College Football - Week 12 Predictions
Below is a compilation of The Sports Network's predictions for the top games in Week 12 of the college football season.
(13) Hawaii (9-0) at Nevada (5-4), Friday, 11:05 pm
Needing some help from teams ahead of them in the rankings, the Warriors can't afford to be looking ahead to their meeting with nationally-ranked Boise State next week at home, although no one could fault them for such thinking. As long as Colt Brennan is able to get back under center and forget about the vicious hit he took last week, Hawaii should be in line for another big victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Hawaii 51, Nevada 35
Syracuse (2-8) at (25) Connecticut (8-2), Saturday, 12 pm
UConn has made the most of a down year in the Big East and its extremely soft non-conference schedule, and it should feel pretty lucky to still be ranked in the Top 25 following a pathetic showing to then-unranked Cincinnati last weekend. The Huskies are clearly the better team in this game and they should be able to come out on top to set up a big showdown with West Virginia in their regular season finale next weekend.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Connecticut 35, Syracuse 10
Northwestern (6-5) at (20) Illinois (8-3), Saturday, 12 pm
Illinois is coming off an enormous win, but it will need to put that behind it in order to avoid a letdown this weekend. The Illini though, has shown it can't be stopped on the ground and behind another big time rushing performance, expect Illinois to come out victorious in this one.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Illinois 31, Northwestern 24
Florida Atlantic (5-4) at (14) Florida (7-3), Saturday, 12 pm
Tim Tebow figures to add a few more touchdowns to his already gaudy total this weekend, as FAU is no match for Florida. Don't be surprised if the stud quarterback spends the second half on the sidelines.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Florida 49, Florida Atlantic 9
(7) Ohio State (10-1) at (23) Michigan (8-3), Saturday, 12 pm
This college football season has been one of the most unpredictable in recent memory. Ohio State may be a slightly better team than Michigan, but the Wolverines have a chance to represent the Big Ten in a BCS bowl despite the terrible start. Expect the home team to get it done on Saturday.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Michigan 27, Ohio State 24
(22) Kentucky (7-3) at (8) Georgia (8-2), Saturday, 12:30 pm
Expect this game to be close, but give the edge to the home team. Expect the Bulldogs to pound Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown at Kentucky, eventually wearing down the Wildcat defenders.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Georgia 31, Kentucky 20
(6) Missouri (9-1) at Kansas State (5-5), Saturday, 12:30 pm
Although K-State has the advantage of playing at home, Missouri is clearly the better team in this matchup. Daniel and company will score at will, cruising to victory over the Wildcats.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri 49, Kansas State 17
Idaho (1-9) at (17) Boise State (9-1), Saturday, 2 pm
As long as the Broncos don't lose their focus, they could again move up a couple of spots in the national rankings after taking care of the Vandals as only they can.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Boise State 45, Idaho 10
Vanderbilt (5-5) at (19) Tennessee (7-3), Saturday, 2 pm
Give the edge to Tennessee, as it easily handled Vandy last season and has the advantage of playing at home this weekend. Expect a balanced offensive attack from the Vols.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tennessee 34, Vanderbilt 13
(1) L-S-U (9-1) at Ole Miss (3-7), Saturday, 3:30 pm
LSU is clearly the better team in this matchup and will cruise to victory. If the Tigers can run the table in the regular season and can win the SEC title game, a trip to the national championship contest is a certainty.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: LSU 41, Ole Miss 13
Iowa State (3-8) at (4) Kansas (10-0), Saturday, 3:30 pm
Sure, Iowa State has recorded back-to-back victories, but there is no reason to believe that the Cyclones will be able to emerge from Lawrence victorious. The Jayhawks will not look past this contest, as there is simply too much on the line.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kansas 41, Iowa State 17
(24) Wisconsin (8-3) at Minnesota (1-10), Saturday, 3:30 pm
Wisconsin is clearly the pick here, as Minnesota hasn't shown it can stop any one on defense on a consistent basis. Behind their balanced attack, expect the Badgers to score early and often en route to the victory.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wisconsin 40, Minnesota 27
Miami-Florida (5-5) at (10) Virginia Tech (8-2), Saturday, 3:30 pm
The Hokies are inching closer and closer to a showdown with rival Virginia for the Coastal Division title and spot in the ACC Title Game. The only obstacle left is a Miami team that lacks the offensive firepower to pose much of a threat in Blacksburg this weekend.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Virginia Tech 33, Miami-Florida 10
(5) West Virginia (8-1) at (21) Cincinnati (8-2), Saturday, 7:45 pm
This is as good as it gets, as two of the top teams in the Big East collide with a lot on the line. WVU has been unstoppable in recent weeks, but Cincinnati has shown it can compete with anyone. The game should go down to the wire, and if the Bearcats can find a way to limit the Mountaineers' ground attack, don't be surprised to see them pull off the upset.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Cincinnati 31, West Virginia 28
(18) Boston College (8-2) at (15) Clemson (8-2), Saturday, 7:45 pm
The Eagles have hit a wall the last two weeks, and that wall won't disappear this weekend in Death Valley. The Tigers are performing at a very high level right now, and have their sights set on their first conference title since 1991. They will move a huge step closer to that goal with a win in this one.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Clemson 31, Boston College 21
(3) Oklahoma (9-1) at Texas Tech (7-4), Saturday, 8 pm
In what figures to be a close game from start to finish, give a narrow edge to Oklahoma. The Sooners are a much more balanced team than the Red Raiders and possess a better defense. Still, the combo of quarterback Graham Harrell and wideout Michael Crabtree will be fun to watch.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Oklahoma 31, Texas Tech 28