College Football Week 13 Picks

Baker Mayfield

3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. 11 Oklahoma State Cowboys 7:00 pm (CT) on ABC
In a conference without an official championship game, this battle for Oklahoma will go down as the biggest game of the year for the Big 12. Oklahoma enters this game, riding a major wave of momentum, to say the least. The Sooners have won six straight since a weak showing against archrival Texas, and have beaten Baylor and TCU in that span. That helped push the Playoff Committee to throw Oklahoma in at the three spot, a major rise for the team. Though, the Sooners' quarterback, Baker Mayfield, was beat up in the TCU win, and may not be 100 percent for this game. That is worrying, considering Oklahoma State has proven they have a ball hawking defense that will apply plenty of pressure. It isn't just defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah creating havoc on the line of scrimmage; the 'Pokes lean on a number of impact players in their secondary. Though, that secondary looked far from great in last week's loss to Baylor, and Mayfield should look to hook up plenty with his favorite target, Sterling Shepard. The Cowboys won't have things easy against Oklahoma's run game either, as they'll square off against two big bulldozers, in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon. Just as interesting will be how Ok. State responds offensively after a down week last weekend. The quarterback combination of Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh has worked well all year, but looked like it ran out steam against Baylor. Rudolph is a special player, just a sophomore, who can make some amazing plays. He'll hope to work with James Washington well in this one, a receiver who has been scorching hot in the second half of the year. Though, Oklahoma's defense is a stiff one, that has looked dominant all year. Zack Sanchez is a shutdown corner who should stick to Washington like glue, and defensive coordinator Mike Stoops has a number of pass rushers that can create chaos. "Bedlam" is always a great matchup, and one that always seems to find a way to come down to the wire. It is particularly intriguing this year. A win for Oklahoma and they guarantee their first Playoff appearance. A loss and the Big 12 is plunged into complete and utter chaos. Let the games begin.
Oklahoma, 38 Oklahoma State, 34

8 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. 10 Michigan Wolverines 11:00 AM (CT) on ABC
Their may not be a better rivalry in college sports, or North American sports in general, than Ohio State vs. Michigan. It extends beyond the wins and success of both schools; the fans, players, coaches and universities despise each other, which always leads to one heck of a game. This year in particular, the rivalry should be absolutely insane. Ohio State's Playoff hopes took a major hit when they were beat by Michigan State last week, but the Buckeyes are far from dead. If they could beat Michigan in this one, and get some help from Penn State (who, in turn, would have to beat MSU) they could still win the East Division and win the conference, which could earn them a Playoff berth. The stakes are high for Michigan as well. The Wolverines not only are looking for vengeance after some brutal losses to OSU over the past few years, but they could also win the division, if they get help from Penn State. Ohio State's offense looked completely out of sync a week ago, but I don't expect that to last. J.T. Barrett is a great quarterback, and the Buckeyes should learn their lesson, and use Ezekiel Elliott more this week. Elliott turned it on especially late in the year in 2014-2015, and he still has an outside shot at the Heisman. Though, the Michigan defense has been on absolute fire all year under Jim Harbaugh, and it should be stout in this one. Things could very well come down to how well Michigan moves the ball. At the beginning of the year, former Iowa transfer Jake Rudock looked nothing more than just a game manager for a defensive-minded football team. But, a huge day earlier in the year against Indiana showed he is much more. The veteran has always has a great mind for the game, but he has showed supreme confidence this year, and the growth of a deep arm that can spread the defense thin. It has helped that the ground attack has been steady, and the offensive line has been strong. Though, even more helpful has been the emergence of a number of weapons for Rudock to work with. Amara Darboh has made a living making some unreal catches, and he should be in full force in this one, while tight end Jake Butt is a gritty and efficient pass-catcher. Ohio State's defense has been strong all year. Joey Bosa has fought through double and triple teams to put together a solid campaign, while the Buckeyes are gifted with incredible speed and agility in their linebacker corps. Another interesting storyline that should add even more intrigue to this game: it is the first meeting between Jim Harbaugh and Urban Meyer. Two of the nation's best coaches, who have some distinct personalities, are sure to make this one even more exciting. I'm not very impressed by Ohio State after last week. They have a plethora of weapons, but their playcalling has been horrendous all season. After an uneven career in Iowa and some early lows at Michigan, this could be a redemption opportunity for Rudock. I like Michigan, who could very well have one loss and be playing for a clear-cut Playoff opportunity, to finish the job.
Michigan, 30 Ohio State, 24

