The CFP Committee has released its first Top 25 Rankings, leading to two bits of drama for Week 10: 1) the race for the Final Four now feels even more real than it previously did; and 2) as a direct result, the pucker factor amongst players and coaches will go up exponentially on a weekly basis from here on out. As we’ve seen during the BCS era, this extra pressure does seem to manifest on the field of play throughout the final few weeks of the season. Expect the same during Week 10 of the 2014 campaign.
| Last Week: | 9-1 | (.900) |
| Season: | 63- 27 | (.700) |
2014 Week 10 CFB Game Picks
Florida State @ Louisville (Thursday, October 30th, 7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Has there been a highly ranked reigning Champion embroiled with more off-field, self-inflicted drama than this season’s Seminoles? Must’ve been with the Miami and Oklahoma teams of the 80s, but this seems unrelenting. None of that stuff has been a problem for Jaboo Winston and the Noles. Louisville’s tough defense and home field crowd will be. The streak will end in week 10.
Pick: Louisville 27, Florida State 24
TCU @ West Virginia (Saturday, November 1st, 3:30 p.m., ESPN2)
Morgantown continues to be a really tough place to play. That said, TCU is really good this season, and just hung 82 on a conference foe last week. The Horned Frogs control their own destiny, and won’t allow the Eers to stand in their way.
Pick: TCU 48, West Virginia 35
Florida vs. Georgia (Saturday, November 1st, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
This game looks like a walkover on paper, but strange things happen at The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Not that strange, though. Expect the Dawgs to pull away in the second half of this one.
Pick: Georgia 38, Florida 17
Utah @ Arizona State (Saturday, November 1st, 11:00 p.m., FOXS1)
ASU is coming off of two very solid conference wins. Utah is coming off its biggest win since joining the PAC-12 three-and-a-half seasons ago. Both teams have exceeded pre-season expectations, and have also overcome injuries along the way. This will be a tough, physical game, but the team with the better defense should prevail. Advantage, Utes.
Pick: Utah 24, Arizona State 20
Auburn @ Mississippi (Saturday, November 1st, 7:00 p.m., ESPN)
The Rebels suffered a terribly disappointing loss in Death Valley last Saturday night, but still can achieve each of their lofty goals if they take care of business the rest of the season. Auburn is a very good team with a very good QB, but the road in the SEC West is harsh. Expect Bo to rebound, surrounded by the love and support of the Ole Miss faithful at Vaught-Hemingway.
Pick: Mississippi 28, Auburn 17
Arizona @ UCLA (Saturday, November 1st, 10:30 p.m., ESPN)
Arizona figures to be disappointed, and at least a little angry with its ranking by the College Football Playoff Committee. Did RichRod’s guys not beat Oregon at Autzen? UCLA has been inconsistent all year, and won a squeaker last weekend against an outmatched foe in Colorado. The signs point to Anu Solomon and the Wildcats in this one, but I like Brett Hundley and his team at home. There will be offense in this one.
Pick: UCLA 38, Arizona 31
Air Force @ Army (Saturday, November 1st, 11:30 p.m., CBS)
Gotta love the games that decide the annual Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. This is a “records don’t mean much” series, between some of the best, brightest, and bravest young men that our nation has to offer. Army will put up a good fight at home, but Air Force has just enough offensive diversity in its attack to pull out a win.
Pick: Air Force 24, Army 14
Duke @ Pittsburgh (Saturday, November 1st, 12:00 p.m. ESPNU)
Duke has been quiet and steady all season long, as it marches toward a repeat of last season’s Coastal Division title. Pittsburgh has been problematic, but inconsistent. The Panthers haven’t been much better at home than on the road, though, and Duke has more talent. Anthony Boone and his teammates should get the win.
Pick: Duke 28, Pittsburgh 21
Maryland @ Penn State (Saturday, November 1st, 12:00 p.m., ESPN2)
Tough Week 9 experiences for each of these teams, who look to rebound and at least find a path to bowl eligibility this season. Penn State is at home, and doesn’t tend to give up very many points (9th in the nation in scoring defense). The Nittany Lions also don’t tend to score many points of their own (#106 in the nation in scoring offense). Also, Maryland needs this win more to preserve its postseason outlook. Expect the fighting tortoises to play accordingly.
Pick: Maryland 31, Penn State 17
Stanford @ Oregon (Saturday, November 1st, 7:30 p.m., FOX)
The betting line on this game has changed dramatically since opening at Oregon -12.5 last Sunday. At midweek, the line is Oregon -8, but it had gone even lower earlier in the week. Over the past four seasons, home field hasn’t meant much in this series, as the teams have won twice each, with one win at home and one on the road. The game tends to either be an Oregon blowout or a narrow Stanford victory. Expect the latter, in this week’s upset special.
Pick: Stanford 26, Oregon 23
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