Paul's Picks Week 13- Part 2

Welcome Back!

Last week was another terrible week, way below my usual standards, as I was 38-17, a winning percentage of just 69.1%. There are 65 games this week, ten more than last week. Games are much harder to predict now that we have moved into conference play, where there are all these rivalries.

Overall, I am 539-192, a percentage of 73.7%, and a decrease of 0.4% from last week. I'm now below 75% overall, which means I will probably finish there unless I have a really good final 2 weeks.

So far, I am 4-2 after the early games, which is a good start. Thanks MACtion!

So... on with the picks!

Saturday, November 23

Indiana @ Ohio State- The Buckeyes lead this series by the ridiculous record of 79-12-5, a winning percentage of .849! OSU has won the last 29 meetings (one of those was vacated, so technically it's 28), and that streak is only broken by a 27-27 tie in 1990. The Hoosiers haven't defeated the Bucks since 1988, and haven't won in Columbus since 1987. IU actually began the series with a 5-0-1 lead from 1901-1913, which means they have won just 7 of the last 90 matchups, and only in 1987-88 have they won 2 in a row since 1913! This seems to be a 1-game season for the Hoosiers- win and they're in both the Big Ten and the CFP. If they lose a close game, they could still make the CFP as an at-large team. In fact, they could still make the Big Ten CG even with a loss, if OSU loses to Michigan next week, though that's not guaranteed, as IU would still need to beat rival Purdue (bad as they are), and may need to hope for Penn State to lose to either Minnesota or Maryland. The Hoosiers are already in uncharted territory with their 1st ever 10 win season, so everything else is just gravy. Will IU play tight, or will they be loose and free? Will the Buckeyes take them lightly (won by a combined 133-24 the last 3 meetings), or will they be focused despite the Wolverines being on deck? This is the game where the Hoosiers either justify their record, or just becomes another nice story from the season of 2024. My heart says Indiana, but my head is smarter. Ohio State wins.

Wake Forest @ Miami, FL- The Hurricanes lead the series 8-3, winning the last 7- every game played since 1969!- with an additional game won in 1935. The Demon Deacons have wins in 1928, 1939, and 1933, all in Miami. This will be their 1st meeting since 2013. WF needs 1 more win to exceed last year's 4 wins, and 2 more to go to a bowl for the 1st time since the 2022 season. The Canes are looking to bounce back from their loss to Georgia Tech, and they've had to chew on that for 2 weeks, as they were idle last week. I don't expect much resistance from the Demon Deacons. Miami wins big.

Ole Miss @ Florida- These teams have been in the same conference since 1922- that's 102 years!- and have played only 25 times, and one was in the 1958 Gator Bowl, won by Ole Miss! They 1st played in 1926 (good start!), but played only twice in the 1930s, 5 years in a row from 1944-48, once in the 50s (that Gator Bowl matchup), twice in the 60s, twice in the 70s, 4 times in the 80s, twice in the 90s, and 6 times between 2002 and 2020. The series is tied 12-12-1, with the Gators winning the last 2, but the Rebels winning 3 of the last 6 (since 2002). UF is one win from a bowl, which is where the Gators expect to be every year (30 bowls in the last 33 years, since 1991). The Rebels are still vying to make the SEC CG, but they have to win this game and next week vs rival Miss State and hope for losses elsewhere, though it's possible they could win a tiebreaker against the right team(s). Ole Miss has won 2 of the last 3 played in Gainesville, and are 6-4-1 in all games played there (they actually played in Jacksonville 4 of those 5 straight years in the 40s, and also that Gator Bowl in '58). Rebels win, but the Gators will make it close, at least for a while.

SMU @ Virginia- You'll be surprised to learn that these teams have never met on the gridiron. On second thought, you're probably not surprised at all. The Mustangs are riding high as the only unbeaten team in the ACC, and they have won 18 of their last 20 games overall. The Cavaliers are 5-5/3-3, which means they are 1 win from bowl eligibility for the 1st time since 2021, and 2 wins from their 1st winning season in the conference since they were 6-2 in 2019. Ponies win, probably by a lot.

