Hello college football fans and welcome to that one week a year that seems like the calm before the (soon to be) November storm. 7 of the GCR top 25 (4 of the top 10) are idle. There is only one game between top 25 opponents (see below). The remaining 16 of that elite group play teams that have a combined winning percentage of .440 (44-56). Next week proves to be better, but let’s look at what can entertain us in the…left behinds?
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Before Saturday the two games I’m interested in start with tonight’s game (I’m traveling today so won’t be able to write this during the game) when 6-0 Coastal Carolina (19) invade Boone NC to tackle App St 4-2 (73). This was one of the Sun Belt games that people circled at the beginning of the season, but expected the Mountaineers to be a bit more competition. That said, these rivals always entertain. Vegas thinks it will be close at CCAR -3.0, but I see a little more separation CCAR 75.8%. The second game is the first of 2 significant Ivy League (yes, I said Ivy League) matchups. The top 4 teams fight each other starting with Columbia 4-1 (142) at Dartmouth 5-0 (87). There will be a nip in the air as the Big Green nip the Lions – DART 63.5%.
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For the early games Saturday, Wake Forest 6-0 (5) attacking West Point to take on Army 4-2 (84) who were within 1 score of beating Wisconsin (50) last week, is going to be one of the best to watch. Army would love the upset and the Demon Deacons are experiencing a level of pressure that’s about as foreign as I can imagine. Vegas has been undervaluing Wake all season and could be this time as well at WF -3.0. The GCR doesn’t think Army can do it again – WF 80.9%. The second Ivy League event will be a clash of 5-0 teams when Harvard (91) cordially visits Princeton (85), but the Crimson will be disappointed as the Tigers win 55.3% (note: that’s essentially home field advantage so this one is truly a tossup).
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I have 3 in the midday time slot (there is only the Hawaii game that starts after 8:00 [all times Eastern] Saturday night), When Wisconsin 3-3 (50) visits upstart Purdue 4-2 (28) who put a major crimp in Iowa’s (8) bid for perfection last week at 3:00, I’ll want to know, to put it bluntly, is Purdue for real? Vegas and the GCR agree – PUR -3.0 and 66.0%. At 3:30 the only two top 25 battle comes up when Pittsburgh 5-1 (23) welcomes Clemson 4-2 (21). The game of the Cats has a Tigers team who has won, but squeaked by its last two opponents vs a Panthers team that has shaken off an early season upset loss to W Michigan (35) and has a commanding lead in the ACC Coastal. Clemson probably has to win out to win their division and try to keep their long streak alive, but this road gets tough starting with this game. Vegas has PITT to win -3.0 (when was the last time Clemson was an underdog in an ACC regular season game?) and the GCR agrees PITT 68.7%. The third matchup is the first major upset prediction (there are 12 total, but most of them are between teams with losing records), when the Cowboys of Oklahoma St 6-0 (2) try to protect perfection in the unfriendly confines of Iowa St 4-2 (40). Like Wake Forest, Vegas has underestimated them all season and even has IAST -7.0 – a FULL touchdown! I disagree completely with OKST 78.7% – that’s a big swing. I do not bet, nor do I condone it, as the GCR is for entertainment purposes only – felt like I needed to say that.
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In the evening, San Diego St 6-0 (17) travels to Colorado to attack Air Force 6-1 (31). The Falcons will try to get another big win after their upset against Boise St (60) but the Aztecs are one of the few perfect teams left. In another GCR upset call, Vegas has Air Force soaring once again -3.5, but I think SDST 63.5%. The final game, and 3rd upset call, is from the disappointing Pac 12 when Oregon St 4-2 (64) welcomes Utah 4-2 (29). Oregon St is coming off a bye week and will be rested and prepared – ORST 55.0% (ok home field advantage again), but Vegas thinks the Utes will prevail -3.0.
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That’s it for this week. Enjoy all the predictions below and I wish your team well, unless they are playing my team. Thanks, G.
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