Paul's Picks 2023 Week 13
Welcome Back!
Last week I had my best week since Week 3 (when I was 84% correct), as I was 55-13, or 80.9% correct. Overall, I am 601-191, or 75.9%, an increase of 0.4% from last week. I typically finish around 73%, but my goal is always to finish at or above 75%.
This is the final week of the regular season in College Football, and there are a lot of conference matchups, but also a lot on non-conference rivalry games, with 0 games against FCS opponents- 65 games overall. Every team except for USC, La Tech, and Army. The stakes are high, as some teams are battling for confereance championahip game berths, some are fighting for bowl eleigibility, and some are fighting to get out of last place. Can I stay above 75%?
So far, I am 1-1 on my early picks, so...
Now... on with the picks!
Thursday, November 23
Ole Miss @ Mississippi State- The Rebels lead the series 64-47-6, wining 2 of the last 3, but the Bulldogs won 24-22 last year. 3 of the last 4 games played have been decided by 7 points or less, and the other was decided by 10 points, and Ole Miss has won 3 of the last 4 played in Starkville. The teams 1st played in 1901, and they played every year through 1911, and have played every year since 1915 (except for 1943 for WWII). The ties occurred in 1903 (6-6), 1929 (7-7), 1953 (7-7), 1957 (7-7), 1963 (10-10), and 1968 (17-17). The Rebs are 9-2/5-2, and 2-2 on the road (win at Tulane), with wins over LSU (by 6), Arkansas (by 7), Vandy, Texas A&M (by 3), and at Auburn (by 7), with losses at Alabama (by 14) and at Georgia. MSU is 5-6/1-6, and 4-3 at home, with a win at Arkansas (by 4), and losses to LSU (by 27), Alabama (by 23), Kentucky, at S Carolina, at Auburn (by 14) and at Texas A&M (by 41). On paper, this looks like a mismatch, but with this being a ricalry game, the records and previous results don't really matter, especially with the Bulldogs fighting for their 6th win and the bowl berth that comes with it. I'm tempted to pick MSU, but the Rebels pull this out.
NOTE: Yes, this game has been completed before this article is published, but I tweeted/posted my pick on Twitter/X before the game started, and this preview was written on Tuesday. I've been super busy with visiting family and friends this week for Thanksgiving.
Friday, November 24
TCU @ Oklahoma- The Sooners lead the series 17-6, including a 41-17 win in the 2017 Big 12 Championship Game, but the Horned Frogs won 55-24 last year. The Sooners lead 10-2 since TCU joined the Big 12. TCU is 5-6/3-5, and 1-3 on the road, with wins over BYU (by 33), Baylor, and at Houston, and losses to WVU (by 3) and Texas (by 3), and at Iowa State (by 13), Kansas State and Texas Tech. OU is 9-2/6-2, and 5-0 at home, with wins over Iowa State (by 30), UCF, and WVU (by 39), and at Cincinnati, BYU (by 7 last week), and vs Texas (by 4 in Dallas), and losses at Kansas and Oklahoma State. Though The Frogs are trying to get bowl eligible, the Sooners will win this, probably by 14+.
Iowa @ Nebraska- The Cornhuskers lead 30-20-3, winning 24-17 last year, but the Hawkeyes have won 7 of the last 8. Since NU joined the Big Ten in 2011, Iowa leads 8-4, and the Huskers haven't won in Lincoln since 2011, losing 5 in a row. The teams 1st met in 1891, and they played every year through 1899 (twice in 1896, 2 days apart!), 11 times between 1903-1919, 14 times between 1930-1946, and 6 times between 1979-2000. The ties were in 1892 (10-10), 1896 (0-0), and in 1909 (6-6). The Hawkeyes are 9-2/6-2, and 2-1 on the road, with wins over Michigan State (by 10), Purdue (by 6), Rutgers, Illinois (by 2 last week), at Wisconsin (by 9) and vs Northwestern (by 3 in Chicago, and losses to Minnesota (by 2), and at Penn State. NU is 5-6/3-5, and 4-2 at home, with wins over Northwestern (by 8), Purdue (by 17), and at Illinois (by 13), and losses to Michigan, Maryland, at Minnesota (by 3), at Michigan State (by 3), and at Wisconsin (by 7 in OT last week). Iowa wins a close game, denying the Cornhuskers their 6th win and their 1st bowl berth since 2016.
Miami, Fl @ Boston College- The Hurricanes lead the series 24-6, but the Eagles have won 3 of the last 4 (since 2007), including 27-14 in their last meeting in 2018. The Canes are 6-5/2-5, and 1-3 on the road, with wins over Clemson and Virginia (by 3 in OT), and losses to Ga Tech (by 3), Louisville (by 7 last week), at UNC, at NC State, and at FSU (by 7). BC is 6-5/3-4, and 3-3 at home, with wins over Virginia (by 3), at Ga Tech (by 15), and at Syracuse, and losses to FSU (by 2), Va Tech, at Louisville (by 28), and at Pitt. Miami has lost their last 2, and the Eagles have lost their last 2. Miami wins.
Memphis @ Temple- This series is tied at 4 wins apiece, with each team 3-1 at home. They have played each year starting in 2013, except for 2017-18. The Tigers are 8-3/5-2, and 4-0 on the road (plus a loss to Missouri in St. Louis), with wins over Navy (by 4), USF (by 9), at UAB (by 24), at North Texas (by 3), and at Charlotte, and losses to Tulane and SMU (by 4 last week). The Owls are 3-8/1-6, and 3-3 at home, with a win over Navy (by 14), and losses to UTSA, SMU (by 55), at Tulsa, at North Texas (by 31), at USF (by 4), and at UAB (by 10 last week). This game shouldn't be close. Memphis wins big.
Toledo @ Central Michigan- The Rockets lead the series 28-20-3, winning 11 of the last 13, including 38-17 last year, but the Chippewas have split the last 4, winning the last 2 played in Mount Pleasant. UT is 10-1/7-0, and 4-1 on the road (loss ay Illinois), with wins over WMU (by 18), NIU (by 2), Buffalo (by 18), EMU (by 26), at Ball State (by 7), at Miami, and at BGSU. CMU is 5-6/3-4, and 4-0 at home, with wins over EMU (by 3), Akron, and NIU (by 6), and losses at Buffalo (by 24), Ball State (by 7), at WMU (by 10), and Ohio. The Chips need this win to gain bowl eligibility, but the Rockets win, probably by at least 2 TDs.
Ohio @ Akron- The Bobcats lead the series 25-13-1, winning the last 5, and 14 of the last 15, including 55-34 last year. Ohio is 8-3/5-2, and 3-2 on the road (loss at SDSU), with wins over Kent State (by 25), WMU, CMU (by 14 last week), at BGSU (by 31), and at Buffalo (by 10), and losses to Miami (by 14) and at NIU (by 10). The Zips are 2-9/1-6, and 2-2 at home, with a win over Kent State (by 4), and losses to Buffalo (by 3 in OT) and NIU (by 41), and at CMU (by 7), BGSU (by 27), Miami (by 19), and EMU. Ohio wins easily, getting to at least 9 wins for the 2nd season in a row for the 1st time since they had back-to-back 9-4 seasons in 2017-18, and for only the 3rd time ever. If they can win their bowl game, it will be their 1st back-to-back seasons of 10 wins ever.
