College Football Week 10 Bold Predictions

1. Florida State upsets top-ranked Clemson

The Tigers have avoided the letdown so far this year, but how will they fare with the pressure of a number-one ranking?  The Seminoles are still a contender in the ACC, despite their loss to Georgia Tech, and will be playing hard to keep any last remaining shred of playoff hopes alive.  This one goes down to the wire, in a back-and-forth game for the ages, until Florida State finally triumphs in double OT, 41 - 34.  Sorry, Clemson fans, no pizza for you.

2. Alabama holds Fournette under 100 rushing yards

Something's gotta give in this battle between LSU's bruising back, Leonard Fournette, and the stifling run defense of the Crimson Tide.  Alabama has allowed only one player to reach the century mark this year, while Fournette's lowest rushing total is 150 and he's topped 200 yards three times.  But I think Alabama keeps Fournette in check on Saturday and delivers a big blow to the Tigers' playoff hopes with a 24 - 14 win.

3. Ohio State's defense continues dominance on 3rd down, with conversion rate under 30% for Minnesota

The Silver Bullets have owned 3rd down their last three games, allowing only 11 conversions in 41 attempts.  The numbers are skewed a bit by the Penn State game, in which the Nittany Lions were successful on only 1 of 12 third downs (8.3%).  But the defense still looked great on 3rd down against Maryland (5 of 14, or 35.7%)  and Rutgers (5 of 15, or 33.3%).  I think the Buckeyes keep it up, and hold the Gophers to a 3rd down conversion rate below 30%.  They struggle a bit on offense early on, but find their groove in the second quarter, and eventually pull away to win 38 - 14.

4. Hoosiers knock off undefeated Iowa

Indiana is a team that has just been on the cusp of being really good this year.  They came up just shy against Ohio State and Rutgers, and kept it close with Michigan State until the last five minutes.  The Hawkeyes have a solid defense but will have their work cut out for them trying to stop the Hoosiers.  I think Indiana starts fast and Iowa never quite catches up, as they lose their first game of the season, 31 - 28.

5. I get all of these predictions wrong

It's been tough sledding in the bold predictions department this season, but I haven't managed to get them all wrong in a single week... yet.  I think this is the week I finally make the leap and lose all five predictions.  Wait - is that even possible?  I hope I get one of the above picks right, because otherwise I think the universe (or my brain) might implode when I try to determine whether to mark this prediction right or wrong.  Fingers crossed, people!