6 Notre Dame Fighting Irish vs. 9 Stanford Cardinal 6:30 pm (CT) on FOX
Suddenly, Notre Dame finds themselves in a very precarious position. The Irish dropped two spots to six in the latest Playoff poll, and even fell behind Michigan State. Still, the Irish, who have overcome so much adversity this year, could greatly improve their Playoff chances with a victory against an odd Stanford team. The Cardinal started off the year on a terrible note when they managed just six points in a loss to Northwestern. Then, they went on a tear only to lose just two weeks ago previously unranked Oregon. It is very hard to gauge just how good Stanford is; both Oregon and Northwestern are good football teams and they were close to wins in each, but they haven't beat much else either. The key for Stanford will be Kevin Hogan, who will be playing in his final regular season game for the Cardinal. The longtime QB has had a lot of ups-and-downs throughout his career with Stanford, but has had his best year yet. Notre Dame's secondary isn't bad, but his hasn't been absolutely shutdown either. Hogan will hope to work well with Devon Cajuste, Michael Rector and Christian McCaffrey out of the backfield. Much like the team as a whole, McCaffrey had a slow start to the year before absolutely tearing it up. He is a versatile and shifty runner who can do real damage if not contained. Though, Notre Dame has a disciplined defense and linebackers Jaylon Smith and Joe Schmidt will be on high alert for the running back. Offensivey, ND has been very inconsistent this year, as to be expected when there are backups at the two most important positions (QB, RB have had injuries). Deshone Kizer has done a very admirable job filling in for Malik Zaire, but he struggled last week and is prone to bad reads. That is a problem, considering Stanford's defense is as good as anyone on forcing turnovers and capitalizing off them. Kizer will also need assistance from C.J. Prosise, who has had a great year at running back, along with some help from his receivers. Will Fuller, Torii Hunter Jr. and Corey Robinson have had their moments, but must play incredibly well in this one. Stanford will lean heavily on their bulky front seven in this one, Prosise won't get much help between the tackles. Expect to see linebacker Blake Martinez making plays all over the field in this one, he will be tasked with not only containing Prosise, but also helping out in coverage. This looked like a Playoff play-in game just two weeks ago. It could still very well have a major impact on the Playoff situation, and it should be exciting. It may not be that pretty, but both teams have plenty of talent and can move the ball. I'm still not completely sure what we are going to get out of Stanford and it's late November. Even so, I think they are the slightly hotter team and they can capitalize off some Kizer mistakes to win a thriller.
Stanford, 28 Notre Dame, 27

Other Picks
13 Florida State, 27 12 Florida, 20
1 Clemson, 35 South Carolina, 10
18 Ole Miss, 38 21 Mississippi State, 28
2 Alabama, 42 Auburn, 24
7 Baylor, 45 19 TCU, 33
Current Picks Record: 70-26

College Football Week 12 Picks

Michael Thomas, Ohio State

3 Ohio State Buckeyes vs. 9 Michigan State Spartans 2:30 pm (CT) on ABC
A year ago, Ohio State used a huge day from J.T. Barrett and their defense to make a major statement: the Buckeyes dominated a higher-ranked Michigan State team en route to winning the Big Ten East. It was the first true sign that the Buckeyes were a team to be feared, and also essentially knocked the Spartans out of Playoff contention. This year, Ohio State will look to once more handle MSU, and continue to build up a resume that pales when compared to some of the other elite teams in the nation. The Buckeyes will once more be led by Barrett, who looked superb last week after serving a one-game suspension prior to the Illinois meeting. Barrett will be joined by a plethora of playmakers on the OSU offense, most notably running back Ezekiel Elliott, big-bodied receiver Michael Thomas and two explosive do-it-all weapons, Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miller. The Spartans have made a living off their defense under Mark Dantonio and while it hasn't been absolutely shutdown this season, it will look to contain those weapons. Defensive end Shilique Calhoun will also look to pressure Barrett and force some turnovers. On the other side of the ball, the Spartans will be led by senior quarterback Connor Cook. Cook has overall played well this season, but has been far from dominant after a hot start to the year. Ohio State is still pretty young in the secondary, so Cook could well get himself some golden opportunities. It helps that he has clearly found a top option in the passing game in Aaron Burbidge. Burbidge, who wasn't expected to do all that much this season, has already surpassed 1,000 receiving yards on the campaign. The key for Michigan State may be their ground attack. True freshman L.J. Scott is leading Michigan State in rushing yards this season, but hasn't been playing well as of late. It will not help him that Ohio State's rush defense has been stout all year, led by end Joey Bosa and linebacker Darron Lee. Even so, if Scott can break out a couple big runs, it would certainly help Michigan State find some offensive rhythm. The Spartans are a well-built, well-rounded and sound football team. But, they just don't have the explosiveness or firepower to hang with Ohio State. Maybe if they can force some mistakes, they could pull an upset. If not, it should be a close, but overall comfortable, win for OSU.
Ohio State, 34 Michigan State, 24

6 Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. 10 Baylor Bears 6:30 pm (CT) on FOX
The Big 12 race is incredibly intriguing at the moment, and this weekend should help the world gain clarity on just what is going on in the conference. Oklahoma State is the lone undefeated, but beyond a victory over TCU, they haven't played too much. They could add a big resume booster against Baylor, who looked overmatched against Oklahoma the past week. The Bears still can obviously put up points in a hurry, even with true freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham leading the charge. Stidham is young and he will make mistakes, but it helps having all-world receivers on his side. Although Corey Coleman was far from perfect against the Sooners, he is still perhaps the most electrifying receiver in America. The Cowboys have far from a proven secondary (although it did play well against Trevone Boykin and TCU), so that could be a major problem. Oklahoma State will also have to contain explosive Shock Linwood and pounding Devin Chafin, two wonderful backs. Though the Cowboys will counter with junior defensive linemen Emmanuel Ogbah (one of the nation's leaders in sacks) and a ready front seven. The Cowboys have been using two quarterbacks on the offensive side of the ball. Sophomore Mason Rudolph has had some unreal moments, while senior J.W. Walsh has looked as good as ever. Some may argue that constant switching at the position could contribute to chemistry issues, but Mike Gundy is smart and he knows how to use the pair effectively. Something else to watch: how Baylor contains Cowboys' receiver James Washington. I was actually pretty impressed with Baylor's defense as a whole last week against the Sooners, and they have some great experience. Though, Washington has been on an absolute tear lately (surpassing 100 yards in four of their last six games), and the Bears will have to be smart in covering him. Another key for the Bears will be getting pressure on either Rudolph or Walsh. Shawn Oakman has his moments but can also gets lost out there; defensive coordinator Phil Bennett will look for big, bulky Andrew Billings to get a solid push through the interior of their line. This should be a crazy week in the Big 12, and one with it's fair share of fireworks. A win here and Oklahoma State is in prime position for a crazy battle against archrival Oklahoma that could well be a Playoff play-in game. A loss, and the season obviously takes a disappointing turn. Baylor, meanwhile, isn't completely out of the Playoff conversation yet. Although I think the Bears could certainly come out and pound down the Cowboys, I like Oklahoma State in this one. Their defense has had some signature moments and the way their offense is grooving, they should be able to impress in this one.
Oklahoma State, 42 Baylor, 33

7 Oklahoma Sooners vs. 18 TCU Horned Frogs 7:00 pm (CT) on ABC
The Oklahoma State-Baylor battle isn't the only Big 12 game with huge implications this week. Oklahoma and TCU should square off in a game that is sure to be a shootout. Oklahoma's stock is rising quickly, as they have won five straight, and beat Baylor. Meanwhile, things have gone downhill quickly for TCU. They lost their first game of the season to Oklahoma State, and then barely survived against Kansas this past week. Much of that was because of an ankle injury to star QB Trevone Boykin, but even so, it was extremely worrying. Boykin is questionable to go in this one, but even if he does, he will be without his top target, wide receiver Josh Doctson, who is out for the remainder of the year. That should prompt Kolby Listenbee and KaVontae Turpin to step up in a big way. But, the Sooners' defense proved they could stop the pass very well against Baylor a week ago. Cornerback Zack Sanchez and the rest of the defensive backfield played sound, disciplined football. Oklahoma also got wonderful contributions from defensive linemen Charles Walker and linebacker Eric Striker, who will hope to get after Boykin in this one, assuming he is good to go. On the other side of the ball, Oklahoma will bring an offense that is absolutely on fire. Baker Mayfield put his name into the Heisman conversation with a big day against Baylor and he will hope to feast against an inexperienced TCU secondary. He will be helped by senior receiver Sterling Shepard, a reliable possession receiver who dominated a week ago, along with powerful running back Samaje Perine. Unless someone steps up in a big way for the TCU defense, they could have a long day ahead of them, attempting to stop that Big 3. Even so, if Boykin is good to go for this one (he is questionable), TCU should be able to match Oklahoma's offensive output for the most part. If he isn't, particularly considering this game is in Norman, this one could turn ugly really, really quick.
Oklahoma, 49 TCU, 30

Other Picks
25 Wisconsin, 28 20 Northwestern, 21
23 Oregon, 38 24 USC, 34
13 Utah, 31 UCLA, 27
5 Iowa, 35 Purdue, 14
12 Michigan, 27 Penn State, 20
Current Picks Record: 66-22

Post-Week 11 College Football Playoff Power Rankings

Shaq Lawson, Clemson

College football is a notoriously crazy sport, but as we closed Week 11, we were finally gaining a clearer view on the College Football Playoff. Sure, the final couple weeks of this year are going to be insane (particularly in the Big 12), but it appears we have a strong group of teams vying for a Playoff berth. Here is where the Playoff pictures stands after an interesting eleventh week of the 2015-2016 season:

The Four

1 Clemson Tigers
The Tigers, who have topped the College Football Playoff rankings each of the past two weeks, were far from dominant against Syracuse this past weekend. Even so, they still managed to pull ahead and notch another victory to improve to a flawless 10-0 on the year. Overall, Clemson's resume is as strong and impressive as any in the nation, hence the No. 1 ranking. Notre Dame continuing to win only helps Clemson (who managed to beat the Irish by 2) and if Florida State were to win out, which would mean beating Florida, it would only further help out the Tigers. Another thing that could help strengthen Clemson's claim to the No. 1 spot: the play of North Carolina. The Tar Heels are on an absolute tear and are likely to come out of the ACC Coastal 11-1. Beating them in the ACC Championship game will just add yet another big win to Clemson and Dabo Swinney's resume.

2 Alabama Crimson Tide
Alabama heard the questions about their program, loud and clear. Was the Alabama "dynasty" under Nick Saban finally coming to an end? Was their reign of terror over college football coming to an inevitable close? Well, not yet. The Tide have beat up on their two biggest competitors in the SEC West over the past two weeks, pummeling LSU and Leonard Fournette, and blowing out Mississippi State. Alabama's defense, led by a number of future NFL contributors (Reggie Ragland, A'Shawn Robinson, Eddie Jackson, to name a few) has been absolutely insane since a mysteriously poor night against Ole Miss earlier in the year. Though, just as important has been the play of Alabama's offense, particularly Derrick Henry, who has played his way into the forefront of the Heisman conversation. This team is staring to look like the typical Alabama team: a well-built, powerful team with a stud back and a scary defense. For the rest of the nation, that is a very, very bad thing.

3 Ohio State Buckeyes
J.T. Barrett's arrest weeks ago for operating while intoxicated could very well have derailed Ohio State's Playoff hopes. Instead, the Buckeyes managed to win with Cardale Jones under center once more, and played superb in Barrett's return to action this week (he served just a one week suspension). Along with Barrett, running back Ezekiel Elliott has put up insane numbers lately and has pushed himself into serious Heisman conversation, while the Buckeyes have been stout defensively. Up next? A huge meeting with Michigan State, that could well decide the Big Ten East and could completely change the Playoff outlook for the Big Ten.

4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Even with injuries galore, Notre Dame is still in great position to make their first ever Playoff appearance. Their lone loss on the year is a close road loss to the nation's top team, and they have built themselves a strong resume. The Irish own wins over Texas, Georgia Tech and a suddenly relevant Navy team. They could round out their reason in a big way against Stanford, which looked like a possible Playoff play-in game before the Cardinal went out and lost this past week to Oregon. Even so, the Playoff Committee has to respect a team that has had so much success even with injuries to their starting quarterback, running back and more.

Next Four Out

Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Big 12 race has changed completely on it's head these past couple weeks, and it will continue to be interesting down the stretch. Not only did Oklahoma beat Baylor this past week, Oklahoma State responded well after their upset of TCU two weeks ago. That leaves the Cowboys as the lone undefeated in the conference, and likely the best hope for a Playoff berth for the Big 12, which of course missed out on the Playoff altogether last year. Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh lead one of the nation's most exciting offenses, but the big reason for the rise of Oklahoma State this season has been a strong defense, led by stud defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. That defense will have to play well in these next two weeks, which include meetings with Baylor and Oklahoma. The good news is that both those games are going to be in Stillwater. If Oklahoma State manages to win out, there should be no doubt they are in.

Iowa Hawkeyes
The Hawkeyes remain perhaps the most intriguing team in the thick of the Playoff race. They have yet to lose on the year, but don't exactly have a resume stocked with huge wins. Victories against Wisconsin, Pittsburgh and Northwestern are solid, but they pale in comparison to some other teams in the Playoff hunt. Even so, Iowa should win out (although a Friday night battle with Nebraska could be tough) until they reach a Big Ten Championship game. Depending on what happens there, they could come out as the top team from inside the conference. With a smart, methodical offense, led by stud back Jordan Canzeri, Iowa very well could surprise some people down the stretch.

Oklahoma Sooners
Entering the year, there was some serious questions about the state of the Oklahoma program. The Sooners were coming off an 8-5 year, and had a number of issues on their team. All they've done is respond with a 9-1 start to the year, which now includes victories over Tennessee and Baylor. Sure, the Sooners' loss to Texas earlier in the year hurts, but they looked like the vastly superior team against Baylor this past week. Star quarterback Baker Mayfield has entrenched himself in the Heisman conversation, and the defense looked wonderful against the Bears. Much like Oklahoma State, that defense will have to play well down the stretch as dates with TCU and State could very well push the Sooners into the Playoff if they can win out.

Florida Gators
Very quietly, Florida just keeps on winning. Sure, it is hard to really know what you are getting out of the Gators. They first came on the scene with a last second victory against Tennessee that they followed up by dominating an Ole Miss team that we now recognize as clearly overrated. Their shutdown defense, headed by future NFL cornerback Vernon Hargreaves has been terrific but the offense has slumped down the stretch. That has led to some scary close meetings with teams they have no business losing to (Vandy!). Though, still with just one loss, the Gators could be an intriguing player down the stretch. If they beat Florida State in the regular season finale, they could add a strong victory to their resume. Then, a win over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game could possibly even push them into the Playoff.

Others in the Mix
Stanford Cardinal
Michigan State Spartans
North Carolina Tar Heels
Michigan Wolverines
Baylor Bears
TCU Horned Frogs
Houston Cougars

College Football Week 11 Picks

Dak Prescott, Mississippi State

6 Baylor Bears vs. 12 Oklahoma Sooners 7:00 pm (CT) on ABC
Many Baylor fans were frustrated that the Bears earned the six spot in this week's College Football Playoff rankings, behind two one-loss teams and a relatively unproven Iowa team. The Bears could go a long way in legitimizing their fans' arguments with a victory against the scorching hot Oklahoma Sooners. Following a brutal loss to arch-rival Texas, Oklahoma has responded incredibly well. They have won four straight, topping 50 points in each victory. Sure, none of the teams they beat up on are serious contenders in the conference, but it still gives them plenty of momentum entering this battle. Oklahoma has been led by the play of Texas Tech transfer Baker Mayfield at quarterback. Too often a turnover machine at TTU, Mayfield has settled down since his arrival in Norman. He still has a rocket of an arm, but he has been much better at reading defenses. Baylor's secondary has played well this season, but it has yet to face a task as challenging as the combination of Mayfield and his favorite weapon, receiver Sterling Shepard. The Sooners can also run the ball, even though it isn't their preferred method of moving the football in first-year offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley's scheme. And, they have one heck of a running back in sophomore Samaje Perine, who has 806 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. Baylor will lean heavily on their offense as usual in this one. Even without quarterback Seth Russell (who is out for the remainder of the year with a neck injury), the Bears' offense didn't show any sorts of regression with true freshman Jarrett Stidham. Stidham doesn't have to do too much work on his own. Baylor has a ton of playmakers to work with, particularly stud receiver Corey Coleman. Coleman already has insane numbers; with 1,178 yards and 20 touchdowns through just eight games. To make matters worse for Oklahoma, shutdown cornerback Zack Sanchez did not play in Oklahoma's last game and is questionable for this one. Sanchez would most likely be the man tasked with shutting down Coleman, so his loss could prove to be brutal. The Sooners' defense has played very well against the run this season, something they will have to continue in this one. They will also have to apply pressure to Stidham, something that should be aided by explosive linebacker Eric Striker. If you love offense, this game is sure to be for you. Both teams can score in bunches, and defense should be rare. While playing at home should certainly help out the Bears, I'm actually going to pick Oklahoma in this one. The team as a whole has been on absolute fire lately and if this one turns into a close one (which it should), I'd prefer Mayfield over the youthful Stidham.
Oklahoma, 49 Baylor, 44

2 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. 17 Mississippi State Bulldogs 2:30 pm (CT) on CBS
Alabama did what Alabama does. This past week, the Tide used the grand stage of primetime to show that they were still something to fear by absolutely demolishing LSU, and shutting down their Heisman candidate running back Leonard Fournette. Now, Alabama could strengthen their hold on the SEC West by taking down their only remaining competition for the division, Mississippi State. The Bulldogs have been awfully quiet this year when compared to last year, but there is no denying they are still a major threat. Senior quarterback Dak Prescott hasn't been absolutely dominant this year, but the veteran playmaker still has put up great numbers. Though, going up against the Alabama defense will obviously be no easy task. The Tide have a ton of weapons throughout their defense, led by names such as A'Shawn Robinson, Reggie Ragland, Eddie Jackson and much more. Prescott struggled against the defense in their meeting last season, so it will be interesting to see how he plays this year. Prescott will also lean heavily on receiver De'Runnya Wilson to help him find success against 'Bama. Wilson's size, at 6'5", enable him to make some tough catches, something he will need to do in this one. On offense, Alabama will lean heavily on their ground attack, led by junior Derrick Henry. Henry pushed himself to the forefront of the Heisman conversation with a dominant showing against LSU, and should continue to play well in this one. Henry isn't always the most explosive player on the field but he makes a living wearing down defenses and then punishing them. Mississippi State does have a solid front seven, but even they should have troubles with him. The Alabama offense will also rely on the play of quarterback Jake Coker. Coker has been playing very well as of late, showing a great grasp of the Alabama offense, and taking the leadership reigns of the team. Mississippi State will be without their top corner, playmaking Will Redmond (out for the rest of the year with a torn ACL) meaning Coker's job will get a lot easier. Many people will glance over this game as an easy Alabama victory, considering their performance last week against LSU. But, it will be anything but a cruising win for Nick Saban. Prescott has the dual threat ability that has given Alabama fits over the years, and is playing in front of his home folks. If he can get some help from a Miss. State running game that has been weak this year, he could very well have a chance at an upset. Even so, Alabama's defense is playing just too well for the Tide not to pull this one out.
Alabama, 28 Mississippi State, 20

21 Memphis Tigers vs. 24 Houston Cougars 6:00 pm (CT) on ESPN 2
Memphis' tough loss at the hands of Navy last weekend put a damper on this game, but it could still well be the biggest game in the history of the American Athletic Conference. With that loss, Memphis has no shot at getting into the Playoff, but are still a legitimate contender for a New Year's Six bowl. They get a Houston team that has yet to lose on the year, but also has yet to really beat any serious contender. For Memphis, the story all year has been about the growth of their offense, centered around quarterback Paxton Lynch. A relative no-namer entering the year, Lynch has exploded for 3,014 yards along with 19 touchdowns. Lynch enters the game with a legitimate shot at earning AAC Player of the Year and only rising his scorching hot draft stock. He will be joined by big-play receiver Moses Frazier, who has 626 yards on the campaign, along with an offensive line that is playing very well. Meanwhile, Houston's breakthrough this year has been all about their offense, under new head coach Tom Herman. Herman, who arrived in the offseason from Ohio State, is one of the hottest names in coaching right now. He also has a great offensive mind, with a scheme that has worked perfectly for veteran quarterback Greg Ward Jr. Ward has used his big arm to put together strong numbers; 2,116 yards and 13 touchdowns. He also is quite a threat as a runner, as he has incredible speed for a quarterback. Along with Ward, running back Kenneth Farrow has put together a strong year. Farrow is a shifty, athletic running back who also has plenty of versatility, as a proven pass-catcher. With big offenses rolling, the obvious X-factor in this game is on the defensive side of the ball. The Tigers are great at applying pressure to opposing quarterbacks and forcing turnovers, as they have a number of impact playmakers in their secondary. If guys like Genard Avery can get pressure on Ward and force him into mistakes, which he is prone to, Memphis could take advantage of this one. Meanwhile, Houston will try and control the clock and stop the running game, like Navy did last week. No matter the outcome this should one should be awfully intriguing: it features two rising head coaches, two rising programs and it has major implications in the surprisingly relevant American Athletic Conference. Houston has plenty of flash, but I think Memphis can avenge last week's loss. Lynch is the more proven quarterback and the Tigers are sound enough defensively to contain Ward and Farrow.
Memphis, 31 Houston, 28

Other Picks
1 Clemson, 42 Syracuse, 20
14 Michigan, 34 Indiana, 23
3 Ohio State, 35 Illinois, 17
16 Florida State, 27 NC State, 17
Pittsburgh, 28 Duke, 24
Current Picks Record: 59-21

College Basketball Preview 2015-2016: Previewing the Big Ten

Melo Trimble

Big Ten Conference

Power Rankings

1. Maryland Terrapins- 28-7 in 2014-2015 Returning Starters: 2 X-Factor: G Rasheed Sulaimon

It was an interesting year in College Park, Maryland a year ago. The Terrapins entered the year with pretty modest expectations and with fourth-year head coach Mark Turgeon on the hot seat. Instead, the Terps put together a miraculous year, winning 28 games, finishing off second in their debut season in the Big Ten, and reached the third round of the NCAA Tournament. Now, it appears Maryland won't sneak up on people, as they are being picked by many to win the Big Ten, for good reason. Star guard Melo Trimble returns after a huge first season with the Terrapins. Trimble averaged 16.2 points per game and also led Maryland in assists a year ago, earning All-Big Ten honors. He will be joined by another proven veteran, forward Jake Layman, who passed on the NBA for his senior season with Maryland. Layman is an intriguing player; his shooting ability helps Maryland space the floor, but he has also proven adept at banging down low. It will significantly help the Terrapins' frontcourt that they have two huge names coming in. The first of them has to be center Diamond Stone, a consensus five-star recruit. At 6'10", 250 pounds, Stone is fantastic at clearing out space in the paint. He still is raw and will need adjustment to the flow of the collegiate game, but he could actually dominate. Also coming in is fellow big man Robert Carter, a transfer from Georgia Tech, who also possesses great size and bulk. Though, even with those two, perhaps the biggest addition of the offseason for Maryland was guard Rasheed Sulaimon. Sulaimon had a successful start to his career at Duke, but his minutes soon trailed off and off-the-court problems contributed to his dismissal. Sulaimon is a proven shooter and scorer but it will be interesting to see what role he plays. Will he be a help for a team that has realistic National Championship expectations or will he merely be a distraction that could derail this team? Even with such a big wild card, this Maryland team is sure to have some big moments this year. They have the star power and depth of a true Final Four squad, and with the Big Ten hit hard with graduation, they are the clear favorite in the conference.

National Rank: 3

2. Indiana Hoosiers- 20-14 in 2014-2015 Returning Starters: 4 X-Factor: G James Blackmon Jr.

Just a few months ago, Indiana's future was shrouded in mystery. The Hoosiers were coming off a disappointing year without an NCAA Tournament, and had already had a disappointing end to the 2012-2013 campaign, losing in the Sweet 16. Head coach Tom Crean, deemed the "savior" of the program was losing popularity fast, and many questioned the 2014-2015 squad as being much of an improvement. Instead, the youthful Hoosiers were a revelation, winning 20 games and despite a cold stretch to end the year, they made the NCAA Tournament. Now, that extremely young team is a year older, and primed to put together a big season. Senior point guard Yogi Ferrell should lead the offense after putting together a strong 2014. Ferrell isn't the biggest guard on the court but he is a tough, hard-nosed competitor. He will be joined in the backcourt by sophomore James Blackmon Jr., who is fresh off an offseason knee injury. It will be interesting to see if that hinders his explosiveness at all, but Blackmon should still be a go-to scorer after putting up 15.7 points per game a year ago. Up front, the rising Troy Williams returns for his junior season, and should join the Hoosiers' big recruit, center Thomas Bryant. Williams isn't the most polished player but he took significant steps last season, while Bryant has all the tools to be an absolutely dominant big man. Senior Max Bielfeldt arrives from Michigan as a steady veteran reserve. Overall, the talent on Indiana is overwhelming, and the team has some veterans to lean on. If all goes according to plan, they very well could be playing all the way to the Final Four.
National Rank: 11

College Football Week 10 Picks

Deshaun Watson, Clemson

2 LSU Tigers vs. 4 Alabama Crimson Tide 7:00 pm (CT) on CBS
The first College Football Playoff rankings of the 2015 college football season were unveiled this week and there was one big surprise: Alabama sitting at the four spot. Sure, the Crimson Tide are 7-1 and own a couple pretty strong wins but the fact of the matter is this: they lost, at home, to a two-loss Ole Miss team and have not beat a team that currently resides in the Top 25. Even so, Alabama could add a major victory to their resume this Saturday in primetime against LSU. The Tigers have had a pretty surprising season, making waves behind their star running back and Heisman frontrunner Leonard Fournette. Fournette is a 6'1", 230-pound bulldozer of a back that is averaging nearly eight yards a carry on the campaign. The Alabama defense prides itself on it's terrific size and strength up front, led by future NFL studs A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed, but they are certainly going to have their hands full. The key for Alabama will be applying pressure and forcing LSU sophomore QB Brandon Harris to throw the ball. Harris has taken major steps in his development this season but is still far from a proven player at the position. Alabama has proven they will feast on mistakes, which certainly will not bode well for Harris. LSU will also have their hands full, having to contend with the Tide's own stud back, Derrick Henry. Henry himself isn't completely out of the Heisman conversation and he should be the Tide's workhorse in this one. Joining him will be steady Kenyan Drake, who should provide a nice change of pace from the brutish Henry. The key for Alabama's offense will also hinge on their quarterback. Florida State transfer Jake Coker has had his ups-and-downs but seems to get better as the weeks roll on. Coker won't kill anyone with his huge arm but he is accurate and has a great football mind. He also should give LSU some troubles with his underrated scrambling ability, which he will use if necessary. It also helps Coker that true freshman Calvin Ridley has had a huge year, and has proven to be Alabama's No. 1 weapon in the passing game. This game is going to be really, really fun. Neither team is going to break the scoreboard, but the amount of talent and passion on display in this one should be astounding. While both teams are in good position right now, they're eager to really get the signature win and get them over the top. While I think Fournette could still be in store for a big night, I just have too many questions about Harris and the youth on LSU overall. The Tide may just be too much, and also appear to have some luck on their side in the rivalry, considering some of their crazy wins over LSU the past few years.
Alabama, 24 LSU, 20

1 Clemson Tigers vs. 16 Florida State Seminoles 2:30 pm (CT) on ABC
Clemson has had some real success the past couple years under Dabo Swinney's leadership but for awhile there has been one significant bump in the road for the program: Florida State. FSU has won three straight against the Tigers, which have helped them ride the wave to three straight conference championships and higher honors. Meanwhile, many of the losses have been brutal to suffer through for the Tigers, leaving them with a thirst for some vengeance. Now, it appears the tables have turned. Clemson enters this game No. 1 in all of the land, behind a possible Heisman candidate at quarterback and a flaming hot defense, while FSU enters No. 16, with one heartbreaking loss on the year, and some questions on both sides of the ball. Though, Florida State obviously is not going to quit and enters this game still with hopes of an ACC Championship still relatively intact. The Seminoles still aren't completely sure on who their quarterback is going to be entering this game. Sean Maguire led the 'Noles to a victory in the matchup a year ago and has looked good when stepping in for Everett Golson this season. But, Golson, a Notre Dame transfer, has more experience in big games and has shown a good command of the offense. Whoever starts for FSU will be happy to have sophomore back Dalvin Cook by their side. Cook has put together a huge season after a long and tumultuous offseason. Cook is a quick and deceptive runner, but the Clemson defense has been surprisingly strong all year. Sure, the Brent Venables-led unit was expected to be pretty good but it suffered severe losses this offseason and has looked much more disciplined and stronger than expected. One thing is for sure for the Clemson defense: end Shaq Lawson should be in store for a big game, especially with the Florida State offensive line a little bit banged up. The Tigers have been rolling offensively as while and will bring sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson to the table. Watson had somewhat of a slow start to the year but has been absolutely dominant the last few games. Florida State's secondary is no slouch, but they should be in for a tough game against Watson. Up front, the Seminoles will also be prepared, as Watson is a proven runner. Clemson's ground attack has been rolling as while, behind powerful Wayne Gallman. His great running has given the Clemson offense crazy versatility. Swinney's program has been too often criticized for losing games they shouldn't and letting close ones slip away. If they truly have changed and are truly the best team in the nation, there is no better team to prove it against than the Seminoles. If FSU can't completely slow done Watson, no matter what Cook does, they are going to have a tough time in this one.
Clemson, 35 Florida State, 24

8 TCU Horned Frogs vs. 14 Oklahoma State Cowboys 2:30 pm (CT) on FOX
Late last season, TCU was shocked when they were left out of the inaugural College Football Playoff. Despite a 50-plus-point barrage of Iowa State, they had dropped six spots in the polls and were left to play a meaningless Peach Bowl game (which they went out and won by 39). The Playoff Committee didn't exactly show them much respect in the first polls this season either, ranking them down at eight, below two one-loss teams. Though, you can definitely argue TCU's resume is far from impressive, which is why this meeting with undefeated Oklahoma State is so big. The Cowboys have been a relative surprise, but they haven't exactly played much either. Even so, it has still been impressive how well the offense has played under the two-quarterback system of Mason Rudolph and J.W. Walsh. Both are mobile quarterbacks with big arms who should definitely test an extremely young Horned Frogs' defense that has already had some rough moments. Though, that defense does still have senior safety Derrick Kindred, the leader of the defensive unit. Kindred is a ball hawking defensive back who should play a big role in this one. Defensively, Oklahoma State has also been somewhat of a revelation. They haven't been absolutely shutting down opponents, but they have shown solid progress this year. It definitely helps that defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah has been one of the nation's bests, already with nine sacks on the year. That Oklahoma State defense hasn't faced a test like TCU yet, though. Senior QB Trevone Boykin has been scorching hot all year, along with his favorite target, fellow senior Josh Doctson. While Boykin's big arm and speedy playmaking abilities have made him a Heisman candidate, Doctson's insane numbers have made him the Biletnikoff Award frontrunner (given to the nation's best receiver). The Cowboys' secondary is still incredibly youthful and they will also get their hands full with Kolby Listenbee, a proven deep threat, and exciting KaVontae Turpin. Aaron Green, TCU's running back, has also put together a solid year and only adds to the list of playmakers Ok. State will have to contain. Even so, Mike Gundy's team should out well prepared in this one. TCU has won a number of close ones, but it is hard to see just how good they truly are. If their defense struggles and Oklahoma State can force some turnovers, the Cowboys could have a very strong shot at playing an upset. Even so, I like TCU in this one. Oklahoma State's defense may just be too young to completely shut down TCU, and I think the Horned Frogs defense can play well. I'm picking TCU in a close and exciting shootout, although traveling into to Stillwater will be no easy business.
TCU, 49 Oklahoma State, 45

