Paul's Picks 2025 Week 8
Welcome Back!
Last week, I had my worst results so far, finishing 39-17 (69.6%), making me 375-96 overall with a winning percentage of 79.6% (down 1.4% from last week).
This week we are back up to 60 games, 4 more than last week, and there are some good matchups. I'm only 1-4 so far after the early games, which is pretty horrific. Let's see if I can get back above 80%, but I'm afraid that ship has sailed.
So... on with the picks!
Thursday, October 16
Tulsa @ East Carolina- This series is tied at 9 wins apiece, with the Pirates winning 38-31 last year, but the Golden Hurricane have won 4 of the last 5, including the last 2 played in Greenville. They even met in the 2008 CUSA CG, with ECU winning 27-24. Tulsa is 2-4/0-3, and to my eyes, seem to be improved, as they have at least been competitive this year. The Pirates are 3-3/1-1 with 2 losses to P4 teams and a loss at Tulane. ECU wins.
Friday, October 17
Louisville @ Miami, Fl- The Hurricanes hold a 12-4-1 series lead, winning 3 of the last 4, including 52-45 last year, but the Cardinals won the last time this was played in Hard Rock Stadium, and also own a win in the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl. Miami owns all the wins between 1933-2004 (9 in a row with a 13-13 tie in 1950 thrown in), which means Louisville has won 4 of the last 7 meetings. This year, the Canes are 5-0/1-0, with wins over Notre Dame, USF, Florida, and FSU, but those last 2 get less impressive with each passing week. UL is 4-1/1-1 with their only loss in OT to Virginia at home, as they've won 5 of their last 6 away games. Both teams were off last week, so expect a few new wrinkles. I think the Cardinals may pull the upset, but I'm betting Miami scores late to eke out the win.
Nebraska @ Minnesota- I was surprised to learn that the Golden Gophers own a 37-25-2 lead in this series, winning the last 5, including their last meeting in 2023, but the last 4 wins have each been by 7 points or less. Most of Minnesota's wins came early in the series, as they won 28 of the 1st 35 (between 1900 and 1954), with only 5 losses and 2 ties. That means that until the current 5-game win streak by the Gophers, the Cornhuskers had won 20 of 25 between 1959 and 2018. The Gophers are 4-2/2-1, and haven't been very impressive, but they have won 5 of the last 6 in this series played in Minneapolis. The Huskers are 5-1/2-1 with only a loss to Michigan at home, but like Minnesota, their wins haven't been overly impressive. Nebraska wins at home.
San Jose State @ Utah State- The Spartans hold a narrow 21-20-1 edge in the series, breaking the tie with a 42-21 win 2 years ago, but the Aggies have won 10 of the last 11 in the series, and 6 of the last 7 played in Logan. SJSU is 2-4/1-1 and coming off a loss at Wyoming, as they've lost 6 of their last 7 away games. USU is 3-3/1-1, and they've lost their last 2 games at Vandy and Hawaii, but they are 3-0 at home, and have won 5 straight home games. Aggies win a close one.
North Carolina @ California- The Golden Bears have won both previous matchups, in 2017 and 2018, winning by a combined 12 points. Rumors continue to swirl in Chapel Hill about an exit for new HC Bill Belichick, so I'm not sure how focused this team will be. Not that they've seemed all that focused up to this point, mind you, but I'll bet they're glad to get out of North Carolina for a few days. Cal is 4-2/1-1 with an inexplicable loss to SDSU. UNC is 2-3/0-1 with no P4 wins. Both teams were off last week. Bears win at home.
Saturday, October 18
LSU @ Vanderbilt - The Tigers hold a commanding 25-7-1 lead in the series, winning the last 10, and 14 of the last 15, as the Commodores haven't won since 1990, and have only 4 wins since 1948. However, Vandy is 5-1/1-1 and coming out of their bye week, and they are 3-0 at home this season. LSU is also 5-1 overall, but are 2-1 in the SEC, losing at Ole Miss a few weeks ago. I expect a competitive game, but the Bayou Bengals will come out on top.
