I had to take a bite of humble pie this week, but we were still above .500 on the week. This week we’re going to look to bounce back, and I’m interested to see where my picks and my loins take us this weekend. Let’s get into it!
Last week’s results:
• 4/7 correct
• 54/84 for the year
• Loin Games = 3-0 on the year
• Surprise: UCF didn’t beat Oklahoma St. They embarrassed ‘em. They abused ‘em. The cops were called to stop an assault but determined that this whooping was within the parameters of the law.
• Best game: UNC Duke went back and forth like a schoolyard argument. UNC ended up giving up the lead with less than a minute left but were able to pull out the victory in overtime.
• Disappointment: West Virginia was on a hot streak while Oklahoma was in a rough stretch in their season…I guess you can use ice to put out fire? Go home West Virginia, you’re drunk.
Now to this week’s slate.
(10) Louisville at Miami
Emory Williams is out for the year, so Tyler Van Dyke is back baby. Louisville is the biggest shocker in the ACC and the nation. Miami’s defense has been their calling card this year, specifically their rush defense and that’s what Louisville’s offense does best. Strength on strength, I’ll take Louisville in a close one.
Louisville 21 Miami 19
(22) Utah at (17) Arizona
This game is going to be a defensive battle. Now this isn’t an Iowa g situation where the offenses are just putrid, but the defenses are just so good in this game that the offenses will struggle. Utah and Arizona are very similar on paper, and I think this game will be decided by a big turnover. Utah by half a gnat’s leg hair.
Utah 17 Arizona 16 *my loins endorse this outcome*
(20) UNC at Clemson
UNC has the number 3 total offense in the country and this week they’ll face their biggest test against Clemson’s 6th ranked defense – that’s the fun part of this matchup. Let’s go a little deeper and see the ugly aspect. North Carolina comes to work with defense that’s about 30 places higher than last year at 79 in the country. They will be facing Clemson’s 48th ranked total offense. The deciding factor in this game will be Clemson’s offense, more specifically their turnovers. If Clemson takes care of the football, UNC may get routed in Death Valley.
Clemson 42 UNC 31
(21) Kansas St. at (25) Kansas
This will be the 121st edition of the Sunflower Showdown and I think this will be one of the more fun matchups. Kansas lost last week, but don’t get too caught up in that as they lost their 2ndstring QB in the game (1st string got hurt weeks ago) and he should be back this week. Kansas St. has been pretty consistentthis week and are coming off of a big win over Baylor – HOWEVER, I gotta go Rock Chalk this week due to their great running game.
Kansas 38 Kansas St. 29
Nebraska at Wisconsin
Yes, I’m a scumbag for putting this game in my predictions. No, I’m not going to apologize (unless you really want me to). Luke Fickell and company have not been able to get the offense going this year and have really under preformed. Nebraska has…well they’re meeting expectations, I guess. I think Matt Rhule and the Cornhuskers are able to take this one in a thriller (to Nebraska Wisconsin matchup standards).
Nebraska 25 Wisconsin 24
(5) Washington at (11) Oregon St.
Oregon St. is a tough team to play and are especially tough in Corvallis. Washington is starting to get back in rhythm on offense and need their defense to step up in this one. Washington and Oregon both boast potent offenses and questionable defenses, but I think the Huskies passing attack will be too much for the Beavers and their 73rd ranked pass defense. This game has all the signs to be one of the most fun games of the weekend.
Washington 45 Oregon St. 42
(7) Texas at Iowa St.
Texas is struggling to get back to their college football playoff form from September. They finally got Quinn Ewers back, but then lose Johnathan Brooks for the season. The defense is also becoming a question mark as they allowed TCU to score 23 points in the second half in what looked to be a blow out. Iowa St. is notorious for knocking out top 10 teams in Ames, but I don’t think they do that this week.
Texas 35 Iowa St. 20
