Good morning Football Fans and welcome to regular season College Football in December! Because of Covid-19 we have an extended regular season into the first couple weeks of December before we get to crown conference champions and find out who is going to the playoffs for real. There's a lot of discussion on if Ohio State should be the #4 team or not and it's well warranted due to only playing 4 games. They'll be back to action along with a great slate of games, so let's get onto the predictions!
Week 13(ish) Record: 10 - 6
Overall Record: 55 - 29
#4 Ohio State at Michigan State
Starting with the aforementioned Buckeyes, they look to shut-up the haters as they travel to East Lansing, MI for just their fifth game of the season. Last week's tilt against the Illini was scrapped due to a small covid outbreak on the Buckeye squad which included Head Coach Ryan Day. He will not be with the team against Michigan State, who is coming off of an upset win against previously undefeated Northwestern. Sparty took advantage of an uncharacteristic 4 turnovers by the Wildcats and QB Rocky Lombardi played one of his best games of the year. That won't be easy to repeat against Ohio State and Justin Fields though. They're itching to get back on the field since their last performance against Indiana wasn't as stellar as some of the analysts would like. They will be out for blood in this game, and I bet they find it. Even short-handed, Ohio State flexes their muscles for the CFB Playoff Committee with a big victory in East Lansing. Buckeyes 38, Spartans 17.
#5 Texas A&M at Auburn
The Aggies are sitting right behind the Buckeyes and just outside of the CFB Playoff at #5. They have plenty to prove as well after a lackluster performance against the other SEC West Tigers (LSU) last weekend. They take on the Auburn Tigers this week, who are looking to bounce back after being demolished in the Iron Bowl by Mac Jones and his 5 TD passes. Bo Nix has really struggled in 2020, and against a rugged Aggie defense he could be in for another rough outing. The Aggies defense ranks 20th in total defense and will be looking to cause more havoc in the backfield as the Tigers have given up 17 sacks so far this season compared to A&M who have only given up 3. I think Kellen Mond will bounce back with a big game and the Aggies will win this one on the road 34-17.
#15 Oklahoma State at TCU
The Pokes proved me wrong last week by holding off the Red Raiders, but will still need help from others to get a spot in the Big XII Championship. First of all, they'll need to continue to win out and then have Oklahoma lose a game. TCU stands in the way of the first piece, as the Horned Frogs are always ready for an upset. They've had an up and down 2020 campaign, but Sophomore QB Max Duggan has been solid all the way through. In addition to his 1,370 yards through the air, he's also the team's leading rusher with 409 yards and a combined 15 TDs. The good and bad news for the Frogs is that he's playing well, but he's the vast majority of their offense. This means the Cowboys have one man to focus on to ultimately shut down TCU's offense. For Oklahoma State, their offense sparked up last week behind 236 rushing yards from Junior RB Dezmon Jackson. If they can get that rolling again they should be able to keep Duggan on the sidelines for most of the game. This one could go either way, but I'll take a close win by the Pokes. Oklahoma State 31, TCU 28.
Texas at K-State
The Longhorns won't have a shot at the Big XII Title, but don't for a minute think Sam Ehlinger won't have his squad ready to ball out against the Wildcats. The do-it-all Senior has accounted for 31 TDs so far this season and is also the leading rusher for the Horns. He'll be up against a typically stingy K-State defense that's had the hinges blown off in recent weeks. The Wildcats will be looking to stop a 4-game skid, and there's always a chance for an upset when you play in Manhattan. I do like Texas in this game though, and I think Ehlinger will have a big day. Don't sleep on the Texas defense either, they're not great by any standards, but they've been playing a lot better in the second half of the season and could be the difference maker in this one. Texas 33, K-State 21. Hook 'Em.
Memphis at Tulane
If you like offense, this is the game to watch. Both the Tigers and the Green Wave average around 35 points per game with not much defense. Tulane's still trying to figure out how they lost their last game two weeks ago to Tulsa after a game-tying Hail Mary and then game-winning pick-6 in double overtime won it for the Golden Hurricanes. They'll need to be ready to defend the pass again as Senior QB Brady White and the Tigers will look to continue their dominance through the air. White has thrown for 2,602 yards so far this season, with an impressive 24:6 TD to INT ratio. Tulane has the edge in the run game with the two-headed rushing attack of Senior RB Stephon Huderson and Sophomore Cameron Carroll. The duo have combined for more than 1,200 yards and 14 TDs on the season. They're both averaging around 6 yards per carry and are not easy to bring down. Memphis will have their hands full, but I like Brady White to get it done on the road. He's been great his entire career at Memphis and he'll finish the year great. Tigers win this one 34-28 over the Green Wave.
