Paul's Picks Week 8
Welcome Back!
Well, it seems I just keep getting worser and worser. Last week, I had my worst week so far, as I was only 33-20, or 62.3%, which makes me 358-129 overall, or 73.5%, a drop of 1.4% from last week. Let's hope I can improve this week and get back up over 75%, but that is getting less and less likely. But I'm already off to an 1-0 start!
There are 54 games this week, just one more than last week, as more teams have off weeks. See yesterday's blog for my Wednesday pick.
On to the picks!
Thursday, October 20
Virginia @ Georgia Tech- The series is tied 21-21-1, but the Cavaliers have won the last 4, and 4 of the last 6. However, after starting this season 2-1, the Wahoos have lost 3 straight and are 0-3 in the ACC. The Yellow Jackets have followed an alternate trajectory; they started 1-3, then after firing their HC, have gone 2-0 under interim Brent Key, and are 2-1 in the conference. Both teams were off last week, and so may have some new wrinkles, but GT wins.
Troy @ South Alabama- The Trojans lead the series 7-3, and have won the last 4, but the Jaguars are having a fantastic season so far at 5-1/2-0, including wins over Louisiana and ULM, and a narrow loss to undefeated UCLA. Troy is 5-2/3-1, with losses to Ole Miss and App State (on a last play Hail Mary), and wins over Marshall, Southern Miss, and Texas St. This season, USA is 3-0 at home and Troy is 1-2 on the road, but in this series, Troy is 4-1 in Mobile. Troy wins and takes control of the SBC West.
Friday, October 21
Tulsa @ Temple- The series is tied 3-3, but in games played since 2014, the Owls lead 3-1, with the Golden Hurricane winning last year (Tulsa won games in 1987 and '88). Temple has a win over UMass, but has been blown out by every other FBS team except Rutgers. Tulsa has a 3-point win over NIU, and narrow losses to Ole Miss and an OT loss to Wyoming, but was routed by Navy in their last outing. However, the Hurricane was off last week, and Temple played (albeit on a Thursday), so go with Tulsa for the win.
UAB @ WKU- The series is tied at 4 wins apiece, but the Blazers have won 4 of the last 5. However, only 3 of those have been played since 2014, with the last meeting in 2020; the 1st 5 matchups were between 1993-97. The Hilltoppers are 4-3/2-1, but all 3 of their losses are by 7 points or less, by a combined 13 points. UAB is 4-2/2-1 with both of their losses also by 7 points or less, by a combined 11 points. Both have wins over MTSU, and this game will act as an elimination game for the CUSA Championship Game, though the loser won't technically be eliminated. UAB wins.
Saturday, October 22
Iowa @ Ohio State- The Buckeyes lead the series 46-15-3, with the Hawkeyes winning the most recent meeting in 2017, but OSU has won 13 of the last 15 stretching back to 1992. From 1922 through 1962, the series was close, with OSU holding a 13-10-2 edge. Starting in 1963, though, the Bucks won 16 straight before Iowa eked out a 20-14 win in 1982, and then it was 5-2-1 over the next 8 meetings through 1991. Iowa has only scored as much as 27 points twice this year, and has been held to 14 or less 4 times. They've only allowed more than 10 once, and that was 27 points to Michigan on Oct 1. In contrast, OSU has scored less than 45 only once, being held to 21 against Notre Dame, and has not allowed any team to score more than 21, though 2 have reached that amount, and one has scored 20. This is an easy one; OSU wins big, as they won't be challenged until their season ending game against Michigan.
Syracuse @ Clemson- The Tigers lead the series 8-2, and has won the last 4, but only Syracuse's 41-0 win in the 1996 Gator Bowl was before 2013. The Orange and the Tigers are both unbeaten, so the winner of this game will have the inside track to winning the ACC Atlantic, and the all-important tiebreaker advantage. Surprisingly, the Orange has allowed fewer points per game than Clemson has, 15.8 to 21 in FBS games, and versus their only common opponent, NC State, SU gave up 9 while CU allowed 20. Offensively, Clemson is scoring 39.2 ppg in FBS games, while Syracuse is scoring 31.4. My heart says Syracuse (I almost always pull for the underdog in these situations), but my head thinks my heart is crazy. Clemson wins in Death Valley.
