CFB Staff Picks: Week 10

CFB Staff Picks: Week 10

By WZBC Staff,

#6 Georgia at #9 Kentucky

Bryan Bruwer: Georgia 30 – Kentucky 16

Kentucky has had a great season thus far, but it’s about time their fairytale College Football Playoff aspirations come to a screeching halt. Although the Wildcats have beaten two ranked SEC opponents, they simply aren’t in Georgia’s league. Expect a statement win for a Georgia team that will bolster their CFP hopes

 

Nic Ferreira: Georgia 27 – Kentucky 14

Kentucky has been impressive thus far, as their 7-1 record is better than anyone could’ve predicted. However, Georgia is a different beast. Jake Fromm and the Bulldogs offense should continue their high output of over 450 yards per game, even on a tough road test at Kroger Field.

 

Owen Marino: Georgia over Kentucky

Kentucky is one of the season’s most surprising teams and has one of the best linebackers in the country. I still think Georgia’s offense will be too much for the Cats to handle.

 

JD Biagioni: Georgia 35 – Kentucky 31

Georgia finally added a quality win to its resume with a convincing win over Florida last weekend. Kentucky has shown the ability to grit out tough wins en route to a 7-1 record. On the surface, it appears that the winner of this matchup has the inside track to the SEC East title. In fact, the winner will clinch the division. Kentucky has been the darling of the SEC thus far, but Georgia’s best football is still ahead of it. The combo of D’Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield will do enough on offense to mitigate the damage done by Benny Snell.

 

#13 West Virginia at #17 Texas

Bryan: West Virginia 38 – Texas 35

This should be a good old fashioned Big 12 shootout. Texas’ defense was shredded last week in their loss to Oklahoma State, and Will Grier and David Sills should run rampant on Saturday. However, Texas is certainly capable of holding their own in this one. After all, they are at home, and Sam Ehlinger seems to have knack for stepping up in big games, as evidenced by his performances against USC last season and against Oklahoma less than a month ago. All this being said, I’ll take the Mountaineers in a close game.

 

Nic: Texas 31 – West Virginia 28

Perhaps the biggest advantage for the Longhorns in this contest is their home crowd, as they look to bounce back from a loss to Oklahoma State last week. It won’t be easy, as West Virginia’s high-powered offense, led by Will Grier, has put up at least 35 points in four of their last five games. It will be interesting to see if the crowd noise on the road in Austin aids the Texas defense. If so, it might just be enough to put Texas over the edge.

 

Owen: Texas over West Virginia

In a matchup of two of the Big 12’s best defenses, I think the Longhorns will get the best of Will Grier who struggled mightily in his last road contest.

 

JD: West Virginia 42 – Texas 24

There’s just something about this Texas team that prevents me from believing in them. The Longhorns bounced back admirably from the opening week loss to Maryland to surge in the rankings. And Sam Ehlinger has delivered as expected. But they just aren’t proven enough to be trusted. On the flip side, I’ve been high on West Virginia all season; Will Grier is the most electric QB in the nation, and he leads the most lethal offense in the nation.  

 

#14 Penn State at #5 Michigan

Bryan: Michigan 27 – Penn State 17

The Nittany Lions made a statement last week by knocking off Iowa, but they won’t stay hot for long. Michigan has proven me wrong time and time again, and their defense should do enough to keep Trace McSorley in check en route to a statement win for the Wolverines.

 

Nic: Michigan 35 – Penn State 24

The Nittany Lions showed lots of promise early, but two tough losses against Ohio State and Michigan State severely hurt their playoff chances. While they bounced back with two nice wins, they face a tough Michigan team on the road. Penn State is allowing almost 400 yards per game, and that is not a recipe for success against the Michigan offense that has shown to not be slowed down by ranked opponents.

 

Owen: Michigan over Penn State

I don’t see Penn State being able to hit enough home run plays in this game, which they’ll need against Michigan’s stout defense. I’ll take the Wolverines.

 

JD: Michigan 28 – Penn State 27

Michigan is back. It seems like the Wolverines have a big game every week, and, for what feels like the first time in forever, they’ve delivered consistently. The Notre Dame game aside, the defense has been one of the best in the nation. Stop me if I’m wrong, but Penn State doesn’t feel deserving of its #14 ranking. The Nittany Lions have two losses and only one quality win, a nail-bitter against Iowa. They’ll hang tough no doubt, but Michigan in the more talented squad.

 

#22 Boston College at Virginia Tech

Bryan: Boston College 28 – Virginia Tech 17

Somehow, BC stills controls its own destiny in the ACC with a titanic matchup with Clemson looming next week. I wouldn’t be shocked BC looks past the Hokies and falters in this one, much like they did earlier in the season against Purdue. However, a healthy dose of AJ Dillon should be enough for BC to pull this one out one the road against a once promising VT team.

 

Nic: Boston College 35- Virginia Tech 27

The Eagles re-entered the top 25 after a strong win last week against Miami. They’re trying not to make it a short stay like they had six weeks ago, when they only lasted one week before falling out of the top 25. That will be no easy task, as Virginia Tech is better than their 4-3 record indicates, and can also be a tough place to play. Boston College may have to outscore Virginia Tech to win this, and if AJ Dillon has a big day, that could very well happen.

 

Owen: Boston College over Virginia Tech

If the Eagles can execute their game plan effectively against a banged-up Tech defense, they can emerge victorious. Going into Blacksburg is never an easy task, but I’m going with BC in a close game.

 

JD: BC 27 – Virginia Tech 19

The formula is simple for the Eagles: win out and you control your own destiny. Now that sounds easier than it is, but it all starts this week in Blacksburg. It’s going to be a lot like the Miami game, just in a different location. Va. Tech has a good defense, but the unit has been prone to struggles, and the QB situation remains a mystery after Josh Jackson’s injury. It’s not easy to be a road team against the Hokies, but I can see the Eagles coming in ready to roll, given the importance of this game as it relates to Gameday coming to the Heights.

 

#1 Alabama at #3 LSU

Bryan: Alabama 23 – LSU 13

This is by far the biggest game of this college football season thus far. LSU has laid waste to just about every elite SEC program except the Crimson Tide, and the fact that they get Alabama at home will certainly be a difference maker. However, this is no typical Alabama team. Tua Tagovailoa is the Heisman favorite, and their offense has steamrolled through every defense they’ve encountered. However, I expect LSU and the home crowd to keep this one close, despite Bama leaving Death Valley victorious.

 

Nic: Alabama 31 – LSU 21

Could the Tigers be the first ones to crack Alabama’s code? They might have the best chance so far, but probably not. Alabama is as big of a powerhouse as we’ve seen, and while LSU is talented enough to keep this game close (or at least closer than most of Alabama’s games so far), the Tide have proven to be well ahead of the rest of the pack, and have shown no signs of slipping. Astonishingly, Tua Tagovailoa has still yet to throw a pick, and even at Tiger Stadium the Tide should roll.

 

Owen: Alabama over LSU

LSU has emerged as one of the nations most surprising playoff contenders. Though they seem to have made this rivalry interesting again, Tua and the Tide offense will likely be too much for the Tigers to handle. Alabama wins.

 

JD: Alabama 24 – LSU 14

These games always end up being classics, regardless of the relative strengths of the two teams. This year just so happens to possess the added wrinkle that they are arguably the two best teams in the nation. The key to this game is LSU’s vaunted secondary versus Alabama’s wideouts. If the Tide receivers can create separation, Tua will find them. If not, he’ll still find a way to win. LSU is really good, but Alabama is otherworldly.