UTSA @ Tulane- The Roadrunners won 10-7 in 2013 in San Antonio in their only previous contest. UTSA is 8-3/7-0, and 3-2 on the road (losses at Houston and Tennessee), with wins over UAB (by 21), ECU (by 14), Rice (by 20), USF, at Temple, at FAU (by 26), and at UNT (by 8). The Green Wave is 10-1/7-0, and 5-1 at home (loss to Ole Miss), with wins over UAB (by 12), UNT (by 7) and Tulsa, and at Memphis, Rice (by 2), ECU (by 3) and FAU (by 16 last week). The Roadrunners have won 7 in a row, and Tulane has won 9 straight. The winner of this game will be in the AAC Championship Game, and the loser could be, depending on the result of the Navy at SMU game on Saturday. UTSA has wins by greater margins, but the Green Wave have more experience in big games and in close games. Tulane wins at home.
Utah State @ New Mexico- The Aggies lead the series 16-13, winning the last 6, including 27-10 last year. These teams 1st met in 1951, playing every year through 1966 (except for 1965), then played 4 times between 1997-2003, and now every year since 2013. The Lobos haven't won this game in Albuquerque since 2015, losing 3 in a row at home. USU is 5-6/3-4, and 2-3 on the road (loss at Iowa), with wins over Colorado State, Nevada (by 17), and at SDSU, and losses to Fresno State (by 5) and Boise State (by 35 last week), and at Air Force and SJSU (by 21). UNM is 4-7/2-5, and 2-3 at home (loss to NMSU), with wins over Hawaii and at Fresno State (by 8 last week), and losses to SJSU (by 28), UNLV, at Wyoming, at Nevada (by 10), and at Boise State (by 28). The Aggies had a 2-game winning streak before losing last week against Boise State, the Lobos broke a 3-game losing streak with a win at Fresno State last week. USU needs a win to reach bowl eligibility, and they get that win here, winning their 7th straight in the series.
Missouri @ Arkansas- The Tigers lead the series 10-4, winning 7 out of 9 since joining the SEC, including 29-27 last year. The teams also played in 1906 (11-0 MU), 1944 in St. Louis (7-6 UA), 1963 (7-6 MU), and in the 2003 Independence Bowl (27-14 UA) and 2008 Cotton Bowl (38-7 MU). Since Mizzou joined the SEC, they've played every year since 2014, with 6 of the 9 games being decided by 10 points or less, with 2 decided by 2 points each. Mizzou is 9-2/5-2, and 2-1 on the road (plus a win over Memphis in St. Louis), with wins over SC, Tennessee, Florida(by 2), at Vandy, and at Kentucky, with losses to LSU (by 10) and at Georgia. The Razorbacks are 4-7/1-6, and 3-3 at home (los to BYU), with a win at Florida (by 3 in OT), and losses to Miss State, Auburn, at LSU (by 3), at Ole Miss, at Alabama, and vs Texas A&M in Arlington). The Tigers have won 2 games in a row, and 4 of their last 5. The Hogs have won 2 of their last 3. A win would give Mizzou their 1st 10+ win season since they were 11-3 in 2014, as they have already clinched their 1st winning season since 2018. The Piggies are playing for pride, and a win could get them out of last place, if Miss State loses on Thursday. Tigers win.
Air Force @ Boise State- The Broncos lead the series 7-4, winning 5 of the last 6, including 19-14 last year, though the Falcons won the last time they played on the blue turf in Boise. The AFA is 8-3/5-2, and 4-1 on the road (plus a loss to Army in Denver), with wins over Utah St (by 18), SDSU (by 39), Wyoming (by 7), at SJSU (by 25), and at Colorado State (by 17), with losses to UNLV and at Hawaii. BSU is 6-5/5-2, and 4-1 at home (loss to UCF), with wins over SJSU (by 8), Wyoming (by 25), UNM, at SDSU (by 3), and at Utah State (by 35 last week), and losses at Colorado State (by 1) and Fresno State. Both teams are playing for a chance to compete in the Mountain West Championship Game, as the winner is most likely going to play UNLV. The Broncos have won 2 in a row, and 3 of their last 4, while the Falcons have lost 3 consecutive games after starting the season 8-0. Boise State wins a close one at home.
Texas Tech @ Texas- This is yet another rivalry that is about to end due to conference realignment. The Longhorns lead the series 54-18, winning 4 of the last 5, and 19 of the last 24, but the Red Raiders won 37-34 last year, and 2 of TTU's last 3 wins have come in Austin. The teams played 9 times between 1928 and 1958, but have played every year since 1960. The Red Raiders are 6-5/5-3, and 2-3 on the road (loss at Wyoming), with wins over Houston (by 21), TCU (by 7), UCF, at Baylor (by 25), and at Kansas (by 3), with losses to Kansas State, at WVU, and at BYU (by 13). UT is 10-1/7-1, and 5-0 at home, with wins over Kansas (by 26), BYU (by 29), Kansas State (by 3 in OT), at Baylor (by 32), at Houston (by 7), at TCU (by 3), and at Iowa State, and a loss to Oklahoma (in Dallas). The Longhorns are guaranteed a spot in the Big 12 Championship Game with a win, but things could get dicey with a TTU upset, which the Red Raiders would love to give the Longhorns as a lovely parting gift. TTU has won 3 games in a row, but UT has won 5 straight. Texas wins.
Penn State @ Michigan State (Detroit)- This series is tied 18-18-1, with the Nittany Lions winning 3 of the last 4, including 35-16 last year. These teams have played almost every year since Penn State joined the Big Ten in 1993, skipping only 3 seasons (2011-2013). Before then, they played 10 times between 1914 and 1966, with MSU winning 8 of those 10, with a PSU win in 1925 and a 14-14 win in 1948. Since joining the Big Ten, the lions lead the series 17-10, but the Spartans have won 3 of the last 4 played in East Lansing. PSU is 9-2/6-2, and 3-1 on the road, with wins over Iowa (by 31), Indiana (by 9), Rutgers (by 21 last week), at Illinois, at Northwestern, and at Maryland (by 36), with losses to Michigan (by 9) and at Ohio State (by 8). MSU is 4-7/2-6, and 3-3 at home (loss to Washington), with wins over Nebraska and at Indiana (by 3 last week), and losses to Maryland (by 22), Michigan (by 49), at Iowa (by 10), at Rutgers (by 3), at Minnesota, and at Ohio State (by 35). Though they have won 2 of their last 3 games, I'll be shocked if the Spartans stay within 3 TDs of the Lions. Penn State wins big.
Oregon State @ Oregon- The Ducks lead the series 67-49-10, but the Beavers have won 2 of the last 3, including 38-34 last year. However, OSU hasn't won in Eugene since 2007, losing the last 7 there. It's a shame this series will probably end here, as they've been playing since 1894. and have been playing almost every year since, missing only 1900-01, 1911, and 1943-44. Since you know I'm fascinated by ties, you know I'm going to tell you the scores and the years of each of the 10 ties in this series, so here goes: 0-0 in 1902, 1906, 1920, 1921, 1931, and 1983 (could that be the last 0-0 tie in the FBS?), 3-3 in 1914, 10-10 in 1913, and 14-14 in 1956 and 1960. The last 3 games in the series have all been decided by 9 points or less. The Beavers are 8-3/5-3, and 3-2 on the road, with wins over Utah (by 14), UCLA (by 12), Stanford (by 45), at Cal (by 12), and at Colorado (by 7), and losses to Washington (by 2 last week), at Washington State, and at Arizona. UO is 10-1/7-1, and 6-0 at home, with wins over Colorado (by 36), Washington State (by 14), Cal (by 44), and USC, and at Stanford (by 36), Utah (by 29), and Arizona State, and a loss at Washington (by 3). OSU would like nothing better than to knock the Ducks from the Pac 12 Championship Game and the CFP, but the Quack Attack will be to much for the Beavers. UO wins a close one.
