NCAA picks: After back-to-back 15-5 weeks, TV looks for better in Week 12
Nov. 17—I've finished 15-5 in consecutive weeks of NCAA predictions. With 21 ranked games on the slate this week, I'd like to at least improve to 17-4 this week and try to build on recent success.
Even more so, I want to go 3-0 on my main picks. We have plenty of entertaining matchups on the dock in Week 12 with four ranked-versus-ranked games and a few potential upsets in my eyes.
Let's just jump straight into it and see if TV has a shot at 17 correct picks this week:
11 A.M. GAMES
No. 14 Oklahoma (8-2) vs. Brigham Young (5-5): Sooners got back to form with a blowout and 59 points scored last week against West Virginia. BYU won't be much closer.
No. 3 Michigan (10-0) vs. Maryland (6-4): The Wolverines beat Penn State without Jim Harbaugh on the sideline. They may struggle offensively against a good Maryland team, but won't lose.
No. 8 Alabama (9-1) vs. Chattanooga (7-3): The Mocs are a good FCS program, but this is the real deal, and Alabama won't even play Jalen Milroe in the fourth quarter of this one.
No. 10 Louisville (9-1) vs. Miami (6-4): Louisville hasn't been playing for anything but pride since losing a game to Pittsburgh. It's too bad because it'd be in contention for the playoffs otherwise. Cardinals get tested here but come out on top.
No. 12 Penn State (8-2) vs. Rutgers (6-4): Rutgers plays excellent defense. This game may be low scoring, but the Nittany Lions are too good to fall in this one.
No. 13 Ole Miss (8-2) vs. Louisiana Monroe (2-8): I thought the Rebels had a chance against Georgia last week. They got embarrassed instead. Good news is they get to take that out on ULM this week. Ole Miss rolls to 9-2.
No. 24 Tulane (9-1) vs. Florida Atlantic (4-6): The Green Wave has played in way too many close games this year. But their only loss is to Ole Miss. I have no clue what to expect other than a win in this game. It may be by 1 or by 21, but Tulane wins.
AFTERNOON GAMES (1:30-3 p.m. start times)
No. 22 Utah (7-3) vs. No. 17 Arizona (7-3): The Wildcats have won four in a row while the Utes have dropped two of three. Utah travels to Arizona and ends the win streak for the desert cats.
No. 1 Georgia (10-0) vs. No. 18 Tennessee (7-3): After the embarrassment Tennessee suffered at the hands of Missouri last week, I don't expect the Volunteers to hang around in this one. Being at home may help, but not enough.
No. 16 Iowa (8-2) vs. Illinois (5-5): If the Hawkeyes take care of the Fighting Illini here, they will be playing for a Big Ten championship. I don't see them slipping up at home.
No. 19 Notre Dame (7-3) vs. Wake Forest (4-6): This should be easy enough for the Fighting Irish. The Demon Deacons don't have any upsets this year.
No. 20 North Carolina (8-2) vs. Clemson (6-4): UNC barely survived at home against Duke last week. On the road, in Happy Valley, I'll take Clemson. But this won't be considered an upset because the Tigers are 7.5-point favorites.
No. 2 Ohio State (10-0) vs. Minnesota (5-5): The Buckeyes lost their top ranking from the College Football Playoff committee after Georgia routed Ole Miss. Look for OSU to run through, over, around and past the Golden Gophers in a blowout here.
No. 6 Oregon (9-1) vs. Arizona State (3-7): The Ducks have a huge game next week against in-state rival Oregon State. They might be asleep early on in this contest. And the Sun Devils nearly upset Washington earlier this year. This one may be close in the first half before Oregon pulls away.
No. 23 Oklahoma State (7-3) vs. Houston (4-6): OSU forgot to show up against Central Florida last week after the big win in Bedlam. Now it has to fight for that spot in the Big 12 championship game. The Cowboys' hopes stay alive for now.
EVENING GAMES (6-7 p.m. start times)
No. 21 Kansas State (7-3) vs. No. 25 Kansas (7-3): Kansas is banged up at quarterback. KSU is still in the mix for the Big 12 title game with a 5-2 conference record. The Jayhawks lose at home.
No. 9 Missouri (8-2) vs. Florida (5-5): Missouri's second-half collapse to LSU is really starting bite them in the butt. The Tigers might be ranked sixth with a 9-1 record. The Gators don't have a chance in this game.
No. 15 LSU (7-3) vs. Georgia State (6-4): LSU has it easy this week. Which is good before closing the season in a competitive game against Texas A&M as the Tigers look for a nine-win season.
My picks
No. 4 Florida State (10-0) vs. North Alabama (3-7): Alabama is at least playing a good FCS team. The Seminoles smack the Lions to stay undefeated. LOCK PICK.
No. 5 Washington (10-0) vs. No. 11 Oregon State (8-2): College Game Day in Corvalis, Oregon, would have been nice. This will be a fun game. When Washington wins, don't be surprised when the CFP leaps them over FSU and into the No. 4 spot. BIG GAME.
No. 7 Texas (9-1) vs. Iowa State (6-4): Want to really muddy the waters in the Big 12 conference? Well, maybe it's just me. But this Iowa State team isn't bad at all and has been playing really good football ever since a 30-point loss to OU. When the Cyclones win this one at home there will be five teams with two conference losses in the Big 12. What a final week of the regular season the Big 12 would have. UPSET.
RECORDS
Overall: 168-45; My picks: 16-17; Big game: 5-6; Upset: 2-9; Lock pick: 9-2.
