2017 Week 11 Preview

There were some shakeups in week 10, but none in the top 4. Ohio State, coming off their comeback win over Penn State, got blown out by Iowa. Miami and Wisconsin each had convincing wins. Michigan State upset Penn State and jumped 12 spots in the CFP rankings. Northwestern won their 3rd consecutive OT game. Both my teams won again. I also did a horrible job on my picks last week. There are seven more ranked vs ranked games this week, and 3 of them feature two teams in the top 10. What a season of college football this is turning out to be.

How I Fared: 2-5 last week (ouch), 41-21 overall (still going strong!)

Notable Games
1Georgia at 10Auburn
This is a huge game. Georgia has already clinched the SEC East despite having to go to a freshman QB in game 1. Auburn has two losses, but they still have an outside chance to make it to the Playoff. To do that, they need to win out, which means beating Georgia twice and also beating Alabama. The Tigers get UGA at home this weekend and will get Alabama at Jordan-Hare as well. I think this will be a battle that comes down to the end of the game. Auburn has to win this game to keep their hopes alive and I think that drive will give them the edge.
I am picking Auburn

2Alabama at 16Mississippi State
Alabama took care of business against LSU last week. Though they didn’t cover, they looked dominant. The downside was the loss of at least one major player. Shaun Dion Hamilton had to have surgery and will likely miss the rest of the season. Minkah Fitzpatrick also got dinged up last week. Even with these injuries, Alabama is a great team. They have that “next man up” mentality. Mississippi State struggled a little last week and needed a comeback to beat UMass. Nick Fitzgerald threw 2INTs and one of them was a pick 6. The Bulldogs were probably looking ahead to this game last week. I expect Alabama to win this game comfortably.
I am picking Alabama

3Notre Dame at 7Miami
Miami finally got a convincing win over a good opponent last week when they beat 13th ranked Virginia Tech 28-10. Notre Dame gave up 37 points to Wake Forest but still won by 11. Notre Dame’s offense has been very impressive this season. Their defense has also been good (until last week the most points they had given up was 20). Malik Rosier threw 3INTs last week and will need to do a better job of taking care of the ball this week. ND’s star RB Josh Adams got dinged up last week but should be fine for this game. This one should be a great game, but the Notre Dame offense is one of the better, if not the best, offense Miami has faced this season.
I am picking Notre Dame

6TCU at 5Oklahoma
This should be another fun Big 12 game. I really doubt either team will make it to 50 points in this one. TCU’s defense has been respectable this season. Oklahoma’s defense is not good, but their offense is led by Heisman frontrunner Baker Mayfield. The Horned Frogs have struggled on offense the last two weeks but they should do pretty well this weekend. I think OU will take control in the 4th quarter, but I wouldn’t be surprised if TCU won this game.
I am picking Oklahoma

20Iowa at 8Wisconsin
Iowa blew out Ohio State 55-24 last week. That is such a weird sentence. It doesn’t make too much sense. Wisconsin finally beat a team by a considerable margin, but unfortunately that was an Indiana team with no Big 10 wins. This will be Wisconsin’s first real game of the season and we should learn if they are the real deal or just the beneficiaries of an easy schedule. I expect the Badgers to win this game, but I also expect Iowa to make it a fight. Wisconsin needs this to keep themselves in Playoff contention.
I am picking Wisconsin

12Michigan State at 13Ohio State
Iowa blew out Ohio State 55-24 last week. I’m sorry, have I already mentioned that? (I’m not even a little bit sorry.) JT Barrett threw 4INTs in this game and the Buckeyes could not get their run game going. Michigan state is coming off a 3-point win over Penn State. Spartan kicker Matt Coghlin hit a 34-yard FG as time expired to complete the upset. Michigan State has some good wins, but I don’t really think belong this high up in the rankings. They have the chance to prove themselves this week, but I don’t think it’s in the cards. OSU should come into this game angry. Michigan State does thrive on disrespect, so don’t count them out yet.
I am picking Ohio State

15Oklahoma State at 21Iowa State
I don’t want the Iowa State magic to be gone, but I think it might be. The Cyclones had to come back from being down 20-0 in the second quarter, but came up short against WVU 16-20. Despite picking off Will Grier late in the 4th quarter, ISU was unable to score. Oklahoma State gave up 62 points and a ton of yards to Oklahoma last week. I think this will be a good game. Both teams should come in ready to play. I think the OKST offense will be too much for ISU.
I am picking Oklahoma State

Arkansas at 24LSU
Arkansas won last week and that is all that matters. Their chances of winning this week are much smaller. LSU is coming off (another) loss to Alabama and might be looking to let off some steam. Or maybe they will completely look past us and we could do the (nearly) impossible and win. It’s an 11am SEC road game and the last time the happened, the Hogs won. In all honesty, I expect Guice to rush for a ton of yards in this game. We might get to see Austin Allen for the first time since the South Carolina game on October 7th.

Top 25
1Georgia at 10Auburn
2Alabama at 16Mississippi State
3Notre Dame at 7Miami
Florida State at 4Clemson
6TCU at 5Oklahoma
20Iowa at 8Wisconsin
9Washington at Stanford (Friday)
11USC at Colorado
12Michigan State at 13Ohio State
Rutgers at 14Penn State
15Oklahoma State at 21Iowa State
17Virginia Tech at Georgia Tech
Connecticut at 18UCF
19Washington State at Utah
22Memphis Bye
Arkansas at 24LSU
Purdue at 25Northwestern

Other Games
BYU at UNLV (Friday)
Florida at South Carolina
Nebraska at Minnesota
Virginia at Louisville
West Virginia at Kansas State
SMU at Navy
FAU at Louisiana Tech
Kentucky at Vanderbilt
WKU at Marshall
Tennessee at Missouri
Arizona State at UCLA
Wyoming at Air Force
Boise State at Colorado State