Saturday, November 25
Houston @ UCF- The Knights lead the series 7-3, winning the last 2 , including 44-21 in 2020 the last time they played, but the Cougars won the 2 games before then. UH is 4-7/2-6, and 1-3 on the road (loss at Rice), with wins over WVU and at Baylor (by 1 in OT), and losses to TCU, Texas , Cincinnati (by 10), Oklahoma State (by 13 last week), at Texas Tech (by 21), and at Kansas State (by 41). UCF is 5-6/2-6, and 3-2 at home, with wins over Oklahoma State (by 42) and at Cincinnati (by 2), and losses to Baylor (by 1) and WVU (by 13), and at Kansas State (by 13), Kansas, and Texas Tech (by 1 last week). The Cougars have lost 2 in a row, and 4 of their last 5. The Knights have won 2 of their last 3. UCF wins at home to get to 6 wins.
Ohio State @ Michigan- The Wolverines lead the series 60-51-6, winning the last 2, including 45-23 last year, but the Buckeyes have won 17 of the last 21 (since 2001). These teams 1st played in 1897, played yearly from 1900-1912, and they have played every year since 1918. The ties occurred in 1900 (0-0), 1910 (3-3), 1941 (20-20), 1949 (7-7), 1973 (10-10), and 1992 (13-13). OSU is 11-0/8-0, and 5-0 on the road, with wins over Maryland (by 20), Penn State (by 8), Michigan State (by 35), and Minnesota (by 34 last week), and at Indiana (by 20), Purdue (by 34), Rutgers (by 19), and Wisconsin. UM is also 11-0/8-0, and 6-0 at home, with wins over Rutgers (by 24), Indiana (by 45), and Purdue (by 28), and at Nebraska, Minnesota (by 42), Michigan State (by 49), Penn State (by 9), and Maryland (by 7 last week). The winner of this game secures the Big Ten East crown, and willtake on Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game next week. The loser will still have a chance to make the CFP, but will have to rely on other teams to lose to get there. To be honest, I think the Buckeyes have a better chance to make it into the CFP with a loss than Michigan does, both because the Wolverines had such an easy non-conference slate, and because it would then allow the committee to exclude them for the sign stealing scandal. I've been leaning toward Ohio State all week, and I think they have a great chance to pull the upset, mainly due to UM's running game being less than effective lately, and OSU QB Kyle McCord being much improved from earlier this season. So let's roll the dice. Buckeyes win.
Kentucky @ Louisville- The Wildcats lead the series 19-15, winning the last 4, including 26-13 last year. The teams played 6 times between 1912 and 1925, all won by UK, but they didn't play again until 1994, and they've played every year since (except for 2020). UL's last win in Louisville was in 2014, as they've lost 3 straight at home in the series. The Wildcats are 6-5, and are 2-2 on the road, and they have lost their last 2, and 5 of their last 6. The Cardinals are 10-1, and 6-0 at home, winning each of their last 4 games. There is no excuse for UL to lose this game, and they won't. Cardinals win.
Texas A&M @ LSU- The Tigers lead the series 35-23-3, but the Aggies have won 3 of the last 5, including 38-23 last year, when LSU was the SEC West champion. However, TAMU hasn't won in Baton Rouge since 1994, losing the last 5 played there. The teams 1st played in 1899, played 7 times between 1906 and 1917, and then every year from 1920-23, and from 1942-1949, including in the 1944 Orange Bowl. They played twice in the 50s, every year from 1960-75, and every year from 1986-95. After playing in the 2011 Cotton Bowl, they have played every year since 2012 as members of the SEC West, with the Bayou Bengals holding the 8-3 edge. The ties were in 1913 (7-7), 1920 (0-0), and 1966 (7-7). The Aggies are 7-4/4-3, and 0-3 on the road, with wins over Auburn (by 17), SC, Miss State (by 41) and vs Arkansas (by 12 in Arlington), and losses to Alabama (by 6), at Tennessee, and at Ole Miss (by 3). LSU is 8-3/5-2, and 6-0 at home, with wins over Arkansas (by 3), Auburn (by 30), Florida (by 17, at Miss State (by 27), and at Missouri (by 10), with losses at Ole Miss (by 6) and Alabama (by 14). This is usually a very entertaining game (especially the 1 in 7 OTs in 2018!), and each team has won their last 2, with TAMU winning 3 of their last 4, and the Tigers winning 5 of their last 6. LSU has an outstanding offense, but a poor defense, but the Aggies have struggled on both sides of the ball at times, which is oe reason why HC Jimbo Fisher was fired recently. LSU wins.
Indiana @ Purdue- The Boilermakers lead the series 76-42-6, winning the last 2, and 4 of the last 5, including 30-16 last year. The Hoosiers have lost 2 of the last 3 played in West Lafayette, but their most recent win (2019) was played there. These teams have played every year since 1920 (except for 2020), and they played 22 times between 1891 (their 1st meeting) and 1917. IU is 3-8/1-7, and 0-4 on the road (plus a loss to Louisville in Indianapolis), with a win over Wisconsin (by 6), and losses to Ohio State (by 20 in their season opener), Rutgers, and Michigan State, and at Maryland, Michigan (by 45), Penn State and Illinois (by 3 in OT). PU is 3-8/2-6, and 2-4 at home (losses to Fresno State and Syracuse), with wins over Illinois (by 25) and Minnesota, and losses to Wisconsin (by 21), and Ohio State (by 34), at Iowa, Nebraska, Michigan (by 28), and Northwestern. The hoosiers have lost their last 2, and 6 of their last 7, while the Boilermakers have lost 5 of their last 6. Purdue wins at home.
Middle Tennessee @ Sam Houston- This series is tied at 1-1, with the Bearkats winning 27-13 in Evansville, IN in 1956, and the Blue Raiders winning 20-19 in OT in 1991 in Murfreesboro. MTSU is 4-7/3-4, and 0-5 on the road (losses at Alabama and Missouri), with wins over La Tech (by 8), FIU (by 34), and UTEP (by 4 last week), and losses to Jax St (by 15), and at WKU (by 21), Liberty (by 7), and NMSU (by 6). SHS is 2-9/1-6, and 1-4 at home (loss to Air Force), with a win at La Tech (by 15), and losses to Jax St (by 7 in OT), FIU (by 6), and UTEP (by 3), and at Liberty (by 5), NMSU (by 14), and WKU (by 5 last week). The Blue Raiders have won their last 2, and 3 of their last 5, with the Bearkats winning 2 of their last 3. SHS has lost 5 games by 7 points or less; MTSU has lost 4 games by 8 points or less. This should be a close, competitive game, but the Blue Raiders pull it out.
UConn @ UMass- The Minutemen lead the series 38-36-2, and they've split the last 6, with the Huskies winning 27-10 last year. The teams 1st played in 1897, and met in 1899 and 1900 before playing 8 times between 1916 and 1926. They then played every year from 1932-42, and picked up the every year matchups from 1952-1999, and have played 5 times since 2012. The 2 ties were in back-to-back years: 1970 (21-21) and 1971 (3-3). UConn is 2-9, and 1-4 on the road. UMass is 3-8, and 1-4 at home. The Huskies won last week over an FCS team, breaking a 4-game skid. The Minutemen have won 2 of their last 3, but one of those was over an FCS squad. UMass has the better offense, but UConn's defense is slightly better. Go with the home team. Minutemen win.
Pittsburgh @ Duke- The Panthers lead the series 17-9, winning the last 7 (since 2015), and 11 of the last 12 (since 1969). The Blue Devils haven't won this game in Durham since 1965, losing the last 7 played in Wallace Wade Stadium (which I visited yesterday!). Pitt is 3-8/2-5, and 0-4 on the road (loss at WVU), with wins over Louisville (by 17) and BC, and losses to UNC (by 17), FSU (by 17), at Va Tech, at WF (by 4), and to Syracuse (in The Bronx). Duke is 6-5/3-4, and 5-1 at home (win over Northwestern), with wins over Clemson, NC State, WF (by 3), and losses at FSU (by 18), Louisville (by 23), UNC (by 2 in 2 OT), and Virginia. The Panthers beat BC last week to break a 4-game losing streak; the Blue Devils have lost their last 2, and 4 of their last 5, all on the road. Duke wins a close one at home.
Navy @ SMU- The Midshipmen lead the series 13-11, but the Mustangs have won the last 3, including 40-34 last year. These teams actually played twice in the 1930s (both won by SMU), and 4 times between 1959 and 1966 (3-1 SMU), once in '93 (won by SMU), and then every year from 1995-1998 (3-1 Navy), in 2002 (a Navy win), and have played 12 times since 2012. Navy is 5-5/4-3, and 1-2 on the road (plus a loss to Notre Dame in Ireland to start the season), with wins over UNT (by 3), UAB, ECU (by 10), and at Charlotte (by 14), and losses to USF, at Memphis (by 4), and at Temple (by 14). SMU is 9-2/7-0, and 5-0 at home, with wins over Charlotte (by 18), Tulsa, UNT (by 24), and at ECU (by 21), Temple (by 55), Rice, and Memphis (by 4 last week). The Mustangs are the far better team, but a lot will depend on if the Midshipmen can control the ball, if they can get a few stops on defense, and whether they turn the ball over or not. A Navy win would complicate who makes the AAC Championship Game. Navy has won their last 2 games, but SMU has won their last 7. SMU wins.
Troy @ Southern Miss- The Golden Eagles lead the series 8-4, but the Trojans have won the last 2, and 3 of the last 4 (since 2016), including 27-10 last year. USM did win in the 2008 New Orlean Bowl, and in 1977, but the other 6 matchups were between 1935 and 1940, Troy has won the last 2 played in Hattiesburg. The Trojans are 9-2/6-1, and 4-1 on the road (loss at Kansas State), with wins over Ark State (by 34), South Alabama (by 18), and Louisiana (by 7 last week), and at Ga State, Texas State (by 18), and ULM (by 31), and a loss to JMU. The Golden Eagles are 3-8/2-5, and 2-3 at home (loss to Tulane), with wins over ULM (by 17) and at Louisiana (by 3 in OT), and losses to Texas State (by 14) and ODU, and at Ark State (by 7), South Alabama (by 52), and App Sate. USM has won 2 of their last 3 (lost at Miss State), but Troy has won 8 in a row. Troy wins easily.
Northern Illinois @ Kent State- The Huskies lead the series 22-8, winning 11 of the last 12, including in the 2012 and 2021 MAC Championship Games, the latter being the last time they met. However, the Golden Flashes won the lat time they played in Kent, in the 2021 regular season. NIU is 5-6/4-3, and 2-3 on the road (win at Boston College in OT and a loss at Nebraska), with wins over Ohio (by 10), EMU (by 7), WMU, and at Akron (by 41), and losses to Ball State (by 3), at Toledo, and at CMU. KSU is 1-10/0-7, and 1-3 at home, with losses to Miami, Buffalo, and BGSU, and at Ohio (by 25), EMU (by 14), Akron (by 4), and Ball State (by 31 last week). The Huskies need one more win to reach a bowl, and they'll get it here, denying the Flash their last chance at an FBS win.
Miami, Oh @ Ball State- The Redhawks lead this series, that began in 1931, 22-13-1, winning the last 3, and 6 of the last 7, including 18-17 last year, as each of the last 3 meetings were decided by 7 points or less. Miami is 9-2/6-1, and 5-1 on the road (loss at the OTHER Miami), with wins over BGSU (by 27), Akron, Buffalo, at Kent State (by 20), at WMU (by 7), and at Ohio, and a loss to Toledo (by 4). The Cardinals are 4-7/3-4, and 3-2 at home, with wins over CMU, Kent State (by 31 last week), and at NIU, and losses to Toledo (by 7), at WMU (by 18), at EMU, and at BGSU (by 3). The Redhawks should win this, but the Cardinals will put up a fight (flight?).
FAU @ Rice- The series is tied 2-2, with the Owls winning the last 2, including 17-14 last year. FAU is 4-7/3-4, and 2-3 on the road (losses at Clemson and Illinois), with wins over Tulsa (by 3), at USF (by 42), and at Charlotte (by 22), and losses to UTSA (by 26), ECU (by 15), Tulane (by 16 last week), and at UAB. The Owls are 5-6/3-4, and 3-3 at home (win over Houston in 2 OTs), with wins over ECU (by 7), at Tulsa (by 32), and at Charlotte (by 21 last week), and losses to Tulane (by 2), SMU, at USF (by 13), and at UTSA (by 20). Rice needs 1 more win to reach bowl eligibility for a 2nd straight year, but this time without a waiver. Owls win.
Wake Forest @ Syracuse- The series is tied at 6-6, with the Demon Deacons winning the last 3, including 45-35 last year. WF is 4-7/1-6, and 1-4 on the road (loss at Notre Dame), with a win over Pitt (by 4), and losses to Ga Tech (by 14), FSU (by 25), and NC State, and at Clemson (by 5), Va Tech (by 17), and Duke. The Orange is 5-6/1-6, and 3-2 at home, with a win over Pitt (by 15 in The Bronx), and losses to Clemson (by 17) and BC, and at UNC, FSU (by 38), Va Tech (by 28), and Ga Tech (by 9 last week). Syracuse is trying for their 6th win, but they've lost 6 of 7 since starting 4-0, and HC Dino Babers has just been fired. The Deacons have lost 4 in a row. Syracuse wins a close one at home.
Tulsa @ East Carolina- This series is tied 8-8, with the Golden Hurricane winning the last 3 (between 2016-2020), but the Pirates won the 2008 AAC Championship Game between the 2. Tulsa is 3-8/1-6, and 1-4 on the road (loss at Washington), with a win over Temple, and losses to Rice (by 32), Charlotte (by 7), and UNT, and at FAU (by 3), SMU, and Tulane (by 2). ECU is 2-9/1-6, and 1-4 at home, with a win at FAU (by 15), and losses to SMU (by 21), Charlotte (by 3), and Tulane (by 3), and at Rice (by 7), UTSA , and Navy. This will be ECU's 1st losing season since 2020, and Tulsa is guaranteed their fewest wins since they were 4-8 in 2019, and a loss would equal their 3-9 finish in 2018. ECU wins at home.
UAB @ North Texas- The Blazers lead this series 6-1, winning 41-21 last year as they've won the last 3. UNT's lone win came in 2017 in Denton, as they are 1-3 in this series at home. UAB is 4-7/3-4, and 0-5 on the road (loss at Georgia), with wins over USF, FAU, and Temple (by 10 last week), and losses to Memphis (by 24) and at Tulane (by 12), UTSA (by 21), Navy (by 25). The Mean Green is 4-7/2-5, and 2-3 at home (loss to Cal), with wins over Temple (by 31) and at Tulsa, and losses to Memphis (by 3) and UTSA (by 8), and at Navy (by 3), Tulane (by 7) and SMU. Expect a close game, but the Mean Green pull out the win at home.
Georgia State @ ODU- The Monarchs lead the series 3-1, but the Panthers won 31-17 last year. None of the games have been closer than 14 points. GSU is 6-5/3-4, and 3-2 on the road (loss at LSU last week), with wins over Marshall (by 17), at CCU (by 13), and at Louisiana (by 3), and losses to Troy, Ga Southern (by 17), JMU (by 28), and App State (by 28). ODU is 5-6/4-3, and 3-2 at home (loss to Wake Forest), with wins over Louisiana (by 7), App State (by 7), at Southern Miss, and at Ga Southern (by 3 last week), and losses to CCU (by 4), at Marshall (by 6), and at JMU (by 3). The Monarchs' win over Ga Southern last week broke a 3-game losing streak, but the Panthers have lost 4 consecutive games after starting the season 6-1. ODU wins to get to bowl eligibility for only the 3rd time ever.
Colorado @ Utah- The Utes lead the series 34-32-3, winning the last 6, and 10 of the last 11, including 63-21. Fortunately, this is one series that is likely to continue, as both will be joining the Big 12 next year. They 1st played in 1903, and played almost every year through 1962, skipping only 1918 (WWI) and 1959-60. They resumed playing in 2011 when the Buffaloes joined the Pac 12. The 3 ties (you didn't think I would forget, did you?) occurred in 1921, 1938 (both 0-0), and in 1950 (20-20). The Buffs haven't won in Salt Lake City since 2011. CU is 4-7/1-7, and 2-3 on the road (win at TCU), with a win at Arizona State (by 3), and losses to USC (by 7), Stanford, Oregon State (by 7), Arizona (by 3), at Oregon (by 36), at UCLA (by 12), and at Washington State. The Utes are 7-4/4-4, and 5-1 at home (win over Florida), with wins over UCLA (by 7), Cal, Arizona State (by 52), and at USC (by 2), and losses to Oregon (by 29), and at Oregon State (by 14), Washington, and Arizona (by 24 last week). Utah has lost 2 straight, and 3 of theor last 4, but the Buffs have lost 5 in a row. Utes win.
WKU @ FIU- The Hilltoppers lead the series 10-6, winning the last 4, and 8 of the last 10, including 73-0 last year. WKU is 6-5/4-3, and 2-3 on the road (losses at Ohio State and Troy), with wins over MTSU (by 21), SHS (by 5 last week), at La Tech (by 7), and at UTEP (by 8), and losses toLiberty (by 13), NMSU (by 9), and at Jax St (by 3). FIU is 4-7/1-6, and 2-3 at home, with a win at SHS (by 6), and losses to Liberty (by 32), UTEP (by 13), and Jax St (by 25), and at La Tech (by 5 in the season opener), NMSU (by 17), and MTSU (by 34). WKU wins big, but not as big as last year.
ULM @ Louisiana- The Ragin' Cajuns lead this series 31-26, winning 4 of the last 5, and 12 of the last 15, but the Warhawks won 21-17 last year. These teams have been playing every year since 1997, and played 2 more times in the 90s, 8 times in the 80s, twice in the late 70s, every year from 1953-71, and their 1st meeting was in 1951. ULM is 2-9/0-7, and 0-5 on the road (losses at Texas A&M and Ole Miss), with losses to App State, South Alabama (by 48), Ark State (by 10), and Troy (by 31), and at Texas State (by 1), Ga Southern, and Southern Miss (by 17). UL is 5-6/2-5, and 3-2 at home, with wins over Texas State (by 4) and at South Alabama (by 13), and losses to Ga State, Southern Miss (by 3 in OT), at ODU, at Ark State (by 20), and at Troy (by 7 last week). The Warhawks would like nothing better than to get a win here and spoil Louisiana's chance to make a bowl, as it would also help them avoid their 1st 0-8 conference finish in history (they were 0-7 in the 2020 pandemic year). The Cajuns will be looking to avoid their 1st losing season since they were 5-7 in 2017. UL wins a close one, as they've won the last 2 played in Lafayette, and 5 of the last 7 played on Cajun Field.
San Jose State @ UNLV- The Spartans lead the series 20-6-1, winning the last 3, and 11 of the last 13 (since 1995), including 40-7 last year, but the Rebels have won 2 of the last 3 played in Las Vegas. SJSU is 6-5/5-2, and 2-3 on the road (loss at USC in the season opener), and wins over Utah State, Fresno State (by 24), SDSU, at New Mexico (by 28), and at Hawaii (by 35), with losses to Air Force (by 25) and at Boise State. UNLV is 9-2/6-1, and 5-0 at home (win over Vandy), with wins over Hawaii (by 24), Colorado State, and Wyoming, and at Nevada, New Mexico (by 42), and Air Force (by 4), and a loss at Fresno State (by 7). If the Rebels win this game they clinch a spot in the MWC Championship Game, but a win by the Spartans will muddy the waters (but UNLV may still make it). SJSU has won 5 in a row, and UNLV is on a 3-game winning streak. This game will be intense, but the Rebels pull off the incredible turnaround in HC Barry Odom's 1st year. UNLV wins.
Alabama @ Auburn- The Crimson Tide lead the series 49-37-1, winning the last 3, including 49-27 last year. The teams 1st played in 1893, , and they played 12 times through 1907, but then the series went on hiatus until 1948, and it's been played every year since. They began playing in Birmingham on a "permanent" basis in 1904, and it stayed there through 1988, and the Tide moved their home games from Birmingham to Tuscaloosa (at least for this series) in 2000. The Tigers have won 2 of the last 3 played in Auburn, and since the series moved to home-and-home, UA leads 19-17. In case you're interested, the one tie came in 1907, and the score was 7-7. The Pachyderms are 10-1/7-0, and 4-0 on the road, with wins over Ole Miss (by 14), Arkansas (by 3), Tennessee, and LSU (by 14), and at Miss State (by 23), Texas A&M (by 6), and Kentucky. The War Eagles are 6-5/3-4, and 3-3 at home (loss to NMSU last week), with wins over Miss State (by 14), at Vandy, and at Arkansas (by 38), and losses to Georgia, Ole Miss (by 7), at Texas A&M (by 17) and at LSU (by 30). While anything can happen because it's a rivalry game, I don't see the Plainsmen hanging with the Tide more than a half, even if it is played at home on the Plains. Bama wins the Iron Bowl for a 4th year in a row.
Arizona @ Arizona State- The Wildcats lead the series 50-45-1, winning 38-35 last year, but the Sun Devils have won 5 of the last 6, and the last 6 played in Tempe. UA is 8-3/6-2, and 3-2 on the road (loss at Miss State), with wins over Oregon State, UCLA (by 17), and Utah (by 24 last week), and at Stanford, Washington State (by 38), and Colorado (by 3), and losses Washington (by 7) and at USC (by 2 in 3 OTs). ASU is 3-8/2-6, and 2-5 at home (losses to Oklahoma State and Fresno State), with wins over Washington State (by 11) and at UCLA (by 10), and losses to USC (by 14), Colorado (by 3),and Oregon, and at Cal, Washington (by 8) and Utah (by 52). This is yet another rivalry game, but the Wildcats will claim the Territorial Cup for the 2nd year in a row.
Vanderbilt @ Tennessee- The Volunteers lead the series 79-33-5, winning the last 4, including 56-0 last year. The teams 1st played in 1892, and the Commodores dominated through 1927, winning 18, losing 2, with 3 ties. They've played every year since 1925, except for 1943-44 (WWII). The ties happened in 1900 (0-0), 1919 (3-3), 1927 (7-7), 1932 (0-0), and in 1974 (21-21). Since 1928, Vandy has won only 15 times in 91 contests. The Dores are 2-9/0-7, and are 0-5 on the road, with losses to Kentucky (by 17), Missouri (by 17), Georgia (by 17), and Auburn (by 16), and at Florida (by 24), Ole Miss, and SC (by 41). The Vols are 7-4/3-4, and 5-1 at home, with wins over SC (by 21), Texas A&M, and at Kentucky (by 6), and losses to Georgia (by 28) and at Florida (by 13), Alabama, and Missouri (by 29). A loss by Vandy would give them their 3rd winless conference season in the last 4 years. A loss by the Vols would give them a losing SEC record for the 1st time since 2020. UT wins big.
