The staff predicts the week’s action in the Big 12 and the top games of the week
Big 12
Houston Cougars at Arizona Wildcats – Fri. Nov. 15, 9:15 PM, FS1
- Anthony: Houston’s short week on the road after a physical battle with Kansas State last week, the Wildcats are able to outlast the Cougars in Tucson. I see Arizona clawing back some respectability ahead of its trip to Fort Worth next week.
- Austin: Did you know Arizona was once ranked to begin the season? Insert the “Okay, Grandpa, let’s get you to bed meme.” All jokes aside, the Cougars knock off the Wildcats to obtain a 4-3 record in the Big 12 play.
- Drew: The change at quarterback to Zeon Chriss has sparked this Houston team to a couple of nice wins the past few weeks as their defense has continued to play well. I have them winning this one on the road.
- Russ: Arizona’s season is on the line and the Wildcats must win to keep any bowl hopes alive. I’ll take the Wildcats in a close game.
- Wyatt: Houston has improved throughout the season, and Arizona just hasn’t been the team many thought they would be. Houston wins in a close one in Tucson.
- CFB 25: Trailing by one with 10 seconds to play, Fifita hits McMillan for an 80-yard bomb and take the 34-29 win.
Utah Utes at Colorado Buffaloes – Sat. Nov. 16, 11:00 AM, FOX
- Anthony: If the Utah AD thought the league was out to get them last week (for the record, it was clearly defensive holding and the Utes can cry about it), get ready for what’s in store in Boulder. No chance the Big 12 burns the golden goose against the lowly Utes. Buffs roll.
- Austin: Colorado gets it done in Boulder. The Utes nearly defeated the undefeated BYU Cougars a week ago, but can’t pull it off against the soon-to-be Big 12 Champion Buffaloes.
- Drew: Colorado is playing very well on both sides of the ball and Utah does not look right offensively. I’ll take the Buffs here.
- Russ: Coach Prime and the Buffaloes are rolling right now. Utah played BYU close last week, but I think Colorado pulls away in this one.
- Wyatt: The Buffs win and it isn’t close. Utah is on the struggle bus, but while Deion and Colorado are firing on all cylinders.
- CFB 25: Utes win a thriller 31-25 as the Shedeur Sanders 4th down pass is batted down at the line to end the game-winning drive.
Baylor Bears at West Virginia Mountaineers – Sat. Nov. 16, 3:00 PM, ESPN2
- Anthony: Take me home, country roads. WVU needed two defensive TDs to take down Cinci last week and will find a way to defeat the Bears in Morgantown.
- Austin: One of these winning streaks will come to an end. Will it be the Bears’ three-game triumph or the Mountaineers’ two-game streak? I’ll side with Baylor in this battle.
- Drew: Baylor’s offense has been very impressive and I do not think West Virginia will be able to slow down an explosive rushing attack from the Bears. I’ll take Baylor in this one.
- Russ: Baylor has been the more impressive team in recent weeks, so I think the Bears will find a way to come out with a win here.
- Wyatt: Weird things happen in Morgantown. However, I think Baylor is the better team, and the Bears win in a thriller.
- CFB 25: Bears go into Milan Puskar and smack the ‘Eers 42-17.
Arizona State Sun Devils at Kansas State Wildcats – Sat. Nov. 16, 6:00 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: K-State bounces back with a vengeance, smashing the Devils in Manhattan. Even if Skattebo is back in full form for ASU, the ‘Cats contain him and run away with the win.
- Austin: This game is a complete toss-up. The Sun Devils have outperformed expectations, while the Wildcats have arguably underperformed. Despite the expectations, Kansas State wins at home against Arizona State.
- Drew: Arizona State’s win over UCF last week without Cam Skattebo and they have been much better than expected this year but I can’t pick against K-State at home especially coming off of a bye week.
- Russ: Kansas State at home is typically a safe bet, so I’ll take the Wildcats over the Sun Devils in this Big 12 matchup.
- Wyatt: This is a good game. I think ASU will keep it close,, but I cannot pick against KSU at home, especially after dropping their last game to Houston.
- CFB 25: ASU ties it down the stretch to force OT where it can only muster a FG before Avery Johnson finds Keagan Johnson in the back of the endzone for the game winner.
