Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbooks)
Below is a compilation of The Sportsbooks's predictions for the top games in Week 11 of the college football season. (Detailed previews for each game can be found by following the "Top 25 scoreboard" link within the FBS college football section of sportsnetwork.com)
Louisville (5-4) at (6) West Virginia (7-1), Thursday, 7:30 pm
This was supposed to be one of the biggest games of the season for the Big East, but Louisville's struggles have put a damper on that. WVU has been flying under the radar since its lone loss to South Florida, and that may not be a bad thing considering all the upsets in college football this season. The Mountaineers clearly have the better defense here and even if that unit gets torched a bit, WVU has plenty of weapons on offense to outlast the Cardinals in this contest.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: West Virginia 42, Louisville 27
- Ralph Lauro
Wake Forest (6-3) at (20) Clemson (7-2), Saturday, 12 pm
The Tigers are on a roll right now and get the Demon Deacons in Death Valley. This is an important contest, as jockeying for position in the Atlantic Division starts this week. Clemson has the better offense and that should be the difference in this one.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Clemson 27, Wake Forest 17
- Scott Haynes
(13) Michigan (8-2) at Wisconsin (7-3), Saturday, 12 pm
Michigan is the better team here, but Wisconsin isn't far behind and has the luxury of playing this one in front of the hometown faithful. That said, expect the Wolverines' multi-faceted offense to take control late and help the squad to victory, setting up next week's much-anticipated showdown with top- ranked Ohio State.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Michigan 27, Wisconsin 23
- Frank Haynes
Texas A&M (6-4) at (7) Missouri (8-1), Saturday, 12:30 pm
Missouri is clicking on all cylinders right now and that is bad news for a Texas A&M club that has struggled on the road this season. With Chase Daniel leading the charge, the Tigers should have no problem exploiting the Aggies' soft pass defense en route to the victory.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Missouri 40, Texas A&M 20
- Ralph Lauro
Arkansas (6-3) at (22) Tennessee (6-3), Saturday, 12:30 pm
Although this game is being played in Knoxville, the edge has to go to Arkansas. The Razorbacks will pound Darren McFadden and Felix Jones against the weak run defense of the Vols with great success.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Arkansas 37, Tennessee 27
- Pat Taggart
(21) Alabama (6-3) at Mississippi State (5-4), Saturday, 12:34 pm
Expect this game to go down to the wire, as MSU is much better than many folks expected. Alabama will get the win, but it will take four quarters of sound football to knock off the Bulldogs.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Alabama 27, Mississippi State 24
- Pat Taggart
(24) Kentucky (6-3) at Vanderbilt (5-4), Saturday, 2 pm
Go with Kentucky this weekend, as the Wildcats are better than they showed in their last outing. Andre Woodson will make better decisions and spread the ball around to his talented wideouts.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Kentucky 31, Vanderbilt 17
- Pat Taggart
(19) Boise State (8-1) at Utah State (0-9), Saturday, 3:05
Although the perfect season was lost quite some time ago, Boise State still has a major bowl game as a possible reward for coming back strong. Beating up on opponents like Utah State are nothing more than a prelude to the showdown with nationally-ranked Hawaii in two weeks in Honolulu.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Boise State 51, Utah State 17
- Gregg Xenakes
(16) Connecticut (8-1) at Cincinnati (7-2), Saturday, 3:30 pm
UConn keeps surprising Big East members each week, but Cincinnati will surely come prepared for this one. As a matter of fact, the Bearcats seem to match up pretty well with the Huskies and with the support of their home crowd, they should be able to find a way to win this game.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Cincinnati 31, Connecticut 17
- Ralph Lauro
(18) Auburn (7-3) at (10) Georgia (7-2), Saturday, 3:30 pm
Go with the home team in this matchup, as Georgia is playing with a wealth of confidence. This game will likely be a low-scoring affair, and the Bulldogs' push for an SEC title will continue.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Georgia 17, Auburn 13
- Pat Taggart
Illinois (7-3) at (1) Ohio State (10-0), Saturday, 3:30 pm
