NCAA Football 2019 Week 11 picks

Like last week, we have fewer games as several teams are on byes.  Combine last week with this week and it would be close to a normal week.

Tues Nov 5
Ball State Cardinals at Western Michigan Broncos:  This is one of two games Ball State needs to win to control their own destiny in the MAC West.  Since the Cardinals have actually been a better road team than home team this season, I foresee them achieving that.  BALL STATE

Thurs Nov 7
Louisiana Ragin Cajuns at Coastal Carolina Chanticleers:  Another team better on the road than at home, Louisiana gets one step closer to locking up their division title.  LOUISIANA

Temple Owls at South Florida Bulls:  The loser here is out of the division race, so these two teams will battle hard.  While Temple is a good team, their road record this season isn't so hot, and I think the Bulls will get the last possession and score the winning field goal.  SOUTH FLORIDA in an upset

Fri Nov 8
#16 UCF Golden Knights at Tulsa Golden Hurricane:  It's raining gold in Tulsa, and the Knights will emerge victorious.  UCF

Washington Huskies at Oregon State Beavers:  It's been a strange season for the Beavers, who have been literally atrocious at home!  Normally they'd win one surprise game at home each season.  While that might be this one, I cannot count on it.  WASHINGTON

Sat Nov 9
Top 25:
Maryland Terrapins at #1 Ohio State Buckeyes:  No real difficulty for the Bucks here.  OHIO STATE

#4 LSU Tigers at #2 Alabama Crimson Tide:  This will be a close and hard-fought game, but the Tide defense should prove a little too much for Tigers QB Joe Burrow.  ALABAMA

#3 Penn State Nittany Lions at #12 Minnesota Golden Gophers:  Well, we'll definitely lose two unbeaten teams this week, and it looks like Minnesota will be the other one.  I'd love to see them push past the Nittany Lions, but that stiff Penn State defense is just too quick for the Gophers to counter.  PENN STATE

#5 Clemson Tigers at NC State Wolf Pack:  The Wolf Pack have struggled in conference play, and this may end up being their worst performance of the season.  CLEMSON

Iowa State Cyclones at #6 Oklahoma Sooners:  The Cyclones are hoping to upset the Sooners like Kansas State did, but I'm not sure their defense is up to the task.  OKLAHOMA

#9 Baylor Bears at TCU Horned Frogs:  Baylor barely prevented being upset last week.  This week just might end their winning streak.  TCU definitely has the capability, and their offense is compatible with Baylor's.  I'll pick the Bears, but watch out for the upset.  BAYLOR

Missouri Tigers at #10 Georgia Bulldogs:  Looks like a fairly easy win for the Bulldogs. GEORGIA

#15 Iowa Hawkeyes at #11 Wisconsin Badgers:  Whoa, here's a thriller!  If this game were played in Iowa City I would pick the Hawkeyes, but they struggle a bit on the road.  Iowa will keep this close, though, and put a scare into the Badgers.  WISCONSIN

#17 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Duke Blue Devils:  If this were basketball, I'd pick Duke.  It's not, so I pick the Irish.  NOTRE DAME

East Carolina Pirates at #19 SMU Mustangs:  The Mustangs lost last week, but I don't see two in a row.  The Pirates haven't won a conference game, and the main problem is their defense.  Usually their strong suit, this year their defense stinks.  Expect the offensive-minded Mustangs to capitalize.  SMU

#21 Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Virginia Tech Hokies:  Wake should continue to keep pace with Clemson, setting up for a great matchup in a couple of weeks.  WAKE FOREST

 #22 Appalachian State Mountaineers at South Carolina Gamecocks:  The Gamecocks can be tricky, but I expect the Mountaineers to bounce back from their close loss last week.  APPALACHIAN STATE

North Texas Mean Green at #23 Louisiana Tech Bulldogs:  Tech continues to keep their division lead intact with a mauling of the Green.  LOUISIANA TECH

Wyoming Cowboys at #24 Boise State Broncos:  Boise State is a force at home, but Wyoming is playing very well.  This game will be close.  I give an edge to the Broncos, but this is another potential upset to watch.  BOISE STATE

Vanderbilt Commodores at #25 Florida Gators:  The Gators get to bounce back from the Georgia game with a fine victory at home.  FLORIDA

Big Ten:
Purdue Boilermakers at Northwestern Wildcats:  Northwestern is looking for their first conference win.  I don't think they'll find it here.  Purdue, although inconsistent, isn't playing terribly, while the Wildcats offense is just atrocious.  PURDUE

Illinois Fighting Illini at Michigan State Spartans:  The Illini have been improving the past three weeks.  Despite the extra week of prep for the Spartans, I have to give Illinois the nod in this one.  ILLINOIS

Other Games of Interest:
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Virginia Cavaliers:  The Cavs should have an easy time against Georgia Tech and continue their run to the ACC Coastal title.  VIRGINIA

Air Force Falcons at New Mexico Lobos:  The Lobos won't be an obstacle to Air Force keeping pace with Boise State.  AIR FORCE

UConn Huskies at Cincinnati Bearcats:  Easy win for the division-leading Bearcats.  CINCINNATI

Kansas State Wildcats at Texas Longhorns:  Watch out for Texas!  When they get riled, they get nasty, and they are worked up for this game.  Despite the recent output from Kansas State, they still have some flaws, and I think the Longhorns will expose that.  TEXAS

UAB Blazers at Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles:  This game will determine who truly remains to challenge Louisiana Tech for the division title.  I like the Blazers' chances here.  Southern Miss, normally a tough team, has not been reliable enough for me to believe they can pull this out.  UAB

Nevada Wolf Pack at San Diego State Aztecs:  The Aztecs will really establish themselves as likely candidates for the division title with this win.  SAN DIEGO STATE