College Football Week 14, Rivalry Week, Previews/Predictions

With Rivalry week already here, wow, it seems like a fast season again. The Iron Bowl cranks up on Saturday at 6:30 P. M. at Jordan-Hare, where incredible things happen if you’re an Auburn fan, and where dreams can come crashing down if you’re the opponent. ABC will broadcast. Can Ty Simpson find some rhythm in the passing game as he had earlier in the season all the way up to the LSU game, or will Ashton Daniels lead his Tigers to a victory over the 10th ranked Crimson Tide in what seemed improbable three weeks ago. . The Tide is playing for its playoff life, while the Tigers want to crush those hopes and make it to a bowl themselves and either hire DJ Durkin, Jon Sumrall or somebody else to lead their program into the future. A lot of factors involved in this spectacular and intensely serious rivalry. Will dive deeper below. No.1 Ohio State is @ No. 15 Michigan in that yearly classic at 11 A.M. Saturday on FOX with playoff implications for both teams. No.2 Indiana plays @ Purdue Friday at 6:30 P.M. on NBC/Peacock. No.3 Texas A&M is @ Texas for a Friday Night 6:30 kick, also. That stellar rivalry contest will be broadcast by ABC. No.4 Georgia plays Georgia Tech in Atlanta at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Friday at 2:30 P.M. on ABC. Georgia Tech signed a six year deal with the group that runs Mercedes-Benz Stadium to play one game a year there. The Yellow Jackets get a $10 million payment for doing so. 

Regardless, Georgia wants a first round bye in the Playoff and a shot at playing the following Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the SEC Championship Game. They’ll need to take care of business @Tech and have some help from either Texas or Auburn if they want to be playing next Saturday, 12/6. But if they defeat Tech, they’ll have a good shot at getting a bye even if A&M and the Crimson Tide both win. Now if Alabama defeats Auburn, A&M wins, and the Crimson Tide defeats the Aggies next Saturday, 12/6, in the Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium at 3 P.M. CT on ABC, the Tide could very well steal Georgia’s spot by virtue of their head to head victory over them Dawgs. But Georgia would probably overtake A&M. A lot to be decided in this stellar weekend. Nevertheless in the case of Georgia, they want to defeat their Clean Old Fashioned Hate Rival. That’s extremely important to them as well because these two teams clearly hate each other in the competitive arena. No.7 Ole Miss plays at Mississippi State Friday at 11 A.M. on ABC. We know about the circus going on at Ole Miss caused by Lane. It’ll be interesting to see if the players, who are being held hostage by Kiffin, can focus enough to come out of Starkville with a victory. No.14 Vanderbilt, right now on the outside looking in the Playoff, and needing help to get in even with a victory, plays its heated rival, the 19^th ranked Tennessee Vols, in Knoxvegas Saturday at 2:30 P.M. on ESPN. Should be a terrific game there as well.

There is also much more to cover with key rivalry games taking place all over the country this Thanksgiving weekend with 365 day bragging rights and playoff possibilities all over the map. Here’s a look at this weekend’s slate along with Predictions.

Record:

Last Week-SU-17-3, Overall: 142-43, 77%; ATS-9-11, 87-98, 47%; Over/Under-12-8, 97-88, 52%.

Games Friday and Saturday. All games Saturday unless otherwise listed. All times Central.

No. 10 Alabama (9-2, 6-1) @ Auburn (5-6, 1-6)

Jordan-Hare Stadium

6:30 P.M.

ABC

Chris, Kirk, Holly

Bama by 6 ½, 46 ½

Ty Simpson versus Ashton Daniels is a heckuva quarterback matchup. I know Auburn fans are liking what they’re seeing out of Daniels, and Deuce Knight is electric and could be electric in some packages on Saturday Night. Bama fans are looking for the Ty they were enjoying watching against Georgia, Missouri, etc.- pre-LSU game. I’m curious if Ty struggles again if Coach DeBoar and OC Ryan Grubb might try Austin Mack. He’s good. Ty seems to have confidence issues right now. He’s very hard on himself and maybe he’ll need a series or two off to get his head on straight if he struggles in the first two series. Just some instincts on that from observing Simpson the last couple of weeks and watching Mack. No significant intel. The Alabama defense with Tim Keenan III and company pitched a “goose egg” last Saturday versus Northern Illinois as Tim said after the game. The ESPN reporter asked Keenan III after the game if he was getting amped up for the Tigers. Kennan said, “I’m just going to enjoy this goose egg for 24 hours then get ready for them.” I agree with Tim. Need to enjoy the victories for sure; even if it’s only or a day. Can Alabama run against Auburn? It had a good rushing day last Saturday, but the Auburn front seven is fierce. Auburn is a little susceptible in the passing game and Germie Bernard, Ryan Williams and company could thrive against a weaker Auburn secondary, which is 90th in the country in passing yards allowed. Auburn’s offense has come alive the past two weeks, so that’ll be a test for the Crimson Tide defense, which is stellar, as it is 5th in the country in passing yards allowed and 2nd nationally by Pro Football Focus. The Tigers won 62-17 in an extremely impressive showing. Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton, running back Jeremiah Cobb and company will be ready to break out offensively Saturday Night at Jordan-Hare.