Cincinnati Bearcats at Iowa State Cyclones – Sat. Nov. 16, 7:00 PM, FOX
- Anthony: Poor Cyclones, falling from likely Playoff bye to unranked in two weeks. Ouch. Still with a solid chance to jump into the Big 12 Championship, ISU gets this home win.
- Austin: The Cyclones are free-falling following a 7-0 start to the season. However, it stops here with Iowa State defeating Cincinnati in Ames.
- Drew: Both teams are looking to stop two game losing streaks and I have Iowa State getting it done with a win at home.
- Russ: Iowa State desperately needs a bounce-back win here. I think they get it and dispatch the Bearcats in Ames.
- Wyatt: Iowa State wins, and stops the bleeding from their last 2 games. This win keeps the Clones’ hopes for their first potential 10 win season in program history.
- CFB 25: Bearcats win with ease, blowing out the Cyclones in Ames 45-24
Kansas Jayhawks at BYU Cougars – Sat. Nov. 16, 9:15 PM, ESPN
- Anthony: Jalon Daniels got his swagger back and the Jayhawks will put a scare on BYU in some after-dark action in Provo, but the Cougars keep finding a way to lock in.
- Austin: Call me crazy, but the Jayhawks do it again. A week after beating the one-loss Cyclones, Kansas ends BYU’s perfect season.
- Drew: I think BYU makes it through conference play unscathed and continues to roll at home with a win over Kansas.
- Russ: As much as I want Kansas to win, the Jayhawks have lost five games this season by less than seven points. I can’t trust Kansas in a tight one, so I’ll take the safe BYU pick.
- Wyatt: BYU will win in dramatic fashion. I have no idea how good BYU really is.
- CFB 25: BYU survives with a 29-21 win despite 430 pass yards from Jalon Daniels
Top National Games
Clemson Tigers at Pitt Panthers – Sat. Nov. 16, 11:00 AM, ESPN
- Anthony: Desmond Reid is a terrific RB for the Panthers, but he’s just not enough to overcome the talent gap across the board in this one. Clemson continues to fly under the radar towards the CFP with the win here.
- Austin: Despite playing at home, while being ranked five spots lower than Clemson, Pitt is a 10-point underdog. I wouldn’t touch the spread, but I have Clemson winning this contest.
- Drew: Pitt losing to Virginia last week took away any remaining confidence I had in them. Give me Clemson on the road.
- Russ: Clemson has won four of its last five, while Pitt has dropped two straight games. I’ll take the Tigers over the Panthers in a battle of the cats.
- Wyatt: Clemson will win, and I don’t think it will be close.
- CFB 25: Pitt’s drive in the final minute to tie or win the game falls short at midfield, as they are unable to get out of bounds after picking up a 4th down conversion, letting the clock run out to fall 38-35.
Tulane Green Wave at Navy Midshipmen – Sat. Nov. 16, 11:00 AM, ESPN2
- Anthony: I’m choosing to believe Navy’s loss to Rice was due to the body-blow theory following the Notre Dame loss. Tulane RB Makhi Hughes is an incredible player, but I think the Green Wave drop one more this season and I’ll go ahead and roll with Navy in Annapolis.
- Austin: The Green Wave continues to dominate the AAC. Tulane has won all six conference games and boasts an enormous 185-point differential. Tulane rolls.
- Drew: Tulane has not had any trouble with conference opponents this season and Navy has stumbled after starting the season 6-0 but I am taking the Midshipmen at home in this one.
- Russ: Tulane controls its own destiny in the AAC and I think the Green Wave add another quality win to their resume.
- Wyatt: Roll Wave. I think Tulane remains unbeaten in AAC play, and Navy’s losing streak is extended.
- CFB 25: Navy’s game winning drive is cut down as the hail mary is swatted away at the last moment, giving Tulane a tough 14-10 win.
Texas Longhorns at Arkansas Razorbacks – Sat. Nov. 16, 11:00 AM, ABC
- Anthony: Arkansas QB Taylen Green looks to be back to full strength and Fayetteville is a challenging place to go take a win, but the Longhorns are just better at every position and end up with a runaway victory.
