Week 11 College Football Picks and Results

Predictions
Tuesday
Central Michigan at Western Michigan: The Chippewas are rolling in the MAC (not out-of-conference) and should continue to do so against the struggling Broncos.
Central Michigan 27 Western Michigan 17
Central Michigan 34 Western Michigan 31 (1-0)

Wednesday
Ohio at Akron: Frankie Solich's bunch have won two straight to even their record at 5-5, while the Zips of Akron have lost three consecutive games to fall to 3-6 on the season. The Bobcats should have no problems sending the Zips to their fourth straight loss by winning their third in a row and fourth in five.
Ohio 31 Akron 20
Akron 48 Ohio 37 (1-1)

Thursday
Louisville at West Virginia: Louisville has a definite shot of turning their season around with a big Thursday night road win in Morgantown, but unfortunately for them, I can't see it happening. With how porous their defense has been this season, I have a difficult time believing the Cardinals' front seven will be able to contain Pat White and limit Steve Slaton's production in the backfield.
West Virginia 52 Louisville 38
West Virginia 38 Louisville 31 (2-1)

TCU at BYU: What got into those Horned Frogs last week? Then 4-4 TCU beat up on 6-2 New Mexico 37-0 in what was easily their most impressive victory of the season thus far. But even with that win, I'm still not convinced they're ready to turn the corner in the Mountain West Conference. With the game at home in Provo, I look for the Cougars to outscore the Horned Frogs in this one.
BYU 27 TCU 20
BYU 27 TCU 22 (3-1)

Friday
Bowling Green at Eastern Michigan: Bowling Green has been an off and on team this year and given the fact they beat up on Akron 44-20 last weekend, I should pick against them in this game, but I can't bring myself to do that. I'm going with the Falcons to improve to 6-4 on the year.
Bowling Green 24 Eastern Michigan 13
Bowling Green 39 Eastern Michigan 32 (4-1)

Rutgers at Army: This is the perfect opportunity for Greg Schiano's Rutgers' club to get back on track, following two consecutive losses to drop them to 5-4 on the season. With a road win on Friday night against the Black Knights, Schiano will have his club bowl-bound for the third straight year and I think they'll do just that.
Rutgers 31 Army 13
Rutgers 41 Army 6 (5-1)

Saturday
Indiana at Northwestern: This is odd for me to say (write)... Indiana clinched bowl eligibility with a 38-20 win over Ball State last Saturday. With a win at home here by Northwestern, they will become bowl eligible. That's right, with a Wildcat win on Saturday, both Northwestern and Indiana will be bowl eligible. With the game at home, I actually think that's going to happen. Both clubs go to 6-5 into their regular season finale.
Northwestern 45 Indiana 38
Northwestern 31 Indiana 28 (6-1)

North Carolina at North Carolina State: The inner-state rivals face off with one another following victories. Carolina improved to 3-6 with a 16-13 win over Maryland on Saturday and NC State, after starting the season 1-5, won their third straight this past weekend by defeating Miami (Florida) 19-16 in overtime. With the game in Raleigh and Tom O'Brien's kids playing great defense as of late, I look for them to actually even their record at 5-5 and start talking about the possibility of playing a thirteenth game this year.
North Carolina State 24 North Carolina 21
North Carolina State 31 North Carolina 27 (7-1)

South Florida at Syracuse: After losing their third straight this past weekend, South Florida has a great opportunity to end their skid with a road game against Syracuse. So long as they hang onto the football, which they haven't done very well as of late, they should win this one easily.
South Florida 31 Syracuse 10
South Florida 41 Syracuse 10 (8-1)

Penn State at Temple: JoPa's Nittany Lions should have no trouble in the city of brotherly love, as they will trounce the Owls and improve to 8-3 on the season.
Penn State 38 Temple 13
Penn State 31 Temple 0 (9-1)

Wake Forest at Clemson: Wake will prove to be pesky to Tommy's Tigers, but with the game at home, I look for Clemson to sneak out of this one with a big win.
Clemson 34 Wake Forest 27
Clemson 44 Wake Forest 10 (10-1)

