Week 11 Predictions

Last Week's record: 7-3
Overall Record: 65-35 (65%)

Going for 100% this week!

Saturday, November 13
#28 Kansas State 15 @ #15 Missouri 31. Kansas State is fresh off a win over free-falling Texas, while Missouri was physically dominated in its last two games against Nebraska and Texas Tech. If this game was in Manhattan, the Wildcats might even be favored. But on Senior Day in Columbia, Bill Snyder's crew will fall to third in the Big 12 North.

#12 Utah 30 @ #19 Notre Dame 21. Notre Dame is reeling after a loss to Tulsa, and Brian Kelly under siege due to his role in the death of the young man filming ND practices. Utah comes in at 8-1 and questioning themselves after the beatdown by TCU at home last week. Utah simply has the play-makers, and gets it done here.


#69 Georgia 28 @ #1 Auburn 56. This is Auburn's first of three chances to fall out of the National Championship. Georgia has offensive firepower, and moving the ball on Auburn's defense is not a challenge, but it is the Bulldog's defense that will be pushed to the limit and beyond. If Cam Newton plays, Auburn rolls.


#30 Penn State 17 @ #10 Ohio State 21. Newly named starter Matt McGloin will try to lead the Nittany Lions past the tenacious Buckeye D, but Ohio Stadium will not be kind to the young QB. The Buckeyes will find a way to win, despite Penn State's defense bottling up Terrelle Pryor. Food for thought: #30 Penn State is the highest-ranked team the Buckeyes have faced this year (besides the loss to Wisconsin).


#45 Texas Tech 20 @ #19 Oklahoma 41. Oklahoma's home record is second only to Boise State's - an incredible 67-2 at home under Bob Stoops. The Red Raiders will try to catch Oklahoma off-guard after the Sooners' 33-19 loss to Texas A&M last week. OU simply has too much firepower on offense, and the traditionally dominant TT offense has floundered somewhat of late.


#22 Virginia Tech 31 @ #31 North Carolina 30. Virginia Tech is, without doubt, the best-looking team in the ACC this year. But that doesn't guarantee a win - this is, after all, college football. Still, the Hokies should be able to do just enough to beat North Carolina, which is having quite an impressive season, regardless of all the NCAA inquiries and suspensions.


#26 Texas A&M 40 @ #27 Baylor 38. An offensive showcase in the Big 12 South (how many times has that sentence been written in the last 5 years?) pits Robert Griffin III against an A&M D that has been much improved from last year. They'll need to be, as Griffin leads the Big 12 in pass efficiency, and his running threat is legendary. Still, I like the Aggies in a shootout.


#16 Mississippi State 17 @ #18 Alabama 24. Could Mississippi State catch Alabama napping? A win for the Bulldogs pushes them to #3 in the SEC-West, and Alabama to 5th. (!!!) Nick Saban won't let the Tide sleep, though the final might be closer than the recent past would lead one to believe. Dan Mullen has something good cookin' in Starksville.


#35 USC 31 @ #20 Arizona 28. Upset of the Week. USC has been hiding behind NCAA sanctions and a pathetic defense, but it's about time for the Trojans to remind the PAC-10 what they once were. And Arizona is the perfect team to do that against, after a firm slam to the turf at Stanford last week.

Game of the Week! #33 South Carolina at #24 Florida
Winner-takes-all in the SEC-East.

• South Carolina Offense vs. Florida Defense: The Gamecocks are #23 in total offense while the Gators rank #21. Good match there. Run Defense is where Florida has the advantage. USC's rushing attack ranks just 84, even with sensational freshman Marcus Lattimore, while Florida is ranked #26... Florida +1
• South Carolina Defense vs. Florida Offense: once again the overall numbers are a draw: USC ranks #43 while Florida ranks #45. The question is whether Florida will be able to pass the ball on a porous Gamecock D. +/-0
• Homefield Advantage. South Carolina has never beaten the Gators in Gainesville. Florida +1

The Verdict: Florida +2

The Prediction: Florida 24, South Carolina 20.