Week 10 Predictions

    Welcome to November! It's Week 10 and we kick off November College Football with some fantastic matchups. My Huskers can get bowl eligible for the first time since 2016 this weekend and there could be some shake ups in the CFP rankings after Saturday. Before we get to my picks though, I've got a quick breakdown of the Huskers' win at home against Purdue. Check it all out below!

    The Huskers walked out of a brutally cold Homecoming with a 31-14 victory over the Boilermakers despite fumbling nearly every other possession throughout the game. The opening kickoff was given to Purdue after the Huskers fumbled on the return, but the story of the day once again came from the Blackshirts as they derailed the train all day long. Below is my break down my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories of the game.

GOOD - The Blackshirts deserved the shutout they had going in this game as they held Purdue to fewer than 200 total yards and forced 3 turnovers. They were constantly put in a bad position from their offense, but rose to the occasion countless times in the bitter cold to shut down the Boilermakers. This unit has been sensational all season and it's hard not to expect a breaking point coming. They seemed determined to not let that happen though. My biggest takeaway is the continued pressure on opposing QBs. The Huskers now have 26 on the season, averaging around 3 per game. Big performances on this side of the ball and they're the reason the Huskers are 5-3.

EXPECTED - Rising special teams play and Jeff Sims. I have a positive and negative selection for this category this week. Getting the bad one out first, I think we can all agree that the Jeff Sims experiment is done now. I very much did not want to see him go in on Saturday, yet we got it anyways. Immediately the game was starting to flip due to his inability to hold the ball. I have nothing personal against the man, but there's no reason to have him take snaps when Haarberg is healthy. On the positive side, I mentioned it ahead of last week's game, but the special teams unit (minus the return game) is on the rise. Alvano is gaining confidence every week and hitting a 55 yard field goal in bitter cold weather is no small accomplishment. The blocked kick returned for a TD was electrifying and shows this coaching staff values Special Teams. Now we just need to figure out the returns.

BAD - Fumbles and anyone who hasn't watched Matt Rhule's fight pregame speech. First and foremost, the Huskers put the ball on the ground entirely too much. They're actually last in the nation with 24 total fumbles and 11 lost. Army (a triple option team) is the next closest in fumbles with 19. This issue doesn't look like it's going to be fixed soon, but it could certainly cause issues if not addressed soon. The last BAD piece of the week is for anyone in the nation who has not watched the video of Matt Rhule's speech ahead of the game. Whether you're a Husker fan or not, you'll want to run though a brick wall after you listen to him talk. Sensational leader and speaker. Great fit for Husker Nation right now.

Week 9 Record: 12 - 6

Overall Record: 114 - 37

Week 10 Predictions:

#1 Ohio State at Rutgers

    The Buckeyes travel to Piscataway to take on the Scarlet Knights who are sitting at a surprising 6-2 record. Their competition hasn't been impressive, but when you reach bowl eligibility before November you're doing something right. This is a good "prove it" game for both teams though. Ohio State earned the first #1 ranking from the College Football Playoff Committee due to their strength of schedule, but they have not looked dominant in their wins. Favored by nearly 20 points, this is a game that could become a major reinforcing statement for that #1 ranking. For Rutgers, this is a good test to see if they can cause some damage in the BIG 10 East. They rank 2nd in the nation for pass defense, but Marvin Harrison Jr. is a different animal. Greg Schiano has a deadly run game behind Junior RB Kyle Monangai, but will likely need more offensive output to keep up with Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Buckeyes. Give me Ohio State by 3 scores in this one. Buckeyes 38, Rutgers 17.

#23 Kansas State at #7 Texas

    The Wildcats have given up just 3 points in their last two games, but now take on a Texas offense that averages 34.5 points per game. Both teams will look to run the ball early and often as K-State is led on the ground by DJ Giddens, a sophomore back who averages 6.2 yards per carry and has 7 TDs on the year. The Longhorns quickly found a star to replace Bijan Robinson as sophomore Johnathan Brooks has nearly 1,000 yards on the season with his 7 TDs. It should be a rugged, ground and pound game down in Austin. This feels like one of those games where no one is paying attention to the Powercats and they pull this upset that everyone is shocked by except for them because they're all business. Three of the last four have been 1-score games, but I like Texas to continue their streak and make it 7 straight on K-State. Horns Hook 'Em 28-23.

Texas A&M at #10 Ole Miss

    The Aggies bounced back after the BYE week with a much needed win against South Carolina, but now travel to the Grove to take on the 10th ranked Rebels. Ole Miss has a dynamic offense led by QB Jaxon Dart and RB Quinshon Judkins. The story of this game will be on 3rd down though, because that is where the A&M defense thrives. They rank 7th in the nation, allowing opponents to convert less than 29% of their third downs. The Rebels rank 93rd in conversion rate with just over 36%, so this part of the game heavily favors the Aggies. If they can get Jaxon Dart and this offense off the field consistently, this could turn into a game with big upset potential. However, the Aggies are still struggling to turn the switch on offensively, and with too many points early they could be too far behind to come back. This is an intriguing game to watch with the 11 AM start, but I like the Rebels in the Grove. Can't quite trust A&M. Ole Miss wins 36-30.

#12 Missouri at #2 Georgia

    The Bulldogs host the 12th ranked Tigers and you're probably wondering; when did Missouri climb so high in the rankings? It's a fair question, but the Tigers have dominated opponents apart from their lone loss to LSU in a shootout a month ago. They could be the best option for an upset on Georgia, and that all runs through the QB-WR duo of Brady Cook and Luther Burden III. This pair has connected 61 times through the air for 905 yards and 6 TDs. Georgia will need to know where Burden is lined up on every play as he's consistently burned opposing defenders from a wide range of positions. The Dawgs are still looking for someone to step up following the loss of star TE Brock Bowers, and while they're still putting up an average of 40.5 points per game, there's a lot of questions on what this offense really has to it. Regardless, they should handle the Tigers of MIZ-ZOU. Bulldogs control the SEC East with a 38-10 victory.

