Last Week:14-7

Overall: 210-85, 71%

We all know the where the Playoff Rankings stand. No.1 Bama, No.2 Notre Dame, No.3 Clemson, No.4 Ohio State, No.5 Texas A&M, No.6 Iowa State.

Could be some riveting scenarios Sunday when the Selections are revealed on ESPN at 11 AM CT, maybe a little later with the prelim talk. If Bama, Clemson and Ohio State win, they are in. If Notre Dame loses in a close game, they’re in as well. But if Notre Dame was to defeat Clemson, that would get interesting. Dabo is politicking saying even if Clemson loses, they deserve to be in. That’s a tough one. If you have 2 losses, it seems like you’d be left out. But, by the eye test, if Clemson loses a last possession/field goal game to Notre Dame, Clemson looks to be a top 4 team and will get in as the No.4 seed. If Clemson blows Notre Dame’s doors off, that gets interesting with Texas A&M, assuming they take care of business in Knoxville. One of the commentators last night on ESPN, I think it was Bear, brought up, do you really want to see an Alabama-A&M rematch? I wouldn’t. So Notre Dame could get in regardless. But if Iowa State hammers Oklahoma or Oklahoma hammers Iowa State and Notre Dame gets blasted by Clemson, it gets very interesting, particularly for Iowa State, as they would be Big 12 Champ, they’re sitting at No.6 and playing really good football. Oklahoma is No.10, but if they could put on a stellar performance and annihilate Iowa State, and the Irish gets blown out by Clemson, the Sooners, which I believe have looked like a top 4 team in the past month and a half, have an outside shot, slim, but the Committee puts precedence on “who the best 4 teams are.”

So it’ll be a must see championship Friday and Saturday in College Football. Here’s a look at the action along with Predictions.

No.1 Alabama (10-0) vs. No. 7 Florida (8-2)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

7 PM CT

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jamie

Lead Ref: Matt Loefller

Bama by 17

I like the Three Amigos, Jones, Harris and Smith, to go off against a weak Gators defense. What’s been a spectacular development for the Crimson Tide has been the stellar play of the defense along with the dynamic and explosive play by the offense. DeVonta has caught 83 passes for 1,327 yards and 15 TDs, second only in TD catches to Jaelon Darden of North Texas, who has 19. Najee has scored 22 rushing TDs this season and rushed for 1,084 yards. He’s 7th in the country in rushing yards, Breece Hall of Iowa State leads at 1,357 yards, and is tied for the lead in scoring with Javonte Williams of UNC with 132 points. He also leads the country in touchdowns scored with his 22. Mac has been beyond spectacular. He has completed 217 of 284 passes, 76%, for 3,321 yards, 27 TDs against only 3 interceptions. So to me, it’s between those 3 for the Heisman. I’ll stick with DeVonta, but all 3 should be finalist for the Heisman Trophy Virtual presentation on Tuesday, January 5th, 2021 at 6 PM CT on ESPN, and one more depending on who plays well this Saturday, either Ian Book or Trevor Lawrence, even Breece Hall. Kyle Trask was not as swift last Saturday and, along with the most hysterical thing I’ve even seen on a football field that was also tremendously costly when Florida cornerback Marco Wilson heaved an LSU wide receiver’s shoe 20 yards downfield which cost Florida a shot at possibly making the Playoff, he’s probably not in consideration as much anymore They would still have to defeat the Crimson Tide, which is an almost outrageously tall order. Even if they held on against LSU last Saturday and Wilson hadn’t shot putted a shoe on 3rd and dumb. they were going to have trouble with Bama. Do you think anybody is saying “Bring on Bama,” right now? Most of the contenders are saying, “No Mas.”

Alabama 52, Florida 24

No. 3 Clemson 41, No.2 Notre Dame 28

Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

3 PM CT

ABC

Chris, Kirk, Maria

Lead Laundry: Jeff Heaser

Clemson by 10

This is going to be a different outcome from what happened in South Bend in early November. Trevor Lawrence doesn’t have COVID this time, the Clemson defense is healthier, and Clemson wants to solidify their spot in the Playoff. The Fighting Irish may still get in, though they’ll be on pins and needles Sunday morning.

No.4 Ohio State 45, No. 14 Northwestern 23

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indy

11 AM

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny

Laundry: Mark Kluczynski

Buckeyes by 20 1/2

I love what the Wildcats are doing at 6-1, but this is too tall an order for them this season. Like Justin Fields and his team to play their way into the Playoff even with a 6-0 record after this Big Ten Championship Game. They qualify by the “Eye Test.”

No.10 Oklahoma 35, No.6 Iowa State 28

AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX. “Jear Will, Get BY.”

11 AM CT

ABC

Sean, Todd, McShay, Allison

Yella: David Alvarez

OU by 5 1/2

Oklahoma avenges an earlier loss to Iowa State in Ames, 37-30. Probably not enough to catapult them into the Playoff, but a solid season and a New Year’s Six Bowl with “High Hopes” for 2021 in Norman.

No.5 Texas A&M 35, Tennessee 17

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville

11 AM CT

ESPN

Bob Wischusen, Dusty Dvoracek, Quint Kessenich

A&M by 14

The Aggies are impressive and give the Committee a lot to think about on Saturday Night, Sunday morning, though I don’t like a rematch with the Crimson Tide, although if A&M impresses and Notre Dame collapses, maybe A&M deserves a shot with the Tide.