BYU @ Oklahoma State- The Cowboys lead the series 2-0, winning in the 1974 Fiesta Bowl and the 1976 Tangerine Bowl. The Cougars are 5-6/2-6 in their 1st season in the Big 12, and 1-4 on the road (win at Arkansas), with wins over Cincinnati (by 8) and Texas Tech, and losses to Iowa State (by 32) and Oklahoma (by 7 last week), and at Kansas (by 11), TCU, Texas and WVU (by 30). OSU is 8-3/6-2, and 5-1 at home (loss to South Alabama), with wins over Kansas State, Kansas (by 7), Cincinnati (by 32), Oklahoma (by 3), at WVU (by 14), and at Houston, and losses at Iowa State (by 7), and UCF. The Cowboys win and deny BYU the chance to play in a bowl, ending a 5-year bowl streak.
Northwestern @ Illinois- The Fighting Illini lead the series 57-54-5, winning the last 2, including 41-3 last year, but the Wildcats have won 9 of the last 12. The teams 1st played in 1892, and they played 20 times total between then and 1923, and have played every year since 1927. The 5 ties were in 1892 (16-16), 1893 (0-0), 1900 (0-0), 1977 (7-7), and 1978 (0-0). NW is 6-5/4-4, and 1-3 on the road (loss at Duke), with wins over Minnesota (by 3 in OT), Maryland (by 6), Purdue (by 9 last week), and at Wisconsin (by 14), and losses to Penn State (by 28), at Rutgers, at Nebraska (by 8) and vs Iowa (by 3 in Chicago). UI is 5-6/3-5, and 3-3 at home, with wins over Indiana, at Maryland (by 3), and at Minnesota (by 1), and losses to Penn State (by 17), Nebraska (by 13), Wisconsin (by 4), at Purdue (by 25), and at Iowa (by 2 last week). The Wildcats have had an unexpectedly good season, while the Illini have been somewhat disappointing, but a win here would make UI bowl eligible. NU has won their last 2, and 3 of their last 4; Illinois has won 2 of their last 3. This will be a lot closer than last year, but Illinois wins.
Wisconsin @ Minnesota- The series is tied 62-62-8. The Badgers have won 16 of the last 19, but the Golden Gophers have won the last 2, and 3 of the last 5, including 23-16 last year. The teams 1st met in 1890, and have played continuously since then, missing only in 1906! The 8 ties occurred in 1907 (17-17), 1911 (6-6), 1923 (0-0), 1924 (7-7), 1925 (12-12), 1952 and 1953 (21-21 each year), and in 1956 (13-13). UW is 6-5/4-4, and 2-2 on the road (loss at Washington State), with wins over Rutgers, Nebraska (by 7 in OT last week), at Purdue (by 21), and at Illinois (by 4), and losses to Iowa (by 9), Ohio State (by 14), Northwestern (by 14) and at Indiana. UM is 5-6/3-5, and 4-2 at home, with wins over Nebraska (by 3), Michigan State, and at Iowa (by 2), and losses to Michigan and Illinois (by 1), and at Northwestern (by 3 in OT), Purdue (by 19), and Ohio State (by 34 last week). The Gophers have lost 3 in a row; The Badgers broke a 3-game losing streak with a win last week over Nebraska. This game is just about as even as they come, so I'm going with the home team. Minnesota wins.
Maryland @ Rutgers- The Terrapins lead the series 11-7, winning the last 2, and 6 of the last 8, including 37-0 last year. The Scarlet Knights have lost the last 2 played at home. UM is 6-5/3-5, and 2-2 on the road, with wins over Indiana (by 27), at Michigan State (by 22), and at Nebraska, with losses to Illinois, Penn State (by 36), Michigan (by 7 last week), at Ohio State (by 20), and at Northwestern (by 6). RU is also 6-5/3-5, and 5-1 at home (win over Va Tech), with wins over Northwestern (by 17 in the season opener), Michigan State (by 3), and at Indiana (by 17), and losses to Ohio State (by 19), and at Michigan (by 24), Wisconsin, Iowa, and Penn State (by 21 last week). The winner of this game will claim sole possession of 4th place. Rutgers has lost 3 in a row; the Terps have split their last 2, but also lost 5 of their last 6. Flip a coin. Maryland wins.
Liberty @ UTEP- This will be the 1st time these teams will meet on the gridiron. The Flames are 11-0/7-0, and 4-0 on the road, with wins over NMSU (by 16), SHS (by 5), MTSU (by 7), and La Tech (by 26), and at FIU (by 32), Jax St (by 18), and WKU (by 13). The Miners are 3-8/2-5, and 1-4 at home (loss to UNLV), with wins at FIU (by 13) and SHS (by 3), and losses to La Tech (by 14), NMSU (by 21), WKU (by 8), at Jax St (by 3), and at MTSU (by 4 last week). This won't be close. LU wins easily.
Virginia Tech @ Virginia- The Hokies lead the series 60-35-5, winning the last 2, and 21 of the last 23, including 29-24 in 2021, the last time they played. The teams 1st met in 1895, and played 9 times total through 1905, and then they played every year from 1923-1966 (except for 1943-44 for WWII), and finally have played every year since 1970, until the game was canceled last year due to the tragedy on the UVA campus. The 5 ties occurred in 1931 (0-0), 1933 (6-6), 1935 (0-0), 1946 (21-21), and in 1977 (14-14). VT is 5-6/4-3, and 1-4 on the road (losses at Rutgers and Marshall), with wins over Pitt, WF, Syracuse, and at BC (by 26), and losses to NC State (by 7 last week), at FSU, and at Louisville (by 31). UVA is 3-8/2-5, and 2-3 at home (loss to JMU), with wins over Duke and at UNC, and losses to NC State (by 3), Ga Tech, at BC (by 3), at Miami, and at Louisville (by 7). The Hokies have lost 2 of their last 3, but won 3 of their last 5. The Cavaliers have lost 3 of their last 4, but have split their last 6, and 4 of their 8 losses were by 3 points or less. Wahoos win in a mild upset.
Georgia Southern @ Appalachian State- The Mountaineers lead the series 20-16-1, winning 2 of the last 3, and 8 of the last 12, but the Eagles won 51-48 last year. These teams have played every year since 1993, and also played in 1987. Before GS suspended their program, the 2 teams also played 6 times between 1932 and 1939, with a 0-0 tie in 1935. The Eagles are 6-5/3-4, and 1-4 on the road (loss at Wisconsin), with wins over CCU (by 10), ULM (by 10), and Ga State (by 17), and losses to ODU (by 3 last week), at JMU (by 28), at Texas State, and at Marshall (by 5). The Mountaineers are 7-4/5-2, and 4-1 at home, with wins over Southern Miss, Marshall (by 22), at ULM (by 1), at Ga State (by 28), and at JMU (by 3 in OT last week), with losses to CCU (by 3) and at ODU (by 7). App State still has a chance to win the division, but they must win this game to have any hope. This will be close, but ASU wins, extending their season win streak to 5 games.
