It’s been a wild and crazy ride this season. And with it all coming to a close, so do the predictions.
Unless the unthinkable — a winless week — happens, I’ll finish the season above .500 playing against Vegas. This possibility is much better than I ever envisioned things going at the beginning of the season.
There was no doubt in my mind that I would tank miserably and despise myself by Week 4 for making this a staple of my columns. But I’ve fared the season relatively unscathed, with the exception of a few ugly weeks.
Now it is finally time to close out the predictions for the season. And there are a few head-scratchers of matchups to pick, due in large part to the lack of games on Saturday’s slate. But I’m going to give it the old college try one final time.
Cincinnati -9 over Connecticut
A win by the Bearcats, and they’re headed to a Bowl Championship Series bowl as the Big East champion.
Shocking as that may be, it will be motivation enough to get Cincinnati over the hump.
Syracuse +10.5 over Pittsburgh
This will more than likely be another dud of a Big East game, but it has bowl implications for both teams.
Both squads enter the game 5-6 and are clawing to go bowling. Pittsburgh will probably win the game outright, but it will be an ugly tooth-and-nail battle to the end.
Houston -13 over Southern Mississippi
Cougars’ senior quarterback Case Keenum is looking to finish off an undefeated season in style in the Conference USA championship game.
Southern Miss has shown a proficiency for putting up points this season, but its firepower does not quite match up with its opponent on the other sideline.
Houston will be able to pull away in the second half and should easily cover.
Kansas State -10.5 over Iowa State
Kansas State coach Bill Snyder has done an incredible job putting the Wildcats back on the map after the debacle that was the Ron Prince era.
Now the Wildcats are looking to get to 10 wins to close out the regular season.
Iowa State derailed Oklahoma State’s bid at perfection and stayed close with a sluggish Oklahoma, but this weekend won’t be another heroic performance by the Cyclones.
Baylor -2.5 over Texas
Texas pulled out a late comeback last weekend against Texas A&M, but not many teams blow leads like the Aggies.
Baylor won’t choke away the points the Longhorns spot them.
Oklahoma State -3.5 over Oklahoma
The Cowboys are playing to impress voters and, apparently, their coach, Mike Gundy, who said earlier this week he wouldn’t vote his team No. 2 in the standings.
Senior quarterback Brandon Weeden will have his offense clicking on all cylinders.
Oregon -32 over UCLA
A team playing in a conference championship game that has already fired its head coach, UCLA doesn’t stand a chance. It was beat 50-0 by USC last week. It might be even worse this weekend.
Clemson +7 over Virginia Tech
Clemson handed Virginia Tech its only loss of the season.
Ironically, it’s the only big game the Hokies have played in this year. Clemson has been reeling as of late, but a conference title and BCS bowl bid can rid the Tigers of the bad taste that is sitting in their mouths after yet another late-season collapse.
Wisconsin -9.5 over Michigan State
The Badgers lost to Michigan State on the road in a last-second Hail Mary pass.
That and another Hail Mary against Ohio State are the only two things keeping Wisconsin out of the national title hunt. Revenge will be fresh on the Badgers’ minds, and they’ll get it easily.
LSU -14 over Georgia
It seems every week is the same story.
“This is the week someone creeps up from behind on LSU and takes it down.” So far, it hasn’t happened.
Saturday afternoon in Atlanta will be no different.
Last Week: 5-5
Overall record: 69-60-1
Rob Landry is a 23-year-old mass communication senior from Mandeville. Follow him on Twitter @RobLandry85.