and really struggled offensively in that game. Kevin Jennings has not been as dynamic this year, primarily because he's not running. While this may be a scheme strategy by the coaching staff, I find it hard to believe they wanted to fully take away his ability to move out of the pocket with his legs. Last season he had over 350 rushing yards with 5 TDs on the ground and was sacked 14 times through the whole season. Through 8 games this season he's got just 32 rush yards with 1 TD on the ground and has been sacked 13 times. SMU lost a lot of talent from last year's team, and I have faith in Rhett Lashlee to keep this team playing at a high level, but when you've got an athlete like Kevin Jennings, you need to let him play off-script on occasion. Defensively, they love to get pressure (25 Sacks this season), so look for Carson Beck to be under some heat. If SMU can force turnovers early, Beck and crew will be in trouble. For Miami, they need a bit of help to get back into the ACC Title picture, and we all know how they tend to lose in November to ruin their season. They still have road trips to Virginia Tech and Pitt to end the season, and I said VT would be the game that knocks them out of the playoffs. SMU could certainly help with that scenario, but I'm not sure they are built well on the offensive line for this game. I am rooting for the Mustangs, but I'll take Miami (despite my lack of faith in Carson Beck). Hurricanes 31, Mustangs 21.

Navy at North Texas

     The Midshipmen have had the easiest rated schedule in the nation thus far, but November features road trips to North Texas today, Notre Dame next week and Memphis later on after hosting USF. The battle for the Group of 5 bid in the American is about to get very fun as all 4 top teams look to remain in the hunt. These two teams bring completely opposite game plans to the field as Navy looks to run the ball and control clock while North Texas has a high-octane air-raid that set records last week with 608 yards against Charlotte from their Freshman QB. I would expect a lot of points in this game, especially as neither defense can stop the opposing offenses strength. The Mean Green have taken 10 fumbles so far this season with a +7 turnover margin overall, and I think this team has enough firepower to upset the Midshipmen. Sorry Navy, November reveals the real contenders. North Texas wins at home 38-33.

Arizona State at Iowa State

     A rematch of last year's Big XII title game takes place in Ames as the two teams look to get bowl eligible. The Cyclones have lost 3 straight with injuries decimating their defense. Arizona State has lost 2 of its last 3, but did upset Texas Tech in the middle. Iowa State seems to be in a bit of a spiral, but Sam Leavitt is out for the season with a foot injury, putting ex-Husker Jeff Sims in as the starting QB for the rest of the year. I've seen enough of his football to know not to bet on the Sun Devils in this game. Iowa State bounces back at home 27-17.

East Carolina at Temple

     The Pirates and the Owls won't get talked about much on the season, but they are both squarely in the American Conference title race with just one loss in conference each. Owls QB Senior Evan Simon has yet to throw an interception this season, which is a wild stat compared to his 21 passing TDs with another 2 coming on the ground. The Rutgers transfer will be up against a tough test with ECU as the pirates rank 19th in the nation on opponent 3rd down conversions allowed and the Owls rank 70th in converting. The Pirates convert well though ranking 6th with a 53.1% third down conversion rate. They've higher-level played teams tough at every opportunity and I like the Pirates to knock down Temple by a peg leg or two. ECU wins 33-20.

#16 Louisville at Virginia Tech

     The Cardinals are very much in the mix for the ACC Title and potentially playoffs in the third season under Jeff Brohm. Despite the rumors of him being hunted for other coaching jobs, Brohm has this team playing at a very high level, especially QB Miller Moss. The ex-Trojan has found a resurgence in his career, completing 65% of his passes with 10 TDs and 5 picks. He's added another 6 TDs on the ground and this is where they can leverage a strength against the Hokies. Virginia Tech has struggled against dual-threat QBs all season long and while Moss is more of a traditional pocket passer, utilizing his legs in the redzone give Louisville an extra wrinkle. Cardinals win 33-24.