James Madison @ Coastal Carolina- The Dukes lead the series 2-1, losing in 2005, and winning in 2007 and 47-7 last year. JMU is 10-1/6-1, and 5-0 on the road (wins at Virginia and Utah State), with wins over South Alabama, Ga Southern (by 28), ODU (by 3), at Troy, at Marshall (by 11), and at Ga State (by 28), and a loss to App State (by 3 in OT last week). The Chanticleers are 7-4/5-2, and 4-1 at home, with wins over Marshall (by 28), Texas State, at App State (by 3), at Ark State, and at ODU (by 4), and losses to Ga State (by 13) and at Ga Southern (by 10). CCU has won 5 of their last 6 games, losing at Army last week, while the Dukes had their 13 game winning streak snapped last week by App State in OT. If the Chants win this, they clinch the Sun Belt East. JMU is ineligible for the title, as they are in the 2nd year of their transition to FBS, and their appeal to the NCAA was denied. CCU wins in an upset.
Arkansas State @ Marshall- This will be the 1st time these teams will meet. The Red Wolves are 6-5/4-3, and 2-3 on the road (loss at Oklahoma), with wins over Southern Miss, Louisiana, Texas State, and at ULM, and losses to CCU (by 10), at Troy, and at South Alabama (by 7). The Thundering Herd is 5-6/2-5, and 4-1 at home (win over Va Tech), with wins over ODU and Ga Southern, and losses to JMU, and at Ga State, CCU (by 28), App State, and South Alabama (by 28 last week). ASU has on 3 of their last 4 games; MU has lost 6 of their last 7. The Herd needs a win to get to bowl eligibility for the 7th straight year, and I think they get there. Marshall wins.
Washington State @ Washington- The Huskies lead the Apple Cup 75-33-6, winning 11 of the last 13, including 51-33 last year, but the Cougars won the last time this was played in Seattle, 40-13 in 2021. The teams 1st met in 1900, playing to a 5-5 tie (scoring rules were different, then), and played 14 times total through 1919 (including a 6-6 tie in 1908). They've played every year since 1921, with the exceptions of 1943-44 (WWII), and in 2020. The other ties occurred in 1932 (0-0), 1934 (0-0), 1937 (7-7), and 1942 (0-0). WSU is 5-6/2-6, and 1-4 on the road, with wins over Oregon State (by 3) and Colorado, and losses to Arizona (by 38) and Stanford (by 3), and at UCLA, Oregon (by 14), Arizona State, (by 11) and Cal (by 3). UW is 11-0/8-0, and 6-0 at home, with wins over Cal (by 27), Oregon (by 3), Arizona State (by 8), and Utah, and at Arizona (by 7), Stanford (by 9), USC, and Oregon state (by 2 last week). Wazzu has lost 6 of their last 7, with their win last week over Colorado breaking a 6-game losing streak. The Huskies have won 18 games in a row. The Cougars would like nothing better than to end UW's winning streak, and claim a bowl in the process, but the Huskies are just too much for them. Washington wins a hard fought contest.
Jacksonville State @ New Mexico State- This is another 1st time matchup. The Gamecocks are 8-3/6-1, and 3-2 on the road (losses at CCU and South Carolina), with wins over UTEP (by 3 in the season opener), WKU (by 3), and La Tech (by 39 last week), and at SHS (by 7 in OT), MTSU (by 15), and FIU (by 25), and a loss to Liberty (by 18). The Aggies are 9-3/6-1, and 4-1 at home, with wins over FIU (by 17), SHS (by 14), and MTSU (by 6), and at UTEP (by 21), La Tech (by 3), and WKU (by 9), and a loss at Liberty (by 16). This should be a good battle, but NMSU prevails at home.
Kansas @ Cincinnati- I was surprised to learn that this is not, in fact, their 1st meeting. The series is tied at one win apiece, with each team winning at home in 1995 and 1997. The Jayhawks are 7-4/4-4, and 2-2 on the road, with wins over BYU (by 11), UCF (by 29), Oklahoma (by 5) and at Iowa State (by 7), and losses to Texas Tech, Kansas State, at Texas, and at Oklahoma State (by 7). The Bearcats are 3-8/1-7, and 1-5 at home (loss to Miami, Oh), with a win at Houston, and losses to Oklahoma (by 14), Iowa State (by 20), Baylor, and UCF (by 2), and at BYU (by 8), Oklahoma State (by 32), and WVU. KU wins.
West Virginia @ Baylor- The Mountaineers lead the series 7-4, winning 43-40 last year, but the Bears have won the last 2 (and 4 of 5 overall) played in Waco. WVU is 7-4/5-3, and 2-3 on the road (loss at Penn State), with wins over Texas Tech (by 7), BYU, Cincinnati (by 21 last week), at TCU (by 3), and at UCF (by 13), and losses to Oklahoma State, at Houston (by 2), and at Oklahoma. BU is 3-8/2-6, and 1-6 at home (losses to Texas State and Utah), with wins at UCF (by 1) and Cincinnati (by 3), and losses to Texas, Texas Tech (by 25), Iowa State, Houston (by 1 in OT), at Kansas State, and at TCU (by 25 last week). WVU has won 3 of their last 4 games; Baylor has lost 4 in a row. Mountaineers win.
FSU @ Florida- The Gators lead the series 37-27-2, winning 3 of the last 4, but the Seminoles won 45-38 last year. These teams have played every year since their 1st meeting in 1958, except for 2020, and have even met in 2 bowl games- the 1995 and 1997 Sugar Bowls, with FSU winning the former and UF the latter. The ties came in 1961 (3-3) and in 1994 (31-31). The Noles are 11-0, and 4-0 on the road (plus a win over LSU by 21 in Orlando). Florida is 5-6, and 4-1 at home, with a loss by 17 at LSU (the only common opponent). FSU is on a 17 game winning streak, but lost their star QB, Jordan Travis, to an injury last week, and he'll be out for the rest of the season. The Gators have lost 4 in a row, and also lost their QB, Graham Mertz, to an injury last week. FSU's backup QB has a bit more experience than Florida's backup QB. While the Gators have been tough at home, I'll take FSU and the (slightly) more experienced QB.
Notre Dame @ Stanford- The Fighting Irish lead the series 21-14, winning 3 of the last 4, and the last 2 played at The Farm, but the Cardinal won 16-14 last year. The teams 1st met in the 1925 Rose Bowl (a 27-10 ND win), played in 1942, and again in 1963-64 and 1988-94, before beginning to pay every year since 1997 (minus the 2020 pandemic year). The Irish are 8-3, and 2-2 on the road (plus a win over Navy in Ireland). Stanford is 3-8, and 0-6 at home (loss to an FCS team). ND gets revenge for their loss last year.
South Alabama @ Texas State- The series is tied at 4 wins apiece, with each team 4-0 at home. The Jaguars are 6-5/4-3, and 2-3 on the road (loss at Tulane and win at Oklahoma State), with wins over Southern Miss (by 52), Ark State (by 7), Marshall, and at ULM (by 48), and losses to Louisiana (by 13), at JMU, and at Troy (by 18). The Bobcats are 6-5/3-4, and 4-1 at home, with wins over ULM (by 1), Ga Southern, and at Southern Miss (by 14), and losses to Troy (by 18), and at Louisiana (by 4), CCU, and Ark St (by 46 last week). TSU has lost 2 in a row, and 3 of their last 4; SA has won 2 straight, and 4 of their last 6. Jaguars win a close one.