UT Martin @ Tennessee- The Volunteers will have no problem moving to 2-0 against the Skyhawks. Vols win easily.
Kansas @ Baylor- The Bears lead the series 17-4, and have won the last 12, but from 1971-2007, it was only 5-4 in favor of Baylor. The Jayhawks started the season 5-0 but have lost the last 2, as they just can't seem to get to 6 wins, and the schedule isn't getting any easier, as 3 of their remaining 5 games are on the road, and their 2 home games are Oklahoma State and Texas. The Bears have been on a similar trajectory, as they started 3-1, but have lost their last 2 as well. Face it, there are no easy wins in the Big 12 this year. KU is 0-10 in Waco, so I'm going with the home team. Baylor wins.
Cincinnati @ SMU- The Bearcats lead the series 5-1, including a 48-14 win last year. The Mustangs are 0-3 in Dallas in the series. SMU is only 3-3/1-1, and while they played Maryland and TCU close, they were routed by UCF, and barely escaped with a win over Navy. Cincy had an opening loss to Arkansas by 7, but hasn't lost since, with only their most recent win, over USF, being by less than 10. UC is coming out of their off week (SMU played last Friday). Bearcats win.
ULM @ Army- The way I see it, the Black Knights have 3 more realistic chances to get an FBS win, and this is one of them, though they could end up with as many as 5 more wins, depending on how they do against Air Force and Navy. Both of Army's 2 wins have been against FCS teams, so they need 7 wins to become bowl eligible. The Warhawks are 2-5, and this may be one of their few remaining chances for a win, though they could upset 1 or more of their conference brethren. Army won the only previous matchup, 37-7, in the opener of the 2020 season, which was also played at West Point. Army wins again.
Indiana @ Rutgers- This game is for last place in the Big Ten East. Or to be more precise, for 6th place, with the loser likely ending up in last. The Hoosiers lead the series 5-3, but the Scarlet Knights won 38-3 last year, breaking the IU 5-game winning streak. IU is 3-1 in Piscataway in the series. This season, Indy is 3-4/1-3, losing its last 4 games, with an average score in FBS games of 24-33.2. Rutgers is 3-3/0-3, losing 3 straight, with an average FBS score of 14.2-25. I'll go with the Hoosiers.
Houston @ Navy- The Cougars have been a huge disappointment to their fans, but a bigger one to me, because every time I pick them to win, they lose, and when I pick them to lose, they win. The Midshipmen have had an odd season as well, losing to an FCS school, but playing Air Force and SMU close, but also beating ECU in OT and routing Tulsa. They're another team that I've been wrong on nearly every game. Well something has to give in this one- I can't be wrong on both teams this time! UH leads the series 6-2, winning the last 2, but their 1st win was 35-0 in the 1980 Garden State Bowl. They didn't play again until 2015, and this year is likely the last they'll play, as Houston joins the Big 12 next year. Houston was off last week, so Cougars win. Why not.
Akron @ Kent State- The Zips lead the series 35-27-2, but the Golden Flashes have won the last 3. KS played a tough non-conference schedule, and that may have taken too much out of them as they have started 1-2 in the MAC. Akron has lost 6 straight after winning their opener over an FCS team, and they have lost 12 straight FBS games, and 9 straight MAC games. Kent State wins.
Duke @ Miami, Fl- The Hurricanes lead the series 15-4, and have won the last 2, but the last 4 is a 2-2 split. Miami is 3-3/1-1, and though they were routed by Middle Tennessee, their other 2 losses were by a combined 11 points. However, they don't really have any signature wins, unless you count Southern Miss or Va Tech, who are a combined 5-8. The Blue Devils are 4-3/1-2, but are just 1-3 over their last 4 games, but all of their losses are by 8 points or less, and 2 were by 3 points. Two of Duke's 4 wins in this series were in Miami, but they are only 2-6 there. Miami wins.
