Week 11 College Football Best Bets, Picks and Predictions from Wes Reynolds:

Here are my Week 11 college football best bets:

 

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Minnesota (-6; 46) at Rutgers

Saturday, 12:00 p.m. (NBC)

Rutgers began the season 4-0 with wins at Virginia Tech and vs. Washington. The Scarlet Knights have proceeded to lose their last four games and are now 4-4 coming in off the bye. The bye is much needed here against a Minnesota club that has won four games in a row including over two ranked (at the time) opponents in USC and Illinois.

These two teams have a great deal of connections to each other as PJ Fleck got his start coaching in the Power 4 on Greg Schiano’s 2010-11 Rutgers staff. Rutgers QB Athan Kaliakmanis used to be Minnesota QB Athan Kaliakmanis. In addition, Minnesota defensive coordinator Corey Hetherman was on the Rutgers staff last season.

Hetherman’s defense has gained 19 turnovers (3rd nationally) and the Gophers rank 6th nationally with a +12 turnover margin.

This is a buy at the bottom spot for Rutgers here against a Minnesota club that has won three of four close games and just got bowl eligible, which Rutgers is fighting for here.

Week 11 College Football Best Bet: Rutgers +6

No. 17 Iowa State (-3; 51) at Kansas

Iowa State had been living a bit dangerously for the last couple weeks and finally got caught by Texas Tech and the Cyclones unbeaten record took a loss for the first time last weekend. Now the ‘Clones are in a “bubble burst” spot going on the road (neutral in this case at Arrowhead Stadium) to face Kansas.

The 2-6 Jayhawks are off a bye but lost their fifth game by one score this season last time out at Kansas State. Kansas is 0-5 in one-score games this season but have been snake-bitten and highly unlucky. 

Iowa State, unlike Kansas, has been a bit on the more fortunate side with a +9 turnover margin that ranks Top 10 in the country, so some regression could be due in short order and actually started last week.

Week 11 College Football Best Bet: Kansas +3

Maryland at No. 1 Oregon (-24.5; 57.5)

Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET (BTN)

Oregon was ranked No. 1 in the first College Football Playoff rankings last Tuesday. The remaining schedule includes Maryland, at Wisconsin, and at Washington, so the Ducks have a relatively clear path to an unbeaten season and a bye in the CFP.

The Ducks are priced at the top of the market as an undefeated No. 1 team should be. However, they have failed to cover a couple of big numbers (at UCLA, Michigan State) and almost did not at Purdue and vs. Illinois. They also tacked on a late score to cover at Michigan last week.

Maryland is off a bye and is currently 4-4 having been solidly defeated 48-23 at Minnesota. While they are solid underdogs here, this is a “crossroads game” for the Terps to see which way this season is going to finish. Would expect Maryland to at least give its maximum effort here and be able hang inside the number.

Week 11 College Football Best Bet: Maryland +24.5

Virginia at No. 18 Pittsburgh (-7.5; 57)

Saturday, 8:00 p.m. ET (ACCN)

This one falls into a little bit of a “bubble burst” game for Pitt. The undefeated season is now gone and there is a potential to come out flat the next time out.

Pitt had been coming into last week fairly fortunate. They trounced Syracuse 41-13 but got outgained 327-217 and won the game handily courtesy of five interceptions, three of which were returned for touchdowns, from Kyle McCord. The Panthers were also outgained by Cal and held on for a two-point victory. Plus, they had two fourth quarter comebacks against Cincinnati and West Virginia.

Virginia comes in on a three-game losing streak but are off a bye, which has allowed them to get healthy as they were not in a 41-14 blowout vs. North Carolina last time out, in a “crossroads game” where they are 4-4 and this game determines where the season goes in terms of a winning season/bowl eligibility.

Week 11 College Football Best Bet: Virginia +7.5

No. 9 BYU (-3; 40.5) at Utah

Saturday, 10:15 p.m ET (ESPN)

After a two-year absence due to conference realignment, “The Holy War” is back and more than the Beehive Boot is up for grabs as BYU is now a College Football Playoff contender and would actually be a Top 4 seed due to its current lead in the Big XII.

As for Utah, it has been a disappointing season in Salt Lake City with the Utes sitting at 4-4. Cameron Rising once again was unable to stay healthy and now Utah has turned to true freshman Isaac Wilson, the younger brother of former BYU QB Zach Wilson. The Utes offense ranks No. 119 in points per game (19 ppg) and 29.25% on 3rd downs (No. 129 nationally).

Defensively, the Utes are as tough and physical as ever only allowing 18.9 points per game (No. 13 nationally) plus No. 2 nationally on 3rd downs (25.71%) and that’s what should give them a chance to win here.

BYU has gone 3-0 in one score games and are 15-for-18 on 4th downs this season. Regression is coming and it could be here against a top Utah defense.

The Utes were off back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances two years ago. Those are long in the past at least for now, so Kyle Whittingham should have Utah up here for its biggest game of the season against the arch rival who has been fortunate this season.

Week 11 College Football Best Bet: Utah +3

BEST OF THE REST

South Florida +3.5 vs. Navy
North Texas +4 vs. Army
Mississippi State/Tennessee OVER 61.5
LSU +3 vs. Alabama
Nevada +24 at Boise State

For more Week 11 college football analysis, visit the Week 11 College Football Hub, exclusively on VSiN.com.

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