Paul's Picks 2025 Week 13
Welcome Back!
Last week I was somewhat better than the previous 2 weeks, as I was 43-16 (72.8%), making me 563-184 overall with a winning percentage of 75.3% (down 0.02% from last week). This time, it was the MAC and the Sun Belt that did me in.
This week we are at 64 games, 5 more than last week, and the most since we had 70 games in Week 3. This is because there are several games against FCS teams. I'm 4-1 so far after the early games, which means I'm off to a good start (thanks to MACtion). I am barely staying above 75%, as I keep creeping ever closer to that number. Let's see if I can continue to be above 75% for the year.
So... on with the picks!
Thursday, November 20
Louisiana @ Arkansas State- The Ragin' Cajuns have a 29-21-1 advantage in this series, winning 6 of the last 7, including 55-19 last year, but the Red Wolves won the last time this game was played in Jonesboro. ASU is 5-5/4-2, winning 4 of their last 5, but are 2-2 at home (1-1 in the SBC). UL is 4-6/3-3 and in desperate need of wins to become bowl eligible. They are on a modest 2-game winning streak, but are 1-4 on the road (1-2 in the SBC). Red Wolves win.
Friday, November 21
FSU @ NC State- The Seminoles have a comfortable 26-16 lead in the series, but the Wolfpack have won the last 3 (2020-22). NCSU is 5-5/2-4. losing 3 of their last 4, and they are 4-1 at home. The Noles are 5-5/2-5, winning 2 of their last 3, but they are 0-3 on the road. The Pack wins.
Hawaii @ UNLV- The Rainbow Warriors lead this series 19-15, winning 4 of the last 7, but the Rebels have won the last 2, and 3 of the last 4, including 29-27 last year. UNLV is 8-2/4-2 and on a 2-game winning streak, as they are 3-1 at home. UH is 7-3/4-2, winning 4 of their last 5, but are only 2-2 away from the Island. Both are in a gaggle of 5 teams tied for 2nd place in the MWC, so the winner will stay alive while the loser gets eliminated. The Rebels win at home.
Saturday, November 22
Rutgers @ Ohio State - The Scarlet Knights have failed to notch a win against the Buckeyes in 10 tries (2014-2023), and they won't this time, either. OSU wins big.
Samford @ Texas A&M- This is the first of several SEC vs FCS games this weekend, as most of the conference schedules a "money" game before facing their biggest rivals. The Aggies will stomp the 1-10 Bulldogs.
Missouri @ Oklahoma- Fortunately, not all of the SEC teams follow the practice of "money" games in the penultimate weekend. The Sooners have a tremendous 67-25-5 advantage in this series, including wins in the 2007 and 2008 Big 12 Championship Games, but the Tigers have won 2 of the last 3 (since 2010, including 30-23 last year in Columbia. In fact, Mizzou hasn't won in Norman since 1966, when Dan Devine was still the HC in CoMo. OU has had 3 long runs in the series, winning every game from 1946-1959 (14 in a row), every year from 1970-1980 (11 straight), and every year from 1984-1995 (12 consecutive). The Tigers are 7-3/3-3, and are 1-1 on the road, but they've lost 2 of their last 3 (and 3 of 5) overall. The Sooners are 8-2/4-2 and 4-1 at home, and they've won their last 2, including an upset at Alabama last week. I believe OU is ripe for an upset, but I don't think Mizzou is the team that can do it. The Sooners win late, escaping the Tigers thanks to their defense.
Miami, Fl @ Virginia Tech- The Hurricanes lead the series 26-15, winning the last 4 (since 2020), including 38-34 last year. The Hokies haven't won in Blacksburg since 2016, losing the last 3 played in Lane Stadium. VT is 3-7/2-4, losing their last 2, and 4 of their last 5. and just 2-4 at home (1 win was over an FCS team). The Canes are 8-2/4-2, on a 2-game winning streak, and are 1-1 on the road. Miami crushes the Hokies to keep alive their hopes for an at-large berth in the CFP.
Louisville @ SMU- The Mustangs have won all 3 meetings with the Cardinals, in 1983 & '84, and 34-27 last year. UL is 7-3/4-3, and have lost their last 2, but are 3-0 on the road. SMU is 7-3/5-1, winners of 2 in a row, 4-1 at home, and were off last week. Mustangs trample the Cardinals to stay alive in the ACC race.