#9 Oklahoma at #22 Oklahoma State (BEDLAM)

    For the last time in who knows how long, we have BEDLAM! This game is truly one of the biggest losses when it comes to conference realignment because the in-state rivalry between the Sooners and Cowboys has been played nearly every year since 1904. The chaos, the madness, the pure insanity that is BEDLAM writes its final chapter as member teams of the same conference with OU off the to SEC next season. Nonetheless, there's still a football game to be played and it has some Big XII Championship implications. After a very concerning start to the season, the Pokes have won 4 of their last 5 games and sit right in the mix for a conference title bid. Oklahoma is still in the driver seat, but after being upset by Kansas in Lawrence last week they will be looking for blood to get back in the CFP mix. This should be a classic BEDLAM shootout, but look for Dillon Gabriel to bounce back after not throwing a TD last game. Watch for the Cowboys RB Ollie Gordon II to have a big night though, he averages 136 yards per game which is best in the nation. Boomer Sooner (as usual in this rivalry) as they beat the Pokes 37-31.

Illinois at Minnesota ($)

    It's the BIG 10 West, so you know the drill! The Gophers have won back-to-back games and sit in perfect place to let the West run through Minneapolis. Illinois has fallen off with a 1-4 conference record, but could easily spoil the Minnesota's fun in this game. Neither QB has been impressive this year, but receivers like Isaiah Williams (Illinois) and Daniel Jackson (Minnesota) certainly help them out with thier 562 and 507 yard receiving respectively. Ball security is important when the goal is 20 points, but give me the Gophers at home. Minnesota 21, Illinois 14.

Iowa at Northwestern ($)

    The Hawkeyes are coming out of they BYE week knowing that OC Brian Ferentz will not be returning next season. However, he's still OC for now, so you can expect a baseball type score for the third game every played at Wrigley Field. The Wildcats are hosting a team that has more punting yards than offensive yards on the season, yet are somehow still an underdog. They had an impressive win against Maryland last week where QB Brendan Sullivan had his best game of the season with 265 yards passing, 2 TDs and another 56 yards rushing. It will be hard to put up those numbers against an Iowa defense that suffocates opponents to just over 4 yards per play, but on the bright side it doesn't take a more than two scores to beat the Hawkeyes. I like Iowa to bounce back on the road in this one, but the Cubs might have a better shot at breaking double digits. Hawkeyes 13, Wildcats 7.

James Madison at Georgia State

    The Dukes remain undefeated but due to (stupid) NCAA rules they are ineligible for both their conference title game and a bowl game. They would likely be the G5 team bidding for the New Year's Six Bowl Game, but for now they'll have to just keep rolling. A close game against ODU last week was one of their biggest tests of the season, and now host the 6-2 Panthers from Georgia State. Both teams have dynamic players at QB with Jordan McCloud (JMU) throwing for 2,036 yards with 18 TDs and 6 picks and Darren Grainger (GSU) with 1,789 and a 12:4 TD to INT ratio. However, my key player to watch is Georgia State RB Marcus Carroll. He's 3rd in the nation with 1,060 yards and 12 rushing TDs so far this season. This goes right into the teeth of JMU's defense though who rank 1st in the nation, allowing just 49 yards per game on the ground by opposing teams. This will be a fun battle to watch, and home field advantage will be a big factor. Give me the Dukes in a close one though! JMU wins 27-23.

Kansas at Iowa State ($)

    The Jayhawks won one of the biggest games in school history last week as they knocked off the Sooners for the first time since the '90s. Now they go on the road to face an Iowa State squad that is 4-1 in conference play and has been heavily forgotten. Someone else who is forgotten is Jayhawk QB Jalon Daniels. He's questionable for the game against the Cyclones with back tightness that has kept him out the past few weeks for KU. Luckily Junior RB Devin Neal has carried the load for the offense, and QB Jason Bean has done a great job stepping in as well. They will look to put up points against Iowa State who ranks 28th in scoring defense with fewer than 20 points per game given up. This one will be back and forth, but turnovers are key and I like Kansas to seal the victory with a big one late in the 4th quarter. Rock Chalk 27-21.

Boise State at Fresno State

    A classic Mountain West rivalry is set again as the Broncos travel to the Valley to take on the Bulldogs. Last year Fresno State had to travel to Boise twice, losing the regular season matchup, but winning the conference title the second time around. These teams are always at the front of the pack for the Mountain West Conference, but Air Force and UNLV are making it a bit more crowded this year. This game carries heavy weight with it which means we look to the turnovers. Fresno State ranks 2nd in the nation with a +11 turnover margin while the Broncos rank 121st in the nation with a -6 margin. Give me the Bulldogs at home with some key turnovers. Fresno State 31, Boise State 21.

#19 UCLA at Arizona ($)

    Yet another ranked team travels to the desert for a trap game with PAC-12 after dark. The Bruins held down the Buffaloes at home last week, but now face a very talented Arizona squad who are looking for another home win versus a ranked team. Last week they torched the Beavers through the air, throwing for 275 yards and 3 TDs. Sophomore wideout Tetairoa McMillan was sensational with 8 catches for 80 yards and a TD. His 6'5 210 lbs. frame is a lot to deal with for defenders, so look for him to get a lot of targets. Another dangerous player for Arizona is Senior wideout Michael Wiley. He has incredible speed in the open field, so missing tackles is a no-go in this game. For UCLA, keeping a hold of the ball will be a heavy focus. They were able to survive 4 turnovers against Colorado, but Arizona is a team that will make you pay for those. This feels like another spooky upset game, so give me the Wildcats in another upset 24-21 over the Bruins

#5 Washington at #20 USC

    A highly anticipated matchup in the PAC-12 that could result in one of the highest scoring games this year. USC has spiraled a bit the last couple weeks with back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Utah followed by a slim victory against Cal. The Huskies have been flat since their big win against the Ducks, playing a couple of tight games with Arizona State and Stanford. Two Heisman-caliber QBs will battle in this game as Michael Penix Jr. and Caleb Williams look to put up big numbers. Both have sensational numbers this season with nearly 3,000 passing yards and a 24:6 TD to INT ratio for Penix, and 2,646 yards with a 25:4 TD to INT ratio for Williams. Slowing these teams down is the key, and no easy task. The Huskies have been much more impressive on defense, but need to step it up a notch in a game like this. I can't trust USC to stop Penix and the Husky offense, so give me Washington with the 38-31 victory.

