College Football Week 11 Picks 2025 (Friday 7th November-Saturday 8th November)

The opening College Football Rankings has made it clear that there remains a huge amount of respect for the top of the SEC and Big Ten Conferences and those should combine to produce the majority of the twelve teams that will be competing for the National Championship at the end of this season.

The current deal is that all of the Power 4 Conference Champions will be given a place in the bracket and there will also be the 'best of the rest' Champion from outside the SEC, Big Ten, Big 12 and ACC.

Notre Dame look like they may be given enough respect to earn another spot if they can win out, and then the remainder of the selections look like they will be carved up by the Big Ten and SEC with teams with one or two losses in those Conferences seen as significantly better than non-Champions from the other Power 4 Conferences.

In the opening Rankings, six teams from the SEC have made the top twelve and three from the Big Ten, although those are going to change as the regular season is conclude over the next three weeks.

However, it does offer motivation for all of those teams of the possibilities that exist even if they cannot make the SEC Championship Game ahead of another important week in the sport.

Houston Cougars @ UCF Knights Pick: Both of these schools were looking for bounce back years after 2024 and it is the Houston Cougars (7-2) who are further along. They are a win away from matching the number of wins from 2023 and 2024 combined, but a home loss to the West Virginia Mountaineers in Week 10 has just pushed the Cougars backwards in the race to reach the Big 12 Championship Game.

They are heading to Florida to take on the UCF Knights (4-4) on Friday evening and this is another team looking to bounce back from a poor loss.

The Knights were blown out by the Baylor Bears in Week 10 and this means they are 1-4 in the Big 12, but UCF are still on course to return to Bowl eligibility and will be keen to get moving towards that goal.

Over the course of the season the UCF Knights have been playing pretty well Defensively and they will feel that they are better than what was shown against Baylor.

Controlling the Line of Scrimmage has been a big advantage for the Knights and they will believe the Defensive Line can contain the Houston threat on the ground. Forcing teams to throw from third and medium or third and long has certainly helped the Knights Secondary and they can certainly have a redemptive effort in this game.

It is the other side of the ball and the Line of Scrimmage which may give the UCF Knights the edge in this game- while the Cougars could struggle to run the ball effectively, the Knights Offensive Line are expected to open up some running lanes against this Houston Defensive Line and keep the team in third and manageable spots on the field.

Recent games has seen the Houston Secondary give up some significant yards through the air too and so the UCF Knights should be able to move the ball with some balance.

The last three games between Houston and UCF have all been won by the latter, although they are a narrow underdog in this one, which has not been the case in those previous wins.

Home advantage may just give the UCF Knights the edge to 'upset' the odds and they can win this Friday night Big 12 showdown.

Indiana Hoosiers @ Penn State Nittany Lions Pick: If the College Football Playoff started today, the Indiana Hoosiers (9-0) would be going in as the Number 2 Seed behind only the defending Champions Ohio State Buckeyes. Those two teams remain on a collision course in the Big Ten Championship Game and barring a couple of upsets, both Indiana and Ohio State are set to be playing in the Playoff next month.

Despite the 11-2 record in 2024, there were some who lacked belief in what Indiana could achieve this season, but they have surpassed expectations and it would be a surprise if 2025 does not end up with more wins than twelve months ago.

This is potentially the last awkward stop before the Big Ten Championship Game and the Hoosiers will have to remain cautious against the Penn State Nittany Lions (3-5) even if this has been a below par year.

Head Coach James Franklin has been fired, and the Nittany Lions have lost all five Big Ten games in what was expected to be a season where they were able to return to the Playoff and perhaps have a bigger impact. Losing Quarter Back Drew Allar to injury has not helped and the Nittany Lions were just blown out by the Ohio State Buckeyes, but this game is at home and that makes them potentially dangerous.

With all those issues, it is perhaps not a big surprise that it is going to be hard for Penn State to score a lot of points in this one.

They have not been able to run the ball with any authority in recent games and that is not going to change against a Hoosiers Defensive Line that have prided themselves in clamping down on the run.

