#1 Texas at #18 Oklahoma (+14)
After back-to-back starts from the highly touted freshman Arch Manning, Texas is set to have Quinn Ewers back under center in the first ever SEC edition of the Red River Rivalry. The top-ranked team in the country currently sits as a two-touchdown favorite against the Sooners, who earned their first ever SEC win two weeks ago against Auburn, before having a much needed bye week. Bettors should be wary of picking Texas to cover the spread, seeing how only 1 of the last 11 Texas-Oklahoma matchups has been decided by more than 12 points, with 9 of them being decided by 8 points or less.
Prediction: Texas 34, Oklahoma 24
#4 Penn State at USC (+5)
USC was hovering just outside of the top 10 before dropping two games in three weeks against Michigan and Minnesota. On paper, this should be their toughest test yet: an undefeated Penn State team that is currently ranked in the top 5. However, there are several advantages in play that should keep this one close.
For one, Penn State’s offense has been less than dynamic in consecutive games at home against Illinois and UCLA. Now, they travel all the way to the opposite coast in a trip that has not gone well for Big Ten teams so far this season. Jet lag has been a serious factor when the Big Ten’s newly-added west coast teams meet up with their eastern counterparts. In fact, the home team in such matchups has gone 8-1 through the first month and a half of the season. That could mean serious trouble for the visiting Nittany Lions.
Prediction: USC 24, Penn State 21
#9 Ole Miss at #13 LSU (+3.5)
Move aside Red River Rivalry, this is the best matchup of the week in the SEC. There are very serious implications surrounding this game for both teams, who are currently hovering around the playoff cut line. A win here would be huge for either team, while a second loss would likely be equally as damaging.
While it seems all but guaranteed that there will be multiple two or even three-loss teams in the College Football Playoff, both Ole Miss and LSU have tough games ahead, making this one even more crucial for both team’s seasons. Ole Miss responded well to their loss against Kentucky with a dominant win over South Carolina last week, 27-3. I believe the Rebels will edge out a close win in a high-scoring shootout.
Prediction: Ole Miss 34, LSU 31
#2 Ohio State (-3) at #3 Oregon
Will jet lag come into play yet again, or will the Buckeyes continue to conquer their competition? In a game that will surely play a role in deciding who plays in the Big Ten Championship come December (it could very well be a rematch of these two teams), there are multiple numbers that say you should back Ohio State, regardless of how most of the Big Ten’s cross country trips have turned so far.
Need I remind you that Ryan Day has never lost a Big Ten game to a team not named Michigan. That’s right—Day is 1-3 against Michigan and 38-0 against everybody else. Oregon has also looked shaky at times this season, including close calls against Boise State and Idaho. Ohio State is the best team that Oregon has played by far since joining the Big Ten. Look for the Buckeyes to remain undefeated in a good one.
Prediction: Ohio State 31, Oregon 24
#18 Kansas State at Colorado (+3.5)
A sneaky good game in the late window that could end up having Big 12 Title implications. Colorado is coming off a huge 48-21 upset win on the road against UCF, despite being 13.5-point underdogs. Kansas State also earned an impressive 42-20 win against Oklahoma State in response to being blown out by BYU the week prior. K-State and Colorado are now both 4-1 and right in the mix in the Big 12.
With a higher than average over/under and only a 3.5-point spread, this appears to be the most attractive of the late games. As the better team, Kansas State should come away with a victory; although, the extra half point makes Colorado a decent play in what should be an airtight contest.
Prediction: Kansas State 31, Colorado 28
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