College Football Week 10 Preview
By Matt Hetzler 10/31/16
Below are 10 games that are on my slate of games to watch. Tyler (Mr. Arena Fanatic) and I will give our predictions for each game. Here we go!
Tyler’s totals after week 9: 82/135 (61%)
Matt’s totals after week 9: 86/135 (64%)
Quick Hits:
TCU @ 13 Baylor (-10)
TCU has been a bust so far this season. A loss to Texas Tech at home and the benching of Kenny Hill has left TCU at the bottom of the conference. Baylor fell from the list of the unbeatens after a tough loss to Texas. Seth Russell had a gutsy performance but the defense had no answer for Foreman. TCU struggled at Kansas 3 weeks ago and won by a single point. I’ve lost all confidence in the Horned Frogs offense. Luckily for TCU, the defense has been decent enough to win games. Seth Russell and KD Cannon will do just enough to get a win in Waco.
Tyler’s pick: Baylor 42-28
Matt’s pick: Baylor 45-38
22 Oklahoma State @ Kansas State (-2.5)
Kansas State has one of the better defense in the conference and will be tested against the high powered Cowboys offense. Oklahoma State knocked off undefeated WVU last weekend and looked great all-around while doing it. Let’s not forget this Cowboys teams should be sitting at 7-1 with a win over CMU. Oklahoma State is a really good football team and I’m surprised they are an underdog this week. Mason Rudolph and James Washington are finding a nice groove as the season moves along. Jesse Ertz has given the Wildcats a dual threat option but they still lack an explosive player. Oklahoma State has too much firepower for the Wildcats to hang in this week.
Tyler’s pick: Oklahoma State 33-17
Matt’s pick: Oklahoma State 38-24
8 Wisconsin (-5.5) @ Northwestern
Wisconsin rolls into Evanston after another big win at home. Wisconsin held on to beat the Huskers in OT but now must travel to take on a sneaky good NW team. Northwestern has played lights out since the loss to Nebraska. NW had a chance to tie the game late in Columbus against the Buckeyes. Wisconsin is still struggling on offense after week 9. Wisconsin keeps bouncing back and forth between QB’s, but Dare Ogunbowale has been clutch for the Badgers. NW’s rush defense will be the key for the Wildcats in this game. NW QB Clayton Thorson has started to become the QB of the future for this Wildcats team. Thorson is getting it done with his arm and can still beat defenses with his feet. Justin Jackson has been a workhorse and the emergence of Austin Carr on the outside has really made this offense go. I think Wisconsin will struggle on the road after a tough stretch of game and I predict the Wildcats win and keep themselves alive for a B1G West crown.
Tyler’s pick: Wisconsin 24-17
Matt’s pick: Northwestern 20-17
Iowa @ 20 Penn State (-5.5)
Penn State are winners of four straight games and just demolished Purdue last weekend. Iowa is coming off of a bye week and looks to play spoiler in Beaver Stadium. C.J. Beathard has to play better for the Hawkeyes this week. If Beathard can open up the run game with his arm, Iowa could leave with a win. Penn State has a ton of momentum behind them and could easily win out and play for a conference title. McSorley in finding rhythm with Godwin on the outside and Barkley is nearing 1,000 yards for the season. I like Iowa’s defense more than I do Penn State’s. I will probably regret this but I am going to take the road dog to win outright.
Tyler’s pick: Penn State 27-26
Matt’s pick: Iowa 24-23
Air Force @ Army
Army is coming off a huge win at Wake Forest last weekend. The defense played lights out and Ahmad Bradshaw carried the Knights offense for the victory. Air Force stopped a 3 game skid with a win at Fresno. Arion Worthman rushed for over 100 yards and the defense played great. Both of these teams match up well and it should be a slug fest. Both teams are looking to get bowl eligible with a win this week. Army’s defense is better statistically but haven’t played the competition level of Air Force. With that being said, I’m going to take Air Force in this matchup.
Tyler’s pick: Air Force 32-24
Matt’s pick: Air Force 17-14
Navy @ Notre Dame (-5.5)
Notre Dame turned its season around after a win against Miami last week. DeShone Kizer was efficient and Josh Adams carried the Irish. Navy is coming off of a loss to South Florida, where they gave up 52 points. Notre Dame has to stop the option attack and the run defense for the Irish has been a lot better than the pass. Navy will be outmatched in this game, much like the USF game. Navy will put up a good fight but I think ND gets the job done.