All of the pressure will be on backup Quarter Back Ethan Grunkemeyer who has thrown just shy of 240 passing yards in his two starts for Penn State against the Iowa Hawkeyes and Ohio State Buckeyes. Playing out of third and long makes it very difficult for any Quarter Back to have consistent success and Grunkemeyer's inexperience is going to make it really challenging to have a lot of consistency moving the ball in this one.

It is going to be tough for the Nittany Lions when they have the ball, but the Defensive unit has to be respected and they can keep Penn State competitive.

A problem in recent games has been stopping the run, and that is going to be put to the test by the Indiana Offensive Line who have been helping the Hoosiers rip off some big gains on the ground.

Unlike the Nittany Lions, it could mean Fernando Mendoza has a bit of time to make his throws into the Secondary and the Indiana Hoosiers can eventually pull away and clear this mark.

Turnovers are always going to be important to the outcome of the spread, but that is another area where Indiana may have the edge and they can come away with another solid win as they continue moving towards the Big Ten Championship Game.

Kansas Jayhawks @ Arizona Wildcats Pick: There are six teams in the Big 12 Conference who will still harbour ambitions of earning a spot in the Championship Game and then moving onto the College Football Playoff. The Conference has three teams Ranked inside the top 13 in the first release of the Playoff picture, but the likelihood is that only one team from the Big 12 will eventually make their way into the Playoff next month.

The Arizona Wildcats (5-3) and Kansas Jayhawks (5-4) are not going to be involved int he final shake up, but this is a season when the schools wanted to see development from 2024 and they are on course to do that. The winner is going to earn Bowl eligibility with some time remaining in the regular season, and both are on course to surpass the number of wins achieved last year.

Both teams arrive in Week 11 having won their last game and snapped a run of consecutive defeats.

Performing well at the Line of Scrimmage when they have the ball is going to be the challenge for Kansas- they have been decent up front over the course of the season, but in recent Big 12 games, the Jayhawks have just hit the wall up front and that has put some pressure on the passing game.

The feeling is that they will have some success running the ball and it should give the Jayhawks opportunities.

It is important to be able to run the ball considering how well the Wildcats Secondary have been playing in recent games, while the Kansas passing game has lacked some consistency. The problem has been the Offensive Line have not been able to contain the pass rush at all when Jalon Daniels has stepped back to throw, although the Quarter Back will be confident if the team has him playing in front of the chains.

Out of the two teams, Arizona's Offensive Line definitely look like having a strong edge at the Line of Scrimmage against this Jayhawks Defensive Line. Stopping the run has been difficult for Kansas all season, but that has been even clearer in recent Big 12 games and so Noah Fifita and the Arizona Offensive unit are likely to be in positive down and distance for much of the game.

Noah Fifita should have a bit more protection when dropping back to throw, and that becomes more comfortable from third and manageable spots. The Jayhawks Secondary have decent numbers from recent games, but that is partly down to the inability to stop the run which means teams are not having to take too many attempts against the Defensive Backs.

Both teams should have Offensive successes, but the consistency edge could be with the Wildcats and they can secure a late score to win and cover.

Auburn Tigers @ Vanderbilt Commodores Pick: They have already matched the seven wins that were secured in a winning 2024 season, but the Vanderbilt Commodores (7-2) may still want more. The opening College Football Playoff Rankings has Vanderbilt up at Number 16, which is impressive, but there are six SEC teams that have stronger Rankings and the Commodores will need to win out to have any hope of sneaking into the Playoff.

It would be really unexpected and the Vanderbilt fightback that just came up short against the Texas Longhorns in Week 10 could prove costly.

That loss has dropped the Commodores to 3-2 in the SEC and likely prevented a top ten opening Ranking, but they are having a much better season than the Auburn Tigers (4-5) who are just 1-5 in the Conference.

There are plenty of big vacancies all around the College Football scene, but the latest Auburn loss opened up another when Head Coach Hugh Freeze was fired. With games against Vanderbilt and Alabama yet to be completed before the end of the regular season, Auburn need at least one upset to become Bowl eligible and to have an opportunity to finish with a winning record.

