Well, don’t look now, but College Basketball has started its season. That’s great. Not as great as College Football rolling on deep into its own season, but it’s great nonetheless. Stuff is starting to get real on the gridiron, and the pressure goes up exponentially week-by-week, especially among those teams in position to challenge for a College Football Playoff berth.
DK’s 2016 Week 11 CFB Game Picks
All game times in Eastern Standard Time.
Last Week: 7-3 (.700)
2016 Season: 67-33 (.670)
“Upset” Special of the Week
West Virginia @ Texas (Saturday, November 12th, 12:00 p.m., FS1)
The bookmakers in the desert have the Longhorns as a two point favorite in this game. What do they know that we do not? We know that Charlie Strong is coaching for his job, and we know that his team has not quit. The Horns have been tough at home, but West Virginia is explosive. Skylar Howard and the Mountaineers will get the win.
Pick: West Virginia 42, Texas 24
“Be Careful Here” Game of the Week
Baylor @ Oklahoma (Saturday, November 12th, 12:00 p.m., ABC/ESPN2)
Oklahoma holds the inside track for the Big XII title. Two weeks ago, this contest appeared as if it would decide the winner of the conference. Mike Stoops’ defense has struggled mightily all season. Luckily for the home team, though, Oklahoma’s offense has not. Semaje Perine is expected back, and Oklahoma will march on toward that conference championship.
Pick: Oklahoma 48, Baylor 40
“Be Careful Here” Game of the Week #2
Penn State @ Indiana (Saturday, November 12h, 12:00 p.m., ABC/ESPN2)
The Nittany Lions hold the tiebreaker over Ohio State courtesy of that head-to-head victory a couple of weeks ago. This gives them a chance to win the B1G East, given a specific set of circumstances. PSU is one of the nation’s hottest teams, having reeled off five consecutive victories. Indiana sits one win shy of bowl eligibility, and would love nothing more than to cement that status with an upset win at home. Penn State brings the superior running game to Bloomington, and will leave it with a win.
Pick: Penn State 28, Indiana 21
Auburn @ Georgia (Saturday, November 12th, 3:30 p.m., CBS)
Auburn can win the SEC West as long as it wins out. A win between the hedges would go a long way toward making that possibility more real. Auburn struggles to pass on offense, but its running game is the nation’s third best. Georgia’s defense is mediocre, and the Bulldogs struggle to move the ball. This game will be close early, but the Tigers will pull away late.
Pick: Auburn 31, Georgia 17
Trap Game of the Week
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State (Saturday, November 12th, 3:30 p.m., FS1)
The Cowboys have won five straight, and they remain in the hunt for the Big XII title. Texas Tech has been up and down this season, but Patrick Mahomes is a constant threat to throw for 1,000 yards. Oklahoma State better not look past the Red Raiders toward games against TCU and rival Oklahoma. Mike Gundy’s squad will maintain just enough focus to grind out a win and remain on track.
Pick: Oklahoma State 52, Texas Tech 48
Georgia Tech @ Virginia Tech (Saturday, November 12th, 3:30 p.m., ESPNU)
The Hokies are enjoying a highly successful debut season for new Head Coach Justin Fuentes. His partnership with long-time Defensive Coordinator Bud Foster has proven effective. Virginia Tech has enjoyed solid QB play from Jerod Evans, and will continue its march toward the ACC Coastal Division crown.
Pick: Virginia Tech 31, Georgia Tech 14
Louisiana State @ Arkansas (Saturday, November 12th, 3:30 p.m., ESPN)
The Bayou Bengals have won three of four since relieving Les Miles of his head coaching duties. Most impressively, Ed Orgeron’s first two wins came without a healthy Leonard Fournette. The Tigers bring their star RB to Fayetteville this weekend, where they will grind out a win over the Razorbacks.
Pick: LSU 27, Arkansas 21
Mississippi @ Texas A&M (Saturday, November 12th, 7:30 p.m., SECN)
Ole Miss will burn Shae Patterson’s redshirt this week, in the wake of Chad Kelly’s career-ending injury last week. The young man will gain game experience, but starting on the road against the Aggies and the 12th Man is less than ideal. QB Jake Hubenak likely will start for A&M, replacing dinged-up Trevor Knight. Mississippi still hopes to achieve bowl eligibility, but A&M could still make a New Year’s Six bowl game if it keeps winning. The Aggies have the better team, and they are playing at home. Kevin Sumlin’s squad will get the win.
Pick: Texas A&M 38, Mississippi 24
CFP Implications Game of the Week
Southern California @ Washington (Saturday, November 12th, 7:30 p.m., FOX)
Chris Petersen’s Huskies cracked the top four in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings. The Trojans have been a different team since going to Sam Darnold at QB. They will play for their sixth consecutive win at Husky Stadium on Saturday, and for Clay Helton‘s first signature win. Expect this game to be a physical affair, and a possible Pac-12 Championship Game preview. This one will come down to UDub’s home-field advantage, and its advantage on the sideline. Washington will march on.
Pick: Washington 38, USC 34
Surprise Good Team Game of the Week
Minnesota @ Nebraska (Saturday, November 12th, 7:30 p.m., BTN)
Tommy Armstrong suffered a scary-looking first half injury last week, but he appears to have cleared the concussion protocol this week. Expect Armstrong to start. The Gophers are sneaky good this season, and they are currently tied atop the B1G West with the Cornhuskers. Nebraska has played a significantly more difficult schedule, and will benefit from home-field advantage. Mike Riley’s team will get a big conference win.
Pick: Nebraska 31, Minnesota 20