Toledo @ Buffalo- This just may be the game of the year in the MAC, and could be a preview of the MAC Championship Game that will take place in early December. The Rockets are 5-2/3-0, and all 3 MAC wins are by at least 19 points. Their losses are both on the road, to Ohio State and to San Diego State (by 3!), but defeated NIU by 20 in DeKalb. The Bulls are 4-3/3-0, and after an 0-3 start, have won 4 straight. Other than a narrow 4-point win over Miami, their other 2 MAC wins are by at least 19 points. Buffalo is only 1-1 at home, as they've played 5 away games so far (with 2 more to come!). Toledo leads the series 7-5, but in the 7 games played this century (since 2003) it's 4-3 in Toledo's favor, with the Bulls winning the last 2, their only 2-game winning streak in the series. They also played 5 times between 1925 and 1970, with the Rockets holding the 3-2 edge. This should be a fantastic game! Toledo wins.
Bowling Green @ Central Michigan- The Falcons lead the series 23-19, and have won 2 of the last 3, but the Chippewas won the last meeting in 2019, and have won 3 of the last 5. BGSU is 3-4/2-1, with wins over Akron on the road and Miami at home. CMU is 2-5/1-2, also with a win over Akron on the road. The Falcons have won the last 2 played in Mt. Pleasant, and 4 of the last 5, but CMU wins this one at home.
Eastern Michigan @ Ball State- The Cardinals lead the series 37-24-2, and have won the last 3, but they've split the last 6. The Eagles have won 2 of the last 3 played in Muncie. EMU is 4-3/1-2, with a win over WMU and double digit losses to Buffalo and NIU. BS is 4-3/2-1, with wins over CMU and NIU (in double OT) but a 7-point loss to WMU. The Cardinals are 3-1 at home this season, while the Eagles are 2-1 on the road. Expect a close game, but Ball State wins it.
Northern Illinois @ Ohio- The Huskies lead the series 13-10, and have won the last 2, and 4 of the last 5, including the 2011 MAC Championship Game. Their last meeting was in 2019. NIU is only 2-5/1-2, as their win over EMU broke a 5-game losing streak. The Bobcats are 4-3/2-1with wins over Akron and WMU, and a loss to Kent St in OT. Ohio is 3-0 at home and NIU is 1-3 on the road. Go with the Huskies to break both trends.
UNLV @ Notre Dame- The Rebels have already won more games this year than in their last 2 years combined, but they've lost their last 2 games by a combined score of 82-14. In fact, they've doubled their win total from the last 2 years! However, they still need 2 more wins to become bowl eligible, and they're only 1-2 on the road. The Fighting Irish are only 3-3 this year, but even worse are only 1-2 at home, with losses to Marshall and Stanford in South Bend, 2 teams whose only other wins are against FCS teams. This is the 1st time these teams have ever met. If UNLV pulls off the win, the Irish would be in a heap of trouble getting to bowl eligibility. Notre Dame wins, but I wouldn't be surprised if UNLV won, either.
West Virginia @ Texas Tech- The Mountaineers lead the series 6-5, but the Red Raiders have won the last 3, and they are 5-5 since 2013, as the other meeting was a 7-6 WVU win in the 1938 Sun Bowl. WVU has won 3 of their last 4 to get to 3-3/1-2, and have a win over Baylor. TTU is 3-3/1-2 with a win over Texas in OT, as they've lost 3 of their last 4. WVU is 3-2 in Lubbock. This is a coin flip game. WVU wins.
Rice @ La Tech- The Bulldogs lead the series 9-5, but the Owls won last year to break a 6-game losing streak. LT is 2-4/1-1, with a win over UTEP and a loss to NT, but they are 2-0 at home. Rice is 3-3/1-1, with a win over UAB and a loss at FAU, and they are 0-3 on the road. Both teams are battling for bowl eligibility, and to stay out of the bottom half of the conference. I'll go with Rice in a mild upset.
