College football predictions: Former Iowa State players pick Week 13 games
By Brian Spaen
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I’m filling in for staff writer Carmon Wilson this week, but he still compiled the list of picks from former Iowa State football players. This week’s Cyclone celebrities are: RJ Sumrall, Nick Leaders, Bill Marsau, Tony Yelk, Euseph Messiah, and Ter’Ran Benton.
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RJ Sumrall
Minnesota @ Nebraska –
Minnesota. Even though they are 2-3 spots lower in the rankings, I’m picking the Gophers.
Boston College @ Florida State –
Florida State. They aren’t going to lose unless it’s in the playoffs.
Ole Miss @ Arkansas –
Ole Miss. I don’t have a great reason for this pick – just a feeling.
Arizona @ Utah –
Arizona. They are the better team.
Wisconsin @ Iowa –
Wisconsin. Iowa just isn’t a good enough team to hang with the Badgers.
Louisville @ Notre Dame –
Louisville. Notre Dame proved me right and aren’t as good as everyone thought in their loss last week.
Syracuse @ Pitt –
Pittsburgh. Neither team is great, but Syracuse seems like the weaker team.
Miami (FL) @ Virginia –
Miami. They are building from their success in the close loss to Florida State last week.
Oklahoma State @ Baylor –
Baylor. As of today, they are the 2nd best team in the conference and will play like it on Saturday.
Missouri @ Tennessee –
Mizzou. I would LOVE it if Tennessee were to upset Missouri, but I just don’t see it happening.
USC @ UCLA –
UCLA. I really like their QB and I want him to have more success against the Trojans.
Nick Leaders
Minnesota @ Nebraska –
It’s a tough road game for the Gophers but they play a similar style to Wisconsin and we saw how they handled Nebraska last week.
Boston College @ Florida State –
Florida State. They have too much talent for Boston College to keep up.
Ole Miss @ Arkansas –
Ole Miss. They are still in the hunt for the final four and Arkansas is prime for a let down this week.
Arizona @ Utah –
Arizona. It’s a pick’em for me every week in the Pac-12 and this is no exception. My gut tells me to take the Wildcats.
Wisconsin @ Iowa –
Wisconsin. Too much Melvin Gordon for the Hawkeyes’ inept offense to keep up.
Louisville @ Notre Dame –
Notre Dame. They have had some struggles down the stretch, but still the better team.
Syracuse @ Pitt –
Pitt. I don’t know much about either team, but historically the Panthers are the better program.
Miami (FL) @ Virginia –
Miami. They are a good talented team and have played in spurts this year. They finally put it all together this week.
Oklahoma State @ Baylor –
Baylor. They still have something to play for and OSU is disappointing once again this season.
Missouri @ Tennessee –
Missouri. Surprisingly, Missouri has been the best SEC East team the past couple of years and they are in the driver’s seat once again this season.
USC @ UCLA –
UCLA had all the hype at the beginning of the year and have fizzled. USC is a couple plays away from being the best team in the country. I’ll take USC.
Bill Marsau
Minnesota @ Nebraska –
The Cornhuskers were stung badly last week and will be ready for when the Gophers arrive.
Boston College @ Florida State –
The Seminoles keep flirting with getting upset, but it won’t happen this week.
Ole Miss @ Arkansas –
The Rebels will find their way back into the win column after some very tough losses.
Arizona @ Utah –
I give the advantage to the home team in this very close game.
Wisconsin @ Iowa –
The Badgers will win this game, but it will be a much closer game than people think it will be.
Louisville @ Notre Dame –
The Fighting Irish. They will play inspired after a letdown against Northwestern. They will pull this one out.
Syracuse @ Pitt –
The Panthers will control the line of scrimmage in this game and will get the win.
Miami (FL) @ Virginia –
The Hurricanes should have beaten the Seminoles last week. They will get that win in this one versus the Cavaliers.
Oklahoma State @ Baylor –
In an effort to try to play themselves back into the playoffs, the Bears will put up big numbers against the Cowboys. Baylor.
Missouri @ Tennessee –
If the Tigers win out, they will get into the SEC championship game. They will still have a chance to do that after this week. Give me Mizzou.
USC @ UCLA –
This will be a great game. I think the advantage goes to the home team in this one. I’ll take UCLA.
Texas Tech @ Iowa State –
I have to hope that after their dismal performance against the Jayhawks, the Cyclones will come back and play inspired ball at home and end the conference losing streak. I think the Red Raiders will hate playing in the cold.
Tony Yelk
Minnesota @ Nebraska –
Minnesota: Both coming off losses, but I like the Gophers to bounce back.
Boston College @ Florida State –
Florida State: Too much talent.
Ole Miss @ Arkansas –
Arkansas: I like their running attack to be the difference.
Arizona @ Utah –
Utah: I like Utah in the upset at home.
Wisconsin @ Iowa –
Wisconsin: Have to go with my home state Badgers.
Louisville @ Notre Dame –
Louisville: Why not? Notre Dame hasn’t shown much lately and Louisville is playing good right now.
Syracuse @ Pitt –
Pitt: Because they’re at home (not necessarily the better team), and that will carry them to a victory.
Miami (FL) @ Virginia –
Miami: Young talented team that will bounce back after a tough loss to FSU.
Oklahoma State @ Baylor –
Baylor: The Bears are still fighting to get into the playoffs.
Missouri @ Tennessee –
Missouri: They’ve been playing well and the ‘Vols have 3 defensive starters suspended this week.
USC @ UCLA –
UCLA: I like my former Atlanta Falcons coach in this one.
Texas Tech @ Iowa State –
I’ll take Texas Tech in this one. Unfortunately…
Euseph Messiah
Minnesota @ Nebraska –
Minnesota: I feel like they’re playing well right now .
Boston College @ Florida State –
Florida State: They can’t be defeated in the 2nd half .
Ole Miss @ Arkansas –
Ole Miss: They’re trying to fight back for respect .
Arizona @ Utah –
Arizona: Should be great game. Flipped a coin .
Wisconsin @ Iowa –
Wisconsin: I hope they keep their momentum going .
Louisville @ Notre Dame –
Notre Dame: I think they’ll play well at home, even with Louisville rushing well .
Syracuse @ Pitt –
Pitt: They’ll win big at home .
Miami (FL) @ Virginia –
Miami: They’re going to take out their frustrations from last week on Virginia.
Oklahoma State @ Baylor –
Baylor: They’ll win big at home as well.
Missouri @ Tennessee –
Mizzou: Shouldn’t be a problem for them.
USC @ UCLA –
UCLA: I think it’ll be close. Another one I’m up in the air with.
Texas Tech @ Iowa State –
Iowa State: We’ll get a win.
Ter’Ran Benton
Minnesota @ Nebraska –
Give me the Cornhuskers here in a bounce back game.
Boston College @ Florida State –
Florida State is too strong and won’t need a 2nd half come back this week.
Ole Miss @ Arkansas –
Ole Miss to stay in contention for the final four spot.
Arizona @ Utah –
Arizona. This one will be a track meet though.
Wisconsin @ Iowa –
The Badgers run to victory.
Louisville @ Notre Dame –
The Fighting Irish have the talent to win this game.
Syracuse @ Pitt –
Pittsburgh is at home and has a good running game.
Miami (FL) @ Virginia –
The Hurricanes bounce back with a victory.
Oklahoma State @ Baylor –
Baylor. Oklahoma State is struggling and Baylor needs to win this game.
Missouri @ Tennessee –
The Tigers are getting it done in the SEC.
USC @ UCLA –
The Trojans defeat their rivals here.
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