Week 11 College Football Predictions: Iowa and Texas Tech Defend Home Turf

Week 11 of the college football season has been a wild ride. There’s drama, upsets, and a storm of predictions that have fans buzzing.

From coaching shakeups to unexpected stars, this week’s games could really shift the season for a lot of teams. If you want every prediction in detail, check out the original article.

Coaching Changes and Their Impact

Another week, another coach out the door. The Power 4 conferences—SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12—now have nine job openings.

It’s a sign of just how intense the pressure is at these schools. Only LSU has snagged a national title since the College Football Playoff launched in 2014.

Florida State and Clemson Struggles

Florida State and Clemson haven’t looked the same since the ACC changed its revenue distribution. Between them, they’ve posted a rough 3-8 record in league play.

Their upcoming game doesn’t have the same spark as it used to. Still, expect fireworks on offense since both teams have shaky defenses.

Clemson’s Cade Klubnik could go off for over 400 passing yards. That’s a bold prediction, but it’s not out of the question.

Key Matchups and Predictions

San Diego State vs. Hawaii

San Diego State’s defense, under first-year coordinator Rob Aurich, is one of the best in the Mountain West. Running back Lucky Sutton is their workhorse, averaging 102.5 yards per game.

Sutton’s expected to have a monster game—think 190 rushing yards and two touchdowns. The Aztecs are favored by seven, but it might end up being a tight four-point win over Hawaii.

Penn State vs. Indiana

Penn State can’t seem to find a go-to receiver. Only Devonte Ross has crossed the 100-yard mark this year.

Indiana, on the other hand, has several explosive performances and brings a lively offense to State College. Omar Cooper should be the difference-maker, pushing Indiana to a 14-point win.

Memphis vs. Tulane

Memphis and Tulane are set for a huge Group of 5 clash, and playoff hopes are on the line. Memphis QB Brendon Lewis is banged up, which could be a problem.

Tulane’s pass defense and red zone play haven’t been great. Greg Desrosiers Jr. is expected to step up for Memphis, and it looks like they’ll squeak by with a three-point win.

Other Notable Predictions

Texas Tech vs. BYU

ESPN’s “College GameDay” is back in Lubbock for the first time since 2008. Texas Tech is tough at home and should snap BYU’s streak with a 13-point win.

The Red Raiders’ run defense will be key—they’ll probably hold BYU under 100 yards on the ground.

Alabama vs. LSU

Alabama’s nearly unbeatable as a home favorite, sitting at 23-1 since 2022. LSU’s coaching change isn’t likely to help them take advantage of Alabama’s rare weaknesses.

Quarterback Ty Simpson should steer Alabama to a two-touchdown victory. Not much suspense here, honestly.

Upsets and Surprises

Oregon vs. Iowa

Oregon’s got a tough road test against Iowa, who plays well as an underdog at home. Dante Moore has the Big Ten’s best away-game passer rating, but Iowa’s defense could flip the script.

Expect a crucial turnover by Iowa’s defense, which might just swing the game for a three-point upset.

Virginia vs. Wake Forest

Virginia loves winning tight games. Wake Forest is reeling after a big loss.

The Cavaliers’ knack for forcing turnovers should help them cover the spread and inch closer to a conference championship shot.

Conclusion

Week 11’s shaping up to be a wild ride in the college football season. There are some huge matchups on the horizon, and honestly, a few upsets wouldn’t surprise anyone at this point.

Coaching changes are stirring things up, and a couple of players are just on fire lately. It’s not easy to predict how it’ll all shake out, but these games could really mess with the playoff picture.

If you’re curious about the details or want to dig deeper, you can check out the original article.