#2 Indiana at Maryland

     The Hoosiers have back-to-back road games with Maryland and Penn State to start November, and this is where I expect even more style points to be put on the board. Indiana was seen as a bit of a Cinderella last season, working their way into the College Football Playoffs, but falling short to Notre Dame in the first round. However, if you take a step back to look at this team, their only 2 losses under Curt Cignetti are the two teams that played for the National Championship last year. Plus, the Hoosiers look even better this season and have been on a war path to prove it, absolutely demolishing teams along the way. Maryland has plenty of spunk and can put up points, we saw that against Nebraska. But its November, not September which means the Hoosiers will win and likely roll. Indiana 45, Maryland 14.

#5 Georgia vs Florida (World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party)

     In the Gators' first matchup without Billy Napier they battle against rival Georgia as the Bulldogs look to continue their path to the College Football Playoffs. It's always tricky playing a team who fired their coach as you never know what the mentality will be. Lots of teams come out playing without restrictions, and that can cause issues for a top 5 team. DJ Lagway has really struggled this season with 9 TDs and 9 interceptions. The Gators have not supported him much either as they rank 103rd in rush offense. Now they face a Georgia defense that is not what it once was, but they still give up fewer than 20 points per game. Florida's defense has been one of the few bright spots this season, and I'm anxious to see how they handle the dual-threat ability of Gunnar Stockton. He's accounted for 17 total touchdown and only been sacked 8 times this season. He does a fabulous job of evading pressure and extending drives. I don't think Florida will be able to score enough if Georgia gets above 20-25 points. Give me the Bulldogs 24-14.

#13 Texas Tech at Kansas State

     The Red Raiders go on the road to a rising K-State team who've won three of their last four games. The Wildcats have been running the ball much better and their defense has been forcing teams off the field on third downs. Texas Tech lost their backup QB to an ACL injury, but they do get Behren Morton back to lead them to the Big XII Championship. They've got a tough slate in November, starting with a spooky trap game at Bill Snyder Stadium. Even with Halloween in the past, don't think things will come easy in Manhattan Kansas. The Wildcats love to play spoiler and if they force turnovers early this could get interesting. Ultimately, I do like the Red Raiders in this game, because of their defense. K-State has struggled against tough defenses this season and Texas Tech ranks 10th in the nation and 1st in the conference for total defense. Guns Up, Wreck 'Em! Texas Tech wins 27-13.

Fresno State at Boise State (Battle for the Milk Can Trophy)

     Following the first home shutout an opponent handed the Bulldogs in 45 years, they travel to the Blue Turf to take on the rival Broncos. Boise State is looking to get back into the playoff picture and has done well to put up points this season. They average 35.3 points per game and I don't think Fresno State can keep pace with that. Broncos win 35-20.

#15 Virginia at Cal

     The Cavaliers have been living dangerously the past few weeks, pulling out a few overtime victories and winning their last 3 games by a combined 6 points. Now they travel across the country and take on the sneaky Cal Golden Bears. I've watched the Calgorithm quite a bit this season and honestly I still can't figure them out. They've had blow out losses, strong wins, close wins and last week's wild double-overtime defeat at Virginia Tech. They are the perfect team to upset Virginia and spoil their season. Statistically, there's not much that separates these teams other than Virginia being at +8 for the turnover margin and Cal being at +1. I've been impressed with the Cavaliers always finding a way to win, and there's something to be said about that, but you don't just travel 2,600+ miles and walk away with a win. This is a tough pick but give me the Calgorithim with the upset! I'm hoping for Virginia for more CHAOS with the CFB Playoff Rankings, but Golden Bears are my pick 27-24.

South Carolina at #7 Ole Miss

     Despite the coaching rumors of Lane Kiffin looking to go for another job, the Rebels have a very good looking path to the College Football Playoffs. The offensive line for South Carolina is a disaster, and while I think Ole Miss certainly has some kinks to iron out if they want to compete in the CFB Playoffs, they have more than enough offensive firepower to win this. The Gamecocks did hold down Alabama well and nearly knocked them off, but I don't think LaNorris Sellers has enough on his own to keep this close. Rebels 35, Gamecocks 17.

