Tag: college-football-picks

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Prediction Game Preview

Minnesota vs Wisconsin game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Minnesota vs Wisconsin prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Prediction Game Preview

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Minnesota vs Wisconsin How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Camp Randall Stadium, Madison, WI
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Minnesota (7-4), Wisconsin (6-5)
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Why Minnesota Will Win

The Wisconsin passing game isn’t getting better.

Graham Mertz isn’t getting a ton of help, and the Maryland game was an outlier with the bad weather, but 29-of-71 for 336 yards and two touchdowns with three picks in three games isn’t good.

The running game wasn’t able to make up for it in the loss to Iowa, the defense hasn’t been its normal special self, and Minnesota should be able to take advantage of all of it.

Wisconsin is 5-0 when running for 193 yards or more and 6-1 when running for 175 yards or more. Minnesota has allowed more than 160 yards in just two games, on the flip side it’s getting a special season out of Mohamed Ibrahim.

The veteran has ripped off over 100 yards in every game he played – he missed the Purdue game hurt – and almost pulled out the 13-10 loss to Iowa by himself with 263 yards.

However …

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Wisconsin Will Win

Can Minnesota get by without a passing game?

Freshman Athan Kaliakmanis has the arm, but he doesn’t have the touch and hasn’t been great over the last three games hitting 20-of-40 passes with no touchdowns and one pick.

There’s an outside chance Tanner Morgan is back, but no matter what the Badgers will load up against Ibrahim and the run – the D is just fine against one-dimensional attacks.

Nebraska was able to keep the Gopher ground game in relative check. If it can do that, Wisconsin can do the same. It gave up fewer than 100 rushing yards in six games and allowed over 140 just once in the blasting from Ohio State.

Minnesota is 1-3 when it wins for fewer than 170 yards and 6-1 when it doesn’t. There’s that, and …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Wisconsin is a different team in Camp Randall.

It blew out Northwestern in Evanston, but it struggled in the win last week over Nebraska to get bowl eligible. It gagged at Michigan State, couldn’t stop screwing up against Iowa, and got rolled by Ohio State.

The O hasn’t always been great no matter where it plays, and Minnesota’s defense will keep this close, but the Badger run D will be a wee bit better as it takes back the Paul Bunyan Axe.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Minnesota vs Wisconsin Prediction, Line

Wisconsin 21, Minnesota 17
Line: Wisconsin -3.5, o/u: 35.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Minnesota vs Wisconsin Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Michigan vs Ohio State Prediction Game Preview

Michigan vs Ohio State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Michigan vs Ohio State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Michigan vs Ohio State Prediction Game Preview

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Michigan vs Ohio State How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
How To Watch: FOX
Record: Michigan (11-0), Ohio State (11-0)
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Why Michigan Will Win

Even for Ohio State, the injuries at the skill spots are a problem.

CJ Stroud is still being CJ Stroud, but the other stars in the backfield – Miyan Williams and TreVeyon Henderson – are trying to battle through leg problems, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba hasn’t been right all year, and last week it almost took its toll.

Again, it’s Ohio State so it all turned out fine in a 43-30 win over Maryland, but the 401 yards were alarmingly low at a point in the season when everything is supposed to be humming.

Now the Buckeye offense has to deal with the No. 1 defense in college football.

The Wolverine run defense is allowing fewer than three yards per carry, the pass D hasn’t allowed anyone to get to 270 yards, and it’s got enough of a presence in the backfield and is strong enough on third downs to keep the Buckeyes from clicking.

On the other side, Michigan’s offensive style should be a big, big problem for a team that hasn’t exactly dealt with a slew of killer running games.

With or without Blake Corum carrying the ball, the Michigan O line should be able to blast away as the game goes on – the 168 rushing yards against Illinois was a better performance than it might seem – turnovers aren’t an issue with just six spread out over the first 11 games, and …

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Ohio State Will Win

Rutgers, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Colorado State, UConn, and Hawaii.

Michigan has faced seven of the 35 least-productive offenses in college football, and Michigan State isn’t far off. Penn State and its 37th-best offense is the most talented it faced all year, and Maryland is as close as it’s been to dealing with a dangerous passing attack.

