Last week: 3-4 Season: 75-34
Today's games (Saturday to come later)
Miami at Pittsburgh, Noon ESPN2
No matter what happens in this matchup, the Panthers have secured second in the ACC Coastal division. They've had a nice first year under coach Pat Narduzzi. The Hurricanes have rebounded nicely as well from their mid-season firing of Al Golden. Interim coach Larry Scott has gone 3-1. I like the Panthers, and their resume is looking better and better. Only losses: three points to Iowa, which is still undefeated, seven points to 10-1 UNC, and by 12 against 10-1 Notre Dame.
Pittsburgh 31, Miami 27
No. 15 Navy at Houston, Noon ABC
Houston has been the more lauded team this season and was undefeated until last week, when the Cougars fell to five-win Connecticut. Meanwhile, the Midshipmen have quietly put together quite the campaign behind record-setting QB Keenan Reynolds. Navy only has one loss, too, to Notre Dame, 41-24. The game is in Houston, but Navy has had the more impressive recent outings.
Navy 37, Houston 34
Upset alert
No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. ABC
The unblemished Hawkeyes need this win to stay in the four-team playoff conversation. A loss likely knocks them out because their schedule has not been that tough. The Cornhuskers have had a tough first year under Mike Riley, but can get to six wins and bowl eligibility with a victory at home. Despite the 5-6 record, Nebraska is a handful of plays away from having a few more wins. The Cornhuskers lost on a Hail Mary to BYU, in OT to Miami, in the final seconds to Illinois, on a last-second field goal to Wisconsin, and by two to Northwestern. Nebraska got within two on a TD with a few minutes left but a two-point try failed. The low point was a 10-point defeat at the hands of lowly Purdue. But the Huskers have recovered nicely, giving Michigan State its only loss a week later and following that up by handling Rutgers. Let's get crazy. Nebraska has had two weeks to prepare for this game while Iowa hasn't. It'll be tough, but I think Nebraska booby-traps Iowa to get to six wins, opening up another spot in the four-team playoff.
Nebraska 38, Iowa 35
No. 7 Baylor at No. 19 TCU, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
This was one of the best-looking matchups when the season began, but has lost some luster since neither team is undefeated. The Bears are without second-string QB Jarrett Stidham, who broke a bone in his ankle last week. Chris Johnson came in and threw three TDs in Baylor's win over Oklahoma State, knocking the Cowboys from the ranks of the undefeated. The Horned Frogs are without wideout Josh Doctson, and possibly still QB Trevone Boykin (ankle), though he returned to practice this week. Baylor can still win the Big 12, but it needs to win this game and next week vs. Texas, and have the Cowboys beat Oklahoma on Saturday. That would give OU two conference losses and have Baylor tied with OSU. But Baylor would own the head-to-head tiebreaker. And if certain things happen in front of Baylor, it could still get into the playoff. I think without Boykin, Baylor wins, but I think I like the Frogs at home if Boykin does play ... so, can I split my decision?
How about this:
Boykin plays: TCU 44, Baylor 41; Boykin sits: Baylor 45, TCU 30
Today's games (Saturday to come later)
Miami at Pittsburgh, Noon ESPN2
No matter what happens in this matchup, the Panthers have secured second in the ACC Coastal division. They've had a nice first year under coach Pat Narduzzi. The Hurricanes have rebounded nicely as well from their mid-season firing of Al Golden. Interim coach Larry Scott has gone 3-1. I like the Panthers, and their resume is looking better and better. Only losses: three points to Iowa, which is still undefeated, seven points to 10-1 UNC, and by 12 against 10-1 Notre Dame.
Pittsburgh 31, Miami 27
No. 15 Navy at Houston, Noon ABC
Houston has been the more lauded team this season and was undefeated until last week, when the Cougars fell to five-win Connecticut. Meanwhile, the Midshipmen have quietly put together quite the campaign behind record-setting QB Keenan Reynolds. Navy only has one loss, too, to Notre Dame, 41-24. The game is in Houston, but Navy has had the more impressive recent outings.
Navy 37, Houston 34
Upset alert
No. 4 Iowa at Nebraska, 3:30 p.m. ABC
The unblemished Hawkeyes need this win to stay in the four-team playoff conversation. A loss likely knocks them out because their schedule has not been that tough. The Cornhuskers have had a tough first year under Mike Riley, but can get to six wins and bowl eligibility with a victory at home. Despite the 5-6 record, Nebraska is a handful of plays away from having a few more wins. The Cornhuskers lost on a Hail Mary to BYU, in OT to Miami, in the final seconds to Illinois, on a last-second field goal to Wisconsin, and by two to Northwestern. Nebraska got within two on a TD with a few minutes left but a two-point try failed. The low point was a 10-point defeat at the hands of lowly Purdue. But the Huskers have recovered nicely, giving Michigan State its only loss a week later and following that up by handling Rutgers. Let's get crazy. Nebraska has had two weeks to prepare for this game while Iowa hasn't. It'll be tough, but I think Nebraska booby-traps Iowa to get to six wins, opening up another spot in the four-team playoff.
Nebraska 38, Iowa 35
No. 7 Baylor at No. 19 TCU, 7:30 p.m. ESPN
This was one of the best-looking matchups when the season began, but has lost some luster since neither team is undefeated. The Bears are without second-string QB Jarrett Stidham, who broke a bone in his ankle last week. Chris Johnson came in and threw three TDs in Baylor's win over Oklahoma State, knocking the Cowboys from the ranks of the undefeated. The Horned Frogs are without wideout Josh Doctson, and possibly still QB Trevone Boykin (ankle), though he returned to practice this week. Baylor can still win the Big 12, but it needs to win this game and next week vs. Texas, and have the Cowboys beat Oklahoma on Saturday. That would give OU two conference losses and have Baylor tied with OSU. But Baylor would own the head-to-head tiebreaker. And if certain things happen in front of Baylor, it could still get into the playoff. I think without Boykin, Baylor wins, but I think I like the Frogs at home if Boykin does play ... so, can I split my decision?
How about this:
Boykin plays: TCU 44, Baylor 41; Boykin sits: Baylor 45, TCU 30
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