- Austin: The way Texas took it to Florida last week shows they’re back with a vengeance following a loss to Georgia and a close call against Vandy. The Longhorns blowout the Razorbacks on the road.
- Drew: I think this game will be close with a packed house in Fayetteville but the Arkansas defense has not played well recently, giving up 63 points to Ole Miss. I have the Longhorns in a shootout.
- Russ: Texas opened as a huge favorite and I don’t think the Longhorns will struggle in this one. Texas wins in commanding fashion.
- Wyatt: Longhorns take care of business on the road in Fayetteville. I expect Arkansas to keep it close during the first half, but the horns will run away with this one in the second half.
- CFB 25: Yeah that is a blowout, Horns win 45-17 as Quinn Ewers tosses 5 TDs.
LSU Tigers at Florida Gators – Sat. Nov. 16, 2:30 PM, ABC
- Anthony: Already looking ahead to the big game against Vanderbilt next week, the Tigers aren’t ready for the return of DJ Lagway as the Gators chomp through LSU in the Swamp and Brian Kelly’s face turns a previously undiscovered shade of red
- Austin: LSU didn’t do me too well a week ago. I had some high hopes for the Tigers against one of the more disappointing powerhouses in college football. Nevertheless, I’m choosing LSU again. (I hope they don’t burn me twice).
- Drew: With Florida being down to its third string quarterback and LSU needing a win to stop a losing streak, I have the Tigers winning by a comfortable margin.
- Russ: LSU may be one of the more overrated teams in college football, but Florida has had too many struggles this year. Give me the Tigers over the Gators.
- Wyatt: I think the Tigers win this one on the road. I do not feel comfortable picking LSU. The QB situation for Florida is the decider in this one for me.
- CFB 25: Gators make a late push but it’s not enough as LSU takes it 21-19 on three Nussmeier TD passes.
Missouri Tigers at South Carolina Gamecocks – Sat. Nov. 16, 3:15 PM, SEC Network
- Anthony: Williams-Brice will be rocking, Rocket Sanders has looked elite, and the marketplace has SC as a two-TD favorite. However Mizzou has a bit of juice and keeps its CFP chances afloat with the road win.
- Austin: After losing to Ole Miss in early October, South Carolina has put together a string of impressive performances. The Gamecocks impress once again and earn a better spot in the CFP Rankings following a win against Missouri.
- Drew: Missouri has not been impressive this season and South Carolina has blown out three straight SEC opponents. I am taking the Gamecocks in this one.
- Russ: South Carolina is a battle-tested bunch and I like the Gamecocks at home against a Missouri team that has struggled with injuries and consistency.
- Wyatt: The Tigers’ CFP hopes are officially squashed. The Gamecocks win this one at home convincingly. I do not think Mizzou is good.
- CFB 25: Mizzou runs one in from one yard out to break the tie in the final minute and the defense swats the hail mary to earn the road win 33-26.
Tennessee Volunteers at Georgia Bulldogs – Sat. Nov. 16, 6:30 PM, ABC
- Anthony: Nico is healthy again and the Vols go on the road and stun the Dawgs. 3-loss UGA will make the playoff anyway.
- Austin: This game hinges on Nico Iamaleava’s status. He’s currently projected to play, but his health is surely a question mark. Georgia takes the cake.
- Drew: Georgia’s offense has looked inept at times this season and Tennessee’s defense is playing very well. Luckily for the Bulldogs, the Tennessee offense is also struggling and could be without Nico Iamaleava. I’ll take Georgia at home.
- Russ: Despite Georgia’s recent struggles, I think Kirby Smart and the Dawgs play their best as the under (dawgs). I’ll go with Georgia here.
- Wyatt: I think the Bulldogs recover after their loss too Ole Miss. Georgia takes this one in Athens.
- CFB 25: Yikes, it’s a slaughter in Athens as UGA blows out the Vols 42-7 with 425 yards and 5 TDs from Carson Beck.
Frogs O’ War Pick ‘Em Leaderboard
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Staff Standings
Overall Season Win %
- Russ: 66%
- Wyatt: 64%
- Drew: 64%
- Austin: 63%
- Anthony: 59%
- CFB25: 52%