The staff predicts the week’s action in the Big 12 and the top games of the week
Big 12
Texas Tech Red Raiders at Iowa State Cyclones – Sat. Nov. 2, 2:30 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: Tech will pick up a third straight loss and will again blame it on its poor communication equipment instead of its poor coaching and execution. ISU stomps out whatever life the Raiders have left and continue its undefeated season
- Austin: This is the battle of an immovable force vs. an unstoppable object. The Texas Tech Red Raiders boast the best offense in the Big 12, while the Iowa State Cyclones lead the conference in scoring defense. Despite Iowa State’s reputable defense, their offense is also one of the best in the Big 12. I’ll be siding with the Cyclones in this one.
- Drew: I think Iowa State trips up at some point in the regular season and I think Texas Tech will be able to move the ball against Iowa State but I don’t think Tech has the defense to pull of the upset.
- Russ: Iowa State keeps its dream season alive with a win over the Red Raiders.
- Wyatt: Iowa State wins in a game that is a little too close for comfort.
- CFB 25: ISU escapes with a 37-31 win as Rocco Becht throws for 358 yards and 3 TDs
Kansas State Wildcats at Houston Cougars – Sat. Nov. 2, 2:30 PM, FOX
- Anthony: It’ll get ugly fast in H-Town, K-State will continue to lurk as a major Big 12 title contender.
- Austin: Kansas State has looked mighty good since their blowout loss to BYU. The Wildcats continue to roll against the Houston Cougars.
- Drew: Kansas State is still flying under the radar despite being 7-1 with a lethal rushing attack. Give me the Wildcats.
- Russ: Kansas State should win in a blowout here.
- Wyatt: Kansas State by 30
- CFB 25: UH led by a TD at the end of the first quarter before KSU turned on the jets. Wildcats win 45-24
Arizona Wildcats at UCF Knights – Sat. Nov. 2, 2:30 PM, FS1
- Anthony: Knights have lost 5 straight since beating the Frogs in Fort Worth, but the streak ends here. UCF wins.
- Austin: UCF is a difficult team to pin down. The Knights have used multiple different quarterbacks, and at times, they’ve displayed a terrific offense. Conversely, Arizona has been downright bad for quite some time. Despite the porous stretch, the Wildcats defeat the Knights in Orlando.
- Drew: Arizona has lost four straight games and I don’t see them slowing down the UCF running game. Give me the Knights.
- Russ: This feels like a toss-up so I’ll roll with the Knights at home.
- Wyatt: This game could go either way. I think UCF’s rushing game is too much for the wildcats. The Knights win at home.
- CFB 25: Arizona takes it in 2 overtimes 24-16 with a Fifita TD pass and 2-point conversion before a game-ending interception
Arizona State Sun Devils at Oklahoma State Cowboys – Sat. Nov. 2, 6:00 PM, FS1
- Anthony: Hard to believe OSU is a home underdog in this game, truly I refuse to believe it. Not sure the Pokes will be willing to do what it takes to actually tackle Cam Skattebo, but think they just find a way. OK State wins.
- Austin: Arizona State. The Oklahoma State Cowboys are a mess following their top-13 ranking in early September. The Cowboys have lost five in a row and continue their losing ways.
- Drew: Oklahoma State is just a bad football team. I’ll take Arizona State.
- Russ: Oklahoma State is shockingly one of the worst teams in the Big 12. Arizona State should win here.
- Wyatt: The Oklahoma State Cowboys have been awful. Maybe the Oklahoma A&M Tigers can be better. I think the Pokes (Tigers?) get their first Big 12 win against Arizona State.
- CFB 25: Alan Bowman torches the Devils as OSU scores 21 straight to win 31-21
Top National Games
Ohio State Buckeyes at Penn State Nittany Lions – Sat. Nov. 2, 11:00 AM, FOX
- Anthony: Will continue to pick against James Franklin in the big games until he proves he can win one. Buckeyes are just too talented and roll on the road
- Austin: Ohio State knocks off the Penn State Nittany Lions at home in a close, low-scoring affair.
- Drew: It is an absolute crime that this game is at 11:00 am and will not get the Penn State whiteout treatment that it deserves. I think Ohio State’s injuries on the offensive line and struggles running the ball come back to bite them. I’ll take the Nittany Lions.
- Russ: Ohio State bounces back from a tough outing against Nebraska with a marquee win here.
- Wyatt: Seems like Penn State is always a good team, but never a great team. They can never beat the other top teams in the conference. I think Ohio State beats Penn State in their first real challenge.
- CFB 25: OSU destroys PSU 35-7 as Will Howard throws 4 TD passes and runs for another.
Duke Blue Devils at Miami Hurricanes – Sat Nov. 2, 11:00 AM, ABC
- Anthony: Duke with the ultimate “YOU BLEW IT” last week vs. SMU and will fall all the way off the map after getting trounced by The U this week.
- Austin: Miami continues to scrape by with a too-close-for-comfort win over Duke.
- Drew: Miami wins by multiple scores at home.
- Russ: Duke will give the Hurricanes a good fight, but Miami survives again.
- Wyatt: This game will be close, but Miami takes care of business and beats the Blue Devils.
- CFB 25: A nightmare scene as Miami smashes 52-14 and Cam Ward continues Heisman push with 467 yards and 6 TDs.
