2016 BENched PTF Record
Last Week: 6-6
Game of the Week Pick: 2-3
Game of the Week Pick: 2-3
Overall: 78-36 (.684 win %)
Saturday
No. 7 Louisville at Boston College (Line: Louisville -25)
Things haven't come easy the recently for Lamar Jackson and the Cards. A game at noon at sleepy Chestnut Hill could produce another lackluster performance. But ESPN will find a 12-yard first down pass and claim it's his new Heisman moment anyway. Cards 33-10
No. 4 Texas A&M at Mississippi State (Line: Texas A&M -13)
Something about this game has me on edge. A&M somehow ended up at No. 4 in the Playoff Poll and no one knows how. Starkvegas will bring the clanga-clanga of the cowbells and this might be closer than the experts think. Aggies 31-20
No. 8 Wisconsin at Northwestern (Line: Wisconsin -6.5)
The City of Chicago will be hungover from the Cubs World Series victory. The party through the weekend could end with an upset bid by Northwestern. The Wildcats came close to knocking off Ohio State last weekend. The Badgers escaped another overtime game. Close, but the cheeseheads get it done. Badgers 27-17
Texas at Texas Tech (Line: Texas -3.5)
After the Longhorns upset over Baylor, Charlie Strong is eyeing a bowl bid. This will probably be another Big 12 shootout. Expect points and not very much defense. Horns 47-44
Georgia Tech at No. 21 North Carolina (Line: North Carolina -10.5)
North Carolina needs a win to keep pace with Virginia Tech in the Coastal race. Georgia Tech needs a win to become bowl eligible a season after winning just three games. The Jackets don't get it in Chapel Hill. Heels 38-27
Syracuse at No. 2 Clemson (Line: Clemson -26.5)
Dabo Swinney calls November the "Championship Phase" of the season. The first marker is the Atlantic Division championship. Clemson can't clinch it here, but expect the Tigers to play their best game. Syracuse will put up points with its uptempo offense, but not enough to take down Deshaun Watson. Tigers 49-24
Maryland at No. 3 Michigan (Line: Michigan -31)
Michigan is playing another home game? This is my shocked face. Harbaugh's boys cruise against a Maryland team that started 4-0, but is 1-3 in its last four games with losses to Minnesota and Indiana. Big Blue 41-10
No. 11 Florida at Arkansas (Line: Florida -4)
The Gators have a stout defense, but are lacking in the offense department. Florida has some wiggle room should it lose here, but really needs a win against one of its two SEC West opponents. Meanwhile, Bret Beliema and the Hogs had a bye week to think about their 56-3 whoopin' at Auburn. Arkansas will play better and could pull the upset. Hogs 20-17
TCU at No. 17 Baylor (Line: Baylor -7.5)
Once a budding rivalry in the Big 12, now an afterthought. TCU is on the verge of not making a bowl this season, while Baylor needs a win to remain in conference title contention. The Battle on the Brazos will be fun to watch, but the implications are lacking. Bears 45-38
Iowa at No. 12 Penn State (Line: Penn State -7.5)
Penn State finds itself ranked much higher in the CFB Playoff Poll than any other poll. I guess a 62-point outburst against Purdue will do that for you. The Hawkeyes are in the middle game of playing Wisconsin, at Penn State and Michigan. They lost to the Badgers at home two weeks ago and got a bye week to prep for the trip to Happy Valley. James Franklin has called for an impromptu whiteout. Nittany Lions 23-13
No. 10 Nebraska at No. 6 Ohio State (Line: Ohio State -17)
After Nebraska's overtime loss on the road in Madison, it's somewhat shocking to see such a large spread for the Huskers' trip to Columbus. Maybe the tank is on empty. Maybe the Buckeyes are that much better. But Ohio State hasn't shown much the past few weeks needing OT to win at Wisconsin, falling to Penn State on the road, then struggling in a 24-20 win at home against Northwestern. Vegas knows something... Buckeyes 34-14
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Alabama at No. 13 LSU (Line: Alabama -7.5)
Arguably the best coach in the game vs. arguably the best interim coach in the game. Nick Saban vs. Ed Orgeron. The headlines surrounding Alabama at LSU are plentiful, and Oregeron has made sure LSU is at its best when the Crimson Tide come to Baton Rouge. Jalen Hurts has been in a few hostile environments this season, but LSU's Death Valley will be the toughest venue the freshman has entered. Leonard Fournette was swallowed up in last year's game, gaining just 31 yards on 19 carries. Fournette is coming into his own at the right time this year. I'm not calling the upset because I just can't pick against Bama, but don't be surprised if the Tigers take down the Tide. Bammers 30-20
