College Football Quick Picks: Week 10
by Anthony Della Calce
November 3, 2006
Quick Picks was a disappointing 3-3 in ACC predictions last week, its worst showing of the year. But, it was 6-1 in national predictions; going 9-4 in week nine for a 44-18 record overall. This week is fairly light on big national games but some intriguing ACC match-ups highlight the schedule. Let’s see who will kick off November with a win.
ACC Action:
Saturday
Maryland (6-2) at #19 Clemson (7-2) – Noon, ESPN2
Clemson is better. Plus, the Tigers are playing at home after losing their last game, a Thursday night debacle at Virginia Tech in front of a rowdy Blacksburg crowd. If Clemson returns to form, it should earn a win against a feisty Maryland squad. But Tigers beware; the Terrapins come into Death Valley looking for a key ACC road victory in their quest for a spot in the ACC Championship.
Prediction – Clemson 29, Maryland 24
Virginia (4-5) at Florida State (4-4) – Noon, RAY/LFS-TV
Who knows which team is better? The Seminoles are clearly more talented but their talent hasn’t shown up lately. However, call it a cavalier attitude toward FSU, but Quick Picks still thinks Bobby Bowden is going to rally his troops. Of course it didn’t happen last week but maybe this week, with the game at home, the result will be different.
Prediction – Florida State 22, Virginia 16
Navy (5-3) at Duke (0-8) – 1p.m.
Navy is better. Navy is way better. And so is everyone else in division I-A college football. That is the reason why the Blue Devils have the longest losing streak in the country at 16 in a row.
Prediction – Navy 35, Duke 14
North Carolina (1-7) at #11 Notre Dame (7-1) – 2:30 p.m., NBC
See above answer, but replace Navy with Notre Dame and Duke with UNC. Although, despite their best efforts, the Tar Heels are not as bad as Duke. But, Notre Dame is a much better opponent than Navy.
Prediction – Notre Dame 50, North Carolina 10
#20 Georgia Tech (6-2) at N.C. State (3-5) – 7 p.m., ESPNU
Georgia Tech is better. N.C. State rebounded after two tough non-conference losses early in the season (Akron and Southern Miss) but its season is fizzling after three straight ACC losses. Meanwhile, Georgia Tech’s season is heading back in the right direction after its win against Miami last week. The Yellow Jackets have a firm grip on the Atlantic division and a spot in the ACC Championship.
Prediction – Georgia Tech 27, N.C. State 17
#16 Boston College at #22 Wake Forest – 7 p.m., ESPN2
Boston College is better. The Eagles are the highest ranked team in the ACC. But, it seems the best team in the ACC can never remain that way for too long (see Clemson). Wake Forest is at home and, as an under-rated team, has something to prove in a nationally-televised, primetime game. The Demon Deacons will be ready to remove the Eagles from their perch atop the Coastal division and the ACC.
Prediction – Wake Forest 24, Boston College 23
Around the Country - Quick Picks:
Friday
Air Force (3-4) at Army (3-6) – 8 p.m., ESPN2
The Commander-In-Chief’s trophy, part II features the Falcons of Air Force against the Black Knights of Army. Air Force lost earlier in the season to Navy which means it must win this game to have any hopes of winning the CIC trophy. But, that won’t happen as the Black Knights will prevail at home in West Point, NY (which, by the way, is a great place to see a college football game). That will set up a showdown for the 2006 CIC trophy on Dec. 2, when Army meets Navy.
Prediction – Army 20, Air Force 17
Saturday
Penn State (6-3) at #17 Wisconsin (8-1) – Noon, ABC
Nature would favor the Lions over the Badgers. That makes this pick a natural selection.
Prediction – Penn State 13, Wisconsin 10
#13 LSU (6-2) at #8 Tennessee (7-1) – 3:30 p.m., CBS
No one in the SEC is volunteering to come to Knoxville these days.
Prediction – Tennessee 19, LSU 16
Oklahoma State (5-3) at #4 Texas (8-1) – 7 p.m., TBS
Western logic has the Cowboys roping the ‘Horns. But football logic has the ‘Horns goring the Cowboys.
Prediction – Texas 38, Oklahoma State 21
#12 Arkansas (7-1) at South Carolina (5-3) – 7:45 p.m., ESPN
Will the Old Ball Coach lose two primetime home games in a row? When those two games are against #8 Tennessee (last week) and #12 Arkansas, the answer is yes.
Prediction – Arkansas 26, South Carolina 20
UCLA (4-4) at #10 California (7-1) – 8 p.m., ABC
This bear fight won’t be a dog fight. The Golden Bears will take care of the Bruins handily.
Prediction – California 34, UCLA 20
#18 Oklahoma (6-2) at #21 Texas A&M (8-1) – 8p.m., ABC
Sooner or later, Texas A&M is going to come down to earth. Quick Picks thinks it will be happen sooner – as in this week against the Sooners.
Prediction – Oklahoma 25, Texas A&M 19
|