Georgia Tech @ Duke- This game pits 2 of the surprise teams in the ACC against each other, though I'm not surprised by GT's success this season (they're one of my preseason picks to make the CFP). The Yellow Jackets hold a 55-35-1 lead in this series, winning the last 4, but they've lost 3 of the last 4 played in Durham. The Blue Devils are 4-2/3-0 with losses to Illinois and at Tulane, and they are coming out of their off week on a 3-game winning streak, over NC State and at Syracuse and Cal. The Jackets are 6-0/3-0, but 3 of their wins were by 7 points or less (a combined 11 points). This is the last real challenge GT has before they play Pitt in the penultimate weekend, and then close the season against UGA in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Jackets win.
Washington @ Michigan- The Wolverines have a 9-6 lead in the series, including a 34-13 win in the 2024 National Championship Game (2023 season), but the Huskies won 27-17 last year. The teams have met in the Rose Bowl 4 times- in 1978, 1981, 1992, and 1993- with Michigan winning in the even number years ('78 and '92) and Washington the other 2. The Wolverines are 4-1 in games played in Ann Arbor, with UW's lone win coming in 1984. Michigan is 4-2/2-1 with both losses on the road, as they have won 8 of their last 9 at home. The Huskies are 5-1/2-1 with their only loss to Ohio State at home. This feels like an elimination game in the Big Ten, with the loser having no real shot to make the Big Ten CG. If the Wolverines win this, there is a clear path forward as their only difficult game remaining is vs Ohio State at home. UW still has Illinois and Oregon at home, as well as resurgent UCLA on the road. This will be one of the better games of the day. Huskies win in a mild upset.
UConn @ Boston College- The Eagles lead the series 13-1-2, but the Huskies have won 1 of the last 2, in 2022. Half of their 16 meetings were between 1908 and 1928, with the other half coming since 2000, and UConn is 0-6 in Chestnut Hill. But BC is having a terrible season at 1-5, with their only win over an FCS outfit. The Huskies are 4-2, with both losses in OT, one of those at Syracuse. UConn wins.
Arizona @ Houston- The Cougars lead 3-2, winning in 1969, 2017, and 2018, but the Wildcats have wins in 1986 and 27-3 last year. This is only the 2nd time the game will be played in Houston. Arizona is 4-2/1-2 with their Big 12 win over Oklahoma State and losses to Iowa State and BYU (in 2 OT). UH is 5-1/2-1 with wins over Colorado and Oklahoma State and a loss to Texas Tech. Cougars win this cat fight at home.
Baylor @ TCU- The Horned Frogs hold a narrow 59-53-7 lead in this series, winning 8 of the last 10 and 4 of the last 5 in Fort Worth, but the Bears won 37-34 last year. Both teams are 4-2, but TCU is 1-2 in the Big 12 while Baylor is 2-1. The Bears also had a bye last week. Both teams have a loss to Arizona State (by the same 27-24 score), but the Bears have a win over Kansas State while the Frogs lost by 13 to the Wildcats. TCU has won 6 straight home games, and Baylor has won 5 of their last 6 road games. Flip a coin. Horned Frogs win at home.
Army @ Tulane- The Green Wave lead this series 13-10-1, winning 4 of the last 5, but the Black Knights won 35-14 last year in the American Conference Championship Game. Tulane holds a 7-3-1 advantage in New Orleans, with the 1st game being a 0-0 tie on Halloween in 1953. Army West Point is 3-3/2-2 and on a 2-game win streak. The Green Wave are 5-1/2-0, and also on a 2-game win streak, as they've won 7 of their last 9 at home. Tulane wins.
Central Michigan @ Bowling Green- The Falcons have a 25-19 lead in the series, winning 4 of the last 5, and 9 of the last 12 (since 1996), but the Chippewas have won the last 2 played in Bowling Green. Both teams are 3-3/1-1, but BGSU has looked better in their conference games, topping Toledo and losing to Ohio, while CMU has defeated E Mich and lost to Akron, though they were off last week. Falcons win.
Eastern Michigan @ Miami, Oh- The Redhawks are leading 20-6 in this series, including 38-14 last year, but the Eagles have won 2 of the last 3 (since 2017), including the last time this was played in Oxford. EMU is 2-5/1-2, getting a win last week over NIU. Miami is 3-3/2-0, winning their last 3 games in a row. Make it 4 wins in a row. Redhawks win.