Minnesota @ Northwestern- The Golden Gophers have a rather large 56-37-5 lead in this series, but the series is 9-7 in NU's favor since 2007, including a win in their last meeting in 2023. The Wildcats are 5-5/3-4, and this is their best chance to get that coveted 6th win, but they've lost 3 consecutive games. However, the Cats are 4-2 at home. Minnesota is 6-4/4-3, losing 2 of their last 3, and are 0-4 on the road. This could go either way, but my gut says Northwestern pulls it out.
Delaware @ Wake Forest- The Demon Deacons have a 2-0 edge over the Blue Hens, winning in 1932 and in 2016. Delaware is 5-5 and having a successful debut season in the FBS ranks, but are 1-4 away from Delaware Stadium. WF is 7-3 and 4-2 at home, winning 5 of their last 6 overall. The Demon Deacons win.
Kansas @ Iowa State- The Jayhawks have a narrow 52-46-6 lead in this series, winning the last 3, including 45-36 last year, but the Cyclones have won 11 of the last 14. ISU is 6-4/3-4, losing 4 in a row before downing TCU in their last game, and they are only 3-2 at home. KU is 5-5/3-4, losing 3 of their last 4, and they are 1-3 on the road. Both teams had a bye last week. Cyclones blow away the Jayhawks.
Tulsa @ Army- Each team has 1 win against the other, with the Golden Hurricane winning in 2007 in West Point, and the Black Knights winning 49-7 last year in Tulsa. Army is 5-4/3-3, winning 4 of their last 5 (and their last 2), as they are 2-2 at home. Tulsa is 3-7/0-6, winning their last game over Oregon State to break a 5-game losing skid. They are 1-4 on the road. The Black Knights skewer the Hurricane.
Charlotte @ Georgia- The 9-1 Dawgs will shred the 1-9 49ers in this 1st time meeting.
Washington State @ James Madison- The Dukes and Cougars have never met on the gridiron, but this is a big game for JMU. Wazzu is 5-5 with a 1-4 record away from the Palouse, but they've won 2 of their last 3 overall. The Dukes are 9-1 and 6-0 at home, and a win here would keep them in the CFP conversation if the leading teams in the American and Mountain West conferences keep faltering. JMU wins at home.
Baylor @ Arizona- The Bears own a 20-15 win in the 1992 Sun Bowl, the only time these teams have matched up. The Wildcats are 7-3/4-3, winning their last 3, and they are 5-1 at home. Baylor is 5-5/3-4, losing 3 of their last 4 as they are 2-2 away from McLane Stadium in Waco. Wildcats claw the Bears.
ODU @ Georgia Southern- The Eagles lead this brief series by a slim 3-2 margin, winning twice in the I-AA Playoffs (2011 & 2012), and again in 2021, but the Monarchs have won each of the last 2 years, including 47-19 last year in Norfolk. The teams are 1-1 in games played in Paulson Stadium. ODU is 7-3/4-2, winning their last 3, and they are a mediocre 2-3 on the road. GS is 5-5/3-3, winning their last 2, and they are a stellar 4-1 at home. I'm tempted to go with the Eagles, but I think the Monarchs are on a roll. ODU wins.
Eastern Illinois @ Alabama- The Crimson Tide will destroy the 3-6 Panthers in this 1st ever meeting.
Mercer @ Auburn- The 9-1 Bears have never defeated the Tigers in 13 tries, losing 11 times from 1896-1922, and then twice more in 2017 and 2022. The last 6 matchups (and 8 overall ) have been held on The Plains, with the teams playing once in Columbus (1912), and 4 of the 1st 5 meetings in Macon, where Mercer is located. The 4-6 War Eagles will cruise, but only after some moments of existential angst in the 1st half.
Missouri State @ Kennesaw State- The Owls own a 35-19 win in 2019 in Springfield, so this will be only their 2nd meeting. The Bears are 7-3/5-1, and though they can't win the conference, they could still finish in a tie for 1st, and all the bragging rights that come with that. Mo State has won their last 5 games, and are 4-1 on the road, with their only loss at USC in their season opener (and FBS debut). KSU is also 7-3/5-1, suffering their 1st loss at Jax State last week, which broke a 7-game winning streak. The Owls are 5-0 at home, and have won 7 of their last 8 in Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw. This is a toughie, but I'm going with my youngest son's Alma Mater. KSU wins.