#14 LSU at # 8 Alabama

    The rivalry that produces some of the best football games writes another chapter as the Tigers and the Tide meet in Tuscaloosa. Bama has a had a bit of a resurgence since their early season struggles, but LSU boasts the number 1 offense in the nation with more than 550 yards per game on average. Another Heisman hopeful QB will play in this one as Jayden Daniels looks to go 2-0 against the Tide after their 1-point over time victory last season. He's thrown for nearly 2,600 yards with a stellar 25 TDs and just 3 picks. On the other side, Jalen Milroe has hit his groove, but the true strength of Alabama is with the defense. Specifically with their pass rush, the Tide love to reek havoc on opposing offenses. They average 3.5 sacks per game and will look to apply a lot of pressure to Jayden Daniels all night long. This will be another tough battle, but one thing I'll say is that I don't think Bama is going to lose 2 home games in the same season. Give me the Tide at home in a great one 27-26.

Nebraska at Michigan State ($)

    The Huskers can get bowl eligible with a win over the Spartans today, which would be the first time since 2016. Michigan State is a mess of a program after the firing of Mel Tucker amid his sexual harassment situation, and they have lost 6 straight games including 5 in the BIG 10. Offensively the only real threat to the Blackshirts (apart from the Husker offense turning the ball over) is Sophomore RB Nathan Carter. He's averaging 4.3 yards per carry, but the 6th best run defense in the nation should be able to hold him down. The best way for the Huskers to win this game is to lean on the defense. Let them put the offense in good field position and take advantage of the turnovers. The offense doesn't need to score much, but taking care of the football is crucial. Look for a couple downfield passes from the option attack like last week and a lot of quick and easy throws for Haarberg to make. Satterfield needs to keep his reads simple and allow Haarberg to have open lanes to throw with clean route combinations. I'm anxious to see the Huskers on the road again, and I fully expect a multitude of unnecessary turnovers, penalties and the regular problems we've seen this year, but as Matt Rhule stated, we'll be complaining about an ugly victory, not a loss. Huskers 23, Spartans 14.

Rams at Packers ($)

    I will actually be in attendance for this game at Lambeau as I cheer on my Los Angeles Rams against the Green Bay Packers. I went to the Monday Night game nearly a year ago between these two and it was a blast. I'm excited to see Lambeau again for an afternoon game this time and more excited to see a healthier Rams squad than last season. Neither team has lived up to expectations the last couple weeks, as the Rams have dropped 3 of their last 5 and the Packers have dropped 4 straight. the NFC still has a lot of room available in the playoffs, so this will be a big game for two lower tier teams to move up. My favorite player, Matt Stafford, is questionable with a thumb injury, and with the BYE week ahead, I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't play (much to my dismay). However, that does open the door for the Rams ground game to take more effect. It took a hit with Kyren Williams getting injured, but I thought Royce Freeman and Darrell Henderson Jr. were a great 1-2 punch last week against Dallas, the team was just in too deep of a hole to run more. Getting a ground game established early will open up Kupp and Puka as the Packers load the box. Defensively, Aaron Donald will once again fight through multiple blockers to apply pressure and open up sack opportunities for his teammates. The secondary is the biggest area of concern, but the Packers receivers have struggled to have many breakaway games this season. I like this spot on the road and I like Los Angeles to bounce back with a good statement win before the BYE week. Rams 31, Packers 21. Can't wait to see this game!

Quick Hit Predictions:

#15 Notre Dame at Clemson - The Tigers are spiraling with a 4-4 record and fans voicing their frustrations. Their losses (other than Duke in the opener) have all been close games, but they struggle to make plays to finish it out. Notre Dame needs to be careful with a close game but I think they hold on to win 24-21.

Wisconsin at Indiana ($) - The Badgers couldn't muster up much offense against the Buckeyes and the Hoosiers couldn't slow down Penn State once they got going. I don't expect this to be a very pretty game but On Wisconsin as they win 24-10.

Virginia Tech at #13 Louisville - The Cardinals and Jeff Brohm have been a very big surprise this season, especailly after blanking Duke 23-0 last week. Their blemish against Pitt certainly raises questions of their viability for the ACC Championship, but the Hokies are also in the mix, so this is an important game. VT plays good defense, but they're not at home and they lose on the road. Cardinals win 30-17.

UCF at Cincinnati - The two Big XII newcomers who haven't won a game in conference yet get to change that as they square off in a battle of newbies. Someone will have a 1 in the win column for the conference after this game, and it's hard to say who, but I'll give the nod to the Gold Knights. I thought they had it last week and they've been close. UCF beats Cincy 34-28.

Houston at Baylor - My friend Ahman Green is on the call for this game down in Waco and he could see a classic Big XII barn burner. Neither team runs the ball very well but the air raid is alive in well for this Texas showdown. There are a lot of similar stats for these two teams, but the Cougars double the Bears in penalty yards per game. Sic 'Em as the Bears win at home 38-31.

Cal at #6 Oregon - The Golden Bears missed a golden opportunity to upset USC last week, and now travel to arguably the best team in the conference, the Oregon Ducks. Bo Nix and Bucky Irving lead one of the deadliest offenses in the nation, scoring on 88% of their red zone drives. Ducks big at home 45-10.

Miami at NC State - The Canes have won back to back overtime games at home, but now travel to take on the Wolfpack who are looking to get back in the ACC race. Neither of these teams have fully taken over games, but Miami is starting to play like a team that wants to win consistently. Give me the Hurricanes 28-24 on the road.

BYU at West Virginia - The Cougars have been hot and cold all season, and looked very cold against Texas last week in a 35-6 loss. West Virginia is 1 win away from bowl eligibility and would love nothing more than to be in that Big XII mix. They have the offense to do it, but they need the defense to step up and put BYU away. Take me home country roads as the Mountaineers win 36-23.

