Greg McElroy picks Florida at Texas, more Week 11 games

Week 11 of the college football season is here with several big-time games, including top teams in the SEC getting tested. ESPN college football analyst Greg McElroy has made his picks for this weekend’s game, including Florida at Texas.

McElroy also shared his thoughts on Alabama at LSU, Clemson at Virginia Tech and several other intriguing matchups.

Here is who Greg McElroy has coming out on top in the biggest college football games of Week 11:

Georgia (-2.5) at Ole Miss

One of the biggest games of the college football weekend is Ole Miss hosting Georgia on Saturday afternoon. These two teams have looked like two of the best teams in the country at times. However, they have also struggled some. Ole Miss lost to Kentucky at home earlier this season, while Georgia was in a tough battle with Florida last week, even after Gators QB DJ Lagway was injured.

Greg McElroy is calling the game, so he didn’t make a pick. Still, he did offer his thoughts on the matchup, which he called a playoff elimination game for Ole Miss.

“This feels like the one that’s been circled for Ole Miss for quite a while,” McElroy said. “Will they now step up and actually play well in a big game with so much on the line? Because they have not done that very much in their history.”

Alabama (-2.5) at LSU

While Ole Miss could be eliminated from the College Football Playoff with a loss to Georgia, the Alabama-LSU game is viewed as a CFP elimination game for both teams. Alabama and LSU have both already dropped a couple of games this season and are looking for a statement win in the SEC showdown.

McElroy believes Alabama will take care of business on the road and come out on top.

“I’ll take Alabama. I think Alabama’s defense is improving significantly. Their young players are growing up. Their perimeter players, I think, are going to be OK in this matchup,” McElroy said. “I think Garrett Nussmeier might throw an interception or two, and I think Alabama’s rushing attack is what ultimately tips the scale in their favor.”

Purdue at Ohio State (-37.5)

This looks like one of the biggest mismatches of the college football season on paper. Ohio State is ranked No. 2 and has been one of the best teams in the country all year, while Purdue has yet to beat an FBS opponent this season.

The Buckeyes are favored by more than five touchdowns in this game, and McElroy expects them to roll.

“I don’t know how Purdue keeps this thing close. I just don’t. I think Ohio State can name their score. I’d take Ohio State. I’d lay the points. I would anticipate Ryan Day trying to flex. I would anticipate a big win in favor of the Buckeyes,” he said.

Florida at Texas (-21.5)

Florida has been playing better as of late, but the Gators have a tough test this weekend. Billy Napier’s club will travel to Austin to face a Texas team coming off of a bye. The week off came at a good time for the Longhorns, who lost at home to Georgia and struggled with Vanderbilt leading up to the bye.

McElroy is going with Texas to win the game but believes Florida could hang around.

“I’m going to take Texas, but I’m going to take the points here,” McElroy said. “It’s not a very comfortable feeling, because at this point I don’t know what I’m going to get from the quarterback spot at Florida. But I think Florida can muddy up the game a little bit. … So to lay north of three touchdowns to me, it just feels like way too many points.”

Miami (-10.5) at Georgia Tech

The Hurricanes received a couple of scares earlier in the season, but they continue to roll along and appear headed towards the College Football Playoff. Miami fell behind last weekend against Duke, before rallying to win by three scores.

They are now going on the road to face a Georgia Tech team that has quietly had a pretty good year, despite losing two straight games. McElroy likes Miami to win and cover.

“I think Georgia Tech, if Haynes King can play, will score. I expect a high-scoring affair,” McElroy said. “But I don’t think Georgia Tech’s going to get nearly as many stops as Miami’s going to get and I think Miami’s going to enter this game really ticked off about what went down last year in Coral Gables where they gift-wrapped this one away. I think Miami wins, and I think Miami wins big.”

Clemson (-5.5) at Virginia Tech

Clemson and Virginia Tech are both looking to bounce back from disappointing losses suffered last weekend. The Tigers were beat up by Louisville at home, while Virginia Tech let one slip away at Syracuse.

McElroy is taking Virginia Tech to not only cover the spread but also win the game if the Hokies have quarterback Kyron Drones and running back Bhayshul Tuten available. Both players were out last week but were reportedly close to playing.

However, even if they can’t go, McElroy expects Virginia Tech to cover.

“I’m taking Virginia Tech, but I am operating under the assumption that Virginia Tech will be at 100 percent,” he said. “If Virginia Tech’s at 100 percent, I think they win the game. If Virginia Tech’s not at 100 percent, I think Clemson wins the game, but I still think Clemson wins the game close.”

Michigan at Indiana (-13.5)

It’s unusual for Michigan and Indiana to be playing a college football game in which the Hoosiers are heavy favorites, but it’s also understandable with the way the teams have played this year.

Indiana has handled everyone in its path on its way to a 9-0 record, while the Wolverines have limped to a disappointing 5-4 season thus far. McElroy expects the Hoosiers to take care of business once again.

“I think Indiana wins, and I think Indiana wins convincingly,” he said. “I’m taking Indiana. I would lay the points.”

Colorado (-4.5) at Texas Tech

The Buffaloes have been one of the biggest surprises of the college football season and still have a shot to reach the College Football Playoff. They have a tough task this week, though, against a Texas Tech team that stunned No. 11 Iowa State in Ames last weekend.

Still, McElroy likes the Buffaloes to win and win big.

“I’m taking Colorado. I think they can expose the secondary that is the weakness of the team,” McElroy said. “I think they can create a track meet, and I’m not sure Texas Tech will be able to keep up.”

Washington at Penn State (-13.5)

The Nittany Lions are coming off of a crushing loss as they once again came up short against Ohio State. The good news is that they are back at home and still have a chance to reach the College Football Playoff.

As for Washington, the Huskies snapped a two-game losing skid with a win over USC last weekend, but they have yet to win a game on the road this year. McElroy likes Penn State to win but Washington to cover.

“I’ll take Penn State, but I will also take the points. I think Washington hangs in there and loses this game by single digits, maybe 10 at the most,” he said.

BYU (-3.5) at Utah

The final college football game of the weekend that Greg McElroy broke down is BYU at Utah. The Cougars are slight road favorites for the matchup.

McElroy expects the Cougars to win a hard-fought rivalry game.

“I’ll take BYU, but I’m expecting it to be close — really close — perhaps even an at-the-buzzer field goal,” he said.