It’s Michigan. Like Ohio State it has options if Corum can’t go on his injured leg, but no … it’s not Ohio State. The high-end star power isn’t there among the backups to step in and shine like Dallan Hayden did last week for the Buckeyes against Maryland with 146 rushing yards and three scores.

But the offensive line really is that good. It’s going to pound away, and Ohio State’s run defense will have its rough moments. However, it’s asking a lot for the Michigan passing attack to come through when needed.

JJ McCarthy has been fine, but against a slew of mediocre teams over the last four games – not including Illinois – he hasn’t been able to hit 60% of his passes.

What worked against the Nebraska’s and Michigan State’s of the world won’t fly against the Buckeyes.

This is a pressure-leads-to-breaking Michigan offense. Eventually the pounding takes over and the points and yards come in the second half. That didn’t work against the great Illinois defense last week – it didn’t help that Corum got hurt – and there’s going to be a big, big problem if the Buckeyes get up early.

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Ohio State is already amazing, but it takes on a whole other level when it has a score to settle.

The 2020 team didn’t sort of focused all year on winning the national title, and it always wants to beat Michigan, but there was another theme. That team wanted Clemson after the pain and suffering in the College Football Playoff the season before, and it came out rocking with a 49-28 win in the semifinal.

This might be a national title-level team, but to know anything about this program is to get that the last year has been all about getting Michigan out of its head.

Michigan is very, very good, though – it isn’t going to get pushed around.

Ohio State will get up fast, the Wolverines will fight back and make it interesting, and then Stroud and company will kick it in and exorcise the demon early in the fourth quarter.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Michigan vs Ohio State Prediction, Line

Ohio State 30, Michigan 20
Line: Ohio State -7.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Michigan vs Ohio State Must See Rating (out of 5): 5
– Michigan vs Ohio State Experts Picks

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Clemson vs South Carolina Prediction Game Preview

Clemson vs South Carolina game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Clemson vs South Carolina prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Clemson vs South Carolina Prediction Game Preview

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Clemson vs South Carolina How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
How To Watch: ABC
Record: Clemson (10-1), South Carolina (7-4)
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Why South Carolina Will Win

Can we all get that Spencer Rattler again?

The arm talent is undeniable and the next-level skills are all there, but he was a tad too tentative at Oklahoma and there have been too many misfires and picks and South Carolina so far. And then he got a hold of the Tennessee secondary, and … BOOM.

438 yards, six touchdown passes, no interceptions, 63-38 win.

It’s not like the pressure is off now going against Clemson in the big rivalry game, but that was a sigh of relief performance for the program. It knows it can win, it knows big things should be coming under head coach Shane Beamer, and it knows it has the passing game in this.

Clemson’s pass defense isn’t as rocky as Tennessee’s, but it’s been hit by teams that can throw – there haven’t been too many of them on the slate.

Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman went off for 337, and cranking up 200 yards hasn’t been a problem for just about everyone else who tried. But if that Rattler shows up, he’s the best quarterback the Tiger secondary has faced so far.

But …

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Clemson Will Win

Here comes the Clemson pass rush.

The defensive line has hardly been a disappointment this year, but considering the NFL talent and skill up and down the line – even with some injury issues – it hasn’t been quite as dominant as it should’ve been. Now it gets to eat against a Gamecock offensive front that allows way too many plays in the backfield and way too much pressure on Rattler.

Forget where the expectations were set, it’s hard to argue with a defense that leads the ACC in tackles for loss and allows 104 rushing yards per game.

The offensive side should be okay. DJ Uiagalelei doesn’t have to force anything, the running game can take over – South Carolina was hammered against the run over the last three games allowing close to six yards per pop – and the defense will take care of the rest.

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Which South Carolina shows up?

It’s not like it’s not fully focused and isn’t going to bust it, but this team has a way of occasionally falling very, very flat.

