The Obstructed NCAA Preview For Week 10
Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Another week closer to clarity in the college football season. The committee made their first selections out and I am not really looking too much into it though I don't think Texas A&M should be ahead of Washington, but it will all be played out the rest of the way. Anyway, we got some big games again as the season keeps moving. Last week I went 7-2 including nailing the Boise State/Wyoming game so I am now 71-34 on the season. Do I have upsets in mind this week? Who knows?
(7) LOUISVILLE @ BOSTON COLLEGE, 12:00, ESPN2: Well, it SHOULD be automatic for Louisville, right? Like Duke and Virginia? The Cardinals have played against lower teams like Boston College and struggle. They can't afford a hiccup here because the Eagles to have a good defense. However the x-factor remains Lamar Jackson. Until he struggles in a game, I still like Louisville. MY PREDICTION: LOUISVILLE 31, BOSTON COLLEGE 24
VANDERBILT @ (9) AUBURN, 12:00, ESPN: I've predicted Auburn to lose the last few weeks to Arkansas and Ole Miss and I have looked silly doing it. Not this week. Vanderbilt might put up a fight early on, but Auburn is way too talented to lose this one. I do think however given the Commodores defense, Auburn will have some challenges moving the ball at times and will load the box on Pettway. But still, it won't be enough and they will wear down Vandy. MY PREDICTION: AUBURN 34, VANDERBILT 10
(8) WISCONSIN @ NORTHWESTERN, 12:00, ABC: The Badgers should be praised for their schedule. While Northwestern isn't on the same level as Michigan, Ohio State, or Nebraska, they pose a serious threat especially on the offensive side. It could be a trap game for Wisconsin, but I do think their previous games makes them battle-tested. This will be a fun game in my eyes though. MY PREDICTION: WISCONSIN 28, NORTHWESTERN 24
GEORGIA TECH @ (21) NORTH CAROLINA, 12:30, ACC: The Tar Heels still have a very outside chance of winning the Coastal as does Tech. However, I am not so sure that either one will at this point. Georgia Tech is 5-3 and beat Duke last week, but the defense is atrocious. North Carolina should not have a major problem in my eyes moving the ball and I think it might get ugly in all honesty. And Tech doesn't fare well against teams when they are behind. MY PREDICTION: NORTH CAROLINA 41, GEORGIA TECH 27
SYRACUSE @ (3) CLEMSON, 3:30, ABC: Which Clemson squad will we see? The one who busts butt and stings Louisville and Florida State or the team that has issues beating the likes of Troy and NC State? Syracuse isn't a team to really go lightly on either as they played if anything inspired football and Eric Dungey is a Johnny Manziel style quarterback..........good and bad. If Clemson doesn't watch it, it could be Dungey's Alabama game. But I'm not going upset here. I think Clemson knows the task at hand. MY PREDICTION: CLEMSON 34, SYRACUSE 21
MARYLAND @ (2) MICHIGAN, 3:30, ESPN: Michigan has looked human the last few weeks since their epic beatdown of Rutgers. And Maryland has been better. And if the Terps move the ball especially early, some heads will turn around halftime. But regardless, I'd be very surprised if this game is still close by the 4th. MY PREDICTION: MICHIGAN 30, MARYLAND 17
(11) FLORIDA @ ARKANSAS, CBS: Thanks to the postponement of the LSU game, the Gators schedule became mega-hard with having have 3 road games against Arkansas, LSU, and Florida State this month, which is why Kentucky now has a snowball's chance. But with the Razorbacks struggling mightily in their last game in Auburn (understatement), Florida should not have to worry too much even if it is in Fayetteville, should they? Defense looked stout and Del Rio is back. Do I think shootout? No, but Florida should win a fight. MY PREDICTION: FLORIDA 21, ARKANSAS 17
TCU @ (17) BAYLOR, 3:30, FOX: A fun rivalry this has become, but with TCU collapsing in front of our eyes, this stings to see a bit. Kenny Hill isn't an elite QB like many have hoped and is turnover prone. Baylor, whether I like it or not, is great at capitalizing on those turnovers. It might be a long day and a blowout game in all actuality. The Frogs are just average this year. MY PREDICTION: BAYLOR 55, TCU 31
(18) OKLAHOMA STATE @ KANSAS STATE, 3:30, ESPN2: This could be another fun under-the-radar game. Kansas State has quietly had a good season and Oklahoma State is getting off a giant victory against West Virginia. I don't see it being a game similar to Insert Team Here vs. Texas Tech, but there will be points but also there will be some defense played. I think homefield wins out though and the Wildcats notch the upset. MY PREDICTION: KANSAS STATE 38, OKLAHOMA STATE 31
(22) FLORIDA STATE @ NC STATE, 7:00, ESPN: NC State always seems to give the Noles fits. I want to say I don't expect it much different but the Wolfpack have really crashed since the Clemson heartbreak. It will depend how the Noles come out. I think it will be a close game but Florida State will just have too much firepower against NC State but it won't surprise me if the Pack stuns them either. MY PREDICTION: FLORIDA STATE 31, NC STATE 24
GEORGIA @ KENTUCKY, 7:30, SECN: At the beginning of the season, this was a lock for Georgia to win, but given how the Dawgs have imploded and the Wildcats have played good football, it is more of a lock for Kentucky perhaps. That said, any more losses for Kirby Smart and he will already be on the chopping block, whether that is fair or unfair. But the Dawgs offense is total garbage and Kentucky is showing good defense. MY PREDICTION: KENTUCKY 20, GEORGIA 17
IOWA @ (12) PENN STATE 7:30, BTN: This is another good sleeper. Iowa plays that physical defense, but Penn State is rolling. The Hawkeyes however are struggling as well and just lack that explosive play. Penn State has gotten better as the season has rolled including the big Ohio State win. I think the Lions win it in Happy Valley at night. It will be too much for Iowa. MY PREDICTION: PENN STATE 27, IOWA 14
(10) NEBRASKA @ (6) OHIO STATE, 8:00, ABC: I will admit the Huskers showed me something last week in Madison. They didn't win, but they showed they could hang. Now it is a roadie in Columbus at night so this will be a similar style but tougher. Ohio State hasn't recovered since the Penn State loss and need to really make a statement with a win. I think they'll get it though as I think the Bucks will have an easier time agianst Nebraska's defense, but will need to find a way to step up agianst Tommy Armstrong. I think they will, but it will be close again. MY PREDICTION: OHIO STATE 31, NEBRASKA 24
(1) ALABAMA @ (13) LSU, 8:00, CBS: This has been what feels like the go-to game in college for the last 5 years. With Les Miles gone, it seems like the Tigers are rolling on offense and Fournette looks like a man on a mission after his disastrous game against Alabama. However, running against Alabama is like running on a wall so it won't be easy. On the flip-side, while Alabama has won 3 of 4 in Baton Rouge, 2 of them were in OT and a third was a late TD to win the game. So for any Alabama fan who think this will be a walk in the park for the Tide, I don't think it will be the case. LSU will come out fighting and they are a team who can fight for 4 quarters. This will be close all the way through. MY PREDICTION: ALABAMA 20, LSU 17
(5) WASHINGTON @ CAL, 10:30, ESPN: The Huskies are going to play with chip of being #5 behind Texas A&M. Obviously Cal won't net them ahead of the Aggies unless they hiccup in Starkville in any manner, but I don't see that. The Bears can fling the ball, but the issue is they cannot stop. Washington has proven however they can stop the best offenses, home or road. I think it remains here as they keep rolling. MY PREDICTION: WASHINGTON 51, CAL 24
That's it for this week.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
