2021 Week 11 Preview

Can anyone else believe it is already mid-November? Week 10 of the 2021 college football season brought us more upsets and continues to be tons of fun. Purdue once again knocked off a top 3 team while unranked. Arkansas is bowl eligible. North Carolina and Wake Forest played a super fun game that didn’t even count as a conference game. TCU upset Baylor in their first game without Gary Patterson at helm in 20 years. There are some fun matchups this weekend and I am excited to sit on the couch most of the day before making pizza before the Arkansas LSU game. Let’s dive into week 11!

My Record: 3-3 last week, 38-22 overall (63%)

Notable Games
1Georgia at Tennessee
This is Georgia’s biggest potential “upset” alert of the regular season. Tennessee has improved a ton over the season, and they are probably riding a bit high after beating Kentucky last week. I think the Vols have a real chance to get to 14 points in this game. I still think Georgia is the clear best team in the country and should win this game comfortably. This game being at Tennessee might make it fun early.
I am picking Georgia

19Purdue at 4Ohio State
I really don’t think Purdue has another upset in them this season. I think Ohio State is the better team in this matchup and this game being in Columbus is a big plus. Both Iowa and Michigan State were in let down spots following big wins. Ohio State is not in that situation and should not have any mental problems going into this one. Purdue is also ranked this time, and that doesn’t bode well for the Boilermakers. This does have the potential to be a good game, but I think in the end Ohio State will win comfortably.
I am picking Ohio State

6Michigan at Penn State
These picks were hard this week. I believe the outcome of this game has a lot to do with the health of Penn State’s QB, Sean Clifford. The CFP Committee has shown us that they don’t think that the Wolverine’s loss to Michigan State was a big deal and have ranked them ahead of Sparty. I think Michigan needs this win to help show that they are as good as their ranking. Even though Penn State isn’t currently ranked, a win on the road in State College would be a very nice win for Michigan. I think Michigan has more playmakers and the better team, but can Harbaugh get this big win?
I am picking Michigan

8Oklahoma at 13Baylor
Another very tough game to pick. Baylor is coming off a tough loss to TCU last week and Oklahoma is coming off a bye. Oklahoma with Caleb Williams is one heck of a team and I think they have a chance to beat almost anyone when they are at their best. I am also positive they are going to lose a game in a weird way because he is a true freshman QB. The CFP Committee is treating Oklahoma like a Group of 5 team right now. They are not getting the benefit of the doubt for being an undefeated P5 team. Like they are doing with Cincinnati, the Sooners are being penalized for not winning convincingly. I’m not saying that’s wrong, but it is interesting. I think this game will be a close one and fun to watch.
I am picking Oklahoma

11Texas A&M at 15Ole Miss
This was the hardest game to pick this week and I am not super confident in my choice. Texas Q&M has been rolling since they beat Alabama and in that game showed that they have the ability to beat almost anyone. Ole Miss got a nice win over Liberty last week to help right the ship after their loss to Auburn. The status of Rebel QB Matt Corral is the difference in this game. If he is healthy and a legitimate run threat I think Ole Miss has the edge. On the other side, A&M’s defense has been very strong and is the reason they beat Auburn (no offensive TDs in that game for Aggies). I just don’t see how a struggling offense will be able to score enough points to beat Ole Miss. Ole Miss can and will score on just about everyone. This might be a weird game.
I am picking Ole Miss

16NC State at 12Wake Forest
I had trouble picking this game as well, but more because I don’t watch a ton of ACC football. I know both teams are very good, and I watched Wake Forest’s shootout with UNC last week in its entirety. Wake is fun, and in a game I’m not sure about, I’m almost always going to pick the fun team. NC State is consistent and a very good team. They play decent defense and if they win, that will be why. Even though the Demon Deacons lost to UNC last weekend, it wasn’t a conference game, so they are still undefeated in ACC play. It is very hard to pick against a team that can score 50 on a regular basis. I just think Wake Forest has too much firepower.
I am picking Wake Forest

25Arkansas at LSU
The Hogs are bowl eligible! And technically, for the second time in Sam Pittman’s two years as head coach (it’s not our fault TCU couldn’t stay healthy last year). I know the expectations for the Razorbacks skyrocketed after beating Texas A&M, but to get to 6 wins with the nation’s toughest schedule in year two is absolutely incredible. I told my husband last week that we would beat either Mississippi State or LSU, but not both. That was before I saw LSU give absolutely everything they had against Bama. I’m not sure where the Tigers will be mentally for this game. They need two more wins to get to bowl eligibility. They should beat ULM and will have to beat either Arkansas or Texas A&M. This LSU team is dangerous because they really have nothing to lose. Their head coach has been fired but is still coaching out the rest of the season. Arkansas not be mentally ready for this game because they hit the 6-win mark. But this is a rivalry game with a big trophy on the line. The Hogs have a lot of 6th year seniors who I’m sure want to win 4 trophies this season. They already beat Texas A&M for the Southwest Classic trophy. This week they play for the Golden Boot and they will play Missouri for the Battle Line trophy to end the regular season and they will have a chance to win a bowl trophy as well. I really hope the Hogs come out and play loose in this game. They have to do better finishing drives this week. I love Cam Little and his big leg, but I would like to see him kicking PATs rather than field goals.

Top 25
1Georgia at Tennessee
New Mexico State at Alabama
Washington State at 3Oregon
19Purdue at 4Ohio State
5Cincinnati 45 South Florida 28 (Friday)
6Michigan at Penn State
Maryland at 7Michigan State
8Oklahoma at 13Baylor
9Notre Dame at Virginia
TCU at 10Oklahoma State
11Texas A&M at 15Ole Miss
16NC State at 12Wake Forest
14BYU BYE
Mississippi State at 17Auburn
Northwestern at 18Wisconsin
Minnesota at 20Iowa
21Pittsburgh 30 North Carolina 23 (Thursday)
Nevada at 22San Diego State
Southern Miss at 23UTSA
24Utah at Arizona
25Arkansas at LSU

Other Games
Syracuse at Louisville
West Virginia at Kansas State
East Carolina at Memphis
Miami at Florida State

USC at California postponed because of covid regulations at Cal