Illinois @ Rutgers- The Fighting Illini lead the series 5-3, winning 3 of the last 4, but the Scarlet Knights won in their last meeting, 20-14 in 2021 in Champaign. all games have been played this century, since 2005. Illinois is 3-0 in games played in Piscataway (as this one is), but 0-1 in New Brunswick, so they don't have a perfect record in the state. Rutgers is 6-4/3-4, winning their last 2 to break a 4-game midseason slide. The Illini are 7-3/4-3, with their win 2 weeks ago ending a mild 2-game skid. They have had 2 common opponents, and comparing the results isn't any help at all, as the Knights beat Minnesota and lost to Nebraska, and Illinois beat Nebraska and lost to Minnesota. The Fighting Illini win a close one to win 8 games for the 2nd time in the last 3 years.

Iowa @ Maryland- The Hawkeyes lead the series 3-1, winning the last 3, but the Terrapins are 1-1 in College Park. UM has lost 3 in a row, and 5 of their last 6, meaning they need 2 more wins to get to a 4th consecutive bowl, but they are only 3-3 at home. Iowa has won 3 of their last 4, but is coming off a loss at UCLA 2 weeks ago, and they are just 1-3 on the road. When the Hawkeyes score more than 20 points, they win, and the Terps have allowed 20+ in 8 of 10 games so far. Iowa wins.

UConn @ Syracuse- This series is tied 6-6, with the Orange winning the last 4 (since 2012), which followed a Huskies winning streak of 5 from 2007-2011. The Orange is 4-2 in games played at home in the series. This year, both teams are 7-3, but Syracuse has better wins (and losses) than UConn. The Orange win.

North Carolina @ Boston College- The Tar Heels lead the series 6-2, winning the last 5, but 2 of thise wins have since been vacated. The Eagles have a win in the 2004 Continental Tire Bowl, but they are 0-2 in Chestnut Hill, with their only other win coming in Foxboro. BC has lost 4 of their last 5, but their only win in that span was over a very good Syracuse. UNC has won 3 straight after losing 4 in a row midseason. Tar Heels win.

Sam Houston @ Jacksonville State- This series is tied 2-2, with each team 1-1 both at home and on the road. The Gamecocks won 35-28 last year in OT. Both teams are having good seasons; JSU is 7-3/6-0, on a 7-game winning streak, and are 4-1 at home, while the Bearkats are 8-2/5-1, winners of 3 in a row, and are 4-1 on the road, plus a win at a neutral site. The winner of this game is set up nicely to secure at least 2nd place in CUSA, but both teams have a tough closing game- SHS vs Liberty (4-2) and JSU at WKU (5-1). What a fantastic, high-stakes game! Jax State wins a close one, and I wouldn't be surprised if it went into OT for a 2nd consecutive year.

UMass @ Georgia- The Bulldogs demolished the Minutemen 66-27 in their only other meeting in 2018. UMass has just fired their HC, and will be rolling with interim Shane Montgomery. Dawgs win big, but maybe not as big as the last time.

UTEP @ Tennessee- The Volunteers lead the series 3-0, and only their win their 1st meeting in 1986 (26-16) was by less than 24 points. The Miners were outscored 80-0 in the other 2 meetings, in 1990 and 2018. Vols win, by a lot.

WKU @ Liberty- The Flames lead the series 4-0, winning in 1995, 1996, 2020, and 42-29 last year. Along with the SHS-JSU game above, this game will go a long way in determining who gets to play for a conference championship, as these 4 teams will all get together next week to decide the final pecking order. LU has won 2 in a row after dropping 2 straight, but it took OT to get past UMass last week. The Hilltoppers were upset by La Tech last week, which ended a 4-game winning streak. Perhaps they were both looking ahead to this game. WKU gets their 1st win in the series.

Charleston Southern @ FSU- The Seminoles are 2-0 against the 1-10 Buccaneers, winning in 2011 and 2016 by a combined score of 114-18. Finally! The Noles have found a team they can beat! FSU wins.

