Week 9 saw comebacks from Texas and Alabama, along with big wins for Vanderbilt, Ole Miss, Memphis, Texas A&M, BYU, and Houston. Week 10 is not as stacked as it appeared to be back in August. That said theirs still several important matchups in the SEC, Big-12, ACC, and Big Ten. Next Tuesday we will get a look at the first release of the playoff rankings. These 5 weeks left in the regular season tend to be full of shockers. Much of what we think we know in conference races and on the national scene can change in the blink of the eye. Will it be once again a November to remember?
Marquee Matchups
#9 Vanderbilt vs. #20 Texas:
The Longhorns hosts Vanderbilt in what could be deemed as a playoff eliminator of sorts for Texas. A third loss overall and second in the SEC would hurt Texas’s chances, especially with the minefields left on their schedule. QB Diego Pavia and the Vandy offense haven’t reached 20 points in 2 of their last 3 games. To be fair this will be the Commodores fourth straight week facing a ranked foe. Texas needed a huge comeback last week to overcome Mississippi State and barely got by Kentucky prior. Longhorns QB Arch Manning has made improvements, but there is doubt if he will play due to injury. Although Texas is up against the wall in must win, this College Football podcaster is riding with Diego until the wheels come off.
The Pick: Vanderbilt +2.5
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Playoff eliminater
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Pavia to play well
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Texas at Home
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#14 Tennessee vs. #18 Oklahoma:
This marquee matchup in the SEC pits defense versus offense. Tennessee’s offense is averaging almost 46 points a game. Oklahoma’s defense only gives up 12.5 points per outing. Alabama was able to hold the Vols to 20 points in a loss. The Sooners have been mediocre on offense but should find the endzone on Tennessee. A Vols defensive unit that allows 31 points per contest. Oklahoma’s defensive line will get to Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar limiting scoring opportunities. The Sooners have lost twice when facing ranked programs so there due to win.
The Pick: Oklahoma +3.5
- Tennessee Offense is explosive
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Sooners have lost to two ranked teams
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Sooners must establish pass rush
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Under The Radar
#17 Cincinnati vs. #24 Utah:
The Bearcats are riding a 7-game winning streak as the head on the road to Salt Lake City. The Utes two losses come to the arguably the best teams in the Big-12. Cincy QB Brendan Sorsby has been on a tear this season, but he will have his hands full facing the Utah defense. This year Utah is very good at defending the pass and not nearly as good at stopping the run. The Bearcats defense is okay, but we don’t know if Utah signal caller Devon Dampier will play or not. Siding with the home club, however the spread is a tad wide.
The Pick: Utah wins but the pick is Cincinnati+10
- Bearcats 7 game winning streak
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Sorsby on a tear
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Utah at Home
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#10 Miami vs. SMU:
This ACC matchup is flying under the radar due to SMU losing to Wake in week 9. The Hurricanes got back to their bread and butter by running the ball and shutting down the Stanford offense. Mustangs QB Kevin Jennings is listed as probable, so he will likely give it a go but has been seen limping during games. Miami has made a habit at times, being up on the scoreboard only to give up too many points in the 4th quarter. The point spread has this college football junkie stuck. Something worth mentioning is SMU head coach Rhett Lashlee is the former Canes offensive coordinator.
The Pick: Miami wins but the pick is SMU +12.5
- Jennings not 100 Percent
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Miami to run the ball
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Miami struggles in 4th quarter
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Saturday Upset Special
North Carolina upsets Syracuse as +2.5 road dog.
Duke upsets Clemson as a+2.5 road dog.
Hardcore Barnburners
#23 USC vs. Nebraska:
USC had a bye week to lick their wounds after Notre Dame rampaged the Trojans run defense. Nebraska was owned by Minnesota but did manage to bounce back, getting a win against a pesky Northwestern squad. This barnburner is very important to the winner when it comes to the Big Ten race. USC has the horses on the d-line to pressure Cornhusker QB Dylan Railoa and the Trojans should be able to run on Nebraska even with their injuries a running back.
The Pick: USC +6.5
#15 Virginia vs. California: Virginia has been walking on thin ice the last two weeks, and they better get their mojo back on offense soon. Cal is scrappy at home, and travel could be an issue given how long the flight across the country is for the Cavaliers. Although Virginia lost to ACC member in N.C. State, it doesn’t count as a conference game, so technically they’re still unbeaten in league play. Either the Cavs find their rhythm on offense, or they get beat on Saturday afternoon.
The Pick: Virginia –4.5
Against The Spread
Wake Forest +10 versus Florida State
Rutgers +12.5 versus Illinois
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Quick Hits Recap
-Texas A&M has scored over 40 points for the 4th time on the road.
-Aggies QB Marcell Reed accounted for 310 total yards and 4 touchdowns in the 49-25 beat down of LSU.
-As a ranked team LSU gave up the most points dating back to 2008.
-Alabama WR Germie Bernard scored two touchdowns in the last 3 minutes as the Crimson Tide completed a 4th quarter comeback over South Carolina 29-22.
-Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin got his first win on the road versus a ranked team by defeating Oklahoma 34-26. Kiffin was 0 for 6 heading into last Saturday’s game.
-Georgia Tech QB Haynes King became the first player in school history dating back to 1966 to throw for 3 TD’s and rush for 2 TD’s as the Yellow Jackets beat Syracuse 41-16.
-BYU scored a good win on the road at Iowa State 41-27, moving to 8-0, which marks the first time in program history in back-to-back seasons.
-Memphis scored 17 points in the 4th quarter to upset USF 34-31. South Florida missed a 52-yard game tying field goal as time expired.
-Houston earned their first road win over an AP-Poll opponent since 2017 in a 24-16 victory over ASU.
-Oregon got their 43rd consecutive home victory when facing unranked opponents by defeating Wisconsin 21-7.
Written by Chris Carlson
Host of The College Ball Show available under The Rope A Dope Radio Podcast Umbrella on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker, I-Heart Radio, Amazon Podcasts, Google Podcasts & More! Follow on Twitter
@RopeADopeRadio
