AL.com college football staff picks for Week 11 of 2024
The first College Football Playoff rankings dropped this week, which means we are hitting the homestretch of the 2024 season and AL.com’s staff picks.
There are a pair of titanic SEC matchups on the docket this week, including one involving Alabama. Jacksonville State and UAB have key conference games, while Auburn, South Alabama and Troy are using their final bye week.
In our picks panel, things have tightened at the top. There’s enough time left that even the bottom dwellers in the standings (including the author) are not necessarily out of the running.
Scroll along below to find out how various AL.com sports staffers see this week’s games playing out. We’ve also given predicted scores for this week’s Alabama game.
A reminder that these picks are AGAINST THE SPREAD. That means that each person’s selection doesn’t necessarily mean he or she thinks that team will win outright, just that it will cover the point spread.
On with this week’s picks (all times Central and all games Saturday unless noted):
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck leads the Bulldogs into their SEC rivalery game against the Florida Gators in Jacksonville. The game will air on ABC and be available on multiple streaming platforms. (AP Photo/Jason Allen)AP
Georgia (-2.5) at Ole Miss, 2:30 p.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Georgia
Michael Casagrande: Georgia
Patrick Greenfield: Georgia
Andrew Hammond: Georgia
Mark Inabinett: Ole Miss
Nick Kelly: Georgia
Peter Rauterkus: Georgia
Creg Stephenson: Georgia
Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti yells to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Northwestern in Evanston, Ill., Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)AP
Michigan (+14.5) at Indiana, 2:30 p.m., CBS
Thomas Ashworth: Michigan
Michael Casagrande: Indiana
Patrick Greenfield: Indiana
Andrew Hammond: Indiana
Mark Inabinett: Michigan
Nick Kelly: Indiana
Peter Rauterkus: Indiana
Creg Stephenson: Indiana
WEST POINT, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Bryson Daily #13 of the Army Black Knights breaks a tackle as he rushes for a touchdown during the first quarter of the game against the UAB Blazers at Michie Stadium on October 12, 2024 in West Point, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)Getty Images
Army (-5.5) at North Texas, 3 p.m., ESPN2
Thomas Ashworth: Army
Michael Casagrande: Army
Patrick Greenfield: Army
Andrew Hammond: Army
Mark Inabinett: Army
Nick Kelly: Army
Peter Rauterkus: Army
Creg Stephenson: Army
South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) runs for a 23-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024, in Columbia, S.C. (AP Photo/Artie Walker Jr.)AP
South Carolina (-3.5) at Vanderbilt, 3:15 p.m., SEC Network
Thomas Ashworth: Vanderbilt
Michael Casagrande: South Carolina
Patrick Greenfield: Vanderbilt
Andrew Hammond: South Carolina
Mark Inabinett: South Carolina
Nick Kelly: Vanderbilt
Peter Rauterkus: South Carolina
Creg Stephenson: Vanderbilt
Colorado wide receiver Travis Hunter (12) runs after catching a pass against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)AP
Colorado (-3.5) at Texas Tech, 4 p.m., Fox
Thomas Ashworth: Texas Tech
Michael Casagrande: Colorado
Patrick Greenfield: Colorado
Andrew Hammond: Texas Tech
Mark Inabinett: Texas Tech
Nick Kelly: Texas Tech
Peter Rauterkus: Texas Tech
Creg Stephenson: Colorado
Missouri defensive end Johnny Walker Jr. (15) celebrates after a sack of Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Oklahoma (+2.5) at Missouri, 6:45 p.m., SEC Network
Thomas Ashworth: Oklahoma
Michael Casagrande: Oklahoma
Patrick Greenfield: Missouri
Andrew Hammond: Missouri
Mark Inabinett: Missouri
Nick Kelly: Missouri
Peter Rauterkus: Missouri
Creg Stephenson: Missouri
The undefeated BYU Cougars will battle the Oklahoma State Cowboys today. This game is available on multiple streaming services for free. (AP Photo/Tyler Tate)AP
BYU (-4) at Utah, 9:15 p.m., ESPN
Thomas Ashworth: BYU
Michael Casagrande: BYU
Patrick Greenfield: BYU
Andrew Hammond: BYU
Mark Inabinett: Utah
Nick Kelly: Utah
Peter Rauterkus: BYU
Creg Stephenson: BYU
WEST POINT, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 12: Jalen Kitna #17 of the UAB Blazers throws a pass during the first quarter of the game against the Army Black Knights at Michie Stadium on October 12, 2024 in West Point, New York. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)Getty Images
Connecticut (-6.5) at UAB, 1:30 p.m., ESPN+
Thomas Ashworth: UAB
Michael Casagrande: Connecticut
Patrick Greenfield: Connecticut
Andrew Hammond: Connecticut
Mark Inabinett: UAB
Nick Kelly: Connecticut
Peter Rauterkus: Connecticut
Creg Stephenson: Connecticut
Jacksonville State wide receiver Brock Rechsteiner celebrates a 5-yard touchdown reception against New Mexico State.Brandon Phillips, Jax State Photo
Jacksonville State (-10) at Louisiana Tech, 3:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network
Thomas Ashworth: Jacksonville State
Michael Casagrande: Jacksonville State
Patrick Greenfield: Jacksonville State
Andrew Hammond: Jacksonville State
Mark Inabinett: Jacksonville State
Nick Kelly: Jacksonville State
Peter Rauterkus: Jacksonville State
Creg Stephenson: Jacksonville State
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer works with his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri, Saturday, Oct. 26, 2024, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)AP
Alabama (-3) at LSU, 6:30 p.m., ABC
Thomas Ashworth: Alabama 34, LSU 30
Michael Casagrande: Alabama 28, LSU 21
Patrick Greenfield: Alabama 28, LSU 21
Andrew Hammond: LSU 24, Alabama 20
Mark Inabinett: Alabama 30, LSU 28
Nick Kelly: Alabama 24, LSU 20
Peter Rauterkus: LSU 31, Alabama 28
Creg Stephenson: LSU 37, Alabama 34
Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers shows off the Golden Hat trophy to fans after an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma at the Cotton Bowl, Saturday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Dallas. Texas won 34-3. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)AP
Standings after Week 10
Mark Inabinett 54-46 (5-5 last week)
Nick Kelly 53-47 (6-4 last week)
Michael Casagrande 51-49 (5-5 last week)
Peter Rauterkus 51-49 (6-4 last week)
Andrew Hammond 50-50 (6-4 last week)
Patrick Greenfield 49-51 (2-8 last week)
Creg Stephenson 48-52 (2-8 last week)
Thomas Ashworth 47-53 (5-5 last week)