After an exciting week in college football last week which featured a bit of chaos, the most factual and accurate predictors this side of the Mississippi are back once more with their predictions. Do not hold us to these, please.
ECU @ Memphis
Brian Bada: Memphis 35 ECU 28
Memphis should be careful because the pirates are better than people think. In the end, the Tigers win by a touchdown.
Johnny Hill: Memphis 34 ECU 24
The Tigers are coming off a great win after beating SMU. The Tigers had a great game on both offense and defense. With Seth Henigan coming off a 392 yard and two touchdown performance , their offense will just be too much for the Pirates.
James Brisentine: Memphis 28 ECU 24
How about that Tigers defense last week? They impressively held SMU in check for most of the game to get themselves back on track. With Henigan back in full swing, the Tigers will withstand a tough Pirates to get themselves bowl eligible for the eighth year in a row.
Zach Thompson: Memphis 38 ECU 28
All season long, the Pirates have held my feisty crown in the American Athletic Conference. They hang around, make opponents uncomfortable and keep games ugly. Still, after getting Seth Henigan back last week, I think the Tigers still win this one and secure bowl eligibility in front of the home crowd.
#8 Oklahoma @ #13 Baylor
Brian Bada: 35 Baylor 24
The Sooners have a chance to boost their resume this week against a ranked team. They win a hard fought battle on the road.
Johnny Hill: Oklahoma 44 Baylor 24
True freshman Caleb Williams playing out of his mind for the Sooners. Against Texas Tech, Williams had a great game, throwing for 402 yards and 6 touchdowns. I believe he will put up similar numbers against Baylor.. Since taking over for Spencer Rattler, Oklahoma has just looked like a different team.
James Brisentine: Baylor 38 Oklahoma 30
If Spencer Rattler was starting this game, I may lean toward Baylor winning by double digits. I just don’t believe in this Sooner team just like I haven’t believed in them since Lincoln Riley became head coach. This is the week they finally get bumped off.
Zach Thompson: Baylor 27 Oklahoma 24
The committee seems to be sleeping on Oklahoma and I am too; they just keep on scraping by and I think this is the week they finally get beat. The Bears play good defense and will make it tough for Caleb Williams. Baylor wins this in a tight contest.
#19 Purdue @ #4 Ohio State
Brian Bada: Ohio State 31 Purdue 21
Ohio State is on upset alert because Purdue loves beating highly ranked teams. However, the Buckeyes find a way to win it in the 4th quarter.
Johnny Hill: Ohio State 41 Purdue 24
I am picking Ohio States to win over Purdue. Purdue quarterback Aidan O’Connell has been putting up solid numbers, averaging 343 yards per game in the past five contests. Boilermakers receiver David Bell’s 1,003 yards lead the Big Ten and is sixth best in the FBS. Nevertheless, I am still picking the Buckeyes. They have won seven straight since losing to Oregon and keep on rolling here.
James Brisentine: Ohio State 23 Purdue 21
Don’t play Purdue if you want a comfortable game! They’ve knocked off both Iowa and Michigan State when they were ranked in the top 5. Only difference is those games were home games for the Boilermakers. They’ll be feisty, but Ohio State comes out on top.
Zach Thompson: Ohio State 31 Purdue 17
The Boilermakers are riding high after pulling off their second major upset of the season last week over Michigan State. They will not fare as well in Columbus. Ohio State seems to be getting better and better down the stretch and they will keep on rolling at home.
UCF @ SMU
Brian Bada: SMU 42 UCF 21
SMU will be mad about losing last week. They come out and play their best game of the year.
Johnny Hill: SMU 30 UCF 21
Even coming off a loss to Memphis, The Mustangs still have more weapons than the Knights. They are an explosive offense that can score at any time. I am picking the Mustangs to rebound and win at home.
James Brisentine: UCF 28 SMU 21
SMU is reeling after back to back tough losses, and I don’t think they are going to be able to get off the mat this weekend against the Knights.
Zach Thompson: SMU 45 UCF 35
The usually-potent Mustang offense struggled against Memphis last week and will be determined to get back on the right track at home. Tanner Mordecai is still one of the best quarterbacks in the league and will put up big numbers on the Knights in this one. It will be high scoring, but SMU rebounds and gets back in the win column.