Michigan at Wisconsin: This is a very dangerous game for 8-2 Michigan, winners of eight straight and unbeaten in conference. I have a bad feeling that they're going to be a bit too psyched for the Ohio State game looming ahead to win in Madison on Saturday.
Wisconsin 27 Michigan 24
Wisconsin 37 Michigan 21 (11-1)

Minnesota at Iowa: So long as Iowa doesn't turn the ball over, they should move the ball with ease against the GO-phers defense. Minnesota is 1-9, having lost to such heavyweights as Florida Atlantic and North Dakota State. With the win, Iowa improves to 6-5 and earns bowl eligibility.
Iowa 31 Minnesota 14
Iowa 21 Minnesota 16 (12-1)

Michigan State at Purdue: The Spartans have collapsed yet again. This seems to be an annual occurrence for the men in green and white. But, they haven't been blown out at all and have lost to some solid teams. MSU has fallen to Wisconsin by three, Ohio State by seven, and Michigan by four. Even though Purdon't has a better overall record than the Spartans, I have to say that I've been less impressed by the Boilers throughout the season and even though they're reeling, I'm going with Michigan State in this one.
Michigan State 31 Purdue 24
Michigan State 48 Purdue 31 (13-1)

Colorado at Iowa State: The Buffs are one team I can't figure out. They beat 8-1 Oklahoma, get pummeled by 5-4 Kansas State, beat 7-3 Texas Tech in Lubbock, and were annihilated by 8-1 Missouri this past Saturday at home. Iowa State, meanwhile, has been playing better football of late. In their past three games, against the likes of: Oklahoma, Missouri, and Kansas State (combined record of 21-6, .778), they've been only outscored 79-66 (average of 26.3 - 22.0), going 1-2 in that span. With the game in Ames and ISU showing signs of improvement, I'm going with the guys in yellow and red.
Iowa State 24 Colorado 20
Iowa State 31 Colorado 28 (14-1)

Texas A&M at Missouri: Coach Fran is on the outs and the result of this game will further illustrate why that's the case, as Mizzou sends TAMU back to College Station at 6-5.
Missouri 41 Texas A&M 20
Missouri 40 Texas A&M 26 (15-1)

Kansas State at Nebraska: There's hope in this game for Husker fans! Well, kind of. Let me put it this way, this upcoming Saturday in Lincoln, Nebraska has the best opportunity they've had in the past month and a half of winning. I'm not going to pick them in this one, but hey, at least they have a chance. Unfortunately for them, K-State will be waltzing into the game a bit ticked off, due to their 31-20 loss to Iowa State last Saturday.
Kansas State 31 Nebraska 24
Nebraska 73 Kansas State 31 (15-2)

Alabama at Mississippi State: Coming off a heart-breaking loss at home to LSU, 'Bama may be a bit down as they stroll into Starkville, where the well rested Bulldogs will be on the march for bowl eligibility. I think they'll attain that on Saturday with another upset victory over a SEC foe.
Mississippi State 27 Alabama 24
Mississippi State 17 Alabama 12 (16-2)

Arkansas at Tennessee: Did anyone see Darren McFadden last Saturday against South Carolina? Sadly, Tennessee's defense has been far more inconsistent than the Gamecocks' D this year. I look for McFadden and Felix Jones to have a field day against the Vols' to earn their fourth straight victory.
Arkansas 45 Tennessee 35
Tennessee 34 Arkansas 13 (16-3)

Georgia Tech at Duke: I have a rule when picking in-conference Duke games in football. I go with their opponent. Tech rebounds from their embarrassing loss at home against the Hokies to pound the Blue Devils.
Georgia Tech 31 Duke 10
Georgia Tech 41 Duke 24 (17-3)

Kentucky at Vanderbilt: Andre' Woodson and the Wildcats had a week to regroup following their 31-14 meltdown to Mississippi State a couple Saturdays ago. I look for them to rebound nicely with a solid road effort against the pesky Commodores, who still need one more win to become bowl eligible.
Kentucky 27 Vanderbilt 17
Kentucky 27 Vanderbilt 20 (18-3)

