This week’s college football landscape is shaping up to be a thrilling spectacle. Pivotal matchups could shake up the College Football Playoff race in a big way.
As we head into Week 11, the Big 12 and American conferences are in the spotlight. Crucial games here will decide the fate of several top-25 teams.
From the much-anticipated BYU vs. Texas Tech showdown to Georgia’s tricky road test at Mississippi State, there’s a lot to unpack. Athlon Sports’ expert writers—Steven Lassan, Thomas Neumann, and Kyle Wood—have weighed in with their insights and against-the-spread (ATS) picks for these high-stakes contests.
Let’s dig into the key games and bets for what’s shaping up to be a wild week in college football.
Top Matchups to Watch
Week 11 is loaded with marquee games that could seriously impact conference championships and playoff hopes. Here’s a quick look at some of the most critical showdowns:
BYU vs. Texas Tech
The game of the week? That’s easily No. 8 BYU vs. No. 9 Texas Tech in Lubbock. ESPN’s College GameDay will be there to soak up the atmosphere for this top-10 clash.
The Cougars, still unbeaten, are up against a tough Red Raiders squad hungry to make a statement in the Big 12. With a clear path to the conference championship on the line, this one’s a must-watch.
Tulane vs. Memphis
Over in the American conference, Tulane heads to No. 22 Memphis. The Green Wave are coming off a shaky performance and really need a win to keep their title hopes alive.
Memphis, the highest-ranked Group of 5 team, won’t make it easy. Coach Jon Sumrall’s crew has to regroup and pull off something big on the road.
Navy vs. Notre Dame
Navy has a golden shot to upset No. 10 Notre Dame. The Midshipmen just took their first loss and can’t afford another stumble.
The Fighting Irish are also in a must-win spot if they want to stay in the playoff conversation. This one’s got all the ingredients for a gritty, high-stakes battle.
Expert Against-the-Spread Picks
Athlon Sports’ writers have dropped their ATS picks for every top-25 game this week. Here are a few that stand out:
Steven Lassan’s Best Bet
No. 3 Texas A&M at Missouri – Texas A&M -6.5
Steven Lassan is backing Texas A&M to cover the 6.5-point spread at Missouri. He likes the Aggies’ SEC experience and their tough front, even with Missouri’s defense and the rise of Ahmad Hardy at running back.
Lassan points out that Texas A&M has won four of their five SEC games by at least six points. That’s a pretty strong trend in their favor.
Thomas Neumann’s Best Bet
No. 3 Texas A&M at No. 19 Missouri — Texas A&M -6.5
Thomas Neumann is on the same page as Lassan. He notes that the Aggies are undefeated and Missouri just lost its starting quarterback to injury.
Neumann suggests bettors move fast, since the spread is climbing at some sportsbooks.
Kyle Wood’s Best Bet
No. 2 Indiana at Penn State — Indiana -14.5
Kyle Wood is all in on Indiana to cover the 14.5-point spread at Penn State. He’s impressed by the Hoosiers’ recent run—they’ve won their last three Big Ten games by more than 25 points each.
Indiana leads the country in scoring, and Penn State’s been struggling against power conference opponents. Wood thinks this is a pretty safe bet.
Other Notable Games and Picks
Athlon Sports’ writers have also made their picks for a handful of other top-25 games:
- Northwestern @ No. 20 USC -14.5: Steven Lassan and Thomas Neumann are taking Northwestern, while Kyle Wood is siding with USC.
- No. 2 Indiana -14.5 @ Penn State: All three writers are backing Indiana to cover.
- No. 5 Georgia -7.5 @ Mississippi State: Lassan likes Mississippi State, but Neumann and Wood are going with Georgia.
- No. 1 Ohio State -29.5 @ Purdue: Lassan and Wood pick Ohio State, while Neumann is rolling with Purdue.
- No. 6 Oregon -5.5 @ Iowa: Lassan and Neumann are on Iowa, Wood prefers Oregon.
Conclusion
Week 11 of the college football season looks like it’s going to be a wild one. There are some high-stakes matchups lined up that could shake up the playoff race in a big way.
Think about that top-10 clash between BYU and Texas Tech—hard not to get excited. Then you’ve got Texas A&M heading out to face Missouri, and honestly, that’s a road game that could go sideways for either team.
If you’re hunting for expert picks or just want a bit of an edge before making any bets, Athlon Sports’ predictions might be worth a look. They lay it out in a way that’s easy to digest, even if you’re not a seasoned bettor.
Curious for more? You can dig into all the top-25 games and see the expert ATS picks in the full article over at Athlon Sports.
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