Welcome to Week 13 Football fans, aka Rivalry Week! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, because now it's time to kick your feet up and watch lots and lots of football. This is always my favorite football weekend of the year, and even with Covid-19 spiking, I'm hopeful for a fun and safe weekend. We've got some great games to watch this weekend, and here's all the things you need to know about them. Enjoy!
Week 12(ish) Record: 9 - 6
Overall Record: 45 - 23
#13 Iowa State at #17 Texas
A spot in the Big XII Championship is on the line as the Cyclones travel to Austin to take on the Longhorns. Texas has fought back into the Big XII picture posting three straight wins since dropping back to back games against TCU and Oklahoma in early October. The Cyclones are riding one of their best conference records in school history, losing just to Oklahoma State on the road by 3. The true kicker of this game is how Texas has not played a game since November 7th. A BYE week and postponement against Kansas has given the Longhorns extra time to rest and prepare. They will need to be ready though, because QB Brock Purdy and RB Breece Hall has this ISU offense humming. They blanked K-State 45-0 last week and have a very balanced offense. Texas is strong against the run, but Hall is a different beast to tame. I like the Cyclones to win down in Austin, Matt Campbell has something special cooking! Iowa State beats Texas 38-31.
Stanford at Cal (The Game)
A couple of winless PAC-12 teams line up in this one, but records don't usually matter in a rivalry as old as this one. Neither team has found much of an identity yet this year, but one thing is for sure, the defenses are a mess. Games like this usually come down to the turnover battle, and Stanford has the edge there as Cal QB Chase Garbers has 3 interceptions through just two games. The Trees win this one in a very messy game 30-26.
#15 Oregon at Oregon State
Staying out with the PAC-12, I'll take a look at a winning team in this game. The Ducks found themselves back a bit further than they wanted in the opening week of the CFB Playoff rankings, but with a stylish win over their rival, they could vault themselves toward the top 10. The Beavers are typically irrelevant when it comes to PAC-12, but they always love to play Oregon tough and try to spoil their plans. Oregon State has been able to put up some points this season, scoring an average of 26.7 points per game, so the Ducks will be tested again on defense. Oregon should just hand the rock to CJ Verdell and get out of the way though. He'll carry them to another victory in this rivalry. Ducks 37, Beavers 21.
#2 Notre Dame at #19 North Carolina
The last big challenge for the Irish before a likely rematch with Clemson in the ACC Championship comes this weekend in Chapel Hill, NC against the Tar Heels. Despite the consistent efforts and texts from my uncle, I still haven't hopped on the Notre Dame Bandwagon. The Irish have looked impressive this season though, averaging nearly 38 points per game with a dynamic rushing attack and a sturdy defense that will give up some yards, but not many points. UNC on the other hand, they score a lot. Their high powered offense is led by one of my favorite young QBs to walk, Sophomore stud Sam Howell. He's thrown for 2,631 yards and 23 TDs so far this season. This is complemented by Javonte Williams' 10 rushing TDs and 868 yards on the ground. The Irish have a talented running back of their own in Kyren Williams. He has 10 TDs on the ground with 777 yards this year. Needless today, this game is going to be a shootout. It's always fun to see the upset, but I'll give the nod to Ian Book's experience and the Irish. Notre Dame 41, North Carolina 36.
#4 Ohio State at Illinois (Battle for the Illibuck)
The Turtle Trophy is on the line as the Buckeyes travel to Illinois after holding of the comeback of Indiana last week. The Illini dominated my Huskers in Lincoln last week and look to force more turnovers with Ohio State in town. Brandon Peters will likely have the start again as he threw for 205 yards and a TD against the "Blackshirts" last week. He was helped out by the 5 turnovers Illinois got, and their defense now has 13 on the season. Justin Fields had an uncharacteristic 3 interceptions against the Hoosiers last week, and was constantly under pressure. I doubt he'll be under as much siege as last game, but he will still need to take care of the ball, especially when trying to run against the Illini linebackers. I think Ohio State should have a solid performance though, and they win the Illibuck Trophy 48-21.
