2016 BENched PTF Record
Last Week: 8-5
Game of the Week Pick: 3-4
Game of the Week Pick: 3-4
Overall: 97-43 (.693 win %)
Saturday
No. 2 Ohio State at Michigan State (Line: Ohio State -21.5)
A little different script from a year ago when Sparty went to the Horseshoe and upset Ohio State on its way to the CFB Playoff. Urban Meyer remembers these things and guarantee he ain't happy about it. Bucks 52-10
No. 11 Oklahoma State at TCU (Line: TCU -4.5)
Tricky spot for the Cowboys who head south to Ft. Worth for an 11 AM kick against a fickle TCU team that had a bye week to prep. Mason Rudolph is a phenomenal QB and OSU is finding a good rhythm lately. Pokes 41-31
No. 23 Florida at No. 16 LSU (Line: LSU -14)
The "Relocation Bowl" could haunt the Gators if they lose to LSU. With a win, Florida clinches the SEC East. With a loss, it's all but assured to go to Tennessee, which must beat Mizzou and Vandy. This game was originally scheduled for The Swamp on Oct. 8, but Hurricane Matthew forced the game to be rescheduled, and after much debate, relocated to LSU's Death Valley. This should be a defensive slugfest. Bayou Bengals 17-10
The "Relocation Bowl" could haunt the Gators if they lose to LSU. With a win, Florida clinches the SEC East. With a loss, it's all but assured to go to Tennessee, which must beat Mizzou and Vandy. This game was originally scheduled for The Swamp on Oct. 8, but Hurricane Matthew forced the game to be rescheduled, and after much debate, relocated to LSU's Death Valley. This should be a defensive slugfest. Bayou Bengals 17-10
Indiana at No. 3 Michigan (Line: Michigan -24)
Let's see how Michigan bounces back from its loss at Iowa. The Wolverines are big home favorites, but quarterback Wilton Speight broke his collarbone in the loss. This should be a tune-up game before the trip to Ohio State. Indiana, though, will play this one tough. Wolverines 28-17
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame (Line: Virginia Tech -1)
So much for two bigtime programs squaring off late in the season with bigtime implications. The Hokies still have an ACC Coastal to clinch, but that can't happen until next weekend. And Notre Dame is on the verge of being bowl ineligible with a loss. Hokies 31-28
Missouri at Tennessee (Line: Tennessee -16)
Tennessee will know its fate just prior to or just after kickoff - whether the Gators win at LSU or not. That outcome could affect how the Vols play in this one. A Florida win could deflate Big Orange. Still, it's Missouri. Vols 37-17
No. 22 Washington State at No. 10 Colorado (Line: Colorado -4.5)
This is the best game in the country that no one is talking about. It could be a Pac-12 title game preview. Washington State is on an eight-game winning streak since losing to Eastern Washington and Boise State to open the season. The Cougs have rolled through Pac-12 play until now, but face two Top 10 teams in these final two weeks. Colorado is the nation's biggest surprise team and a tremendous story in Boulder with what Mike MacIntyre is doing. Luke Falk loves to throw it all over the yard, but the Buffaloes have a well-rounded squad. Buffs 33-28
No. 3 Clemson at Wake Forest (Line: Clemson -22.5)
Another team looking for a bounce-back performance. Clemson gained over 600 yards of offense last week, but lost in heart-breaking fashion to Pittsburgh at home. The Tigers still can clinch a spot in the ACC title game by winning at Wake. The Demon Deacons are having a nice season - they're bowl eligible and have played FSU and Louisville well. Wake Forest leads the conference in turnovers and Clemson has been careless with the ball this season. Turnovers have been the Tigers Achilles' heel. I don't see how this one will be as big as the spread and don't be shocked if the Deacs pull off the upset. Tigers 31-20
Arizona State at No. 6 Washington (Line: Washington -27)
The final Top 4 team from a week ago that lost is Washington. The Huskies have everything in front of them, just like Michigan and Clemson. Washington just needs to win out and it likely will play itself back into the Top 4 with a Pac-12 championship. Good news: Arizona State comes to Seattle this weekend. That's a nice follow-up game. Huskies 55-23
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 14 West Virginia (Line: Oklahoma -3.5)
