Tag: Week 13

Areas of concern for Alabama’s matchup against Auburn in the Iron Bowl

What might trip up the Tide in the Iron Bowl matchup against Auburn?

Everyone knows how big of a game the Iron Bowl is to the state of Alabama. As of late, Alabama has been able to sustain success against its rival, the Auburn Tigers. However, the Tide was able to win in overtime against the Tigers just a season ago.

It is critical that the Tide are well prepared and able to respond to adversity. Despite the Tigers having just five wins, the team still has the chance to reach a bowl game with a win. Interim head coach Carnell Williams has his players competing at a high level, and the Tide will need to have an answer for that in this year’s Iron Bowl in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Roll Tide Wire takes a look at some areas of concern heading into this weekend’s Iron Bowl.

LSU Wire Roundtable: Staff predictions for Tigers’ regular season finale against Texas A&M

Will the Tigers keep their CFP hopes alive in College Station on Saturday night?

It’s hard to believe we’ve already reached the final week of the regular season, but luckily, there could still be a lot of meaningful football in LSU’s future.

The Tigers are locked into the SEC Championship against Georgia, and if they win out, they’ll likely be heading to the College Football Playoff. For any of that to be a possibility, LSU needs to get past Texas A&M this week.

The Aggies have had a disappointing season, having snapped a six-game losing streak against UMass last week. At 4-7, this team can’t reach bowl eligibility, but it does have the opportunity to play spoiler against the Tigers.

Here’s how our staff sees this one playing out as LSU prepares to take on TAMU, Jimbo Fisher and the 12th man.

Notre Dame-USC: Staff predictions for Saturday’s showdown

Who you got Saturday night in LA?

The 2022 regular-season finale is already upon in what has been anything but a normal fall in Marcus Freeman’s first season as Notre Dame’s head coach.  It feels like it was maybe only a month ago that the Irish defense was putting in work at Ohio State before succumbing late in the contest.  An all-time woeful loss to Marshall followed before a turnaround that featured three-straight wins, including a domination of a North Carolina team who will play in the ACC championship.

The stumble against Stanford happened in mid-October and right when the train could have really come off the track, the order was seemingly restored under Freeman’s watch.  Notre Dame has won five straight since that loss, including controlling a ranked Syracuse team on the road handily and handing Clemson their worst regular season loss in what feels like a generation.

So how does Notre Dame close the book on the 2022 regular season?  Can they find a way to slow USC’s high-powered offense and spoil a second opponent’s College Football Playoff dreams this November?

Here is how the Fighting Irish Wire staff as well as Trojans Wire editor Matt Zemek see Saturday night’s showdown in the Coliseum going.

North Carolina vs NC State Prediction Game Preview

North Carolina vs NC State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Friday, November 25

North Carolina vs NC State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Friday, November 25

North Carolina vs NC State Prediction Game Preview

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North Carolina vs NC State How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 25
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, NC
How To Watch: ABC
Record: North Carolina (9-2), NC State (7-4)
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Why NC State Will Win

Even with all of the problems over the last two weeks with losses to Boston College and Louisville, the defense continues to be terrific against the run and the takeaways continue to come with ten in a four game stretch before the loss to Louisville.

The North Carolina defense continues to be absent in key moments. The pass rush isn’t there, there earned any tackles for loss, and the takeaways aren’t coming with just two games – wins over Florida A&M and Miami – with more than one forced mistake.

At the very least, the Wolfpack should be able to grind out the running game a bit because …

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

Why North Carolina Will Win

The NC State passing game has crashed after star QB Devin Leary was knocked out for the year.

MJ Morris was okay, but he struggled in the loss to Boston College. Ben Finley threw for over 200 yards against Louisville, but he failed to hit half of his passes.

There will be just enough of an offensive punch for the Wolfpack O to work against this mediocre North Carolina defense, but there won’t be enough production to keep up the pace.

The Tar Heels were off against Georgia Tech. Give the Yellow Jackets credit for rising up with a strong game, but there’s too much talent and too much pop to the North Carolina attack to be held down two games in a row. That’s why …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

NC State will get a good day out of the defense, but it’s not going to be enough.

North Carolina might be looking ahead to the ACC Championship, but the rivalry aspect of this – combined with the kerfuffle after QB Drake Maye made his innocuous comments earlier in the season dogging NC State – will crank up the intensity.

It will take a half to get going, but the North Carolina offense will take over in the second half.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

North Carolina vs NC State Prediction, Line

North Carolina 27, NC State 24
Line: North Carolina -6.5, o/u: 55.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
North Carolina vs NC State Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
– NC State vs North Carolina Expert Picks

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

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Arkansas vs Missouri Prediction Game Preview

Arkansas vs Missouri game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Friday, November 25

Arkansas vs Missouri prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Friday, November 25

Arkansas vs Missouri Prediction Game Preview

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Arkansas vs Missouri How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 25
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Faurot Field, Columbia, MO
How To Watch: CBS
Record: Arkansas (6-5), Missouri (5-6)
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Why Arkansas Will Win

Can the Arkansas offense do that again?

