Georgia Tech @ Clemson
Saturday, Nov. 11 — Memorial Stadium — Clemson, South Carolina
11 a.m. on ABC
What an up-and-down season it’s been for the Clemson Tigers.
Though they were ranked ninth in preseason rankings, the Tigers have fallen to several teams, ranked and unranked. However, on the cusp of a two-game losing streak and facing then-No. 15 Notre Dame, coach Dabo Swinney led his squad to an upset win after scratching and clawing its way to bury Irish graduate quarterback Sam Hartman.
Finally, Clemson was on the right end of an upset, and it’s all thanks to junior running back Phil Mafah, who had his best game of the season with 186 rushing and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, the defense had two takeaways from Hartman.
However, the Tigers will now face a team that is no stranger to upsets: the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.
They came back last second against then-No. 17 Miami Hurricanes and were the ones on top after a shootout against then-No. 17 North Carolina. The Yellow Jackets seem to have the number of whoever is ranked 17th.
Sophomore quarterback Haynes King has found a home after three rough seasons at Texas A&M. The dual-threat quarterback has been instrumental in leading the upset wins and will look to add another one to his book against the Tigers.
All in all, though the Tigers are 13.5-point favorites according to FanDuel, the Yellow Jackets seem destined for another upset win to extend their winning streak.
Prediction: Georgia Tech 41, Clemson 38
No. 3 Michigan @ No. 11 Penn State
Saturday, Nov. 11 — Beaver Stadium — University Park, Pennsylvania
11 a.m. on FOX
It’s honestly a crime that this game isn’t a whiteout game at night. Throw in the Michigan sign stealing scandal and this could’ve been an all-timer. Unfortunately, the game is FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff, but that doesn’t change the quality of the two teams.
Michigan comes into the game a perfect 9-0 on the year. The Wolverines beat down Purdue 41-13 last week behind junior quarterback J.J. McCarthy, who threw for 335 yards. Michigan is looking to stay perfect on the season, but the matchup with Penn State is the first true test for the Wolverines this year.
Penn State rolls into this game 8-1 on the year with its only loss to No. 1 Ohio State. The Nittany Lions rolled Maryland 51-15 last week behind four forced turnovers.
Sophomore quarterback Drew Allar has thrown for 1,895 yards and 20 touchdowns with only one interception this season. His favorite target has been junior receiver Keandre Lambert-Smith, who has 51 catches for 645 yards and four touchdowns.
Although both offenses have explosive talent, the story of the game is going to be defense. Michigan and Penn State rank first and second in yards allowed per game, respectively. Expect Happy Valley to be a factor in a somewhat low-scoring affair.
Prediction: Penn State 21, Michigan 17
New Mexico State at Western Kentucky
Saturday, Nov. 11 — Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium — Bowling Green, Kentucky
2:30 p.m. on ESPN Platforms
The New Mexico State Aggies are finally emerging from the wilderness. For the first time since 1960, New Mexico State will be going to a bowl game in consecutive seasons. A win over Western Kentucky would see it play for a Conference USA title against Liberty in its first year in the conference since Jacksonville State is postseason-ineligible.
Western Kentucky’s aerial attack leads the C-USA as the Hilltoppers are averaging just over 271 yards a game through the air. Things don’t look so hot on the other side of the ball, though, as Western Kentucky’s defense ranks dead last in the conference, giving up a whopping 456.1 yards a game.
Their passing defense ranks second-to-last, and that will be a problem considering New Mexico State junior quarterback Diego Pavia comes into the game as C-USA’s third-leading passer and fourth-leading rusher. The Aggies may only be middle-of-the-pack defensively, but that will be enough as Pavia leads New Mexico State out of the desert and into the promised land with a win in a shootout.
Prediction: New Mexico State 45, Western Kentucky 38