It's rivalry week in college football. It's also a big week in terms of Playoff implications. There are key matchups all weekend.
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| Once again, The Game brings huge implications |
Record
Last Week: 17-5 vs. Spread: 6-15-1 Over/Under: 9-13
Season: 167-54 vs. Spread: 85-106-2 Over/Under: 87-104-2
Thursday
#18 Mississippi State 35, Ole Miss 3
Friday
#14 Texas 24, Kansas 14
#9 UCF @ South Florida (4:15 PM, ESPN)
Central Florida easily dispatched of Cincinnati last week to extend its FBS-best win streak. Now the Knight visit their rivals to the south. Last time these two met (last year), it resulted in an exciting game that Central Florida won, 49-42. This year's game might not be as close. After starting 7-0, the Bulls have lost their last four games.
Spread: UCF -15 Over/Under: 69.5
Prediction: UCF 45, South Florida 28
#6 Oklahoma @ #13 West Virginia (8:00 PM, ESPN)
A spot in the Big 12 Championship Game is on the line when Kyler Murray and the Sooners visit Will Grier and the Mountaineers. In true Big 12 fashion, this game will likely be a shootout between two of the best offenses in the nation. I'm going to go with Lincoln Riley's Oklahoma squad.
Spread: OKLA -3 Over/Under: 85
Prediction: Oklahoma 48, West Virginia 42
#16 Washington @ #8 Washington State (8:30 PM, FOX)
This year's Apple Cup will have a lot on the line, The winner will face Utah in the Pac-12 Championship Game. Washington State will also hope to keep its Playoff hopes alive with a win. This will be a hard-fought battle between the two rivals, one I could see going either way, but it's been the year of the cougars, so I'll go with Wassu.
Spread: WSU -2.5 Over/Under: 50.5
Prediction: Washington State 35, Washington 32
Saturday
#4 Michigan @ #10 Ohio State (Noon, FOX)
The greatest rivalry in sports, as it has so many times in the past, has major implications this year. The winner goes to the Big Ten Championship to face Northwestern, and whomever emerges victorious will be the Big Ten's lone Playoff hopeful. The way these two teams have been playing, Michigan is the clear pick. However, I will never pick TTUN to win The Game. Also, Urban Meyer is 6-0 at Ohio State as an underdog.
Spread: MICH -4.5 Over/Under: 55
Prediction: Ohio State 32, Michigan 31
Georgia Tech @ #5 Georgia (Noon, SEC Network)
This in-state rivalry doesn't have the implications that the Apple Cup does, but it does provide Georgia Tech to spoil Georgia's Playoff hopes. Both teams come in having won their last four games (although three of Georgia's were against ranked teams, as opposed to none of Tech's). The Bulldogs will have to deal with the triple option, but I think they'll handle it.
Spread: UGA -17 Over/Under: 59.5
Prediction: Georgia 42, Georgia Tech 28
#11 Florida @ Florida State (Noon, ABC)
8-3 Florida will look to beat 5-6 Florida State for the first time in five years on Saturday, while the Seminoles will look to spoil the Gators' season and keep their streak of bowl game appearances (36 straight) alive. Although history is not on their side, the Gators are much better than their in-state rivals this season, and I think they'll show that Saturday.
Spread: FLA -7 Over/Under: 52
Prediction: Florida 35, Florida State 21
#20 Syracuse @ Boston College (Noon, ESPN)
These two ACC rivals will try to bounce back from rough losses Saturday. Syracuse, fresh off its first appearance in the top 10 of the CFP rankings, got trounced by Notre Dame in Yankee Stadium. Boston College, a week after falling to Clemson, lost by one to Florida State. I'm going to roll with the better offense, which belongs to the Orange.
Spread: BC -7 Over/Under: 58.5
Prediction: Syracuse 35, Boston College 31
Auburn @ #1 Alabama (3:30 PM, CBS)
The Iron Bowl has spawned some memorable moments over the years, but there might not be many memorable moments this year. The 7-4 Tigers aren't as good as they've been in recent years. Meanwhile, the Tide has rolled through their schedule. I think Auburn has a chance to pull off the upset, or at least stay within striking distance of the Tide (after all, The Citadel was tied with Alabama at halftime last week), but 'Bama will pull away.
