LSU at Texas A&M
Although I am a fan of another SEC team, I honestly haven't the faintest idea of who to pick in this game since I believe these are very evenly matched teams given the venue. In a throw of the dart, I'll take Texas A&M. LSU has sorta owned the Aggies in their first two seasons in the SEC. Maybe the third time will be the charm? That's a popular saying anyway, so we'll roll with it here.
My Call: Texas A&M 30, LSU 27
Nebraska at Iowa
Under most circumstances, I'd be saying Nebraska has Ameer Abdullah while a team like Iowa doesn't and that's what would make the difference. Not this week. Hawkeyes take it. Nebraska is just a consistent 4 loss team under Bo Pelini. Another common saying is those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, or in this case, realize history doesn't lie.
My Call: Iowa 26, Nebraska 24
Northern Illinois at Western Michigan
Western Michigan will have some supporters from Toledo, Ohio pulling them on in this one since the Rockets own the tiebreaker over the Broncos, but lost to Northern Illinois. The Huskies can clinch a spot in the MAC Championship Game with a win here while the Broncos would need a win as well as a Toledo loss. Because I like to predict some craziness, I'll take Western Michigan to make the first part happen. I'm expecting a fun, high scoring game that may need more than 60 minutes.
My Call: Western Michigan 40, Northern Illinois 37
Central Florida at South Florida
Bad loss on the road against UConn, but the Knights seem to have turned things around in the past couple of weeks against more bad competition. They'll win number three in a row and keep hope alive of winning the American Athletic Conference crown outright. They will need both Memphis and Cincinnati to trip up along with winning this one and on the road against East Carolina to make that happen. Gotta take care of the first step though, and as I said, they will.
My Call: Central Florida 23, South Florida 13
Houston at SMU
For SMU, they're looking to avoid the total embarrassment of a winless season. Houston is just looking to avoid the humiliation of losing to a team like this. I'm gonna say it won't always be pretty for the Cougs, but that they avoid the humiliation and get their seventh win of the year.
My Call: Houston 34, SMU 14
Toledo at Eastern Michigan
Road games have been more of a chore for Toledo this season, but Eastern Michigan is, if not the worst team in the MAC, very likely the second worst behind Kent State. As mentioned above, Toledo is hoping for some help from Western Michigan. If they get that and win this game, they'll be the ones taking on Bowling Green in the MAC Championship Game. If Northern Illinois wins, well, they've still got a shot at a 7-1 conference mark and a 9 win overall season (counting the bowl game). The Rockets get to 7-1 in MAC play for sure.
My Call: Toledo 34, Eastern Michigan 24
Navy at South Alabama
Bowl eligibility can come for the Midshipmen in this one with a win. Or if they lose, it would set up an all or nothing military showdown with Army. I don't expect it to have to come down to that. Navy and their option offense should give South Alabama enough trouble to pull out the win and a ticket punched to San Diego for the Poinsettia Bowl come bowl season.
My Call: Navy 34, South Alabama 31
Virginia at Virginia Tech
Here's a game I think I hate having to pick more than the LSU/Texas A&M game. Neither of these teams inspires a whole lot of confidence in me and I can't even use the home venue to really prop up the Hokies too much given that they haven't performed too well in Lane Stadium this season. With this in mind, there's a lot at stake in this game between two 5-6 teams. Obviously the winner becomes bowl eligible while the loser will not make a bowl game. Virginia coach Mike London may need this more than anyone in order to try and save his job. The Hokies have won every meeting since 2004. With the games these two played last week, give me... Virginia Tech. I know I'll regret this. Every time I pick these guys to win, they usually end up losing and when I pick them to lose, they surprise me and figure out a way to win. Probably good news for the Cavaliers here in their quest for their first Commonwealth Cup victory in 10 years.
My Call: Virginia Tech 13, Virginia 10
Cincinnati at Temple
Stakes here include a shot for the Bearcats to keep conference title hopes alive and well while for Temple, it's just looking for that thus far elusive sixth win and bowl eligibility. I'm not that confident in this selection, but Cincinnati seems like the right way to lean here. Their defense sucks, but the Owls don't have a wonderful offense and Gunner Kiel should be able to get his stats.
My Call: Cincinnati 31, Temple 24
West Virginia at Iowa State
Interesting setup for this game as West Virginia is looking to snap a three game losing skid and avoid dropping to .500 while the Cyclones have what will be their best chance to avoid a winless season in Big 12 play. ISU still has one more Big 12 game after this, but that game comes on the road against TCU. Yeah, better win this one or else it's looking like 0 for the Big 12. In what will be a bit of a struggle for the Mountaineers, they'll use their offense to offset a struggling defense and pull through.