Maryland at #12 Indiana
The real Turtles of the BIG 10 missed their shot at upsetting the Buckeyes a couple of weeks ago due to Covid, and were off last week as well. Tualia Tagovailoa had the Terps' offense humming in early November though. He'll look to restart that fire against a very tough Hoosier defense. One that forced 3 interceptions against Justin Fields and the Buckeyes last week. They will bounce back quick in my opinion, especially with the way Michael Penix Jr. has been playing. He threw for a career-high 491 yards and 5 TDs last week. Maryland ranks 78th in pass defense in the nation and 9th in the BIG 10, so he should have another big day. Hoosiers get back on track with a 38-20 victory.
Texas Tech at #23 Oklahoma State
The Cowboys are likely out of Big XII Title contention after the blowout loss in BEDLAM last week, and now have to come home to a Red Raider team coming off of a BYE and looking for another upset. There should be plenty of offense in this one as neither defense has performed well recently. The QB battle is my big key to watch in this game, as TTU's Alan Bowman and OSU's Spencer Sanders look bounce back after both throwing an interception with no TDs in their previous games. Oklahoma had a hangover after the Texas loss earlier this season, and I think they might have another one here. I haven't bought into their success in recent years, so I'm putting my guns up and riding with the Red Raiders. Texas Tech wins 37-31. Wreck 'Em!
Kent State at Buffalo
Now this might be a game many of you brush past, but this #MACtion match-up is one you should check in on during commercial breaks if you don't have a multi-game setup like myself. The Golden Flashes are just two seasons removed from a year in which they only had 1 conference win, and now they're rolling the competition. They've posted 60+ in their last two games and are averaging a staggering 616 yards per game on offense. The Bulls are looking for revenge after a 3 point loss a season ago to the Flashes, and they have a pretty dynamic offense of their own. They're led by Junior RB Jaret Patterson, who has 8 TDs so far this season. This one is expected to be a barn burner, and I'm going to pick the Flashes. Not really sure why, but they're riding a hot streak and I think it's going to continue. Kent State defeats Buffalo on the road 53-44.
Mississippi State at Ole Miss (The Egg Bowl)
One of the biggest rivalries in the South takes place this weekend in Mississippi as the Bulldogs take on the Rebels. This game was decided by a missed PAT last season, thanks to Ole Miss Wide Receiver Elijah Moore celebrating the (near) game tying TD with a dog peeing in the endzone celebration. Yes, he acted like a dog peeing in the endzone... God Bless College Football! Anyways, the 2020 matchup features two brand new coaches for each program in Lane Kiffin and Mike Leach. Two of the most interesting and outspoken coaches in the country, this can only be entertaining. There have been ESPN experts saying "first one to 60 will win the Egg Bowl", and I kind of agree with them. This one is going to be a shootout, as both teams have dynamic offenses that are starting to come together and very terrible defenses. I think Lane Kiffin's team has the offense figured out a bit more than Mike Leach's squad, so I'll give the nod to the Rebels. Ole Miss 55, Mississippi State 42.
#22 Auburn at #1 Alabama (The Iron Bowl)
This game has gotten a little more interesting since Nick Saban tested positive for Covid-19 the other day, and won't be on the sidelines to coach this game. Outside of that this should just be another stepping stone for the Tide on their way to another College Football Playoff birth. To be fair though, we've seen some interesting things happen in the Iron Bowl before, so things could get a little exciting. Auburn QB Bo Nix would need to play well though, and the Sophomore has hit that slump hard in his second year under center. He's just 1 pick away from tying the 6 he threw as a Freshman, and the offense overall has not helped him out much. Mac Jones for Bama looks to pad his Heisman-like stats even more against the Tiger defense that gives up an average of 402 yards per game. Tide Roll 36-17 even without Saban.
