Curator & Coach - Week 10

Curator Sam Burnham
Game of the Week
1Alabama @ 4LSU
​This is going to be a big week in college football. It is time to see who is for real and who is pretending, Picking just one game is a hard choice, especially with the game in Lexington. But with the Tide and the Tigers facing off in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night, this is the game to choose. It is safe to say that whoever wins this one will be my choice for #1 in next week's poll. This week we find out if LSU is even better than we think and if Bama is really that good or if their schedule is just that bad. 

Upset of the Week
This category is not a joke. Coach and I have hit these more often than not this year. If we put you on upset alert, you better watch out. I'm really watching Baton Rouge and Lexington here as the home teams really have a chance to both make statement and to punch their tickets to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. The Tigers and the Wildcats both have very good chances of pulling off the upset this week. I wouldn't be surprised by either or both happening. But there is one game with playoff implications that I can't ignore because I have a feeling about it.
3Notre Dame @ Northwestern
Notre Dame needs to win out to get to the playoff. One slip along the way and they are done. Enter the Wildcats. Northwestern is 5-3 but that but they've won their last 4 and have wins against Purdue, Sparty, and Wisconsin. They should have beaten Michigan. This is a much better team than they get credit for. Playing at home with a chance to be the spoiler, I'd say they have as good of a chance as any to be that thorn in Notre Dame's side that we see arise about this time each year. If Notre Dame does not bring their best game to Evanston, there's a good chance they are out of the playoff picture come Sunday morning. Besides, Pat Fitzgerald says that the "RPO" is "pure communism." And that's beautiful.
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Coach Drew Burnham
Game of the Week
10West Virginia @ Texas
After clawing their way back into the top 10, homecoming in Stillwater proved fatal for the Longhorns last week. Now they return home to take on a high powered West Virginia offense who average just under 40 points a game. I think that’s too much gas for them to handle right now after such an emotional loss. I’ve been really impressed with the job Coach Herman has done there, but I think it’s a big day for the Mountaineers. They’ll get the win and take those country roads on home.

Upset of the Week
If memory serves me, I’ve hit 3 in a row and 4 out of 6. Not bad when you’re shooting for the moon. No shot I hit a 4th in a row right?? Northwestern vs. Notre Dame is highly intriguing. The Wildcats have won their last 4 in a row including a road win against Sparty and another win against Wisconsin. Both of those were 2 score games. Pair that with a possible bout of the Irish feeling a little untouchable and you have a mix for disaster. I think those 2 big wins for Northwestern draw enough Irish attention that they avoid the upset, but keep your eyes open.
5Georgia @ Kentucky
​The SEC East crown is on the line as the Dawgs travel to the Commonwealth. Kentucky is demanding and earning respect this year. Do they have it yet from Georgia? People may look at the Mizzou game last week and question if they are potent enough offensively to last. I didn’t see a weak offense last week. What I saw was a team with their back against the wall who found a way to win regardless of the circumstances. They also held Mizzou’s offense, who has had no problems scoring, (including 30 points on the Dawgs) to a mere 14 points. They have only allowed more than 14 points twice this season. That kind of defense always seems to mean something in big games. I never thought I’d see the day, but it may just be here. Go Cats!

Curator's Picks
GEORGIA @ KENTUCKY
MIZZOU @ FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME @ NORTHWESTERN
WEST VIRGINIA @ TEXAS
TAMU @ AUBURN
CAL @ WASH ST.
STANFORD @ WASHINGTON
IOWA @ PURDUE
PENN STATE @ MICHIGAN
ALABAMA @ LSU

Coach's Picks
​GEORGIA @ KENTUCKY
MIZZOU @ FLORIDA
NOTRE DAME @ NW
WEST VIRGINIA @ TEXAS
TAMU @ AUBURN
CAL @ WASH ST.
STANFORD @ WASHINGTON
IOWA @ PURDUE
PENN STATE @ MICHIGAN
ALABAMA @ LSU