Air Force at Notre Dame: I picked Notre Dame for the first time of the season last week and what'd they do? Lost in triple overtime to Navy. I'm not doing that again this week. I'm going with the 7-3 Falcons of Air Force over the 1-8 Irish. Hey Lou, how 'bout them Irish?
Air Force 31 Notre Dame 24
Air Force 41 Notre Dame 24 (19-3)

Colorado State at New Mexico: Both clubs are in need of a victory. CSU needs one for the simple fact they're 1-8 on the season and the Lobos of New Mexico need one to avenge their embarrassing 37-0 shut-out loss to TCU this past weekend. With the game at home, I look for the Lobos to improve to 7-3 with a win against the now 1-9 Rams.
New Mexico 24 Colorado State 14
New Mexico 26 Colorado State 23 (20-3)

Houston at Tulsa: As is typical when Houston plays, the first one to 40 should win this one. Both Conference USA schools come into this game at 6-3, with the winner having a decided edge to play in the C-USA Title game at season's end. For how well Houston's been playing of late, it's hard for me to pick against them, even though the game is on the road. The Cougars win a thriller.
Houston 48 Tulsa 41
Tulsa 56 Houston 7 (20-4)

Boise State at Utah State: 8-1 Boise State at 0-9 Utah State. Decisions...Decisions... Call me a rebel, but I'm going with the 8-1 Broncos.
Boise State 45 Utah State 17
Boise State 52 Utah State 0 (21-4)

Rice at SMU: SMU's dual-threat quarterback, Willis, will be playing all out for head coach Bill Bennett and will provide enough offense to upend the 2-7 Rice Owls.
SMU 38 Rice 31
Rice 43 SMU 42 (21-5)

Arizona State at UCLA: ASU is 8-1, so I should just go with the Bruins, right? UCLA loses to the clubs below .500 and beats those above the .500 mark. But, with the Bruins' injury problems, especially on the offensive side of the ball, I'm having a hard time picking them right now. I look for ASU to rebound from their tough loss at Autzen last Saturday to improve to 9-1 on the season.
Arizona State 27 UCLA 17
Arizona State 24 UCLA 20 (22-5)

Auburn at Georgia: If there's one thing Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville knows, it's how to prep his team up for top ten opponents, as Tuberville is 9-2 in his past eleven games against top ten competition and that includes the 30-24 heart-breaker suffered at the hands of LSU earlier this year. With Georgia being #10 at this current juncture (and a bit too high in my opinion), I look for Auburn to win this one.
Auburn 20 Georgia 17
Georgia 45 Auburn 20 (22-6)

Illinois at Ohio State: If this were only a night game in Champaign. I'd contemplate picking against the Buckeyes, as I could see them looking ahead to their always huge match-up with Michigan. But, at home, at the Horseshoe? I just can't see it happening. Ohio State improves to 11-0 with just one game separating they and a berth in the National Championship game.
Ohio State 34 Illinois 20
Illinois 28 Ohio State 21 (22-7)

Texas Tech at Texas: The Longhorns are a sad excuse for a top ten team. This year, they've beaten Arkansas State, Central Florida, Nebraska, and Oklahoma State by a combined 17 points. Those teams have gone a combined 19-18 on the season. As Texas gave up 32 points to Central Florida, 25 to Nebraska, and 35 to Oklahoma State, I have a hard time believing they'll contain Mike Leach's Red Raider offense, who finally clicked again this past Saturday, lighting up Baylor 38-7 to snap their two game slide. Texas Tech upsets the 'Horns in Austin.
Texas Tech 38 Texas 31
Texas 59 Texas Tech 43 (22-8)

Wyoming at Utah: The two teams are heading in different directions and with the game in Salt Lake City, I'm going with the streaking hot Utes of Utah.
Utah 27 Wyoming 24
Utah 50 Wyoming 0 (23-8)

Florida State at Virginia Tech: Hokies' head coach, Frank Beamer, has always had a problem beating Bobby Bowden's 'Noles, but oddly enough, the big upset win by FSU over then unbeaten and second ranked Boston College on Saturday night, may aid Beamer's Hokies to win in Blacksburg on Saturday. FSU has been inconsistent all year and following a big-time win on Saturday, I see them having some problems in Blacksburg. Whether Sean Glennon or Tyrod Taylor starts for the Hokies, they should be able to generate JUST enough offense to outscore the 'Noles.
Virginia Tech 20 Florida State 13
Virginia Tech 40 Florida State 21 (24-8)

