College Football Picks for Week 11: B/R Experts' Predictions for the Top 5 Games – Bleacher Report
November typically brings with it many high-profile matchups, and last week certainly did not disappoint. As teams begin to jostle and fight for conference supremacy, what will this week hold? Let’s take a look at this week’s top five games:
In an AAC showdown that certainly lost its shine with Memphis’ loss last week, the Tigers travel to Houston to take on the undefeated Cougars. This matchup features two explosive offenses capable of putting up a litany of points. Houston QB Greg Ward Jr. has emerged as one of the best players in America, as he’s a threat with his arm and his legs. Against Memphis’ porous defense, he could be in for a big day. But don’t sleep on Paxton Lynch and the Tigers either. After having their unbeaten season ruined by Navy last week, they’ll want nothing more than to do the same to Houston. It should be one of the most exciting matchups of the year.
The Alabama Crimson Tide handled their business in a statement win over the LSU Tigers last week. Now sitting at No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings, they look to be in great shape. But if we know anything, it’s that in college football, when you feel safe, that’s when you’re most vulnerable. And with the Tide visiting a dangerous Mississippi State squad and all-everything QB Dak Prescott, an upset is more than possible. Prescott has been playing tremendously over the past few weeks, and this smells like the ultimate trap game. Alabama needs to be focused to avoid catastrophe.
Last week gave us the first true test for the top-tier Big 12 teams, as the TCU Horned Frogs were routed by the Oklahoma State Cowboys. This week, the Baylor Bears see their first game against an upper-echelon opponent as the Oklahoma Sooners come calling. In what’s expected to be a shootout, how Jarrett Stidham handles the feisty Sooners defense in his second career start could be the difference between Baylor making waves in the committee’s eyes and another disappointing season in Waco. Tune in. Seriously.
LSU will look to bounce back from its Alabama loss as it faces the Arkansas Razorbacks, a team fresh off a miracle finish last week against Ole Miss. Can Leonard Fournette get back on track with a big game and re-establish himself as the Heisman Trophy favorite? Or will the Hogs keep their momentum rolling as they try to play themselves into a bowl?
Finally, we see a Pac-12 matchup that, on paper, doesn’t look like a contest, but Stanford and Oregon do not like one another. In both 2012 and 2013, Stanford upset the Ducks and knocked them from the unbeaten ranks, all but ruining their shot at a national title. Now, it’s Stanford who holds its playoff destiny in its hands. And trust me, Mark Helfrich’s Ducks want nothing more than to return the favor to the Cardinal, thus denying them a shot at college football’s ultimate prize.
B/R
Another 5-0 week from Barrett Sallee has him nipping at the heels of our leader Adam Kramer. What do you think of this week’s picks? Sound off in the comments section.
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