In reality they are on course to match the 5-7 record from 2024, although the Auburn job will remain one of the most sought after in College Football as one of a number of SEC vacancies to be filled in the off-season.

Jackson Arnold was supposed to help the Tigers push forward, but his time with Auburn looks to be coming to a close after Ashton Daniels was announced as the starting Quarter Back ahead of this game. You would hardly say that Daniels had a big impact for the team in the loss to the Kentucky Wildcats when he finished with 108 passing yards and an Interception, while continuing to operate behind a shaky Offensive Line.

The Tigers may look to establish the run, but the Commodores have been pretty good at clamping down on the run and it is the Secondary that have struggled most. However, Ashton Daniels may not have the experience nor the current confidence to have the same kind of successes that Arch Manning had for Texas and this gives Vanderbilt a chance to earn a win and remain in touch with the College Football Playoff leading teams.

One of the reasons Auburn will feel they can be competitive is the Defensive unit, which has played at a level expected around these parts.

The Defensive Line have been very strong up front and it is going to be very tough for the Commodores to have the kind of success that they have been used to. However, Vanderbilt are home and they will not shy away from trying to pound the ball on the ground, especially with a Quarter Back who is comfortable making plays with his legs as much as his arm.

Diego Pavia is going to be well aware of the importance of his legs with the Tigers likely to get a strong push up front and look to collapse the pocket, while the dual-threat ability of the Quarter Back is key to at least put the Commodores in a position to be operating in front of the chains.

The Quarter Back does have over 2000 passing yards with 18 Touchdown passes and he should be able to find some spaces to attack this Auburn Secondary. In the main Diego Pavia has looked after the ball when throwing and that is key considering the ability of this Tigers team to turn the ball over and it could see the Commodores battle for another win by a Touchdown mark.

Vanderbilt have done that in wins over LSU and Missouri at home, while Auburn have lost by 7 points at Oklahoma and 6 points at Texas A&M. They also lost by 7 points in Week 10 at home against the Kentucky Wildcats and Vanderbilt can edge past this spread.

MY PICKS: UCF Knights + 1.5 Points @ 1.86 Bet Fred (1 Unit)

Indiana Hoosiers - 14.5 Points @ 1.91 Bet365 (1 Unit)

Arizona Wildcats - 4.5 Points @ 1.80 William Hill (1 Unit)

Vanderbilt Commodores - 6.5 Points @ 1.91 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Washington Huskies - 10.5 Points @ 1.85 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Louisville Cardinals - 18.5 Points @ 1.95 Ladbrokes (1 Unit)

Week 10: 3-3, - 0.33 Units (6 Units Staked, - 5.50% Yield)

Week 9: 3-3, - 0.19 Units (6 Units Staked, - 3.17% Yield)

Week 8: 2-3, - 1.18 Units (5 Units Staked, - 23.60% Yield)

Week 7: 4-1, + 2.62 Units (5 Units Staked, + 52.40% Yield)

Week 6: 2-4, - 2.22 Units (6 Units Staked, - 37% Yield)

Week 5: 1-5, - 4.20 Units (6 Units Staked, - 70% Yield)

Week 4: 2-4, - 2.14 Units (6 Units Staked, - 35.67% Yield)

Week 3: 4-4, - 0.36 (8 Units Staked, - 4.50% Yield)

Week 1: 1-4, - 3.14 Units (5 Units Staked, - 62.80% Yield)

Week 0: 2-1, + 0.75 Units (3 Units Staked, + 25% Yield)

Weekend Football Picks 2015 (November 7-8)

It has been a really busy week for me which means I haven't been able to find consistent time to have the weekly recap or even any Champions League/Europa League Picks.

It was just one of those weeks when time seemed to disappear all too quickly.

Anyway, I will have the picks for this weekend Premier League games below.


Leicester City v Watford Pick: This looks the kind of game that both Leicester City and Watford will look at as one they could easily win this weekend despite the difference in the Premier League table.