Nevada @ Wyoming- The Cowboys lead the series 6-4, winning 4 of the last 5, and 3 out of 4 played in Laramie. The Wolf Pack is 2-8/1-5, but are coming off their 1st FBS win of the season. Wyoming is 4-6/2-4 and still harboring hopes of reaching a bowl. Nevada is 0-5 on the road and the Cowboys are 3-2 at home. Cowboys corral the Wolf Pack.
Ball State @ Toledo- The Rockets hold a 27-21-1 advantage over the Cardinals, winning each of the last 3, and 4 of the last 5 played in Toledo (since 2014). BSU is 4-6/3-3, and need this win to have any chance at a bowl. The good news is they have been alternating wins and losses over their last 9 games, and it's time for a win. The bad news is that the Cardinals are 0-5 on the road. Toledo is 6-4/4-2, winning their last 2, and 3 of their last 4, and they are 5-0 at home. Rockets win.
Marshall @ Appalachian State- The Mountaineers lead this series 16-11, but the Thundering Herd has won 5 of the last 7 (since 1996), including 52-37 last year. However, ASU has won the last 2 played in Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, NC. Marshall is 5-5/3-3, and are 2-3 on the road, but they've lost 2 of their last 3 overall. The Mountaineers are 4-6/1-5, and are 2-2 at home, but have lost 4 in a row, including their last 2 at home. The Herd pulls the upset and reaches bowl eligibility, while simultaneously keeping ASU from reaching the same.
USF @ UAB- This series is tied at 2-2, with each team at 2-2 both at home and on the road. The 1st 2 meetings were in 2003 and 2004, with the visitor winning each, and the last 2 matchups were each of the last 2 years, with the home team victorious in each. The Bulls are 7-3/4-2, and are 2-3 on the road, and they've lost 2 of their last 3 overall. The Blazers are 3-7/1-5, are 3-2 at home, and have lost 3 in a row overall, but their lone American Conference victory is over Memphis. USF wins.
UConn @ FAU- The Huskies have won both previous meetings, in 2002 and 48-14 last year, but both were played in UConn's home state. The Owls are 4-6. needing 2 wins to reach bowl eligibility, and they are 3-1 at home, though they've lost 3 of their last 4 overall. The Huskies are 8-3 and will be the 1st team to conclude their regular season. They are 2-3 on the road, with all 3 losses in OT, but have won 3 in a row, and 7 of their last 8 overall. I'll actually be at this game as a guest of the FAU Band (with several of my band students), and I would love for the Owls to win, but I just don't see it happening. Huskies win big to close out their regular season.
Liberty @ La Tech- The Flames have a 56-30 victory over the Bulldogs in Lynchburg in their only meeting in 2023. This time they are meeting in Ruston, where La Tech is 4-1 this season. Overall, the Bulldogs are 5-5/3-3, but they've lost their last 2, and 4 of their last 5. LU is 4-6/3-3 and have also lost their last 2, and they are 1-4 away from Williams Stadium. Bulldogs win.
Sam Houston @ Middle Tennessee- The Bearkats have a 2-1 lead, winning in the 1956 Refrigerator Bowl (never heard of it) in Evanston, IN, and 23-20 in 2023 in Huntsville. The Blue Raiders got their lone win in 1991, in Murfreesboro. MTSU is 1-9/0-6, and have lost 12 of their last 13 games, and are 4-18 over the last 2 seasons. SHS is 2-8/1-5, winning their last 2, and it appears they are having what is becoming an annual late-season surge (3-1 in last 4 games in 2023, their 1st season in FBS, and 4-1 their last 5 of last season). Bearkats win.
New Mexico State @ UTEP- The Miners have a huge 60-39-2 lead in this series, winning 3 of the last 4, including 42-35 last year, but the Aggies have won 2 of the last 3 played in El Paso. UTEP is 2-8/1-5, losing 3 straight games, as they are 1-4 at home. NMSU is 3-7/1-5, losing 5 consecutive games, and they are 0-5 on the road. Neither team is any good, but both have had some close losses. I really have no feeling one way or the other in this game, so I'm going with the home team. Miners bury the Aggies.