Ole Miss 42, LSU 38

Tiger Stadium, Baaton Rouge, Lousiana

2:30 PM CT

SEC Network

Taylor Zarzour, Stinch, Cole

Ole Miss by 2 1/2

The Bengal Tigers were impressive in upsetting Florida last Saturday Night in the Swamp, but too much Lane and his offense for them this Saturday.

Mississippi State 27, Missouri 24

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville

2:30 PM CT

SEC Alternate, 611-1 on DirecTV, 820 on Charter

Roy Philpott, Kelly Stouffer, Dawn Davenport

Mizzou by 1

Going to be a tight one in Starkvegas, but I’ll take Leach and the Bullies.

Friday

No.13 USC 35, Oregon 31

Memorial Coliseum, L.A.

7 PM CT

FOX

Joe Davis, Mark Helfrich

Yella Wood: Chris Coyte

Trojans by 3

USC completes a 6-0 season, and a spot in a New Year’s Six Bowl, probably the Fiesta, with the PAC-12 Championship victory, though the Rose Bowl could be in play as Bill Hancock, the Executive Director of the College Football Playoff, is saying that California Governor Gavin Newsom should let families of the players into the Playoff Semifinal Game at the Rose Bowl. The other Semifinal Game is at the Sugar Bowl, Alabama’s most likely destination. The Rose Bowl/Semifinal 1 is scheduled for Friday January 1st at 4 PM CT on ESPN, and the Sugar Bowl/Semifinal 2 is set for 7:45 CT New Year’s Night on ESPN.

If Newsome doesn’t let the families come see their sons play, the Playoff Game could be moved to another New Year’s Six Bowl location, possibly the Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, AZ. where the restrictions aren’t so severe. Newsome has banned about every public gathering imaginable in California. It’s pretty much Hitler/Nazi stuff. I know we’ve got to be careful, but the guy’s outrageous.

Saturday

No.9 Cincinnati 35, No. 23 Tulsa 20

Nippert Stadium, Cincy

7 PM CT

ABC

Tess, Greg Holly

Vogue: Charles Lametina

Bearcats by 14

Cincy has done everything it possibly can to make the playoff, but they’ll come up a little short unless they get massive chaos above them. But they’ll be a New Year’s Six team which equates to a phenomenal regular season. Cincy takes the American Conference Championship and completes a 9-0 regular season.

No. 19 Louisiana @ No. 12 Coastal Carolina is canceled

Due to a COVID positive test in the Coastal program. The positive will affect an entire position group which doesn’t allow Coastal to play. It’s a tough deal for Louisiana as they had hopes of defeating Coastal and winning the Sun Belt Championship and becoming the highest ranking Group of Five team leading to a New Year’s Six Bowl. Now, if Cincy were to lose to Tulsa, Coastal would most likely be the Group of 5 representative. So feel bad for Billy Napier and the Ragin Cajuns. COVID is a challenging thing in football and life.

No. 24 San Jose State 31, Boise State 28

Sam Boyd Stadium, the Real Vegas

3:15 PM CT

FOX

Tinmy B, Petros Papadakis

Stripe: Scott Campbell

Boise State by 6 1/2

The Spartans are 6-0 for a reason. They do what Boise State has done to other teams. They slay the giant in the Mountain West Conference Championship Game.

U-A-B 30, Marshall 24

Joan C. Edwards Stadium, Huntington, West VA.

6 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Rich Waltz, Aaron Taylor, Jenny Dell

Herd by 5 1/2

Like UAB in an upset on the road. Gaft and his “Gang of 7” will be happy with this.

Friday

Buffalo 35, Ball State 21

Ford Field, Motor City

6:30 PM CT

ESPN

Clay Matvick, Rocky Boiman, Katie George

Aladdin: Tom Stapleton

Buffalo by 13 1/2

Give me Jaret Patterson and the Bulls. Patterson rushed for 409 yards and 8 TDs against Kent State on November 28th, after rushing for 301 yards and 4 TDs Tuesday November 17th versus Bowling Green State. I like Patterson to explode in this game as Buffalo takes the MAC Championship Game.

Saturday

Army 27, Air Force 24

Michie Stadium, West Point

2 PM CT

CBS Sports Network

Dave Ryan, Ross Tucker, Tina Cervasio, I’ll take a Corona please Tina

Air Force by 2 1/2

Give me the great Todd Monken and his Cadets in the slight upset. Army finishes the regular season 9-2 and moves on to a solid bowl, quite possibly the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl in Fort Worth on December 31st at 11 AM CT on ESPN, though a game like the Liberty Bowl could be in play as well.

UCLA 38, Stanford 28

Rose Bowl, Pasadena

6 PM CT

ESPN

Beth Mowins, Kirk Morrison, Taylor McGregor

Bruins by 7

Like UCLA to finish off a solid 4-3 season. The record may not reflect it, but they started 0-2 and have won what will be 4 of their last 5.

Utah 31, Washington State 17

Rice-Eccles Stadium, Salt Lake City

12:30 PM CT

Fox Sports 1

Eric Collins, Ben Leber

Utah by 10 1/2

The Utes after a tremendous 38-21 victory over Colorado last Saturday in snowy Boulder, great hittin weather, finishes their season 3-2 and await their bowl destination. They’ll be back to being Utah next season and they’re showing themselves well now as the season is concluding and they head to the postseason.

Arizona State 42, Oregon State 34

Reser Stadium, Corvallis, Oregon

9:30 PM CT

ESPN

Dave Flemming, Rod Gilmore, Stormy Buonantony

Sun Devils by 7

Like Herm Edwards and his Zona State team to also finish strong after annihilating Zona last Friday Night, 70-7 on the road. They finish their season 2-2, and with the Eye Test they should be a bowl team.

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