College Football Picks: Week 9 Predictions for Every Game
It's the last chance to make a first impression.
This weekend's action will be fresh on the College Football Playoff committee members' minds when they to put together their first rankings for November 1. Though they'll also consider the eight weeks beforehand, Week 9 is likely to have a sizable impact on those initial rankings.
All eight unbeaten teams in action between Thursday and next Tuesday go on the road, three of them against ranked opponents. Overall, 14 ranked squads are away from home.
The Week 9 slate also includes the beginning of weeknight #MACtion between Mid-American Conference schools next Tuesday and Wednesday. All told, 57 games are on tap, and we've made a pick for all of them; as results go final, we'll update each capsule so you can check our accuracy.
Take a look at our predictions and give us your thoughts in the comments section.
Last week: 40-17 (.702)
Season: 387-127 (.753)
Note: All team rankings are from the Associated Press poll.
Thursday Night Games
1 of 11
No. 25 Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-1 ACC) at Pittsburgh (5-2, 2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Pittsburgh won 17-13 at Virginia Tech last October.
Tech's loss two weeks ago at Syracuse is looking like an outlier compared to its other ACC results, in which it allowed 19 total points in those three victories to 31 against the Orange. Pitt is on a record scoring pace, as its 38.4 points per game is ahead of the 1977 team that averaged 36.8, but the Panthers defense isn't holding up its end.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 41, Pittsburgh 24
FINAL: Virginia Tech 39, Pittsburgh 36
Akron (5-3, 3-1 MAC) at Buffalo (1-6, 0-3), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Akron beat Buffalo 42-21 last November.
Tied with Ohio atop the East Division, Akron is close to clinching consecutive bowl bids for the first time in school history. The last time the Zips got to six wins before November was 1999, a year after head coach Terry Bowden departed from Auburn. Buffalo has dropped four straight and has yet to score more than 23 points in a game, ranking last in FBS in scoring.
Prediction: Akron 31, Buffalo 23
FINAL: Buffalo 41, Akron 20
Ohio (5-3, 3-1 MAC) at Toledo (6-1, 3-0), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Toledo won 20-13 at Ohio in September 2010.
Toledo is a last-second field goal at BYU from being unbeaten and getting the same New Year's Six consideration as Western Michigan, with whom the Rockets are battling for the West Division lead. Ohio is knotted with Akron for the East's top spot but has seen its offense struggle on the road.
Prediction: Toledo 45, Ohio 24
FINAL: Ohio 31, Toledo 26
Appalachian State (5-2, 3-0 Sun Belt) at Georgia Southern (4-3, 3-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Appalachian State beat Georgia Southern 31-13 last October.
Both teams had to travel on short rest. Appalachian has the shorter trip after beating Idaho at home for a fourth straight win, while Georgia Southern survived 22-19 at New Mexico State to finish a ridiculous four-game road trip. Appalachian has the run defense to handle the Eagles' option.
Prediction: Appalachian State 26, Georgia Southern 17
FINAL: Appalachian State 34, Georgia Southern 10
California (4-3, 2-2 Pac-12) at USC (4-3, 3-2), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: USC won 27-21 at California last October.
Cal ran an FBS-record 118 plays to beat Oregon in double overtime Friday but also gave up 40-plus for the fifth time, and it hasn't had a contest decided by fewer than 10 since the August opener against Hawaii in Australia. The USC team that looked so awful in September is no longer, as the Trojans won three straight before their bye and allowed 17 points per game in that stretch.
Prediction: USC 45, California 31
FINAL: USC 45, California 24
Friday Night Games
2 of 11
No. 22 Navy (5-1, 4-0 AAC) at South Florida (6-2, 3-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Navy beat South Florida 29-17 last October.
This is a possible preview of December's conference title game, but only if South Florida can improve its defense and stop getting gashed for big plays. It will all come down to the run. Navy is fourth in rushing offense and 50th in rushing defense, while USF is 12th and 100th, respectively.
Prediction: Navy 30, South Florida 27
FINAL: South Florida 52, Navy 45
San Diego State (6-1, 3-0 MWC) at Utah State (3-4, 1-3), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: San Diego State beat Utah State 48-14 last October.
SDSU has won 13 straight league games dating back to November 2014. Not surprisingly, Donnel Pumphrey has run for at least 100 yards in all of them. The Aztecs have also not allowed an offensive TD since Oct. 1 and face a Utah State squad that has only 13 TDs in 23 red-zone possessions.