USC @ Oregon- This game will determine which team will stay in the Big Ten and CFP chases, so this is a true elimination game, though some think the Ducks could absorb another loss and still make it into the CFP. The Trojans have a hefty lead in the series, 38-23-2, but OU has won the last 3, including in the 2020 Pac 12 Championship Game, and 7 of the last 9, including 4 of the last 5 played in Autzen Stadium. The Men of Troy are 8-2/6-1, winning their last 3, but are just 2-2 away from LA. The Quack Attack is 9-1/6-1, winning their last 4 overall, as they are 5-1 at home this season, and 23-2 at home under HC Dan Lanning since his 1st year in 2022. This game has huge stakes, not only for the teams involved, but for CFB overall. Ducks win.
Syracuse @ Notre Dame- The Fighting Irish have an 8-3 lead, winning the last 5 (since 2014), and they are 3-1 in games played at South Bend. The Orange have wins in 1963, 2003, and 2008. Syracuse is 3-7 this year, losing their last 6, and they are 1-4 away from home, but their losses were to teams with a combined 31-7 record. The Irish are 8-2 and on an 8-game winning streak, and they are 5-1 at home. ND wins easily.
Arkansas @ Texas- These old Southwest Conference foes first played in 1894, and from 1903 through 1991, they met almost every year. They've played only 7 times since, with the Razorbacks winning in the 2000 Cotton Bowl, 2003 in Austin, the 2014 Texas Bowl, and in 2021 in Fayetteville. The Longhorns took victories in 2008 in Austin, and 2004 and last year (20-10) in Fayetteville. Overall, UT leads 57-23, and it's unusual to find a series played this many times without any ties. This year, the Hogs are 2-8/0-6, on an 8-game slide, and are 0-4 on the road. The Horns are 7-3/4-2, and cannot afford another loss or their (slim) CFP hopes will completely disappear. However, UT is 4-0 at home, so I don't expect that to happen. The Horns gore the Piggies and win big.
Kentucky @ Vanderbilt- The Commodores are one of the few teams the Wildcats have a winning record against, leading the series 48-44-4, but Vandy has won 2 of the last 3. However, the Dores haven't procured a victory in Nashville since 2015, losing 4 in a row there. The Cats are 5-5/2-5 needing one more win to get to a bowl, but with both remaining games on the road. UK has won each of their last 3 games, but are just 1-2 away from Kroger Field. Vandy is 8-2/4-2 and on the cusp of being on the cusp of the CFP, and 2 more victories can get them there. To the cusp, I mean, not to the actual CFP. Unless complete chaos reigns. The Dores have won 3 of their last 4, and are 6-0 at home and coming off a bye week. Vandy wins.
Michigan State @ Iowa- The Hawkeyes have a narrow 25-22-2 lead, winning 2 of the last 3 on the field (MSU's 32-20 win last year has been vacated), but the Spartans have won 4 of the last 7 (since (2011), including in the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game. Iowa is 6-4/4-3, and are 4-2 at home, but they've lost 2 in a row overall, their first back-to-back losses since 2022. MSU is 3-7/0-7, as they've lost 8 in a row away from Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Hawkeyes win.
Duke @ North Carolina- The Tar Heels lead this series 63-42-4, winning 5 of the last 6, but the Blue Devils won 21-20 last year. However, Duke hasn't won in Chapel Hill since 2017. The Blue Devils are 5-6/4-2 and 3-2 on the road, but they've lost their last 2 games overall. UNC is 4-6/2-4, winning 2 of their last 3 games, but they are 2-3 at home this season. The Heels must win this game (and the next) to reach bowl eligibility, but Duke is going to end their bowl hopes. Blue Devils win.
Jacksonville State @ FIU- The Gamecocks have won all 3 matchups with the Panthers, in 2020, 2023, and 34-31 last year. FIU is 5-5/3-3, 1 win away from their first bowl since 2019, and already 1 win more than any of the last 5 seasons. Jax State is 7-3/6-0, on a 5-game winning streak, and very close to clinching a spot in the CUSA CG. JSU wins, because they are the better team.
