Week of Nov 28 Preview

I hope everyone had a safe and happy Thanksgiving! There are a few interesting games this weekend, including two ranked vs ranked games on Friday. We also have the Iron Bowl as the feature game of the weekend. Unfortunately, there are a lot of Covid-19 postponements as well this week. Let’s get right into it.

My Record: 4-2 last week, 41-25 overall (62%)

Notable Games
2Notre Dame at 19North Carolina (Friday)
Notre Dame is ranked in the top 4 for a reason. They have played very well this season and have a big win over Clemson (albeit without Trevor Lawrence). North Carolina has been a bit up and down this year. Their defense has not been good. The offense, on the other hand, has been great. They also have the ability to score in bunches. The Tar Heels can almost never be counted out. Notre Dame needs to be careful not to get complacent in this game. UNC scored 35 unanswered points late in the second half in their game against Wake Forest two weeks ago. This game has the potential to be interesting.
I am picking Notre Dame

13Iowa State at 17Texas
This is a huge game in the Big 12. With only a couple games left in the regular season, a win for either team would put them one step closer to playing in the Big 12 Championship game. Iowa State is coming off a 45-0 win over Kansas State while Texas hasn’t played since November 7. Texas has been one of the hardest teams to predict this season. They tend to play to the level of their competition. This game should be a very close one that comes down to the wire.
I am picking Iowa State

22Auburn at 1Alabama
This is the only ranked vs ranked matchup of Saturday. The Iron Bowl is one of the biggest rivalries in college football and that means both teams usually play their best. Nick Saban will not be able to coach this game because of covid, but I don’t think that will make much of a difference. While Auburn has looked better in recent games, they are not nearly to the level of Alabama. I just don’t see Auburn winning this game. I think it will be close in the first half, but by the end, this one should be a comfortable Alabama win.
I am picking Alabama

Kent State at Buffalo
There should be lots of points in this game. Kent State scored 60+ points in their last two games and Buffalo has scored 40+ in all three of their games. I think the difference in this game will be Buffalo’s defense. A couple key stops might be all that is needed to win this game. This one should be a fun game.
I am picking Buffalo

Mississippi State at Ole Miss
This should be another pointsy game. Mississippi State has really struggled this season, but they had a good game against Georgia last week. Ole Miss was off last week. The Rebels can score on pretty much anyone. Mississippi State has a pretty decent defense, but I think the Rebels will just tire them out. This game being a rivalry should also make it pretty fun to watch. Also, this is Mike Leach vs Lane Kiffin. Who doesn’t want to watch that?
I am picking Ole Miss

San Jose State at Boise State
This is a very interesting matchup in the Mountain West. San Jose State has been a bit of a surprise team and they are undefeated at 4-0. Boise State’s only loss came to a very strong BYU team on a week that the Broncos’ roster was a bit thin. This game should be competitive and exciting. I just find it really hard to pick the visiting team on the Smurf Turf. It will be a chilly afternoon in Boise and I think that gives them an edge as well.
I am picking Boise State

Top 25
22Auburn at 1Alabama
2Notre Dame 31 19North Carolina 17 (Friday)
Pittsburgh at 3Clemson
4Ohio State at Illinois (canceled)
LSU at 5Texas A&M
Kentucky at 6Florida
7Cincinnati at Temple (canceled)
8Northwestern at Michigan State
9Georgia at South Carolina
10Miami BYE
11Oklahoma at West Virginia (postponed)
Maryland at 12Indiana
13Iowa State 23 17Texas 20 (Friday)
14BYU BYE
Oregon State 41 15Oregon 38 (Friday)
Minnesota at 16Wisconsin (canceled)
Colorado at 18USC (canceled)
20Coastal Carolina at Texas State
21Marshall BYE
Texas Tech at 23Oklahoma State
24Iowa 26 Nebraska 20 (Friday)
25Tulsa at Houston (postponed)

Other Games
Stanford 24 California 23 (Friday)
Wyoming 45 UNLV 14 (Friday)
Penn State at Michigan
San Diego State at Colorado
Utah at Washington
Vanderbilt at Missouri

Covid-19 Interruptions
Colorado State at Air Force (canceled)
Southern Miss at UAB (canceled)
San Diego State at Fresno State (canceled)
Louisiana Tech at FIU (canceled)
Arkansas at Missouri (postponed)
Vanderbilt at Tennessee (postponed)
FAU at Middle Tennessee (postponed)
Washington at Washington State (canceled)
Utah at Arizona State (canceled)