The turnovers that weren’t there against Tennessee will show up this week. The Tigers will come up with two takeaways – to offset their own offense’s two mistakes – the home crowd atmosphere and energy will be a big boost, and they’ll make it seven in a row in the series.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Clemson vs South Carolina Prediction, Line

Clemson 38, South Carolina 24
Line: Clemson -14.5, o/u: 51.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Clemson vs South Carolina Must See Rating (out of 5): 4

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Georgia vs Georgia Tech Prediction Game Preview

Georgia vs Georgia Tech game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Georgia vs Georgia Tech prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Georgia vs Georgia Tech Prediction Game Preview

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Georgia vs Georgia Tech How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 12:00 ET
Venue: Sanford Stadium, Athens, GA
How To Watch: ESPN
Record: Georgia (11-0), Georgia Tech (5-6)
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Why Georgia Tech Will Win

Georgia Tech is playing … well?

It won two of its last three games, backup QB Zach Gibson was solid in the 21-17 shocker over North Carolina, and the defense has stepped in a huge way after getting ripped up by Florida State in late October.

No, it doesn’t have the firepower to keep up with Georgia, and the inability to keep the chains moving on third downs could be a killer, but the pass rush is fine, the team is great in turnover margin and keeping the penalties to a minimum, and …

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Georgia Will Win

Georgia Tech doesn’t have the offense to rally back.

Georgia has shown the ability to hit on the big plays down the field and crank up the scoring drives in a flash, but it should be the running game that takes over.

Miami ran for over 200 yards on the Yellow Jacket D and won easily. Florida State ran for 246 yards and won in a blowout. Overall, Georgia Tech is 0-4 when allowing over 200 rushing yards and 1-5 when giving up 150 or more – the North Carolina win last week was the outlier.

Tennessee and Oregon were the only two teams other than Samford – Georgia didn’t exactly go full force in that – to keep the Dawgs to under 150. The ground game should average over five yards per carry, the defense will care in the rivalry game – it sure did in the 45-0 win last year – and …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Get in, get this over with, and move on to the SEC Championship.

Georgia has won four straight in the series in blowout fashion, and it’ll roll here without too much of a problem.

The Georgia Tech defense will be just good enough to keep this from going crazy in the second half, but the damage will be done early.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Georgia vs Georgia Tech Prediction, Line

Georgia 44, Georgia Tech 10
Line: Georgia -36.5, o/u: 48.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Georgia vs Georgia Tech Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
– Georgia vs Georgia Tech Experts Picks

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Purdue vs Indiana Prediction Game Preview

Purdue vs Indiana game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Purdue vs Indiana prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Purdue vs Indiana Prediction Game Preview

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Purdue vs Indiana How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, IN
How To Watch: BTN
Record: Purdue (7-4), Indiana (4-7)
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Why Purdue Will Win

The Indiana passing game isn’t working.

Dexter Williams is a dangerous all-around playmaker, and he proved he could lead the team to a win with a stunning 39-31 thriller at Michigan State last week, but he completed just 8-of-26 passes for 138 yards over the last two games.

Purdue has enough of a run defense to hold up.

It’s not a brick wall, but now it knows what it’s looking for when Williams takes off – the linebacking corps should keep him relatively contained.

IU beat the Spartans with 257 rushing yards and four scores – no one hasn’t come all that close to 200 rushing yards on the Boilermaker D.

That, and the Indiana defense is still the Indiana defense – it gave up close to 1,700 yards of total offense over the last three weeks.

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Indiana Will Win

The running game really was good against Michigan State.

No, Williams didn’t do anything down the field, but the offense roared back in the second half, the defense came up big in overtime, and again, the ground attack – Williams ran for 86 yards and Shaun Shivers ran for 115.

No, the offense still doesn’t control the clock – it only had the ball for 23:27 last week – and no, the team still isn’t that great on third downs, but if it could bend without doing a lot of breaking against Michigan State, it can do that against Purdue.

The Boilermakers aren’t going to come up with too many big things in the backfield, there aren’t a ton of passes down the field in the pass-friendly offense, and …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Purdue will clamp down enough to get the Old Oaken Bucket for the fourth time in the last five tries.

It was a crazy collapse by Michigan State against IU. Before that, the Hoosiers had a hard time getting past 17 points, and it’s going to have a hard time coming up with explosive offensive plays to do more than that.

