Nov 20th predictions

ACC - I like #15 Va Tech on the road against a banged up Miami squad, and I think they survive in a very good game and get the win. I've got NC State falling on the road early in the day against UNC setting up tonight's FSU-Maryland showdown for a spot in the ACC title game. Home just isn't enough, and Florida State is still a far more talented team. Looks like we'll have Va Tech and FSU heading to the ACC title game.

Big 12 - I don't like #16 Oklahoma on the road, but I've lost my faith in Baylor and I do think OU will find a way to win... this time. Then you also have a more important game than you think with #10 Nebraska travelling to #20 Texas A&M who has been incredibly hot the last few games. I think the Black Shirts slow down the Ryan Tannehill momentum and keep their run game moving, and I think they get a big road win to put themselves back on the map a bit and keep slim title hopes alive.

Big 10 - I'm not going to pick a winner in the Illinois-Northwestern game at Wrigley Field, but I do want to point out how utterly embarassing that whole thing has to be for everyone involved. Really, you planned this years in advance and weren't smart enough to get the engineering right? Can we have a schoolyard pick'em draft before the game to choose sides? I'm so confused. As for the game that actually matters, that would be #8 Ohio State travelling to #21 Iowa and I can freely admit I have given up whatever personal hope I still had in the Buckeyes team. They're very talented but they can't win when the chips are on the line. They're way better at home, but OSU is one of the most dominant teams in the country and one that people just aren't talking about, and I think that may change a bit today. I'd love to pretend like Wisconsin could be due for a letdown after 83 points, but not at Michigan, not today.

Indep - Notre Dame is 5-5 with today's spectacle at Yankee Stadium against Army left before a road trip to USC, who I'm sure would love nothing more than to end the Irish season short of a bowl. That makes today a bowl game, and a pretty epic and memorable game between the two squads. For all the injuries and everything that's gone on with the team and school, going to a 6-6 bowl game just doesn't sound so bad for Notre Dame this year. I think they play inspired, and I think they get this one.

MWC - I think we all know by now how I feel about #... oh wait I dont even rank them anymore, Utah Utes. They were media darlings and a top five team just two weeks ago right now, but that was before losing 75-10 in these last two. I think the bleeding continues today on the road against a team that almost took down TCU last week and one I still rank, #23 San Diego St. I like the Aztecs to win this one with relative ease and officially end the meaningfulness of TCU's big win over Utah. That combined with another Boise spanking (a home game, sure, but 51-0 against an always good well coached Fresno St squad, just ridiculous) may move Boise ahead of TCU for good in the polls.

Pac 10 - There's just one big game out west today, but it's The Game with Stanford taking on forever rival Cal. I do believe the Cardinal struggle, but they'll hardly overlook this big game, and Cal has to be crushed after what they did to Oregon last week and couldn't finish the job. I like Stanford to keep their Rose hopes alive with the win.

SEC - Here we have just our third matchup of ranked teams, with #12 Arkansas travelling to face barely ranked #24 Miss State. The Bulldogs have done well this season and still have that big win against Florida, but it's starting to look like a good 7 or 8 win season with one "marquee" win instead of real contenders ehre. They're tough at home, but I don't think they've played a passing offense quite like this one. I don't have a real big upset pick of the day, and this seems like the most likely highly ranked team to fall, but I just think Arkansas is playing too well and is one of the hottest teams in the nation right now. A win would set up a fantastic Black Friday showdown with LSU, a fitting appetizer to the incredible Iron Bowl later that day. Yes please.

Overall, a very weak slate of games and I didnt even pick any big upsets but I don't care because I'll be travelling all day HEADING TO MINNEAPOLIS FOR THE VIKINGS-PACKERS FAVREPALOOZA TOMORROW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:)