Today is the first week of Saturday Selections where I can predict both college football and basketball games. I also plan on getting NBA content out very soon, so watch out for that in the near future. We have some incredible games coming up in college football and basketball, including a top 5 matchup in Spokane late tonight. What I do for college basketball, if you’re new here, is I predict the top games from today until Friday, due to the high number of games played. Anyways, here are my Saturday Selections:
NCAA Football:
Miami (FL) (5-4) (-2.5) at Florida State (3-6)
I’ll make this quick: Miami has a four-game winning streak against Florida State. With D’Eriq King leading the way, I like the Hurricanes on the road.
Tune into Miami (FL) at Florida State at 3:30 PM ET on ESPN.
#16 NC State (7-2) at #12 Wake Forest (8-1) (-2)
Wake Forest is coming off their first loss of the season as North Carolina’s offense was too much for Wake Forest’s defense. However, Wake Forest has the #3 scoring offense in FBS, only behind Pittsburgh and Ohio State. NC State’s scoring offense can’t compare, being ranked 46th in FBS. NC State happens to have the best scoring defense in the ACC, placing them as the 16th best scoring defense in FBS. The Wolfpack lead the overall series 67-41-6, with a winning record in Winston-Salem. However, the Demon Deacons have won three of the last four matchups against NC State. This is a battle of the top two ACC teams in college football, so make sure to make room on your schedule to watch this one. However, with Sam Hartman and that dominating offense, I think Wake Forest wins at home after a loss on the road last week.
Tune into NC State at Wake Forest at 7:30 PM ET on ACC Network.
#6 Michigan (8-1) (-1.5) at Penn State (6-3)
Michigan and Penn State have had a rivalry going on for quite a while. It’s normally the white-out game on the Nittany Lions’ schedule, whenever the Wolverines come to State College. Michigan leads the all-time series 14-10, with a 3-3 record with Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Michigan is 6-6 at Beaver Stadium, looking to break the tie. This has major playoff implications. If Michigan wins, it keeps their playoff hopes alive. If they lose, they’re virtually out of the playoffs. Michigan is top 10 in both scoring offense and defense, and with the inconsistency of Penn State, they keep their CFP hopes alive.
Tune into Michigan at Penn State at 12 PM ET on ABC.
#8 Oklahoma (9-0) (-5.5) at #13 Baylor (7-2)
This is the biggest matchup in the Big 12 so far and the biggest for Oklahoma. Oklahoma has been disrespected by the College Football Playoff Committee even though they’re undefeated in the Big 12. Oklahoma leads the all-time series 28-3, with a 13-2 record in Waco and a 23-3 record in the Big 12 era. The Sooners have won seven straight in the series. Oklahoma wins, but it’s a close one in Waco.
Tune into Oklahoma at Baylor at 12 PM ET on FOX.
Mississippi State (5-4) at #17 Auburn (6-3) (-4)
Auburn leads the all-time series 65-27-2, with a 30-7 record at home against the Bulldogs. After losing to Texas A&M last week, the Tigers need to build momentum as they have to face arch-rival Alabama in a couple weeks. Bo Nix and Tank Bigsby at home get the Tigers the win.
Tune into Mississippi State at Auburn at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
UCF (6-3) at SMU (7-2) (-7)
UCF has only lost to SMU once, which came in 2011. The Knights are on a three-game winning streak, while the Mustangs have lost two straight. Expect a good one, as both teams are capable of scoring. I have Dillon Gabriel and UCF beating SMU in Dallas.
Tune into UCF at SMU at 12 PM ET on ESPNU.
#1 Georgia (9-0) (-20) at Tennessee (5-4)
Georgia has the best defense in the country, and they look to stay #1 in college football as they face the Volunteers. Georgia leads the all-time series 25-23-2, and I think Jordan Davis will have a big game in Knoxville. Georgia wins big over Tennessee.
Tune into Georgia at Tennessee at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.
#19 Purdue (6-3) at #4 Ohio State (8-1) (-20.5)
Ohio State is 40-15-2 all-time against the Boilermakers, but Purdue upset the Buckeyes in their last meeting. That has sparked a three-game winning streak against top 5 teams for Purdue. Can that streak stay alive? Against one of the top scoring offenses in college football, I don’t think so. C.J. Stroud and the Buckeyes win at home, but closer than what the line says.
Tune into Purdue at Ohio State at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.
Minnesota (6-3) at #20 Iowa (7-2) (-4.5)
Minnesota may be leading the overall series 62-50-2, but I like Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeyes at home. Iowa has won six straight games against the Golden Gophers, and I think their defense will stand strong. Iowa makes it seven in a row.
Tune into Minnesota at Iowa at 3:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
Maryland (5-4) at #7 Michigan State (8-1) (-11.5)
Michigan State will come into Spartan Stadium with a chip on their shoulder. The CFP Committee ranked Michigan over them, even though the Spartans beat Michigan. After losing to Purdue last week, Kenneth Walker III and the Spartans bounce back.
Tune into Maryland at Michigan State at 4 PM ET on FOX.
#11 Texas A&M (7-2) (-2.5) at #15 Ole Miss (7-2)
Texas A&M leads the series 9-1 (not including two vacated losses) against the Rebels, with a 4-1 record in Oxford. However, the Aggies have not faced Matt Corral before. Upset coming in Oxford. Last time Ole Miss hosted Gameday, they won.
Tune into Texas A&M at Ole Miss at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
#9 Notre Dame (8-1) (-6.5) at Virginia (6-3)
Notre Dame needs wins now if they want to be in the College Football Playoff. Brennan Armstrong would need a huge game to beat the Fighting Irish at home.
Tune into Notre Dame at Virginia at 7:30 PM ET on ABC.
#25 Arkansas (6-3) (-3) at LSU (4-5)
Arkansas needs to win this game, which happens to be a battle of the bottom SEC West teams. KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks’ offense will make more plays than LSU’s offense. That’s the story in this one. Arkansas needs to beat LSU, which has been a struggle in past years.
Tune into Arkansas at LSU at 7:30 PM ET on SEC Network.
TCU (4-5) at #10 Oklahoma State (8-1) (-11.5)
Oklahoma State has to win out to still have a chance for the College Football Playoff. They should do that tonight at home against a challenging TCU team.
Tune into TCU at Oklahoma State at 8 PM ET on FOX.
Washington State (5-4) at #3 Oregon (8-1) (-13.5)
Oregon at home against a nearly .500 team? Easy money. Kayvon Thibodeaux and the Ducks keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Tune into Washington State at Oregon at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN.
Nevada (7-2) at #22 San Diego State (8-1) (-3)
San Diego State needs wins to stay as the top in their division of the Mountain West. I think that happens against Carson Strong and the Wolfpack.
Tune into Nevada at San Diego State at 10:30 PM ET on CBS Sports Network.
NCAA Basketball:
#5 Texas (1-0) at #1 Gonzaga (1-0) (-7.5)
Gonzaga at home is a tough team to play. Even though I picked Texas as my National Champion, Gonzaga beats them in Spokane.
Tune into Texas at Gonzaga at 10:30 PM ET on ESPN2.
Calhoun's Corner 