Southern Miss @ South Alabama- The Golden Eagles have never defeated the Jaguars, losing all 5 meetings within the last 5 seasons, including 35-14 last year. Only one of the losses was by less than 11 points. SA is 3-7/2-4, winning 2 of their last 3, but are only 1-4 at home. USM is 7-3/5-1, their loss last week ending a 5-game winning streak, and they are 3-1 on the road. Eagles win to finally claim a victory in the series.
East Carolina @ UTSA- Each team has 1 win at home in this series that began in 2023. The Pirates are 7-3/5-1, on a 4-game winning binge, and are 2-2 on the road. The Roadrunners are 5-5/3-3, winning 2 of their last 3, and 3-1 at home, needing 1 more win to make it to a bowl game. UTSA has been very unpredictable this year, both winning and losing games they shouldn't have. I'm going with ECU.
Tulane @ Temple- The Owls lead 4-3, winning both times this was played in Philadelphia, but the Green Wave have won the last 2 in the series, including 52-6 last year. Temple is 5-5/3-3 this season, and 2-3 at home, and they've lost their last 2 games overall. Tulane is 8-2/5-1, winning their last 2, and they are 5-0 at home. The Green Wave washes over the Owls.
Kansas State @ Utah- The Wildcats and the Utes will be playing for the 1st time. KSU is 5-5/4-3, winning 3 of their last 4, but they are 2-3 outside of Bill Snyder Family Stadium, though they've won their last 2 away from home. Utah is 8-2/5-2 and fighting for a CFP invitation, and have won their last 3 overall, and are 4-1 at home. The Utes win.
Michigan @ Maryland- The Wolverines have a dominant 11-1 lead in this series, winning the last 8 (since 2015), and posting a 5-0 mark in College Park. The Terrapins are 4-6/1-6, are on a 6-game losing skid, and are 2-3 at home. Michigan is 8-2/6-1 and will win this game easily.
TCU @ Houston- This is another old SWC rivalry that has been rekindled. The Cougars lead 14-13, winning 30-19 last year, but TCU has won 9 of the last 10 (since 1993). The Frogs are 6-4/3-4, losing their last 2 games, and they are 2-3 on the road. UH is 8-2/5-2, winning 4 of their last 5, are 3-2 at home, and are coming out of an off week. Cougars devour the Horned Frogs.
Oklahoma State @ UCF- The Knights own a 45-3 win in 2023 in Orlando, the only prior meeting between these 2. The Cowboys are a miserable 1-9/0-7, having lost 18 consecutive games, and 16 straight Big 12 games (17 if you count their loss in the 2023 Big 12 CG to Texas). UCF is 4-6/1-6, having lost their last 3, but they are 4-2 at home. Knights slash the Cowboys.
Georgia State @ Troy- The Trojans lead this brief series 6-4, winning the last meeting in 2023 in Atlanta, but the Panthers have won 3 of the last 4 (since 2019), and 2 of the last 3 played at home. Troy is 6-4/4-2 and 3-2 at home, but they've lost their last 2 games overall after a 5-game midseason winning streak. GSU is 1-9/0-6 with no FBS wins, and all but 2 of their losses- a pair of 7-point defeats- have been by at least 12 points. Trojans win.
Coastal Carolina @ South Carolina- The Gamecocks have won both games in what is being called "The Battle of the Carolinas". Just kidding. No one is calling it that. The games were both played in Columbia in 2013 and 2018, and SC won by a combined score of 119-25 (basically 59.5-12.5). The Chanticleers are 6-4, winning 4 of their last 5, but are only 2-3 on the road. The Gamecocks are 3-7, on a 5-game losing streak, and are only 2-3 at home. SC wins this bird fight.
Furman @ Clemson- The Tigers have won all 4 contests with the 6-5 Paladins, and they'll win this one as well as they achieve bowl eligibility.
ULM @ Texas State- The Warhawks have a 13-8 lead in the series, but the Bobcats have won the last 2, including 38-17 last year in Monroe. In fact, ULM hasn't won in San Marcos since 2019. TSU is 4-6/1-5, and 2-2 at home, but their win last week stopped a 5-game losing streak. The Warhawks are 3-7/1-5, are 1-4 on the road, and they are on a 6-game losing skid. Sounds like a great game! Bobcats win at home.
