It’s getting better by the week, folks. The Big XII is getting to its games that matter (finally), the SEC is starting to take shape, and both divisions of the PAC-12 could be determined this week. The ACC race seems to be over, the B1G has another week before we get real answers, and don’t look now, but the American Athletic Conference race may be the most interesting in the country, and it has national implications. Expect the unexpected once again this weekend.
All game times in Eastern Daylight Time.
| Last | ||
| Week: | 6-4 | (.600) |
| Season: | 64-33 | (.660) |
DK’s 2015 Week 11 CFB Picks
Florida @ South Carolina (Saturday, November 14th, 12:00 p.m., ESPN)
On paper, this game looks like a Gator blow out. Vegas doesn’t think so and neither do I. South Carolina is at home, and has just enough talent to be dangerous. Florida’s offense is anything but reliable, but its defense is one of the best in the country this season. That side of the ball will keep Florida on track for an SEC East title.
Pick: Florida 26, South Carolina 20
North Carolina State @ Florida State (Saturday, November 14th, 12:30 p.m., ESPN3)
Florida State must still be smarting after getting close last weekend in Death Valley East. NC State has shown flashes all season behind Jacoby Brissett, but comes in under .500 in ACC play. If this game were in Raleigh… It isn’t, though. The Noles get the win.
Pick: Florida State 38, North Carolina State 24
Alabama @ Mississippi State (Saturday, November 14th, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Alabama prevailed last Saturday night in the biggest college football game of the 2015 season so far. This week’s game has the potential to be a trap game, with a visit to StarkVegas, against a good Bulldog team with a mobile QB who is a proven winner in Dak Prescott. Bama has CFP dreams, and Coach Saban won’t let those be dashed so soon after getting his Tide back in position to make a title run.
Pick: Alabama 35, Mississippi State 27
Temple @ South Florida (Saturday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m., CBSSN)
Most folks wouldn’t have believed that this game would be important at all prior to the season’s start. It is, though. It’s also projected to be close, and it should be. Willie Taggart’s Bulls haven’t gotten over the hump this season, but they have been much more competitive this year than in seasons past. Temple is legit, though, and they’ll do enough to stay unbeaten in the AAC.
Pick: Temple 28, South Florida 25
Memphis @ Houston (Saturday, November 14th, 7:00 p.m., ESPN2)
The Tigers got run off their own field last weekend by Keenan Reynolds and Navy, but can still win the AAC if they win out and get some help. NFL Draft darling Paxton Lynch is a big, strong-armed QB, who makes Memphis a threat to beat virtually anyone on any given Saturday. Greg Ward, Jr. is having a pretty good campaign on his own, and he’ll lead his unbeaten Cougars to yet another win Saturday.
Pick: Houston 31, Memphis 21
Arkansas @ LSU (Saturday, November 14th, 7:15 p.m., ESPN)
LSU should come out angry for this one, and the Bayou Bengals are undoubtedly the more talented team. So, why does this game feel so dangerous for the home team? Arkansas got a win that #WPS will be talking about a generation from now, and Brandon Allen and Alex Collins are both playing well. Hard to pick against LSU at night in Baton Rouge, though. Leonard Fournette gets it going again, and LSU wins at home.
Pick: LSU 38, Arkansas 32
Oklahoma @ Baylor (Saturday, November 14th, 8:00 p.m., ABC)
The Big XII round robin continues at McLane Stadium on the banks of the Brazos river, when Oklahoma comes to visit Baylor Saturday. Jarett Stidham passed his first test in the Little Apple, but that was against the 85th ranked scoring defense in the nation. Oklahoma checks in at number 16, and figures to harass young Mr. Stidham all night long. Big Game Bob should will feed Samaje Perrine to keep the ball out of Stidham’s (and Corey Coleman’s) hands, and Oklahoma pulls the mild road upset over the Bears.
Pick: Oklahoma 35, Baylor 28
Georgia @ Auburn (Saturday, November 14th, 12:00 p.m., CBS)
This game may be better assessed by Dr. Phil than by any so-called college football expert. Georgia has the better team, but Auburn seems more emotionally stable and they are at home. The Tigers pull this one out.
Pick: Auburn 29, Georgia 24
Utah @ Arizona (Saturday, November 14th, 10030 p.m. FS1)
Arizona has just the kind of team that has bedeviled Kyle Whittingham’s Utes in their PAC-12 history, but both teams feel different this season. Arizona still has Anu Solomon, but isn’t nearly as strong across either line. Utah is stout on both, and will outmuscle the Cats in the desert.
Pick: Utah 38, Arizona 26
Oregon @ Stanford (Saturday, November 14th, 7:30 p.m. FOX)
Any Stanford fans worried about this one? You bet we they are. Vernon Adams, Jr. finally looks like who we thought he’d be, which is frightening for opposing defenses. The problem for the Ducks is that their own defense is awful this year, currently giving up 37.2 points per game, ranking them 116 out of 128 FBS programs. Stanford’s offense is currently the best in the PAC-12 in scoring, which bodes ill for that soft Oregon D. The Card gets the win at home and clinches the PAC-12 North Saturday evening.
Pick: Stanford 45, Oregon 34
