College Football Matchups, Picks and Results

Kansas State, 4-4 and preparing to use its fourth quarterback of the season, faces Oklahoma State’s offense, which averages 41.1 points per game; the game could affect the Wildcats’ bowl hopes. Tennessee is No. 13 in the first College Football Playoff rankings ahead of its game against Kentucky, and projections say winning out would make the Vols virtual locks for the 12-team playoff. The roundup also previews West Virginia as a heavy underdog at Texas Tech, Alcorn State against Florida A&M, and Jacksonville State against Sam Houston after Jacksonville State improved to 6-2 with a 24-0 win over New Mexico State. Other picks favor UNLV at home against Wyoming, Southern over Bethune-Cookman in a projected low-scoring game, and Charlotte to cover against UAB. Iowa State, ranked No. 18, beat Southern Mississippi 83-57 to improve to 2-1 this season and 5-0 all-time against the Golden Eagles.