Oklahoma @ South Carolina- The Gamecocks have the only win, 35-9 last year in Norman. This year, the Sooners are 5-1/1-1, losing their 1st game to Texas last week in the Red River Shootout. The Gamecocks are only 3-3/1-3, with only one of the losses by less than 10 points. Columbia is a tough place to play, and OU is playing with a hurt QB. SC pulls the upset.
West Virginia @ UCF- The Mountaineers have won all 4 contests with the Knights, with 2 in 2003-04 seasons and the other 2 the last 2 seasons, all by at least 10 points. Both teams are 0-3 in the Big 12, which means one of them will be getting their 1st conference win. Each team has a win over an ACC squad, and both have lost to Kansas. UCF gets their 1st win in the series.
Kent State @ Toledo- The Rockets own a 28-21 series lead, winning each of the last 6 (since 2010), and 13 of the last 15 (since 1988). The Golden Flashes are 2-4/1-1 and coming off of their 1st FBS win since 2022, albeit over UMass, which ended a 17-game MAC losing streak. Toledo is only 3-3/1-2, with a win over Akron and losses to WMU and BGSU. Rockets win.
Buffalo @ UMass- These teams 1st played in 1964, with the Bulls holding a 9-6 lead in the series and winning 5 of the last 6 (since 2012), and the last 3 played in Foxboro. The Minutemen are 0-6/0-2, even losing by 1 to an FCS team, and their closest FBS loss has been by 18 to WMU. Buffalo is 3-3/2-0, and were off last week. Bulls trample the Minutemen.
Purdue @ Northwestern- The Boilermakers hold a large 53-35-1 lead, but the Wildcats have won the last 2, and 8 of the last 11. PU is 2-4/0-3 and on a 4-game losing skid, with their only wins the last 2 seasons over 2 FCS teams and woeful Ball State in their opener back in August. NU is 4-2/2-1 and on a 3-game winning streak, including wins over resurgent UCLA and at Penn State. Cats win.
Troy @ ULM- The Trojans lead 12-9-1, winning 4 of the last 6, including 2 of the last 3 in Monroe, but the Warhawks won 13-9 last year. ULM is 3-3/1-1 with a win over Arkansas State, but they've since lost 2 in a row at Northwestern and at CCU. Troy is 4-2/2-0, winning 3 straight, and 2 in a row on the road. Trojans win.
Ohio State @ Wisconsin- The Buckeyes lead 63-18-5, and 63-18 seems about right for the score of this game. OSU has won 10 consecutive games in this series, including 3 (2014, 2017, & 2019) in the Big Ten Championship Game. The Badgers are limping along at 2-4/0-3, and they last won this game in Madison in 2010. Buckeyes win big.
Ole Miss @ Georgia- The Bulldogs lead this series 33-13-1, winning 11 of the last 13 on the field (a 45-14 Ole Miss win in 2016 has been vacated), but the Rebels have won 2 of the last 3 on the field, including 28-10 last year. However, Mississippi hasn't won in Athens since 1996, and only 5 of their 13 victories have been in Sanford Stadium, as was the 14-14 tie in 1941. These teams 1st met in 1940, and starting in 1966, played every year through 2002, but have only met 7 times since. The Rebels are 6-0/3-0 and riding high, but half of their wins have been by 7 points or less, with their best win by 35 over Tulane. This will be only their 2nd road game of the season, with just 2 more to go. The Dawgs are 5-1/3-1 with only 1 win closer than 10 points (at Tennessee in OT), but a loss to Alabama that ended their long home winning streak. UGA wins, putting a damper on Ole Miss's hopes for an undefeated season.
