Paul's Picks Week 13 Part 1

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Welcome Back!

I'm still working on my picks for Saturday, but I wanted to get these out in case I don't finish before Saturday morning.


Thursday, November 21

NC State @ Georgia Tech- The Yellow Jackets lead the series 20-11, winning 3 of the last 4 (since 2011), and 13 of the last 17 (since 1995),  hut the Wolfpack won the last meeting, 23-13 in 2020. NC State is 5-5/2-4, and is in danger of missing a bowl for the 1st time since 2019, as after this game, they travel to Chapel Hill to take on their biggest rival, the Tar Heels. GT has already clinched a bowl at 6-4/4-3, but a win here would mean their 2nd consecutive winning record in the ACC since they had 4 in a row from 2011-2014 under former HC Paul Johnson. They have their own rivalry game in a week, but that one's not a conference game. Jackets win.


Friday, November 22

Temple @ UTSA- The Roadrunners won 48-34 last year, their only prior meeting. This will be the 1st game for interim HC Everett Withers for the Owls, but he's not just any interim. Withers has been interim HC for UNC in 2011 (7-6) and HC at JMU (18-7 from 2014-15) and Texas State (7-28 from 2016-18). UTSA has won their last 2 games, and 3 of 4 to run their record to 5-5 and on the verge of their 5th straight bowl, and this is their best chance since they travel to Army next week. Meep! Meep! Roadrunners win.

Purdue @ Michigan State- The Spartans lead the series 36-29-3, winning 8 of the last 9 (since 2007), but the Boilermakers won the last meeting, 40-29 in 2021. MSU has won the last 5 played in East Lansing, and a win here would put them a victory over Rutgers from clinching their 1st bowl since 2021. Spartans crush Purdue.

UNLV @ San Jose State- The Spartans lead the series 21-6-1, winning the last 4, and 12 of 14 (since 1995), and they've won 7 consecutive games in the series played at home. UNLV's last win in San Jose came in 1993. The Rebels must win this game to have any chance at all of overtaking CSU in the MWC, and I think they will. UNLV wins.


That's it for this now! Feel free to leave a comment. Come back Friday or Saturday (whenever I get them finished) for the rest of my picks. 


Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!      

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