And, finally, it’s the magic or tragic of Jordan-Hare that could very well be the difference maker. I like Alabama to get out of Auburn with a victory this time and to move on to the SEC Championship Game. It won’t be easy against a highly motivated Tigers team and an electric home field advantage in Jordan-Hare.

Alabama 24, Auburn 21

Friday

No.3 Texas A&M (11-0, 7-0) @ No.16 Texas (8-3, 5-2)

Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium, Austin

6:30 P.M. 

ABC

Sean,  Gregory, Molly

A&M  by 2 ½, 51 ½

This is going to be another classic as Texas wants to keep being the standard in its state, while A&M wants to really defeat Texas because they can’t stand’em for one thing, and the SEC Championship and a first round bye in the Playoff are on the line. I like Mike Elko and his Aggies to get the job done and advance.

A&M 24, Texas 20

Friday

No.4 Georgia (10-1) @ Georgia Tech (9-2)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Hot’lanta

2:30 P.M. 

ABC

Tess, Jess, Katie

Dawgs by 13 ½, 59 ½

I like the Dawgs to lay it on the Yellow Jackets as the Jackets have sloughed off a little lately. And there is so much at stake for Georgia . They’re also playing great football right now.

Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 17

Friday

No.7 Ole Miss (10-1, 6-1) @ Mississippi State (5-6, 1-6)

Davis Wade Stadium, Starkvegas

11 A.M.

ABC

Dave, Dusty, Taylor

Ole Miss by 7 ½, 62 ½

I like the Bullies to give an Ole Miss team, with what some would call a lame duck coach, unless he surprises a lot of people and re-signs in Oxford and doesn’t go to LSU, a lot of trouble. But the Rebels prevail.

Ole Miss 35, Mississippi State 31

Back to Saturday

No. 14 Vanderbilt (9-2, 5-2) @ No. 19 Tennessee (8-3, 4-3)

Neyland Stadium, Knoxville

2:30 P.M.

ESPN

Tom, JRodg, Cole

Vols by 3 ½, 65 ½

Diego Pavia told Quint Kessinich of ESPN last Saturday after the Vanderbilt 45-17 victory over Kentucky that he’d see him in New York. For the Heisman. It’s hard to doubt Diego. He talks it up with bulletin board material written all over it, but he does back it up, usually. Diego and the Dores keep their Playoff hopes alive in a heart-stopper.

Vanderbilt 35, Tennessee 34

Clemson (6-5) @ South Carolina (4-7)

Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, S.C.

11 A.M.

SEC Network

Taylor, Matt, Alyssa

Gamecocks by 3 ½, 46 ½

It’s been a rough year for Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks, but I like them to handle business in a highly competitive rivalry game against Dabo and his Tigers.

South Carolina 24, Clemson 20

Missouri (7-4, 3-4) @ Arkansas (2-9, 0-7)

Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville

2:30 P.M.

SEC Network

Mark, Roddy, Quint

Mizzou by 2 ½, 55 ½

I like Eli Drinkwitz and his Missouri Tigers to come out of Razorback Stadium with the victory. Eli is a candidate for some other jobs; Florida being the main talk right now.

Missouri 30, Arkansas 27

LSU (7-4, 3-4) @ No. 8 Oklahoma (9-2, 5-2)

Memorial Stadium, Norman

2:30 P.M. 

ABC

Mark, Roddy, Quint

OU by 10 ½, 36 ½

Give me Brent Venables and that vaunted Sooners defense to enable the team to “matriculate” to the Playoff. 

Oklahoma 24, LSU 13

Florida State (5-6) @ Florida (3-8)

Ben Hill Griffith Stadium, Gainesville

2:30 P.M.

ESPN2

Gators by 1 ½, 50 ½

Tough year for both teams that have a great history, but it’s been a while since both have been good at the same time. I like Florida to edge the ‘Noles out.

Florida 23, FSU 21

Kentucky (5-6) @ Louisiville (7-4)

L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, ‘Ville

11 A.M.

ACC Network

Jorge Sedano, Rodney McLeod, Victoria Arien

Cardinals by 3 ½, 46 ½

I’ll take Mark Stoops to survive in an upset. He needs it.