Bowling Green @ Ball State- The Falcons lead this series 22-9-1, winning the last 2, and 8 of the last 9 (since 1999), including the last 4 played in Muncie. The Cardinals have been pretty miserable this season, but do have 2 MAC wins, over Kent State and NIU. A win in this game would give BGSU 7 wins in a season for the 2nd straight year, the 1st time that has happened since 2012-2015, when they had 4 consecutive years of 8+ wins. Falcons win.

Rice @ UAB- The Blazers lead the series 6-5, but the Owls have won the last 2. Neither team is very good, but I like the Owls in this one. Rice wins.

New Mexico State @ Middle Tennessee- The Aggies lead the series 3-2, winning 13-7 last year, but the other 4 meetings occurred between 2001 and 2004. Each team is undefeated at home in the series. These teams are a combined 5-15, with 2 of those wins over FCS teams, and they are a combined 3-9 in CUSA play. What a crummy game! NMSU wins over the Blue Raiders.

James Madison @ Appalachian State- The Mountaineers lead the series 13-5, winning 11 of the last 13, including in OT last year, but the Dukes have won 2 of the last 3, and the last time they played in Boone. JMU is on a 3-game winning streak, and are 8-2/4-2. ASU is only 4-5/2-4, and they only get 11 games due to their game against Liberty being canceled, meaning they must win both of their remaining games to qualify for a bowl. Dukes win.

Arizona @ TCU- The Horned Frogs defeated UA in Tucson last year by a score of 13-10, and the Wildcats won 35-31 in Ft. Worth in 1999, so the extensive history suggests this rivalry game will be close. TCU is 6-4/4-3, winning 3 of their last 4 (idle last week), with 2 of their losses by a combined 4 points. Arizona is 4-6/2-5with their wn over Houston last week ending a 5-game losing streak. The Wildcats need to win their last 2 games to get to a 2nd consecutive bowl, but they'll fall short on the road. Frogs win.

FIU @ Kennesaw State- This will be a 1st time meeting between these teams. The Panthers are 3-7/2-4, with wins over NMSU and La Tech, but they are 0-5 on the road. The Owls have had a rough debut season in the FBS ranks, and have already fired the only coach they have ever had, but they have a win over Liberty at home, and this is their chance for a 2nd. Hooty Hoo! KSU wins.

ULM @ Arkansas State- The Red Wolves lead this series, begun in 1959, by a count of 30-14, winning the last 14, and they have won the last 10 played at home. ULM hasn't won in Jonesboro since 2001. The Warhawks started the season 5-1, but have lost 4 in a row since, and this is their last, best chance to qualify for their 2nd ever bowl game (they host Louisiana next week). ASU has wn 3 of their last 4, and have won their last 2 road games. This should be a close game, but the Warhawks will prevail.

South Alabama @ Southern Miss- The Jaguars are 4-0 against the Golden Eagles, winning each of the last 4 years, 3 by 11+ points, but the closest 2 scores took place in Hattiesburg. USA is 5-5/3-3 this year, just 1 win shy of making their 3rd bowl in a row, as they have won 3 of their last 4 games. USM is 1-9/0-6, and has yet to achieve a win against an FBS opponent this year, with every loss by double digits. Jags win.

Charlotte @ FAU- Both teams fired their HC this week, so we can just call this the Interim Bowl (since they won't be going to any other bowl...). The Owls lead the series 7-2, winning the last 5, but are only 2-1 in Boca Raton (and 0-1 in Ft. Lauderdale). The 49ers are 3-7/2-4, and on a 4-game losing streak. FAU is 2-8/0-6, losing their last 5. Ugh! Charlotte wins. Maybe...

Kentucky @ Texas- I'll be curious to see if the UK team that played UGA close and defeated Ole Miss shows up for this game, or if the one that routed by Florida and Auburn appears instead. The Longhorns have won the only previous matchup, 7-6 in 1951 in Austin, so it's been a while- 73 years, in fact- since they last played. The Wildcats are 4-6/1-6, so that win over the Rebels was obviously a fluke. The Horns are 9-1/5-1, and need only to win this week and next to have a shot at winning the SEC in their 1st year in the conference. Try as I might, I just can't see this as being close at all. UT wins big.