Nebraska at #24 Iowa (The Hero's Game)
Normally I'd be pretty jazzed about this game (and I still am), but the performance at Memorial Stadium was a straight up gut punch from the Huskers. This team clearly has very little motivation to improve, and it's becoming very frustrating to watch. Nonetheless, I am ready to hurt again and will give you my keys to victory for Nebraska. Hopefully they'll follow them this week. First and foremost, Nebraska NEEDS to stop the run. Iowa is going to line up in the I-formation, hand the ball to Sophomore RB Tyler Goodsen and run him to the left, then the right, then the left two times, the right once, the left again and then the right two more times. Iowa has figured out they really only need to pass when absolutely necessary, and at that point they could still probably run it and be better off. Nebraska started the season with a fairly stout run defense, but that was blown wide open after receiving their blackshirts last week. The Illini rushed for 285 yards last week, and had two backs go over 100 yards thanks to multiple gashing runs. Luke McCaffrey will likely get the start again, which is the right decision in my opinion, but I do want to see Martinez. If Mills is still unable to play, why not have both QBs out there to run the option and RPOs with each other? Nebraska leads the nation in QB rushing attempts, so why not have them both in there and pound the rock. It is obvious Nebraska cannot pass the ball downfield, so Iowa is going to load the box. This is a great time to use your two best rushers and confuse the Hawkeye defense as much as possible. Iowa is not a team that makes many mistakes, so Nebraska drastically needs to cut back on the penalties and turnovers. Unfortunately I'm not sure Scott Frost has this team prepared and I think Iowa is going to win their 6th straight over the Huskers. Nebraska makes me sad with a 34-21 loss. I really hope this one doesn't get out of hand, and I hope even more that the Huskers prove me wrong. GO BIG RED!
Quick Hit Predictions:
#8 Northwestern at Michigan State - The Wildcats are coming off of a big win against the Badgers where they have all but claimed the BIG 10 West Division Title for the second time in three years. Pat Fitzgerald will have this team focused though, and that suffocating defense will hold down the Spartans. Wildcats win in East Lansing 30-14.
Penn State at Michigan - Not many people expected this to be a BIG 10 bottom feeder matchup earlier in the year, but here we are with the Nittany Lions at 0-5 and the Wolverines at 2-3. Both teams are a complete mess this season and I honestly don't know who to pick. I'll go with Michigan just so we get another year to make fun of Harbaugh before he gets the ax. Try to keep your eyes away from this train-wreck, but still watch because it's a train-wreck. Wolverines 33, Nittany Lions 28.
Rutgers at Purdue - The Boilermakers are likely still steaming after the horrible offensive pass interference call that took away their game-winning TD in the final minute against Minnesota last week, but Rutgers is just as pissed about their overtime upset against Michigan being spoiled at the last minute. Both teams are looking for some thing to prove and both can sling it all over the field. Look for some points in this one, but I'll take the home team. BoilerUp to a 38-33 victory.
LSU at #5 Texas A&M - The Aggies are sitting just outside of the playoff picture right now, but will look to put up some style points over the final few weeks of the season. LSU is still a mess and I expect Kellen Mond to make quick work of Bo Pelini's defense. Aggies win 40-20.
Kentucky at #6 Florida - Last time the Wildcats were in Gainesville they snapped a losing streak to the Gators that dated back to 1987. That won't happen this time around and if you're betting I would take Florida to cover easily. Kyle Trask is the real deal at QB and he should have a big night. Gators win big with a 54-21 blowout.
Utah at Washington - Since the Apple Cup (UW vs. Wazzu) was cancelled due to Covid-19, we get the Utes and Huskies for our primetime game. The PAC-12 doesn't get as much love as they deserve in College Football, but they have some good games out West. I'm hoping this one provides us some entertainment, but I'll take the Huskies and their defense. Washington 35, Utah 28.
Thanks for reading my Week 13(ish)/Rivalry Week Predictions! I hope you all had a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving and are now ready to kick back and watch some football. Also, since it's hate Iowa week... GO BIG RED & BEAT IOWA!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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