However, Indiana hasn’t turned it over in two weeks. It will run just enough to be okay, but Purdue will have the ball for 35 minutes and won’t crash like the Spartans did.

Throw in that this matters for the Big Ten West title – thanks to the Iowa loss to Nebraska, Purdue is in if it wins – and the extra motivation won’t hurt.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Purdue vs Indiana Prediction, Line

Purdue 34, Indiana 23
Line:Purdue -10.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Purdue vs Indiana Must See Rating (out of 5): 3

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Syracuse vs Boston College Prediction Game Preview

Syracuse vs Boston College game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Syracuse vs Boston College prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Syracuse vs Boston College Prediction Game Preview

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Syracuse vs Boston College How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Alumni Stadium, Chestnut Hill, MA
How To Watch: ESPN3
Record: Syracuse (6-5), Boston College (3-8)
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Why Syracuse Will Win

The Orange defensive line decimated by injuries gets a break this week – even though it’s been decent at doing its job lately.

The D allowed over 100 yards on the ground just once in the last four games and won’t have any issues this week against a Boston College offense that can’t/doesn’t run. It hasn’t hit 80 yards in the last six games, and now all the pressure is on the passing attack that’s hit-or-miss.

Emmett Morehead was on with 330 passing yards against both Duke and NC State, and then it all collapsed in the blowout loss to Notre Dame. For all of the team’s problems lately, the Syracuse pass defense has been terrific – throwing out last week’s loss to the pass-happy Wake Forest attack.

Long-winded thing short – the Orange D should be fine. But …

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Boston College Will Win

The Syracuse offense has stalled.

It couldn’t get much of anything going against Pitt, crashed against Florida State, and last week against the Demon Deacons marked the first time since mid-October the team gained more than 300 yards.

The passing game has been off. getting Sean Tucker and the ground game working has been a problem, and Boston College needs to be able to rise up and stop all of it.

The Eagles are 0-7 when allowing offenses to connect on 56% of their passes, and they’re 3-1 when they hold down opposing passing attacks. Syracuse has hit 56% or fewer of their throws in each of the last four games, but …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Syracuse doesn’t have too many problems with teams that can throw – the Wake Forest game last week aside. It has problems with teams that can run.

It’s 0-5 this season when allowing more than 150 yards on the ground and 6-0 when it allows fewer. Boston College has yet to run for 150 yards this season.

– Expert Picks College Week 13 | NFL Week 12

Syracuse vs Boston College Prediction, Line

Syracuse 27, Boston College 20
Line: Syracuse -10.5, o/u: 47.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
Syracuse vs Boston College Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Auburn vs Alabama Prediction Game Preview

Auburn vs Alabama game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Auburn vs Alabama prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Auburn vs Alabama Prediction Game Preview

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Auburn vs Alabama How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Auburn (5-6), Alabama (9-2)
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Why Auburn Will Win

Is Lane Kiffin there yet?

Is he or isn’t he going to be the next Auburn head coach? At the very least that has turned into a nice distraction for an Auburn team that should be able to play loose and free in this.

No matter what, there’s going to be a big change after this. Either Auburn loses and the program’s new direction is underway, or it pulls this off and 1) it’s going bowling and 2) it means it beat Alabama.

The Tigers have been solid under interim head man and Tiger running back legend Cadillac Williams. They beat Texas A&M, held down the WKU high-powered passing attack in a 41-17 win, and they came into this with a rolling ground game that should be able to move a bit.

Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter each hit the 100-yard mark against the Hilltoppers making it three straight games – and four in the last five – with 250 rushing yards or more.

The Alabama run defense has been solid overall, but LSU, Ole Miss, and Tennessee were all able to crank up the production against it. Now it’s Auburn’s turn.

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Alabama Will Win

It’s still crazy possible.

It would take a whole slew of things to happen, but Alabama still has a teeny tiny little bit of a shot at making the College Football Playo…

Okay, so that’s almost certainly not going to happen, but by any normal measure going 10-2 with a win over the arch-rival on the way to a New Year’s Six bowl is a great year. Of course, Alabama always expects more, but there’s still plenty to play for.