Texas @ Oklahoma State- The Longhorns lead the series 26-10, and have won 2 of the last 3, but the Cowboys won last year, and have won 5 of the last 7. Texas is 3-2 in the last 5 played in Stillwater. OSU is 5-1/2-1, with their loss coming last week in 2 OTs to TCU. Texas is 5-2/3-1with their loss in OT to TTU, but they've won 3 straight since. Expect this to be yet another Big 12 classic. Cowboys win.
Ole Miss @ LSU- LSU leads the series 64-41-4, and have won 5 of the last 6, but the Rebels won last year. The Tigers are a surprising 5-2/3-1, with their SEC loss to Tennessee. Ole Miss is 7-0/3-0, and in SEC games, they are scoring 40.7 ppg while allowing 27 ppg. The Bayou Bengals are scoring 26.3 ppg and giving up 30.7 ppg. The Rebels haven't won in Baton Rouge since 2008. This is actually one of those SEC series that has been played pretty regularly, with the 1st meeting in 1894, and they even met in the 1960 Sugar Bowl after playing in the 1959 season. I think the game will be closer than most expect, but Ole Miss wins.
UCLA @ Oregon- The Bruins lead the series 39-31, but the Ducks have won the last 3, and 9 of the last 10, including the 2011 Pac 12 Championship Game. The Bruins are undefeated at 6-0/3-0, but only the wins over BGSU and Colorado have been by more than 10 points among their FBS foes. The Ducks are 5-1/3-0, and except for their opening loss to Georgia, their only close game was against Washington State (won by 3), as their next closest win is by 18 over Stanford. Both teams were off last week. This is one of the key games of the week in the Pac 12, especially as concerns the CFP and the Pac 12 Championship Game. Oregon wins at home.
Boston College @ Wake Forest- The Eagles lead the series 14-12-2, but the Demon Deacons have won the last 2. Wake Forest has not won in Winston-Salem since 2012, as BC has won the last 3 played there. Both teams were off last week, and both have a loss to Clemson, but that's where the similarities end. WF is the much better team, and should win easily.
Marshall @ James Madison- The Dukes began their FBS journey 5-0, but lost last week to Georgia Southern and are now 3-1 in the SBC. The Thundering Herd is 3-3/0-2 with both losses in their crossover games, so this is their 1st game against a fellow division foe. Marshall is 2-0 against JMU, and since they played last Wednesday, have had a few extra days to prepare. But I've lost all confidence in Marshall. JMU wins.
BYU @ Liberty- The Cougars started the year 4-1, but have lost their last 2, and are only 1-1 on the road and 0-1 at a neutral site. The Flames are 6-1, and 3-0 at home, but their big win is over UAB, as they haven't really played anyone. BYU won the only previous matchup 31-24 in 2019, and they'll win this one, too. Cougars win.
Purdue @ Wisconsin- The Badgers lead the series 51-29-8, and have won the last 15, but Purdue's last 2 wins, in 2000 and 2003, were both in Madison. The Boilermakers are 5-2/3-1 with their losses to Penn State in their opener, and to undefeated Syracuse. All of their FBS games have been decided by 10 points or less, with 5 of 6 decided by 6 or less. The Badgers are 3-4/1-3, with their only Big Ten win over hapless Northwestern, and 2 of their 3 conference losses are by 24+ points. These teams have been playing since 1892, and this looks like Purdue's best chance to break the 15-game losing streak. If not now, when? Purdue wins.
Northwestern @ Maryland- The Wildcats have won the only 2 previous matchups, in 2017 and 2020, neither one particularly close, but both of those were in seasons when NU went a combined 17-5 and the Terrapins were a combined 6-11. The tables have turned for this year, as the Terps are 5-2/2-2 and NW is 1-5/1-2. Maryland wins.
