Games to watch: Irish, Miami, Ohio State, Oregon hit the road,
What to watch in Week 11 of the college football season. Game times and networks subject to change:
No. 9 Miami at Virginia Tech
Saturday, Noon ET, ESPN2 Danny Sheridan’s line: Virginia Tech by 2 1⁄
2
The Hurricanes (6-1, 5-1 Atlantic Coast) have a shot at reaching the conference championship game but will need help in the form of a second loss by Clemson. That means they must avoid a second loss of their own, and the Hokies (4-3, 4-2), though reeling, still have enough talent to provide one.
As expected, QB D’Eriq King has proved to be a good fit in the Hurricanes’ new-look offense, accounting for nearly 320 yards of total offense per game. The Hokies have struggled to find consistency on defense thanks to COVID protocols and other personnel issues. They’ll need major production from QB Hendon Hooker, especially if RB Khalil Herbert is unavailable after being injured on a kickoff return in the Liberty loss.
Prediction: Miami needed a late rally to get by North Carolina State last week. It’ll take charge earlier. Miami, 38-20
No. 2 Notre Dame at Boston College
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC Danny Sheridan’s line: Notre Dame by 13 1⁄
2
Once upon a time, Notre Dame won a huge football game against the No. 1 team in the country with a trip to Boston College up next. The year was 1993, the first opponent was Florida State, and the Eagles dealt a stunning upset to the Irish just a week later. Will history repeat itself following Notre Dame’s win over Clemson?
The Irish (7-0, 6-0 ACC) must
recharge their batteries quickly after working double overtime to get past the Tigers, but QB Ian Book’s improved ball distribution over the last three weeks is a good sign. The Eagles (5-3, 4-3), whose own near upset of Clemson was followed by a sluggish but successful date with Syracuse, have been inconsistent in the ground game and must get big numbers from QB Phil Jurkovec, who began his career at Notre Dame.
Prediction: There’s sure to be a bit of a hangover effect for the Irish, but their defense should keep them from falling behind. The points will come in the second half to prevent another shocker.
Notre Dame, 31-13
No. 3 Ohio State at Maryland
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, Big
Ten Network Danny Sheridan’s line:
Ohio State by 25
With Penn State in the rearview mirror and Michigan crumbling before our eyes, the Buckeyes’ most significant obstacle in the Big Ten East would appear to be No. 10 Indiana. But first up is a resurgent Terrapins’ squad with a budding star in the making.
Ohio State QB Justin Fields has been ultra-efficient through three games with as many touchdown passes (11) as incompletions. Maryland (2-1, 2-1 Big Ten) will counter with QB Taulia Tagovailoa, who shook off a miserable opening start against Northwestern and has accounted for eight TDs, including two by land, in his last two outings.
Prediction: Unfortunately for the Terrapins, the Buckeyes’ defense will represent a significant upgrade. Maryland will make some plays, but OSU (3-0, 3-0) will make a lot more.
Ohio State, 49-24
No. 12 Oregon at Washington State
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, Fox Danny Sheridan’s line:
Oregon by 81⁄
2
The abbreviated Pac-12 schedule is already off to a rocky start with two opening-week cancellations due to COVID-19 concerns. But the two North Division teams that did manage to play and win will square off for the lead.
The Ducks (1-0, 1-0) are still the conference favorites, but the Cougars (1-0, 1-0) showed some punch in their first outing. Though the Ducks are usually known for flying high, it was the ground game that impressed the most against Stanford. QB Tyler Shough was a big part of that along with RBs C.J. Verdell and Travis Dye. WSU got a solid debut in the win against Oregon State from freshman QB Jayden de Laura, with plenty of help from WR Travell Harris.
Prediction: The Ducks’ defense should be tested a bit more this week with the Cougars posing more deep threats. But Oregon should come up with enough points to get the win.
Oregon, 35-27
Arkansas at No. 5 Florida
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN Danny Sheridan’s line:
Floriday by 17 1⁄
2
The Gators (4-1, 4-1) control their own destiny in the SEC East after last week’s huge victory against archrival Georgia. The Razorbacks (3-3, 3-3), however, are not the easy out they were a year ago and could prove troublesome.
Arkansas’ vastly improved defense has been a big part of its 2020 turnaround, but the Gators will be hard to subdue. QB Kyle Trask has thrown for at least four TDs in each of his first five games this season, including the one in which Florida was outscored by Texas A&M. Razorbacks QB Feleipe Franks will be eager to make an impression on his former Florida teammates but must avoid getting too amped up. One wild card: Hogs head coach Sam Pittman tested positive for COVID-19 on Nov. 9. Too early to tell what that will mean for Saturday.
Prediction: The future in Arkansas looks a lot brighter than it did at this time a year ago, but the Gators still have too much firepower.
Florida, 42-17