Estimated read time: 7-8 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — It's week 11 of college football, and that means it is time for another weekly Pick'em preview where we highlight the five games to help you make your picks.
This week it's the in-state rivalry game, which is worth 100 points, so get your picks in.
No. 3 Georgia at No. 16 Ole Miss
Saturday, Nov. 9 (1:30 p.m. MST, ABC)
The Bulldogs will travel to former Corner Canyon High alum Jaxon Dart's palace in Oxford to take on No. 16 Ole Miss for an upper hand in the SEC standings.
Why Georgia will win:
Outside of a loss at Alabama, which consisted of being down 30-7 early on, the Bulldogs have won every game by 10 points or more, including a win at No. 1 Texas. Mainly, the Bulldogs defense has been its bread and butter by holding opponents to 20 points or less in six games this season.
Georgia is 2-1 against ranked opponents this season and has road win against Kentucky. If the defense is on, the Bulldogs are in a prime position to win any game.
Why Ole Miss will win:
The Rebels' high-powered offense is enough to keep them in any game. With two losses this season by a combined 6 points, the Rebels have beaten every team by 12 points or more, with five of them coming by 30 or more points.
Dart has been sensational this year and is playing like a potential Heisman candidate. The senior set an Ole Miss record by passing for over 500 yards and six touchdowns in the win over Arkansas.
Between Dart and a plethora of weapons at his disposal, the Rebels will throw the ball often and for a lot of yards.
Line: UGA -2.5
Over/Under: 54.5
No. 17 Iowa State at Kansas
Saturday, Nov. 9 (1:30 p.m. MST, FS1)
Iowa State suffered its first loss of the season by falling to Texas Tech at home last week, but the Cyclones still have plenty to play for as the second-best team in the Big 12 standings.
Why Iowa State will win:
Apart from the blunder last week, Iowa State just keeps winning. The Cyclones defense has been a focal point this season, allowing just 7 points or less to three opponents. While Iowa State doesn't run often, Carson Hansen has done well when his name is called, rushing for 444 yards on 81 carries. He's touched the end zone seven times, which has given Rocco Becht a break from throwing the ball.
Becht has thrown the ball 243 times on a 60% clip, which is 77th in the country. But Kansas' defense has struggled defensively this season, giving up 373 yards of total offense. Becht and the Cyclone offense should be able to take care of the Jayhawks.
Why Kansas will win:
Kansas may be the best 2-6 team of all time. The Jayhawks have lost all five of their six games by a combined 19 points and have put up 27 or more points in four of their losses. The offense is no joke, as they put up 42 points on Houston, which is the most the Cougars have given up all season.
Jalon Daniels is also a very good dual-threat quarterback. While his numbers don't show it, Daniels has been very effective in the run game, rushing for 322 yards without sack yardage and has thrown for 1,521 yards. The Jayhawks also have a great running back in Devin Neal, who has 758 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.
Line: ISU -3
Over/Under: 49.5
No. 11 Alabama at No. 15 LSU
Saturday, Nov. 9 (5:30 p.m. MST, ABC)
The Tide and Tigers meet up in Baton Rouge, where LSU won in overtime the last time the two met in Louisiana, setting up another great game for one of the best rivalries in sports.
Why Alabama will win:
The Crimson Tide have flat-out dominated opponents this season, shutting out two opponents — including No. 24 Missouri — while picking up solid wins over South Carolina and Wisconsin. Ryan Williams, the 17-year-old phenom, is a future star at Alabama while racking up 702 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Tide also has a great rushing attack with three rushers with 350 yards or more on the season — 28 of the team's 41 touchdowns have come via the ground game. LSU got torched against Texas A&M by giving up 242 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns last week, setting up the perfect scheme for Alabama.
Why LSU will win:
While LSU still suffers from defensive problems, the Tigers still have an elite offense. Garrett Nussmeier is seventh nationally in passing yards with 2,627 and 20 touchdowns. Kyren Lacy looks like the next Malik Nabers with 618 receiving yards and six touchdowns.
Alabama has not seen an offense as good as LSU's yet, despite beating Georgia earlier this year. The Tigers have just one conference loss, so they are still in contention for the SEC title game this season.
Line: ALA -2.5
Over/Under: 58.5
Utah State at No. 21 Washington State
Saturday, Nov. 9 (8:30 p.m. MST, The CW)
Utah State stunned the Cougars in 2021 to win the Mountain West Championship; and the Pac-12-bound Aggies will face future conference foe in a nonconference matchup.
Why Utah State will win:
Despite losing Jalen Royals for the season, the Aggies still have a good offense. Utah State dropped 30 or more points during their losing streak at the start of the conference season. Rahsul Faison is a great running back, with nearly 800 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on the year, and the passing attack is just as aggressive with 2,407 team passing yards.
While the defense has struggled, Washington State has put themselves in too many shootouts this year, and the Aggies offense can keep up.
Why Washington State will win:
As mentioned, Utah State struggles on defense. Utah State has given up 38 or more points six times this season. Why does that matter? Utah State lost all six games.
Washington State has scored 70 points and 54 points in games; and quarterback John Mateer has thrown for 2,153 yards and 18 touchdowns, proving the Cougars offense can put up points. The dual-threat QB has also rushed for 575 yards and 10 touchdowns and will give the Aggies all sorts of fits.
Line: WSU -20.5
Over/Under: 69.5
No. 9 BYU at Utah
Saturday, Nov. 9 (8:15 p.m. MST, ESPN)
Ah, yes, No. 9 BYU against a 4-4 Utah team, just as we all expected. What we didn't expect was BYU being ranked and Utah with a .500 record. The rivalry game is back for the first time since 2021 when BYU won 26-17.
Why BYU will win:
The Cougars are playing great football as of late and are 8-0 with two ranked wins. In conference play, BYU has scored 34 points or more in every game and has reached the 40-point mark against Arizona, whom Utah lost to earlier this year.
LJ Martin is finding his stride, eclipsing over 100 yards in his last two games. Jake Retzlaff is shocking everyone, including BYU fans, by throwing for 1,872 yards and 18 touchdowns. He has also been effective in the run game, rushing for 363 yards before sack yardage and three touchdowns.
BYU's defense has also been solid. Outside of a struggle against Oklahoma State — which Utah handled with relative ease — BYU has held opposing offenses silent.
Why Utah will win:
Rice-Eccles Stadium will be rocking. Utah has a chance to play spoiler to BYU's perfect season, and what better time to do it than when they are struggling themselves? It is undetermined who will start for Utah at quarterback, but signs point to Brandon Rose getting the nod.
Rose is a wildcard option since there isn't much tape on him, which means BYU won't have much to go on in preparation. BYU didn't have much footage on Garrett Rangel of Oklahoma State and he made life difficult for the Cougars.
Running back Micah Bernard is also one of the best players on the field, and has been one of the biggest producers for Utah this season on offense.
Utah also has an top-level defense, which ranks 15th in total defense and keeps the in games. Utah is just one of a few teams to give up less than 27 points in every game this season.
It will be the toughest road environment the Cougars have faced this season, and Utah will be looking to avenge their 2021 loss by spoiling the Cougars run.
Line: BYU -3
Over/Under: 40.5