The offense should steadily be able to keep things moving. Auburn is bad on both sides of the line on third downs, the Tide defensive front should live in the backfield, and there isn’t enough coming from the Tiger passing game to be too worried about.

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Throw out the Austin Peay scrimmage of last week, and for the most part Alabama doesn’t have a problem with turnovers. It’s not going to give up enough mistakes for Auburn to take over and win this.

Even so, the Tigers will be strong for about 20 minutes as they hang around and make it a battle. The Alabama offense will take over with a few quick scoring drives and will coast from there.

It might not be a total wipeout – the Tide will pull away late – but it’ll be a strong, efficient finish to a rough regular season.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Auburn vs Alabama Prediction, Line

Alabama 41, Auburn 19
Line: Alabama -22.5, o/u: 49.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Auburn vs Alabama Must See Rating (out of 5): 3

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Oregon vs Oregon State Prediction Game Preview

Oregon vs Oregon State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Oregon vs Oregon State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Oregon vs Oregon State Prediction Game Preview

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Oregon vs Oregon State How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR
How To Watch: ABC
Record: Oregon (9-2), Oregon State (8-3)
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Why Oregon Will Win

The Pac-12 Championship is there for the taking.

USC is already in, and Oregon can punch its ticket to Las Vegas with a win. If it loses, the door is open for Washington and Utah.

The Ducks bounced back fast from the tough loss to Washington with a gut-check 20-17 win over Utah. Bo Nix played banged up but he’s supposed to be ready to go after getting knocked around late, but it’s the defense that needs to make the difference.

Coming up with third down stops hasn’t been easy, and the pass defense has been hit too hard at times, but the takeaways have been there with two or more in three of the last four games and 13 in the last six games.

Oregon State is 7-0 when running for more than 175 yards and 1-3 when running for that many or fewer. For all of its faults and flaws, Oregon’s defense has only allowed more than 160 yards once – 186 in the win over UCLA.

However …

– Bowl Projections | Bowl Bubble: Who’s Bowl Eligible?

Why Oregon State Will Win

The Oregon State defense and overall style of play should be a problem.

A monster against the run, the Beavers only allowed more than 100 yards once in the last six games. There isn’t much of a pass rush and there’s not much of disruption happening in the backfield, but that’s by design.

The results are there. The D won’t hold Oregon to under three yards per carry like Utah did last week, but it should be able to keep Nix from taking off.

Offensively, it’s all about the balance and keeping the chains moving. The Beavers are great at controlling the clock, they should own third downs, and they’ll average over four yards per carry.

Oregon is 1-2 when allowing over five yards per pop, but …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Oregon State has only been able to average over five yards per carry three times, and Colorado, Arizona State, and Montana State weren’t exactly the most dangerous teams on the slate.

The rivalry aspect of this matters. Oregon State won the last time around in Corvallis and twice in the last three times at home. Underestimate this year’s team at your own peril, but …

It came up short three times – USC, Utah, Washington. Those were the three best teams on the slate, and Oregon is right there, if not better.

The Ducks will come up with two quick scoring drives in the fourth quarter to finally put it away.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Oregon vs Oregon State Prediction, Line

Oregon 31, Oregon State 27
Line: Oregon -3.5, o/u: 58.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Oregon vs Oregon State Must See Rating (out of 5): 4

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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– Bowl Projections | Rankings

Louisville vs Kentucky Prediction Game Preview

Louisville vs Kentucky game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Louisville vs Kentucky prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Louisville vs Kentucky Prediction Game Preview

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Louisville vs Kentucky How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Kroger Field, Lexington, KY
How To Watch: SEC Network
Record: Louisville (7-4), Kentucky (6-5)
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Why Louisville Will Win

The Kentucky offense just sort of stopped.

It wasn’t exactly ripping through everyone in the 4-0 start, but at least it was effective. Now it’s struggling behind a leaky offensive line, the ground attack has been brutally inconsistent, and QB Will Levis has been beaten, battered, and bruised.

And Louisville’s defense is there for all of it. It leads the nation in sacks, it’s great at generating tackles for loss, and only WKU comes up with more takeaways.

