This week is the calm before the storm. With several rivalry games next week, this week is kind of an appetizer for many teams. That doesn't mean they should take their opponents this week lightly. Overlooking this week's game to focus on their rivals can lead to upsets. There are still several compelling contests this weekend, so let's dive in.
| Could UCF's run come to an end this weekend? |
Record
Last Week: 16-3 vs. Spread: 9-10 Over/Under: 10-9
Season: 150-49 vs. Spread: 89-91-1 Over/Under: 78-91-2
Friday
#25 Boise State @ New Mexico (9:00 PM, CBS Sports)
Anything can happen during Friday night football, but New Mexico is 3-7. The Lobos have lost five games in a row. Meanwhile, The Broncos have won five in a row. Boise should win in a rout.
Spread: BSU -20 Over/Under: 62.5
Prediction: Boise State 48, New Mexico 24
Saturday
#10 Ohio State @ Maryland (Noon, ABC)
The Buckeyes have not played extremely well, but they did play better last week against Michigan State than they had in the few weeks prior. Maryland shouldn't be overlooked, but the Terrapins don't have the talent Ohio State has. The Terps could keep it close, but I think Ohio State will pull away.
Spread: OSU -14.5 Over/Under: 58.5
Prediction: Ohio State 35, Maryland 24
The Citadel @ #1 Alabama (Noon, SEC Network)
I'm surprised this is being televised on a Disney-affiliated network, because this will be an R-rated bloodbath. The Citadel is a 4-5 FCS school. Alabama's closest game was a 22-point win over Texas A&M. The Tide will roll.
Spread: ALA -51.5 Over/Under: 62
Prediction: Alabama 63, The Citadel 0
Idaho @ #13 Florida (Noon, ESPNU)
The Gators got back on track last week by getting past South Carolina after two straight losses. 4-6 Idaho lost by 19 points to Montana. The Vandals have suffered a couple of ugly losses, and I think this will be another one.
Spread: FLA -40 Over/Under: 59
Prediction: Florida 52, Idaho 3
#14 Penn State @ Rutgers (Noon, Big Ten Network)
Penn State, like Alabama and Florida, gets a cupcake this week, but this one happens to be within the conference. The 7-3 Nittany Lions haven't had the season they envisioned, but they've still had some good wins, including last week over Wisconsin. Rutgers has lost nine games in a row. They're bad.
Spread: PSU -28 Over/Under: 49
Prediction: Penn State 45, Rutgers 10
Middle Tennessee @ #17 Kentucky (Noon, SECN)
Kentucky is hoping to get on track after losing its last two games. The struggling Wildcats mustn't overlook 7-3 Middle Tennessee, a team that has already played two SEC teams this season. However, the Blue Raiders got thrashed by those two teams (Vanderbilt and Georgia) and also lost to Florida International. I think Kentucky will be fine.
Spread: UK -16 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Kentucky 35, Middle Tennessee 17
Arkansas @ #21 Mississippi State (Noon, ESPN)
Mississippi State was the latest team to fall victim to Alabama, but the Bulldogs "only" lost by 24 to the Tide last week. Arkansas, the Rutgers of the SEC, is 2-6. Those two losses came against Eastern Illinois and Tulsa. Mississippi State should have no problem winning this one.
Spread: MSST -21.5 Over/Under: 46.5
Prediction: Mississippi State 34, Arkansas 10
#22 Northwestern @ Minnesota (Noon, BTN)
Northwestern clinched the Big Ten West division with a win over Iowa last week, and now they travel to Minnesota to play a Golden Gopher team that just destroyed Purdue. I think the host Gophers will defeat the West champions.
Spread: MINN -3 Over/Under: 48.5
Prediction: Minnesota 28, Northwestern 21
#19 Utah @ Colorado (1:30 PM, PAC-12 Network)
After beating Oregon last week, Utah is still in the hunt for a Pac-12 championship. This week, the Utes play Colorado, a team that has lost five game in a row after winning its first five games. Utah should be able to get past the Buffaloes.
Spread: UTAH -7 Over/Under: 45
Prediction: Utah 35, Colorado 24
#23 Utah State @ Colorado State (2:00 PM, MWC Video)
This is the first time since the Reagan Administration that Utah and Utah State have been ranked (I just made that up). Like its counterpart, Utah State plays a Colorado team. The 9-1 Aggies play 3-7 Colorado State. The Rams have lost three games in a row. I feel confident picking Utah State here.
Spread: USU -29 Over/Under: 65.5
Prediction: Utah State 52, Colorado State 14
#12 Syracuse vs. #3 Notre Dame (New York, 2:30 PM, NBC)
Only Syracuse and USC stand between the Fighting Irish and an undefeated season. The 6-2 Orange almost toppled second-ranked Clemson earlier this season, and I could see them pushing Notre Dame to the brink. I was tempted to go with the upset, but I'll go with the upset.
