Week 13 saw ASU ruin Oregon’s dreams of the Playoffs along with a variety of competitive games inside the Top-25. Week 14 is rivalry week and with so many ranked vs. ranked matchups and underdogs wanting to play the role of spoiler anything can and will happen. Two weeks of games remain until the Playoff Rankings Committee unveils their final 4 qualifiers.
Marquee Matchups
#5 Alabama vs. #15 Auburn: The Iron Bowl has decided the fate of National Title hopes and in recent years National Semifinal dreams. This year the Crimson Tide invades enemy territory in Jordan-Hare Stadium but without the services of their star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. So it will be sophomore Mac Jones having to face Alabama’s arch-rival Auburn. Speaking of the QB position, the Tigers signal caller and true freshman Bo Nix has taken his fair share of lumps when Auburn has faced ranked opponents. In the two starts made by Mac Jones since Tua went down the sophomore has been impressive to say the least. Of course that was against low-level opposition making Saturday his first true test against a solid defense in the SEC. Remember Auburn had about as tough as schedule of anyone in the country with their 3 losses coming by an average of 7 points. Alabama could still make the playoffs potentially and the Auburn fateful would absolutely love to crush Bama’s hopes. Look for a low scoring game with the outcome still on the table in the fourth quarter.
The Pick: Auburn 27 Alabama 23
#1 Ohio State vs. #13 Michigan: The Buckeyes fresh off an important victory last week over Penn State now have to line right back up facing long time rival Michigan. The Wolverines got whooped by Wisconsin but have since put together a very good season with wins over Iowa and Notre Dame. Michigan was down 21 points to Penn State but almost completed a comeback to forced overtime in the closing moments. UM better not start the way they did with Wisconsin or Penn State otherwise it will defiantly be a blowout. Justin Fields transferred from Georgia and has been just what the doctor ordered at the QB position for Ohio State. Michigan QB Shea Patterson has improved of late but has yet to live up to his billing transferring from Ole Miss two years ago. Could this be the year Jim Harbaugh and the Wolverines finally break thru and get a win versus OSU? If they can create a few turnovers and execute in the redzone Michigan could pull of this major upset. The Buckeyes both defensively and offensively seem to be on a different level than anyone in the Big Ten and only a few others among the nation.
The Pick: Ohio State 30 Michigan 20
Under The Radar
#8 Minnesota vs. #12 Wisconsin: The border-battle between Minnesota and Wisconsin dates back to the tune of 128 meetings. The rival which has been dominated by the Badgers since the 1990’s is dead locked at 60-60-8. Also, as stake is the Big Ten West division and berth to the Conference title game. For Minnesota the Rose Bowl is still within reach something the Gophers haven’t done since 1961. The keys to victory for Wisconsin will be to contain Minnesota’s potent passing game featuring two wide receivers in Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman. That duo leads the Big Ten in passing yards and both are real threats to score from any place on the field. For the Gophers, their main focus must be to slow down the freight train of rushing attacks led by one of the best ever RB to play college football Jonathan Taylor. Snow is in the forecast in Minneapolis but with a high of 37 that snow could be wet sleet which would favor the Badgers.
The Pick: Wisconsin 26 Minnesota 23
Saturday Upset Special
Auburn is due for a win when facing a ranked opponent in the SEC and why not Alabama?
Washington State upsets Washington as a 7-point underdog.
Hardcore Barnburners
#7 Oklahoma vs. #21 Oklahoma State: The last four outings the Sooners have been living on the edge and rising Cowboys team will have home field advantage in primetime on Saturday.
#18 Memphis vs. #19 Cincinnati: This one is interesting on paper but strange because these two teams will me next week as well for the AAC title. The key here is rankings so the winner could land a bowl game on New Year’s Day.
Against The Spread
Cincinnati could very well lose to Memphis but not by 11-points as an underdog.
(Honorable Mention: #14 Oregon will defiantly beat their rival Oregon State just not by 19.5 points as Las Vegas claims.)
Easy Money
Take it to the window the Oklahoma/Oklahoma State game will cover over 69.5-points.
Quick Hits Recap & Top-4 Plus 2
-In Ohio State’s victory over Penn State last week RB J.K. Dobbins rushed for 157 yards on 36 carries scoring two TD’s.
-On the defensive side for the Buckeyes Chase Young returned to action collecting 9 tackles (4 for loss), 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles.
-Mr. Do it all Sooners QB Jalen Hurts became just the 3rd player in FBS history to throw for 3000+ yards and 1000+ rushing yards through 11 games.
-Gophers dynamic duo Rashod Batemen and Tyler Johnson became the first tandem in school history to pass 1000 yards receiving, Minnesota had just 5 WR’s to get to 1000 yards prior to this season.
-Wisconsin RB keeps racking up the 200 yards rushing games, for the 12th time in Jonathan Taylor’s storied career he breached the 200 yard (222) mark in a victory over Purdue.
-Arizona State freshman Jayden Daniels threw for 408 yards and 3 TD’s in a upset win over #6 Oregon.
-USC freshman Kedon Slovis broke a long standing Trojan record by throwing for 515 yards and 4 TD’s in a dominate win over UCLA.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & TheGruelingTruth.Com
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
