I picked a bunch of games last week hoping to pile up some wins but went just 4-6 instead and now stand 56-29 on the year. Upsets from Georgia Tech over Virginia Tech, Pittsburgh over Clemson, USC over Washington, and Iowa over Michigan bit me.
No. 11 Oklahoma State at TCU, Noon Fox Sports 1
Going to call the "upset" here. Why not? The host Horned Frogs are actually favored and are 5-4 but could easily be 8-2 after suffering five-point or fewer losses three times. Plus, they are coming off a bye week, so they've had two weeks to get ready for the Cowboys, and last time out, they crushed Baylor, 62-22. Oklahoma State lost to Baylor earlier in the season, 35-24.
TCU 38, Oklahoma State 34
Miami at N.C. State, 12:30 p.m. ACC Network
This game doesn't mean much for the Hurricanes, who got bowl eligible last week after beating UVa. The Wolfpack, losers of four of five, got back on track somewhat last week by topping Syracuse, 35-20. Still, 5-5 State faces a somewhat tough slate to get that sixth win with Miami and then North Carolina next week. And just because Miami has secured its sixth win, I'm betting the Hurricanes are looking to put a little bit of the disappointment under first-year coach Mark Richt behind them and finish strong.
Miami 27, N.C. State 24
No. 23 Florida at No. 16 LSU, 1 p.m. SEC Network
This is a rescheduled game from early October when Hurricane Matthew hit Florida. The game could not be played in Gainesville. It ends up being a pivotal game because the Gators can clinch the SEC East with a victory, but if they slip up, which seems likely given how the Tigers have been playing and the fact the game is in Baton Rouge, then Tennessee can claim the division by beating Missouri and then Vanderbilt next week, because the Vols would be 5-3 in the conference, like the Gators, but beat Florida head to head.
LSU 27, Florida 17
Duke at Pittsburgh, 3 p.m. ACC Network
The Panthers dramatically grabbed their sixth win last week by knocking off the previously unbeaten Tigers. The Blue Devils pulled an upset of their own, taking down North Carolina. Duke must win at Pitt and at Miami to get to six wins, and I don't see it happening. The Panthers should ride their wave of momentum to a victory. They have been inconsistent, however, so a Devils win would not surprise me.
Pittsburgh 37, Duke 30
No. 22 Washington State at No. 10 Colorado, 3:30 p.m. Fox
If you have only sort of paid attention to this season, the line above may come as a shocker. The Cougars opened their season by losing to FCS school Eastern Washington and then Boise State, but have since run off eight consecutive wins to sit atop the Pac-12 North because of Washington's loss last week to USC, making the Apple Cup battle between WSU and U-Dub very big next week, as long as the Huskies take care of Arizona State today. Colorado, a former national power, has been pretty bad for a decade or so but has found its footing under fourth-year coach Mike MacIntyre. The Buffaloes were 10-27 in their first three years under him but are 8-2 now, giving hope for UVa fans everywhere. Colorado has just a four-point loss to USC and a 45-28 setback against Michigan. The Buffs played the Wolverines tougher than all but two teams: Iowa and Wisconsin. Despite USC's surge, Colorado is a game ahead in the Pac-12 South and can win the division with a victory and by beating Utah next week. The Utes and Trojans are both still alive for the title, too. In this one, I like Colorado, which is a little more tested and is at home.
Colorado 33, Washington State 30
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. NBC
The 7-3 Hokies could have sewn up the ACC Coastal title last week by beating Georgia Tech, but fell behind, 30-7. The Fighting Irish have had a rough year at 4-6, but every loss has been by eight or fewer points and three have been by three or fewer points. Now, they must beat the Hokies and USC next week just to get to a bowl, an unlikely outcome. Notre Dame is actually a slight favorite in this game, and this is a tricky situation for Tech. This game doesn't mean much for the Hokies, because as long as they beat UVa next week for a 13th straight time -- or N.C. State beats North Carolina next Friday -- they will get a chance for a signature win against Clemson, the likely ACC Atlantic champ, in the conference title game. But, I still think Tech is the better team here and the Irish will have a hard time stopping the Hokies on offense. Also, I doubt Tech wants to be going into the game against Virginia riding a two-game losing streak.