#16 Oregon State at Colorado - The Beavers lost a tough one in the desert last week against Arizona in a fantastic PAC-12 after dark showdown. Now they travel for the second week in a row to Boulder to take on the Prime Time Buffalos in another late kick. The Buffs have lost 4 of their last 5 games and could have a difficult time with the power run game brought on by the Beavers. DJ Uiagalelei should have a big night against the 132nd total defense in the nation and I've got Oregon State in a bounce back win 31-17.

The Perfect Parlay:

1. Big Ten Unders - Iowa/Northwestern, Minnesota/Illinios & Wisconsin/Indiana

    - If you're going to start betting on college football games, typically one of the easiest bets is to take the under with the BIG 10 West. Iowa/Northwestern is the lowest Over/Under mark ever recorded in CFB history, but it's still a solid bet. Take the unders.

2. Sneaky Underdogs - Kansas over Iowa State & Arizona over UCLA

    - It's a bit bold of me to predict (and bet on) back to back Arizona upsets of ranked teams, but watching them last week at home was impressive. They are a very well coached football team with tremendous speed and young talent that is ready to ball out. UCLA had 4 turnovers and survived Colorado. I don't think that will be the same story here. Kansas at Iowa State is a dangerous pick, especially with the possible hangover from a major win and going on the road. I'm not bought into the Cyclones though and I like KU to win this.

3. My Faves - Nebraska over Michigan State and Rams over Packers

    - Since I'm going to the Rams game and the Huskers have been on the rise, why not throw a small bet down on both of my teams winning this weekend? Makes it a little sweeter when we all win together. GO BIG RED and GO RAMS!

Sat with my Aunt & Uncle for the Husker game last week, we weren't cold at all!

Thanks for reading my Week 10 Predictions, enjoy your weekend full of football!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 9 Predictions

      Happy Saturday football fans! We've got some serious football weather here in Lincoln as it's supposed to be close to freezing temps tomorrow for the Husker's game against Purdue. This post has a quick break down of the Northwestern victory for the Huskers along with my predictions for all the Week 9 games you want to watch. Tons of information packed into this post, so let's get to it.

     Nebraska's victory against Northwestern last week helped the Huskers reach an above .500 record for the first time since 2019. It wasn't pretty, but with another stellar performance by the Blackshirts, Nebraska held the Wildcats to just 9 points. I've got my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories for my game break down below.

GOOD - The Blackshirts. The Husker defense has quickly become not only a strength of the team, but the foundation of it. Defensive Coordinator Tony White deserves every penny of his paycheck and probably deserves Marcus Satterfield's paycheck as well. The Blackshirts smothered Northwestern all game long and bailed out the offense from multiple disaster situations. With a decent offense Northwestern probably should've been up 17-0 halfway through the first quarter, but the defense held them back. With 8 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, it was one of the best (non-signal stealing) defensive performances I've seen in a while.

EXPECTED - Special Teams improvements. This area of the game has slowly been improving for the Huskers this season and it's great to see. Freshman Kicker Tristian Alvano drilled a 47 yard field goal, Brian Buschini downed 4 of his 7 punts inside the 20 and Tommie Hill had a 36 yard kick return. Lots of work to do in this category, but small victories are a big step in this area of the game.

BAD - Offensive play calls. Opening with a pass play against the worst rush defense in the conference is just one of the many concerning calls from the game against Northwestern. Emmett Johnson was running the ball in the first half, but the Huskers opted to attempt Joshua Fleeks early in the second half. There were 3 fumbles and a couple of bad picks in this game by the Huskers as well. Some of this blame can go to the players for a variety of reasons, but putting them in a successful position has been limited. Don't expect the offense to be winning us games right now.

Week 8 Record: 13 - 6

Overall Record: 102 - 31

#6 Oklahoma at Kansas

     Week 9 has potential for a lot of teams to get upset if they're not prepared for a battle, and the first of those upset possibilities is set to take place in Lawrence, Kansas. The Sooners travel up to take on the Jayhawks in a series they have DOMINATED throughout history. Kansas hasn't beat the Sooners since 1997, but could this be the year? The Sooners came out flat against UCF last week and had to stop a 2 point conversion in order to prevent that game from going to overtime. Kansas is coming off a BYE after a bad loss to Oklahoma State, so they're itching to get back in the conference title game race. Jason Bean will be starting again, so no Jaylon Daniels to help spice up this offense. Bean has been solid this year, throwing for 913 yards with 9 TDs and just 2 picks. He'll need to be sharp today as Sooner QB Dillon Gabriel is likely to put up big numbers as always. With more than 2,100 yards, 19 TDs and just 3 picks, he's certainly on some Heisman radars. This could be a high-scoring affair, and as much as I want to see (and will be rooting for the upset), I think Oklahoma has a bit more firepower. This should be a fun one to watch, but I'll take the Sooners on the road 38-28.

Clemson at NC State

     The Tigers are coming off an overtime loss against Miami, who got their first victory against Clemson since 2010. NC State had a BYE week to think about their 24-3 loss to Duke and will certainly be looking to score some more points in this game. Despite the offensive struggles for both units, defense is always a guarantee in this game. Currently both squads don't rank where they normally do as Clemson is 39th in scoring defense and NC State is 55th, but with just 1 victory (2021) over the Tigers since 2013, this is likely to be a gritty game. It's hard to know what to expect from either offense, especially with the struggles Cade Klubnik has had this season. I'll take Clemson, but this will be a grind of a game. Tigers win on the road 26-17.

#1 Georgia vs Florida

     The Bulldogs and Gators meet in Jacksonville for their annual showdown, but star TE Brock Bowers will be out for Georgia. This is another "upset potential" game as Georgia has been seen as flat this season, but we just don't know what to expect from Florida. They're so up and down and I struggle to see how they'll manage this game. However, this rivalry has had some crazy finishes before. The Dawgs have won 5 of the last 6, largely due to dominating the turnover margin. However, they're sitting at an even 0 turnover margin on this season while the Gators are -2. Turnovers make some of the biggest impacts when it comes to rivalry games, and I'll take Georgia 27-17.