Pittsburgh @ Georgia Tech- The Panthers lead this series 11-6, winning 4 of the last 5, and 7 of the last 9, but the Yellow Jackets won 26-21 in their last meeting in 2022. However, Pitt has won the last 3 contests in Grant Field, but the Jackets have wins in the 1956 Sugar Bowl (Jan 1) and the 1956 Gator Bowl (Dec 29). GT is 9-1/6-1 and 5-0 at home, but they've played poorly on defense the last 2 games (offense has been fine, scoring 36 in each of those contests). The Panthers are 7-3/5-1, are 3-1 on the road, as their loss to Notre Dame last week ended a 5-game winning streak. Jackets win, thanks to their offense, to set up a massive game against UGA next weekend.
Nebraska @ Penn State- The Cornhuskers own a slim 10-8 lead in the series, winning 5 of the last 6 (since 2003), but they haven't played since 2020, and the Nittany Lions won the last time they played in State College. NU is 7-3/4-3, winning 4 of their last 6, and they are 3-1 away from Memorial Stadium. PSU is 4-6/1-6, with their win last week ending a 6-game slide, but are at least 3-3 at home. Huskers win.
New Mexico @ Air Force- The Falcons lead the series 26-15, winning 5 of the last 6, but the Lobos won 52-37 last year. However, UNM hasn't won in Colorado since 2000, losing their last 10 in Falcon Stadium. The AFA is only 3-7/2-4, losing 2 of their last 3, and 3 of their 5 home games, but 6 out of 7 losses were by 12 points or less, with 3 by exactly 3 points each. The Lobos are having a breakout season at 7-3/4-2, as they've won 4 in a row, but are only 2-3 away from University Stadium in Albuquerque. UNM wins a close one.
Colorado State @ Boise State- The Broncos have been lights out in this series, owning a 12-1 advantage, but CSU's lone win came in their last meeting in 2023 by a 31-30 score. However, the Rams have never won on the blue turf at Albertsons Stadium, going 0-6 there. BSU is 6-4/4-2, on a 2-game losing skid, and are 4-1 at home. CSU is 2-8/1-5, having lost their last 4, and are 0-4 on the road. Broncos trample the Rams.
Tennessee @ Florida- The Gators have a substantial 32-22 lead over the Volunteers, winning 17 of the last 20 (since 2005), but the Vols have won 2 of the last 3. Unfortunately, UT hasn't won in Gainesville since 2003. These teams rarely played before being "forced" together when the SEC split into divisions in 1992, as the Vols won the 1st 10 matchups between 1916 and 1953, playing only those 10 times over 37 years even though they shared a conference for much of that time. When they met in the 1969 Gator Bowl, won 14-13 by the Gators, they hadn't played since 1955. They actually played 8 times over the next 21 years before meeting every year starting in 1990. Anyway, that's probably way more than you wanted to know, but I'm always fascinated by the fact the SEC had these teams that rarely played each other, even before they split into divisions. UT is 7-3/3-3, but they've stumbled a bit down the stretch, losing 2 of their last 4, but they are 3-1 away from Neyland Stadium. UF is 3-7/2-5, have already fired their HC, and are on a 3-game losing streak, as they are 3-1 at home. This could actually be a competitive game, but if the Vols can't win in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium this year, they may never win there again. UT wins.
Illinois @ Wisconsin- The Badgers lead this series 45-39-7, winning 21 of the last 7 (since 1993) with 1 tie thrown in (3-3 in 1995- I bet that was an exciting game!), but the Fighting Illini won the last time this game was played in Camp Randall Stadium in 2022. UW is 3-7/1-6 and 3-3 at home, as they've split their last 2 games overall. Illinois is 7-3/4-3, winning their last 2, as they are 2-2 on the road. Camp Randall is one of my favorite stadiums that I have visited because you can go right out next to the field from their gift shop down in one corner of the end zone. The Illini will win big.
