Week 11 Predictions: Nov 10

Michigan State (+4) @ Purdue
The Spartans have gotta be spent after their emotional game against Michigan, while the Boilermakers lost a close one at Penn State. I like the home team here.

Purdue by 7

Virginia (+3.5) @ Miami (FL)
The last hurrah at the Orange Bowl, huh? The Hurricanes have had an up and down season, while the Cavaliers have had a great season but have dropped some games they should've won. Will the emotions of the day get to the Canes? Maybe a little, but it'll probably help them.

Miami (FL) by 6

Wake Forest (+9) @ Clemson
Hmmm, these teams are pretty evenly matched. The Demon Deacons have a solid season going again, and their only bad loss (in retrospect) was to Nebraska at home. The Tigers lost to the Techs but otherwise have been blowing people away. I don't think Clemson's looking ahead to BC anymore, so they should be focused at home.

Clemson by 13

Air Force (-3.5) @ Notre Dame
Only 3.5? To the Fighting Irish? Gotta take the Falcons in this one.

Air Force by 10

Alabama (-5) @ Mississippi State
This one's a bigger deal than it seems at first. All that "yeah, but it was a good loss" mojo after last week's game against LSU will rapidly disappear if the Tide lose another one, while the Bulldogs realistically need to win 2 of their next 3 (including @ Arkansas & vs Ole Miss) to go to a bowl game. I like the Fightin' Croomers, but Saban's boys will be too much here.

Alabama by 10

Michigan (-3) @ Wisconsin
Well, I've picked the Badgers to either beat (Penn State) or play with (Ohio State) the other Big 10 baddies, but the've got Michigan at home. The Wolverines need this one to keep their roll going, and it would be easy to pick them by a lot, but I'm not so quick with that assessment. This one will be close until the end.

Michigan by 7

Illinois (+15.5) @ Ohio State
This was an easy win for the Bucks at the beginning of the season, but the Illini are 7-3. If Ohio State goes without a close call in these last two games, their toughest victory will have been by 7 at Michigan State.

Ohio State wins, but Illinois covers the spread

Florida (-7.5) @ South Carolina
Spurrier wants this one bad. He's at home, the Gators are down this year, last year was a really close loss he wants to avenge, and he needs it to halt his 3 game losing streak. I'm calling the upset.

South Carolina by 3

Southern California (-4.5) @ California
This is another Defense (USC) vs Offense (Cal) matchup, kinda like the one the Trojans had against Oregon. But the Bear's offense is sputtering, while the D of Troy is holding strong. Should be a great game, and I think the Trojans will play better overall, but as usual mistakes will cost them, and Jackson will hurt them.

California by 6

Fresno State (+17.5) @ Hawaii
Pat Hill likes a challenge. The Warriors at home with something to prove counts as one.

Hawaii by 24

Louisiana Tech (+36.5) @ LSU
You know my hesitancy to give away so many points, so this pick should be no surprise. The Bulldogs have shown some fight in their losses, all to big-time opponents. The should be able to keep it closer than 5 touchdowns.

LSU wins, but Louisiana Tech covers the spread.

Texas Tech (+6.5) @ Texas
The Horns had a great come from behind win last week and are running solid, while the Red Raiders need to get back on track (beating Baylor doesn't count).

Texas by 14