Week 10 saw the ACC race intensify with losses from Miami and Georgia Tech, along with other ranked teams, including Houston & Tennessee. Week 11 is light in the way of meaningful matchups. The SEC, Big-12, and Big Ten still have crucial games on the docket. The conference standings are expected to produce a lot of drama in November, just as they did in Week 10. The playoffs committee released their rankings on Tuesday—nothing to crazy or out of left field at least for this college football podcaster.
Marquee Matchups
#3 Texas A&M vs #22 Missouri:
Missouri hosts undefeated Texas A&M in a crucial contest in the SEC. On a slower Saturday, the Aggies need this win to keep pace with Alabama among three other teams with one loss in conference. As far as the playoffs are concerned, this is a must-win for the Tigers. Missouri’s two losses are respectable, coming via Alabama and Vanderbilt by a total of 10 points. Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss will not be active due to injury. The Tigers will start true freshman QB Matt Zollers, so that Missouri will rely heavily on the ground game. Both teams are coming off a bye, so maybe the Tigers have found something to surprise the Aggies’ defense. It isn’t easy to bet against head coach Mike Elko, who has his team seemingly peaking in November.
The Pick: Texas A&M -7
- Playoff Implications
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Tigers to struggle throwing the ball
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Aggies Defense the difference
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#7 BYU vs #8 Texas Tech:
Unbeaten BYU takes the show on the road to face Texas Tech in Lubbock. This noon eastern tilt could very well decide who wins the Big-12. The Red Raiders did see their quarterback, Behren Morton, return in a win over K-State. BYU won the Holy War versus Utah and is coming off a road win over Iowa State. Both programs run the ball at a high level, so success in that department is key. Tech is holding opponents to just under 75 rush yards per game compared to the Cougars 130 rush yards per contest. Texas Tech is elite at forcing turnovers, especially fumbles. BYU has thrown seven interceptions on the road, which ranks 5th in the NCAA, according to Fox Sports. Texas Tech will win, but the spread does appear a bit wide. That said, turnovers could break this thing wide open for the Red Raiders.
The Pick: Texas Tech wins, but the pick is BYU +10.
- Big 12 Title on the Line
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Texas Tech Run Defense wins the game
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Game at Texas Tech
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Under The Radar
#6 Oregon vs #20 Iowa:
One of the toughest stadiums in the Big Ten to play at is Kinnick. The Ducks dodge a primetime night matchup, but the point remains, and this will be the stingiest defense Oregon has faced thus far. To be fair before Penn State’s collapse, the Ducks did get a nice win in a white out at Happy Valley. Clearly that win hasn’t held up, and in their last outing Oregon didn’t play up to standard against Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes offense isn’t pretty, yet it has improved from years past. Iowa doesn’t beat itself and is more than capable of scoring on special teams and defense. Iowa and Oregon are neck and neck with Michigan and USC as 1-loss teams in league play. The weather should be cold, windy, and rain is in the forecast.
The Pick: Iowa +6.5
- Hawkeyes tough at home
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The Ducks are not playing well
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Iowa won’t beat itself
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Saturday Upset Special
FSU upsets Clemson as a slight road dog +1.5
Hardcore Barnburners
#14 Virginia vs Wake Forest:
Virginia is holding on tight in the lead of the ACC with 5 one-loss teams nipping at their toes. Wake Forest was in a very nice groove prior to getting waxed last week by FSU 42-7. Virginia finally put up some points in a win at Cal as they look to close November out strong. ACC is up for grabs giving us Big-12 vibes from a year ago, making this matchup a perfect fit for a hardcore barnburner.
The Pick: Virginia –6.5
#22 Memphis vs Tulane:
Friday night lights action in the AAC when Memphis travels to Tulane on ESPN. Run defense and red zone penalties on defense have been a major issue for Tulane. Memphis seems to be headed in the right direction after that comeback win over USF. A let down spot is here given Tulane just lost to UTSA so don’t be shocked if this is a close one in the 4th quarter. Something to keep an eye on is Tigers QB Brendon Lewis may not play as the spread dropped from –6.5 to –3.5.
The Pick: Memphis –3.5
Against The Spread
Northwestern +14.5 versus #19 USC
The College Ball Show Link:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rope-a-dope-radio-podcast/id1794655742?i=1000735330233
Quick Hits Recap
-NC State upset G-Tech 48-36 even with Yellow Jackets QB Haynes King accounting for over 500 total yards and 4 TD’s.
-Wolfpack QB CJ Bailey put up 304 passing yards and 3 total TD’s in the win over previously unbeaten Georgia Tech.
-Texas QB Arch Manning had his best day of the season throwing for 328 yards and three touchdowns in a crucial win over Vanderbilt.
-Vandy QB Diego Pavia was 27 of 38 for 365 yards and 4 total touchdowns in the loss to the Longhorns.
-Utah’s thrashing of Cincinnati 45-14 gave the Utes its 6th 30 plus victory of the season. The most dating back all the way to 1931.
-Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith added to his touchdown total in a 38-14 victory over Penn State. Smith has had 24 TD receptions giving him the most in FBS since the beginning of 2024.
-ASU Jeff Simms filled in for starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, rushing for 228 yards and two touchdowns
-UTSA QB Owen McCown had a monster day going 31 of 33 for 370 passing yards and 4 touchdowns in 48-26 upset win over Tulane.
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
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