It’s make or break time in college football. Teams that are on the outside, looking in regarding the college football playoff face must win games if they want to crack the top four.
Here are our top 25 picks for this week.
Alabama (NL) vs.Mercer: Alabama’s strength of schedule is a joke this season. Playing Mercer the week before the Iron Bowl will do nothing for the Tide. They will roll.
Miami (-17) vs. Virginia: I am on the Cane Train. They should cover with ease against a Virginia that has been inconsistent all season long.
Clemson (NL) vs. Citadel: Again, what is the benefit of playing a cupcake before a rivalry game? Makes no sense to me.
Wisconsin vs. Michigan (+8.5): Madison is a tough place to play but when you can run the ball and play great defense, you have a shot. I don’t think Michigan will win this game but they will play the Badgers tough and only lose by one score.
Oklahoma (-34.5) at Kansas: Ahhh yeah. Oklahoma should cover no problem. It’s basketball season at Kansas. They don’t care about football anymore.
Auburn vs. Louisiana-Monroe (+37): I know Auburn blew out Georgia last week but 37 points is a bit rich for my taste. I’m putting my money on Louisiana Monroe as a road dog.
Georgia vs. Kentucky (+24): Kentucky has quietly played well this season but have flown under the radar. Georgia is limping into this one after an embarrassing loss at Auburn last week. They’ll be chomping at the bit but Kentucky will play them. Georgia wins but they won’t cover.
Ohio State (-38) vs. Illinois: Illinois is bad and the Buckeyes are chomping at the bit to get back to the Big Ten championship game. All that adds up to the Buckeyes rolling.
Notre Dame vs. Navy (+18.5): I think the Irish win but Navy covers. Norte Dame will have a hard time focusing after the beat down at the hands of the Canes.
USC (-15) vs. UCLA: The Battle for Los Angeles will be one sided. I like the Trojans at home to win by three scores. Darnold v. Rosen goes to Darnold.
Penn State (-23) vs. Nebraska: The Huskers have quit on Mike Riley. That’s good for the Nittany Lions who need to get back on track. They are an easy pick in this one.
Central Florida (-13.5) at Temple: Im telling you, Central Florida is a legit. They will go undefeated and they will end up in a New Year’s Day bowl. They should cover with ease.
Oklahoma State vs. Kansas State (+17.5): Don’t ever doubt a Bill Synder team. I don’t care what their record is. They will come to play. I think Okie State wins this one but they will not cover. I like Kansas State as a dog at 17.5.
TCU (-7) at Texas Tech: No Kenny Hill, no problem. The number one defense in the Big 12 is plenty good to shit down what is all of a sudden an ordinary Texas Tech passing attack.
Washington (-17.5) vs. Utah: Washington at home against a mediocre Utah team which has struggled of late? I’ll take it! The Huskies will be licking their chops to redeem themselves and they should in this one.
Memphis (-11) vs. SMU: This will be a shootout. I’m taking the Tigers at home. SMU plays zero defense which means Memphis will score at will and cover with ease.
Mississippi State at Arkansas (+11.5): Bret Bielema is more than likely done at Arkansas but his boys will continue to play hard for him. That’s why I am picking them against Mississippi State at home as a dog. They won’t win but they’ll cover.
LSU (-14) at Tennessee: The first game in the post Butch Jones era will be a loss for the Vols. LSU should win with ease.
NC State (+3.5) at Wake Forest: Look, Wake Forest has been a nice story but N.C State plays great defense and they can shut down an average offense like Wake’s. I don’t know why Wake Forest is favored but I like N.C State.
Stanford (-17.5) vs. California: Bryce Love will run all over Cal and Stanford will stay in the hunt for a PAC-12 North title. I like Stanford big in this game.
Michigan State (NL) vs. Maryland: Michigan State will be looking to bounce back after a humiliating loss at Ohio State last week. Shouldn’t be a problem against a Maryland team that is banged and done.
West Virginia (-3) vs. Texas: I’m taking the Mountaineers at home but Texas needs a win to become bowl eligible so they will play them tough. Despite that, I like West Virginia.