Texas A&M @ Arkansas- The Razorbacks hold a 42-36-3 lead in this series, but the Aggies have won the last 3, and 12 of the last 13. The teams 1st played in 1903, and as co-members of the now defunct Southwest Conference, played almost annually from 1927-1991, when the Piggies left for the SEC. The teams have resumed their rivalry since 2009, 3 years before TAMU joined the SEC. The Hogs are 2-4/0-2, but 3 of their losses have been by 6 points or less. The Aggies are undefeated at 6-0/3-0, and only 2 of their wins by less than 17 points. Arkansas hasn't won in Fayetteville since 1988, as the game has been played in Arlington 13 of the last 16 years (since 2009) and only in 2013 in Fayetteville during that time. TAMU wins.
Michigan State @ Indiana- The Spartans hold an impressive 50-19-2 lead in the series, but the Hoosiers have won 3 of the last 5, including 47-10 last year. However, all 3 of those wins came in East Lansing, as IU hasn't won this game at home since 2016. MSU is 3-3/0-3, and haven't really been competitive in any of their losses. The Hoosiers are 6-0/3-0 and coming off a huge win at Oregon. This has all the makings of a classic trap game, as IU has newly rejuvenated UCLA on tap. Hoosiers win, but Spartans keep it close for a while, maybe even into the 4th quarter, and if that occurs, anything can happen.
SMU @ Clemson- The only prior meeting was in last year's ACC Championship Game, won 34-31 by Clemson. The Tigers are 3-3.2-2, and have a modest 2-game winning streak, but those were over BC and UNC, the worst 2 teams in the ACC. The Mustangs are 4-2/2-0, losing to old SWC foes Baylor and TCU, but they have also won 2 in a row, over Syracuse (who beat Clemson) and Stanford. Tigers win at home.
Wyoming @ Air Force- The Falcons lead this series 31-28-3, winning 3 of the last 5, all in Falcon Stadium, but the Cowboys have won 7 of the last 11, including 31-19 last year in Laramie. The AFA is having a disappointing season, as they are a mere 1-5/0-4 with no FBS wins, but their last 2 losses were by 3 points each at Navy and at UNLV. Wyoming is 3-3/1-1 with their win over SJSU breaking a 3-game slide, which also included a loss to UNLV. This could go either way, but I think the Falcons get their 1st FBS/MWC win of the season.
UNLV @ Boise State- The Broncos have dominated this series, leading 11-3, winning the last 9 (since 1977) including in the last 2 Mountain West Championship Games. In addition, the Rebels have never defeated BS on the blue turf in Albertsons Stadium. UNLV is 6-0/2-0, but 4 of their wins have been by 7 points or less. A win here would keep them in both the MWC and CFP conversations, as an undefeated MWC champion would be tough to keep out of the playoff. Boise State is 4-2/2-0 with both losses to currently ranked teams USF and Notre Dame. The Rebels should win this game, and I'll be rooting for them to, but I think the Broncos pull it out late.
Coastal Carolina @ Appalachian State- The Mountaineers have a 7-4 lead in the series, including a win in the 2006 Division I-AA playoffs (1st round), but the Chanticleers have won the last 3 and 4 of the last 5, including their 1st ever win in Boone in 2023. App State is 4-2/1-1 and winners of their last 2 games. CCU is 3-3/2-1, with wins over 2 western division teams and a loss at ODU. Both teams have been a little inconsistent in their results. ASU wins at home.
ODU @ James Madison- The Dukes hold a 3-2 edge, winning each of the last 3 including 35-32 last year, and the teams are each 1-1 in Harrisonburg. JMU is 5-1/3-0 and on a 4-game winning streak. ODU is 4-2/1-1, and the Monarchs seemed to be the best team in the SBC until they were routed last week by Marshall. Both teams have a win over Liberty of CUSA. JMU wins a close one.
Texas State @ Marshall- The Bobcats and the Thundering Herd will be meeting for the 1st time. Marshall is 3-3/1-1, and have generally played well, even in their losses. TSU is also 3-3, but 0-2 in the SBC with both losses within the division. This is another coin flip type game, so I'll go with the home team. The Herd wins.
Temple @ Charlotte- The Owls have won both previous matchups, in 2015 and 2016, each by at least 28 points. The 49ers are 1-5/0-3 this year with no FBS wins and all their losses by at least 11 points. Temple has already matched last year's win total at 3-3/1-1 and came close to upsetting Navy last week. The Owls are clearly the better team, which probably means Charlotte gets the upset, or at least comes close, but I'm sticking with Temple.