Georgia @ Georgia Tech- The Bulldogs lead the series 70-41-5, winning the last 5, and 18 of the last 21, including 37-14 last year, which is the closest margin of victory over the last 5 years. The teams first met in 1893, and played 18 more times between 1897 and 1916, whereupon the teams stopped playing due to a dispute about WWI participation. They resumed play in 1925and have played every year since, with the exception of 2020 due to the pandemic. The Yellow Jackets claim the 2 wins in 1943 and 1944 as legitimate. UGA says those games were unfair, as GT was a training ground for military personnel, and thus had a competitive advantage, and have removed those losses from the record books (they claim to lead the series 70-39-5). These are just 2 of the "incidents" that leads to this game being called "Clean Old Fashioned Hate". The ties occurred in 1902 (0-0), 1915 (0-0), 1932 (0-0), 1937 (6-6), and 1938 (0-0). The Jackets actually had a 1-game lead in the series record when HC Vince Dooley took over the Dawgs in 1964. UGA is 11-0, and 3-0 on the road (plus the win over Florida in Jacksonville). GT is 6-5, and 3-2 at home (plus a loss to Louisville in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta). The Jackets have won 3 of their last 4 games, and thus are riding high, as they have qualified for their 1st bowl since 2018. Georgia is just flat out better, and unless they are looking ahead to the SEC Championship Game, and thus not focused, they should win this game big. Unless there are injuries, turnovers, and general undisciplined play leading to penalties and unforced errors. Dawgs win.
Clemson @ South Carolina- The Tigers lead the series 72-43-4, winning 7 of the last 8, but the Gamecocks won 31-30 last year. The teams 1st played yearly from 1896-1900, played again in 1902, and then have played every year since 1909, missing only the 2020 pandemic year. The ties occurred in 1915 (0-0), 1945 (0-0), 1950 (14-14), and 1986 (21-21). CU is 7-4, and 1-3 on the road, but they've won their last 3 games, and haven't lost in Columbia since 2013, winning 4 in a row. SC is 5-6, and 5-1 at home, also winning their last 3 games, and they need 1 more win to reach bowl eligibility. Gamecocks win their 2nd consecutive game in the series.
Charlotte @ South Florida- This will be the 1st ever meeting between these teams. The 49ers are 3-8/2-5, and 2-3 on the road (losses at Maryland and Florida), with wins at ECU and Tulsa, and losses to Navy (by 14), FAU (by 22), Memphis (by 6 in OT), Rice (by 21 last week), and at SMU. The Bulls are 5-6/3-4, and 3-2 at home (loss to Alabama), with wins over Rice (by 12), Temple, and at Navy (by 14), and losses to FAU (by 42), at UAB, at Memphis (by 9), and at UTSA. USF wins.
Iowa State @ Kansas State- The Cyclones lead the series 52-50-4, winning 2 of the last 3, but the Wildcats won 10-9 last year, and have won 6 of the last 7 played in Manhattan. This game has been played every year since it began in 1917. The ties were in 1923 (7-7), 1938 (13-13), 1941 (12-12), and in 1984 (7-7). ISU is 6-5/5-3, and 3-2 on the road (loss at Ohio), with wins over Oklahoma State (by 7), TCU (by 13), at Cincinnati, at Baylor (by 12), and at BYU, with losses to Kansas (by 7), Texas (by 10 last week), and at Oklahoma. KSU is 8-3/6-2, and 6-0 at home, with wins over UCF, TCU (by 38), Houston, Baylor (by 24), at Texas Tech, and at Kansas (by 4 last week), and losses at Oklahoma State (by 8) and Texas (by 3 in OT). The Cyclones have lost 2 of their last 3, but the Wildcats have won 2 in a row, and 5 of 6. KSU wins.
North Carolina @ NC State- The Tar Heels lead the series 66-38-6, but the Wolfpack have won the last 2, including 30-27 last year. The teams played 12 times between 1894 and 1905, played every year from 1919-1943, and then again from 1947 to the present, skipping only 1952. I can only presume they stopped playing in 1944 due to WWII, and just restarted later than most series did. Their ties occurred in 1899 (11-11), 1902 (0-0), 1904 (6-6), 1905 (0-0), 1928 (6-6), and 1934 (7-7). UNC is 8-3/4-3, and 1-2 on the road (plus a win over South Carolina in Charlotte), with wins over Syracuse, Miami (by 10), Duke (by 2 in 2 OTs), and at Pitt, and losses to Virginia (by 4), at Ga Tech, and at Clemson (by 11 last week). NC State is 8-3/5-2, and 4-2 at home (loss to Notre Dame), with wins over Clemson (by 7) and Miami (by 14), and at Virginia (by 3), WF, and Va Tech, and losses to Louisville and at Duke (by 21). Like most rivalries, this could go either way, but I'm going with the Wolfpack.
Wyoming @ Nevada- The Cowboys lead the series 5-4, winning 3 of the last 4 (since 2015), but the Wolf Pack won the most recent matchup, 37-34 in 2020, and have won 2 of the last 3 played in Reno. Wyoming is 7-4/4-3, and 0-4 on the road (loss at Texas), with wins over New Mexico (by 9), Fresno State (by 5), Colorado State (by 9), and Hawaii (by 33 last week), and losses at Air Force, Boise State, and UNLV (by 20). UN is 2-9/2-5, and 1-4 at home (loss to Kansas), with wins over New Mexico (by 10) and at SDSU, and losses to UNLV (by 18) and Hawaii (by 13), and at Fresno State (by 18), Utah State, and Colorado State (by 10 last week). Wyoming wins easily.
Fresno State @ San Diego State- The Aztecs lead the series 30-27-4, but the Bulldogs have won the last 2, and 4 of the last 5, including 32-28 last year. This series has been played off-and-on since 1923, but they skipped the entire decade of the 80s. The ties occurred in 1940 (0-0), 1947 (7-7), 1950 (20-20), and 1953 (27-27). FS is 8-3/4-3, and 3-2 on the road (wins at Arizona State and Purdue), with wins over Nevada (by 18), UNLV, Boise State (by 7), and at Utah State (by 5), and losses to New Mexico, at Wyoming, and at SJSU (by 24). SDSU is 3-8/1-6, and 2-4 at home (loss to UCLA), with a win at Hawaii, and losses to Boise State (by 3), Nevada (by 6), and Utah State (by 8 in 2 OTs), and at Air Force, Colorado State, and SJSU (by 11 last week). The Bulldogs have lost 2 in a row after starting the season 8-1; the Aztecs have lost 4 straight, and 8 of 9. Fresno State wins.
California @ UCLA- The Bruins lead the series 57-34-1, winning the last 3, and 8 of the last 10, including 35-28 last year. The Golden Bears are 5-6/3-5, and 2-3 on the road, with wins over Arizona State (by 3), Washington State (by 3), and at Stanford (by 12 last week), and losses to Oregon State (by 12), USC (by 1), at Washington, at Utah (by 20), and at Oregon. UCLA is 7-4/4-4, and 4-1 at home, with wins over Washington State (by 8), Colorado, at Stanford (by 35), and at USC (by 18 last week), with losses to Arizona State (by 10), and at Utah (by 7), Oregon State (by 12), and Arizona. Cal has won their last 2 games, while the Bruins have lost 2 of their last 3. UCLA wins, denying the Golden Bears bowl eligibility.
Colorado State @ Hawaii- The Rams lead the series 16-11, winning 11 of the last 14, including 17-13 last year, but the Rainbow Warriors have won 2 of the last 3 (since 2018). CSU is 5-6/3-4, and 1-4 on the road (loss at Colorado), with wins over Boise State, SDSU (by 3), and Nevada (by 10 last week), and losses to Air Force (by 17), at Utah State, at UNLV (by 2), and at Wyoming (by 9). UH is 4-8/2-5, and 3-3 at home (loss to Stanford), with wins over Air Force (by 14) and at Nevada (by 13), and losses to SDSU (by 7), SJSU, at UNLV (by 24), at New Mexico, and at Wyoming (by 33 last week). The Rams have won their last 2 games, and the Warriors have won 2 of their last 3. CSU wins a close one, just getting to a bowl for the 1st time since 2017.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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