A lot happened last weekend, and it threw a very large wrench in the playoff rankings. First, #3 Clemson lost to Pittsburgh on a game-winning field goal as time expired (by a kicker with the name Blewitt, no less). Later Saturday evening, #4 Washington fell to USC, and #2 Michigan was ousted by Iowa on a last-second field goal. Luckily for Michigan and Clemson, Washington's loss (and the fact that there aren't many one-loss teams with very strong cases for the playoff) kept them in the playoff committee's top four.
Last Week: 14-8 (13-8 vs. Spread)
Overall: 146-54 (101-103 vs. Spread)
(Home Team Listed Last)
Thursday
#5 Louisville 35, Houston 38 (8:00 PM, ESPN)
This game looked a lot more appealing early in the season, when Houston beat Oklahoma and looked like a potential playoff contender. Since then, the Cougars have lost twice, but they still have the talent and coaching (and home-field advantage) to pull off the upset.
Friday
UNLV 24, #20 Boise State 48 (9:00 PM, ESPN2)
The 4-6 Rebels are fresh off a wild 69-66 win against Wyoming, which happens to be the one team Boise State has lost to. Despite that, don't expect the Blue Field Broncos, who are still in the hunt for a New Year's Six bowl bid, to fall victim to the upset.
Saturday
#2 Ohio State 52, Michigan State 17 (Noon, ESPN)
After a shaky October, the Buckeyes have rolled through Nebraska and Maryland, and now find themselves at #2. If they win out (even if they don't win the Big Ten), they're in. The 3-7 Spartans are not what they were last season, when they upset Ohio State in Columbus.
#11 Oklahoma State 48, TCU 45 (Noon, FS1)
The Cowboys squeaked by Texas Tech last week, 45-44. It may be another close on this week on the road against the 5-4 Horned Frogs, who dismantled Baylor last week by 40. Oklahoma State needs to win to keep pace with Oklahoma and set up a de facto Big 12 championship game next week.
Texas San Antonio 7, #25 Texas A&M 38 (Noon, ESPNU)
It's cupcake week for a few of the SEC's top teams, including Texas A&M, which needs an easy week after losing to Mississippi State and Ole Miss in back-to-back weeks (dropping the Aggies from #4 two weeks ago to #25 now).
Maryland 24, #18 Nebraska 40 (Noon, ESPNN)
The Cornhuskers bounced back with a win over Minnesota last week after getting lambasted by Ohio State the week before, while the Terrapins had the honor of getting trucked by the Buckeyes last week. Nebraska, which needs Wisconsin to lose to win the Big Ten West, should roll.
#7 Wisconsin 42, Purdue 7 (Noon, ABC)
Speaking of Wisconsin, the Badgers have what should be an easy test this weekend in West Lafeyette against the 3-7 Boilermakers, who have lost their last five games. If Wisconsin wins this game (which they should) and next week against Minnesota, its in the Big Ten Championship.
#23 Florida 13, #16 LSU 16 (1:00 PM, SECN)
This is the game that was rescheduled due to Hurricane Matthew. LSU has looked good recently, playing close with Alabama and cruising past Arkansas a week after the Razorbacks beat the Gators. It'll be a battle, but the Tigers will come out on top.
Oregon 31, #12 Utah 48 (2:00 PM)
This is not the Oregon Ducks everyone has grown accustomed to. This season, the Ducks are 3-7 and 1-6 in the Pac-12. The Utes, who may be playing Colorado for Pac-12 South next week, shouldn't have any problem at home against Oregon.
Missouri 14, #19 Tennessee 35 (3:30 PM, CBS)
At 3-7 and 1-5 in the SEC, Mizzou is also having a down year. The Tigers are coming off a win over Vandy, however, so the Volunteers, who have played tight with some inferior teams, might struggle. I don't think they will this week at home, though.
#22 Washington State 45, #10 Colorado 38 (3:30 PM, FOX)
This is a key game in terms of the Pac-12 Championship race, and its between two pleasant surprises. The Buffs, who's only two losses are to Michigan and USC, are a very good team, but I believe in the pass-happy Cougars, who haven't lost since the second week of the season.
Indiana 21, #3 Michigan 35 (3:30 PM, ESPN)
Although Michigan suffered its first loss of the season last Saturday against Iowa, the Wolverines are still right in the thick of things. They have to be careful with an Indiana team that's played some good teams close, especially without Wilton Speight, but I think they will get the win.
Buffalo 7, #21 Western Michigan 45 (3:30 PM, ESPU)
College Gameday is in Kalamazoo Saturday as the 10-0 Broncos continue their rowing quest for an undefeated season. If they win out and win the MAC, they should be in a New Year's Six bowl. They should have no problem with 2-8 Buffalo this week.
#17 Florida State 35, Syracuse 14 (3:30 PM, ABC/ESPN2)
Fun fact: Florida State has as many wins against teams currently ranked in the CFP top 25 as Syracuse does (zero). However, the Seminoles are much more talented, and should come out with the win on Saturday.
#24 Stanford 46, California 32 (5:30 PM, PAC12N)
After a four-week stretch where Stanford lost three games, the Cardinal have gotten back on track. winning their last three. 4-6 Cal has a couple solid wins, but the Bears are definitely not as good as Stanford.
Chattanooga 3, #1 Alabama 55 (7:00 PM, ESPN2)
Maybe if this were basketball, Chattanooga would have a chance at pulling the upset. But in football, Chattanooga has little to no chance against the Crimson Tide, even if they are a pretty 8-2. The Tide should roll through this practical bye week.
#4 Clemson 42, Wake Forest 17 (7:00 PM, ESPN)
Wake Forest kept up with Louisville for about three quarters last week, while Clemson fell to Pittsburgh. The Tigers, like Michigan, are still right in the thick of things, and while Wake may keep it close, Clemson should pull away.
Alabama A&M 0, #15 Auburn 48 (7:30 PM, SECN)
Another FCS cupcake in the SEC. Auburn suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Georgia last week, eliminating the Tigers from the SEC Championship race. Regardless, they can take out their frustrations on 4-6 Alabama A&M.
Arizona State 20, #6 Washington 52 (7:30 PM, FOX)
After falling last week to USC, the Huskies are still in the thick of things, but not in as comfortable a position as Michigan and Clemson. Washington is probably looking ahead to a tilt with Washington State next week to see who goes to the Pac-12 Championship.
#9 Oklahoma 48, #14 West Virginia 35 (8:00 PM, ABC)
Although the Big 12 is on the outside looking in as far as the College Football Playoff is concerned, this game is still a big one in the race for the conference. Oklahoma has faced a lot tougher competition than West Virginia, and I think the Sooners are a much better team.
#8 Penn State 45, Rutgers 14 (8:00 PM, BTN)
Penn State just needs to beat 2-8 Rutgers and 3-7 Michigan State, since the Nittany Lions hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over Ohio State. The Scarlet Knights' two wins this season came against Howard and New Mexico.
#13 USC 42, UCLA 28 (10:30 PM, ESPN)
If UCLA still had quarterback Josh Rosen, I might like their chance more. USC looked mighty impressive in a win over Washington last week, and although this may be close, since its a rivalry game (and a late night Pac-12 game), the Trojans should emerge victorious.
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