Prediction: San Diego State 28, Utah State 14
FINAL: San Diego State 40, Utah State 13
Air Force (4-3, 1-3 MWC) at Fresno State (1-7, 0-4), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Air Force beat Fresno State 41-14 last October.
Fresno State canned head coach Tim DeRuyter on Sunday, leaving interim coach Eric Kiesau to deal with Air Force's fifth-ranked rushing attack. The Bulldogs have allowed 200-plus rushing yards against eight consecutive FBS foes.
Prediction: Air Force 34, Fresno State 24
FINAL: Air Force 31, Fresno State 21
Notable Saturday Early Games
3 of 11
No. 2 Michigan (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at Michigan State (2-5, 0-4), noon ET
Last meeting: Michigan State won 27-23 at Michigan last October.
What do you think the over/under is on the amount of time Michigan spent practicing how to handle muffed punt snaps this week? The Wolverines' second road game of the season isn't as tough as it looked two months ago, as MSU is riding a five-game skid and doing very little right.
Prediction: Michigan 34, Michigan State 17
FINAL: Michigan 32, Michigan State 23
No. 5 Louisville (6-1, 4-1 ACC) at Virginia (2-5, 1-2), noon ET
Last meeting: Louisville beat Virginia 38-31 last November.
The Louisville team that quickly dispatched North Carolina State (as opposed to the one that squeaked by Duke) is the one that needs to keep showing up if the Cardinals are to have any shot of sneaking into the playoffs. However, Virginia could devote three players to spy on quarterback Lamar Jackson, and it won't be enough.
Prediction: Louisville 46, Virginia 21
FINAL: Louisville 32, Virginia 25
No. 10 West Virginia (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Oklahoma State (5-2, 3-1), noon ET
Last meeting: Oklahoma State won 33-26 at West Virginia last October.
Is West Virginia's defense for real, or did it catch explosive Texas Tech and TCU teams on bad days? The 27 points allowed to teams averaging a combined 86.2 points per game is good preparation for OK State's big-play offense.
Prediction: West Virginia 34, Oklahoma State 27
FINAL: Oklahoma State 37, West Virginia 20
No. 24 Penn State (5-2, 3-1 Big Ten) at Purdue (3-4, 1-3), noon ET
Last meeting: Penn State beat Purdue 45-21 in November 2013.
Penn State has finally arrived under head coach James Franklin, if you believe the upset of Ohio State signals such. A better indicator of where the Nittany Lions stand might be their six straight road losses and their ability to handle a major trap game against a Purdue team that looked motivated last week at Nebraska.
Prediction: Purdue 27, Penn State 23
FINAL: Penn State 62, Purdue 24
Duke (3-4, 0-3 ACC) at Georgia Tech (4-3, 1-3), noon ET
Last meeting: Duke beat Georgia Tech 34-20 in September 2015.
Duke handled Army's option attack a few weeks ago but had a hurricane helping it out. It'll be sunny and warm in Atlanta, and Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson has had an extra week to cook up new wrinkles for his No. 22-ranked rushing offense.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 31, Duke 20
FINAL: Georgia Tech 38, Duke 35
Kansas State (4-3, 2-2 Big 12) at Iowa State (1-6, 0-4), noon ET
Last meeting: Kansas State beat Iowa State 38-35 last November.
Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder is a wizard, but Ames, Iowa, is a vortex where Big 12 teams routinely struggle. Iowa State had second-half leads on Baylor and Oklahoma State earlier this month before wearing down. K-State goes at a slower pace, one the Cyclones should keep up with to snap an eight-game league skid.
Prediction: Iowa State 26, Kansas State 24
FINAL: Kansas State 31, Iowa State 26
Minnesota (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) at Illinois (2-5, 1-3), noon ET
Last meeting: Minnesota beat Illinois 32-23 last November.
Minnesota tried its darnedest to lose at home to Rutgers a week after Illinois won by 17 in New Jersey. The Scarlet Knights transitive property has spoken.
Prediction: Illinois 24, Minnesota 17
FINAL: Minnesota 40, Illinois 17
Kentucky (4-3, 3-2 SEC) at Missouri (2-5, 0-3), noon ET
Last meeting: Kentucky beat Missouri 21-13 in September 2015.