UTSA @ North Texas- The Roadrunners hold an 8-5 advantage, winning the last 4, including in the 2022 CUSA CG. The Mean Green is 5-1/1-1, and their biggest challenge is not allowing their loss last week to USF in a highly anticipated game become 2 losses. UTSA is 3-3/1-1 with 2 of their losses by 6 points each to Texas State and Temple. UNT holds a 4-2 lead in the series in games played in Denton. The Mean Green bounce back to win their 6th game and become bowl eligible.
Akron @ Ball State- This series is tied at 12-12-1, with the Zips winning 2 of the last 3, and the Cardinals winning 6 of the last 8, including 31-25 in their last meeting in 2021. Akron is 2-5/1-2, with a win over CMU and losses to Toledo and Miami, while BSU is 2-4/1-1, with a win over Ohio and a loss to WMU. Zips win, but will anyone (besides me) really notice (or care)?
Northern Illinois @ Ohio- The Huskies hold a slim 14-11 lead in the series, winning 5 of the last 7, including in the 2011 MAC CG and in their last contest in 2023, but the Bobcats have won 5 of the last 7 played in Athens. NIU is 1-5/0-2 with no FBS wins and 2 of their losses by 6 points or less. Ohio is 3-3/1-1 and seemingly rolling along before losing to woeful Ball State 2 weeks ago. Ohio wins.
Texas Tech @ Arizona State- The Red Raiders lead 3-2, with wins in the 2013 Holiday Bowl and in 2017, and 30-22 last year. The Sun Devils got their wins in 1999 and 2016. ASU is 4-2/2-1 being routed at Utah last week but with wins over Baylor and TCU, as they've won 9 consecutive home games. TTU is 6-0/3-0 and hasn't really been challenged, winning every game by 24 points. I'm curious how the Red Raiders will respond if they are ever forced into a close game. TTU wins.
Memphis @ UAB- The Blazers surprisingly have a 10-7 lead in this series, but the Tigers have won the last 3, and 3 of the last 4 played in Birmingham. Memphis is 6-0/2-0 and coming out of their bye week as they get ready for 3 massive home games in their final 6 games of the season: USF, Tulane, and Navy. UAB is 2-4/0-3 and will be playing their 1st game under interim HC Alex Mortensen. Tigers devour the Blazers.
Mississippi State @ Florida- The Gators have dominated this series to the tune of a 35-19-2 lead, winning the last 2, and 4 of the last 5 (since 2005), but the Bulldogs have played nearly even the last 10 meetings, winning 4 (since 1992), and their last victory, in 2010, was in Gainesville. UF is 2-4/1-2 with a win over Texas and losses at LSU and Texas A&M (by 17). MSU is 4-2/0-2, losing to Tennessee and at Texas A&M (by 22), but they were off last week. If this were being played in Starkville, I would feel confident in picking the Bulldogs, but the Gators win in the Swamp to keep HC Napier around for another week (actually 2 weeks, since they are off on the 25th).
Southern Miss @ Louisiana- The Golden Eagles hold a dominant 41-12-1 lead in the series, winning 11 of the last 12, including in the 2016 New Orleans Bowl, but the Ragin' Cajuns won 23-13 last year in Hattiesburg. However, UL hasn't won in Lafayette since 1993. USM is 4-2/2-0 with both wins of the crossover variety, so they will need to get some wins within their division. The Cajuns are only 2-4/1-1 with both of theirs against the East Division, topping Marshall in 2 OTs and dropping a 10-point decision to JMU. The winner of this game will hold the tiebreaker advantage over the other, and that team's game against Troy could decide the division winner. Eagles win a high scoring game.
Oregon @ Rutgers- The Ducks are 5-1/2-1 and coming off a loss at home to Indiana. The Scarlet Knights are 3-3/0-3 with losses to Iowa and at Minnesota and Washington. Oregon takes down Rutgers in this 1st time meeting.
