2021 NCAA Week 10 Picks

3:30 pm Tulsa at #2 Cincinnati (-22 1/2, 54 1/2) - at 3-5, the Golden Hurricane would really need to whip up some offense against the 8-0 Bearcats.

Cincinnati comes off a pair of relatively (for them) close road wins, 27-20 over Navy, and 31-12 at Tulane. Home field should provide a lift on both sides of the ball. The Bearcats have won the last two, 24-13 in 2019, and 27-24, last season. Tulsa finished 6-3 last season; they'd have to win three of their last four to become bowl eligible. Not going to happen.

Coin Flip: Tulsa

Prediction: Bearcats 45 Golden Hurricane 13

3:30 pm #5 Michigan State (-3, 53 1/2) at Purdue - The Boilermakers had their moment in the sun, knocking off then-#2 Iowa on October 16. Since then, Purdue and Iowa have both lost to Wisconsin, tarnishing their record.

Michigan State is unbeaten at 8-0, but they still have Maryland, Ohio State and Penn State after this. As long as they don't suffer too much of a letdown after their thrilling, 37-33, win over Michigan, they should outmuscle Purdue and chalk up another win. Kenneth Walker III, who had 197 yards rushing against the Wolverines, is the nation's second-leading rusher.

Coin Flip: Purdue

Prediction: Spartans 34 Boilermakers 20

3:30 pm Navy at #8 Notre Dame (-21, 47) - The Fighting Irish continue winning, outlasting North Carolina last week for their third straight win after their lone loss to Cincinnati (24-13). The Middies are just 2-6 this season, getting their second win last week over Tulsa, 20-17.

Despite their record, they may have turned a corner recently with some roster changes. They lost to SMU, 31-24, and hung in against Cincinnati two weeks back in a 27-20 defeat. They may be good enough to give the Irish some worries.

Coin Flip: Navy

Prediction: Fighting Irish 30 Midshipmen 21

3:30 pm #11 Oklahoma State (-3, 49) at West Virginia - The Mountaineers kept hopes of a bowl game alive, improving to 4-4 with a stunning upset of Iowa State last week, 38-31. With Kansas State, Kansas, and Texas still ahead, they may not be able to lose this game and get to 6-6.

The 7-1 Cowboys have higher expectations, especially their November 27 season-ender with Oklahoma, which could end up being for the conference title if they continue winning. The Cowboys have won the last seven straight in this series, dating back to 2015.

Coin Flip: Oklahoma State

Prediction: Cowboys 28 Mountaineers 22

3:30 pm #12 Auburn at #13 Texas A&M (-4 1/2, 50) - Huge game for both teams as they chase Alabama in the SEC West. The aggies have a win over the Crimson Tide, but losses to Arkansas and Mississippi State hurt their chances. Auburn's only conference loss was to Georgia, and they have a home date with Alabama on November 27 which could decided the division.

The Tigers have won four of their last five and will be in this to the end. Both offense and defense are playing their best right now and they should spring the minor upset.

Coin Flip: Texas A&M

Prediction: Tigers 31 Aggies 24

3:30 pm #14 Baylor (-6 1/2, 58) at TCU - The Bears have quietly rung up a 71 record, the lone loss a 24-14 defeat at Oklahoma State, so Baylor remains in the chase for the conference crown. A win here sets up a showdown with Oklahoma next week. Wins over ranked teams - Iowa State, BYU - give them credibility. Averaging 37.4 points per game, if the Baylor offense gets going, it may not look back.

TCU has had a rough go of it this season, just 1-4 in conference and 3-5 overall. Their last three games have been losses, 52-31 at Oklahoma, 29-17 against West Virginia, and 31-12 at Kansas State. Baylor could have an easy win here.

Coin Flip: Baylor

Prediction: Bears 38 Horned Frogs 17

7:00 pm LSU at #3 Alabama (-28 1/2, 66) - Normally, this would be a huge game, but LSU has been whipped by UCLA, Auburn, Kentucky, and Ole Miss, and are hoping to just make it to bowl eligible status.

As usual, Alabama is pounding everybody in the SEC, except for a road loss at Texas A&M. Hard to go against the Tide here, even with the huge number.

Coin Flip: Alabama

Prediction: Crimson Tide 49 Tigers 13

7:00 pm Tennessee at #18 Kentucky (-1 1/2, 57) - This is a border war, and despite the disparity in records (TN, 4-4; KY, 6-2), the Vols have won 7 of the last 10 meetings, so they will be amped up to get a win.

Tennessee's strength in on offense, while the Wildcats are solid on defense. Should be one of the more enjoyable games all weekend.

Coin Flip: Kentucky

Prediction: Volunteers 27 Wildcats 26

7:30 pm #7 Oregon (-6 1/2, 51) at Washington - This is a big, cross-border rivalry game and Washington's defense has been much improved recently. On the year, the Huskies are allowing just 18.9 points per game, compared to the Ducks 23.3.

The Husky offense should find ways to penetrate into Oregon territory with regularity and get some needed scores. Oregon's offense is good, though not elite, so the Huskies should be able to keep them somewhat contained and not turn the game into a blowout. If the Huskies can keep pressure on the Ducks' offense, they may have a chance to upset them.

Coin Flip: Washington

Prediction: Ducks 26 Huskies 23

7:30 pm Indiana at #9 Michigan (-20, 51) - True trap game for the Wolverines. Coming off their 37-33 loss at Michigan State, the Wolverines need to get back to winning as they still have important games ahead, especially the season finale with Ohio State.

This should be an easy one for them as the Hoosiers are the worst team in the conference, with an 0-5 record. Iowa beat them 34-6, Penn State stopped them 24-0, and Ohio State crushed them 54-7. Michigan may not be as well-prepared as they like. Indiana got a boost from their third QB of the year, freshman Donaven McCulley, who threw for two TDs and 272 yards in the Hoosiers' 38-35 loss at Maryland.

Coin Flip: Indiana

Prediction: Wolverines 34 Hoosiers 23

7:30 pm #20 Houston (-13 1/2, 53) at South Florida - The Cougars found their way into the rankings via a 44-37 win over SMU and their seventh straight overall after opening the season with a 38-21 loss to Texas Tech.

South Florida is near the bottom nationally in both points scored and allowed. This should be a runaway win for Houston.

Coin Flip: South Florida

Prediction: Cougars 40 Bulls 17

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IdleGuy.com December 2024, Vol. 1 #11