The wheels came off for Kentucky in 2014 and 2015 during mid-October, but two consecutive narrow wins have the Wildcats hopeful they have reversed the trend. They're playing Missouri at the perfect time, as the Tigers have allowed 133 points during a three-game slide, including 51 to Middle Tennessee.
Prediction: Kentucky 29, Missouri 24
FINAL: Kentucky 35, Missouri 21
Boston College (3-4, 0-4 ACC) at North Carolina State (4-3, 1-2), 12:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: North Carolina State won 24-8 at Boston College last November.
BC scored 20 points in an ACC game for the first time in nearly two years last week but still dropped a 12th straight league tilt. NC State needs a confidence-builder after playing Clemson and Louisville back-to-back, and the schedule doesn't have a lot of winnable games left on it.
Prediction: North Carolina State 27, Boston College 14
FINAL: Boston College 21, North Carolina State 14
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Other Saturday Early Games
4 of 11
UCF (4-3, 2-1 AAC) at Houston (6-2, 3-2), noon ET
Last meeting: Houston won 59-10 at UCF last October.
Houston has gone from playoff hopeful to just hoping to hold onto its coveted coach. It's looking more and more like the Cougars will lose Tom Herman this winter—something UCF might also have to worry about with first-year coach Scott Frost's hot start. Consider this an audition for each coach, with Herman having the edge thanks to superior personnel.
Prediction: Houston 38, UCF 21
FINAL: Houston 31, UCF 24
Connecticut (3-5, 1-4 AAC) at East Carolina (2-5, 0-3), noon ET
Last meeting: Connecticut beat East Carolina 31-13 last October.
Getting to six losses before November doesn't bode well for bowl hopes. UConn's seventh-worst scoring offense and East Carolina's eighth-worst 6.49 yards-per-play allowed have been the biggest culprits. ECU quarterback Philip Nelson will be the difference.
Prediction: East Carolina 27, Connecticut 21
FINAL: East Carolina 41, Connecticut 3
Kent State (2-6, 1-3 MAC) at Central Michigan (5-3, 2-2), noon ET
Last meeting: Central Michigan won 27-14 at Kent State last November.
It's been 16 years since Kent State has won in Ypsilanti, and 24 points scored during back-to-back losses don't have the Golden Flashes primed for an upset. Central Michigan QB Cooper Rush could move into second in MAC passing history with a big game (380 yards).
Prediction: Central Michigan 38, Kent State 16
FINAL: Kent State 27, Central Michigan 24
Wagner (4-3) at Massachusetts (1-7), noon ET
Last meeting: Massachusetts beat Wagner 77-0 in November 1931.
UMass' first year as an independent hasn't gone well, as its only win is against a Florida International team that fired its coach not long after. Wagner provides an easy solution to cure what ails the Minutemen, as FBS schools have outscored the Seahawks 168-32 since the start of last season.
Prediction: Massachusetts 46, Wagner 23
FINAL: Massachusetts 34, Wagner 10
Notable Saturday Midafternoon Games
5 of 11
No. 4 Washington (7-0, 4-0 Pac-12) at No. 17 Utah (7-1, 4-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Utah won 34-23 at Washington last November.
The Pac-12's shot at getting into the playoffs hangs on Washington, a team that was 4-6 midway through last November. Since then, the Huskies have won 10 straight and have scored 30-plus every time, while QB Jake Browning has emerged as the West Coast's top Heisman candidate, per Odds Shark. Utah passer Troy Williams, once a Husky, might be too amped up to help the Utes spring the upset.
Prediction: Washington 30, Utah 23
FINAL: Washington 31, Utah 24
Northwestern (4-3, 3-1 Big Ten) at No. 6 Ohio State (6-1, 3-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Ohio State won 40-30 at Northwestern in October 2013.
Ohio State responded with a vengeance after its first loss the previous two seasons, steamrolling the field en route to the 2014 national title and then blistering Michigan and Notre Dame last year. Northwestern has won three straight—two on the road—but is running into a buzz saw if the Buckeyes respond as usual.
Prediction: Ohio State 44, Northwestern 18
FINAL: Ohio State 24, Northwestern 20
No. 8 Baylor (6-0, 3-0 Big 12) at Texas (3-4, 1-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Texas won 23-17 at Baylor last December.
Does the Charlie Strong era at Texas have only five games left, or can he save his job? Knocking off Baylor would surely help, but the Longhorns can't hope the Bears suddenly forgot how to play offense (43.7 points per game) after only having one game since Oct. 1.