Tyler’s pick: Notre Dame 42-27
Matt’s pick: Notre Dame 27-20
Toledo (-9) @ Akron
This game has big MAC Championship implications. Both teams have no margin for error after losses last week. Toledo’s QB Logan Woodside is a player you should know. Woodside has already tossed 31 passing TD’s and 2,700 plus yards. Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson should be able to have big games on the ground against this Akron D. Akron is allowing 483 yards per game defensively and Buffalo’s Jordan Johnson ran wild on the Zips. Akron’s offense can’t get a consistent rushing attack going, but Thomas Woodson is having a solid season. Toledo has to win to keep pace with Western Michigan and I like them to win, big.
Tyler’s pick: Toledo 33-30
Matt’s pick: Toledo 45-24
10 Florida (-5) @ Arkansas
Florida finds itself in the driver’s seat in the SEC after a Tennessee loss this past weekend. Florida also played lights out on the defensive side of the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs. Arkansas had a bye week after being destroyed by the Auburn Tigers two weeks ago. This may be the best offense Florida has faced all season. Austin Allen has played extremely well for Arkansas. Rawleigh Williams was held in check against Auburn so I expect him to come out with a fire in his stomach. In fact, I think the entire Arkansas team has something to prove after such a pathetic performance. Florida continues to struggle offensively. Luke Del Rio is not playing well and they cannot get a run game going consistently. Florida has to find a way to move the ball this week. The SEC West has dominated the East over the past 4-5 seasons and this week it will continue. Hogs win at home!
Tyler’s pick: Florida 28-24
Matt’s pick: Arkansas 24-17
9 Nebraska @ 6 Ohio State (-13.5)
Nebraska lost a heart breaker to the Badgers last weekend and the Buckeyes survived a tough test from Northwestern. Ohio State enters the game as a huge home favorite. J.T. Barrett has struggled the entire month of October and I’ve finally dropped him off my Heisman Watch. This would be a huge game for him to get his stock back up with the voters. Ohio State’s defense continues to be solid and will only get better when the offense gets it going. Tommy Armstrong made some poor throws against Wisconsin that may have cost his team the W. Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel will get a ton of touches this week. Ohio State’s season is on the line and I think this is the week that Barrett gets back on track. Buckeyes roll to a big win.
Tyler’s pick: Ohio State 27-20
Matt’s pick: Ohio State 38-17
1 Alabama (-7) @ 15 LSU
This is the game of the week! LSU has quietly moved back up to the top 15 in the polls and is playing with tons of confidence. Coach Orgeron has worked his magic and quickly has turned the season around. Looking at this matchup, both defenses are tops in the country. Alabama QB Jalen Hurts has played great as a true freshman. Hurts is managing games and making huge plays when the Tide need one. Damien Harris is becoming the next great Bama RB. The defense has been lights out and scoring tons of points. LSU cannot afford to turn the ball over and allow the Tide D to get easy points. Danny Etling has stepped up his game in the past couple weeks. Etling has benefited from a resurgent rushing attack. Leonard Fournette returned to the lineup with a vengeance against Ole Miss. With Fournette and Guice as a 1-2 punch, LSU is deadly on offense. Fournette has to remember last season’s game in Alabama. The Tide derailed his Heisman hopes and sent the LSU Tigers into a spiral. Revenge has to be on the minds of the LSU Tigers and no one will remind them of it like Coach Orgeron will. I had Alabama losing one game this season and it will be this one. It’s hard to win in Death Valley and the Tide with a true freshman on the road, I like the Tigers.
Tyler’s pick: Alabama 32-17
Matt’s pick: LSU 23-21
Tyler’s totals after week 9: 82/135 (61%)
Matt’s totals after week 9: 86/135 (64%)
Quick Hits:
TCU @ 13 Baylor (-10)
TCU has been a bust so far this season. A loss to Texas Tech at home and the benching of Kenny Hill has left TCU at the bottom of the conference. Baylor fell from the list of the unbeatens after a tough loss to Texas. Seth Russell had a gutsy performance but the defense had no answer for Foreman. TCU struggled at Kansas 3 weeks ago and won by a single point. I’ve lost all confidence in the Horned Frogs offense. Luckily for TCU, the defense has been decent enough to win games. Seth Russell and KD Cannon will do just enough to get a win in Waco.
Tyler’s pick: Baylor 42-28
Matt’s pick: Baylor 45-38
22 Oklahoma State @ Kansas State (-2.5)
Kansas State has one of the better defense in the conference and will be tested against the high powered Cowboys offense. Oklahoma State knocked off undefeated WVU last weekend and looked great all-around while doing it. Let’s not forget this Cowboys teams should be sitting at 7-1 with a win over CMU. Oklahoma State is a really good football team and I’m surprised they are an underdog this week. Mason Rudolph and James Washington are finding a nice groove as the season moves along. Jesse Ertz has given the Wildcats a dual threat option but they still lack an explosive player. Oklahoma State has too much firepower for the Wildcats to hang in this week.
