Using AP Poll rankings like always. I went 20-10 with my predictions a week ago, putting me at 253-93 for the season. Let's see how I do this week.
#1 Mississippi State at #4 Alabama
Now comes the biggest test of the season for the Mississippi State Bulldogs and Heisman candidate Dak Prescott. A trip to Tuscaloosa to take on not only the Alabama football team, but also what will be a hundred thousand jacked up fans. My hope is Dak is healthy because he wasn't moving around that well towards the end of the Kentucky game. I think he needs to be if the Bulldogs are going to make it out of Bryant-Denny Stadium with a victory. This should be a nice slug it out defensive battle. As much as I hate em as an Auburn fan (hey, they hate us too lol), it's too tough for me to pick against the Tide in this game when it's being played in their home stadium. A deep ball throw and catch by Blake Sims and Amari Cooper makes the difference.
My Call: Alabama 27, Mississippi State 20
#2 Florida State at Miami (FL)
A fantastic rivalry that's lost a bit of luster over the years is set to take place this week. Do the Canes have a chance? Sure, anything can happen on any given day and this Florida State team, although undefeated, has not looked as strong as last year's version was. However, I just don't think Miami has enough on either side of the ball to make it happen. Canes star running back Duke Johnson will do his best, but the FSU defense will force the true freshman QB Brad Kaaya into a couple mistakes that Jameis Winston won't make and the Noles will gradually pull away in the second half.
My Call: Florida State 40, Miami (FL) 27
#5 TCU at Kansas
Kansas picked up its first Big 12 win of the season against Iowa State. Can they possibly muster up what it would take to beat the Horned Frogs and make it two straight? Yes, but they won't even come close. Trevone Boykin will dazzle with both his feet and arm and this will get ugly early. Sorry, Kansas fans. At least basketball is just around the corner and the script will flip then!
My Call: TCU 48, Kansas 10
#7 Arizona State at Oregon State
Sometimes things just naturally happen. After an emotional overtime victory over Utah and a big win over Notre Dame (albeit the Irish were vastly overrated), I think it'll only be natural for the Sun Devils to have a bit of a letdown against Oregon State. They need to be a bit careful of that on the road in particular, but let's be honest, ASU would have to lay quite the egg to lose this game to the Beavers, even on the road. They won't do that. I could see a close first half ensuing, but ASU will right the ship and take control in the 2nd half.
My Call: Arizona State 34, Oregon State 24
#8 Ohio State at Minnesota
Revenge is a dish best served cold. And Ohio State served exactly that to Michigan State on the road in East Lansing in their 49-37 win over Michigan State to somewhat make amends for last season's Big 10 Championship Game defeat. Now the Buckeyes are in complete control of their own destination, needing to beat just Minnesota here and then Indiana and Michigan at home to get back to the conference title game. It's been a somewhat surprising 7-2 season for the Gophers, which has to make a guy like me happy for their coach, Jerry Kill. Over the years, Coach Kill has suffered from multiple seizures which has affected his ability to be on the sidelines coaching on gameday. That also makes a guy like me wish I could pick his team in this big game for his program, but I just can't do it. Ohio State seems to be clicking on all cylinders right now and although the Gophers will give it their best, they just don't have the talent to match the Buckeyes for 60 minutes.
My Call: Ohio State 37, Minnesota 24
#11 Nebraska at #22 Wisconsin
Do you like great running backs and two teams whose primary color is red? Then this is the game for you as Nebraska's Ameer Abdullah and Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon will be trading barb for barb all game long. You just know these two guys will want to show up one another in what should be a very exciting matchup to watch. Both of them have excellent games and in letting the home field make this pick for me, I'll go with the Badgers by a field goal. So technically, this game funnily enough won't come down to either of them. It'll come down to the kicker, and the Wisconsin kicker wins it.
My Call: Wisconsin 34, Nebraska 31
#12 Michigan State at Maryland
Those revenge minded Buckeyes proved too strong for Michigan State, who will look to bounce back with a road victory over the Terps. And I think they get it. Maryland just isn't anywhere near as strong on either side of the ball as Ohio State. Plus how can anyone want to pick Maryland after that classless display where they refused to shake hands with Penn State players at midfield?
My Call: Michigan State 28, Maryland 20
Northwestern at #15 Notre Dame
Yes, I wrote above in the ASU game preview about how vastly overrated Notre Dame was. That doesn't mean they won't beat teams like Northwestern. These are the type of teams the Irish feast on; and they'll feast on the Wildcats for sure in what should be a comfortable victory.
My Call: Notre Dame 27, Northwestern 10
Washington at #17 Arizona
In a game that could prove to be a bit more difficult for the Wildcats than perhaps it should be, they'll prevail over a Washington team that isn't consistent enough offensively.
My Call: Arizona 26, Washington 21
#18 Clemson at #24 Georgia Tech
I am gonna go out on a limb and make two predictions for this game... that true freshman Deshaun Watson will be back under center starting for Clemson but Georgia Tech wins. Sorry, Clemson. I know you may not like them apples, but at least my predictions don't always come true, right?
My Call: Georgia Tech 31, Clemson 28
Virginia Tech at #19 Duke
Funnily enough, as bad as Virginia Tech has been since the Ohio State game and even though I can be as hard on them as anyone, calling them the most overrated team/program in the country over the last 8 or so years, it wouldn't shock me much at all if Frank Beamer was able to coax one more surprising win out of this Hokies team this season. And it wouldn't shock me if this where it happens. I'm not going to predict it to happen because as I said a couple weeks ago when they played Boston College at home, I'm not picking the Hokies until they show me they can be the better team in the stadium again. Duke in a close one.
My Call: Duke 21, Virginia Tech 17
#20 LSU at Arkansas
Upset! Finally, Razorbacks head coach Bret Bielema picks up his first SEC victory. Although this may seem a bit crazy on the surface, LSU/Arkansas games are typically close and hard fought. Arkansas rested up while LSU is coming off a draining overtime loss to Alabama. That to me makes them vulnerable in this one. The Razorbacks won't blow em out of the stadium, but I think they have what it takes to finally figure out a way in conference play.
My Call: Arkansas 23, LSU 19
Rice at #21 Marshall
Although the Owls may well be the best team Marshall faces in Conference USA play, it's just too tough to bet against the Herd and Rakeem Cato... especially at home.
My Call: Marshall 34, Rice 20
#25 Utah at Stanford
Very little scoring and hard hitting defense should be the theme of this game. I'll say Stanford fixes their red zone issues to some degree in this one, leading to a close victory.
My Call: Stanford 21, Utah 19
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