My Call: West Virginia 41, Iowa State 31
Rice at Louisiana Tech
Overtime loss to Old Dominion by Louisiana Tech this past Saturday kept the door ajar for Rice to step in and steal the Conference USA Western division title and give them a chance to play Marshall in the C-USA title game. However, we think the Bulldogs will make up for that loss and finish the job on their home field. Granted not by a lot, but it's not like that matters too much.
My Call: Louisiana Tech 31, Rice 28
Illinois at Northwestern
Not only is bowl eligibility at stake for these 5-6 in-state conference rivals, but so is the Land of Lincoln Trophy. Illini coach Tim Beckman may need this game to save his job, but we're gonna go with the Wildcats since they're at home and have the better, more proven head coach in Pat Fitzgerald. Plus after winning on the road the last two weeks, I think Northwestern has come a bit too far to let bowl eligibility slip away at this point.
My Call: Northwestern 28, Illinois 20
Purdue at Indiana
First B1G (Big 10) win of the season for Indiana? Yes, let's predict it to happen. That and a second straight win to keep the Old Oaken Bucket Trophy in their possession is enough to play for.
My Call: Indiana 37, Purdue 34
North Carolina State at North Carolina
Got a game here where although both will be going to bowls, the actual game against each other may prove to be the one both would rather prefer to win. After all, nobody wants to lose to an in-state rival. I'm letting the home field dictate this pick for me and taking UNC in a high scorer.
My Call: North Carolina 42, North Carolina State 35
Syracuse at Boston College
Gonna make it simple... although Boston College may not have a wonderful team, they have showed well against quality competition, including this past Saturday's last second loss to FSU. Syracuse is not a quality opponent. Although the sting of losing to the Seminoles may mean it'll take the Eagles some time to get going in this one, they'll get it going, pick up win number seven on the season and perhaps move up a bit in the bowl pecking order.
My Call: Boston College 24, Syracuse 7
Utah at Colorado
Colorado winning this game wouldn't flat out shock me, but I don't have the guts to make the pick. The Utes have the better team and will win provided they show up ready to play.
My Call: Utah 30, Colorado 20
Notre Dame at USC
Pretenders tend to get exposed, and that's what has happened to Notre Dame these last three weeks as they have lost to Arizona State, Northwestern and Louisville and seen a once promising season go completely up in flames. They'll still go to a bowl game, but it won't be anything they had envisioned a month ago. Meanwhile, USC is coming off a blowout loss to inner city rival UCLA. That said, having another rival at home should help them overcome that loss. And so will Notre Dame's vulnerability; they look pretty bad these days. USC won't make it easy, but they'll win.
My Call: USC 31, Notre Dame 24
Rutgers at Maryland
Maryland. Yes, that's basically all I have to say. They're the better team and at home.
My Call: Maryland 34, Rutgers 23
Tennessee at Vanderbilt
Second straight year where Tennessee faces a situation of beat Vanderbilt and they make a bowl; lose to Vandy and they don't. The Vols blew it at home last year, they don't this year. That said, I do expect the Commodores to give it a good college try and make it a game.
My Call: Tennessee 27, Vanderbilt 20
BYU at California
Want to make this one as simple as possible. BYU already knows they're going bowling and knows they'll be playing in the Miami Beach Bowl. Cal needs this game to get back to a bowl game for the first time since 2011. Desperation will serve them well. They won't get many stops, but the offense steps it up against a tough Cougars defense and it proves to be just enough.
My Call: California 35, BYU 31
Pittsburgh at Miami (FL)
James Connor vs. Duke Johnson. These two may get less publicity than say, Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon among others, but they're two of the best running backs in all of college football. Pittsburgh is playing for a spot in a bowl game while Miami is just looking to get back on track in their last game before wherever their bowl destination will take them. Plus a win would guarantee them a winning season. Obviously Miami expects better than 7-5 and I wouldn't be too surprised if their coach Al Golden is feeling some heat. That heat would only intensify if the Canes lose their third straight game, but I think they'll bounce back with a hard fought victory.
My Call: Miami 28, Pittsburgh 27
Washington at Washington State
Apple Cup time! I have no real rhyme or reason behind this pick other than the game is in Pullman and I know the Cougars will be fully ready to go in this one. Washington already has bowl eligibility locked up, Wazzu's bowl game is right here. They pull the upset.
My Call: Washington State 44, Washington 41
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