NCAA College Football 2008 Week 11 Picks early games

NCAA College Football 2008 Week 11 Picks

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Fearless Rick's 2008 College Football Week 11 Picks - Early Games

Rick Gagliano | November 5-8, 2008

All times Eastern - Click here for late games.

Thursday, November 6

7:45 pm Maryland at Virginia Tech (-3, N/A) - Virginia Tech has owned Maryland the past two times they have met, but that was 2004 and 2005. The Terrapins are just 1-2 on the road this season and VaTech can be quite a hostile environment, and it will be even rowdier with the national television coverage.

However, this game is off the board at many sportsbooks, because both of the Hokies' QBs - Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon - both suffered ankle injuries in their October 25 loss at Florida St. (30-20), but they've had an additional week to recover.

Maryland and the Hokies are nearly identical statistically, featuring strong defense and so-so offense, though the Terps average 86 more yards per game. Since Virginia Tech is home, but has injury issues, the three points is fair. This game is a toss-up. The Hokies have lost two straight while Maryland has won two in a row after their 31-0 thumping at Virginia. With bowl implications galore, the Terrapins should win a close one.

Prediction: Terrapins 23 Hokies 17

8:00 TCU (-2 1/2, N/A) at Utah - Superb matchup for Thursday night features two of the three powerhouses of the Mountain West conference (the other is BYU). The Horned Frogs are 9-1, their only loss coming on September 27, in a 35-10 effort at Oklahoma, certainly nothing of which to be ashamed. Besides that game, no team has scored more than 14 points against TCU, and they've allowed just 7 points in six games and once, 3 points. This is the 3rd-ranked scoring defense in the nation, at 10.8 ppg, one of the reasons TCU is favored over unbeaten Utah. They are also scoring at a 36.6 ppg clip, a tad better than the Utes' 36.1.

Utah is 9-0, and probably a little bit disturbed that they are home underdogs since they have not lost at home since September of 2007 (Air Force, 20-12). Granted, their defense is not of the caliber of TCU's but they arguably are on the same level. If the BCS has their way, Utah will lose, knocking off another troublesome unbeaten team from a minor conference, but that's not the way it's going to happen. The Horned Frogs are geared for a defensive choke-hold, possibly a shutout, and a BCS bowl berth. If they win it, they are deserving. Utah still has to worry about BYU on Nov. 22.

Prediction: Horned Frogs 24 Utes 10

Saturday, November 8

12:00 pm Ohio State (-11, 39 1/2) at Northwestern - Quietly, Northwestern has put together a nice season, going 7-2, with notable road wins at Iowa and, last week, Minnesota, 24-17, but taking on the Buckeyes will reveal just how good the wildcats really are. Ohio State has almost nothing to play for, since, with two losses already on the ledger, and Penn State unbeaten, they cannot likely win the Big 10 title, so a minor bowl is the best they can expect in the post-season. Still, they are a talented, well-coached bunch, capable of beating all but the very best.

The Buckeyes have had two weeks in which to lick their wounds following the 13-6 loss to Penn State, and they should be ready for this game. However, the Wildcats will be sky-high. Beating the Buckeyes would put this program back on the map and the players would consider it a tremendous team and personal accomplishment. Watch out for a Wildcat ambush which almost nobody is expecting.

Prediction: Wildcats 28 Buckeyes 21

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12:00 pm Georgia Tech at North Carolina (-4 1/2, 42) - A clash of ACC titans with the winner possibly advancing to the conference title game. Right now, Tech has the advantage with a 4-2 conference record and the Tar Heels at a pedestrian 2-2 go 0-2 against the state to their immediate North, with losses to Virginia Tech and Virginia.

The Yellow Jackets survived a scare from Florida State last Saturday, forcing a goal line fumble from the Seminoles to hold on for a 31-28 win. How well they can recover from that physically-testing game will go a long way to determining the winner here. Tech gets the job done primarily on defense, allowing just 14.8 ppg, while scoring 24.6. North Carolina can be explosive, scoring 31.1 ppg, though the defense is not shabby, allowing 19.9. Both teams can stuff the run, but the Heels may get some mismatches in the secondary involving leading receivers Hakeem Nicks and Brandon Tate, an explosive tandem. Carolina should hold serve and confuse the ACC even further.

Prediction: Tar Heels 27 Yellow Jackets 17

3:30 pm Clemson at Florida State (-6 1/2, 44) - The Clemson Tigers were a top 10 team preseason, but quickly fell from grace with an opening-game loss to Alabama. That doesn't look too bad, now that the Crimson Tide is ranked #1 in the BCS, but subsequent losses to Maryland, wake Forest and Georgia Tech have put them on the outside of the ACC title hunt and focused questions on the coaching and overall motivation. The Tigers bounced back off those three consecutive losses with a 27-21 win at Boston College last week, and may have found their way a bit.

Florida State has had one heck of a season, running their record to 6-2, despite their final minute loss to Georgia Tech last week. The offense has exceeded expectations, while the defense has suffered in conference play due to injuries. The Tigers may be able to exploit some of those defensive holes and pull off the upset, though it's more likely that Florida St. pulls out a close win, but fails to cover the line.

Prediction: Seminoles 33 Tigers 31

All times Eastern - Click here for late games

Copyright 2008, 2009, Rick Gagliano, Downtown Magazine. All rights reserved. Downtown Magazine is located in the Uinted States of America and is not affiliated with the National Football League or the NCAA. For more information, contact us here. Use of this site is for entertainment purposes only.

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