No. 5 Washington at Cal (Line: Washington -17)
Through three road games, the Huskies have an OT win at Arizona, a seven-point win at Utah which was won on a late, controversial punt return, and a blowout at Oregon (70-21). How angry is U-Dub that it didn't make the initial Top 4 of the Playoff Poll? And how will that translate to the field? On the other side, Cal is unbeaten at home this season with wins over Texas, Utah and Oregon. Davis Webb and the offense can hang with Jake Browning and the Huskies. I just don't see that lasting too long. Dawgs 37-23
After the Longhorns upset over Baylor, Charlie Strong is eyeing a bowl bid. This will probably be another Big 12 shootout. Expect points and not very much defense. Horns 47-44
Georgia Tech at No. 21 North Carolina (Line: North Carolina -10.5)
North Carolina needs a win to keep pace with Virginia Tech in the Coastal race. Georgia Tech needs a win to become bowl eligible a season after winning just three games. The Jackets don't get it in Chapel Hill. Heels 38-27
Syracuse at No. 2 Clemson (Line: Clemson -26.5)
Dabo Swinney calls November the "Championship Phase" of the season. The first marker is the Atlantic Division championship. Clemson can't clinch it here, but expect the Tigers to play their best game. Syracuse will put up points with its uptempo offense, but not enough to take down Deshaun Watson. Tigers 49-24
Maryland at No. 3 Michigan (Line: Michigan -31)
Michigan is playing another home game? This is my shocked face. Harbaugh's boys cruise against a Maryland team that started 4-0, but is 1-3 in its last four games with losses to Minnesota and Indiana. Big Blue 41-10
No. 11 Florida at Arkansas (Line: Florida -4)
The Gators have a stout defense, but are lacking in the offense department. Florida has some wiggle room should it lose here, but really needs a win against one of its two SEC West opponents. Meanwhile, Bret Beliema and the Hogs had a bye week to think about their 56-3 whoopin' at Auburn. Arkansas will play better and could pull the upset. Hogs 20-17
TCU at No. 17 Baylor (Line: Baylor -7.5)
Once a budding rivalry in the Big 12, now an afterthought. TCU is on the verge of not making a bowl this season, while Baylor needs a win to remain in conference title contention. The Battle on the Brazos will be fun to watch, but the implications are lacking. Bears 45-38
Iowa at No. 12 Penn State (Line: Penn State -7.5)
Penn State finds itself ranked much higher in the CFB Playoff Poll than any other poll. I guess a 62-point outburst against Purdue will do that for you. The Hawkeyes are in the middle game of playing Wisconsin, at Penn State and Michigan. They lost to the Badgers at home two weeks ago and got a bye week to prep for the trip to Happy Valley. James Franklin has called for an impromptu whiteout. Nittany Lions 23-13
No. 10 Nebraska at No. 6 Ohio State (Line: Ohio State -17)
After Nebraska's overtime loss on the road in Madison, it's somewhat shocking to see such a large spread for the Huskers' trip to Columbus. Maybe the tank is on empty. Maybe the Buckeyes are that much better. But Ohio State hasn't shown much the past few weeks needing OT to win at Wisconsin, falling to Penn State on the road, then struggling in a 24-20 win at home against Northwestern. Vegas knows something... Buckeyes 34-14
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Alabama at No. 13 LSU (Line: Alabama -7.5)
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| Louisiana boy Ed Orgeron can become the state's favorite son by leading LSU to a win over Alabama. (Photo courtesy The Advocate) |
No. 5 Washington at Cal (Line: Washington -17)
Through three road games, the Huskies have an OT win at Arizona, a seven-point win at Utah which was won on a late, controversial punt return, and a blowout at Oregon (70-21). How angry is U-Dub that it didn't make the initial Top 4 of the Playoff Poll? And how will that translate to the field? On the other side, Cal is unbeaten at home this season with wins over Texas, Utah and Oregon. Davis Webb and the offense can hang with Jake Browning and the Huskies. I just don't see that lasting too long. Dawgs 37-23
-BtW
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