Virginia Tech 30, Notre Dame 27
No. 4 Clemson at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. ESPN
The Tigers, stunned last week at home by Pittsburgh, only needs to beat Wake to win the ACC Atlantic. The Demon Deacons are an improving team with a strong defense that played Louisville tough into the fourth quarter last week, but they don't have the offense to keep up with the Tigers.
Clemson 34, Wake Forest 16
No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 14 West Virginia, 8 p.m. ABC
The 8-2 Sooners lost in their opener at Houston and then in Week 3 to Ohio State at home. Since, they've won seven consecutive games. The Mountaineers are 8-1 but have been less tested. Their loss came three weeks ago at Oklahoma State by 17 points. This should be a high-scoring game, and even in front of the rowdy WVU fans at night, I like the Sooners a little bit more.
Oklahoma 40, West Virginia 37
Virginia at Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m. NBC29
The big news for UVa this week was the demotion of Kurt Benkert to the bench and the promotion of last year's starting QB, Matt Johns, to first string. He came in last week late against Miami and nearly led a TD drive if not for a fumble by Taquan Mizzell. You could see right away he injected life into the offense and sprinting down the field as he celebrated a catch. Coach Bronco Mendenhall said he thinks Benkert could learn from the sideline, and I think this is also a way to reward Johns, who did not bellyache at all this year when he lost his job. He is a fan favorite and a senior and has been a great leader for this team. He deserves one last chance. At this point, we have seen what Benkert can and cannot do. Leaving him out there won't help him get better. He could still end up being the starter
next season, so might as well save his body (he's taken a lot of hits) and see if he can kind of recharge and reframe how his season has gone and what he can do to improve. It would be a great story if Johns could boost this team and help it pull off an upset of the Yellow Jackets, or even better, the Hokies, but I can't see it at this point. UVa has played very well in first halves this season but wears down mentally or physically or both in the second 30 minutes. I see the same thing happening against Georgia Tech, which should be riding high after its upset of the Hokies. The Jackets will also be getting back Justin Thomas at QB, who was hurt two weeks ago against North Carolina. Virginia managed to down the Jackets at Scott Stadium last season, 27-21. Plus, Mendenhall was 2-0 against Georgia Tech at BYU, winning 41-17 in Atlanta in 2012 and 38-20 in 2013 in Utah, There are some factors favoring UVa in this one, but the negative momentum and lack of a sound run defense this season plays into the Jackets' hands.
Georgia Tech 34, Virginia 24
No. 11 Oklahoma State at TCU, Noon Fox Sports 1
Going to call the "upset" here. Why not? The host Horned Frogs are actually favored and are 5-4 but could easily be 8-2 after suffering five-point or fewer losses three times. Plus, they are coming off a bye week, so they've had two weeks to get ready for the Cowboys, and last time out, they crushed Baylor, 62-22. Oklahoma State lost to Baylor earlier in the season, 35-24.
TCU 38, Oklahoma State 34
Miami at N.C. State, 12:30 p.m. ACC Network
This game doesn't mean much for the Hurricanes, who got bowl eligible last week after beating UVa. The Wolfpack, losers of four of five, got back on track somewhat last week by topping Syracuse, 35-20. Still, 5-5 State faces a somewhat tough slate to get that sixth win with Miami and then North Carolina next week. And just because Miami has secured its sixth win, I'm betting the Hurricanes are looking to put a little bit of the disappointment under first-year coach Mark Richt behind them and finish strong.
Miami 27, N.C. State 24
No. 23 Florida at No. 16 LSU, 1 p.m. SEC Network
This is a rescheduled game from early October when Hurricane Matthew hit Florida. The game could not be played in Gainesville. It ends up being a pivotal game because the Gators can clinch the SEC East with a victory, but if they slip up, which seems likely given how the Tigers have been playing and the fact the game is in Baton Rouge, then Tennessee can claim the division by beating Missouri and then Vanderbilt next week, because the Vols would be 5-3 in the conference, like the Gators, but beat Florida head to head.