Spread: ALA -24.5 Over/Under: 53
Prediction: Alabama 40, Auburn 23
Maryland @ #12 Penn State (3:30 PM, ABC)
Fresh off coming ohsoclose to upsetting Ohio State, Maryland will look to complete the upset over Penn State. The Nittany Lions, like the Buckeyes, have been all that impressive of late, but they have won their last two. The Terrapins have lost their last three, and I think Penn State will make it four on Saturday afternoon.
Spread: PSU -14 Over/Under: 52.5
Prediction: Penn State 34, Maryland 21
Illinois @ #19 Northwestern (3:30 PM, Big Ten Network)
Northwestern finishes off its regular season against Illinois this Saturday before heading to Indianapolis to face either Michigan or Ohio State. Lovie Smith (who has aged about 70 years since coming to Illinois) and the Illini have been lambasted by Nebraska and Iowa the last two weeks, and they'll probably get crushed again to end another disappointing season.
Spread: NW -17 Over/Under: 58.5
Prediction: Northwestern 35, Illinois 10
#24 Pittsburgh @ Miami (3:30 PM, ESPN)
This game features a reversal of roles, as ranked Pittsburgh, the normal plucky underdog, faces unranked Miami, which has been in a downward spiral. The U is a mess right now, having lost four of its last five games. The Canes definitely have the talent to beat Pitt, but they don't have much else going for them right now.
Spread: MIA -5 Over/Under: 47
Prediction: Pittsburgh 31, Miami 28
South Carolina @ #2 Clemson (7:00 PM, ESPN)
Clemson will look to secure an unblemished regular season at home against South Carolina Saturday night. The Tigers haven't had a close game in weeks, cruising through the back part of their schedule. This week, at home against 6-5 South Carolina, will probably be no different.
Spread: CLEM -26 Over/Under: 58.5
Prediction: Clemson 42, South Carolina 14
#15 Kentucky @ Louisville (7:00 PM, ESPN2)
Kentucky hasn't looked quite as good since basketball season started (coincidence?), but the Wildcats shouldn't have too much trouble against the woeful Cardinals, who have lost eight games in a row.
Spread: UK -17 Over/Under: 52.5
Prediction: Kentucky 38, Louisville 7
Kansas State @ #25 Iowa State (7:00 PM, FOX Sports 1)
These two middling Big 12 teams will look to end the regular season on a high note. The Wildcats, who shut down Texas Tech last week, need to win to become bowl eligible. The Cyclones, who blew a shot at the Big 12 title game with a loss to Texas last week, will look to bounce back. I think the hosts will bounce back Saturday night.
Spread: ISU -13 Over/Under: 40.5
Prediction: Iowa State 31, Kansas State 17
#7 LSU @ #22 Texas A&M (7:30 PM, SECN)
LSU won't be in the SEC Championship or the College Football Playoff, but the Tigers can finish off a great season with a win at Texas A&M Saturday night. LSU has won the last seven games between these two teams. The Tigers will get a fight out of the Aggies, but I think they'll hold on for their eighth straight win in this series.
Spread: TAMU -3.5 Over/Under: 47.5
Prediction: LSU 30, Texas A&M 28
#3 Notre Dame @ USC (8:00 PM, ABC)
Notre Dame will look to punctuate a perfect season (and a spot in the College Football Playoff) with a win in the Coliseum Saturday night. While the Fighting Irish have conquered every challenge this season, the Trojans have stumbled to a 5-6 record, including a loss in four of their last five games. I just see little resistance between Notre Dame and an undefeated regular season.
Spread: ND -11 Over/Under: 54
Prediction: Notre Dame 38, USC 17
BYU @ #17 Utah (10:00 PM, FS1)
Utah has already clinched a spot in the Pac-12 Championship, but the Utes have unfinished business as they look to take care of in-state rival BYU Saturday night. The 6-5 Cougars won't makes it easy for Utah, but I expect the Utes to finish the regular season with a victory.
Spread: UTAH -11.5 Over/Under: 44
Prediction: Utah 34, BYU 24
#21 Utah State @ #23 Boise State (10:15 PM, ESPN)
We finish off the ranked slate with some #MountainWestAfterDark (not a real hashtag) in a game to determine who goes to the Mountain West Championship Game. Both teams come in scorching hot, but I'll go with the host Blue-Field Broncos over a Utah State team that came a couple of inches from losing last week.
Spread: BSU -3 Over/Under: 67
Prediction: Boise State 38, Utah State 31
Stats and info via ESPN.com and OddsShark.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Friday afternoon
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