Phil's wins and losses (Photo by the Author)
There are plenty of crucial, season-defining matchups across college football on this second Saturday of November. November is the money month of college football, and plenty of teams have opportunities to get wins that show how great they are and where they are going!
Houston wins over UCF
Houston is having a good season, despite the loss to West Virginia last week. Now they have a tough road test at UCF. The Knights are having their annual ‘Space Game’ where they celebrate UCF’s ties to America’s space program. UCF is 8-0 in those games where the Bounce House gets extra crazy. But, Houston has some pioneering history in the final frontier as well, and gives UCF their first loss in a game celebrating American space exploration. Connor Weigman has a big rebound game for the Cougars.
USC wins over Northwestern
This will not be an easy win for USC tonight. Northwestern has shown that they are much better this year, and are moving in the right direction as a team and as a program. USC’s high-powered offense, behind Jayden Maiava, and playing in their home stadium, will push them to victory.
Memphis wins over Tulane
Another Friday night shootout, this one favors Memphis, but it does so by a razor’s edge. It could be an offensive battle between Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis and Tulane quarterback Jake Retzlaff. It is also a crucial game in the American Conference, that Memphis wins in a step toward that conference championship.
Louisville wins over Cal
Cal is to Louisville what Louisville was to Miami. However, Jeff Brohm, Miller Moss, and Louisville will be prepared for this talented Cal team. Playing at home and at night will be another positive factor for the Cardinals to get the win against Cal.
Notre Dame wins over Navy
If you like running the football, this game is for you! Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Navy’s Blake Horvath are two of the best rushers in the nation. Navy is a good team. They could still win the American Conference and maybe still make the College Football Playoff. However, Notre Dame is just too strong across the board for a Navy upset.
Georgia wins over Mississippi State
This is likely to be one of those classic games where Georgia lets a team they should easily over power hang around for a lot of the contest. Mississippi State will give Georgia a good, game but in true Georgia fashion, Kirby Smart’s team will pull away at the end for another win.
James Madison wins over Marshall
It’s a testament to Curt Cignetti and the James Madison program that even after he left and had a lot of JMU players follow him, the Dukes are still playing great football. They’re 16-5 since Coach Cig left. They’re on the road at the defending Sun Belt champions, Marshall, but are a complete team, offensively and defensively, and that will propel them to victory.
Southern Miss wins over Arkansas State
Meanwhile, in the West Division of the Sun Belt, Southern Miss and Arkansas State are in a battle for solo possession of that top spot in the division. Charles Huff won this conference last year at Marshall and is working on a repeat as a head coach. While they should beat Arkansas State, Southern Miss fans better enjoy Coach Huff this season, as he is going to be a candidate for many of the big-time job openings across the country this offseason.
Texas A&M wins over Missouri
The Aggies are rightly the favorites here. Mizzou is at home, and Eli Drinkwitz is a cunning coach, but without Beau Pribula and starting a new quarterback, I don’t think Missouri has much of a chance. Texas A&M stays undefeated and at the top of the SEC.
UConn wins over Duke
This football game between basketball schools will likely be better than most anticipate. UConn is already bowl eligible and Duke is close, both have elite quarterbacks Mensah for Duke has 21 touchdown passes and only two interceptions. UConn’s Fagnano has 22 touchdown passes with no interceptions. UConn will get the upset at home in Hartford.
Iowa wins over Oregon
This is the upset of the week. Iowa has an incredible homefield advantage that has to be experienced to be believed. I know I said that about Oregon when they visited Penn State, but Iowa City is just as difficult a place to win. This is a 50/50 game between two good teams. The key matchup is between Kirk Ferentz and Dan Lanning. This is one of those times where old and treacherous beats young and talented, which is why I am going with Iowa in this coin flip.
Arizona wins over Kansas
Noah Fifita and Arizona get bowl eligible with a win over Kansas. The Jayhawks have struggled defensively and will continue to do so on the road in Tucson. In another game that would be a good basketball matchup, Arizona will get the win in a high-scoring shootout.
TCU over Iowa State
Iowa State is on a four-game losing streak and is a very frustrated team right now. It doesn’t help that they have to go on the road to face TCU. The Horned Frogs have a great offense and are flying under the radar as one of the better teams in the Big 12. Josh Hoover and Eric McAlister will be too much for ISU.
Virginia wins over Wake Forest
The most underrated one-loss team in America is from Charlottesville, Virginia. I would have had more faith in Wake Forest if they hadn’t been so decisively crushed by FSU last week. Virginia has won tight games at Scott Stadium this season and will do so again on Saturday.
Florida State wins over Clemson
This may be a battle for keeping their jobs between head coaches Mike Norvell and Dabo Swinney. A loss here will be a disaster for whichever head coach suffers it. Florida State routing Wake Forest last week, and Clemson losing for the first time ever when scoring 45 or more points, is why I’m going with FSU.
Alabama wins over LSU
With LSU firing Bian Kelly, this game has a little less flair than it normally does. It also has a little different feel to it, as it seems like Alabama is a lock to win. This is a rivalry game, so LSU will give Alabama a good test, but Ty Simpson will continue to play at a Heisman candidate level. That will be more than enough for Alabama to get the win at home.
San Diego State wins over Hawaii
This is a heavyweight bout in the Mountain West and will go a long way toward deciding who plays for the conference championship. Hawaii is having a great, resurgent season. They’re bowl eligible for the first time under head coach Timmy Chang, and are tough to play in Honolulu. San Diego State has a very tough defense that has held opponents to less than 10 points five times this season, including three shutouts. The Aztec defense will be the difference maker for SDSU.
Texas Tech wins over BYU
This is a tough one for me. BYU has what it takes to win. I love BYU and have believed in them from the beginning of this season. I think this game, being on the road, will be decisive in giving the Cougars their first loss of the season. Tech will win, but BYU will pay them back in December in the Big 12 Championship game.
Ohio State wins over Purdue
This should be a layup for Ohio State. Purdue gave michigan a good game last week, though, so Ohio State better be wary of the West Lafayette voodoo. They’ve been stung by it in the past. I don’t doubt Ryan Day will have his guys ready for this road game.
2025 Record: 109-75 (Overall: 211-118)