West Virginia at #9 Iowa State
The Cyclones can celebrate about locking up a spot in the Big XII Championship game, but there are still two regular season games left on the schedule for one of the newest top 10 members of the CFB Playoff Rankings. West Virginia is primed for an upset though, quietly boasting the 4th best defense in the nation and number 1 in pass defense. The Mountaineers give up just 274 yards and 17.8 points per game on average, while creating a lot of havoc in the backfield with 22 sacks so far on the season. Iowa State has protected Brock Purdy well, giving up just 10 sacks this year. The Cyclones also have Breece Hall, the impressive Sophomore averages 6.3 yards per carry and has 16 TDs on the season so far, so WVU's defense will certainly be tested. This has some major upset potential for the weekend, but I think Matt Campbell has something special with the Cyclones this year. They've got good leadership with Brock Purdy and a stingy defense of their own. Iowa State wins a dangerous one at home 27-23.
#1 Alabama at LSU
One of the best rivalries in football has one of the biggest point spreads we've ever seen for a defending national champion, and not in a good way. LSU comes in as a nearly 30 point underdog in what looks to be another easy outing for Mac Jones and the Rolling Crimson Tide. The Tigers stepped up a bit on defense last week, locking down Kellen Mond and the A&M offense apart from just a couple of plays. Unfortunately they were unable to get their own offense working, and that doesn't bode well when facing Bama. The Tide rank 3rd in the nation for scoring offense with an average of 48.5 points per game. And even though they lost star receiver Jaylen Waddle for the season a few weeks back, Mac Jones and crew haven't missed a beat. Jones is in the thick of the Heisman race with 2,728 yards and 23 TDs through the air, compared to just 3 interceptions. Senior RB Najee Harris has 17 TDs so far on the ground, and averages 6 yards per carry. LSU's defense is playing a bit better, but no where near good enough to hang around in this game. Tide Roll big over the defending champs, 52-17.
#3 Clemson at Virginia Tech
The Tigers are looking to punch another ticket to the ACC Championship with a win on Saturday, but the VT Hokies stand in their way. It's never easy to win in Blacksburg, especially at night. The Hokies haven't been great this year, but Senior RB Kahlil Herbert and his staggering 8.2 yards per carry average are always a handful. Unfortunately for Herbert, he doesn't have much help around him, unlike the Clemson offense. With Trevor Lawrence and multiple defensive starters back, the Tigers are prepared to show everyone they are the best team in the nation, and they won't let anyone or anything stand in their way of another showdown with Notre Dame. They will start hot and never look back in this game. Clemson 56, Virginia Tech 10.
#12 Indiana at #16 Wisconsin
One of only two ranked v. ranked match-ups this weekend takes place up in Madison as the Badgers take on the Hoosiers in a unique BIG 10 Battle. With yet another cancellation last week due to a covid out break on the Gopher squad, we still don't know much about Wisconsin since they've only played in 3 games. Graham Mertz will look to bounce back from his horrendous performance against the Wildcats while the Hoosiers will have to figure out a new QB after their star Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL against Maryland last week. Both defenses will be the true measuring stick in this one, more specifically on which defense will crack. Both are two fo the best in the conference and love to wear down their opponents. Everyone is leaning toward Wisconsin, but I'm sticking with the Hoosiers. They were my dark horse team to start the year, and I think they have enough talent and firepower to overcome the Penix injury. Look out for Indiana, they're not done yet! Hoosiers win a big one on the road 23-16.
#13 BYU at #18 Coastal Carolina
College Gameday visits Coastal Carolina this week as my adopted Chanticleers take on the unbeaten Cougars of BYU rather than the Flames of Liberty who canceled due to a covid outbreak. The ability to save this game in the first place was phenomenal in itself, but to set up a ranked v. ranked match-up between two unbeaten teams is even better. Both teams are looking for more respect from the College Football Playoff Committee and their rankings, so this game has some major implications. I've been on board the Chanticleer bandwagon all season, and with the current state of my Huskers it's been nice to have a winning team to root for! Freshman QB Grayson McCall has been spectacular in 2020, throwing for 1,747 yards with 20 TDs compared to just 1 pick. He's complimented by a strong rushing attack in one of the most balanced offenses in the nation. On the other side, BYU QB Zach Wilson is looking to boost his Heisman stock with another big performance. The Cougars haven't played the best competition this year, but Wilson has looked impressive nonetheless with a 74.3 percent completion rating, 2,724 yards through the air and 26 TDs with a couple more on the ground. Both teams are looking to prove something, and as much as I love the Chanticleers, I think BYU is being underrated by the Playoff Committee. I'll be happy either way in this one, and I think this could be one of the best games of the day. BYU wins a fun one 34-30.
