Week 13 saw Oregon State upset Oregon and Michigan State do the same to unbeaten Northwestern along with a variety of close games inside the Top-25. Week 14 has just 2 ranked vs. ranked matchups but don’t let that fool you. With only 3 weeks remaining in the regular season, anything and everything can and will happen. The biggest debate in College Football is 8-0 Cincinnati being ranked behind 1-loss Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State with just 4 games to go by.
Marquee Matchup
#12 Indiana vs. #16 Wisconsin: This Big Ten tilt would be a much bigger deal if it weren’t for an injury to Hoosiers QB Michael Pennix Jr. The Badgers have played just 3 games thus far so it’s tough to get a real gauge on just how good they are. Two weeks ago Wisconsin lost to then-undefeated Northwestern and Indiana fell short but made a respectable comeback after trailing Ohio State 35-7. Wisconsin’s ability to run the ball and milk the clock, at the same time neutralizing Indiana’s run game will be the difference in this game. With the long layoff, it could take a while for the Badgers to find a groove.
The Pick: Wisconsin 23 Indiana 16
Under The Radar
#15 BYU vs. #18 Coastal Carolina: This one here was thrown together at the last moment but is low key a fun unexpected matchup. Coastal Carolina was supposed to play Liberty University until a Covid-19 spread forced the game to be canceled. It just so happens BYU has been looking for an opponent to beef up their weak schedule to improve the rankings overall. It should be noted that BYU did look great against a normally solid Boise State club not long ago. Looking at the numbers what stands out will be the run offensive of the Chanticleers versus the run defense for Cougars. As long as BYU doesn’t have several turnovers they should be the victor but let’s not forget the lack of preparations for each having scheduled it so late in the week.
The Pick: BYU 34 Coastal Carolina 24
Saturday Upset Special
West Virginia upsets #9 Iowa State as 6.5-point underdog on the road.
Hardcore Barnburners
#15 Oklahoma State vs. TCU: Not much actually separates these two Big-12 clubs this year but pride is still on the line as well as the Cowboys still clinging to a shot at the conference championship.
Arizona State vs. UCLA: The Sun Devils with only 1 game played will be challenged to the wire from UCLA in his PAC-12 battle.
Against The Spread
Washington State will lose to #20 USC but not by the 13-points Las Vegas claims.
Take it to the Window
Buffalo will beat Ohio by the 11.5-points riding the back of stat-buster RB Jaret Patterson.
Quick Hits Recap
-Buffalo Running Back Jaret Patterson ran for 409 yards and scored 8 touchdowns tying the all-time TD record and now has the second most rushing yards in a game ever.
-Adding on to what Patterson has done now over two weeks, 710 rushing yards which is the most over a 2-game span in FBS history.
-Michigan’s loss the Penn State was the first time in program history the Wolverines have lost to a 0-5 opponent astonishing stat with over 1,350 games played.
-Rutgers beat Purdue 37-30 last week giving the Scarlett Knights back to back Big-10 victories for the first time since 2014.
-TCU QB Max Duggan completed only 3 passes out of 11 attempts on the day but all 3 went for touchdowns in a beat down of Kansas 59-23.
-Washington delivered a shocking victory over Utah 24-21 after being down 21-0 making it their largest comeback since 1988.
-Oregon State RB Jermar Jefferson ran for 220 yards and 2 TD’s giving him the most rushing yards in the OSU vs. Oregon series which is significant considering the ‘Civil War’ rivalry has a total of 124 meetings.
Written by Chris Carlson Host of The College Ball Show Podcast available at blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio or TheGruelingTruth.Net
Follow on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