Ohio State has to be extremely careful not to look past Illinois, with Michigan on the horizon. If this were a road game, the Illini might be able to score an upset, but that won't happen in Columbus.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Ohio State 27, Illinois 14
- Pat Taggart
Texas Tech (7-3) at (15) Texas (8-2), Saturday, 3:30 pm
Of course, Texas seems like the logical pick at home, but we are going with the Red Raiders. Texas Tech wideout Michael Crabtree was held in check last week, but that won't happen again. Clearly, Colt McCoy is the second-best quarterback in this matchup.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Texas Tech 35, Texas 32
- Pat Taggart
(9) Arizona State (8-1) at U-C-L-A (5-4), Saturday, 3:30 pm
Arizona State will bounce back strong with a road win over the Bruins, who have looked weak the last two outings. Sure, UCLA plays its best ball at home, but the offense is decimated with injury.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Arizona State 30, UCLA 21
- Pat Taggart
Florida State (6-3) at (11) Virginia Tech (7-2), Saturday, 3:30 pm
The Seminoles come in with plenty of momentum and have owned this series over the last few decades. However, winning two straight huge road games is next to impossible in the now top-heavy ACC.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 23, Florida State 17
- Scott Haynes
Baylor (3-7) at (4) Oklahoma (8-1), Saturday, 6:30 pm
Clearly, Oklahoma is far superior to Baylor and should cruise to victory. The Sooners will have a chance to rest its starters, as players like Sam Bradford may not step foot on the playing field in the second half.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma 62, Baylor 7
- Pat Taggart
(23) Virginia (8-2) at Miami-Florida (5-4), Saturday, 7:15 pm
All those rushing yards for Miami came against an NC State defense that ranks last in the ACC in stopping the run. The Hurricanes won't enjoy the same type of success against a much more formidable UVA front. When Miami does drop back to pass, figure on Chris Long to disrupt a play or two and perhaps cause a turnover with his relentless pressure.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Virginia 20, Miami-Florida 17
- Mike Castiglione
(17) Florida (6-3) at South Carolina (6-4), Saturday, 7:45 pm
Although South Carolina will likely keep things close at home, expect Florida to prevail. Tim Tebow and Percy Harvin are a lethal combination, and asking the mediocre Gamecock defense to keep those two players in check is unrealistic.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Florida 27, South Carolina 17
- Pat Taggart
(12) U-S-C (7-2) at (24) California (6-3), Saturday, 8 pm
This will be USC's first-ever night game in Berkeley, and expect the Trojans to put on a good show. The visiting team doesn't have the star power that Cal has on offense, but brings a better defensive unit into this game.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: USC 21, California 18
- Scott Haynes
Louisiana Tech (4-5) at (2) L-S-U (8-1), Saturday, 8 pm
LSU should have this one put away by intermission. LaTech will be lucky to reach double figures in the scoring column.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: LSU 52, Louisiana Tech 6
- Pat Taggart
(8) Boston College (8-1) at Maryland (4-5), Saturday, 8 pm
The Eagles have to be discouraged by last week's loss, but head coach Jeff Jagodzinski will find a way to motivate his team the rest of the way. There is still plenty to accomplish in Chestnut Hill, so expect BC to play with a bit of a chip on its shoulder this weekend.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Boston College 34, Maryland 14
- Scott Haynes
(5) Kansas (9-0) at Oklahoma State (5-4), Saturday, 8 pm
Every week, Kansas is expected to finally fall from the ranks of the unbeaten. That will finally happen this week. Oklahoma State is eager to avenge the loss to Texas, and the Pokes need only one more victory to become bowl-eligible.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma State 31, Kansas 27
- Pat Taggart
Fresno State (6-3) at (14) Hawaii (8-0), Saturday, 11:05 pm
The Bulldogs have shown a lot more bite this season than they did in 2006, but for them to leave Honolulu on a high note they'll have to contain Colt Brennan, something that no one has been able to do since he became a starter. The Warriors could well be looking beyond this game and down the road at the Boise State meeting, which is why it could be closer than it should.
Sportsbooks Predicted Outcome: Hawaii 49, Fresno State 27
- Gregg Xenakes
