Fearless predictions: Week 11

West Virginia at No. 23 Cincinnati (-3.5), 12 p.m.
Henry’s pick: West Virginia’s defense has been all but non-existent lately, especially on the road. Rutgers and Syracuse scored 31 and 49 points, respectively, on the Mountaineers defense. Louisville came to Morgantown last week torched West Virginia’s defense for 38 points. A win won’t lock up the division for Cincinnati, because it still has three conference games left, but the Bearcats will be firmly in control if they do. Aside from hosting the game, the Bearcats have a lot going for them. Isaiah Pead (821, 8 TDs) and Zach Collaros (1784 yds passing, 14 TDs; 245 rushing, 8 TDs) are a solid RB-QB combo, so moving the ball against West Virginia shouldn’t be an issue. Cincinnati 36, West Virginia 31.
Rose’s pick: Cincinnati is alone in first place in the Big East with a 7-1 record overall and 3-0 conference record. West Virginia limps in after losing at home to Louisville. Cincinnati can really take control of the Big East title race with a win over the Mountaineers. Quarterback Zach Collaros has thrown for 14 touchdowns, but has eight interceptions. He has also run for eight touchdowns. West Virginia’s defense is ranked 23rd nationally, but has allowed 118 points in its last three games. West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith has thrown for over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Mountaineers are seventh nationally in passing yards per game (361), while Cincinnati is 105th nationally in pass defense (277.25 yards per game). Cincinnati 38, West Virginia 34.
No. 20 Auburn at No. 15 Georgia (-13), 3:30 p.m.
Henry’s pick: Georgia has done an admirable job recovering from two straight losses (Boise State, South Carolina) to start the season. The key has been the consistent passing attack led by Aaron Murray. If Georgia can get its running game going with Isaiah Crowell, it could roll against an Auburn defense that has looked somewhat suspect lately. The Tigers were masterful shutting down Florida three weeks ago, but gave up 45 points at LSU and 23 points to a bad Mississippi team two weeks ago. Let’s not even talk about the 38 points Arkansas dropped on the Tigers. Georgia is rolling and eyeing a spot in the SEC title game. Georgia 33, Auburn 20.
Rose’s pick: Georgia has won seven straight and is alone in first place in the SEC East. In fact, Georgia could clinch the division with a win over Auburn and a South Carolina loss. The Bulldogs will also get freshman running back Isaiah Crowell, who has rushed for 689 yards and four touchdowns, back from a one-game suspension. Quarterback Aaron Murray has played well this season, throwing for 2,060 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Tigers haven’t had a lot of success throwing the ball. Auburn’s Michael Dyer, however, has rushed for 989 yards and nine touchdowns. Georgia is seventh nationally in total defense (282 yards per game). The Bulldogs are only giving up 91 rushing yards per game. Auburn is allowing 401 yards of total offense and 28 points per game this season. Georgia 28, Auburn 20.

TCU at No. 5 Boise State (-15), 3:30 p.m.
Henry’s pick: Both Boise State and TCU are ranked in the top 22 in total offense. Boise has the edge here because it has the best quarterback in Kellen Moore and it is at home on its vaunted blue turf. Moore has 29 touchdown passes, has made few mistakes this season and leads an offense that is piling up 44 points and nearly 480 yards per game in total offense. It also doesn’t help TCU that it has been vulnerable to big time passing performance. Boise also has the edge because its defense is much more stout that TCU’s and gives up around 300 yards per game. And this isn’t TCU of the last couple of seasons. Boise being able to slow down TCU should be the difference in this one. Boise State 39, TCU 20.
Rose’s pick: This is essentially the Mountain West championship game. TCU is 4-0 in the Mountain West, while Boise State is 3-0. Boise State is 13th nationally in total offense (479 yards per game) and TCU is 22nd (451.56). Boise State is averaging 44 points per game (seventh nationally) and TCU is averaging 42 points per game (eighth nationally). There will be plenty of offense in this game. But here are some reasons why Boise State will win. The game is on the blue turf at Boise State, which is a big advantage for the Broncos. Kellen Moore is a huge key. Moore (2,229 yards and 29 touchdowns this season) is steady and consistent. He doesn’t get rattled. TCU’s defense is giving up 225 passing yards per game. Remember earlier this season when Baylor’s Robter Griffin III shredded the TCU secondary? TCU’s offense is averaging 452 yards per game this season. Boise State is giving up just 303 yards per game. TCU is rushing for 228 yards per game. That should be a concern for Boise State’s defense, which is allowing 140 yards per game. Boise State will win this game with a strong performance from Moore and the home field advantage. Boise State 38, TCU 23.

No. 7 Oregon at No. 4 Stanford, 8 p.m.
Henry’s pick: This game may have the biggest impact on the BCS standings. This is an enormous game for Stanford. In addition to Andrew Luck trying to keep his name etched in stone as the lead Heisman Trophy candidate, the Cardinal knows a win against Oregon will keep it in the driver’s seat of the PAC-12 North and in the national championship mix. A loss will certainly knock Stanford out of the national championship picture and could eliminate it totally from the BCS Bowl discussion. Oregon is averaging over 510 yards per game, so they will make Stanford work for this one. Ducks RB LaMichael James (elbow) proved he is back to normal after running for 156 in last week’s win against Washington. James could be a handful for the Stanford front seven, which will prove to be the difference in this one. Stanford has played well, but its defense might not have the fortitude to slow down Oregon. Oregon 41, Stanford 39.
Rose’s pick: Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck will play the biggest game of his career on Saturday night. Stanford is playing for a possible spot in the BCS national title game. It’s a big game with huge stakes. The winner takes firm control of the Pac-12 North Division and a spot in the conference’s inaugural title game. Oregon is seventh nationally in total offense (510.67 yards per game) and Stanford is eighth nationally (505.78 yards per game). Oregon is averaging 46 points per game and Stanford is averaging 48 points per game. The game will also feature two of the best offensive players in the country. Luck, a Heisman Trophy contender, has thrown for 2,424 yards and 26 touchdowns. LaMichael James of Oregon has recovered from a dislocated elbow that forced him to miss two games. James rushed for 156 yards and a touchdown in last week’s win over Washington. He has 1,061 yards and nine touchdowns in seven games this season. So expect a lot of offense in this game. Stanford got into a high-scoring overtime thriller with USC and won a few weeks back. But Oregon will have the speed advantage in this game and that will be the difference. Oregon 38, Stanford 34.

More Picks
No. 24 Michigan at Illinois (+1), 3:30 p.m.
Rose’s pick: Michigan 24, Illinois 20
Henry’s pick: Illinois 24, Michigan 23

Miami (Fla.) at Florida State (-9), 3:30 p.m.
Rose’s pick: Florida State 27, Miami (Fla.) 23
Henry’s pick: Florida State 31, Miami (Fla) 21

No. 2 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (+17), 12 p.m.
Rose’s pick: Oklahoma State 44, Texas Tech 27
Henry’s pick: Oklahoma State 42, Texas Tech 30

Florida at No. 13 South Carolina (OFF), 12 p.m.
Rose’s pick: South Carolina 24, Florida 14
Henry’s pick: South Carolina 23, Florida 20

Washington at USC (-12), 3:45 p.m.
Rose’s pick: USC 38, Washington 31
Henry’s pick: USC 35, Washington 27