2014 College Football Picks: Week 10 Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 11/1/14

2014 College Football Picks: Week 10 Odds and Predictions – Free College Football Picks 11/1/14: Week 10 if the college football season brings some marquee matchups with it, highlighted by a showdown of SEC West teams ranked in the top five. A key Big 12 matchup is also on tap, along with a pair of games that will help make the muddled Pacc-12 picture a little clearer. Overall, there are four games on the schedule between top-25 teams, and here is a closer look at each of this weekend’s big games.

No. 3 Auburn Tigers at No. 4 Ole Miss Rebels

This is without a doubt the game of the week, and it will not only have major implications in the SEC West but the college football playoff picture, as well. Both sides have one loss, and neither can afford another one if they hope to keep pace in the toughest division in the country. The game will match the Rebels’ top-ranked scoring defense against an Auburn offense that ranks in the top 10 nationally in rushing and in the top 15 in scoring. Of course, Ole Miss found out last week that a stellar defensive effort may not be enough to win games in the SEC. The Rebels allowed just 10 points in their loss to LSU, and Saturday’s game could once again come down to whether or not Ole Miss can put points on the board. Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace has been solid this season, but Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall is without question the more dynamic player thanks to his ability to make plays with his legs. I expect this game to go down to the wire, but in the end, I like Marshall to make a few more plays than Wallace in an otherwise low-scoring game.

Prediction: Auburn Tigers (+2.5) Cover the Spread

No. 7 TCU Horned Frogs at No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers

Two of the more surprising teams in the country will battle in this one with the winner remaining in the thick of the Big 12 title fight. This game has high-scoring shootout written all over it as both sides have been explosive on offense and porous on defense all season. Both sides feature top-10 passing attacks, and TCU is actually leading the country in points per game with quarterback Trevone Boykin emerging as a Heisman contender. Of course, scoring points hasn’t been the problem for either side, and the Horned Frogs would be undefeated had Baylor’s high-powered passing attack not shredded them in a 61-58 loss a couple of weeks ago. West Virginia brings a similar passing attack to the table with receivers Kevin White and Mario Alford forming one of the best duos in the nation. Plus, the Mountaineers have actually been able to slow down opposing quarterbacks in recent weeks, and they held the same Bears team that lit up TCU’s defense to just 27 points in an upset win. A back-and-forth game seems likely, but West Virginia should be able to take advantage of the home crowd and the Horned Frogs’ defense to take this game to the wire.

Prediction: No. 20 West Virginia Mountaineers (+5.5) Cover the Spread

No. 12 Arizona Wildcats at No. 22 UCLA Bruins

Arizona is one of several teams tied atop the Pac-12 South Division, and while the Wildcats are one of the bigger surprises in the conference, the Bruins haven’t looked like the team many picked to win the South Division at the start of the year. In addition to losses to Oregon and Utah, the Bruins squeaked by a mediocre California team by two points and needed double overtime to defeat a bad Colorado team. Meanwhile, the Wildcats seem to be getting stronger. Freshman quarterback Anu Solomon continues to improve, and the running back tandem of Nick Wilson and Terris Jones-Grigsby is healthy for the first time. Yes, UCLA still has a great quarterback to rely on in Brett Hundley, but the Bruins just haven’t looked that good as a team all season. Take the points and the upstart Wildcats.

Prediction: Arizona Wildcats (+6.5) Cover the Spread

No. 17 Utah Utes at No. 14 Arizona State Sun Devils

The winner of this game will at least remain tied atop the Pac-12 South Division, and while the Sun Devils roll into the matchup with a high-powered passing attack, the Utes prefer to pound the ball on the ground to support their stout defense. Arizona State received a big boost last week when starting quarterback Taylor Kelly returned, but even at full strength, the Sun Devils’ offense is unlikely to have a big day. After all, the Utes have already defeated UCLA, Oregon State and USC and held each to 28 points or less. Meanwhile, Arizona State has allowed several big performances by opposing running backs, which is great news for Utah workhorse Devontae Booker. Look for Utah to ride Booker and its defense to keep this game close and possibly spring the upset.

Prediction: Utah Utes (+6) Cover the Spread