#20 Duke at #18 Louisville ($)

     The Blue Devils fell apart in the 4th quarter after arguably dominating their game against Florida State. Star QB Riley Leonard is questionable for this game, and if he had been able to finish the FSU game it could've easily gone the other way. Defense is the big story in this game as Duke and Louisville rank 24th and 26th in total defense respectively. Jeff Brohm has the Cardinals at 6-1 in his first year at the helm, but have been sitting on their BAD loss to Pitt a couple weeks ago with they BYE week. The extra week should help, but I think Duke wins this one close on the road with another big performance by their defense. Blue Devils 27, Louisville 23.

#8 Oregon at #13 Utah

     Can the Utes pull off back to back PAC-12 upsets? They finished off the Trojans on the road with an impressive late drive and game-winning field goal, but now host the electrifying Ducks in Salt Lake City. I'm bummed this game is during the Husker game, because I really wanted to watch this one. Oregon has the most efficient offense in the nation, averaging over 550 yards per game and 47 points per game. The Utes play a rugged style of football though and the Ducks haven't won in Salt Lake City since 2016. This is always a great rivalry and both teams are coached by two of the best in the country. If you can watch this one, expect to see a great battle between Bo Nix and the Utes defense. Utah got a lot of pressure on Caleb Williams last week, securing 3 sacks but rushing his decision making and causing issues in the timing of their offense. With all the hype from Oregon, Washington and USC this year, people forget there's only one team that has won the last two PAC-12 Championships. Utah, Oregon and Washington are all in battle for that opportunity to represent the conference in the Playoffs, so this is a difficult pick. The Utes lost once to an Oregon team already, and the Ducks were a field goal away from going to overtime with Washington. This will be a good one, but give me the Ducks to edge this one out! Don't count the Utes out of the PAC-12 Championship yet, but Oregon wins a BIG one on the road 31-28.

Wyoming at Boise State

     Both the Cowboys and Broncos come into this Mountain West Rivalry game off a BYE week following a tough losses to Air Force and Colorado State respectively. The Broncos blew a 20 point lead in the 4th quarter to lose that game, so you know they're looking to right that ship. Wyoming is going to show up and run the ball right down your throat. I've talked about him a few times this season, but Junior RB Harrison Waylee averages 7.2 yards per carry, and loves to run through defenders, not around them. I think he carries them to victory and further into the mix for the Mountain West Championship. Cowboys rope the Broncos up on the road 23-17.

#21 Tennessee at Kentucky

     The Vols are looking to bounce back after their loss to Bama, but now travel to Kentucky as the Wildcats come off a BYE week. Both run defenses are physical and give up under 110 yards per game on the ground, so pacing a run game will not be easy in this one. Look for a lot of the action to come through the air, Joe Milton III and Devin Leary will be slinging it, but neither of these offenses have been has dynamic as expected. I still think Tennessee's one of the better teams in the East though and if they want to compete with Georgia they need to win this game on the road. Vols win it 30-24.

Michigan State at Minnesota ($)

     The Spartans and Gophers clash for a chilly BIG 10 battle in the Twin Cities. Michigan State has lost 5 straight games since their 2-0 start and Mel Tucker being fired. Minnesota has bounced back into the BIG 10 West race with their victory over Iowa last week, so this is an important game to keep them in the mix. There actually is a very unique opportunity for the BIG 10 West to end in a perfect 7-way tie, the perfect ending for the most special conference division in football in my opinion. Regardless, I expect Minnesota to handle business at home. Their defense should hold strong against the Spartans and offensively, Freshman RB Darius Taylor is one to watch. Sparty is all out of sorts and it doesn't look like it will be fixed soon. Gophers at home 23-14.

#3 Ohio State at Wisconsin

     After a big win against Penn State in the Horseshoe the Buckeyes head to Mad-town to take on the Badgers. Former Buckeye defensive lineman and interim Head Coach Luke Fickell now runs the Wisconsin squad and would love to secure a top 5 victory in his first season as head coach. The Badgers have a tough defense, but offense has been a struggle this year. They've shifted back to a run-focused attack after QB Tanner Mordecai injured his hand against Iowa, but back-up QB Braedyn Locke led an impressive 4th quarter comeback against the Illini last week. Ohio State is a different beast though. Marvin Harrison Jr. is damn near impossible to stop out at wide receiver, and the Buckeye defense will smother the Badgers. Ohio State stays tough 34-14.

Colorado at #23 UCLA

     The Buffs return after their BYE week to take on UCLA on the road. Quickly trying to forget their monumental collapse against Stanford, but the Bruins defense will not be easy to deal with. Colorado has been able to put up points in almost every game, so we could see a lot of offense here. Travis Hunter and Shedeur are a connection made in heaven, but the Buffs have weapons all over the offensive side of the ball. For UCLA, they run (literally) through Junior RB Carson Steele. With a 5.3 yard per carry average the Buffaloes need to tackle well to stay competitive in this game. I like the Bruins at home though as Colorado drops to 4-4 following a 33-21 loss.

#11 Oregon State at Arizona ($)

     In all the upset potential games this weekend, this is my biggest pick. I've been a big fan of the Beavers the last couple years and think they are one of the most dangerous teams in the conference with how they run the ball. HOWEVER, the Wildcats down in Arizona have been sneaky all year long, and coming off they BYE week to be rested, watch out for this game. They lock down teams for under 100 yards rushing per game so their defense against the Beaver offense will be fun to watch. Beardown as the Wildcats pick up the upset win at home 27-24. Spooky things happen during PAC-12 after dark!