Memphis @ Tulane- The Green Wave are having a breakout season at 6-1/3-0, but the question is if they can sustain it. The Tigers are 4-3/2-2, but have lost their last 2 to Houston and ECU by a combined 3 points, 2 teams Tulane beat by a combined 17. Memphis leads the series 24-13-1, but they've split the last 4, with each team winning at home. (The tie, incidentally, was in their 1st meeting in 1954.) This should be a very close game, but Tulane will win at home.
Western Michigan @ Miami, Oh- The Redhawks lead the series 37-23-1, but the Broncos have won the last 7, played from 2006-2019. Miami hasn't won in Oxford since 2001, losing the last 3 played there. This year, WMU is 2-5/1-2, with their win over Ball State by 7, and double digit losses to EMU and Ohio. Miami is 3-4/1-2, with their win over Kent St by 3, and losses to Buffalo and BGSU by a combined 8 points. Miami wins and breaks the streak.
Georgia Southern @ ODU- The Eagles have won both previous meetings, played in 2011 and 2012. GS is 4-3/1-2, and is 1-3 on the road, with their only win @Nebraska. Their SBC win is by 7 over JMU, and their losses are by a combined 12 points to CCU and Ga State. The Monarchs are 3-3/2-0, the only remaining unbeaten team in SBC play, with their wins by 3 over Arkansas St and by 28 over CCU. Both teams upset undefeated teams last week, so both are due for a letdown. ODU is 2-1 at home. This is a tough game to pick, so I'm going with the home team. ODU wins.
FIU @ Charlotte- These are 2 of the worst teams in FBS, as they are a combined 3-10/0-5. Take out FIU's win against their FCS opponent, and their 2 wins are against teams that are a combined 4-9. The Panthers lead the series 5-1, but the 49ers won last year, and are 0-2 in Charlotte. The loser of this game will have the inside track for last place in CUSA. Charlotte wins.
North Texas @ UTSA- The Mean Green are only 4-3, but they are 3-0 in CUSA, with wins over UTEP, FAU, and La Tech. The Roadrunners are 5-2/3-0, with wins over MTSU, WKU, and FIU. UNT leads the series 5-4, and have won 4 of the last 5, including by 22 last year when UTSA won the CUSA title. This will be a close game but UTSA wins. Meep, meep!
Vanderbilt @ Missouri- This game will decide who finishes in 6th, and who will be last in the SEC East. The Tigers lead the series 9-4-1, and have won the last 2, and 7 of the last 10, since Mizzou joined the SEC in 2012. Before then, they played in 1895 and 1896, both Missouri wins, in 1957 (the tie), and in 1958, a Vandy win. The Commodores have played Alabama, Ole Miss, and Georgia the last 3 games, teams that are a combined 20-1, and the results were as expected- losing by a combined 31-162. The Tigers are 2-4/0-3, with losses to Auburn, Georgia, and Florida by a combined 14 points, and they are coming out of their off week. Mizzou wins.
Arizona State @ Stanford- The Cardinal finally got an FBS win last week by defeating Notre Dame on the road. They are 0-4 in the Pac 12, losing to USC by 13, to Washington by 18, to Oregon by 18, and to Oregon State by 1. The Sun Devils are 2-4/1-2, losing to Utah by 21, to USC by 17, and defeating Washington by 7, but they have a loss to Eastern Michigan. The Sun Devils lead the series 18-15, and won last year, but the Cardinal have won 6 of the last 8, including the 2013 Pac 12 Championship Game. ASU hasn't won in Stanford since 2007, meaning they have lost 3 straight. Who knows, but ASU is coming out of their off week. Sun Devils win.
Hawaii @ Colorado State- The Rams lead the series 15-11, and have won 10 of the last 13, but the Rainbow Warriors have won the last 2. Hawaii is 2-5/1-1, with their 1st FBS win last week over Nevada by 15. CSU is 1-5/1-1, with their win over Nevada by 3, but that one was on the road. The Rams are 0-3 at home, including a loss to an FCS team by 31, and the Warriors are 0-3 on the road. Something has to give. Hawaii wins.
