Another weekend, another version of the playoff poll, and more games – hello, college football week 11. Nice to see you. Time is short, so let’s get down to business. (Prognosticator hat on.)
Last week, after the dust settled, the computer handed me the “L” by winning the one game that our picks didn’t match, the Alabama – LSU game. (If only LSU could have managed that field goal.) Finishing with a 3-3 record may not exactly move the needle to the excitement level, but it is better than my 2-4 version. For anyone keeping score out there, combining all of our results, I have a slight lead over the machine, 16-15-5 (W-L-Push) vs 15-16-5 (W-L-Push). Starting from week one, my record is below .500, 25-28-5 (W-L-Push). Not exactly the record of champions.
Anyway, time to move on to week 11’s “Six Pack” of games and hopefully start trending upward.
West Virginia at Texas (-2)
Texas just came off a 45-37 victory against the Texas Tech Red Raiders last week, while West Virginia also scored a ton of points in their win against the Kansas Jayhawks. Obviously, both offenses can score points, which is the way of the Big 12 – big offense. Maybe the play here is the over? Can either defense get a stop? West Virginia should win this game, but I’ll go with the home team.
Winner: Texas
Computer prediction: Texas
Vanderbilt at Missouri (-3.5)
How does one choose between bad teams? Rank the teams based on quality losses? I can’t believe I’m actually considering picking Vanderbilt on the road, but they played a nice game against Auburn, and they actually have beaten an SEC foe, Georgia. Missouri’s only wins came at the expense of the Eastern Michigan Eagles and the Delaware State Hornets. Yeah, let’s go with Vanderbilt on the road.
Winner: Vanderbilt
Computer prediction: Missouri
USC at Washington (-8.5)
Congratulations, Washington! You made the top four in the college football playoff poll. Will your stay last longer than the previous occupant’s, Texas A&M? USC is up next for Washington, and the Trojans have won five straight games. Obviously, they are a much different team than the one that lost to Alabama, but Washington looked unstoppable last week against Cal, and they are playing at home, which is a tough place for opposing teams to play. USC’s defense will have trouble stopping Washington’s passing attack.
Winner: Washington
Computer prediction: USC
LSU (-7) at Arkansas
LSU’s offense couldn’t move the ball against Alabama, but they should have more success against an Arkansas team that struggles with stopping the run. Arkansas is ranked 91st in run defense. LSU’s defense is better equipped to deal with the Arkansas offense. Leonard Fournette against this Razorback defense? Advantage LSU.
Winner: LSU
Computer prediction: LSU
Auburn (-10) at Georgia
Auburn is a better team than Georgia. Ever since Sean White took control of Auburn’s quarterback position, the offense has really clicked. Unfortunately, running back Kamryn Pettway’s injury status is ‘day-to-day’, so it’s not clear how many minutes (if any) he can play against Georgia. In theory, Georgia can exploit Auburn’s pass defense; however, they will need to keep Auburn’s defensive line off of Jacob Eason.
Winner: Auburn
Computer prediction: Auburn
Penn State (-6.5) at Indiana
After Penn State’s last two performances, I’m a believer.
Winner: Penn State
Computer prediction: Penn State
Well, that’s all, everyone. Enjoy your “Six Pack” game predictions.
Categories: College football
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