Michigan vs IU prediction, Georgia vs Ole Miss picks

Shoutout to assistant sports editor Rich Barak for breaking through and passing Jason Frakes to become the leader of The Courier Journal sports staff college football picks.

Ryan Black, Prince James Story and sports director Natalie Pierre also joined Barak at going 4-1 last week.

Frakes and C.L. Brown went 3-2, while Alexis Cubit and Brooks Holton went 2-3.

For Week 11, all eight sports staffers predicted Western Kentucky to top New Mexico State and Indiana to remain unbeaten with a victory over Michigan.

The staff was split on Oklahoma vs. Missouri, Alabama vs. LSU and Georgia vs. Ole Miss.

Here's a look at this week's picks. As is our custom, predictions are straight-up winners and losers (not against the spread), with rankings based on the latest US LBM Coaches Poll. All times listed are ET.

How to watch: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, CBS

The picks: Eight for Indiana

At 9-0, Indiana is amid its best start in program history. The Hoosiers already have matched the most wins in a season (1945 and 1967) and have a program record of seven games in which they have scored 40 or more points in a season. Michigan is entering this week off a 38-17 loss to Oregon that dropped it to 5-4. The Wolverines enter with a struggling offense and one of the Big Ten's worst passing attacks. Michigan has won 27 of the last 28 matchups against the Hoosiers.

How to watch: 3:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC

The picks: Seven for Georgia and one for Ole Miss (Pierre)

Georgia's offense has been inconsistent. The run game is at the bottom of the SEC, averaging 132.3 yards per contest. Quarterback Carson Beck is third in the SEC for passing yards but also leads the conference in interceptions (11). In contrast, Ole Miss averages the second-most yards in the country. Quarterback Jaxson Dart leads the nation in passing yards (3,210) and has 21 touchdowns with only three interceptions. Ole Miss' defense leads the FBS in tackles for loss and sacks and is second in rushing yards allowed (82.2). This is the first time the Bulldogs have traveled to Ole Miss since 2016. They lead the all-time series, 33-12-1, and are 10-6 in Oxford.

How to watch: 6 p.m. Saturday, ESPN+

The picks: Eight for Western Kentucky

Last week, Western Kentucky defeated Kennesaw State, 31-14, and improved to 4-0 in Conference USA. The Hilltoppers are one of two teams still undefeated in conference play, and this is the third time since 2014 that they have started conference play 4-0. Western Kentucky's defense has held opponents to 21 points or fewer in seven of its eight games, and it ranks No. 2 nationally in red zone defense. The Aggies (2-6) have struggled this year on the road, but their two wins came at Aggie Memorial Stadium. The Aggies' defense is last for total yards and points allowed in the conference. On offense, they have the worst passing attack (115 yards per contest) but are fourth in rushing yards (168.6).

How to watch: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, ABC

The picks: Six for Alabama and two for LSU (Black and Holton)

The initial College Football Playoff rankings were released Tuesday. The Crimson Tide was ranked 11th, and the Tigers were ranked 15th. Whoever loses this game likely will kiss their playoff hopes goodbye as a three-loss team. Alabama won this matchup last year, 42-28, behind Jalen Milroe's 374 total yards (219 passing and 155 rushing). The Tigers lost, 38-23, to Texas A&M on Oct. 26. The last time LSU played Alabama at Tiger Stadium was in 2022, when the Tigers won in overtime, 32-31.

How to watch: 7:45 p.m. Saturday, SEC Network

The picks: Seven for Missouri and one for Oklahoma (Story)

Oklahoma needs one win to become bowl eligible for a consecutive season, which is the second-longest active streak in the FBS. Over the last three weeks, quarterback Jackson Arnold has passed for 631 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions. The Sooners started 4-1 but have lost three of their last four. This is the 97th meeting between these programs and the first time since 2011, when both were in the Big 12. The Tigers are 5-0 at Faurot Field this season. They also have the fourth-best red zone percentage (89.7) in the SEC and 32nd nationally.

1 – Rich Barak (last week 4-1), 37-13

2 – Jason Frakes (last week 3-2), 36-14

3 – Natalie Pierre (last week 4-1), 33-17

4 (tie) – C.L. Brown (last week 3-2), 32-18

4 (tie) – Prince James Story (last week 4-1), 32-18

6 (tie) – Alexis Cubit (last week 2-3), 31-19

6 (tie) – Ryan Black (last week 4-1), 31-19

8 – Brooks Holton (last week 2-3), 29-21

Reach sports reporter Prince James Story at [email protected] and follow him on X at @PrinceJStory.