FAVORITE TEAMS

10) #9 OKLAHOMA STATE AT #22 KANSAS STATE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [FOX]

The Pokes held off the resurgent Longhorns to stay alive for the Big 12 title and a potential playoff berth. Kansas State started well early against TCU before quarterback Adrian Martinez was out with an injury. It’s unclear if he’s ready to go. If he’s unable to, I don’t see Kansas State holding the line at home against the Ok State unless they force Sanders to turn over the ball constantly.

MY PICK: OKLAHOMA STATE

9) #14 UTAH AT WASHINGTON STATE – 7PM PT/10PM ET [FOX SPORTS 1 ON THURSDAY]

Utah returns to Pullman for the first time since 2018. They’re riding on their high of the USC upset and should be cooled off after their bye week in preparation for the trip up Northwest. The offense is reliant on Cam Rising, Tavion Thomas, Dalton Kincaid, and Devaughn Vele. But here’s the thing, they lost 28-24 in their last trip to Pullman, Washington. However, a lot will be asked of Wazzu quarterback Cam Ward to attack Utah’s sus defense while Wazzu’s defense is tasked with stop Cam Rising and company. Unfortunately, Utah will be too much in the end.

MY PICK: UTAH

8) FLORIDA VS. #1 GEORGIA – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [CBS]

The world should likely be on Georgia to win this rivalry matchup. Georgia’s defense is about as dangerous as last year’s, and the Stetson Bennett-led offense looks even better too. Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson will be the one and only focal point of the team. They might give Georgia a good showing, but the Dawgs will have their day for their second straight win in this rivalry.

MY PICK: GEORGIA

7) MICHIGAN STATE AT #4 MICHIGAN – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ABC]

Michigan State is 2-0 against Michigan since Mel Tucker took over. Michigan State was rebuilding during COVID year, and then came on the seen with quarterback Payton Thorne’s sudden rise and running back Kenneth Walker last season. During that same time, Michigan suffered through COVID in a shortened Big Ten season and were contemplating their quarterback situation last season. No more are those issues by the Wolverines in 2022. They may have a complete offense to go along with their defense. Michigan will eventually run over the Spartans to end their 2-game losing streak.

MY PICK: MICHIGAN

6) #17 ILLINOIS AT NEBRASKA – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ABC]

The Fighting Illini look like the best Big Ten West team and could be more. Thus far, they’re the best team in the nation allowing an average of 8.9 points over Natty champ Georgia. Illinois dominates with one of the best running backs in the country in Chase Brown, and Syracuse transfer quarterback Tommy DeVito is a blessing for this offense. The Huskers are figuring themselves out with their roster. After Scott Frost’s firing, they’re 2-2 with their interim coach. It’s unclear how Nebraska will perform, but Illinois should run away with this one for now.

MY PICK: ILLINOIS

5) #20 CINCINNATI AT UCF – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ESPN]

Both teams battle for at least second place in the AAC, and they are currently in a four-way battle with Houston and Tulane for a conference championship appearance. Cincinnati is rolling with six straight victories, but they edged their last three conference games as usual. UCF was rolling with four straight wins before falling into a trap at East Carolina. UCF could bounce back with an upset over Cincinnati for leverage in the AAC standings. The Knights are 13-0 when allowing 20 points or less dating back to Week 2 last season, and this could be their shot to overtake the Bearcats at home.

MY PICK: UCF

4) #15 OLE MISS AT TEXAS A&M – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [SEC NETWORK]

Ole Miss’s undefeated run ended in Death Valley against LSU and are looking to bounce back against A&M. The Rebels lit things up early before collapsing the rest of the way. They have some balance, but their defense was exposed, which led to the offense unable to respond. Texas A&M fell off the wheels (all on the road) in October. Thankfully, they end October at home and look to revive, revitalize, and re-cooperate against Ole Miss. Texas A&M’s defense is reliable and will put everything out there to keep this team in the game, but how the offense responds is a mystery. They were battered, beaten down, and worn out from the long road of October. They’re back home in their comfy environment surrounded by 100,000 plus of their 12th Man fans. Ole Miss previously won two games all-time at College Station in 2014 and 2016 during the Hugh Freeze era. Due to his scandal, their wins there were scrapped so pretty much, Ole Miss is still winless there (0-3). Jimbo Fisher’s feeling the hot seat badly, but somehow, someway, the Aggies find a way to slow down Ole Miss for a big upset at home.

MY PICK: TEXAS A&M

3) #19 KENTUCKY AT #3 TENNESSEE – 4PM PT/7PM ET [ESPN]

This matchup is a battle between Tennessee’s offense and Kentucky’s defense while glaring issues exist on the other side for both. Kentucky fell off the wagon for a couple of weeks with losses to Ole Miss and South Carolina before winning an important game against their rival, Mississippi State. They come off a bye recovered and ready for Tennessee. The Volunteers continue their rise in 2022, especially after the Alabama upset win. Quarterback Hendon Hooker is playing like a Heisman right now and has a chance to add this win to his resume. The offense is lethal and virtually unstoppable with every facet of their roster. Kentucky got their first taste of victory in Knoxville since 1984, but Tennessee immediately responded with an upset at Kentucky last season. Tennessee put together one heck of a team under Josh Heupel after overcoming obstacles in previous years. It could be close, but eventually Tennessee breaks down Kentucky on their way to victory prior to the Georgia matchup next week.

MY PICK: TENNESSEE

2) #2 OHIO STATE AT #13 PENN STATE – 9AM PT/12PM ET [FOX]

Here is a second epic matchup of the Big Ten East’s Big 3. The matchup to watch out for is Ohio State’s lethal receivers against Penn State’s dangerous defensive backs. Penn State’s defense is much better than statistics show. They allowed 30-plus points twice all season. As for Penn State’s offense, they have a run game again, led by Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen. They finally have that position solidified after searching for two seasons. That has helped quarterback Sean Clifford a lot and it’ll be needed to hopefully stay in sight for an upset. Ohio State’s defense made major improvements by chopping down nearly eight points allowed on average thus far. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles gets credit for their improvement and looks more dynamic than they have in a few seasons. This game is one of the toughest draws because Ohio State’s getting their first big test against a Big Ten opponent. However, Ohio State still edges over Penn State to avoid an upset.

MY PICK: OHIO STATE

1) #7 TCU AT WEST VIRGINIA – 9AM PT/12PM ET [ESPN]

TCU has an unbelievable “live and die” big play offense led by quarterback Max Duggan, who has thrown for 19 touchdowns to just one interception. The rest of his company on offense are as dangerous as they come when opposing defenses fail to stop them. West Virginia may not be great this season, but they compete and are consistently a hard out at home. Their offense is also known for big play situations led by quarterback J.T. Daniels and is accompanied by three running backs that accounted for 14 rushing touchdowns. It is the Big 12 so all talk is about their offenses. I didn’t mention their defense because both aren’t so great. However, both teams have impact players like Dante Stills (West Virginia) and Dee Winters (TCU). One of them must have enough “bend but don’t break” mentality to make a stop or two. TCU continues to survive and advance each week, but Morgantown, West Virginia is a difficult place to play. I will be crazy again and say West Virginia puts an end to TCU’s run. The Horned Frogs’ run eventually ends to the country road of West Virginia.

MY PICK: WEST VIRGINIA