Penn State @ Minnesota- The Nittany Lions lead this series 10-6, winning 6 of the last 8, but the Golden Gophers have won each of the last 2 times it's been played in Minneapolis (2013 and 2019). PSU is 9-1/6-1, but they have a very narrow path to a Big Ten Championship Game berth. But all they have to do is win their last 2 games (they host a mediocre Maryland team next week) and they should be included in the 12-team CFP. The Gophers are 6-4/4-3, but have won 4 of their last 5, and they were idle last week. This is my Upset Special! Minnesota wins!

BYU @ Arizona State- The Sun Devils lead the series 20-8, but the Cougars have won the last 3, though those occurred in 1997, 1998, and 2021. ASU has won 8 of the last 9, and 12 of the last 14, played in Tempe, and are 12-4 overall at home. BYU is 9-1/6-1, losing for the 1st time last week. The Sun Devils are 8-2/5-2, winning their last 3, and a win here could catapult them into the Big XII CG and/or the CFP. ASU wins a close one.

Colorado @ Kansas- The Buffaloes lead the series 42-23-3, but the Jayhawks have won 4 of the last 5 (2006-2010). These teams played every year from 1948-2010 as co-members of the Big 8, and then the Big Ten before the Buffs bolted for the Pac 12. They also played 7 times between 1903 and 1935 (4-1-2 in KU's favor). CU is 8-2/6-1, winning 4 in a row, and they are currently on top of the Big XII. The Jayhawks are 4-6/3-4, but they've won 2 in a row, and 3 of 4 to get back into the bowl conversation. % of their 6 losses were by 6 points or less. KU pulls the upset! 

The Citadel @ Clemson- The Tigers have dominated the 5-6 Bulldogs, leading the series 33-5-1, and they've won the last 18 (from 1932-2020). Clemson wins. By a lot.

Northwestern @ Michigan- The Wolverines lead the series 59-15-2, winning the last 7 (since 2011), and 12 of the last 13 (since 2003). NU is 4-6/2-5, and in need of 2 wins to reach a bowl. UM is 5-5/3-4, and also need a win to make a bowl. Wolverines win easily.

Wisconsin @ Nebraska- The Badgers lead the series 13-4, winning the last 10 (starting with a 70-31 blowout of the Huskers in the 2012 Big Ten CG), as NU's 4 wins came in 1965, 1966, 1973, and in 2012 (in the regular season). UW also owns a win in 1901. Both teams are 5-5 overall, with the Cornhuskers at 2-5 in the Big Ten and the Badgers at 3-4. Nebraska hasn't been to a bowl since 2016, and this is the 2nd year in a row they've gotten to 5 wins only to lose 4 in a row. Wisconsin wins, even though they are on their own 3-game slide.

Stanford @ California- The Cardinal lead the Golden Bears 60-47-10 (ten ties!), but Cal has won the last 3. The 10 ties are the most for any rivalry at the major college level, and those ties were: 10-10 in 1892, 6-6 in 1893, 6-6 in 1895, 6-6 in 1903, 20-20 in 1924, 13-13 in 1928, 0-0 in 1932, 7-7 in 1950, 21-21 in 1953, and 19-19 in 1988. Stanford is only 3-7/2-5, but they have wins over Louisville and Syracuse, who are a combined 13-7. The Bears are 5-5, but only 1-5 in the ACC. However, Cal has won 2 of their last 3, and need this win to get to a bowl. Cal wins the Big Game for a 4th straight year.

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State- The Cowboys lead the series 24-23-3, winning each of the last 3, and 12 of the last 14 (since 2009). The Red Raiders are 6-4/4-3, but have lost 3 of their last 4. OSU is a disappointing 3-7/0-7, losers of 7 straight, and the Cowboys are on the verge of their 1st winless conference record since they were 0-6-1 in 1994, the last season in Stillwater for former HC Pat Jones. TTU wins.

