The SEC maybe have lost their slate to COVID, but the college football rolls one with over 50 games on the schedule this week. Below are some of the best College Football Week 11 games to watch.
Miami vs. Virginia Tech
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: Noon ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Virginia Tech -2
A critical matchup for both teams, Miami and Virginia Tech clash in Lane Stadium Saturday at high noon. Miami survived a scare from NC State last week and will need to once again put up 40 or more points to give itself the opportunity to win against a very good Virginia Tech offense. A Cane victory keeps them firmly in place as a contender to reach the ACC Championship game with their only loss being to Clemson. For the Virginia Tech, it simply needs a win to get its season back on track after a crazy ending and loss to its game against Liberty last week. If the Hokies drop another game, the seat for Justin Fuente could start to get warm once again. This one will likely be a high scoring game with both quarterbacks racking up yards both on the ground and in the air. However, Miami has the better defense which should make just enough plays to win this one for Canes.
Prediction: Miami wins 44-40
Indiana vs. Michigan State
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: Noon ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Indiana -7.5
Who is Michigan State? Is it the trainwreck of an offense we saw against Rutgers in the first half and Iowa last week, or is it a fairly complete team that plays complimentary football like we saw in the second half of the Rutgers game and all day against Michigan? The answer is it does not matter because Indiana is legit this year. The Hoosiers offense is balanced with dynamic weapons across the board. Quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has been solid all year, and his mobility will be an extra dimension Michigan State will have to account for. The Hoosiers defense will not be as disruptive as Iowa, but it is a solid unit that will benefit from a turnover prone Spartan offense getting the Hoosiers offense an extra possession or two. Indiana keeps its train rolling grabbing an early lead and holding off a late push from the Spartans in the second half.
Prediction: Indiana wins 36-24
Notre Dame vs. Boston College
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Notre Dame -13.5
Coming off its huge overtime win against Clemson, Notre Dame cannot afford to sleep on an upset-minded Boston College team. Former Irish quarterback and current Boston College signal caller Phil Jurkovec has had a fantastic year and will be extra motivated to take down his former teammates. Meanwhile Notre Dame needs to keep its foot on the gas pedal as there are still plenty of contenders in the ACC that could leapfrog the Irish if they were to drop a game unexpectedly. Both teams have physical offensive lines and defensive front sevens which should lead to an extremely physical game. Ian Book and the offense appear to have hit their stride in the passing game and that is what will ultimately make the difference in this one. The Irish win a defensive, run heavy struggle.
Prediction: Notre Dame wins 30-25
SMU vs. Tulsa
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Tulsa -2.5
SMU and Tulsa meet in an under the radar matchup that will go a long way in solidifying the AAC standings. SMU has been in the top 25 nearly all season with senior quarterback Shane Buechele slinging the rock for the Mustangs. Their offense ranks seventh in the country among teams that have played five or more games, averaging 526 yards per game and five touchdowns per game. The SMU offense will be met by a still Tulsa defense that held offenses like Oklahoma State and UCF in check this year. The Golden Hurricane are currently undefeated in AAC play but will need a big offensive day to keep that streak alive. Even with all its yards and touchdowns, SMU’s offense has really failed to pull away from teams this year. Tulsa though has not played for two weeks and might have some rust on offense that could put them in a hole early. SMU wins, but in a lower scoring game than most expect.
Prediction: SMU wins 33-28
Northwestern vs. Purdue
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: BTN
Spread: Northwestern -2.5
A crucial battle between a couple of unbeatens in the Big Ten West, Northwestern and Purdue play what is likely an elimination game on the path to the Big Ten Championship game. The Wildcats have beaten opponents with stellar defensive play led by Butkus Award candidate Paddy Fisher. Their offense has been hot and cold but will need to be on point to keep up with a Purdue attack that has been impressive in the early going. The Boilermakers are still without top target Rondale Moore but could be getting him back this week. If Moore plays, he will form a three-headed monster with David Bell and the emerging Milton Wright. This will be a back-and-forth game with both sides likely holding the lead at some point. Ultimately, the defense of the Wildcats will come through in a few key stops at the end of the game to seal the win.
Prediction: Northwestern wins 33-31
Wisconsin vs. Michigan
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: Wisconsin -4.5
Is this the weekend we finally get to see Wisconsin again? The answer appears to be yes. The Badgers have had their last two games cancelled due to COVID, but things could be worse. Speaking of worse, Michigan is trying to avoid its third straight loss of what can only be described a disastrous start to the season. The Wolverine offense has stalled in the past two games after a strong start to the season, and the defense is not doing any favors either. Wisconsin’s defense will undoubtedly be the best Michigan has seen thus far and will really push the Wolverines to get off to strong starts on the drives or leave the defense on the field with a ground and pound Badger offense. This game will be tight early with Wisconsin shaking off some layoff rust, but the Badger defense will keep them in the game and give their offense some short fields. Wisconsin wins this one but needs all four quarters to get it done.
Prediction: Wisconsin wins 30-24
Cal vs. Arizona State
Date: Saturday, Nov. 14
Time: 10:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Arizona State -3.5
We have ourselves some Pac-12 after dark with Cal and Arizona State under the lights in Tempe. Cal will be making its season debut after a COVID scare kept the Bears from taking the field against Washington last week. Quarterback Chase Garbers returns and will be debuting a new pro-style offense under the guidance of first year offense coordinator Bill Musgrave. Cal will need to come out hot because Arizona State and Jayden Daniels will be ready to go on offense. The Sun Devils will look to bounce back against Cal after an improbable loss to USC last week. The Cal defense will be another tough test for Arizona State, but with a game under their belts and a home field advantage, the Sun Devils will find a way to win the tight game this time.
Prediction: Arizona State wins 28-24
Photo courtesy of UWBadgers.com
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