Wait, it’s November already?
It is! But before you start mowing through your Halloween candy stash and making Thanksgiving plans, there’s college football to be played. This week’s slate features multiple matchups with conference title game implications, while Tuesday marks the beginning of midweek MACtion.
Just as they’ve done all season, the fine folks of the Northern Star’s sports section listened to their boss and made their predictions for the winners of five upcoming games.
Navy @ North Texas
11 a.m. CT | Saturday, Nov. 1 | ESPN2
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (25-20): North Texas — Drew Mestemaker has over double the passing yards of the Navy’s Ben Horvath on the season. I don’t care about a winning streak or an undefeated season, Mestemaker and his Mean Green have got this.
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (31-14): North Texas — I mean, have you seen Drew Mestemaker play football?
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (31-14): North Texas — Despite Navy’s impressive record of 7-0, the Mean Green’s resume is far more impressive, with its only loss coming to a ranked USF squad.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (20-25): North Texas — If North Texas can beat Army, then North Texas can beat Navy. That’s the bottom line because Stone Cold said so.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (28-17): Navy — I think Navy is going to win because my cousin Ramon was in the Navy for about 6-7 years. Now he’s out but the Seamen are looking strong, maybe not during November though. But North Texas alum Stone Cold Steve Austin might give them a stunner and make the Mean Green win.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (26-19): Navy — The Navy is riding a 10-game winning streak that dates back to last season. Additionally they have been elite on the ground. If that can’t win you over, the Midshipmen are undefeated in this matchup all-time. Give me the Navy.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter (23-17): North Texas — This Mean Green team is legit and they’re also hungry for their first ever dub in this matchup. Luckily, this offense has been cooking, averaging 46.1 points all season. I just don’t see this MIDshipmen defense being capable of stopping that.
Fresno State @ Boise State
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Nov. 1 | FS1
Schaefer: Boise State — Boise State sits atop the Mountain West currently, and Fresno State has lost their last two by 20+. Enough said.
Kisellus: Boise State — Who needs Ashton Jeanty when you have a stallion like Maddux Madsen as your quarterback?
Segreti: Boise State — Like I said last week, I will never pick a team to win if they’ve lost a game to Josh Holst. Boise by a million.
Valenti: Fresno State — The last time Fresno State was an option, I didn’t pick them, and they won. This time, I’m picking them and fully expect them to lose.
Avila: Boise State — Ashton Jeanty went here, and he does that Michael Myers stance and I love the Halloween movies so my pick is the Broncos.
Whittington: Boise State — The Broncos have won each of their last 16 games on the road against Fresno, and they seem to be the more well rounded and balanced team.
Naranjo: Boise State — The Broncos own the Mountain West and besides San Diego State, there’s no one to challenge them, give me Boise State.
No. 17 Cincinnati @ No. 24 Utah
9:15 p.m. CT | Saturday, Nov. 1 | ESPN
Schaefer: Cincinnati — These are both good teams, so back to the tried and true (not really but it’s more fun) method of mascots! A Bearcat is a way better mascot than a Ute.
Kisellus: Utah — This just feels like that inevitable game where Cincinnati gets a proper beating from a respectable Utah team. Or, as the kids say, this game is giving Utah vibes.
Writer’s note: Seriously, Utah? A Ute? That’s the best you could come up with?
Segreti: Cincinnati — Former NIU pitcher Adam Brouwer recently transferred to Cincinnati, so it’s no shock that their football team is good now. The Bearcats will handle whatever a Ute is in easy fashion.
Valenti: Utah — I have a deep dislike for everything Ohio, so Utah by default it is.
Avila: Cincinnati — They are located in Ohio, and we all love Ohio, so my pick is the Bearcats.
Whittington: Utah — The Utes are coming off a week where they embarrassed Colorado, and they by far have the better ground attack. Give me Utah.
Naranjo: Utah — The Utes put the belt to you know what versus Colorado last week and there’s no way they let up any momentum in front of their home crowd. This Utah defense has also been sturdy, holding 6 of its opponents this season under 20 points.
Miami (Ohio) @ Ohio
6 p.m. CT | Tuesday, Nov. 4 | ESPN2
Schaefer: Ohio — You won’t catch me going against Parker Navarro anytime soon. I’m trusting Parker and the boys to snap the RedHawks’ winning streak and remind them where Miami belongs, in Florida.
Kisellus: Ohio — Scripture says, “Your right arm, PARKER, was majestic in power. Your right arm, PARKER, shattered the enemy.” (Navarro 15:6)
OK, maybe I misquoted that, but these are my picks. Blue Jays in seven.
Segreti: Ohio — I mean, it’s Parker Navarro at quarterback for Ohio, is there much else that has to be said?
Valenti: Miami (Ohio) — Yet another lose-lose. Miami Ohio is somehow less offensive to me. Not like their offensive abilities, but they don’t make me vomit.
Avila: Ohio — Only one team has the Rizzler Navarro. GIVE ME THE BOBCATS!
Whittington: Miami (Ohio) — Miami is undefeated in MAC play so far, so perhaps Miami is the true Ohio team?
Naranjo: Ohio— Both sides have had decent strength of schedules but I’ll give more credit to the Bobcats for playing reigning champions #1 Ohio State and looking slightly better in their 34-31 loss to Rutgers while Miami got blown out 45-17. Ohio is also undefeated at home so far, so they’ll be motivated to keep that streak alive.
NIU @ Toledo
6 p.m. CT | Wednesday, Nov. 5 | ESPN2
Schaefer: Toledo — I know that I said I would pick them again when they won, but alas, I can’t do it. Toledo is undefeated at home, but the Bronze Stalk is back where it belongs in DeKalb and I’m content with that.
Kisellus: Toledo — It’s midweek MACtion, and it’s the last time these bitter rivals will meet for the foreseeable future, so I expect this to become a pissing match rather quickly. That said, I’ll take the team that’s won the last three.
Segreti: Toledo — Even though NIU shocked the entire universe last week by winning a game, there is no shot that they can handle Toledo on the road.
Valenti: Toledo — I’m tired of this, grandpa.
Avila: Toledo — ‘Nuff said.
Whittington: Toledo — NIU made me very happy last week, however I might never trust them ever again.
Naranjo: Toledo — The Rockets are undefeated at home and have put up at least 45 points in those home victories while NIU has not won on the road all season. It’s going to take a disaster class from Toledo for a Huskies win.