Washington State @ Virginia- The Cougars are 3-3, losing 3 of their last 4 games, but after an off week, they played undefeated Ole Miss within 3 points. The Cavaliers are 5-1, one of the surprise teams of the ACC, as they've won 4 in a row with their only loss at NC State. Coming out of their bye week, the Hoos should be ready to obtain bowl eligibility for the 1st time under HC Tony Elliott's tenure. The Wahoos win this 1st time matchup.
Texas @ Kentucky- The Longhorns have won both prior contests, in 1951 and 31-14 last year, with both played in Austin, so this will be the 1st time UT visits Lexington. The Wildcats are 2-3/0-3, losing their last 2 by at least 21 points each, but they were off last week. The Horns are 4-2/1-1, losing at Florida then crushing Oklahoma in Dallas. UT will have no problems with UK. Horns win big.
Penn State @ Iowa- The Nittany Lions will be playing their 1st game under interim HC Terry Smith, as they've lost 3 in a row after starting the season 3-0. And Coach Smith has a tough place to start, as the series is fairly even, with the Lions leading 18-14-1, but winning 7 of the last 9, including 3 of the last 4 in Iowa City, but the Hawkeyes have won 2 of the last 3. Iowa is 4-2/2-1 and desperately needs this win to have any chance to make the Big Ten CG. They'll also need wins over Minnesota, Oregon, USC and Nebraska, but those are problems for other days. Their conference loss is to Indiana, who seems to be beating everyone these days. Iowa wins to continue Penn State's slide.
Maryland @ UCLA- Each team has 1 win in their home stadium in this series, but those games were played in 1954 and 1955- 70 years ago. The Bruins have made a startling turnaround since interim Tim Skipper took over after an 0-3 start, and their offense has scored more points in their last 2 games (80) than they scored in their 1st 4 (57). The Terrapins are 4-2/1-2, winning at Wisconsin before starting their annual October slide with losses to Washington and Nebraska at home. UCLA wins.
Hawaii @ Colorado State- The Rams lead the series 16-12, but the Rainbow Warriors have won 3 of the last 4, with each of those 4 decided by 9 points or less. CSU is 2-4/1-1, losing at SDSU but routing Fresno State last week at home, as they are 2-2 this season in Fort Collins. UH is 5-2/2-1, losing to Fresno State by 2, but winning their last 2 contests at Air Force and vs Utah State at home. This is a key game, as the loser is likely eliminated from the conference race while the winner gets to keep pace with the leaders in the MWC. Hawaii wins a close one.
Georgia State @ Georgia Southern- The Panthers actually lead this series 6-5, and lead 3-2 in games played in Statesboro, but the Eagles have won the last 2 by 17 points each. Neither team has started the season well, as both are 0-2 in the Sun Belt Conference. Ga Southern has one FBS win, over Jax State, and they endured losses in their last 2 games to JMU and USM, the latter by just 3 points at home. GSU has no FBS wins, but played SBC favorite JMU within 7 points, and hung with App state for much of their game before losing by 21. The Panthers are not a very good team, but the Eagles aren't much better. But they are better. Eagles win.
Tennessee @ Alabama- The Crimson Tide holds a 59-40-7 advantage in this series, but the Volunteers have won 2 of the last 3. However, UT hasn't won in Tuscaloosa since 2003, losing 10 in a row in Bryant-Denny Stadium, though the 2005 Tide win was vacated. The Vols are 5-1/2-1, with wins over Miss State and Arkansas by a combined 10 points and their only loss to UGA in OT. The Pachyderms are also 5-1, but 3-0 in the SEC with wins over Georgia, Vandy, and Missouri, with 2 of those on the road. As much as I might want the Vols to win, I think Bama is the better team. The Tide rolls.
USC @ Notre Dame- This is a key game for national perceptions for both teams. The Fighting Irish need this win to keep them in the chase for the CFP while the Trojans need this to elevate their profile. The Irish lead this series 50-37-5, winning 6 of the last 7, including the last 2, and the Trojans haven't won in South Bend since 2011. USC is 5-1 and coming off of a big win over Michigan, with their only loss on the road at Illinois by 2 points. ND is 4-2, winning 4 straight after losing their opening 2 by a combined 4 points, but they don't have any quality wins on their victory ledger. This may be the last time these teams meet for a while, as the series has not been extended beyond this year. The Irish win at home over the Men of Troy.