LSU 27, Florida 17
Duke at Pittsburgh, 3 p.m. ACC Network
The Panthers dramatically grabbed their sixth win last week by knocking off the previously unbeaten Tigers. The Blue Devils pulled an upset of their own, taking down North Carolina. Duke must win at Pitt and at Miami to get to six wins, and I don't see it happening. The Panthers should ride their wave of momentum to a victory. They have been inconsistent, however, so a Devils win would not surprise me.
Pittsburgh 37, Duke 30
No. 22 Washington State at No. 10 Colorado, 3:30 p.m. Fox
If you have only sort of paid attention to this season, the line above may come as a shocker. The Cougars opened their season by losing to FCS school Eastern Washington and then Boise State, but have since run off eight consecutive wins to sit atop the Pac-12 North because of Washington's loss last week to USC, making the Apple Cup battle between WSU and U-Dub very big next week, as long as the Huskies take care of Arizona State today. Colorado, a former national power, has been pretty bad for a decade or so but has found its footing under fourth-year coach Mike MacIntyre. The Buffaloes were 10-27 in their first three years under him but are 8-2 now, giving hope for UVa fans everywhere. Colorado has just a four-point loss to USC and a 45-28 setback against Michigan. The Buffs played the Wolverines tougher than all but two teams: Iowa and Wisconsin. Despite USC's surge, Colorado is a game ahead in the Pac-12 South and can win the division with a victory and by beating Utah next week. The Utes and Trojans are both still alive for the title, too. In this one, I like Colorado, which is a little more tested and is at home.
Colorado 33, Washington State 30
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. NBC
The 7-3 Hokies could have sewn up the ACC Coastal title last week by beating Georgia Tech, but fell behind, 30-7. The Fighting Irish have had a rough year at 4-6, but every loss has been by eight or fewer points and three have been by three or fewer points. Now, they must beat the Hokies and USC next week just to get to a bowl, an unlikely outcome. Notre Dame is actually a slight favorite in this game, and this is a tricky situation for Tech. This game doesn't mean much for the Hokies, because as long as they beat UVa next week for a 13th straight time -- or N.C. State beats North Carolina next Friday -- they will get a chance for a signature win against Clemson, the likely ACC Atlantic champ, in the conference title game. But, I still think Tech is the better team here and the Irish will have a hard time stopping the Hokies on offense. Also, I doubt Tech wants to be going into the game against Virginia riding a two-game losing streak.
Virginia Tech 30, Notre Dame 27
No. 4 Clemson at Wake Forest, 7 p.m. ESPN
The Tigers, stunned last week at home by Pittsburgh, only needs to beat Wake to win the ACC Atlantic. The Demon Deacons are an improving team with a strong defense that played Louisville tough into the fourth quarter last week, but they don't have the offense to keep up with the Tigers.
Clemson 34, Wake Forest 16
No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 14 West Virginia, 8 p.m. ABC
The 8-2 Sooners lost in their opener at Houston and then in Week 3 to Ohio State at home. Since, they've won seven consecutive games. The Mountaineers are 8-1 but have been less tested. Their loss came three weeks ago at Oklahoma State by 17 points. This should be a high-scoring game, and even in front of the rowdy WVU fans at night, I like the Sooners a little bit more.
Oklahoma 40, West Virginia 37
Virginia at Georgia Tech, 12:30 p.m. NBC29
The big news for UVa this week was the demotion of Kurt Benkert to the bench and the promotion of last year's starting QB, Matt Johns, to first string. He came in last week late against Miami and nearly led a TD drive if not for a fumble by Taquan Mizzell. You could see right away he injected life into the offense and sprinting down the field as he celebrated a catch. Coach Bronco Mendenhall said he thinks Benkert could learn from the sideline, and I think this is also a way to reward Johns, who did not bellyache at all this year when he lost his job. He is a fan favorite and a senior and has been a great leader for this team. He deserves one last chance. At this point, we have seen what Benkert can and cannot do. Leaving him out there won't help him get better. He could still end up being the starter
Georgia Tech 34, Virginia 24
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