Can you believe we only have two weeks left in the regular season? This season has flown and the Michigan scandal feels like it has last 48 hour and 48 years at the same time. We have another edition of bold predictions but as always, we have to recap last week’s picks. We had one really good pick and a few total whiffs.
Alabama defeats Kentucky by four touchdowns – Alabama actually won by exactly 28 points. Nailed this one perfectly.
Rutgers upsets Iowa, becomes ranked in week 12 – Rutgers got shutout. Can’t win a game if you don’t score points.
Carson Beck throws for over 500 yards on Ole Miss – Georgia ran Ole Miss out of the building so bad Beck was actually taken off the field. He finished with 306 yards.
Two of Georgia, Washington, Oregon, Michigan and Florida State lose on Saturday – These teams went 5-0. Not our best prediction.
Ollie Gordon continues on his tear, rushes for over 250 yards – I accidentally added the zero. Gordon had 25 yards.
We have two weeks left in the regular season to achieve more than three correct predictions. We’ve dialed back on making overly ambitious and almost impossible scenarios. Given the annual SEC vs. cupcake weekend, you won’t find many SEC games on this list. Kudos to Georgia for facing Tennessee this weekend and saving their cupcake matchup for their in-state rival. Let me know which of these picks you believe will happen and which you think has absolutely no chance of hitting.
Georgia beats Tennessee by at least 30 points – The spread opened at seven points and quickly jumped up to 10. I expect the number to continue rising before the start of the game. While Georgia may be traveling to Knoxville, they are currently playing the best football in the country. Georgia is the most complete team and is on a tear. Brock Bowers is back playing and is like an actual alien on the college football field. Carson Beck continues to prove he is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country and is still a sleeper to win the Heisman. Tennessee’s defense has improved significantly from 2022, but it has taken a step back. The Volunteers had one of the best offenses in the country with Hendon Hooker under center. Tennessee is averaging 380 yards of offense and 14.3 points in each of their losses. Scoring points and moving the ball against UConn or Virginia is one thing; doing it against Missouri or Alabama is significantly more difficult. Look for Georgia to limit Tennessee and move the ball with ease.
Michigan holds Maryland to less than 150 total yards – Michigan will be without Jim Harbaugh once again this week, but the Wolverines should easily win the game against Maryland. They are nearly three-touchdown favorites on the road. Michigan’s offense will continue to focus on the run game and wear down their opponents. The defense remains one of the best in the country and will face a struggling Maryland team. The Terrapins needed a last-second field goal to beat Nebraska last weekend, scoring just 13 points. Maryland has struggled since starting the season 5-0. Mike Locksley’s team lost four straight games before their victory over Nebraska. Michigan’s defense currently ranks first in the country in total defense, allowing just 232 yards of offense each game. While Michigan is the favorite in the Big Ten, they continue to play like they have something to prove. The added controversy with Harbaugh being suspended will only further motivate the Wolverines’ defense. Look for Michigan to win their 1,000th game in program history by a large margin this weekend.
Damien Martinez rushes for over 200 yards on Washington – The Pac-12 features one of the biggest games of the weekend as Washington travels to face Oregon State. The Beavers, with an 8-2 record, are just six points away from being undefeated this season. Inconsistent QB play from DJ Uiagalelei has led to occasional offensive struggles. The rushing attack has been a standout for the Beavers, with the offense averaging 196 yards per game on the ground. Damien Martinez has emerged as the team’s top running back, amassing 1,024 yards and seven touchdowns. He has hit his stride in the past few weeks, averaging 6.7 yards per carry over the last four games. Oregon State has a phenomenal opportunity to upset Washington and stay in the Pac-12 race. Uiagalelei is not a quarterback who can beat the Huskies on his own; he will need support from his running backs, and Martinez is poised for a big game this weekend.
Rutgers gives Penn State a scare keeping the game close in the fourth quarter – Everyone knows Rutgers has secured six wins and is now bowl eligible, right? This Rutgers team differs significantly from the ones we’ve grown accustomed to in recent years; it’s notably better. The defense stands out as one of the best in the Big Ten. However, the quarterback position remains a challenge, as Rutgers struggles with passing, leading to occasional offensive stalls. Despite this, the Scarlet Knights boast one of the Big Ten’s premier running backs in Kyle Monangai. He has rushed for over 100 yards in five games this season and has found the endzone seven times.
Penn State, coming off an emotional loss, gives Rutgers an opportunity to catch them off guard. With Penn State firing their offensive coordinator, the offensive strategy will be a mystery heading into the weekend. Expect Rutgers to keep the game close into the second half, possibly even leading at halftime. Teams coming off emotional losses occasionally carry those feelings into the next week. Rutgers is on an upward trajectory, and a victory over Penn State would be monumental for the program. While I don’t believe Rutgers will secure the win, they are likely to keep it close.
Iowa State forces Quinn Ewers to throw three interceptions – Ames, Iowa, is known for being a peculiar place to play, where the dreams of college football contenders often meet their demise. While Texas may ultimately secure the victory, brace yourself for a strange and unpredictable game in Ames. Iowa State ranks third in the country in forcing interceptions, totaling 15 so far. Jeremiah Cooper leads the team with five interceptions, despite missing two games this season. Matt Campbell anticipates Cooper’s presence this weekend against Texas. Another player to watch on the Iowa State defense is Beau Freyler, who leads the team in tackles and has three interceptions on the season.
Ewers, Texas’s quarterback, has thrown at least one interception in three of his last four games. Iowa State, with an outside shot at making the Big 12 championship, will likely play with an edge and aim to make Ewers uncomfortable. While Texas has had some close encounters this season, throwing three interceptions to Iowa State could make this game uncomfortably close.
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