Forecaster Frank's NCAA Six Pack Week 10
Georgia 31 Kentucky 10
This is the biggest football game in Lexington in four decades, as Kentucky can enter the Top 10 and serious National Championship contention with a win over Georgia. The winner of this game will have the inside track to winning the SEC-East Division earning a spot in the Conference Championship. At 7-1, the Wildcats are having a terrific season, as they already have beaten Florida for the first time in 31 years. However, Georgia is a much higher hill to climb. After their letdown at LSU, the Bulldogs bounced back nicely with a 36-17 win over Florida in Jacksonville. Kentucky has been a nice story, but Georgia after losing the National Championship Game last year is the powerhouse and will show its midnight in Lexington, by winning in a route.
Michigan 37 Penn State 17
In their quest to win the Big Ten, Michigan has three big tests, beating Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State, all schools they have struggled against in recent years. The Wolverines already passed the first test with flying colors, beating the Spartans in East Lansing two weeks ago. Now it time to take down the Nittany Lions. Penn State has struggled over their last four games, suffering losses to Ohio State and Michigan State, while eeking out close wins against Indiana and Iowa. Michigan has not lost since Week 1 and had the appearance of a hungry team Add in a strong pass defense and you have the making of a poor matchup for the visiting Lions. Looking for Michigan to get a big win and continue driving to their showdown in Columbus in three weeks.
West Virginia 34 Texas 30
The Texas express blew a tire last week, losing to Oklahoma State 38-35, as a late comeback fell just short. The Longhorns had won six straight and were in the Top 10 with a chance to make a run at the FBS Playoff. Texas is on the road back, so this is a mere pothole, but the future for the Longhorns is beyond 2018. The future for West Virginia is now. After a loss to Iowa State, the Mountaineers bounced back in a big way last week 58-14 beating of Baylor. West Virginia has the best player on the field in quarterback Will Grier, who will find the same weaknesses that Oklahoma State exploited last week and had Texas a second straight loss.
Miami 24 Duke 13
Both of the teams have been in and out of the Top 25 and come in with two-game losing streaks. The ACC has been a mishmash of mediocrity beyond Clemson, and the battle for the Coastal Division has been wide open, though both the Hurricanes and Blue Devils have seemed to let a chance to play in the ACC Championship slip away. This is a homecoming weekend for Miami, who has not lost at home this season. Look for the Hurricanes defense to have a big game and create several turnovers against the mistake-prone Blue Devils to become bowl eligible at 6-3.
Alabama 27 LSU 10
It has been a highly successful year for the Bayou Bengals, as Ed Orgeron has quieted the critics and has LSU ranked #4, with a 7-1 record. However, with Alabama rolling into town, a cold slap of reality is in the forecast. LSU is a good team, but they are not anywhere near the level of the Crimson Tide. The defending champions are not only unbeaten and ranked #1, but they are also winning every game easily as they have won each of their first eight games by 22 points or more, with Tua Tagovailoa leading the way on offense and a stout defense. It is hard to see that trend continuing against a team like LSU, who should make things interesting for three quarters, before the Tide slide in a late dagger score.
Washington 24 Stanford 13
This is a game of survival in the Pac-12 North Division as both schools have been among the biggest disappointments in the FBS this season. Each had hopes of making a run at the playoffs and the Pac-12 Title. The Pac-12 title is still within reach, but no team from this conference will make a serious run at any playoff, as it has become the Middle of the Pack conference where mediocrity is the rule. Stanford has had some injury troubles, as Bryce Love has not been a factor, while the Huskies just have not made the big plays when they counted. The home crowd should provide a boost for Washington, who knows the big game is in three weeks when they get a crack at Washington State in the Apple Cup.