Kentucky 23, Louisville 20

National Slate

No.1 Ohio State (11-0, 8-0) @ Michigan (9-2, 7-1)

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor

11 A.M. 

FOX

Gus, Joel, Jenny, GameDay and Big Noon will be there. Big Noon 

Ohio State by 9 ½, 43 ½

It’ll be tough for Ohio State in the Big House. Michigan has won 4 in a row and owns Ryan Day right now. But he changes that narrative, a little, on Saturday.

Ohio State 21, Michigan 17

****One more on Friday****

No. 2 Indiana 42, Purdue 10

Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Indiana, Purdue, home team

6:30 P.M.

NBC/Peacock

Paul Burmeister, Yogi Roth, Zora Stephenson

Hoosiers by 28 ½, 54 ½

Like Curt Cignetti and his stellar Indiana team to advance forward into the Big Ten Championship to face Ohio State next Saturday, 12/6, at 7 P.M. on FOX.  

No. 6 Oregon 31, Washington 28

Husky Stadium, Seattle

2:30 P.M.

CBS

Brad, Gary, Jenny

Ducks by 6 ½, 50 ½

Dan Lanning and his Ducks survive, move on, and, with moving to number 6 in  the Playoff rankings, should get a home field in the first round unless things change dramatically And they could. 

No.5 Texas Tech 42, West Virginia 21

Mllan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, West VA.

11 A.M.

ESPN

Roy Philpott, Sam Acho, Taylor Davis

Red Raiders by 23 ½, 54 ½

Some strange things happen in Morgantown as well, but give me the Red Raiders to “Carry On” as Crosby Stills and Nash sang.

No. 12 Miami (9-2, 5-2) @ Pittsburgh (8-2, 6-1)

Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh PA.

11 A.M.

ABC

Bob, Louis, Kris

Canes by 6 ½, 49 ½

After their performance @ Georgia Tech last Saturday Night, I’m going to take Pat Narduzzi and his Panthers in an upset to dismantle Miami’s dream of making the playoff. 

 Pitt 28, Miami 27

No. 9 Notre Dame 45, Stanford 10

Stanford Stadium, Palo Altom, CA.

9:30 P.M.

ESPN

Dave, Brock, Stormy

Fighting Irish by 31 ½, 50 ½

If the Crimson Tide defeats the Auburn Tigers, they should jump ahead of Notre Dame. I do think the Fighting Irish are a Playoff worthy team, however.

No.18 Virginia 35, VA. Tech 24

Scott Stadium, C’ville

6 P.M. 

ESPN

Mike Monaco, Kirk, Dawn

UVA by 8 ½, 53 ½

I love what Tony Elliott has done at UVA. The ‘Hoos are 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the ACC. They win and they’re in the ACC Championship and very much a part of the Playoff discussion. If the win the ACC title game, I see Virginia in the Playoff. I like’em a lot. Virginia Tech is waiting on who they think will be their savior in James Franklin. I checked it out and Franklin had an offset in his contract with Penn State that with his salaries and bonuses are a wash as far as the $49 million Penn State buyout goes. He ended up getting $9 M from Penn State, but signed a 5 year, $41.75 millon dollar deal with VA Tech. The contract is totally guaranteed, and the bonuses are extremely generous, so Franklin did quite well taking Penn State’s buyout and adding VA Tech’s contract. He ain’t hurtin’.

No. 17 USC 42, UCLA 17

Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

6:30 P.M.

NBC

Noah, Todd, Kathryn

SC by 21 ½, 58 ½

USC fans are disappointed in last Saturday’s result at Autzen Stadium versus Oregon, a 42-27 loss. Lincoln Riley gains some forgiveness, and, as of right now, has the number one recruiting class in the country for 2026 as ranked by 247 Sports and ON3/Rival. So maybe they’ll cut him a little more slack

No. 11 BYU 41, UCF 14

LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, UT.

12 P.M.

ESPN2

Matt Schumacker, Dustin Fox, Sherree Burruss

BYU by 17 1/2, 47 1/2

Like BYU to make its case for the Playoff. Need a little chaos above them. LJ Martin is a stud running back. He’s rushed for 1,134 yards and 8 TDs and is a freight train at 6’2″, 220.

Friday

No. 13 Utah 34, Kansas 31

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS.

11 A.M.

ESPN

Anish, Andre, Carc

Utah by 10 1/2, 60 1/2

Utah is in a similar situation as BYU, but more desperate as they lose the head to head with BYU by losing to them earlier this season at Provo. Both teams are 9-2.