Arizona at Colorado

     Things for Deion and the Buffs have gotten bad after losing 53-7 against Utah last week. Videos of QB Kaidon Salter looking confused and frustrated by the offensive play calls flooded social media, and now they host a dynamic Arizona squad looking to put up some points. They're averaging 31.6 points per game and QB Noah Fafita is playing very well with over 1,800 yards to go with 17 TDs and 4 picks. He makes very smart decisions with the football and I don't think Colorado will be able to get much pressure on him. Defensively, expect the Wildcats to force some turnovers. They are +5 while Colorado is -3. Give me the Wildcats with a 38-20 victory on the road.

Washington State at Oregon State

     The first of two meetings this month between the lowly members of the 2-PAC takes place in Corvallis, Oregon as the Beavers host the Cougars of Wazzu. The next meeting will take place on November 29th as these teams meet out on the Palouse in Pullman, Washington. Oregon State has just 1 win over FCS opponent Lafayette and fired their coach Trent Bray after the 0-7 start before that. With this team in disarray, I don't have much hope for them in this game. Washington State has been traveling the country, causing headaches for some as they took both Ole Miss and Virginia to the wire while on the road. It'll be interesting to see which team gains the edge as they both rank horribly in turnover margin with Wazzu posting an -8, only the be bested (worsened?) by Oregon State at -9. Despite playing on the road I'll take the Cougars 33-21.

#8 Georgia Tech at NC State

     The Ramblin' Wreck have the inside track to the ACC Championship and College Football Playoffs. November will test the Yellow Jackets though, starting with a road trip to Raleigh with the Wolfpack waiting under the lights. NC State has really struggled with 4 of their last 5 games going the way of their opponent, but that's right when they like to knock someone down. Sophomore RB Hollywood Smothers is a very dynamic back, and if they can get him going early they can control the clock. Smothers is averaging 6.9 yards per carry, but has only 27 touches through the past two games, they need to feed him more. Offensively for Georgia Tech, you know what to expect. They're going to *in Brent Key's voice* RUN THE BALL and I would expect a heavy dose of Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. Still one of the best duos in college football, and Haynes King is another player who I believe should be in the Heisman mix. He's accounted for over 2,000 total yards as the leading passer and rusher with 19 total TDs and just 1 pick. This Georgia Tech team is for real and they handle business on the road 34-17.

#18 Oklahoma at #14 Tennessee

     The Sooners and Vols meet in prime time on Rocky Top as an SEC/Playoff elimination game emerges. Oklahoma QB John Mateer has not looked the best since returning from his hand injury, and the Sooners have not scored more than 26 points in an SEC game this season. Tennessee have not had much on their resume other than losing to Georgia in overtime and Bama on the road. They're looking for a marquee win, and with the dark mode jerseys under the lights on Rocky Top, they could get one over the Sooners. Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar has been slinging it for the Vols offense, and I think Josh Heuple still has some bad feelings about the Sooners passing him over for the job. Spooky Rocky Top is not any easy place to win, and I'm not sure OU will have enough offense to keep pace. Vols win 30-23.

#17 Cincinnati at #24 Utah

     The hottest team in the Big XII is Cincinnati and they head west to Salt Lake City for a late night showcase against the Utes. Utah will be donning black jerseys with a fantastic, hand-painted helmet with the Ute Drum & Feathers logo. Looks won't get you the win though, as the Bearcats have not stumbled since falling to my Huskers in Arrowhead to open the season. Brendan Sorsby has 20 TD passes since his lone pick against Nebraska, and 9 of those have gone to A&M transfer Cryrus Allen. The senior has doubled his career TD total through 8 games with the Bearcats and they're going to provide a number of headaches for the Utah defense. They Utes have done well to beat the lower tier teams in the conference, but struggled against the top teams in Texas Tech and BYU. I think Cincy is one of the top teams and they're going to prove it tonight. This will be a fantastic game, so I strongly recommend staying up late for it. Bearcats make a statement on the road and win 31-24.