UCF @ West Virginia- The Mountaineers have won all 3 previous contests, in 2003, 2004, and 41-28 last year. The Knights are 4-6/2-5, and must win this game and vs Utah to make a bowl, but they've lost 6 of 7. WVU is 5-5, and just one win from a bowl slot, but this is their better chance, since they travel to Lubbock next week, and they've won 2 of their last 3. WVU wins.

San Diego State @ Utah State- The Aztecs lead this series 13-4, including a win in the 1948 Aztec Bowl, but the Aggies have won the last 2, and 3 of 4, which includes a win in the 2021 MWC CG. However, USU has never defeated SDSU in Logan in 5 tries. Both teams are 3-7 overall, and 2-3 in the MWC, and even have very close results to the 6 common opponents they've had! Flip a coin, as your guess is as good as mine. SDSU wins.

Georgia Southern @ Coastal Carolina- The Eagles lead the series 6-4, winning 38-28 last year, but the Chanticleers have won 3 of the last 4. GS is 6-4/4-2, and had the SBC East all but wrapped up until they were upset by Troy at home last week. CCU is 5-5/2-4, needing 1 more win to reach a 5th straight bowl, but they've lost 4 of their last 5. The Chants will have to wait until next week to claim that bowl slot. Eagles win.

East Carolina @ North Texas- The Pirates have won the only previous matchup, 49-16 in Greenville way back in 1979. The Mean Green started this season 5-1, but have dropped 4 in a row to fall to 5-5, still needing just 1 more win to reach a bowl. ECU is 6-4/4-3, winners of 3 straight, and looking to get back to 8 wins after plummeting to 2-10 last year. Pirates win.

Tulsa @ USF- This series is tied 3-3, with the Bulls winning the 1st 3 (2014-18) and the Golden Hurricane winning the last 3 (2020-22). USF is one win from a bowl, while Tulsa is one of the worst teamsin the AAC. Bulls win.

Pittsburgh @ Louisville- The Panthers lead the series 11-9, winning 3 of the last 4, and 7 of the last 9 (since 2008), as well as 2 of the last 3 played in Louisville. The Cardinals are 6-4/4-3, and only 3-2 at home, but this will be their 1st home game since Oct 19, 5 weeks ago. Pitt is 7-3/3-3, but they've lost 3 in a row, 2 of those at home, and they are 2-1 on the road. Cards win.

Wofford @ South Carolina- The Gamecocks have defeated the 5-6 Terriers in all 5 prior meetings (between 2001 and 2017. They will make it 6 in a row. SC wins.

La Tech @ Arkansas- The Razorbacks are 4-0 against the Bulldogs, winning in 2016, 1997, 1996, and... 1901! All have been played in Arkansas except the 1st. Hogs win big.

Missouri @ Mississippi State- This series is tied at 2 wins apiece, with the Tigers winning in 1981 and 1984, and the Bulldogs in 2015 and 2020. Mizzou is 7-3/3-3, but have lost 2 of their last 3, and are 1-3 on the road. MSU is a terrible 2-8/0-6, with their only FBS over UMass (who the Tigers also beat), and they are 2-4 at home. Tigers claw their way back into the win column.

Troy @ Louisiana- The Trojans lead the series 11-9, winning the last 2, and 4 of the last 6 (since 2015). Troy is only 3-7/2-4, but they upset Ga Southern on the road last week. The Ragin' Cajuns are 8-2/5-1, but were themselves upset by South Alabama at home last week, delaying the clinching of the SBC West. If they lose again, the Jaguars could claim the title for the 1st time ever. UL wins.