It might look like these teams are in very different positions on paper, but Watford have earned just six points fewer than Leicester City. That is mainly down to an impressive away form where they are undefeated in 3 games on their travels and Watford have won 2 of those games including an impressive 0-2 win at Stoke City last time out.

They have some pace in the forward positions which will give them the chance to attack a Leicester City defence that has been vulnerable for much of the season. However, The Foxes did earn a clean sheet in their last game at home and Leicester City have been playing well enough to manage to overcome any of their defensive problems in other games which was highlighted again in a 2-3 win at West Brom last weekend.

Again it is thanks to the pace that Leicester City have in the forward areas that makes them so dangerous and it is Jamie Vardy who is the form player in the Premier League.

It won't be an easy game for either side as I can see both teams scoring and there being some chances at either end of the pitch. It will come down to which of the teams is a little more clinical when the chances are presented and I think that is where Leicester City can end Watford's recent run of form away from home in the Premier League.

Leicester City have won 5 of their last 8 home games against Watford in all competitions and they have lost just a single one of those games. After some difficult moments I am looking for Leicester City to win this game.


Manchester United v West Brom Pick: The last couple of weeks have been very difficult for Louis Van Gaal and I think the Dutchman might have been feeling the pressure when seeing the relief on his face as Manchester United scored against CSKA Moscow. Once again the defensive side of the game was very much in control for large parts by Manchester United, but they lacked ideas in the forward areas and the fans at Old Trafford have begun to have enough.

Some of the baffling tactical decisions and the insistence that Wayne Rooney is almost undroppable have both frustrated and irritated the fans. Rooney might have got the vital goal against CSKA Moscow during the week, but his overall contribution is not what the fans expect, especially as he seems to be keeping Anthony Martial out of his preferred position in the team.

The victory over CSKA Moscow was a vital one for Manchester United and they can build upon that in the Premier League where they look to stay on the coattails of both Manchester City and Arsenal. A poor month has seen the side slip to 4 points behind both of those teams and failing to beat West Brom would be a huge blow to what looked like genuine title ambitions a little over a month ago.

Louis Van Gaal has to know what to expect from West Brom and Tony Pulis who will look to make his team very difficult to beat. While the goals have flowed at The Hawthornes where West Brom are expected to attack, their five away Premier League games have produced just five goals in total. It can't be ignored that West Brom have won three of those games by the same 0-1 scoreline, but they have failed to score in the other two games.

West Brom have actually won their last 2 visits to Old Trafford so the home fans in attendance can't be expecting Manchester United to run over them. However, I think the win over CSKA Moscow will offer the home team a boost and I will expect them to use their defensive shape to contain West Brom for long enough before finding a winner.

It could be another tight and nervous game for Manchester United, but they can win this with a clean sheet.


West Ham United v Everton Pick: Out of all the games that are going to be played this weekend, you would have to say this is either the first or second that could produce a really entertaining game for the fans who are at the ground. Upton Park has really been behind the Slaven Bilic approach to things at West Ham United, although they continue to show a little more vulnerabilities at home than they have in the majority of their away games.

West Ham United will look to get on the front foot and attack an Everton team that has conceded a fair few goals of late and miss influential Phil Jagielka to organise the team. The likes of Victor Moses and Dimitri Payet will create chances against Everton and West Ham United have shown they have goals in the team as they have scored at least twice in their last four games at home.

Prior to the 2-0 defeat at Watford last week, West Ham United had scored at least two goals in eight consecutive Premier League and so this is clearly a side that will be able to create chances in this one. Everton are trying to avoid conceding at least two goals for the fourth League game in a row, although they will be confident having smashed Sunderland 6-2 last weekend.

Goals had been something of a problem for Everton prior to that game against Sunderland, but this is a team with creativity that should be doing more. Any squad that contains the likes of Ross Barkley, Aaron Lennon, Arouna Kone, Kevin Miralles and Romelu Lukaku should be able to provide more of a consistent threat in front of goal and that is what Roberto Martinez will be demanding to follow the six goals scored against Sunderland.