Prediction: Baylor 46, Texas 27
FINAL: Texas 35, Baylor 34
No. 14 Florida (5-1, 3-1 SEC) vs. Georgia (4-3, 2-3) in Jacksonville, Florida; 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Florida beat Georgia 27-3 last October.
Take away that horrible second half at Tennessee, and Florida has allowed 37 points in 22 quarters. A week off won't have erased Georgia's inconsistencies on offense.
Prediction: Florida 24, Georgia 20
FINAL: Florida 24, Georgia 10
Texas Tech (3-4, 1-3 Big 12) at TCU (4-3, 2-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: TCU won 55-52 at Texas Tech in September 2015.
Seven turnovers the last two games have caused TCU's explosive offense to sputter. But there's an app for that: It's called facing Texas Tech, which was on the losing end of a record-shattering 66-59 game against Oklahoma that featured 1,708 yards and 76 first downs. It also contained zero punts in the final 29-plus minutes.
Prediction: TCU 58, Texas Tech 48
FINAL: Texas Tech 27, TCU 24 (2 OT)
Maryland (5-2, 2-2 Big Ten) at Indiana (3-4, 1-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Indiana won 47-28 at Maryland last November.
These teams share two things in common: September road wins at Florida International and October victories over Michigan State. Neither is particularly impressive, but Indiana's nearly knocking off Nebraska at home two weeks ago is.
Prediction: Indiana 27, Maryland 22
FINAL: Indiana 42, Maryland 36
Miami (Fla.) (4-3) at Notre Dame (2-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Notre Dame beat Miami 41-3 in Chicago in October 2012.
The last time the Hurricanes and Fighting Irish met in South Bend, in 1990, Miami was the defending national champion, and Notre Dame had spent several weeks at No. 1. Now the Irish are heading toward their first bowl-less season since 2009, while Miami is spiraling after a 4-0 start. Refreshed from a bye, Notre Dame will have its best effort in weeks.
Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Miami 20
FINAL: Notre Dame 30, Miami 27
Arizona State (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) at Oregon (2-5, 0-4), 5 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Oregon won 61-55 at Arizona State last October.
Oregon's fifth straight loss wasn't a complete disaster, as amid the 52-49 double-overtime setback at Cal, it found its quarterback in freshman Justin Herbert. Now he gets to feast against ASU's FBS-worst pass defense.
Prediction: Oregon 43, Arizona State 35
FINAL: Oregon 54, Arizona State 35
Other Saturday Midafternoon Games
6 of 11
Cincinnati (4-3, 1-3 AAC) at Temple (5-3, 3-1), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Temple won 34-26 at Cincinnati in September 2015.
Cincinnati resurrected Gunner Kiel last week, and he threw for 348 yards and four touchdowns against East Carolina. But it was only the second interception-less game for the Bearcats. Temple has the top pass defense in the league and has another East Division title in its sights.
Prediction: Temple 27, Cincinnati 17
FINAL: Temple 34, Cincinnati 13
Western Kentucky (5-3, 3-1 C-USA) at Florida Atlantic (1-6, 0-3), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Western Kentucky beat Florida Atlantic 35-19 last November.
Florida Atlantic's six straight losses have included four in a row by six or fewer points. Western Kentucky is 2-2 in one-score games but is too explosive on offense (40.3 points per game) for the Owls to keep up.
Prediction: Western Kentucky 41, Florida Atlantic 21
FINAL: Western Kentucky 52, Florida Atlantic 3
Miami (OH)(2-6, 2-2 MAC) at Eastern Michigan (5-3, 2-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Miami beat Eastern Michigan 28-13 last November.
The last time Eastern Michigan made a bowl game, in 1987, current head coach Chris Creighton was 18 and heading into his freshman season as a quarterback at Division III Kenyon College. Miami has been to three bowls since then but none since the 2010 season and is about to clinch a sixth straight losing record.
Prediction: Eastern Michigan 34, Miami (OH) 20
FINAL: Miami 28, Eastern Michigan 15
Army (4-3) at Wake Forest (5-2), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Wake Forest won 17-14 at Army in September 2015.
Since starting 3-0, Army has squandered some winnable games, and a first bowl bid since 2010 might be slipping away. Wake's first bowl-eligible season since 2011 hinges on its 21st-ranked run defense's ability to contain Army's option attack.