Tyler’s pick: Oklahoma State 33-17
Matt’s pick: Oklahoma State 38-24
8 Wisconsin (-5.5) @ Northwestern
Wisconsin rolls into Evanston after another big win at home. Wisconsin held on to beat the Huskers in OT but now must travel to take on a sneaky good NW team. Northwestern has played lights out since the loss to Nebraska. NW had a chance to tie the game late in Columbus against the Buckeyes. Wisconsin is still struggling on offense after week 9. Wisconsin keeps bouncing back and forth between QB’s, but Dare Ogunbowale has been clutch for the Badgers. NW’s rush defense will be the key for the Wildcats in this game. NW QB Clayton Thorson has started to become the QB of the future for this Wildcats team. Thorson is getting it done with his arm and can still beat defenses with his feet. Justin Jackson has been a workhorse and the emergence of Austin Carr on the outside has really made this offense go. I think Wisconsin will struggle on the road after a tough stretch of game and I predict the Wildcats win and keep themselves alive for a B1G West crown.
Tyler’s pick: Wisconsin 24-17
Matt’s pick: Northwestern 20-17
Iowa @ 20 Penn State (-5.5)
Penn State are winners of four straight games and just demolished Purdue last weekend. Iowa is coming off of a bye week and looks to play spoiler in Beaver Stadium. C.J. Beathard has to play better for the Hawkeyes this week. If Beathard can open up the run game with his arm, Iowa could leave with a win. Penn State has a ton of momentum behind them and could easily win out and play for a conference title. McSorley in finding rhythm with Godwin on the outside and Barkley is nearing 1,000 yards for the season. I like Iowa’s defense more than I do Penn State’s. I will probably regret this but I am going to take the road dog to win outright.
Tyler’s pick: Penn State 27-26
Matt’s pick: Iowa 24-23
Air Force @ Army
Army is coming off a huge win at Wake Forest last weekend. The defense played lights out and Ahmad Bradshaw carried the Knights offense for the victory. Air Force stopped a 3 game skid with a win at Fresno. Arion Worthman rushed for over 100 yards and the defense played great. Both of these teams match up well and it should be a slug fest. Both teams are looking to get bowl eligible with a win this week. Army’s defense is better statistically but haven’t played the competition level of Air Force. With that being said, I’m going to take Air Force in this matchup.
Tyler’s pick: Air Force 32-24
Matt’s pick: Air Force 17-14
Navy @ Notre Dame (-5.5)
Notre Dame turned its season around after a win against Miami last week. DeShone Kizer was efficient and Josh Adams carried the Irish. Navy is coming off of a loss to South Florida, where they gave up 52 points. Notre Dame has to stop the option attack and the run defense for the Irish has been a lot better than the pass. Navy will be outmatched in this game, much like the USF game. Navy will put up a good fight but I think ND gets the job done.
Tyler’s pick: Notre Dame 42-27
Matt’s pick: Notre Dame 27-20
Toledo (-9) @ Akron
This game has big MAC Championship implications. Both teams have no margin for error after losses last week. Toledo’s QB Logan Woodside is a player you should know. Woodside has already tossed 31 passing TD’s and 2,700 plus yards. Kareem Hunt and Terry Swanson should be able to have big games on the ground against this Akron D. Akron is allowing 483 yards per game defensively and Buffalo’s Jordan Johnson ran wild on the Zips. Akron’s offense can’t get a consistent rushing attack going, but Thomas Woodson is having a solid season. Toledo has to win to keep pace with Western Michigan and I like them to win, big.
Tyler’s pick: Toledo 33-30
Matt’s pick: Toledo 45-24
10 Florida (-5) @ Arkansas
Florida finds itself in the driver’s seat in the SEC after a Tennessee loss this past weekend. Florida also played lights out on the defensive side of the ball against the Georgia Bulldogs. Arkansas had a bye week after being destroyed by the Auburn Tigers two weeks ago. This may be the best offense Florida has faced all season. Austin Allen has played extremely well for Arkansas. Rawleigh Williams was held in check against Auburn so I expect him to come out with a fire in his stomach. In fact, I think the entire Arkansas team has something to prove after such a pathetic performance. Florida continues to struggle offensively. Luke Del Rio is not playing well and they cannot get a run game going consistently. Florida has to find a way to move the ball this week. The SEC West has dominated the East over the past 4-5 seasons and this week it will continue. Hogs win at home!