Shock of shocks, when the UK offense comes up with a ton of yards, it wins. It’s 4-0 when gaining 350 yards or more and 2-5 when it doesn’t.

Louisville allows 347 yards per game.

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Why Kentucky Will Win

Is Malik Cunningham playing?

He’s hoping he can and thinks he might after suffering a concussion against Clemson and missing the NC State game, but no matter what he’s hardly 100%.

Brock Domann stepped in last week and wasn’t awful in the win over NC State, but the running game did most of the work. No matter who’s under center, the Kentucky pass defense should shine.

The run D has been a bit hit-or-miss – it struggled against Vanderbilt and wasn’t great against Georgia – but the D hasn’t allowed 200 passing yards in any of the last three games.

Louisville’s defense might be terrific at coming up with takeaways, but Kentucky can do that, too. It forced two in each of the last three games and is solid on third downs.

Overall, the D has the ability to keep the Louisville ground attack in check, but …

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What’s Going To Happen

Louisville has been balanced enough to find ways to keep things moving, and the defense is taking care of the rest with all the takeaways.

This is where the Cardinal defensive front has to shine. Will Levis might be good enough to overcome a slew of problems, and he’s used to dealing with a pass rush, but he’s going to get hit a bit too often.

The Kentucky deliberate style won’t be enough to overcome a great day from the Cardinal defense.

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Louisville vs Kentucky Prediction, Line

Louisville 23, Kentucky 21
Line: Kentucky -2.5, o/u: 43.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Louisville vs Kentucky Must See Rating (out of 5): 3.5

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Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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Notre Dame vs USC Prediction Game Preview

Notre Dame vs USC game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Saturday, November 26

Notre Dame vs USC prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Saturday, November 26

Notre Dame vs USC Prediction Game Preview

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Notre Dame vs USC How To Watch

Date: Saturday, November 26
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
How To Watch: ABC
Record: Notre Dame (8-3), USC (10-1)
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Why Notre Dame Will Win

The Irish are going to run the ball.

It’s been easy to dismiss the season because of the 0-2 start and loss to Marshall, and the inexplicable loss to Stanford always gets brought up, but the team is 8-1 in the last nine game for a reason.

The running game has found it.

The passing attack hasn’t been consistent enough, but the offensive line has kicked it in, the trio of backs and QB Drew Pyne are producing, and it’s getting stronger and stronger with 220 rushing yards or more in four of the last five games.

Notre Dame is 6-0 when it runs for 200 yards or more. UCLA just powered away for over 200 in the thrilling 48-45 USC win, but it’s more than just that.

The Trojan D gives up 4.6 yards per carry, but most teams abandon the ground game to start throwing in an attempt to keep up the pace. The Irish have to keep running no matter what until the O breaks through.

They’re 8-0 when running 38 times or more, and Stanford is the only team to run that many times – 45 in the 41-28 loss – against the Trojans.

But …

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Why USC Will Win

Caleb Williams is just that good.

He had the performance he needed to have against UCLA – 75% for 470 yards and two scores and 33 rushing yards and a touchdown – and now the Heisman might be his for the taking with one more monster game when everyone is watching.

But USC is more than 13.

Even without Travis Dye the running game kept on rolling last week – the Trojans average 5.3 yards per carry – the line gives Williams a ton of time to work, and it all meshes with a relentless style that will be impossible for Notre Dame to match.

Only Tennessee averages more yards per game, no one is better in turnover margin, and only Washington is more effective on third downs.

Again, the turnover margin. Notre Dame has forced multiple takeaways in three of the last four games, but USC has only given it away four times. So …

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What’s Going To Happen

USC might turn it over once, but it won’t turn it over two or more times that Notre Dame will need.

USC will give up 450 yards, but it won’t give up the 500 Notre Dame will need.

Williams will struggle in the first half, find his groove in the second half, and then it’ll come down to the USC defense and its second takeaway of the game to seal the thriller.

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Notre Dame vs USC Prediction, Line

USC 40, Notre Dame 34
Line: USC -5.5, o/u: 64.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Notre Dame vs USC Must See Rating (out of 5): 5

CFN 1-131 Rankings | Rankings by Conference
Path to the Playoff: 7 teams still in the race 

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