Weather will play a role in this one. The temperature is expected to drop and some precipitation - possibly snow - is in the forecast. West Virginia boasts the Big 12's best defense. Oklahoma has the most dynamic offense. The Sooners can hand it to Samaje Perine or Joe Mixon, or have Baker Mayfield connect with the best receiver in the country, Dede Westbrook. Skyler Howard hasn't earned the trust that he can handle the hype of a big game, but maybe that changes. The interesting thing to keep an eye on here is whichever team wins, how that will affect their standing in the Playoff race next week. Get your popcorn ready for this one. Sooners 37-34
No. 13 USC at UCLA (Line: USC -13)
The battle of Los Angeles has tilted back in favor of the Trojans. UCLA won three straight from 2012-14, but USC stopped the streak with a 40-21 win last season. Now, the men of Troy are eyeing a potential Pac-12 South title and playing at a much higher level than the start of the season. The Trojans' win over Washington last week was evidence of that. Trojans 34-13
Let's see how Michigan bounces back from its loss at Iowa. The Wolverines are big home favorites, but quarterback Wilton Speight broke his collarbone in the loss. This should be a tune-up game before the trip to Ohio State. Indiana, though, will play this one tough. Wolverines 28-17
Virginia Tech at Notre Dame (Line: Virginia Tech -1)
So much for two bigtime programs squaring off late in the season with bigtime implications. The Hokies still have an ACC Coastal to clinch, but that can't happen until next weekend. And Notre Dame is on the verge of being bowl ineligible with a loss. Hokies 31-28
Missouri at Tennessee (Line: Tennessee -16)
Tennessee will know its fate just prior to or just after kickoff - whether the Gators win at LSU or not. That outcome could affect how the Vols play in this one. A Florida win could deflate Big Orange. Still, it's Missouri. Vols 37-17
No. 22 Washington State at No. 10 Colorado (Line: Colorado -4.5)
This is the best game in the country that no one is talking about. It could be a Pac-12 title game preview. Washington State is on an eight-game winning streak since losing to Eastern Washington and Boise State to open the season. The Cougs have rolled through Pac-12 play until now, but face two Top 10 teams in these final two weeks. Colorado is the nation's biggest surprise team and a tremendous story in Boulder with what Mike MacIntyre is doing. Luke Falk loves to throw it all over the yard, but the Buffaloes have a well-rounded squad. Buffs 33-28
No. 3 Clemson at Wake Forest (Line: Clemson -22.5)
Another team looking for a bounce-back performance. Clemson gained over 600 yards of offense last week, but lost in heart-breaking fashion to Pittsburgh at home. The Tigers still can clinch a spot in the ACC title game by winning at Wake. The Demon Deacons are having a nice season - they're bowl eligible and have played FSU and Louisville well. Wake Forest leads the conference in turnovers and Clemson has been careless with the ball this season. Turnovers have been the Tigers Achilles' heel. I don't see how this one will be as big as the spread and don't be shocked if the Deacs pull off the upset. Tigers 31-20
Arizona State at No. 6 Washington (Line: Washington -27)
The final Top 4 team from a week ago that lost is Washington. The Huskies have everything in front of them, just like Michigan and Clemson. Washington just needs to win out and it likely will play itself back into the Top 4 with a Pac-12 championship. Good news: Arizona State comes to Seattle this weekend. That's a nice follow-up game. Huskies 55-23
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 9 Oklahoma at No. 14 West Virginia (Line: Oklahoma -3.5)
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| Who knows if the winner of the OU-WVU game will be able to make a run to the Playoff? (Photo courtesy ESPN.com) |
No. 13 USC at UCLA (Line: USC -13)
The battle of Los Angeles has tilted back in favor of the Trojans. UCLA won three straight from 2012-14, but USC stopped the streak with a 40-21 win last season. Now, the men of Troy are eyeing a potential Pac-12 South title and playing at a much higher level than the start of the season. The Trojans' win over Washington last week was evidence of that. Trojans 34-13
-BtW
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