Earlier in the season Everton had been better defensively, but had a hard time scoring goals away from home. However that has been replaced with three away games producing at least three goals in the game and this is a fixture that has historically produced goals.

Seven of the last nine at Upton Park between West Ham United and Everton have seen at least three goals shared by the teams and that could be the case again on Saturday.


Aston Villa v Manchester City Pick: You have to believe that Remi Garde will have an impact as the new manager of Aston Villa, but the board have to hope that comes quickly if their club is going to avoid being cut off at the bottom of the Premier League. Garde might not have taken charge officially in the game last Monday, but he would have found out the size of his task to save Aston Villa in their 3-1 loss at Tottenham Hotspur.

Now he will look to try and end their losing run at seven straight Premier League games, but face a Manchester City team that have to be feeling in very good mood after a 1-3 win at Sevilla in the Champions League during the week. Only a missed penalty in injury time prevented Manchester City making it two straight 3-1 wins to head into this game, but they have won 7 of their last 8 games in all competitions.

One factor that Aston Villa will look to is that they have rarely been blown out at home, and all four of their losses at Villa Park in the Premier League have come by a single goal margin. They might see a Manchester City team without David Silva and Sergio Aguero and fancy their chances, but Aston Villa have to improve at both ends of the field.

There is no consistency in attack and Aston Villa don't look like a team that will score a lot of goals, but they also make too many mistakes at the back. That will be exploited by Manchester City if Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Yaya Toure and Wilfried Bony continue showing the form they have been in recent games.

Manchester City have won 6 of their 8 away games in all competitions this season and it has to be noted that they have won 5 of those games by at least two goals. With the confidence of the Champions League success over Sevilla behind them which puts them on the brink of not only qualifying for the Second Round, but also winning the Group, I think Manchester City will look to go into the international break still in front in the Premier League.

That means going to Villa Park and picking up the three points and I like them to spoil Remi Garde's home debut as manager with a win by a couple of goals.


Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur Pick: The North London derby looks to be the perfect way to round of this weekend's Premier League as domestic football is once again put on the shelf for two weeks to allow for the internationals to be played. Both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have some big aims this season and will be heading into the game on Sunday in contrasting moods.

The Gunners were hammered in Bayern Munich on Wednesday as their Champions League hopes were left hanging by a thread. On the other hand, Tottenham Hotspur can thank a special goal from Moussa Dembele which allowed them to beat Anderlecht 2-1 and continue their fine form since losing to the Belgian team in the Europa League last month.

Since that defeat in Belgium, Spurs have won their last three games in a row in all competitions which includes a 1-5 win at Bournemouth in their last away game in the Premier League. However, that result ended a run of three away games without a win in all competitions and there has to be some trepidation in visiting Arsenal where the home team have been rampant.

Injuries are a concern for Arsenal fans, but Laurent Koscielny is still hopeful he can come in a strengthen a defence that was all over the shop in their loss in Munich. Arsene Wenger does have a number of injuries in the midfield to deal with, but he still can call upon the likes of Santi Cazorla, Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez who can give the Tottenham Hotspur defence plenty of things to think about.

I would be surprised if the fixture doesn't produce goals and Arsenal might have the mental edge having won a Capital One Cup game at White Hart Lane already this season. Arsenal certainly still look the better team and I think their price is attractive to win the game and likely boosted by the injury crisis and the loss to Bayern Munich.

They have had more time to prepare for this game which has to be taken into consideration. I also think the key players in midfield are still available for Arsenal and that can help them come through this match and win it by a narrow margin.

MY PICKS: Leicester City @ 1.91 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Manchester United Win to Nil @ 2.00 Sky Bet (2 Units)
West Ham United-Everton Over 2.5 Goals @ 1.80 Betfair Sportsbook (2 Units)
Manchester City - 1.25 Asian Handicap @ 2.00 Bet Victor (2 Units)
Arsenal @ 1.73 Paddy Power (2 Units)