Tyler’s pick: Florida 28-24
Matt’s pick: Arkansas 24-17
9 Nebraska @ 6 Ohio State (-13.5)
Nebraska lost a heart breaker to the Badgers last weekend and the Buckeyes survived a tough test from Northwestern. Ohio State enters the game as a huge home favorite. J.T. Barrett has struggled the entire month of October and I’ve finally dropped him off my Heisman Watch. This would be a huge game for him to get his stock back up with the voters. Ohio State’s defense continues to be solid and will only get better when the offense gets it going. Tommy Armstrong made some poor throws against Wisconsin that may have cost his team the W. Mike Weber and Curtis Samuel will get a ton of touches this week. Ohio State’s season is on the line and I think this is the week that Barrett gets back on track. Buckeyes roll to a big win.
Tyler’s pick: Ohio State 27-20
Matt’s pick: Ohio State 38-17
1 Alabama (-7) @ 15 LSU
This is the game of the week! LSU has quietly moved back up to the top 15 in the polls and is playing with tons of confidence. Coach Orgeron has worked his magic and quickly has turned the season around. Looking at this matchup, both defenses are tops in the country. Alabama QB Jalen Hurts has played great as a true freshman. Hurts is managing games and making huge plays when the Tide need one. Damien Harris is becoming the next great Bama RB. The defense has been lights out and scoring tons of points. LSU cannot afford to turn the ball over and allow the Tide D to get easy points. Danny Etling has stepped up his game in the past couple weeks. Etling has benefited from a resurgent rushing attack. Leonard Fournette returned to the lineup with a vengeance against Ole Miss. With Fournette and Guice as a 1-2 punch, LSU is deadly on offense. Fournette has to remember last season’s game in Alabama. The Tide derailed his Heisman hopes and sent the LSU Tigers into a spiral. Revenge has to be on the minds of the LSU Tigers and no one will remind them of it like Coach Orgeron will. I had Alabama losing one game this season and it will be this one. It’s hard to win in Death Valley and the Tide with a true freshman on the road, I like the Tigers.
Tyler’s pick: Alabama 32-17
Matt’s pick: LSU 23-21
Matt's Top 251. Alabama
2. Michigan 3. Clemson 4. Washington 5. Louisville 6. Ohio State 7. Texas A&M 8. Auburn 9. Wisconsin 10. Nebraska 11. Florida 12. LSU 13. Western Michigan 14. West Virginia 15. Baylor 16. Oklahoma 17. Utah 18. North Carolina 19. Penn State 20. Colorado 21. Florida State 22. Oklahoma State 23. Virginia Tech 24. Boise State 25. Washington State Matt's Top 10 Non Power 51. Western Michigan (#13 nationally)
2. Boise State (#24 nationally) 3. Houston 4. Temple 5. South Florida 6. San Diego State 7. Troy 8. Appalachian State 9. Tulsa 10. Western Kentucky Matt's Top 10 Heisman1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
2. Jake Browning, QB, Washington 3. Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State 4. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma 5. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson 6. Pat Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech 7. Dalvin Cook, RB, Florida State 8. Trent Taylor, WR, La Tech 9. Jalen Hurts, QB, Alabama 10. Kamryn Pettway, RB, Auburn Matt's Playoff and New Years SixPeach Bowl: 4 Washington vs. 1 Alabama
Fiesta Bowl: 3 Clemson vs. 2 Michigan Orange Bowl: Louisville vs. Nebraska Sugar Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin Cotton Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Baylor Rose Bowl: Ohio State vs. Florida |
Tyler's Top 251. Alabama
2. Clemson 3. Michigan 4. Louisville 5. Washington 6. Ohio State 7. Texas A&M 8. Wisconsin 9. Nebraska 10. Florida 11. Auburn 12. West Virginia 13. Oklahoma 14. Western Michigan 15. Boise State 16. Baylor 17. Penn State 18. LSU 19. North Carolina 20. Virginia Tech 21. Colorado 22. Washington State 23. Florida State 24. Utah 25. Houston Tyler's Top 10 Non Power 51. Western Michigan (#14 Nationally)
2. Boise State (#15 Nationally 3. Houston (#25 Nationally) 4. Temple 5. South Florida 6. Troy 7. App State 8. WKU 9. MTSU 10. Tulsa Tyler's Top 10 Heisman1. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville
2. Donnel Pumphrey, San Diego State 3. Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson 4. Jeremy McNichols, Boise State 5. Patrick Mahomes, QB, TTU 6. Luke Falk, QB, Washington State 7. Ryan Higgins, QB, La Tech 8. Amba Etta-Tawo, WR, Syracuse 9. Trent Taylor, WR, La Tech 10. Davis Webb, QB, Cal Tyler's Playoff and New Years SixPeach Bowl: 4 Louisville vs. 1 Alabama
Fiesta Bowl: 2 Clemson vs. 3 Michigan Orange Bowl: Florida State vs. Nebraska Sugar Bowl: Texas A&M vs. Wisconsin Cotton Bowl: Western Michigan vs. Florida Rose Bowl: Washington vs. Ohio State |
