Week 11 Preview

I love going to Arkansas Razorback football games. And given the choice to spend all day at the stadium or watch games on TV, I would always pick the stadium. All of that being said, I’m glad the Hogs have a bye this week because there are some great games on. I’ll be spending my Saturday watching football and then watching some more football. There are 6 games that feature two top 25 teams. It’s going to be a good Saturday.

Notable Games
4Oregon at 17Utah Both of these teams have been good this season. They have had setbacks, but continue to be competitive. Unfortunately for Utah, I don’t think this game will be all that competitive. While Oregon isn’t putting up the same kind of numbers of the past few years, they are putting enough to win most games. This is why Utah is at a disadvantage. The first half will probably be close, but the Duck’s offense will wear out the Ute’s defense. But if you saw how close Arizona State came to falling to Utah last week, you know not to sleep on Utah. I’m pretty sure Oregon won’t be lazy in this game. But stranger things have happened. I am picking Oregon by 2TDs.

5Alabama at 16LSU In this past few years, the Alabama LSU game has been one of the biggest games of the season. I’m not trying to say it isn’t this season, but with the slate of games this weekend, this matchup hasn’t gotten the same attention. Both of these teams are coming off bye weeks setting the stage for what has the potential to be a very interesting football game. Points have been coming at a premium for each of these teams. This game should have a little more scoring than that 9-6 game a couple years ago, but not much more. Alabama RB TJ Yeldon is expected to be back after resting an injured foot. LSU is two weeks removed from their huge win over Ole Miss. Death Valley was a factor in that game, but will it be enough to beat ‘Bama? I can’t wait for this game. I am picking Alabama by 3-7 points.

7Kansas State at 6TCU If you told me at the beginning of the season Kansas State at TCU was going to be a game that featured 7 and 6, I don’t think I would’ve believed you. I remember hearing an analyst say TCU was this season’s Auburn. I laughed and shot that down. It’s still a little too early to say that for sure, but the Horned Frogs are starting to look like they might just be the surprise of the year. And remember Kansas State’s “fluke” close game with Auburn? Not really a fluke. The Big 12 is having a good year. The top half of the conference is extremely competitive and might just play themselves out of the playoff. The Wildcats are at the top with a 5-0 conference record. I think that TCU is going to change that. This should be another great Big 12 game. Watch out for that last second FG. I am picking TCU by 3-7 points.

14Ohio State at 8Michigan State This is an interesting game. I think Michigan State is the better team, but the better team doesn’t always win. College football is not just a physical game. The mental aspect is huge at this level. Big, bad Ohio State coming into this game as an underdog and with last year’s loss in the Big 10 championship game coming back to mind makes for a scary team. Those things could help or hurt the Buckeyes. I think Michigan State will be too much for Ohio State. I think Connor Cook is the better QB, and he will be the difference in the game. I am picking Michigan State by a TD.

10Notre Dame at 9Arizona State Arizona State has shown some greatness this season, but I still can’t shake that awful home loss to UCLA earlier this season. Notre Dame is one play away from being undefeated and probably sitting at number 4 in the polls. I think they are the better team in this game, but they have to go a long way. It is going to be a warm one in Arizona. The distance and heat makes this a close game, but Notre Dame will find a way to come out of this game with a win. But this game could go either way. I am picking Notre Dame by a FG.

12Baylor at 15Oklahoma Another great game and another game with huge implications. This is a tough one for me to pick. My gut says Baylor, so that’s who I’m going with. I expect this to be a great game and a close one. Baylor seems to have the scoring edge, but that might not mean much. The only thing that will matter in this game is which team has at least one more point than the other. And this season in the Big 12, one point has been enough for a victory more than once. I am picking Baylor by 3-7 points.

Top 25
UT Martin at 1Mississippi State
Virginia at 2Florida State
Texas A&M at 3Auburn
Presbyterian at 11Ole Miss
18UCLA at Washington
Colorado at 19Arizona
20Georgia at Kentucky
21Clemson at Wake Forest (Thurs)
22Duke at Syracuse
23West Virginia at Texas
24Georgia Tech at NC State
25Wisconsin at Purdue

Other Games
Bowling Green 27 Akron 10 (Tues)
Toledo 30 Kent State 20 (Tues)
Ohio 37 Buffalo 14 (Wed)
Northern Illinois 35 Ball State 21 (Wed)
Memphis at Temple (Fri)
Utah State at Wyoming (Fri)
Air Force at UNLV
Penn State at Indiana
Iowa at Minnesota
South Alabama at Arkansas State
ULM at Appalachian State
Michigan at Northwestern
Washington State at Oregon State
Marshall at Southern Miss
Boise State at New Mexico
Louisville at Boston College
Florida at Vanderbilt