Connecticut at Cincinnati: UConn's streak ends abruptly in Cincinnati, Ohio on Saturday. Cincy, coming off a well needed bye week, was able to outlast South Florida over the weekend and at 7-2 and back to their winning ways, I look for the Bearcats to defeat 8-1 UConn at home.
Cincinnati 24 Connecticut 17
Cincinnati 27 Connecticut 3 (25-8)

Louisiana-Lafayette at Middle Tennessee: Since starting the season 0-4, Middle Tennessee has gone 5-1 en route to an even 5-5 record. Lafayette hasn't been near as successful, as they stroll into this game at 1-8. I look for the Blue Raiders to continue their winning ways and to make that six wins in seven games with a dominating victory over the Rajun' Cajuns at home.
Middle Tennessee 45 Louisiana-Lafayette 17
Louisiana-Lafayette 34 Middle Tennessee 24 (25-9)

New Mexico State at San Jose State: Chase Holbrook will serve Hal Mumme of the Aggies well as they improve to 5-6 on the season with a big conference road win.
New Mexico State 31 San Jose State 24
San Jose State 51 New Mexico State 17 (25-10)

Navy at North Texas: Navy could have a let-down, following their BIG (kind of) win over Notre Dame on Saturday, but even if that's the case, they should beat 1-7 North Texas. Although, I shouldn't jinx a team who has already lost to Delaware this season...
Navy 35 North Texas 13
Navy 74 North Texas 62 (26-10)

Arkansas State at Florida Atlantic: A battle for the third and fourth spot in the Sun Belt conference. With Arkansas State having struggled in their past three to four games and Howard Schnellenberger's club coming off a bye week, I look for the Burrowing Owls to improve to 5-4 on the season with a Sun Belt victory at home.
Florida Atlantic 24 Arkansas State 20
Florida Atlantic 34 Arkansas State 31 (27-10)

Kent State at Northern Illinois: Regardless of how poorly the Golden Flashes have been playing as of late, I can't for the life of me pick the 1-8 Huskies of Northern Illinois.
Kent State 24 Northern Illinois 17
Northern Illinois 27 Kent State 20 (27-11)

East Carolina at Marshall: Marshall may be able to score a few points at home against East Carolina, but not nearly enough to upset the 6-4 Pirates. ECU improves to 7-4 on the season.
East Carolina 45 Marshall 24
Marshall 26 East Carolina 7 (27-12)

Memphis at Southern Mississippi: Southern Miss improves to 6-4 on the season with a comfortable conference victory over the now 4-6 Tigers.
Southern Mississippi 38 Memphis 20
Memphis 29 Southern Mississippi 26 (27-13)

Troy at Western Kentucky: While the Hilltoppers have been beating up on I-AA clubs of late, Troy was busy giving Georgia a run for their money in the Trojans' 44-34 loss on Saturday. Troy wins this one in a route.
Troy 45 Western Kentucky 17
Troy 21 Western Kentucky 17 (28-13)

Baylor at Oklahoma: Baylor is playing the worst of any team in the Big XII right now. With this game in Norman, that trend will continue.
Oklahoma 52 Baylor 6
Oklahoma 52 Baylor 21 (29-13)

Stanford at Washington State: The loser of this game will become the first Pac-10 team to be ousted from potential bowl eligibility at season's end. Sure, the big upset win by Jim Harbaugh's Cardinal against USC was a great story earlier this year, but with this game in Pullman, I have to go with the home team ending the Cardinal's dream of bowling at season's end.
Washington State 24 Stanford 13
Washington State 33 Stanford 17 (30-13)

UTEP at Tulane: Mike Price's Miners of UTEP have been struggling as of late, but a date on November 10th with Tulane should end their losing skid and improve them to an even 5-5 on the season.
UTEP 45 Tulane 31
Tulane 34 UTEP 19 (30-14)