Army @ Notre Dame (Bronx, NY)- The Fighting Irish lead the series 39-8-4, winning the last 15 (since 1964), and only 2 of those (1995 and 1998) were by less than 17 points. Army's last win was in 1958 in South Bend, and their last wins in New York were in 1944 and 1945, though they did have ties there in 1946 (0-0) and 1941 (also 0-0). The other ties were in 1935 (6-6) and in 1922 (yet another 0-0 score). The Black Knights are 9-0 for the 1st time since 1996, when they lost to Syracuse in their 10th game and finished 10-2 under HC Bob Sutton. This seemingly once in a lifetime season isn't as rare as we may think; Army has had seasons of 9-4 in 2021, 9-3 in 2020, 11-2 in 2018, 10-3 in 2017 (all under current HC Jeff Monken), 10-2 in 1996 (Bob Sutton), 8-3-1 and 9-3 in 1984-85 (Jim Young), and 8-2 in both 1966 and '67 (Thomas Cahill), but their last undefeated season was in 1958 when they went 8-0-1 under Earl "Red" Blaik in his last year at West Point. Blaik was also the HC the last time the Black Knights were undefeated and untied, in 1949 at 9-0. Despite all this, Army has only finished in the AP Poll twice since 1958 (finished #3)- in 1996 (#25) and in 2018 (#19). ND is 9-1, with their only loss to NIU way back in week 2. The winner of this game stays in CFP contention, with a loss dropping both from at-large consideration (Army could still get in with an AAC Championship Game win, but it would be unlikely. The stakes are high, and the Black Knights have played a marshmallow soft schedule, but their closest win was 14-3 last week at UNT. I expect Army to hang around for a half, maybe longer, the the Irish will prevail.

Boise State @ Wyoming- The Broncos lead the series 17-1, winning the last 7, with Wyoming's lone win coming in 2016. The Cowboys are only 2-8/2-4, and they are only 1-4 in Laramie. BSU is 9-1/6-0, and the only real danger to them is if they are looking ahead to Oregon State at home next weekend. Broncos stampede the Cowboys.

Washington State @ Oregon State- The winner of this game will claim the Pac 12 crown, for whatever that is worth. The Beavers are 4-6, and need 2 wins to get to a bowl, but they're on a 5-game losing bender. The Cougars are 8-2, but were upset at UNM last week, and both of their losses have come on the road. Wazzu wins.

Baylor @ Houston- This series is tied 14-14-1, with the Cougars winning 25-24 last year, but the Bears have won 2 of the last 3, and 4 of the last 6 (and 2 of the last 3 played in Houston). UH, 4-6/3-4,  has won 2 of their last 3, and 3 of 5, and are 3-2 at home, but the Bears, at 6-4/4-3, have won 4 in a row to get back to a bowl. Baylor wins.

Georgia State @ Texas State- This is another series that is tied, with each team winning 4, and each team 2-2 both at home and on the road. The Panthers have won 4 of the last 7, including 28-16 in their last matchup in 2021, but the Bobcats have won 2 of the last 3. GSU is only 2-8/0-6, and it's looking unlikely that they will get a Sun Belt Conference win, as they may go winless in the SBC for the 1st time since 2014. TSU is 6-4/4-2, and could still make the SBC CG, but they would need some help. Bobcats win this cat fight.

Alabama @ Oklahoma- The Sooners lead the series 3-2-1, winning in Norman in 2002 (37-27), in Tuscaloosa in 2003 (20-13), and in the 2014 Sugar Bowl (45-31). The Crimson Tide have wins in the 1963 Orange Bowl (17-0) and in the 2018 Orange Bowl (48-34). The Tie happened in the 1970 Bluebonnet Bowl, and had a score of 24-24. Bama is 8-2/4-2, and look to be in line for an SEC Championship Game berth, but both of their losses have come on the road (both in the state of Tennessee). OU is only 5-5/1-5, needing one win this week or next week at LSU to reach a bowl for a 26th consecutive year, as their last bowl-less year was 1998, the last under HC John Blake (and the year before Bob Stoops took over). The Sooners haven't lost 6 conference games since they were 2-6 in the Big 12 in 1997, and they haven't lost 7 in one season since... ever. This looks like an historic low point for OU. Tide rolls.

Texas A&M @ Auburn- The Aggies lead the series 8-6, winning 3 of the last 4, including 27-10 last year, but the Tigers won the last time it was played in Auburn, and 2 of the last 3 played on The Plains. Before they joined the SEC in 2012, the Aggies also earned wins in the 1986 Cotton Bowl, and in 1911, which was also played in Dallas, and they are 4-2 overall in Auburn. Virtually everyone is picking this as an upset, but I just don't see it. TAMU simply needs to win out to secure their 1st ever spot in the SEC CG. While the War Eagles have talent, they have not been able to maximize it. Aggies win.