Prediction: Wake Forest 23, Army 17
FINAL: Army 21, Wake Forest 13
Samford (6-1) at Mississippi State (2-5), 3:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Mississippi State beat Samford 43-0 in September 1963.
MSU isn't as bad as its record looks, having lost its last two in double overtime (at BYU) and on a last-second field goal (at Kentucky). Samford's record has come against weak FCS competition.
Prediction: Mississippi State 48, Samford 20
FINAL: Mississippi State 56, Samford 41
SMU (3-4, 1-2 AAC) at Tulane (3-4, 0-3), 4 p.m. ET
Last meeting: SMU beat Tulane 49-21 last November.
SMU got a program-boosting win over Houston, but now comes the hard part: avoiding the letdown that often comes afterward. Tulane has hung with Memphis, Navy and Wake Forest, and its dangerous rushing attack has risen to 16th in the country. The stars will align for the Green Wave.
Prediction: Tulane 28, SMU 24
FINAL: SMU 35, Tulane 31
Georgia State (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) at South Alabama (3-4, 0-4), 5 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Georgia State beat South Alabama 24-10 last November.
If South Alabama pretends Georgia State is from the SEC or is nationally ranked, maybe that can get it out of its league funk. The Jaguars won at Mississippi State and beat then-No. 19 San Diego State, but they have averaged only 15 points per game in Sun Belt action. However, they nearly beat league-leading Troy last time out.
Prediction: South Alabama 31, Georgia State 23
FINAL: South Alabama 13, Georgia State 10
Notable Saturday Evening Games
7 of 11
No. 7 Nebraska (7-0, 4-0 Big Ten) at No. 11 Wisconsin (5-2, 2-2), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Wisconsin won 23-21 at Nebraska last October.
Another week, another Top 10 opponent for Wisconsin. The Badgers lost the last two but looked impressive in those seven-point games at Michigan and in overtime against Ohio State. Nebraska's most impressive win came against Wyoming, which is not the best preparation for this challenge.
Prediction: Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 20
FINAL: Wisconsin 23, Nebraska 17 (OT)
No. 13 Boise State (7-0, 3-0 MWC) at Wyoming (5-2, 3-0), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Boise State beat Wyoming 34-14 last October.
Speaking of Wyoming, it's off to its best start in league play since 1998. The Cowboys' Brian Hill is second in FBS in rushing with 1,010 yards. However, Wyoming doesn't have a plan B if he struggles, unlike Boise and its balance between versatile back Jeremy McNichols and efficient QB Brett Rypien.
Prediction: Boise State 30, Wyoming 28
FINAL: Wyoming 30, Boise State 28
Kansas (1-6, 0-4 Big 12) at No. 16 Oklahoma (5-2, 4-0), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Oklahoma won 62-7 at Kansas last October.
Kansas' 38 straight road losses have made it a matter of how badly, not if, it'll fall. This year, that's been by an average of 38 points, as it managed only 19 against the Texas Tech team that Oklahoma put up 66 against last week.
Prediction: Oklahoma 60, Kansas 13
FINAL: Oklahoma 56, Kansas 3
No. 15 Auburn (5-2, 3-1 SEC) at Ole Miss (3-4, 1-3), 7:15 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Ole Miss won 27-19 at Auburn last October.
Each of Ole Miss' losses has been to ranked teams. It led by 10 or more three times in those games but was outscored 94-35 in the second half. Auburn's dedication to the run—the key to a four-game win streak—has made the Tigers formidable, though it's also helped that they've played six of seven at home. The Rebels will hang on for once.
Prediction: Ole Miss 25, Auburn 24
FINAL: Auburn 40, Ole Miss 29
No. 18 Tennessee (5-2, 2-2 SEC) at South Carolina (3-4, 1-4), 7:15 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Tennessee beat South Carolina 27-24 last November.
Tennessee has slipped to third in the East, but Florida's daunting November schedule keeps the Volunteers' division-title hopes alive. A loss to a work-in-progress South Carolina team might have been more likely if it came immediately after the blowout to Alabama instead of with a bye in between to recharge the batteries.
Prediction: Tennessee 28, South Carolina 17
FINAL: South Carolina 24, Tennessee 21
New Mexico State (2-5, 1-3 Sun Belt) at No. 9 Texas A&M (6-1, 4-1 SEC), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: None
Once A&M started losing in 2014 and 2015, it rarely stopped, though it did manage to beat the bad teams down the stretch. New Mexico State is the epitome of a bad team, as it's 0-20 all-time against the SEC and has 10 straight losses to power-conference schools.