FAU @ USF- The Bulls have doubled up on the Owls, leading this brief series 4-2, winning 44-21 last year, but FAU has won 2 of the last 3, and the last 2 played in Tampa. USF is 5-1/2-0 with wins over Charlotte and at UNT, and their only loss to undefeated Miami. The Owls are 3-3/2-1, besting Rice and UAB after losing to Memphis. The winning team in this series has won every contest by at least 12 points, and that will happen again as the Bulls stomp the Owls.
Pittsburgh @ Syracuse- The Panthers have a 44-32-3 lead in this series, winning 19 of the last 23 on the field (Syracuse win in 2004 has been vacated), but 3 of Syracuse's last 4 wins have come at home, with the other in The Bronx 2 years ago. The Orange are 3-3/1-2 with a win at Clemson and losses in their last 2 games to Duke and at SMU by a combined 48 points, but they were off last week, so perhaps they were able to fix their problems. Pitt is 4-2/2-1, losing to Louisville, but winning their last 2 over BC and FSU. I'm picking the Panthers to win and continue their momentum.
Missouri at Auburn- The Auburn Tigers lead the Missouri Tigers 3-2 in this series, winning in the 2013 SEC Championship Game and in 2017 and 2022, with Mizzou bookending those with wins in the 1973 Sun Bowl and 21-17 last year. This will be only the 2nd time the game will be played in the Loveliest Village on the Plains. The War Eagles are 3-3/0-3 losing at Oklahoma and Texas A&M, and then to UGA in Jordan-Hare Stadium. Missouri is 5-1/1-1 with a win over SC, but coming off of their 1st loss of the season to Alabama. This will be Mizzou's 1st away game of the season, as 4 of their last 6 are away from CoMo. Missouri will take down the Plainsmen, but AU will still have their integrity as they lose yet another game.
Utah @ BYU- The Holy War will be played for the 98th time, as the Utes hold a commanding 60-33-4 lead in the series, winning 9 of the last 11 (since 2010) including in the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl, but the Cougars have won the last 2, in 2021 and 22-21 last year in Salt Lake City. BYU is 6-0/3-0, with wins at Colorado and Arizona (in 2 OTs) and over WVU at home. Utah is 5-1/2-1 with routs of WVU and Arizona St and a loss to Texas Tech. I'm a big believer in BYU, but I think they'll drop from the ranks of the unbeaten as the Utes win.
Cincinnati @ Oklahoma State- The Cowboys hold a 3-1 lead in this series, but only their win in 2023 was played in this century. The other wins were in 1953 and 1958, with UC's lone win being in Stillwater in 1959. OSU is 1-5/0-3 with no FBS wins and their last 3 Big 12 losses by at least 18 points each. The Bearcats are 5-1/3-0 with the loss in their opener to Nebraska in Kansas City and close wins over Kansas, Iowa State, and UCF with the 1st of those on the road. I won't be surprised if this game is close for a while, but I see Cincy pulling away late for the victory.
Nevada @ New Mexico- The Wolf Pack lead 6-3-1, winning the last 3 (since 2019), but the Lobos are 3-2 in games played in Albuquerque, including in the 2007 New Mexico Bowl. UNM is 3-3/0-2, losing on the road at SJSU and Boise State by 7 and 6 points respectively. They also have a win at UCLA and a respectable loss at Michigan in their opener. Nevada is 1-5/0-2 with no FBS wins and MWC losses at Fresno State and to SDSU at home. The Lobos have a tough remaining schedule, so they need this win to have any hope of getting to a bowl in HC Jason Eck's 1st year. UNM wins.
Lafayette @ Oregon State- The Beavers will finally get their 1st win of the 2025 season with a victory over the 5-2 Leopards in this 1st time meeting.
FSU @ Stanford- The Seminoles are in free fall, having lost each of their last 3 games, each against ACC teams, but 2 were by a combined 11 points (including 1 in 2 OTs). The Cardinal are 2-4/1-2, with a win over woeful Boston College and losses at Virginia and SMU, both by at least 24 points. FSU wins to end their 3-game skid.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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