Virginia at Miami (Florida): For how poorly Miami's played of late and for how UVA just seems to find ways to win every week, I'm going with the Cavs. I don't want to, but I'm going to.
Virginia 21 Miami (Florida) 20
Virginia 48 Miami (Florida) 0 (31-14)

Central Florida at UAB: George O'Leary's Golden Knights haven't performed nearly as well on the road this year as they have at home, but against the struggling Blazers of UAB, that shouldn't matter. UCF improves to 7-3 on the year.
Central Florida 31 UAB 17
Central Florida 45 UAB 31 (32-14)

Florida at South Carolina: I want to pick Spurrier against his old club, but if anyone has noticed this lately, the Gamecocks' have been struggling. Not long ago, many were staking claim that SC was going to play in the SEC title game with an opportunity of garnering a BCS berth by winning the SEC, but those same Gamecocks have fallen to 6-4 and I have trouble believing their struggles will magically disappear against the Gators. I'm taking Florida in this one.
Florida 31 South Carolina 24
Florida 51 South Carolina 31 (33-14)

USC at California: To say that Cal has been struggling would be quite the understatement. Before this past Saturday's win over Washington State, the Golden Bears had lost three straight conference games, to the likes of Oregon State, UCLA, and Arizona State. Even in their win against the Cougars on Saturday night, the game was tightly contested throughout, as Cal snuck away with a 20-17 victory. USC appeared to be more on track with John David Booty at quarterback and healthy in their 24-3 win over Oregon State Saturday. Keeping all that in mind, I like USC's staunch defense to counter Cal's speed on offense and for USC's offense to take care of the rest. The Trojans improve to 8-3 on the season while Cal drops to 6-4.
USC 31 California 21
USC 24 California 17 (34-14)

Louisiana Tech at LSU: LSU finally has an opportunity to dominate a non-conference opponent. They've struggled in recent weeks with the likes of: Florida, Kentucky, Auburn, and Alabama. Compared to those clubs, Louisiana Tech is like a I-AA school. The Tigers cruise to their ninth win of the season.
LSU 45 Louisiana Tech 10
LSU 58 Louisiana Tech 10 (35-14)

Boston College at Maryland: Commentators' Heisman front-runner, Matt Ryan, has thrown six picks in his past two games and if it wasn't for their solid run defense, BC would be sitting at 7-2 right now. With their heads hanging down a bit after their undefeated season came to a crashing halt against Florida State at home on Saturday night and with Ralph Friedgen's Terps in desperate need of a victory, I look for Maryland to win this one at home to even their record at 5-5 and send BC to 8-2 on the season.
Maryland 20 Boston College 17
Maryland 42 Boston College 35 (36-14)

Kansas at Oklahoma State: I want to take Oklahoma State. It's very tempting to pick the Cowboys in Stillwater, but I can't bring myself to do it. The strength of the Kansas defense is in their front seven, which counters Okie State's offensive strength of running the football. Given the fact that OSU's defense can't stop a mime from talking in a Chaplin film, I look for KU to expose that thoroughly en route to their tenth win of the season.
Kansas 45 Oklahoma State 24
Kansas 43 Oklahoma State 28 (37-14)

Washington at Oregon State: John Locker is a very dangerous dual-threat QB for the Huskies and should provide enough to send his Huskies to 4-6 on the season with their second consecutive victory, while the Beavers fall to 5-5.
Washington 31 Oregon State 27
Oregon State 29 Washington 23 (37-15)

San Diego State at UNLV: Do I have to pick one? For how much UNLV has struggled of late, I guess I'll go with the Aztecs, but if I were a betting man, I wouldn't put any money down on this game, for either club, regardless of the spread.
San Diego State 27 UNLV 24
San Diego State 38 UNLV 30 (38-15)

Fresno State at Hawaii: I'd go with Fresno if the game were at home, but with it being in Honolulu and the Warriors coming off a bye week, I'm unfortunately going with June Jones' club to improve to a perfect 9-0 on the season.
Hawaii 38 Fresno State 28
Hawaii 37 Fresno State 30 (39-15)

Ineligible Games
Grambling State at Louisiana-Monroe

Week 11 Record: 39-15 (.722)
Overall Record: 362-161 (.692)