Prediction: Texas A&M 54, New Mexico State 14
FINAL: Texas A&M 52, New Mexico State 10
Other Saturday Evening Games
8 of 11
Rice (1-6, 0-4 C-USA) at Louisiana Tech (5-3, 3-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Louisiana Tech won 42-17 at Rice last October.
Rice avoided its first winless season since 1988 by dropping 65 on Prairie View, but now it's back to reality. Louisiana Tech has averaged 48.3 points during a four-game win streak and is eighth in FBS in total offense.
Prediction: Louisiana Tech 56, Rice 13
FINAL: Louisiana Tech 61, Rice 16
Marshall (2-5, 1-2 C-USA) at Southern Mississippi (4-3, 2-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Marshall beat Southern Miss 31-10 last October.
Marshall has more losses this fall than in the previous two seasons combined (four), as its lack of a consistent run game and defensive playmakers have keyed the slide. Southern Miss QB Nick Mullens is 136 yards from eclipsing Austin Davis as the school's all-time leader in passing yardage and will rebound after going for just 161 at LSU.
Prediction: Southern Miss 45, Marshall 26
FINAL: Southern Miss 24, Marshall 14
North Texas (4-3, 2-1 C-USA) at UTSA (3-4, 2-2), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: North Texas beat UTSA 30-23 last October.
North Texas forced seven turnovers in winning at Army for its first two-game win streak since the end of the 2013 season. UTSA has lost the ball only four times in its last five games.
Prediction: UTSA 28, North Texas 21
FINAL: UTSA 31, North Texas 17
Middle Tennessee (5-2, 2-1 C-USA) at Florida International (3-5, 3-1), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Middle Tennessee beat FIU 42-34 last October.
FIU interim coach Ron Cooper is no longer unbeaten after losing by 20 at home to Louisiana Tech, a team Middle Tennessee beat in late September. MTSU has won its last three road games, including last week at SEC foe Missouri.
Prediction: Middle Tennessee 40, Florida International 28
FINAL: Middle Tennessee 42, Florida International 35
Louisiana-Monroe (2-5, 1-2 Sun Belt) at Arkansas State (2-4, 2-0), 7 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Arkansas State won 59-21 at Louisiana-Monroe last November.
With 11 straight league wins, Arkansas State continues to dominate the Sun Belt while going 1-9 against everyone else in that stretch. Louisiana-Monroe has gone 5-14 in the conference the last three seasons.
Prediction: Arkansas State 37, Louisiana-Monroe 20
FINAL: Arkansas State 51, Louisiana-Monroe 10
Saturday Night Games
9 of 11
No. 3 Clemson (7-0, 4-0 ACC) at No. 12 Florida State (5-2, 2-2), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Clemson beat Florida State 23-13 last November.
Clemson's 13-game ACC win streak (including last year's league title contest) is on the line at a place it hasn't won since 2006. Florida State is a much better team now than the one that allowed 169 points to its first four FBS opponents, but mobile quarterbacks have been problematic for the Seminoles. Deshaun Watson's first 100-yard rushing game came against FSU last November, and he'll find that old spark.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Florida State 20
FINAL: Clemson 37, Florida State 34
Tulsa (5-2, 2-1 AAC) at Memphis (5-2, 2-1), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Memphis won 66-42 at Tulsa last October.
One of two schools in the FBS with two players rushing for 650 or more yards (South Florida is the other), Tulsa has remained dedicated to the run despite being in a bunch of shootouts. Memphis has allowed 6.02 yards per carry with eight touchdowns in its losses. However, in the Liberty Bowl, it gives up 3.49 per rush.
Prediction: Memphis 33, Tulsa 31
FINAL: Tulsa 59, Memphis 30
Old Dominion (4-3, 2-1 C-USA) at UTEP (2-5, 1-3), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Old Dominion beat UTEP 31-21 last November.
Old Dominion began to look ahead to playing in El Paso by halftime of last week's 35-point loss at Western Kentucky, while UTEP is still recovering from going through five overtimes to win at UTSA. Running back Aaron Jones is the Miners' best weapon, yet his 17.9 carries per game explains their record.