FAU @ UTEP- The Owls lead the series 2-1, with the home team winning each game. The Owls are 3-4/2-1, with wins over Charlotte and Rice, and their loss to North Texas, and they are 0-3 on the road. The Miners are 3-4/1-2, with their win over Charlotte, and their losses to North Texas and La Tech, and they are 2-1 at home. Plus the Miners are coming out of their off week. That's good enough for me. UTEP wins.
Arkansas State @ Louisiana- The Ragin' Cajuns lead the series 27-20-1, and have won the last 4. UL is 3-3/1-2, with their win over Marshall, and their losses to ULM and South Alabama. The Red Wolves are 2-5/1-3, with their win over ULM and losses to ODU, JMU, and USM. UL is 1-1 at home and ASU is 0-4 on the road. Louisiana wins.
Southern Miss @ Texas State- The series is tied at 1 win apiece, with each team winning on the road in 2013 and 2015. The Bobcats are 3-4/1-2, with their win over App State by 12, and their losses to JMU and to Troy by 3. They are 3-0 at home. The Golden Eagles are 3-3/1-1, defeating Arkansas State by 1 and losing to Troy by 17, and they are 1-2 on the road with their win over Tulane. A win for USM would give them 4 wins on the season, their most since winning 7 in 2019. A win for TSU would equal last year's 4 wins, and give them a decent chance to reach their 1st bowl game in history. Bobcats win.
San Jose State @ New Mexico State- The Spartans lead the series 18-3, have won the last 3, and are 9-1 in Las Cruces. The Aggies got a huge win last week over New Mexico, and have won 2 of their last 3 games, both over MWC teams, as they are 2-1 against the MWC so far this year. SJSU will be looking to rebound after losing to Fresno State last week. Spartans win easily.
Fresno State @ New Mexico- The Bulldogs finally got an FBS win last week, beating SJSU by 7. The Lobos have lost 4 straight after staring the season 2-1, and just lost to NMSU. FSU leads the series 14-5, but the 2 teams have split the last 2. The Bulldogs are 6-4 in Albuquerque, and they'll win this year over UNM. FSU wins.
Mississippi State @ Alabama- Everyone just assumes that the Crimson Tide will just roll over the Bulldogs, just because they lost last week, and they'll be angry. But that's not how teams work; they can't just suddenly execute better and commit fewer penalties because they're mad. Now, I certainly think they're a better team than the Bulldogs, but I also think they realize that they have no margin for error, and so may actually play a little tighter, and play "not to lose" rather than play to win. Though they have played over 100 times, you can hardly call this a rivalry, because Alabama has been so dominant, leading 84-18-3, and winning the last 14. MSU's last win in Tuscaloosa was in 2006, and the only time Nick Saban has lost to MSU while at Alabama was in his 1st year, in 2007. The Bulldogs are 5-2/2-2, with losses at Kentucky and at LSU, so they are certainly no threat to win the SEC West, but they can knock the Tide out of the CFP picture, and severely dampen their chances to win the division. But I don't see that happening. Bama wins, but MSU may keep it close for a while. In fact, this may be a whole lot like the Arkansas-Bama game, where the Tide jumped out to a lead, allowed the Hogs to get close, then ran away with it in the 4th quarter.
Boise State @ Air Force- The Broncos lead the series 6-4, and have won 4 of the last 5, but the Falcons won 24-17 last year. This year, AF is 5-2/2-2, with their losses to Utah State and Wyoming by a combined 10 points, and both on the road, and they are 4-0 at home. BSU is 4-2/3-0 with wins over New Mexico, SDSU, and Fresno State, and they are 1-2 on the road, with losses to Oregon State and to UTEP, each by 17. The Broncs are coming out of their off week, but I think the Falcons win this.
Minnesota @ Penn State- This is PSU's annual "White Out" game, so the crowd will be amped up. The Nittany Lions hold a 9-6 edge in the series, but the Golden Gophers have won 2 of the last 3, including the last meeting in 2019. The Lions are 5-2 in State College, and have won the last 3, with Minnesota's last win there in 2003. The Gophers are 4-2/1-2, but they've lost their last 2 games, to Purdue and Illinois. The Lions are 5-1, and were routed by Michigan last week. Neither team has a "signature" win, as they have mostly beaten teams with .500 or worse records, though PSU does have a win over Purdue in their opener. Penn State wins at home.