Ole Miss Rebels at Arkansas Razorbacks – Sat. Nov. 2, 11:00 AM, ESPN
- Anthony: Taylen Green has been playing out of his mind and Fayetteville is a tough environment and both teams are in lookahead spots with Texas & Georgia on deck, but think the Rebels end up running away with this one to win and cover the TD sppread.
- Austin: Arkansas upsets Ole Miss in Oxford. The Razorbacks are better than expected and prove it yet again with another marquee win.
- Drew: Ole Miss is fighting for their life to stay alive in the playoff hunt and survive on the road in Fayetteville.
- Russ: Ole Miss does just enough to hold off the Razorbacks on the road.
- Wyatt: This season has not gone the way Ole Miss fans had hoped for. However, I think Ole Miss wins it on the road.
- CFB 25: Razorbacks roll 41-24 behind 370 yards & 4 TDs from Taylen Green
Virginia Tech Hokies at Syracuse Orange – Sat. Nov. 2, 11:00 AM, CW
- Anthony: Even if McCord isn’t as bad as he was in that hideous performance last week and even with the game at the Dome, this one will be tough for Cuse. The Hokies are secretly hanging around in the ACC race and remain there with a close win over the Orange
- Austin: This game is a complete toss-up. Virginia Tech has salvaged a lost season, while Syracuse looked atrocious against Pitt a week ago. I have to side with the Hokies in this one.
- Drew: This game really depends on if Syracuse and specifically Kyle McCord can protect the football. Virginia Tech has not forced a ton of turnovers this season and I think Syracuse wins this one at home.
- Russ: Which version of Kyle McCord shows up? I think the former Ohio State quarterback bounces back and the Orange win here.
- Wyatt: Syracuse win a game that is closer than it should be.
- CFB 25: An explosion of offense leads to a VA Tech victory 55-30 with star Hokie RB running for 215 yards & 4 TDs
Texas A&M Aggies at South Carolina Gamecocks – Sat. Nov. 2, 6:30 PM, ABC
- Anthony: Flying high atop the SEC standings with lots of dreams of the season finale vs. the Longhorns being a preview of an SEC Championship and battle for the #1 seed. Aggies fall for the rat poison and lose at Williams-Brice.
- Austin: Everything is going right for Texas A&M. The Aggies have rallied following their season-opening loss against the Fighting Irish. Texas A&M wins an eighth straight game against the Gamecocks.
- Drew: A&M is playing very good football and I think they win this one on the road.
- Russ: A&M is rolling right now and I won’t pick against them again. Aggies win.
- Wyatt: Marcel Reed looked very good against LSU. The Aggies also look very good, and I think they win by 10 against the Game Cocks.
- CFB 25: In a dramatic game, SC takes the shootout 45-38, running out the final 3 minutes of game time as the Aggies cannot stop Rocket Sanders.
Louisville Cardinals at Clemson Tigers – Sat. Nov. 2, 6:30 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: The Tigers have cruised against lowly competition since its season opening loss to Georgia, but finishes with a tough slate of games, starting with these Cardinals. Louisville keeps it close, but ultimately Clemson is too tough to handle
- Austin: Clemson is one of the more unheralded, ranked teams in college football. No one seems to be discussing the Tigers’ potential as a contender. Despite this, Clemson is a very good team and they’ll defeat the Cardinals at home.
- Drew: Clemson is flying under the radar as a huge threat to Miami in the ACC and I think they win this one handedly at home.
- Russ: Clemson continues its ascension with a win over the Cardinals.
- Wyatt: Clemson wins with ease.
- CFB 25: Clemson has no trouble with the Cards at home, dominating 41-20 after scoring 24 points in the 4th quarter
Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes – Sat. Nov. 2, 6:30 PM, NBC
- Anthony: Iowa has found some offense this season, but Wisconsin has been playing better ball lately and the Badgers will take this one on the road.
- Austin: The two 5-3 teams converge in a late-evening battle on Saturday. This matchup will surely be close, but Wisconsin will beat Iowa with starting quarterback Cade McNamara.
- Drew: I think Kaleb Johnson carries to Iowa to a win over the Badgers at home.
- Russ: Both of these quarterbacks are average and I see this as a low-scoring rock right, which favors the Hawkeyes. Iowa wins.
- Wyatt: The Badgers beat the Hawkeyes on the road in a low scoring game.
- CFB 25: Badgers take the Battle for the Heartland 27-17 finding plenty of success through the air
Pitt Panthers and SMU Mustangs – Sat. Nov. 2, 7:00 PM, ACC Network
- Anthony: It’s the last losable game on the SMU schedule and the most important game the Mustangs have played since the death penalty. Ponies by two scores and the dream season rolls on.
- Austin: Speaking of less heralded squads, the Pitt Panthers are 7-0! However, they aren’t very battle-tested. The Mustangs haven’t necessarily faced a gauntlet of a schedule, but they’ll take this one in Dallas.
- Drew: I would love nothing more than for Pitt to knock off SMU in Dallas but I do not see it happening. I have the Mustangs winning this one.
- Russ: SMU has won three consecutive road games and will return to Dallas with another victory over the Panthers.
- Wyatt: SMU wins by 2 Touchdowns in Dallas.
- CFB 25: Mustangs keep finding a way to win, taking the lead on a 4th quarter TD pass before a game-winning interception by Isaiah Nwokobia.
Frogs O’ War Pick ‘Em Leaderboard
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Staff Standings
Overall Season Win %
- Austin: 67%
- Russ: 65%
- Wyatt: 65%
- Drew: 63%
- Anthony: 60%
- CFB25: 54%