Iowa State @ Utah- The Cyclones lead the series 4-1, winning 4 times in the 1970s- twice in Salt Lake City- before the Utes got a win in 2010. ISU started the season 7-0 before dropping 2 contests, but they got back on the winning side last week against Cincinnati at home, and they are 3-1 on the road. Utah was expected to compete for the Big XII title, but they've fallen far short at 4-6/1-6, and need 2 wins to secure a bowl, and they are 2-3 at home. Cyclones win.

Marshall @ ODU- The Thundering Herd lead the series 8-1, winning the last 6, and at 7-3/5-1, are very close to claiming the SBC East crown. The Monarchs are 4-6/3-3, losing their last 2, but they've played a difficult schedule, and are battle tested. Marshall wins, but don't be surprised if ODU takes them to the limit.

Vanderbilt @ LSU- The Tigers lead the series 24-7-1, winning the last 9 (since 1991), and 13 of the last 14 (since 1976. This is another one of those SEC "rivalries" that has rarely been played. They 1s played in 1902, and after meeting again in 1910 (both of these Vandy wins), they didn't match up again until 1933, the year the SEC 1st started playing, whereupon they played 16 times between that meeting in '33 and 1957, but not agin until 1976. Both teams are 6-4/3-3, with the Commodores winning 4 of their last 6 and the Bayou Bengals losing 3 in a row. Though LSU is 4-1 at home, and the 'Dores are only 2-2 on the road, I see an upset. Vandy wins.

Cincinnati @ Kansas State- The Bearcats have 4 wins (from 1951 to 1966) and the Wildcats 2 (1995-96). UC is 5-5/3-4, but have lost their last 3, and are 2-3 on the road. KSU is 7-3/4-3, losing their last 2, but they are 4-1 at home, losing to Arizona State last week. Wildcats win.

Virginia Tech @ Duke- The Hokies lead the series 19-11, winning 5 of the last 7, but the teams have split the last 4. While The Blue Devils won in their last meeting, in 2022 in Durham, VT has won 9 of the last 10 played in Wallace Wade Stadium. Duke is 7-3/3-3 and 4-1 at home, but they've lost 2 of their last 3 overall. The Hokies are 5-5/3-3, losing their last 2, and are 1-3 on the road, but they were idle last week. Blue Devils win at home.

USC @ UCLA- The Trojans lead this series 50-34-7, winning the last 2 (and 3 of the last 4) played in Pasadena, but the Bruins have won 2 of the last 3, and the teams have split their last 12 meetings. USC is 5-5/3-5, and have won 2 of their last 3, but they are 0-4 on the road, though they did win a neutral site game in their opener. UCLA is 4-6/3-5, winning 3 of their last 4 (lost to ashington last week), but they are only 1-3 at home. Both teams desperately need a win in this game to have any chance at a bowl, but neither one seems capable of winning. Bruins win a close one.

Air Force @ Nevada- The Falcons lead the series 5-2, winning the last 2, and they are 2-1 in Reno. The Wolf Pack is 3-8/0-5, and though they've lost their last 4 games, their 3 wins still surpasses the 2 they had in 2022 and 2023. AFA is 3-7/1-4, but they've won their last 2. That's good enough for me! Falcons win.

Colorado State @ Fresno State- The Rams lead the series 10-6, including a win in the 2008 New Mexico Bowl, but the Bulldogs won 38-17 in their last meeting in 2020 in Fresno. CSU is 7-3/5-0, and on the brink of making the MWC CG; win and they're in. FS is 5-5/3-3 and looking to make a bowl, but they've lost their last 2 games. This is another game the "experts" have on upset alert, and I could see it happening. In fact, I'm picking the Bulldogs to win at home.

That's it for this week! Feel free to leave a comment. Come back Tuesday for my Power Rankings. 

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