#23 USC at Nebraska

     Nebraska is hosting USC under the lights at Memorial Stadium, and a special Blackout game is set for HuskerNation. The atmosphere will be electric as always, but crowd factor will be important as the Trojans march in with the nation's best total offense, averaging 530 yards per game. Jayden Miava made his first start for USC against Nebraska last year, and this season he comes in leading the BIG 10 in passing with more than 300 yards per game. He is one of the best QBs in the nation despite not getting much attention and that's due to his decision making ability when the play breaks down. He's only thrown 4 picks this season and been sacked 5 times. Miava evades pressure very well, so Nebraska's secondary will be tested with longer plays and more time needed to cover those receivers. Makai Lemon is their best playmaker down the field and has enough speed to beat everyone off the line. He's racked up 758 yards this season and averages 15.8 yards per catch. This will be the toughest test for the Blackshirts all season. I am looking for turnovers early to try and slow the Trojans down. Offensively, Nebraska needs to establish the run with Emmett Johnson. I know I sound like a broken record, but Johnson is the heart of this attack and needs the ball in his hands. The Huskers did well last week against Northwestern to get the ball out quickly in space, especially to Nyziah Hunter. Both of those players have a chance to be some of the best in recent Husker history, but they need touches. The Husker Oline gets thinner by the day with injuries, so look for quick screens and routes separate of the run game with Johnson. USC struggles on the road under Lincoln Reilly and their rush defense is vulnerable. Matt Rhule and Nebraska needs to make a statement with this game. He's got the contract extension, he wants more money for the roster, you've got to win a ranked game. This is a game I had Nebraska losing when I looked at the schedule pre-season, and I do have genuine concerns about today, but there's no way I'm picking against the Huskers in a night game Blackout that I'm attending. Huskers win a THRILLER against the Trojans 34-31.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Rutgers at Illinois - The Scarlet Knights did well to pull a win out against the Boilermakers, but Illinios isn't the same challenge. The Illini will be looking to get back on track after back-to-back losses and a porous Rutgers defense is just the team to do that on. Illinois 31, Rutgers 21

Duke at Clemson - Both the Blue Devils and Tigers have disappeared in recent weeks as they both went on a BYE. Clemson doesn't typically lose many at home, but they've got 3 losses in Death Valley this season, and now Darian Mensah looks to run all over them. I sold all my Clemson stock, so give me Duke on the road 30-27.

New Mexico at UNLV - The Rebels are coming off a BYE following their loss to Boise while New Mexico comes in on a two game win streak. Pressure from the defensive lines will be my key factor in this game, and the Lobos are far better at it than the Rebels. UNLV has had a lot of close wins, but I'll take New Mexico in an upset 36-30.

Michigan State at Minnesota - Neither team in this game looked good last week as they both were beaten soundly by their rivals. Sparty did have some chances in that game, and there was questionable officiating at times, but the Gophers always play well at home. Minnesota wins 26-24.

UCF at Baylor - The Baylor Bears have been up and down this year, but are coming in off back-to-back losses. Their defense has fallen apart, allowing more than 32 points per game and ranking 119th in the nation. UCF has done well against lower competition, but have not been able to beat any P4 team with a winning record. They've got a tough slate to end the season and I'm perfectly fine with Scott Frost not going to a bowl game, he's used to that. Sic 'Em Bears 34-20.

Purdue at #21 Michigan - Purdue has been randomly feisty in some games and damn near nonexistent on the season in many others. Apart from the 30 points they put up on Notre Dame the train has not been on the tracks, and I fear the rebuild there may take some time. Michigan runs away with is 34-7.

Wake Forest at Flordia State - The Demon Deacons are coming off a walk-off field goal win against SMU, and now travel to Tallahassee to take on Florida State. The Seminoles are on a 4 game skid, but did have a BYE week to get things reset, and each of those 4 have been a one-score loss. Wake is on a 3 game win streak after their close overtime loss to Georgia Tech. Ride the hot hand and let's go with Wake Forest in a road upset. Demon Deacons 25, Florida State 21.

Thanks for reading my Week 10 Predictions and enjoy a fantastic day of College Football! 

GO BIG *BLACK*

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando