Week 11 NCAA Football Predictions

By: Rob Thompson

Is there light at the end of the tunnel? Is an FBS playoff in our future? Americans now have a President-elect that is on record as saying he would institute a FBS playoff system by executive order. Now that’s change we can all believe in. With that in mind Mike is feeling very patriotic and promises a perfect week. He’s coming off his worst week of the season going just 2-4 but expertise always overcomes bad luck. A record of 55-17 is proof enough.

Prediction   Oklahoma State 42 – Texas Tech 44

Tech vaulted to number two in the BCS rankings after their extraordinary win over Texas last weekend. They control their own destiny and can play themselves into the BCS Championship. Unfortunately there are several road blocks in their way. OSU being the first. Oklahoma State could have easily beaten Texas in Austin, losing late 28-24. Kendall Hunter rolled up 161 yards and a touchdown to keep the Cowboys in it. Mike sees Hunter running strong against a Tech team that can give up some running yards when pressed but Tech is usually so far ahead of teams that they are forced to throw. Tech QB Graham Harrell should be able to do just that. He'll throw early and often to his All-American receiver Michael Crabtree. Mike sees five touchdowns in Harrell’s future as Tech jumps out to a lead in the third quarter and doesn’t look back. OSU’s QB Zac Robinson and WR Dez Bryant will be effective but the Cowboys just don’t have enough to go into Lubbock and outscore the Pirate Mike Leach aarh!!

Prediction   Cal 21 – USC 42

On paper this looks about right. USC is firing on all cylinders. They completely demolished Washington 56-0 last week. The Trojans have outscored their last five opponents 207-27, pitching shut outs in three of the last four games. Despite all this the Trojans actually dropped two spots in the BCS rankings to seventh. Cal is headed to USC after a solid if not sloppy win over a good Oregon team. The Bears have won four of five and actually have the talent to stay with USC. It won’t happen. The Trojans are first in the FBS in total defense (211.6 yards per game), scoring defense (7.1 points per game) and opponent passer rating (82.3). They have held their last three opponents to a combined 488 yards and have forced seven turnovers. This game will be over by half. The Trojans roll.

Prediction   Penn St. 38 – Iowa 24

The third ranked Nittany Lions will finish up their Big X road tour this week as they head into Kinnick Stadium for the first time since 2003. JoPa has an undefeated and third ranked team. The fact that they were jumped by Tech in the BCS rankings has JoPa a little angry and it will show this week. Both teams have solid rushing attacks and can throw it when they need to. Penn St’s Evan Royster and Iowa’s Shon Green are two of the country’s best running backs. Kirk Ferentz’ defense can be solid but the Nittany Lions only give up 2.9 yards a carry. Green will be in for tough game. We all like JoPa to win again and stay firmly ensconced on the outside looking in at a BCS title birth.

Prediction    Alabama 20 – LSU 17

It’s another game of the week of the year in the SEC. Top ranked Alabama comes into Tiger Stadium ready to lock up the SEC West and reserve their spot in the SEC title game. In the Tigers minds Alabama HC Nick Saban is returning to the scene of a crime. LSU won’t soon forget him jumping ship and heading for an NFL paycheck after their 2003 National Title. In order for LSU to win they have to continue to run the ball. They’ve gained at least 166 yards in all but one game this season. This week that’s easier said than done. Alabama’s D-line is tough, real tough. The Bama defense has allowed opponents just 2.6 yards per carry and only 65 rushing yards per game. Not good news for LSU’s RB Charles Scott. Making things tougher on LSU is their lack of quality QB play. Jarrett Lee is just not as good as Alabama's John Parker Wilson. Wilson is not overly talented but he’s at his best in big games. Mike likes him to throw for two touchdowns as RB Glenn Coffee will rolls against a quick but young Tiger defense. LSU has won the last five games against Alabama and the Tide hasn’t won in Red Stick since a 31-0 win back in 2002. We all agree Alabama is just too strong for the Tigers.

Prediction   TCU 42 – Utah 35

This is the game #8 Utah has had circled all season long. In order to stay in the BCS hunt the Utes have to get past a peaking #12 TCU team. It was obvious Utah was looking past New Mexico as they snuck past New Mexico 13-10 last week. It was by far their worst performance of the season. The Horned Frogs on the other hand demolished UNLV 44-14 on the road. TCU heads back out on the road to play for at least a piece of the Mountain West title. It won’t be easy. Utah has won nine straight at Rice Eccles Stadium. Mike knows to win on the road it takes great defense and Horned Frog’s HC Gary Patterson has built a defense that is third in the nation in scoring defense (10.8 points per game) and second in total defense (214.5 ypg). The Horned Frogs lead the nation allowing just 38.9 yards per game. That’s just sick. That being said, Utah has rushed for 520 yards in its last two games. Mike sees a typical MWC shootout with both teams able to move the ball but in the end, defense wins out on the road and the Horned Frogs stay in the BCS hunt.

Rob Thompson (aka “Mamboking”) is one of EA’s Radio/Television Broadcasters and one of the voices along with his brother of the popular EA Sports World. Rob and Jason were nationally syndicated Sports Radio hosts before coming to EA SPORTS and currently host a Show from 4:00 pm-6:00pm ET on ESPN Radio in San Antonio Texas. (www.1250thezone.com). When Rob’s not talking sports he’s talking politics. He can be seen regularly on FOX News’ “Americas Voices”.