Other Picks
5 Notre Dame, 31 Pittsburgh, 27
7 Michigan State, 28 Nebraska, 23
3 Ohio State, 38 Minnesota, 20
10 Florida, 28 Vanderbilt, 13
UNC, 34 Duke, 28
Current Picks Record: 53-19

College Football Midseason Awards 2015

Trevone Boykin

As the calendar flips to November we are faced with a pretty scary thought: the 2015 college football season is more than halfway over. Sure, there is a lot of bigtime football yet to be played and plenty of exciting finishes to be seen. But, at the season's midway point, here are my picks for some of the sport's top awards:

Heisman Trophy: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Other Nominees: Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU; Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green; Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford

It has been awhile since we have seen a running back like Fournette in college football. Sure, players like Melvin Gordon, Mark Ingram, Montee Ball and more have had their huge days, but the way Fournette runs is reminiscent of Adrian Peterson. The true sophomore's stats don't lie: He has 1,532 yards at the moment, along with 15 touchdowns, while averaging a whooping 7.7 yards per carry. A constant criticism of Fournette is that he hasn't played any quality defenses. And while he has beat up on some week defenses, his performance against Florida earlier in the year, when he rushed for six yards a carry, should answer those questions. A dominant showing against Alabama in primetime could essentially lock down Fournette as the Heisman winner in 2015.

Doak Walker Award (best RB): Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU
Other Nominees: Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford; Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State; Derrick Henry, RB, Alabama

This is the best crop of running backs we have seen in awhile. Big names like Fournette, Henry and Elliott are having tremendous years but even smaller name guys like McCaffrey and Devontae Booker out of Utah are impressing. Even so, all those names pale in comparison to Fournette. Sure, they have put up huge numbers (particularly McCaffrey) and their teams are in the Playoff mix, but Fournette's dominance so far has not been even close to being met.

Davey O'Brien Award (best QB): Trevone Boykin, QB, TCU
Other Nominees: Matt Johnson, QB, Bowling Green; Deshaun Watson, QB, Clemson; Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech; Paxton Lynch, QB, Memphis

There was significant Heisman hype for Boykin entering the year and the former receiver has responded by putting together a truly phenomenal senior campaign. He has 2,927 yards, 28 touchdowns and five interceptions through the year and has TCU riding high on an undefeated mark. A dominant performance this past Thursday against a pretty decent West Virginia defense only proves further Boykin is the top quarterback in the nation this year.

The Biletnikoff Award (best WR): Josh Doctson, WR, TCU
Other Nominees: Corey Coleman, WR, Baylor; Laquon Treadwell, WR, Ole Miss; Keyarris Garrett, WR, Tulsa

While Boykin has been the nation's best quarterback so far this season, his play has also elevated senior Josh Doctson, who is one heck of a player in his own right. Doctson is leading the nation with 1,250 yards up to this point, including huge days against Texas Tech and Iowa State. While Baylor sophomore Corey Coleman is also playing well, Doctson's sure hands and insane usage rates have given me enough to hand him the Biletnikoff and perhaps be a sneaky Heisman threat down the stretch.

Breakout Player of the Year (unofficial): Carl Nassib, DE, Penn State
Other Nominees: Leonard Fournette, RB, LSU; Christian McCaffrey, RB, Stanford; Luke Falk, QB, Washington State; Patrick Mahomes, QB, Texas Tech

Entering the year, it is safe to say not much was expected of senior defensive end Carl Nassib. The former walk-on appeared like he would play a small role on Penn State's defense before finishing up his time at the University. Instead, Nassib is leading the nation in sacks, with 13.5, three more than the next closest competitor. The little know linemen has been absolutely wonderful all year and his 6'7" frame and intriguing skill set is making NFL scouts notice real quick.

Coach of the Year: Jim Harbaugh, Michigan
Other Nominees: Kyle Whittingham, Utah; David Shaw, Stanford; Jim McElwain, Florida; Urban Meyer, Ohio State; Justin Fuente, Memphis

The Wolverines' brutal loss to archrival Michigan State seemed to end their growing Playoff hopes. But, even so, the job Harbaugh has done in just a few short months at his alma mater has been astounding. Michigan has done a complete 180 from the 5-7 team they were a year ago; they have played with more edge, passion and discipline. The Wolverines have already recorded more wins this year than last (sitting at 6-2) and have a chance to end their season in a big way against hated rival Ohio State, possibly playing spoiler to their Playoff hopes.