College Football Week 10: 10 Bold Predictions
Week 10 of the college football season is here. Teams like North Carolina State and Virginia Tech are looking to carry momentum gained, and others like Michigan State are looking to bounce back from crushing defeats.
There's plenty at stake this week for a ton of players and teams. Justin Blackmon will be building his Heisman resume against a conference foe and Iowa will be building its Rose Bowl resume against the Indiana Hoosiers.
Of course, nothing ever goes according to plan in the wacky world of FBS football, so here are 10 bold predictions.
Russell Wilson Will Throw 2 Picks, But Wolfpack Will Beat Clemson
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North Carolina State hasn't come out on top in a matchup with Clemson since Philip Rivers was taking snaps from under center. That makes it six defeats in a row, and Tom O'Brien has had enough.
That doesn't meant it will be easy. The Tigers have intercepted 12 passes this year, and Wilson has thrown at least one pick in each of his last five games.
Look the Wolfpack to take down the Tigers for the first time since 2003 as they overcome mistakes from the quarterback position.
NC State 28, Clemson 24
Nevada Will Go Down Against Idaho Vandals
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Just when you thought it would be a good week for wolves...
While NC State will come out on top, the Nevada Wolf Pack will not be so lucky. Nevada's defense has looked terrible in recent weeks, and that just won't work against Idaho.
Idaho's passing offense is one of the best in the country at 365.1 yards per game, and despite being 10.5 point underdogs, the Vandals will beat Nevada in a high scoring game this weekend at home.
Idaho 52, Nevada 48
Georgia Tech's Rushing Attack Will Be Stuffed in a Loss to Virginia Tech
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Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster will have his hands full this week against the Yellow Jackets, but I expect him to rally his defense and shut down the nation's No. 2 rushing attack.
Georgia Tech averages 317.4 rushing yards per game, but the Virginia Tech defense is allowing only 136 rushing yards per game. Combine that with what expects to be wet and sloppy conditions, and Frank Beamer's crew will come out on top.
Virginia Tech 24, Georgia Tech 10
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Justin Blackmon Will Have His Biggest Day Yet
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Justin Blackmon, No. 81 for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, has been the most prolific receiver this year in college football. All he's done is average 158.9 receiving yards to go along with 14 touchdowns.
He was forced to sit out last week due to a DUI arrest and he will come out eager and pumped up this week against Baylor.
Baylor and Oklahoma State are two of the most explosive offenses in college football, meaning this will be a high scoring game. Look for Blackmon to crack the 250-yard mark in receiving as the Cowboys beat the Bears.
Oklahoma State 45, Baylor 35
South Carolina Will Beat Arkansas on a Last Second Field Goal
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The Gamecocks have only be involved in one game this season that was decided by less than a touchdown, and that was a loss against Kentucky.
South Carolina matches up evenly with Arkansas, and I expect its game with the Razorbacks to come down to the wire.
Spencer Lanning will split the uprights at the end of regulation and Steve Spurrier's ball club will come out on top, which will all but secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
South Carolina 30, Arkansas 27
Texas A&M Will Knock Off Sooners
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Jerrod Johnson and the Aggies play their home games at Kyle Field in College Station, TX, one of the toughest places to play for any opponent.
While the Sooners have won 35 straight at home, they are not quite as dominant on the road.
Two pretty good offenses will duke it out Saturday night in Texas, and the Aggies will come out on top.
Texas A&M 35, Oklahoma 31
Taylor Martinez Will Crack 200 Yards Rushing and Get Back in the Heisman Race
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Taylor Martinez has rushed for over 880 yards this season, leading the way for the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Iowa State has a defense that won't be able to contain Martinez, who will rush for more than 200 yards for the second time this season. Look for him to take a couple to the house as well, as the Huskers win big in Ames, IA.
Nebraska 28, Iowa State 9
Cam Newton Will Be Benched by the 3rd Quarter, Hurting His Heisman Chances
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What?
Yeah, I said it. Newton will be on the bench for the whole second half this week.
In case you forgot, Auburn is playing the Chattanooga Mocs of the FCS. This game will be such a blowout that there won't be any reason to keep Newton in the game any longer than he needs to be.
With Martinez having a big day and others building their Heisman resumes with meaningful games this week, Newton's chances will take a hit, albeit a small one.
Auburn 45, Chattanooga 3
Alabama-LSU Will Be Closer Than Experts Predict
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The Alabama Crimson Tide are 6.5 point favorites in this matchup, but if you know anything about college football, you know that the LSU Tigers always make the game close.
For better or worse, Les Miles always has his team winning or losing on last second plays and trickery.
Alabama will win the game, but LSU will undoubtedly cover the spread, especially playing at home in Death Valley.
Alabama 24, LSU 21
John Clay Will Crack 200 Yards Rushing
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John Clay is one of the most prolific rushers in the Big Ten, though he's failed to crack 200 yards rushing once this season.
He's on pace for over 1,300 yards this season, and I expect him to run wild on Purdue's porous defensive line. Wisconsin sports one of the biggest and most physical offensive fronts in the league, and it will open up big alleys for Clay to run through.
John Clay might even crack the Heisman discussion if he can go above and beyond 250 yards rushing. He's a workhorse who will get a ton of carries in a win against the Boilermakers.
Wisconsin 35, Purdue 12
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