California @ Stanford- This will be the 119th iteration of The Big Game, with the Cardinal leading 60-48-10 (10 ties!), but the Golden Bears have won the last 4, including 24-21 last year, and the last 3 played in Stanford Stadium. In case you're interested, their last tie was 19-19 in 1988. Anyway, Cal is 6-4/3-3, and have achieved at least 6 wins for a 3rd consecutive season, the 1st time that's happened since they had 8 straight 7+ win seasons from 2002 to 2009 under HC Jeff Tedford. The Bears are 3-2 on the road, but have lost 2 of their last 3 overall. Stanford is 3-7/2-5 and 3-1 at home, but they've lost their last 3 games overall. Both teams were off last week. Cal wins a close game in a series full of them.
North Texas @ Rice- The Mean Green lead 8-5, winning the last 3, and 6 of the last 7 (since 2016). The Owls are 5-5/2-4 and oh-so-close to qualifying for another bowl, but they have to win either this week or at USF next week to get there. Rice is 3-3 at home and have won 2 of their last 3 games overall. UNT is 9-1/5-1 and on the verge of qualifying for the American Conference Championship Game and the CFP bid that could come with it, but they have to be careful not to get upset this week or next. They've won their last 4 games, and are 4-0 on the road. It's not easy being Green, but UNT will smash the Owls.
WKU @ LSU- The Tigers have defeated the Hilltoppers twice on the field, but the 2015 victory has since been vacated (the other was in 2011). WKU is 8-2, on a 3-game winning streak, and are 3-1 on the road. None of that matters as the Bayou Bengals will devour the Hilltoppers.
BYU @ Cincinnati- This game will have huge implications in both the Big 12 and for the CFP. If the Cougars can win, they are 1 step closer to a rematch with Texas Tech in the CG, and they leave the door open for 2 Big 12 teams to make it into the CFP. If the Bearcats win, then they are likely to make the CG, and this result would probably mean no at-large teams from the conference. None of this is set in stone, as there are too many other scenarios that include the Big 12 and other conferences to say anything with finality. BYU is 9-1/6-1 and 4-1 on the road, but they've also won 9 of their last 11 away from Provo. Cincy is 7-3/5-2, and though they are a decent 2-2 away from Nippert Stadium, they have dropped their last 2 contests at Utah and against Arizona at home. I'm tempted to pick the Bearcats, but I think the Cougars win this cat fight to extend their lead in the series to 4-0 (since 2015).
Arizona State @ Colorado- The Sun Devils lead 9-4, winning 2 of the last 3 on the field (the 2021 win was vacated) and the last one played in Boulder, but the Buffaloes have won 3 of the last 5, including 24-21 in their last meeting in 2023. ASU is 7-3/5-2, and 2-2 on the road, and they've won 3 of their last 4 contests. The Buffs are 3-7/1-6, on a 3-game losing skid, and are just 3-3 at home. Sun Devils bake the Buffs.
Washington @ UCLA- The Bruins lead this series 40-35-2, winning 2 of the last 3 (since 2021, and 4 of the last 5 played in Pasadena, but the Huskies have won 3 of the last 5 (since 2017), including 31-19 last year. UW is 7-3/4-3, winning 2 of their last 3, but are only 2-2 on the road. UCLA is 3-7/3-4, on a 3-game slide, and are just 2-3 at home. It's still hard to believe that both of these programs are now in the Big Ten instead of the Pac 12. Huskies win.
Utah State @ Fresno State- The Bulldogs hold a 19-13-1 edge in this series, winning the last 2 (since 2020), but the Aggies have won 3 of the last 5 (since 2015). USU is 5-5/3-3, though they've lost 2 of their last 3, but they are a miserable 0-5 on the road, and have lost 11 of their last 12 games away from Maverick Stadium in Logan. FS is 7-3/4-2 and 4-1 at home, winning their last 2 overall. Bulldogs win.
San Jose State @ San Diego State- The Aztecs hold a slim 24-21-2 lead in the series, winning 9 of the last 11 (since 2013), but the Spartans won 24-13 in their last meeting in 2023, and won the 2020 game in San Diego. SDSU is 8-2/6-1 and are a stellar 5-0 at home, but they've split their last 2 games, losing at Hawaii 2 weeks ago. SJSU is 3-7/2-4, losing their last 2, and they are a less-than-stellar 0-5 on the road, even losing at Nevada last week. That probably means the Spartans will pull the upset, but I'm going with the Aztecs anyway.
Until next time, may you and your loved ones be blessed!
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