I did a little better with the MAC picks last week, but I'll still keep them out of the column. That moves us to...
Thursday Nov 18
Louisville Cardinals at Duke Blue Devils : It's basketball season, and this would certainly be a more interesting basketball matchup. On the football field, Duke has not been doing well. This hasn't been a great season for the Cardinals, but they should get past Duke. LOUISVILLE by 13
Friday Nov 19
There are several games going on this day. I will focus on three of them:
Memphis Tigers at #14 Houston Cougars : The national analysts are basically ignoring Houston, and that might be to their advantage. Schools may not prepare as heavily for them that way. That would be a mistake, as Houston is a strong team. Memphis will probably prepare well, but they don't have the talent to come out with a win. HOUSTON by 16
Air Force Falcons at Nevada Wolf Pack : Nevada is actually a decent team, so Air Force should not get over-confident. Nevada might even lead at the half. However, that punishing and exhausting ground assault of the Falcons will gradually wear down the Wolf Pack. AIR FORCE by eight
#25 San Diego State Aztecs at UNLV Running Rebels : UNLV is not strong enough to spoil the Aztecs' first week in the rankings. SAN DIEGO STATE by 14
Saturday Nov 20
Top 25:
Charleston Southern (FCS) Buccaneers at #1 Georgia Bulldogs : No contest. GEORGIA by lots
#16 SMU Mustangs at #2 Cincinnati Bearcats : There are only two games between ranked opponents this week, and both affect Top Five teams. For Cincy, this is their toughest challenge since Notre Dame. I think the Bearcats will emerge victorious, but there was any team who could beat them before postseason, this is the team. CINCINNATI by nine
#6 Michigan State Spartans at #3 Ohio State Buckeyes : And here is the other Top 25 matchup! The ranks are closer here, but I don't think the score will be. The Spartans defense is good, but not quite as sturdy as its been in previous years, and their offense is still missing something. On the other hand, the Buckeyes have the hottest offense in the country. OHIO STATE by 20
Arkansas Razorbacks at #4 Alabama Crimson Tide : I don't know why the national analysts have Arkansas ranked, other than they feel obligated to have at least as many SEC teams in the rankings as Big Ten teams. Trust me, Arkansas isn't that good. ALABAMA by 26
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish : No matter their respective records, the Yellow Jackets often play the Irish tough, so this might be a closer game than most people expect. The Tech bench is thin, though, so fourth quarter will be owned by the Irish. NOTRE DAME by 13
#7 Michigan Wolverines at Maryland Terrapins : So long as Michigan doesn't experience a letdown after their win over Penn State, they should topple Maryland easily. MICHIGAN by 18
#8 Oregon Ducks at Utah Utes : Whoa, here is a major threat to Oregon! The Utes are a good team, and often even better at home. Oregon has had it fairly easy so far, so I'm not sure they are ready for facing this stiff competition. I'll pick the Ducks, but this is a real Upset Alert. OREGON by six
#9 Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Tech Red Raiders : Thanks to the Oklahoma loss, the Cowboys can see a Big XII Championship in their future, and they won't let anything get in the way. OKLAHOMA STATE by 16
UAB Blazers at #10 UTSA Roadrunners : Like Cincinnati, this might be the greatest threat to the unbeaten regular season for the Roadrunners. UAB is no slacker, and they can force turnovers. UTSA might have gotten a bit too complacent, and potentially careless. If they can hold onto the ball, they should win. UTSA by 11
Iowa State Cyclones at #11 Oklahoma Sooners : Oklahoma lost last week, and Iowa State is itching to make it two in a row. However, the Sooners rarely suffer two losses in a row, so I don't think that is going to happen. OKLAHOMA by 13
#12 Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Clemson Tigers : Clemson is down this year, so the Demon Deacons get a shot at some redemption. WAKE FOREST by 16
#13 Baylor Bears at Kansas State Wildcats : I give the same warning to Baylor that I gave to Michigan -- avoid the letdown, and you should win. BAYLOR by 16
Prairie View A&M (FCS) Panthers at #15 Texas A&M Aggies : Easy win. TEXAS A&M by 34
Illinois Fighting Illini at #17 Iowa Hawkeyes : Ah well, not even an extra week to prepare can save my Illini from a tough loss. At least the margin of victory won't be large, because Iowa's offense isn't great. IOWA by nine
Texas State Bobcats at #18 Coastal Carolina Chanticleers : Excellent "bounce back" week for the Chanticleers. COASTAL CAROLINA by 23
Syracuse Orange at #19 NC State Wolfpack : NC State needs a strong win to get back into the swing of the ACC race. Syracuse may challenge early, but they can't finish games. NC STATE by eleven
#20 Louisiana Ragin Cajuns at Liberty Flames : This game could pose a challenge to the Ragin Cajuns. Liberty's flame has sputtered a bit lately, but they have been a strong team for most of the season, and nothing should re-ignite them more than a chance to upset a ranked team. Louisiana should win, but watch for another possible upset. LOUISIANA by nine
Nebraska Cornhuskers at #21 Wisconsin Badgers : The Badgers move one step closer to another division title with a strong win over a struggling team. Nebraska likes to play games close, but they can't seem to emerge victorious. WISCONSIN by eight
Vanderbilt Commodores at #24 Ole Miss Rebels : Vandy is the doormat of the SEC. Come wipe your feet, Rebels! OLE MISS by 26
Virginia Cavaliers at #23 Pitt Panthers : Ooh, another upset potential! Virginia is a good team that just seems to slip up at the wrong time. If they play a clean game, they might beat the Panthers. Somehow, though, I think we'll see a mistake or two from the Cavs. PANTHERS by 12
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at #24 Penn State Nittany Lions : The Lions get to remain in the Top 25 for another week by dusting the Knights. PENN STATE by 18
Big Ten
Purdue Boilermakers at Northwestern Wildcats : Despite a decent defense, the Wildcats are at the bottom of the Big Ten West division. Easy win for the Boilermakers. PURDUE by 17
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Indiana Hoosiers : Speaking of bottom, the worst team in the conference hosts Minnesota. They'll take home some nice parting gifts, including a win. MINNESOTA by 16
Other Games of Interest
Marshall Thundering Herd at Charlotte 49ers : Charlotte is fighting to be bowl eligible, but I don't think it'll happen here. MARSHALL by 18
Appalachian State Mountaineers at Troy Trojans : Troy can be a challenge, but not this year. The Mountaineers smell another Sun Belt Championship, and they want it. APPALACHIAN STATE by 20
BYU Cougars at Georgia Southern Eagles : Pretty easy win for the Cougars. BYU by 23
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