Wednesday, November 6, 2013

College Football Week 11 Picks

Marcus Mariota
3 Oregon vs. 5 Stanford
This Thursday night Pac-12 war could well decide the national title race. Last year, Oregon was in a very similar situation before the Cardinal slowed down their up-tempo attack and ended up winning the Pac-12 North. Oregon's offense has not slowed a bit under new coach Mark Helfrich, in fact it may be better. Sophomore QB Marcus Mariota struggled in this match up last year but he has been significantly smarter and will benefit his second time seeing the Stanford defense. Him and Jameis Winston appear to be the Heisman frontrunners and he hopes that he can have a Heisman moment in this one. Stanford's defense is fantastic led by pass rushers like Shayne Skov, who constantly are disrupting backfields and gave Oregon real troubles last season. Though, they don't have to just worry about Mariota, a healthy De'Anthony Thomas is always dangerous and Byron Marshall has been great this season. Thomas said this week he believes Oregon will put up 40+, that will not happen. If Stanford's offense led by Kevin Hogan and back Tyler Gaffney, can put up a decent amount of points on the scoreboard this one could like a lot like last year.
Stanford, 30 Oregon, 24

6 Baylor vs. 10 Oklahoma
Much like the Stanford-Oregon game this Thursday night game could decide the conference. Undefeated Baylor continues to overwhelm teams with their offense, and although statistically Oklahoma's defense has been impressive I still have some real questions about it. Can they shut down the combination of QB Bryce Petty, Lache Seastrunk and receiver Tevin Reese? Baylor has always been an offensive team but their defense has been strong too this season, causing turnovers. Junior QB Blake Bell, a dual threat, has been great at times this season but has struggled with interceptions and decision-making has been an issue. They have a great backfield led by Damien Williams and Bell who is a hard runner. Oklahoma has struggled to get pressure on opponents and if you don't get much on Petty, you can't stop this Bears' defense. I don't think they will, and although Baylor will not score 60, they should put up points to come away with a comfortable win.
Baylor, 45 Oklahoma, 34

1 Alabama vs. 13 LSU
The last couple of years this game has been fantastic and decided the SEC West, and it will not disappoint at all this year. The undefeated Tide hope to continue their run a top the rankings but their defense won't have as easy as a job as usual against the Tigers. Zach Mettenberger has been fantastic so far and his interceptions have really been trimmed. Jeremy Hill at back can move the chains and their offense has more playmakers than usual. Other than usual, LSU is less of a run the ball in between the tackles team but a team that can move the ball down the field. Alabama's offense has struggled at times but T.J. Yeldon has really gotten the ground attack going in again and it never wise to pick against senior quarterback A.J. McCarron. Although their offense has been vastly better, a usually defensive team, LSU has struggled to stop teams. Their pass defense has been burned a lot and they need leadership in the back. If McCarron and Amari Cooper can get the momentum flowing, they could burn the Tigers for a lot of passing yards and points.
Alabama, 28 LSU, 21

Other Picks
19 UCLA, 38 Arizona, 27
Houston, 35 UCF, 34
Michigan, 27 Nebraska, 17
2 Florida State, 43 Wake Forest, 20
9 Auburn, 35 Tennessee, 19
Current Picks Record: 58-22

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