Big 12 banger

Trinidad Chambliss should get as much attention as Arch Manning does. Chambliss is the one top QB in the country who actually plays up to the level of his competition when it gets tougher. Meanwhile, Arch has performed like an average FBS starter all season, and Texas is without its best player on defense.

Any time I see Colorado State I'm firing on the over these days. The defense has been truly abysmal and isn't likely to turn a corner soon. San Diego State's hasn't been much better.

Tennessee had an incredible win last week and has an outstanding defense, but I'm questioning if the Vols will avoid a letdown here. George MacIntyre hasn't been great at QB, and South Carolina is a difficult environment to play in.

BYU is coming off one of the biggest wins in program history, and now travels across the country to face a UCF team coming off a bye. The weather will complicate things too. The forecast currently calls for 30mph wind gusts and a chance of rain.

Both teams are down to their backup QBs, and while Oregon has struggled all year, their defense finally seems to be living up to its potential. Illinois' defense has been awful, but should be improved following a bye week that gave them time to adjust a bit.

It's a combination of styles as well as weather. FAU wants to throw, and it'll try, but the expected windy and possibly wet conditions will make it more difficult. Rice will just try to run it. It could be a sloppy affair in Boca.

I have more faith in the defenses in this game than I do the offenses. LSU hasn't won on the road since 2024 and has struggled outside Baton Rouge this season. Auburn must avoid a major letdown after last week's win over Georgia, but being at home will help.

The FIU defense is the best unit between these two and it's been exceptional at home, allowing only 0.79 points per possession in three games. Meanwhile, MTSU hasn't won a game on the road this season.

As long as it's under three I like Delaware at home. The Hens have lost three straight but Missouri State hasn't lit the world on fire, either, and has been far worse on the road.

You might notice a theme in my picks this weekend! More weather! Fall is hitting the Atlantic seaboard, and it's bringing wind with it. We've got 15mph winds for this game with gusts between 25 and 30mph. There's also a slight chance of rain. These conditions typically suppress scoring.

My primary concern is whether either defense still cares enough to try, but if they do, the weather will help. The forecast calls for 15mph winds throughout, with gusts approaching 30mph. That'll impact the passing and kicking games for both teams.

I don't have much faith in either offense, and temps in the high 40s with 25mph wind gusts won't help either side here. It's going to be cold and miserable for all but those who have the under.

These are two very good teams, but so far this season, Ohio State's pass rush has been nonexistent, and the pressure they applied in last year's B1G Championship stopped the Indiana offense. Indiana's pass rush is still strong, and getting to Julian Sayin is the only way to stop Jeremiah Smith and slow the Buckeyes' offense.

First, be aware of the weather. The forecast calls for winds of 15mph with gusts between 25 and 30, which always affects scoring. Second, Purdue's defense has been the key to its modest two-game win streak. Finally, a Washington offense that's struggled all year is on the road in a short week and will likely rely on its backup QB.