Spread: ND -10 Over/Under: 64
Prediction: Notre Dame 32, Syracuse 27
#9 West Virginia @ Oklahoma State (3:30 PM, ABC)
West Virginia looks to continue its run toward a Big 12 championship at Oklahoma State. The Mountaineers have won three straight, while the Cowboys have lost two straight. I'm going with Will Grier and the boys in this one.
Spread: WVU -6 Over/Under: 73.5
Prediction: West Virginia 40, Oklahoma State 28
#20 Boston College @ Florida State (3:30 PM, ESPN2)
Both of these teams lost to top three teams last week (Boston College to Clemson, Florida State to Notre Dame), but the 7-3 Eagles have played much better than the 4-6 Seminoles. I'll go with BC by two scores.
Spread: BC -1 Over/Under: 49
Prediction: Boston College 31, Florida State 21
Indiana @ #4 Michigan (4:00 PM, FOX Sports 1)
Michigan has to be sure not to overlook Indiana, but I don't think the surging Wolverines will have many problems with the Hoosiers who have lost four of their last five games.
Spread: MICH -28.5 Over/Under: 55
Prediction: Michigan 42, Indiana 14
UMass @ #5 Georgia (4:00 PM, SECN)
Another cupcake for an SEC heavyweight. Georgia has won its last three games, and all three came against ranked teams. Massachusetts is 4-7, and none of those 11 games came against ranked teams.
Spread: UGA -41.5 Over/Under: 66.5
Prediction: Georgia 55, UMass 10
Oregon State @ #18 Washington (4:30 PM, PAC-12)
The Washington Huskies get Senior Day against 2-8 Oregon State. The Beavers' lone conference win was an overtime victory over Colorado. The 7-3 Huskies should be able to honor their seniors with a thrubbing (I know that's not a word, but I'm sticking with it) of Oregon State.
Spread: WASH -33 Over/Under: 58
Prediction: Washington 52, Oregon State 7
Duke @ #2 Clemson (7:00 PM, ESPN)
This could possibly be a trap game for Clemson against 7-3 Duke, but that is highly unlikely. The Blue Devils have won their last two games, but they lost the two games before that to Virginia and Pittsburgh (respectively). It'll be improbable for Duke to upset Clemson in Death Valley.
Spread: CLEM -29 Over/Under: 59
Prediction: Clemson 45, Duke 17
Kansas @ #6 Oklahoma (7:30 PM, FOX)
The Jayhawks have won three games this year and just signed Les Miles to be their next head coach! Good for them! Oklahoma by 40.
Spread: OKLA -35 Over/Under: 70
Prediction: Oklahoma 60, Kansas 20
Rice @ #7 LSU (7:30 PM, ESPNU)
In my opinion, rice (the food) is not good. Rice (the college) is also not good (at football). The Owls are 1-10. LSU will demolish them.
Spread: LSU -42 Over/Under: 52.5
Prediction: LSU 45, Rice 6
#24 Cincinnati @ #11 UCF (8:00 PM, ABC)
College Gameday is in Orlando this week for unbeaten Central Florida's toughest game of the season (statistically speaking). The defending "national champs" face of with 9-1 Cincinnati in a huge American Athletic Conference showdown. I'm going to predict something that hasn't occurred in almost two years. I'm going to predict a UCF loss.
Spread: UCF -7 Over/Under: 60.5
Prediction: Cincinnati 38, UCF 35
#16 Iowa State @ #15 Texas (8:00 PM, Longhorn Network)
It might be overshadowed by the AAC showdown on ABC, but this Big 12 contest could be an exciting one. The 7-3 Longhorns have had a good season, but have also suffered a few tough losses. The 6-3 Cyclones have won their last five games. This will be a tight battle, but I'll go with Iowa State in the final seconds.
Spread: TEX -2.5 Over/Under: 49
Prediction: Iowa State 35, Texas 32
Arizona @ #8 Washington State (10:30 PM, ESPN)
This week's ranked installment of #Pac12AfterDark features the hot Arizona Wildcats and the flaming hot Washington State Cougars. While Arizona has won two in a row (which included an upset win over Oregon), Wazzu has won six straight. Both teams are coming off wins over Colorado (Arizona had a bye last week). It'll be tough for the Cats to pull off the upset in Pullman.
Spread: WSU -10.5 Over/Under: 62.5
Prediction: Washington State 38, Arizona 28
Stats and info via ESPN.com, OddsShark.com and SBNation.com
Lines via OddsShark.com and ESPN.com
Lines as of Friday afternoon/Saturday morning
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