Texas A&M @ South Carolina- The Aggies lead this series 8-0, and they've won the last 3 games by a combined score of 122-23. But TAMU doesn't seem to have that kind of offense this year, as the most they've scored against an FBS opponent is the 24 they scored against Mississippi State in a loss, as they are averaging just 19.6 ppg while allowing 22.6 ppg. The Gamecocks are 4-2/1-2, and are averaging 30.4 ppg on offense, and are giving up 28 ppg on defense. Both teams were idle last week. What the heck; let's go with South Carolina in an upset.
UCF @ East Carolina- This series is tied 10-10, but the Knights have won the last 6, and the last 4 played in Greenville. UCF is 5-1/2-0, with routs over SMU and Temple, and their lone loss to Louisville. The Pirates are 4-3/2-2, with wins over USF and Memphis (in 4 OTs) and losses to Navy and Tulane. ECU is 3-2 at home. UCF wins.
Kansas State @ TCU- The Wildcats lead this series 8-7, and have won the last 3. KSU is 5-1/3-0, with wins over Oklahoma, TTU, and ISU, 2 of those on the road, and all by single digits. They were idle last week. The Horned Frogs are 6-0/3-0 with wins over Oklahoma, Kansas, and Oklahoma State, 2 of those at home, and 2 by a combined 10 points (1 needing 2 OTs). This should be a fantastic game! TCU is 4-3 in Ft. Worth in the series, but have lost 2 of the last 3. KSU has been my dark horse pick to make the Big 12 Championship Game, so I'm going to ride with them here. Wildcats win a close one.
Colorado @ Oregon State- Each team has won 6 games in this series, with the Buffaloes winning 4 of the last 5. The Beavers won the 1st 3, played in 1931, 1963, and 1964, but then the Buffs won the next 2, in 1983 and 1988. After CU joined the conference in 2013, they are 4-3 against the Beavers. OSU is 5-2 this season while the Buffs got their 1st win last week. Beavers win big.
Pittsburgh @ Louisville- The Panthers lead the series 10-8, and have won the last 2, and 6 of the last 7. Pitt is 4-2/1-1, with their loss to GT and their win over VT. The Cardinals are 3-3/1-3 with their lone win at Virginia and their losses to BC, FSU, and Syracuse. Both teams were idle last week. Pitt wins.
Utah State @ Wyoming- The Aggies lead the series 40-27-4, but the Cowboys have won 3 of the last 5, including 44-17 last year. However, USU is 4-1 in the last 5 played in Laramie. Wyoming is 4-3/2-1 with wins over Air Force and UNM and their loss to SJSU. They are 3-1 at home. Utah State is 3-4/2-1, with wins over Air Force and Colorado State, and their loss to UNLV, and they are 1-2 on the road. Most of the signs point to a Wyoming win, but I'm going with the Aggies.
Washington @ California- The Huskies lead the series 55-41-4, and have won 9 of the last 12, including in OT last year, but the Golden Bears have won 2 of the last 3. UW is 4-1 in the last 5 played in Berkeley. The Huskies are 5-2/2-2, but their wins are over bottom feeders Stanford and Arizona. The Bears are 3-3/1-2, and they also have a win over Arizona, but they have a loss to Colorado, and can't seem to score, as they have scored more than 20 just once against an FBS team. UW wins.
San Diego State @ Nevada- The Wolf Pack started the season 2-0, but have lost 5 straight since, and are 0-3 in the MWC. The Aztecs are 3-3/1-1, and have alternated losses and wins, so they're in line for a loss. However, they were idle last week, so maybe that was their loss week and this is their win week. Anyway, SDSU leads the series 8-6, and won 23-21 last year, but Nevada has won 3 of the last 4. SDSU wins.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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