The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly from My Rivalry Week Score Predictions

At the conclusion of Rivalry Week, let's take a look at the highs and lows of my score predictions. Understand that not every game is included, but rather six games for each category are used and rationale for my pick is provided. I accumulated a record of 19-9 for these games, though I struggled mightily in ACC games.

The Good

My prediction: Ohio State 34, Michigan 16

Actual Score: Ohio State 42, Michigan 7

My score prediction reflected how the game likely would have turned had Michigan played the second half like it did in the first. Ohio State, however, employed a no-nonsense mentality after halftime, which led to the blowout win.

My prediction: Cincinnati 31, Pittsburgh 20

Actual Score: Cincinnati 28, Pittsburgh 21

I was only two points off for combined points in this game. I felt the home crowd in Nippert Stadium would give the Bearcats a somewhat close but decisive victory.

My prediction: Oregon State 27, Arizona 23

Actual Score: Oregon State 19, Arizona 17

After Oregon State proved me wrong two consecutive weeks, this time in Tucson I picked the Beavers. I picked a close win for Oregon State, and the game proved my prediction true.

My prediction: Boston College 31, Wake Forest 20

Actual Score: Boston College 24, Wake Forest 21

In the 2008 season, picking an ACC team to win on the road meant trouble. But I had faith in the Eagles because they had been playing really well and the Demon Deacons had been struggling. Fortunately, the Eagles pulled a win out late, which turned out to be one of my better picks.

My prediction: West Virginia 37, Louisville 23

Actual Score: West Virginia 35, Louisville 21

In my best projection of the day, I predicted each team to score just two points more than they did. Even better, I picked the exact margin of victory in the game (14).

My prediction: Mississippi State 23, Arkansas 19

Actual Score: Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 28

I predicted a four-point win for Sly Croom's team against Arkansas. I was close as the game produced only a three-point margin for the Bulldogs of Mississippi State.

The Bad

My prediction: Purdue 38, Indiana 24

Actual Score: Purdue 62, Indiana 10

I figured this game would be a shootout between two bad teams. But the Boilermakers proved to me that Indiana is really bad. Purdue didn’t even run up the score, and the game was over fairly quickly.

My prediction: Vanderbilt 24, Tennessee 21

Actual Score: Tennessee 20, Vanderbilt 10

A team with just one SEC win in Tennessee combined with an already bowl-eligible team in Vanderbilt led me to believe that the Commodores could take of business. But the Volunteers proved me wrong, however, as they dismantled Vandy’s offense in the 20-10 win.

My prediction: Washington 24, Washington State 13

Actual Score: Washington State 16, Washington 13

In the Apple Cup, the battle of teams that held only one win coming into the game, Washington State came away with a three-point win in double overtime.

My prediction: Penn State 34, Michigan State 27

Actual Score: Penn State 49, Michigan State 18

The fact that Penn State has one of the best defensive lines I’ve ever seen still does not register with me. Still, I pick them to narrowly escape in Big Ten games. The Nittany Lions dominated Sparty in the trenches, which relies solely on a steady Javon Ringer attack.

My prediction: LSU 20, Mississippi 16

Actual Score: Mississippi 31, LSU 13

I thought LSU would struggle but come out with a win. They struggled no doubt, but Ole Miss capitalized on Tiger mistakes and left Death Valley with an impressive win.

My prediction: Iowa 27, Minnesota 17

Actual Score: Iowa 55, Minnesota 0

In the battle for the Floyd of Rosedale trophy, not only did Iowa win, it also destroyed Minnesota. The Hawkeyes took advantage of a struggling Gophers squad on the road.

The Ugly

My prediction: North Carolina 27, NC State 17

Actual Score: NC State 41, North Carolina 10

Since midseason, I realized choosing the home team to win the ACC was wise. I figured that in no way could the Wolfpack win another game in conference play, especially on the road. But they proved me wrong, and NC State earned a conference win against in-state Carolina.

My prediction: Virginia 21, Clemson 17

Actual Score: Clemson 13, Virginia 3

I figured these two teams were about even talent-wise, and since Virginia was at home, I picked them to win in a close one. Somehow, however, Clemson was able to find themselves and pull out a win in Charlottesville.

My prediction: Notre Dame 38, Syracuse 14

Actual Score: Syracuse 24, Notre Dame 23

I thought Notre Dame could handle Syracuse, but as soon as the game started, I immediately regretted my decision. The Orange looked comfortable in South Bend, and Notre Dame looked uneasy. Syracuse edged the Irish with a last-minute touchdown.

My prediction: Wisconsin 44, Cal Poly 3

Actual Score: Wisconsin 36, Cal Poly 35—2 OT

As a tribute to my ignorance, I thought the Badgers could easily dispose of an FCS opponent. Unknown to me, however, was that Cal Poly is a good team in respect to their own division and conference. The Badgers struggled mightily but won with the help of missed kicks by Cal Poly.

My prediction: Maryland 20, Florida State 17

Actual Score: Florida State 37, Maryland 3

Again I picked the home team to win in an ACC matchup. But Maryland proved to me yet again that it is one of the most inconsistent teams in the nation. Florida State rebounded well from its loss at Georgia Tech to down the Terps.

My prediction: Texas Tech 38, Oklahoma 24

Actual Score: Oklahoma 65, Texas Tech 21

I assumed Oklahoma would struggle defending Tech’s passing attack. In the past the Sooners had shown weakness in their defensive secondary, so I predicted the Red Raiders to survive the Norman crowd and remain undefeated. Quite simply, however, the Sooners had other plans for Tech.