Week 10 predictions
Last week 1-5; Season 30-17
I don’t know who had a worse week last week – me or those Wall Street traders? Texas spared me the embarrassment of a winless week. That leaves me at 13 games over .500 for the season. Unlike the stock market, I fully expect my numbers to go back up. So let’s get to this week’s picks:
Pitt at Notre Dame: Will the NBC sideline reporter be allowed to interview the Pitt quarterback after this game? Will there be reason to? I’m thinking not. The Fighting Irish are getting better while the Panthers seem to be getting worse. Notre Dame will win in a blowout, 38-16, and the only profanities that will be heard in this postgame aftermath will be coming from living rooms across Western Pa.
West Virginia at Connecticut: Other than a two-week hiccup earlier this month at North Carolina and at Rutgers, Connecticut has been rather impressive. West Virginia, meanwhile, has rallied with four consecutive wins after two September losses. The difference in this game is where the game is being played. It’s in Storrs, Conn., where the Huskies have won all four of their home games. The Mountaineers are winless on the road. Connecticut in a field goal game, 27-24.
Texas at Texas Tech: The Longhorns have already beaten Oklahoma, Missouri and Oklahoma State in consecutive weeks. If they get by this one it’s a wide open path to the BCS title game. The Red Raiders have had Texas’ number in recent years, but this Texas team is different. Colt McCoy has another big game, and the Longhorns win, 49-35.
Florida at Georgia: The winner takes a big step toward the SEC East title and a berth in the SEC title game. Florida will be looking for revenge after the entire Georgia team celebrated in the end zone after the first touchdown of last year’s game. I like the Gators to win this game with Tim Tebow playing a starring role. Florida 34, Georgia 29.
Tulsa at Arkansas: Tulsa still has an outside chance at playing in a BCS game if Utah or Boise State loses. The Razorbacks have been struggling under first-year coach Bobby Petrino. Look for the Golden Hurricane to stay unbeaten, 45-31.
Northwestern at Minnesota: Minnesota can still earn a trip to the Rose Bowl. Penn State must lose one its final three games and the Gophers have to win their final four, three of which are at home. They’ll keep the dream alive against the Wildcats, 31-17.