Nebraska at Purdue
A game that was originally slated to be the opener for both teams now opens the month of December as the Huskers travel to West Lafayette rather than hosting the Boilermakers in Lincoln. Jack Plummer is in to start for the injured Aiden O'Connel, but no matter what QB trots out there for Purdue they're bound to have success. Both QBs combined for 304 passing yards a year ago against the Blackshirts and their passing attack is better this year. That's aided by the return of All-American WR Rondale Moore and Sophomore Stud David Bell. Bell has been the new star as Moore still battles injuries, catching passes for nearly 500 yards this season and 7 TDs. He's been nearly impossible for opposing DBs to cover, which does not bode well for the Huskers who have struggled in pass coverage this year. The other threat from the Boilermaker offense is RB Zander Horvath, a 6'3, 230 lbs. monster who's nearly impossible to bring down on the first hit. They don't run him as much as they should in my opinion, but he makes the most of it with a 5.1 yard per carry average. The front 7 of the Huskers need to be ready and wrap hard on their tackles. Switching over to the Husker offense, we're likely to see Adrian Martinez back in the starting roll. He played well at Iowa last week, despite his offensive line doing just about everything possible to get him killed, and I'm excited to watch him. I will again be a major advocate for running both Martinez and McCaffrey in the backfield at the same time. With the lack of support at the RB position, I think it could really open up the offense to have these two running the ball together. Looking to the air attack, there's not much outside of Austin Allen and Wandale Robinson. Robinson needs to touch the ball as much as possible, but predictable play calling and bad snaps to throw off the timing of predictable play calls is likely to occur with Cam Jurgens back at Center. Frost doubled-down on his decision to go with Jurgens, but that could mean we see a number of snaps going haywire again. As always, avoiding turnovers and dumb mistakes are the keys to victory for the Huskers. Look for an emphasis on play fakes in this one, Purdue has struggled against the play action this season. Also look for 3rd Down Conversion rates and TOP, the winner of those, especially in the second half will likely have the victory. I really don't know what to expect from Nebraska any more outside of poor performances, so I'll go with Purdue and pray the Huskers surprise me and prove me wrong. I just want to see some progress and for the head coach to take some responsibility for his team. Purdue 31, Nebraska 27. BoilerUp, but please Go Big Red.
Quick Hit Predictions:
#6 Florida at Tennessee - The Gators are nearly to the SEC Championship, but have a couple more games to get through first. The Vols are always looking for an upset in a rivalry like this, but I doubt they'll be able to keep up with Heisman front-runner Kyle Trask and the Gator's air raid. Gators Chomp again behind another big day from Trask. Florida 44, Tennessee 20.
#19 Iowa at Illinois - The Hawkeyes are on a roll after dropping their first two games of the season, and the Illini are ready to get back to football after having their bout with Ohio State cancelled a week ago. Nothing would be better to watch Iowa be upset by Illinois, and they might have the offense to do it. The Illini run defense is the key to victory though, because Tyler Goodsen is planning to have a big day. I think he will and the Hawkeyes return home with a 34-21 victory.
Penn State at Rutgers - Hanging around in the BIG 10, we've got a game that could possibly determine who squares off against Nebraska in the extra week of the season (Michigan is also in the hunt for that coveted spot). The Scarlet Knights have been playing well in Greg Schiano's first year back, but Penn State just won their first game of 2020 and doesn't want to stop there. The Nittany Lions may have found their rushing attack with Freshman RB Keyvone Lee, so I'll take them in this game. Neither team is very good, so expect this to be a messy one. Penn State wins 26-21.
Boston College at Virginia - Nothing outside of Notre Dame and Clemson really matter in the ACC, but this is an interesting game. The Eagles are looking to restart their offense while the Cavaliers are riding a three game win-streak. Neither team runs the ball very well, so this will be a battle of the QBs. BC's Jurkovec and UVA's Armstrong. Jurkovec has more yards, TDs and fewer picks, so I'll give him the nod. Eagles 35, Cavaliers 27.
Stanford at #22 Washington - With the Ducks losing last week, Washington is looking to represent the North in the PAC-12 Championship yet again. The could be looking ahead to their meeting with Oregon next week, but I don't think David Shaw and Stanford quite have the firepower to break through the Husky defense. Washington 28, Sanford 21.
Baylor at #11 Oklahoma - The Sooners have been red hot since their 1-2 start to the season, but Baylor just ended their losing streak of close games and is ready to upset. The Bears have a solid QB-WR duo between Brewer and Sneed, but I think Spencer Rattler should be okay in this one. Sooners win big behind Rattler 44-21.
Thank you for reading my Gameday predictions and I hope you all enjoy the fantastic CFB Saturday we have before us. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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