College Football Rivalry Week Predictions: OSU/Mich, Tex/Tex A&M, So.Car/Clem, and More

Week 13 gave us thrilling upsets, with three two-loss SEC teams losing last Saturday, along with yet another crazy week in the Big-12.

Week 14 is rivalry week, which means you can throw out the records. Regardless of rankings, these types of games are much closer than the odds makers set, generally speaking, of course. Indiana lost to Ohio State but was very fortunate all hell broke loose in the SEC. Last week, and the whole month of November, we continued to learn that college football fans should let the games play out in the regular season. Debate is great but don’t get too bent out of shape arguing a ranking of a certain team or conference only to see your point rendered meaningless from all the mayhem.

Marquee Matchups

#3 Texas vs. #20 Texas A&M: The rivalry is back after a hiatus, and this game’s importance goes beyond long-standing beef. The winner of the SEC matchup will find itself in the conference championship. Texas’s defense is one of the units in the land. Of course, one could argue how many legit offences and teams the Longhorns have faced this year. Regardless of a softer SEC schedule, the Texas offense and overall team haven’t been as impressive as one would think. The one time the Longhorns stepped up to a major test, they were beaten by Georgia at home. Another item to think about is the health of Texas QB Quinn Ewers.

The Aggies lost in 4 overtimes to Auburn last Saturday and got the breaks beat off them versus South Carolina a little while back. Even in the loss, QB Marcel Reed was excellent all-around against the Tigers. Texas A&M thrives on running the ball to the tune of 209 per game. The Aggies are a better team, no doubt, under the guidance of Mike Elko. That said, unless Texas really shits the bed here by turning the ball over, the Longhorns should be able to win. Home-field advantage is huge in College Football, and Kyle Field will be crazy per usual, so look for a game still on the table in the 4th quarter.

The Pick: Texas -5.5

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Bet Texas -5.5

• Texas must contain the run game
• Aggies at home
• Quinn Ewers to have big impact

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#12 Clemson vs. #15 South Carolina: Bubble talk is usually debated in College Basketball. In the 12-team format, both squads are on the bubble and need a big win to add to their resume. The Gamecocks are on a 5-game heater with no intentions of slowing down as the team has found a groove. The improvement of QB LaNorris Sellers, along with a stellar defensive line, has this South Carolina team peaking at the right time. Clemson barely got by Pitt, and it looks just okay defeating Virginia Tech. Louisville exposed the Tigers to an extent as a team that can only beat up mediocre to bad teams. Beyond Ole Miss, who defeated SC soundly, their other two losses were razor close to Alabama and LSU. This College Football podcaster is stuck on what appears to be a coin-flip outcome. It is difficult to imagine Clemson losing another vital game at home. There is possibly some baked-in recency bias here picking the Gamecocks, or they’re just the better team.

The Pick: South Carolina +2.5 

DraftKings

4.5/5

Tip: Bet South Carolina +2.5

• Gamecocks on a roll
• Clemson at home
• Clemson inconsistent

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Under The Radar

#2 Ohio State vs. Michigan: Part of me thinks Ohio State will win big to compensate for the last 3 years of losing to their bitter rival. The other part believes Michigan will get up for this matchup and look to slow down the game thus keeping it under the spread. Ohio State coming off a big win opens the door for a letdown. Possibly a look ahead to the Big Ten title trap scenario. Given the hatred between these two programs, it’s doubtful the Buckeyes won’t be ready mentally. The bottom line is Michigan’s defense gives up too many passing yards and points, along with an offense that averages just 23 points per game. Something tells me the Wolverines will stay under the point spread. However, make no mistake about it: if Ohio State gets up big, they will put the pedal to the medal, looking to embarrass Michigan.

The Pick: Ohio State wins but Michigan +20 

#18 Iowa State vs. #24 Kansas State: In the wild Big-12 conference where anything and everything will happen from week to week, Iowa State does control its own destiny. Of course just last week BYU and Colorado were in control and we saw how that played out. The potential of QB Avery Johnson and RB DJ Gibbens combining for rushing yards and then popping chunk yardage thru the air is off the charts. The problem is Avery Johnsons tends to be a bit feast or famine. The Cyclones were riding high and looked the part of being the best team in the Big-12. Then they lost back to back to Kansas and Texas Tech. K-State appeared to be in great position in the standing as well until they dropped 2 in a row. The biggest item that stands out is the Wildcats rushing for 210 yards and Iowa State giving up 176 rushing yards per game.

The Pick: Kansas State +2.5

Saturday Upset Special

Stanford upsets San Jose State as a +2.5 road dog.

Baylor in a minor upset at home as a +1.5 against Kansas.

Kansas State as a +2.5 live road dog versus #18 Iowa State

Hardcore Barnburners

#6 Miami vs. #Syracuse: Top-tier passing offenses in the country do battle in what used to be called the carrier dome. Neither team is great on defense, hence the 67-point total. This one will come down to the wire, so it fits perfect in the hardcore barnburner section. Miami can run the ball very well, and the Cuse’s giving up 153 yards on the ground is enough of a reason to pick the Canes to win, but will they cover?

The Pick: Miami wins but Syracuse +10.5.

Minnesota vs. Wisconsin: This will be the 134th meeting between these border rivals, the longest continuously played rivalry in Division I FBS history. The Badgers will be looking to continue their 22-in-a-row bowl streak, needing this victory to ensure an appearance. On paper, Minnesota is the better team, but have they fully recovered from a heartbreaking loss to Penn State?

The Pick: Wisconsin -1.5

Against The Spread

Auburn +11.5 versus #13 Alabama

Vanderbilt +11 versus #8 Tennessee

Georgia Tech +19.5 versus # Georgia

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Quick Hits Recap & My Top 10

My Top 10: Oregon, Ohio State, Texas, Penn State, Notre Dame, Georgia, Tennessee, SMU, Miami, Indiana.

-Ohio State held Indiana to 151 total yards, the fewest versus an Associated Press Top-25 opponent dating back to 2007.

The Hoosiers got up 7-0, but the Buckeyes scored 31 straight points in a 38-15 victory.

-Alabama scored 3 points against Oklahoma for the first time since 2004.

-The Sooners 24-3 win over Bama helped keep their 25-year streak being bowl eligible.

-Kansas RB Devin Neal rushed for 207 yards on 37 carries adding 80 receiving yards and a TD as the Kansas Jayhawks beat Colorado 37-21.

-The Jayhawks have now won 3 consecutive games versus AP-ranked foes.

-ASU RB Skattebo had 147 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns in the Sun Devils 28-23 win over BYU.

-Penn State escaped Minneapolis with a 26-25 victory over Minnesota giving the Nittany Lions their 3rd 10-win season in a row.

Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio