Are you ready for some football? I hope you are, because we have a loaded slate of games on deck for tomorrow, and it is going to be action packed from the early kick offs to the late night specials.
There will be no shortage of drama, as several teams competing for playoff spots will be facing off against each other.
Grab a cold drink and get comfortable in front of a TV, because you will not want to miss a second of this.
#25 Wisconsin vs. #20 Northwestern
This is a matchup between two solid teams that are essentially battling for second in the Big 10 West. Neither team is in the playoff picture at this point in the season, but they still have a chance to put together ten win seasons and that is pretty significant despite being in the middle of the pack in the conference. The last time I watched Northwestern head into a tough environment on the road things didn’t go so well, so I am picking the Badgers to win this one.
Prediction: Wisconsin
#24 USC vs. #23 Oregon
Here is another coin flip matchup. Both the Ducks and Trojans won’t be sniffing the playoffs this year, so now they are looking to close out the year strong before heading into the bowl season. Vernon Adams is starting to play some good football now that he is healthy, and the Ducks will get the Trojans on their turf at home. I think the Ducks can squeeze out a close one at home even though their defense doesn’t give me the warm fuzzies.
Prediction: Oregon
#22 Ole Miss vs. #15 LSU
This is a matchup with a particularly interesting storyline. There is chatter behind the scenes that have LSU head coach Les Miles on the hot seat, and he could potentially be coaching for his job over the next two weeks. Not too long ago LSU was ranked inside the top four, but after losing to Alabama and then getting upset at home by Arkansas the natives are apparently getting restless. If Miles is indeed coaching for his job, he will have to beat Ole Miss on the road and then beat Texas A&M at home. Unfortunately for Miles, I like the Rebels this week in Oxford.
Prediction: Ole Miss
#21 Memphis vs. Temple
Not too long ago these two AAC teams were trying to make some noise and make their way up the rankings, but now both have suffered a couple losses. While Memphis’ losses are understandable despite coughing up a lead to Houston in the fourth quarter, Temple is coming off a rough loss to USF. I like Memphis to get back on the right path, and for Temple’s struggles to continue.
Prediction: Memphis
#18 TCU vs. #7 Oklahoma
This matchup looked a lot better on paper a couple weeks ago, but now with TCU’s Josh Doctson sidelined for the rest of the year it doesn’t look as appealing. On top of being down the best playmaker, this game takes place in Norman, and the Sooners have been playing some really good football as of late. That doesn’t play into the hand of the Frogs one bit.
Prediction: Oklahoma
#13 Utah vs. UCLA
This one is pretty straight forward. If Utah wins they stay in at the top of the Pac-12 South, and if UCLA wins they are back in the conversation for the Pac-12 South. Unfortunately for UCLA, this game takes place in Salt Lake City rather than the friendly confines of the Rose Bowl.
Prediction: Utah
#12 Michigan vs. Penn State
Jim Harbaugh’s crew is trying to stay alive and make next week’s rivalry game against Ohio State very interesting. This matchup is not an open and shut case by any means for the Wolverines even though I think they are the better team in this matchup. Penn State has a quarterback in Christian Hackenburg who will be playing on Sundays, and they have to travel to University Park to play him. I think the Fighting Khakis win a close one on the road here.
Prediction: Michigan
#10 Baylor vs. #6 Oklahoma State
The other quality Big 12 matchup on the docket this weekend. Baylor just recently got knocked from the unbeaten ranks, and now they have a chance to play spoiler to Oklahoma State’s undefeated season. Baylor no doubt has one of the most explosive offenses in the country, but they will face a quality defense this weekend and they will have to take their show on the road. On top of that Baylor’s defense hasn’t shown much this year and will definitely give up some points to a Cowboys offense who has scored 70 points this year. I expect there to be plenty of points in this one, and I think the Cowboys keep their playoff hopes alive.
Prediction: Oklahoma State
#9 Michigan State vs. #3 Ohio State
Another matchup in which a team is trying to spoil a playoff team’s undefeated season. I haven’t been overly impressed with Michigan State for most of the season, but they can’t be written off in this matchup against Ohio State who has been up and down themselves. I halfway want to pick the Spartans to win this game, but they are going into The Horseshoe and that doesn’t instill confidence in me. I think the Buckeyes will make enough plays to win this game and make their season come down to the big game against Michigan.
Prediction: Ohio State