Purdue at Nebraska

     We've got a cold, late October, BIG 10 West game set in Lincoln as the Boilermakers come to town to take on my Huskers. Nebraska is riding high with their first winning record since 2019, but the Spoilermakers are looking to notch another BIG 10 win under new head coach Ryan Walters. They've won 1 of their last 5 as opposed to Nebraska who has won 4 of their last 5 (very weird, but wonderful, to say that). Nebraska's defense is the big storyline of this game, as they rank 21st in the nation in total defense. Pressure on the QB should be consistent as the Huskers average more than 3 sacks per game and Purdue has given up 17 so far this season. This is a BIG 10 West game, so you know the drill. First team to 20 wins the game! I've got my Huskers at home as they inch closer to bowl eligibility. Huskers 23, Boilermakers 18. BOILER DOWN!

Quick Hit Predictions:

West Virginia at UCF - The Gold Knights are so close to getting their first Big XII victory, and hosting West Virginia is the perfect chance. The Mountaineers are on the downslide after back to back tough losses, so give me the Gold Knights! 36-31 UCF.

BYU at #7 Texas - The Longhorns were bailed out with a TERRIBLE ball spot for Houston last week, but now host BYU in Austin. The Cougars have been too up and down for me this year. Hook 'Em as the horns win it 35-14.

Mississippi State at Auburn - Neither of these teams have much of a say in what happens with the SEC West, but this is a fun match up to battle for bowl eligibility. It's a great spot for Auburn to get their first conference victory of the season and finish out a close game. The Bulldogs have two straight wins, but that defense is still a question mark to me. I'll take the Tigers close at home 27-24.

#24 USC at Cal ($) - The Trojans suffered back-to-back losses to Notre Dame and Utah, primarily due to their horrible defense. Offensively they were smothered by Notre Dame too, and Utah was pressuring Caleb Williams all night long last week. They need a bounce back win and should handle this one 38-20.

Marshall at Coastal Carolina - Solid QB battle in this one, but defense tells the story. Coastal is a solid team and plays very well at home. Marshall is not a bottom of the conference team though, and they upset the Chanticleers on the road 34-30.

UNLV at Fresno State - Two 6-1 Mountain West teams do battle in an effort to keep pace in the tight Mountain West race. Both teams have been able to find a way to win close games, but give me the Bulldogs at home off a BYE week. Fresno State 24, UNLV 21.

Perfect Parlay:

1. Minnesota over Michigan State but under 40.5 total points.

    - I like this bet because it's a classic BIG 10 game. Cold, rugged and two teams that don't do much on the score board. Gophers in a low scoring affair.

2. Duke over Louisville

    - The Blue Devils are likely getting Riley Leonard back and have one of the best defenses in the nation. Louisville will be high-flying on offense, but this is going to be won in the trenches. Blue Devils win!

3. Arizona over Oregon State

    - I told you this was my big upset pick of the day and although it's an undercard game, the Wildcats will make a big statement. Arizona beats the Beavers at home in the desert.

4. USC -14 over Cal

    - The Trojans need a bounce back win and need points. Caleb Williams and this offense is still deadly, they're going to show it. USC wins by 14+.

Thanks for reading my Week 9 Predictions and GO BIG RED! Stay warm if you're watching the Huskers!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando

Week 8 Predictions

      Happy Saturday Football Fans! We're into week 8 of the College Football season and are set for the back half of the year when conference games get heavy and the matchups mean more. The Huskers are set to run their back half of the season following their BYE week hosting Northwestern at home and we've got a lot of other big games to watch today as well. This post will give a brief reflection of the Huskers at the mid-way point of the season, and my keys to work on in the second half along with all my Week 8 Predictions and my Perfect Parlay of the week. Clearly my CFB knowledge has not translated over to the sports betting world as of yet, but we're starting to get some things figured out. Enjoy the games this weekend and GO BIG RED!

     Through six games the Huskers are sitting at 3-3 with a wide open BIG 10 West ahead of them. There are certainly winnable games left on the schedule, but Nebraska still has a ways to go before we can trust this team to perform at a high level consistently. In the last decade, the Huskers have never finished better than .500 after the BYE week, so there's a lot to be said about finishing what you've started. Here are 3 things we have learned from the first half of the season and 3 things to watch for in the second half.

What we have learned:

1.    Heinrich Haarberg is QB1, but this offense still needs a lot of help. Injuries to playmakers have made it difficult to move the ball consistently and find big plays. The Huskers rank 113th in the nation in plays of 10+ yards.

2.    The Blackshirts are stout and deserve a lot of credit for the team's success. Defenses often click sooner than the offense when learning a new system, and DC Tony White certainly has this squad on the same page. The Huskers rank 24th in the nation in total defense and give up an average of just 21 points per game.

3.    Poor decision-making and a lack of discipline continue to be a major issue on this team. From questionable play-calling/clock management to the Huskers ranking 70th in the nation for penalties with an average of 53.3 yards per game.

What we need to look for:

1.    Better play-calling. With a new system and so many injuries (forcing coaches to play younger players), I can understand why Satterfield may not open up the entire playbook. However, situational play-calling has been extremely questionable throughout the season and I'd really like to see that change. Multiple times with a lead late in the game Nebraska opts to throw multiple pass plays and avoid running down the clock. This is a young offense with a not very good offensive line, keep it manageable.

2.    Someone needs to be a playmaker. Malachi Coleman has been named a starter for this week, Anthony Grant has a wide open backfield to takeover in, Thomas Fidone should be a major threat in the passing game. Look for someone in this offense to step up and make big plays for the Huskers in the back half of the season, the team needs it bad.

3.    Blackshirts set it up, but the offense needs to finish. The Husker Defense will certain keep the team within striking distance of every game remaining on the schedule, but finishing drives and scoring points is the only way Nebraska finds a bowl this season. The Huskers rank 2nd to last in the nation in Red Zone Conversions, this stat needs to change.

Week 7 Record: 14 - 5

Overall Record: 89 - 25

#7 Penn State at #3 Ohio State

     We start off this week's picks with one of the most anticipated matchups of the year, Penn State at Ohio State. The BIG 10 East could very well wind up with Penn State, Ohio State and Michigan all beating each other. However, I think this game gives a big indication to us on who will be taking control of the West. Ohio State didn't hold back against Purdue last week, despite the injuries to their playmakers on offense. Penn State had a nice tune up game beating UMass 63-0. This game will be a major challenge for each offense as their young QBs take on two of the best defenses in the nation. Drew Allar has yet to throw an interception this season for the Nittany Lions but Kyle McCord and the Buckeyes have one of the best talents in the nation at Wide Receiver with Marvin Harrison Jr. He's got 5 TDs to go with his 604 receiving yards, so Penn State's secondary will be tested quickly. Their pass rush is what makes the difference in this game though, as they rank 3rd in the nation, averaging 4.5 sacks per game. Putting heavy pressure on Kyle McCord will pay off as I think the Nittany Lions win this one on the road 30-28.

#22 Air Force at Navy

     The Falcons are 6-0 and top dogs of the Mountain West. However, none of that matters when you play your rivals. The Midshipmen would love nothing more than to start reclaiming their crown as the top Military Academy in Football. They've struggled the last few years, but there's always an extra boost in a battle like this. Both teams are going to come out with heavy rushing attacks, looking to control the clock and pound the rock. It's going to be chilly, rainy weather as well, so I wouldn't expect a lot of big plays. Air Force should take care of this one and I've got the Falcons on the road 24-14.

Washington State at #9 Oregon

     The Ducks are coming off a heartbreaking loss to Washington on the road after a missed field goal failed to push the game into overtime. Wazzu is coming off back to back losses after being ranked as high as #13, and last week's loss was a throttling by Arizona 44-6. This game has potential for some points if Cameron Ward and the Cougars can find their offense again. No matter what though, this game is all about the Ducks. They played a fantastic game in Seattle and are likely itching to get back on the field again. I don't think they'll be any hangover in this one. Bo Nix puts up big numbers and the Oregon defense suffocates Cameron Ward and the Cougars for a 40-17 victory at home.

#17 Tennessee at #11 Alabama

     This game was an absolute THRILLER last season as the Vols upset the Tide and tore down the goal posts at Rocky Top. Everyone is waiting for Tennessee to have a breakout game this season as their offense has not been quite as dynamic, ranking in the 30s for both Total Offense and Scoring compared to their first place finish a year ago. Joe Milton III has a cannon for an arm but chemistry with the receiver corps hasn't quite been there yet. Jalen Milroe for Bama is starting to get in his groove, throwing for nearly 1,400 yards with 11 TDs. However, he's been sacked 26 times already this year, so pressure in the pocket is a big area of concern for Alabama in this game. Tennessee ranks 6th in the nation in sacks, so this will be the stat to watch. This one could get close at the end as Bama has struggled to hold teams completely down, but they still with an arm's length victory of 30-20. Roll Tide

South Carolina at #20 Missouri

     The Gamecocks have had a tough few weeks, but none more frustrating than giving up two late touchdowns to the Gators and ultimately the victory last week. Missouri has quietly become a sneaky team to watch in the SEC East. Their offense has been extremely efficient with Brady Cook at QB but most importantly WR Luther Burden III has been a menace to opposing secondaries. The Sophomore standout has 808 yards with 5 TDs on the year. South Carolina gives up an average of 321 yards per game though the air, so expect Burden to have a day. Tigers get to 7-1 at home 34-20.

Minnesota at #24 Iowa (Battle for the Floyd of Rosedale) ($)

     We've got a Bronze Pig up for grabs as the Hawkeyes host the Gophers in a game where you should expect the ball to be kicked more than it's thrown to a receiver. The Hawkeyes managed 37 pass yards in their game against Wisconsin and actually completed a pass to a receiver unlike their game against Purdue. The Gophers are looking for a rebound game after losing 3 of their last 4 and wanting to get back into the BIG 10 West race. Their offense hasn't been much better than the Hawkeyes, but Freshman RB Darius Taylor has been a bright spot with nearly 550 yards, 4 TDs and a 6.1 yard per carry average. He'll be up against the equivalent of a brick wall with Iowa's defense though. The Hawkeyes rank 10th in scoring defense, giving up just 14.9 points per game. This is in large part due to their fantastic punting game, which averages more yards than their offense and consistently flips the field to put opposing teams in bad field position. Punting wins games and (unfortunately) it will win the game again for Iowa, along with a couple of dumb 4th quarter mistakes by the Gophers. Iowa 13, Minnesota 7.

Wisconsin at Illinois ($)

     Another BIG 10 West Battle where you could see a baseball score heading into the second half. Wisconsin is coming off a very disappointing loss to Iowa at home where they also lost Tanner Moredecai to a hand injury. Illinois bounced back from their loss to my Huskers as they surprised everyone with a walk-off field goal win on the road in Maryland. The Bret Bielema Bowl should follow my rules for BIG 10 West Football which means the first team to 20 wins the game. Wisconsin will be back to running the ball more and I still don't trust Illinois despite their performance last week. Badgers 23, Illini 13.

Oklahoma State at West Virginia

     Are the Pokes and the Mountaineers the best challengers to Oklahoma in the Big XII? These two teams have gotten hot recently and despite two weeks of picking against the Cowboys they've proven me wrong. Both teams have developed strong run games behind their Sophomore Running Backs Ollie Gordon II (Oklahoma State) and CJ Donaldson Jr. (WVU). Both backs are tough to bring down with Gordon measuring in at 6'1 211 and Donaldson at 6'1 238. The Mountaineers have had a few extra days to sit on their last second loss to Houston from the Hail Mary, so look for them to come out ready to play. Maybe the 3rd time is the charm because I'm picking against the Pokes again. WVU wins at home 33-27.

UTSA at Florida Atlantic ($)

     An under the radar game in the American, but these two teams are fighting to keep pace with SMU and Tulane in the conference. Both teams got back on track once October started after a rough September. Both teams also average in the mid-upper 20s for points per game, so this one should be tight the whole way. On paper the stats match up all quite evenly between their top playmakers, so I'll take the home team. I think FAU has some potential in the back half of the season to make a run in the American. Owls win over the Roadrunners 31-28.

