College football picks, schedule: Predictions against the spread, odds for top 25 games in Week 11
Three weeks remain in the 2022 regular season, which means divisional races are narrowing, conference championship pictures are clarifying and teams legitimately eligible for the College Football Playoff are dwindling with every Saturday that passes. Such will be the case again in Week 11 with multiple top-25 showdowns set to clarify these scenarios.
The most notable showdowns come from the SEC where No. 7 LSU hopes to avoid taking a step back from its thrilling overtime win against Alabama when it visits Arkansas. Despite the Tigers suddenly becoming the talk of the nation in Year 1 under coach Brian Kelly, their grip on the SEC West is tenuous. LSU will need to win out to secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game (likely against No. 1 Georgia), and that begins by avoiding a road upset against an Arkansas team that can play up to anyone.
Speaking of the No. 9 Crimson Tide, barring an absolute miracle, their SEC and CFP hopes are dashed. That is not the case for No. 11 Ole Miss, which hosts Alabama in the SEC on CBS Game of the Week with Rebels coach Lane Kiffin looking to get his first win over Nick Saban. Unlike the Tide, the Rebels still have a shot to win the SEC West. Ole Miss will have to beat Alabama to put itself in position, though it will also need LSU to take an L as the regular season concludes.
Saturday's nightcap is a huge Big 12 showdown as newly minted No. 4 TCU visits No. 18 Texas in perhaps its toughest remaining test over the final three weeks. The Longhorns have been playing much better in the second half of the season, and with former Horned Frogs coach Gary Patterson on staff as an analyst, they will certainly have a handle on what TCU brings to the table. If the Frogs can get past the 'Horns, only Baylor and Iowa State remain as TCU eyes a spot in the playoff.
Aside from a confounding 40-12 loss at Kansas State in Week 2, Missouri has been excellent defensively. Even in that game, the Tigers allowed just 336 total yards as they were hampered by a 4-to-1 deficit in turnover margin. The last seven games Missouri has played have finished within the confines of this spread, and the Tigers should be able to keep things respectable again here. Missouri is tied for 100th nationally in turnover margin, but that has to flip at some point. If the Tigers keep their turnover woes under control, they'll keep the game close.
A letdown spot on the road against a talented opponent is a natural trap game opportunity, but the status of K.J. Jefferson makes the upset chance more tenuous. LSU has played inspired football since its early losses to Tennessee and Florida State, and there's little reason to expect a Brian Kelly coached team to not play good, fundamental football in a critical game with CFP hopes.
-nbc news
