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LSU vs. Alabama. Clemson vs. FSU. TCU vs. Oklahoma State. Hey, nobody said reaching the College Football Playoff was easy . . .
Each Thursday, Stewart Mandel, Bruce Feldman, Joel Klatt and Jim Ross will make the calls on who'll win the weekend's most intriguing matchups.
And there's no shortage of those in Week 10, as Heisman favorite Leonard Fournette and the Tigers visit Tuscaloosa, Clemson looks to back up its newly acquired top ranking from the playoff committee, and two undefeated Big 12 title contenders face off in Stillwater.
In addition to our straight-up picks, Mandel and Feldman will dive a little deeper into the games with their picks against the spread.
And if you're looking for more games, you can find predictions for every Division I FBS game for the coming week here, courtesy of WhatIfSports.
Without further ado, here are this week's picks:
PICKS AGAINST THE SPREAD
BAYLOR (-17.5) at KANSAS STATE (7:30 p.m. ET Thursday, FS1)
Mandel: Baylor’s offense sputters for the first time this season with freshman QB Jarrett Stidham starting on the road, but K-State’s anemic offense can’t take advantage. Baylor 27, Kansas State 14
Feldman: Jarrett Stidham is plenty talented enough to run this attack, especially against a Wildcats team that doesn’t have enough firepower to keep up. The Wildcats are on a four-game losing streak and have managed just nine points in the past eight quarters. Baylor 55, Kansas State 20
The result: Baylor 31, Kansas State 24
DUKE (+8) at NORTH CAROLINA
Mandel: The Tar Heels are playing well, while the Blue Devils will have a hard time recovering from last week’s painful, controversial loss to Miami. North Carolina 34, Duke 19
Feldman: It’s not going to be easy to get refocused for the Blue Devils after last week’s chaotic finish against Miami. UNC has won seven in a row, and Gene Chizik’s D has held the Tar Heels' past three opponents to 19 points or fewer. North Carolina 27, Duke 17
PENN STATE (+2.5) at NORTHWESTERN
Mandel: Penn State’s offense is improving, and QB Christian Hackenberg should find some success, while the Nittany Lions D mostly shuts down the Wildcats. Penn State 26, Northwestern 17
Feldman: James Franklin’s offense, especially talented QB Christian Hackenberg, is starting to hit a stride, while Northwestern has allowed 36 ppg in its past three. Penn State 24, Northwestern 14
UTAH (+1.5) at WASHINGTON (7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX)
Mandel: Washington QB Jake Browning is improving but could take a step back against Utah’s turnover-producing D. The Utes, as they’re prone to, win an ugly one. Utah 14, Washington 10
Feldman: Two very good, physical defenses. I’ll go with the more experienced team in a tight battle. Utah 13, Washington 9
FLORIDA STATE (+12) at CLEMSON
Mandel: FSU at full strength could pull the upset, but the ’Noles are dealing with a litany of injuries. Clemson RB Wayne Gallman takes advantage of some holes on D. Clemson 34, Florida State 20
Feldman: As well as the Tigers are playing, I think FSU has enough great athletes, especially on D, to pull a big upset. Florida State 28, Clemson 27
TCU (-5) at OKLAHOMA STATE (3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, FOX)
Mandel: Oklahoma State could pressure Trevone Boykin into his first average game, but the Cowboys lack a running game, and TCU’s defense can make them pay. TCU 42, Oklahoma State 30
Feldman: The Horned Frogs have a bunch of experience on the O-line to slow down a terrific front four for OSU, and Trevone Boykin will find a way to rally TCU late on the road. TCU 38, Oklahoma State 35
NAVY (+7.5) at MEMPHIS
Mandel: QB Keenan Reynolds and the Midshipmen are going to give Memphis’ 82nd-ranked defense fits, but not enough to counter-balance Tigers star Paxton Lynch. Memphis 38, Navy 34
Feldman: Navy doesn’t have enough of a pass rush (11 sacks in seven games) to rattle Paxton Lynch and derail the Tigers. Memphis 28, Navy 17
LSU (+6.5) at ALABAMA
Mandel: If anyone can slow down LSU RB Fournette it’s Alabama’s terrifying front seven. He’ll get his yards but not enough help from QB Brandon Harris. Alabama 20, LSU 17
Feldman: Two great running backs. I’ll go with the bigger, deeper defense in a four-quarter slugfest. Alabama 20, LSU 17
CAL (+5.5) at OREGON
Mandel: Oregon QB Vernon Adams is a game-changer. Between him and RB Royce Freeman the Ducks should have a big day against Cal’s overmatched D. Oregon 41, Cal 27
Feldman: Two of the Pac-12’s worst defenses. I’ll go with the home team, which is the much hotter squad. The Bears come in on a three-game losing skid. Oregon 45, Cal 35
NOTRE DAME (-8.5) at PITT
Mandel: It’s a potentially tricky game for the Irish, but QB DeShone Kizer has been clutch so far on the road, and Pitt won’t be able to get much going on offense. Notre Dame 27, Pittsburgh 20
Feldman: I could see Pat Narduzzi’s aggressive D giving DeShone Kizer some troubles, but ultimately I don’t think Pitt has enough on offense to knock off the Irish. Notre Dame 23, Pittsburgh 20
UPSET SPECIALS:
TEMPLE (-14) at SMU
Mandel: A 1-7 team over a 7-1 team? Temple has a letdown after last week’s hugely hyped Notre Dame game and Mustangs QB Matt Davis takes advantage. SMU 27, Temple 24
The result: Temple 60, SMU 40
FLORIDA STATE (+12) at CLEMSON
Feldman: See reasoning above. Florida State 28, Clemson 27
SEASON RESULTS AFTER WEEK 9:
Mandel: 69-35 (including upset picks)
Feldman: 69-36 (including upset picks)
Klatt: 59-26 (minus games he called on FOX or FS1)
Ross: 63-32
PREVIOUS PICKS
Week 9 / Week 8 / Week 7 / Week 6 / Week 5 / Week 4 / Week 3 / Week 2 / Week 1
