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- Jacob Rhee

Each Saturday morning of the college football regular season, I will be predicting the outcome of the six best games of the weekend. Every time I pick the wrong team to win, it costs me $15. At the end of the year, I will use the total pot of money to buy gifts for random Glass Slipper subscribers. That’s right; you literally benefit from my failures. Let’s go.

Game 1: No. 9 Notre Dame vs. No. 22 Pittsburgh

The pick: Notre Dame wins, 37-17.

It’s honesty hour. I have not watched a single second of Pitt football - in real time, at least - this entire season. The Panthers dropped their first two ACC games, then reeled off five straight wins against opponents with a combined record of 16-32. Did I really miss a whole lot?

Pat Narduzzi openly declared that this contest is unimportant to him; Pitt’s only avenue to the playoff is through an ACC title, and a non-conference loss wouldn’t affect those hopes. That big-picture perspective is technically true. It’s also pretty weak for a dude that preaches effort and intensity to blow off the chance to take down a top-10 team.

One thing is for certain. I better not see Narduzzi getting frustrated if his players come out with no energy. You literally told them that this didn’t matter. I fully expect Notre Dame to roll.

Game 2: No. 11 Oklahoma vs. No. 4 Alabama

The pick: Alabama wins, 31-22.

No, thank you. I will humbly decline yet another opportunity to pick against the Tide. It’s eight straight victories for Bama, and a +154 point differential in that span. Scary stuff indeed.

The Sooners are relying on a dominant outing from their pass rushers, but I don’t see that materializing. Bama’s protection group has taken dramatic leaps since Week 1, and that five-man crew will keep the Tide perfect in SEC play.

Game 3: NC State vs. No. 15 Miami (FL)

The pick: Miami (FL) wins, 21-16.

This is going to sound a bit disrespectful. Losing today would be such a Miami thing to do. Before the ‘Canes supporters start rounding on me, allow me to explain my reasoning with past evidence.

• 2004: Started 6-0, finished 9-3

• 2005: Started 8-1, finished 9-3

• 2013: Started 7-0, finished 9-4

• 2017: Started 10-0, finished 10-3

• 2020: Started 8-1, finished 8-3

• 2024: Started 9-0, finished 10-3

Like, this is kind of who Miami has been for most of my life. A special campaign is brewing, then it all spirals down the drain late.

With extreme reluctance, I’ll stick with the Hurricanes here. Just know that my confidence level is unbelievably low.

Game 4: No. 21 Iowa vs. No. 17 USC

The pick: USC wins, 20-14.

If there’s one team in America that can drag Lincoln Riley into an ugly bare-knuckle brawl, it’s these pesky Hawkeyes. They’ve faced three ranked teams, and given up a total of 54 points. Phil Parker is a certified magician.

The Trojans are very much in the playoff hunt; I personally believe that a berth would be the single most impressive accomplishment of Lincoln Riley’s coaching career. As long as USC doesn’t get caught thinking about its trip to Eugene next week, this feels like a hard-fought home victory.

Game 5: No. 10 Texas vs. No. 5 Georgia

The pick: Georgia wins, 34-27.

How could you not adore college football? Two blue-bloods, under the lights in Athens. This is a really special matchup, and I hope people soak it in.

Here we go, folks. Arch Manning is back under the microscope, and it’s the school he spurned on commitment day that is taking aim at him now. The guy has not faced a ranked opponent on the road since that fateful August afternoon in Columbus. Will he walk into the stadium with real confidence this time around, or lay another egg with the entire nation watching?

Texas is both well-rested and desperate, an incredibly dangerous combination. I think the Dawgs are just a tick better in all three phases, and that home atmosphere is lethal. Georgia survives a massive challenge.

Game 6: TCU vs. No. 12 BYU

The pick: BYU wins, 28-24.

Alright, Kalani Sitake. Your squad got exposed in Lubbock, and the fun little I-dare-people-to-keep-disrespecting-us parade is over. What now?

The Cougars need to come out and handle business tonight. Get the team morale back in a good spot before that massive clash with Cincinnati. I think BYU builds an early lead, and ultimately fends off this competitive Horned Frogs group.

• Week 11 Results: 6-0

• Overall Season Picks Record: 40-26

• Current Prize Pot: $390

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“Just the Girl” by The Click Five. There’s only one decade that this song could be from.