Prediction: Old Dominion 29, UTEP 23
FINAL: Old Dominion 31, UTEP 21
UNLV (3-5, 2-2 MWC) at San Jose State (2-6, 1-3), 10:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: San Jose State won 33-27 at UNLV last October.
Maybe UNLV had a Vegas-style hangover after coming back from Hawaii to explain falling behind 35-0 at home to Colorado State last week. San Jose has scored 17 or fewer in six of eight games and has allowed 22 rushing touchdowns, which is music to the Runnin' Rebels' ground-heavy offense's ears.
Prediction: UNLV 28, San Jose State 20
FINAL: San Jose State 30, UNLV 24
Washington State (5-2, 4-0 Pac-12) at Oregon State (2-5, 1-3), 10:45 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Washington State beat Oregon State 52-31 last October.
Jamal Morrow isn't just WSU's leading rusher, he's also a The Price Is Right veteran with a knack for winning coin tosses. These are the things you learn from Cougars head coach Mike Leach amid a five-game win streak ahead of playing Oregon State and its No. 114 run defense.
Prediction: Washington State 41, Oregon State 27
FINAL: Washington State 35, Oregon State 31
Stanford (4-3, 2-3 Pac-12) at Arizona (2-5, 0-4), 11 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Stanford beat Arizona 55-17 last October.
It seems unfathomable that Stanford ranks last nationally in total offense when its roster still includes Christian McCaffrey. What's even more amazing is how Arizona is still moving the ball despite injuries causing the Wildcats to use four non-running backs in the position. Arizona's first bye week since October 2014 will pay off.
Prediction: Arizona 24, Stanford 20
FINAL: Stanford 34, Arizona 10
New Mexico (4-3, 2-1 MWC) at Hawaii (4-4, 3-1), 11:59 p.m. ET
Last meeting: New Mexico beat Hawaii 28-27 last October.
Hawaii's 247 points are already 18 more than in 13 games a year ago. Head coach Nick Rolovich has overhauled the offense with strong results, and the Rainbow Warriors will need all the points they can get against New Mexico's top-ranked run game. Last team with the ball wins.
Prediction: Hawaii 47, New Mexico 45
FINAL: New Mexico 28, Hawaii 21
Next Tuesday Night's Games
10 of 11
No. 20 Western Michigan (8-0, 4-0 MAC) at Ball State (4-4, 1-3), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Western Michigan beat Ball State 54-7 last November.
November marks the start of weeknight #MACtion and Western Michigan's push to keep making school history. The Broncos are off to their best start in 75 years, and an hour before kickoff they will find out where they sit in the first CFP standings. Ball State's wins are against teams with a combined 6-22 record, though sophomore running back James Gilbert quietly leads the MAC with 987 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Prediction: Western Michigan 37, Ball State 22
FINAL: Western Michigan 52, Ball State 20
Bowling Green (1-7, 0-4 MAC) at Northern Illinois (2-6, 2-2), 8 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Bowling Green beat Northern Illinois 34-14 in last December's Mid-American title game.
Instead of showing this game, ESPNU might want to air any of the last three MAC championship games that pitted these suddenly bad teams. Bowling Green won two of the last three league titles, while Northern Illinois has claimed the last six West Division crowns, but the past couldn't be further away for each.
Prediction: Northern Illinois 48, Bowling Green 24
FINAL: Northern Illinois 45, Bowling Green 20
Next Wednesday Night's Game
11 of 11
Toledo (6-1, 3-0 MAC) at Akron (5-3, 3-1), 7:30 p.m. ET
Last meeting: Akron beat Toledo 31-29 in November 2013.
We reserve the right to revise this prediction over the weekend, since Akron and Toledo will have both played another game before this happens and their Thursday results could impact the outlook of this one.
For the time being, though, consider this: Depending on how each team finishes the final month of the regular season—particularly their final games in a few weeks against Western Michigan and Ohio—this could be a preview of the Mid-American final in Detroit.
Neither team has been involved in the championship since 2005, when Akron won the league over Northern Illinois. Toledo's last appearance came the year before in a win over Miami (Ohio).
Toledo is looking for its first win in Akron since 1998.
Prediction: Toledo 43, Akron 34
FINAL: Toledo 48, Akron 17
All statistics courtesy of CFBStats.com unless otherwise noted. All series history information courtesy of CFBDataWarehouse.com unless otherwise noted. Follow Brian J. Pedersen on Twitter at @realBJP.
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