Week 11 Top 25 Picks

Some serious shakes up already this weekend with Oregon going down on Thursday night. This weekend could go a long way to showing us what the National Title picture could look like.

#1 Alabama vs. #13 LSU, 8pm ET, CBS

This game is flying a bit under the radar this week given the games around it and the fact that LSU has a few losses.  It seems a little strange because Alabama-LSU has pretty much decided the BCS Championship the past few years.  ‘Bama is the favorite but don’t ever overlook Les Miles in these games.

Jeremy’s pick-Alabama, 27-20

Nick’s pick-Alabama, 34-21

#2 FSU @ Wake Forest, 12pm ET, ABC

Florida State is coming off a huge victory over then top-10 Miami and should have no problem controlling a weak Wake Forest team. The Noles should have no problem putting this one away by halftime. After last night’s loss of Oregon, FSU can keep its title hopes alive with an easy victory.

Jeremy’s pick- FSU, 44-17

Nick’s pick-FSU, 48-10

#3 Oregon 20 @ #5 Stanford 26, (Thursday) 9pm ET, ESPN

Stanford just showed Oregon who was the most physical team in this one. The Cardinal played about as perfect of a game as it could, converting third downs and keeping the Oregon offense off the field.

#4 Ohio State, IDLE

Next game, 11/16 @ Illinois

#6 Baylor 41 vs. #10 Oklahoma 12, (Thursday) 7:30pm ET, FoxS1

The Bears started this game a little sluggish, but ended up boat racing the Sooners. Oklahoma just did not have the offensive play to win this game. Baylor looks like it could be for real.

#7 Clemson, IDLE

Next game, 11/14 (Thursday) vs. Georgia Tech

#8 Missouri @ Kentucky, 12pm ET, ESPNU

Missouri needs to avoid the upset bug here. Kentucky will always play one tough game against at top-ranked opponent in Lexington. Missouri has controlled both sides of the ball really well so far this season and should have no problem doing it again this weekend.

Nick’s pick-Missouri 41-28

Jeremy’s pick- Missouri, 35-20

#9 Auburn @ Tennessee, 12pm ET, ESPN

Auburn has won five straight in this series but I think you can throw that out this year.  Auburn is 1-1 in their road games of note this year (won at A&M, lost at LSU) while Tennessee has been much more competitive at home this year.  I think Tennessee keeps it close and don’t be surprised if the Vols pull out a win.

Jeremy’s pick- Auburn, 34-31

Nick’s pick-Auburn, 38-31

#11 Miami vs. Virginia Tech, 7pm ET, ESPN

Gosh, flip a coin.  Miami just got taken apart by Florida State last week and lost their best player, Duke Johnson in the process.  VaTech is coming off back to back losses to Duke and Boston College and Logan Thomas has turned the ball over 8 times in those games. 

Jeremy’s pick- Virginia Tech, 20-17

Nick’s pick-Miami, 23-21

#12 South Carolina, IDLE

Next game, 11/16 vs. Florida

#14 Oklahoma State vs. Kansas, 4pm ET, FOXS1

Can Oklahoma State score 70? We will find out this weekend against a weak Jayhawks team. KU has played some teams tough this season, but cannot win a game on the road. The Cowboys are trying to stay in the Big 12 title race right behind Baylor.

Nick’s pick-Oklahoma State, 63-20

Jeremy’s pick- Ok St- 52-14

#15 Texas A&M vs. Mississippi State, 3:30pm ET, CBS

Mississippi State’s gotten ripped by the above average teams on their schedule.  That will continue this week.  A&M should win this handily. 

Jeremy’s pick- TAMU, 48-27

Nick’s pick-Texas A&M, 51-17

#16 Fresno State @ Wyoming, 10:15pm ET, ESPN2

Here is a really big chance for the Pokes. The Cowboys have yet to win a big game against a ranked opponent during the Dave Christensen era. The question in this game can the Pokes stop the Fresno State offense? Wyoming has an interim defensive coordinator after firing its DC two weeks ago after giving up 50-plus points in consecutive games. This should be a great quarterback duel with the two best offenses and quarterbacks, in FS Derek Carr and UW Brett Smith, in the Mountain West on display. This one is going to be high scoring for both teams, but for the Pokes to win they need to force some turnovers and put Carr on his back. The Pokes will keep this close for the first half, but the Bulldogs will run away in the second half.

Nick’s pick-Fresno State, 52-30

Jeremy’s pick- Fresno State, 45-41

#17 Michigan State, IDLE

Next game, 11/16 @ Nebraska

#18 Northern Illinois, IDLE

Next game, 11/13 (Wednesday) vs. Ball State

#19 UCLA @ Arizona, 10pm ET, ESPN

Just glancing at this game, Arizona looks like they might be able to trap UCLA.  A little closer look and the 6-2 Wildcats don’t look quite as fierce.  Arizona’s two losses are to Washington and USC, the only two quality teams they’ve faced this year.  UCLA bounced back last week against Colorado and must win this game to stay alive in the Pac-12 South.  I like UCLA going away.

Jeremy’s pick- UCLA, 44-31

Nick’s pick-UCLA, 45-21

#20 Louisville @ UCONN, (Friday) 8:30pm ET, ESPN2

Louisville needs a bounce back game after a loss to UCF and here it is. UConn is a horrible team this year and will not have any chance to stop Teddy Bridgewater and the Cardinal offense. Louisville will with this by five touchdowns.

Nick’s pick-Louisville, 48-7

Jeremy’s pick- Louisville, 41-10

#21 UCF vs. Houston, 7pm ET, ESPN2

UCF got their first ever win over a ranked opponent that last time these teams played in ’09.  Both teams come in with only one loss and are a potential BCS Bowl berth hangs in the balance here.  UCF looks like the favorite here.

Jeremy’s pick- UCF, 38-34

Nick’s pick-UCF, 40-31

#22 Arizona State @ Utah, 4pm ET, Pac12 Network

This looks like an upset in the making, but look a little harder at the Utes and their only Pac 12 victory this season is a major upset of Stanford. The Sun Devils are by not means the No. 22 team in the country, but they should be able to go to Salt Lake and come away with a close victory.

Nick’s pick- Arizona State, 35-30

Jeremy’s pick- Utah, 31-30

#23 Notre Dame @ Pitt, 8pm ET, ABC

Pitt hasn’t beaten Notre Dame since ’09 but win or lose, they always make the Irish work.  I think Pitt will make the Irish work again this year but in the end I think Notre Dame is just a little bit better then the Panthers.

Jeremy’s pick- Notre Dame, 31-24

Nick’s pick-Notre Dame, 34-31

#24 Wisconsin vs. BYU, 3:30pm ET, ESPN

Two great rushing attacks on display in this game. Wisconsin is one of the best rushing teams in the country and should be able to put that on display in this game. I like what coach Gary Anderson has done with the great rushing attack of Wisconsin and the Badgers will run over the Cougars.

Nick’s pick-Wisconsin, 38-20

Jeremy’s pick- Wisconsin, 34-24

#25 Texas Tech vs. Kansas State, 12pm ET, ABC

Tech and K-State have gone in opposite direction the past few weeks.  Tech, who was in the top ten a few weeks ago has lost two straight, while K-State has won two in a row.  I like K-State on the road here.

Jeremy’s pick- Kansas State, 31-27

Nick’s pick-Texas Tech, 42-28