Clifton Canady – Associate Sports Director (21-9)
#8 Oregon @ #13 Utah – The Utes have shown some inconsistencies halfway through the season, with quarterback Bryson Barnes yet to fully convince us of his prowess. Their performance against USC, a team with arguably a weaker defense, was commendable but not entirely convincing. Now, as they face the formidable Oregon defense, known for its toughness and durability, it’s hard not to back the Ducks for the victory. This game could potentially see Utah knocked out of College Football Playoff contention, cementing Oregon’s place as one of the top contenders this season. Buckle up, football fans – we’re in for an exciting clash!
Oregon 41, Utah 28
#21 Tennessee @ Kentucky – All eyes are on #21 Tennessee as they prepare to face off against Kentucky in the height of football season. With expectations high for the Vols to take home the win, the pressure is on. However, Kentucky appears to have a few aces up their sleeves, including their home-field advantage and an impressive rushing attack. These factors present a tough challenge for Tennessee, whose inconsistent run defense has been a weak point this season.
Tennessee 20, Kentucky 35
#20 Duke @ #17 Louisville – Given Riley Leonard’s questionable status due to a high ankle sprain, Duke might face another loss. Although Louisville isn’t a powerhouse, their consistency gives them an edge. I think that Duke will have some hangover from last week. Give me Louisville
Duke 17, Louisville 31
It’s anybody’s guess, but I have a gut feeling that this match will be evenly matched. I can almost feel the tension in the air as the two teams prepare to square off. And while the spread certainly seems accurate, I’m predicting an electrifying game that will keep us all on the edge of our seats until the bitter end. So strap in and hold on tight, folks–this is going to be one hell of a ride! I think that the Aggies pulls away in the 4th quarter.
South Carolina 21, Texas A&M 31
Clemson @ NC State – The upcoming Clemson vs. NC State game is one to watch closely. Both teams are looking to return to their winning ways, with identical 4-3 records in the season so far. Clemson has traditionally been the stronger team, with a historical record of 9 wins in the last 10 matchups against NC State. However, the Wolfpack shouldn’t be underestimated on their home turf. While it’s expected to be a tight contest, I predict that Clemson, currently No. 8 in the conference standings, will edge out N.C. State by 7 points.
Clemson 28, NC State 21
Griffin Barfield – Staff Writer (19-11)
#8 Oregon @ #13 Utah – I’m very high on Oregon. Utah still has not done it for me halfway through the season. I don’t trust Bryson Barnes either. Utah did keep it close versus USC, which has basically no defense at all. Now putting them up against a tough, durable Oregon defense, I like the Ducks to steal a win away from the Utes and knock them out of CFP contention.
Oregon 31, Utah 23
#21 Tennessee @ Kentucky – Home-field advantage, especially in a night game, is such a huge advantage for an SEC school. Both teams are coming off a loss, but Kentucky had a bye week to prepare. I love the Wildcats’ rushing attack against a lackluster Vols run defense, and I think Kentucky does it. I do not trust Joe Milton III in this game.
Tennessee 21, Kentucky 27
#20 Duke @ #17 Louisville – The same question goes from last week’s Duke game. Is Riley Leonard going to be healthy enough to play? I don’t think he is, and he is rushing an injury, we saw a little bit of that at Florida State. I think Louisville is an electric place to play, seen when they beat Notre Dame, and with an extra week to recover, I think they bounce back and ruin Duke’s ACC Championship hopes.
Duke 17, Louisville 21
South Carolina @ Texas A&M – I like Texas A&M a lot. I think they have some great pieces, they just have a gauntlet of a schedule. South Carolina is not really going in the right direction either. With the whole cheating scandal rumors and the Missouri beatdown last weekend, I don’t think the Gamecocks are going to find success at Kyle Field. The 12th Man prevails.
South Carolina 24, Texas A&M 31
Clemson @ NC State – From a College GameDay matchup to too near .500 teams, it’s been a struggle of a season for both teams. Clemson always has trouble playing at Carter-Finley Stadium, but I think their defense will prevail, once again, and help guide the Tigers to a win. Very, very low scoring game in my opinion. I would not be surprised if Clemson lost this one off of a late-game fumble though. It would only be fair to do that as well.
Clemson 14, NC State 13
Drew Watts – Senior Staff Writer (18-12)
#8 Oregon @ #13 Utah – I think Oregon is a really really good team. I think they will be able to outscore Utah, especially without Rising. I think this will be a really entertaining game, but the Ducks pick up a really nice win
Oregon 38, Utah 23
#21 Tennessee @ Kentucky – Even though this game is at Kentucky I think Tennessee finds a way to squeak out a close one. Tennessee has not been good on the road this year, but I think they buck the trend this weekend in Lexington.
Tennessee 28, Kentucky 20
#20 Duke @ #17 Louisville – We saw last week what happens when you try to rush a guy back from a high ankle sprain. I don’t think Riley Leonard will play this game and I think it cost Duke a second straight loss. I don’t think Louisville is a great team, but they are solid. Give me the Cardinals in a close one.
Duke 20, Louisville 24
South Carolina @ Texas A&M – This game is a tough one… Is it possible South Carolina can pull off the upset? Sure. Is it possible that Texas A&M blows their doors off? Sure. I think its somewhere in the middle. I think the spread for this game is pretty dang close to right, and I like the Aggies by 14.
South Carolina 21, Texas A&M 35
Clemson @ NC State – Remember last year when Gameday came to Clemson for this game? This time around, Gameday couldn’t get far enough away. This should be a sloppy game between two sloppy teams. This Clemson team just has way too much to fix for me to feel good about predicting any of their games from here on out. I’ll take Clemson in a game that will take a few years off of our lives.
Clemson 20, NC State 17
Casey Cregan – Staff Writer (20-10)
#8 Oregon @ #13 Utah – Utah has USC’s number. It’s amazing to watch. However, Oregon seems to have Utah’s number. Therefore I’m going with the Ducks on the road against a Cam Rising-less Utes squad.
Oregon 31, Utah 17
#21 Tennessee @ Kentucky – A battle of two 5-2 SEC East teams. The shine is off Tennessee as far as I’m concerned. I get that Joe Milton is only making his 13th start of his career but gone are the dynamic play-makers at wideout. I’m just not a believer in Tennessee. And I really like that Devin Leary is no longer an NC State player. I’m going with Kentucky.
Tennessee 31, Kentucky 32
#20 Duke @ #17 Louisville – Ugh, Duke had Florida State on the ropes last weekend until Riley Leonard re-injured his high ankle sprain from the Notre Dame game. I think these two teams are really evenly matched and think it would be all Duke if Leonard were healthy. He’s not, I’m going with the bird with teeth…close.
Duke 22, Louisville 24
South Carolina @ Texas A&M – I make a living picking against our feathered friends from the Midlands. So this is a first. I’m not sure why, but I think this is one of those games that they sneak out a win, even on the road, and with little to no reason why they should. No real good analysis here, just a feeling. Maybe I’m just looking for more Jimbo drama. Likely.
South Carolina 28, Texas A&M 27
Clemson @ NC State – Clemson by 100. The law of averages says that I have to be right at some point. NC State is not a good team. Brennan Armstrong has been benched and Sophomore MJ Morris is at the helm for the Pack. Clemson saw him last season, so should have a good game plan for him. Freshman WR KC Concepcion is a load for NC State, and Peyton Wilson is still the leader on the defense. Clemson…BIG!…ok, 2 scores.
Clemson 28, NC State 13