#13 Ole Miss at Auburn

     The Tigers have lost 3 in a row but now get to host the Rebels for a potential upset. Ole Miss has handled their business apart from the Alabama loss and have a good opportunity to win the West with a Bama stumble. Jaxon Dart has been torching defenses all season long and I expect a similar result in this one. Rebels win on the road 37-21.

#2 Michigan at Michigan State

     The Big Brother and Little Brother meet again amid a NCAA investigation into alleged sign stealing by the Wolverines and coaching chaos in East Lansing after firing Mel Tucker a few weeks ago. Michigan has looked nothing less than impressive this season, pounding the rock and taking care of business in every facet of the game. Michigan State blew a 21 point 4th quarter lead against Rutgers last week and have struggled offensively this season. Wolverines roll in this rivalry 40-17.

#16 Duke at #4 Florida State

     One of my most anticipated matchups of the weekend takes place in Tallahassee as the Blue Devils take on Florida State for one of the top spots in the ACC. This should be a really interesting game to watch, especially if Duke QB Riley Leonard can play. FSU is my dark horse for the natty and they've been playing a very high caliber of football. Jordan Travis and his receivers have been near unstoppable and the defense forces a lot of turnovers, sitting at a +5 turnover margin so far this year. Duke’s defense is no slouch though, they rank 4th in the nation for scoring defense and have only given up double digit points twice all season. FSU is on major upset watch in this game and I think it could be far closer than the experts think. I’ve got the Seminoles hanging on in a scare from the Blue Devils down in Tallahassee. FSU 26, Duke 24.

#14 Utah at #18 USC

     The Trojans come home after a brutal loss in South Bend to the Irish, and now host the reigning conference champs who beat them not once, but twice last season. Cam Rising is still out however, so the offensive production for the Utes will likely be mediocre at best. Caleb Williams is looking to bounce back from his first ever 3-interception game. He'll be up against a Utah defense that loves to bring pressure, ranking #7 in the nation for sacks. Williams has been sacked 10 times in the last two games, so look for this to cause issues for the Trojan offense. Typically, they score in bunches, but against Utah, that's not likely. They have a very disciplined defense, ranking #1 in Opponent 3rd Down Conversions with just 23% given up. I'm taking the Utes on the road. Utah wins 38-28.

Clemson at Miami

     An ACC battle that involves two teams trying to put a full game together in hopes of getting back into the conference race. Clemson is not the powerhouse it once was, but their defense is still extremely difficult to move the ball on. They are giving up around 260 yards per game to opponents, but have not been able to get their own offense clicking. Miami needs to get that Monkey off their back after losing two straight to Georgia Tech and North Carolina. I like how Tyler Van Dyke has been playing but give me the Tigers for a 28-17.

Arizona State at #5 Washington ($)

     A potential hangover game for Washington as they host the Sun Devils of Arizona State. I don't see ASU hanging around much in this one, but it's fun to watch Michael Penix Jr. and this offense get to work. They have great play calling and a team with their eyes on the prize. Huskies cover and win 38-10

Northwestern at Nebraska

     The Huskers are back home and host a (surprising) 3-3 Northwestern team that had a horrible mess of firing Pat Fitzgerald. I laid out my keys to this game (and the rest of the season) above, but one area that concerns me in this game is 3rd down. The Huskers' have not had great at converting, sitting at 37.84%. Northwestern has plenty of struggles, but getting of the field on 3rd down is one of their strengths, giving up just 40%. Heinrich Haarberg will have a big target on his back with the Northwestern defense, but celebrating 100 years in Memorial Stadium, there's no way the Huskers are losing. The Huskers need some playmakers to step up, but this is a BIG 10 West matchup, which means I follow my rule, first team to 20 wins the game. I've got my Huskers at home 21-14.

#1 Wisconsin at #2 Nebraska (Volleyball)

     We have a BIG TIME showdown at the Devaney Center tonight as Husker Volleyball takes on their arch rival and #1 team in the nation, Wisconsin. The Badgers and Huskers are both 16-0 on the season and have dominated everyone in their path. Wisconsin owns this series as of late, winning the last 10 meetings, including the 2021 National Championship that went to 5 sets. Nebraska is youthful with not a single senior in the rotation, but those ladies have TALENT! Ex-Gator Merritt Beason has been dominating all season and Husker Freshman Harper Murray is one to watch. My eyes are always on Lexi Rodriguez though because she does not let a single ball hit the floor. The Huskers have a phenomenal defense, allowing opposing teams to hit just .144. GIVE ME BIG RED AT HOME! Huskers win 3-1 and take the #1 spot in College Volleyball.

Quick Hit Predictions:

Texas Tech at BYU - Both of these teams have disappointed me in recent weeks with my predictions so I really don't know which way to go. I expected much more from both of these offenses, but I'll take the Red Raiders on the road. Wreck 'Em for a 31-26 victory on the road.

TCU at Kansas State - A Big XII Title game rematch, the Frogs take on the Wildcats. These teams are difficult to get a read on this year, but I'll take K-State with being at home. 27-21 Wildcats.

Boston College at Georgia Tech - The Golden Eagles and Yellow Jackets are set to play each other after each coming off a BYE. There's a lot of similarities in the numbers, so I'll take Georgia Tech 27-21.

The Perfect Parlay

1. BIG 10 West Parlay

• Iowa/Minnesota Over/Under at 32.5
• The line dropped from 32.5 to 30.5 after I placed this bet and I'd still take it.
• Wisconsin/Illinois Over/Under at 42.5
• It's the BIG 10 West, SMASH THE UNDERS

2. Florida Atlantic Money line over UTSA

• The Owls are a home underdog with a dynamic offense. UTSA has been a cinderella for a while, but I think FAU has more offensive firepower this yeas.

3. Washington -26.5 with the Under on 59.

• Again, I think Washington covers, but after a big game like Oregon, this team could sleep walk a bit. I think they cover, but I don't trust going over 59.5. The Sun Devils don't have any threat of making this a game in my onion.

Thanks for reading my game day predictions! Enjoy your Week 8 matchups and GO BIG RED!

#CFBKnowItAll

Alex Fernando