Just when it seemed like the team was in big, big trouble when it came to bowl eligibility, it got past the two-game losing streak with an emphatic win over Ole Miss with 335 rushing yards and KJ Jefferson hitting 77% of his passes.

Just do that again, and the already bowl eligible team will bump up its bowl slot.

Missouri’s defense might be fine, but there’s a turnover margin problem – no takeaways in the last two games – the defense gave up over 700 yards to Tennessee, and the offense has been more okay than sensational.

Can the defense hold up against everything Jefferson does? He completed 79% of his passes for 262 yards with a slew of deep shots against Mizzou – to go along with 58 rushing yards – in a 34-17 win last year.

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

Why Missouri Will Win

Arkansas got its big win last week at home on Senior Day to get bowl eligible. Now it’s Missouri’s turn.

It might be just 5-6 with the only decent win coming against South Carolina, but the defense hasn’t been bad against the better teams – throwing the Tennessee game aside – and the offense hasn’t been too bad at keeping things moving.

This has to be about the D, though. The line is good at getting into the backfield, there should be enough pressure on Jefferson to matter, and …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Can Missouri play above its head?

Four of its five wins were against air – with some due respect to Vanderbilt – and the other against South Carolina was good, but not amazing. However, Arkansas has been hit-or-miss.

A healthy Jefferson makes all the difference, and the running game that rolled against Ole Miss – Raheim Sanders ran for 232 yards and three scores – will have another strong performance.

Missouri is 0-4 when allowing more than 144 yards. Arkansas has rushed for 144 yards or more against everyone but LSU.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Arkansas vs Missouri Prediction, Line

Arkansas 27, Missouri 23
Line: Arkansas -3, o/u: 55.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2
Arkansas vs Missouri Must See Rating (out of 5): 3
– Arkansas vs Missouri Experts Picks

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

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Arizona State vs Arizona Prediction Game Preview

Arizona State vs Arizona game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Friday, November 25

Arizona State vs Arizona prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Friday, November 25

Arizona State vs Arizona Prediction Game Preview

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Arizona State vs Arizona How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 25
Game Time: 3:00 ET
Venue: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
How To Watch: FS1
Record: Arizona State (3-8), Arizona (4-7)
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Why Arizona State Will Win

Five straight. 70-7 in 2002. 38-15 last year. Arizona State has a hold on the Territorial Cup and now gets a potentially demoralized Arizona team.

Of course the Wildcats will be jacked for this – they still have to hear about 70-7 – but they went from beating UCLA and having a bowl game there on the table, to now being ensured of a losing season after a disappointing day against Washington State.

The Cat D wasn’t bad against Wazzu, but it hasn’t been a rock, especially against the run. Arizona State has to get grinding right away and control the tempo and the clock.

Last week was a rough 31-7 loss to Oregon State, but the Sun Devils averaged over six yards per carry and should come close to five yards per pop in this. The passing attack was great against Colorado and UCLA, there should be a good balance, and the Arizona defense doesn’t generate the pressure to stop any of it.

But …

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

Why Arizona Will Win

Now this becomes Arizona’s bowl game.

Arizona State is a program that’s about to flip around fast over the offseason with a whole lot of changes. Arizona has everything in place and keeps on improving, and this is a next step forward.

No, the defense isn’t anything great, but the offense is about to go off. Washington State’s strong defense was able to win by forcing four takeaways – all picks – but Arizona State doesn’t take the ball away. It hasn’t come up with a turnover in two weeks, and it forced multiple takeaways just twice all year.

The secondary allowed 200 yards or more in every Pac-12 game except the loss to UCLA, and that’s because the Bruins ripped off over 400 yards on the ground. So …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

The Arizona offense will go off.

Jayden de Laura will get over the rough day against Wazzu and rip off well over 300 yards without the big mistakes.

Arizona State will keep up with the ground game, but it won’t be enough. The offense will flinch with a few third down misfires, and the Wildcat offense will take advantage of every chance.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Arizona State vs Arizona Prediction, Line

Arizona 38, Arizona State 30
Line: Arizona -4, o/u: 65.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Arizona State vs Arizona 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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Florida vs Florida State Prediction Game Preview

Florida vs Florida State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Friday, November 25

Florida vs Florida State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Friday, November 25

Florida vs Florida State Prediction Game Preview

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Florida vs Florida State How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 25
Game Time: 7:30 ET
Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, FL
How To Watch: ABC
Record: Florida (6-5), Florida State (8-3)
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Why Florida Will Win

Florida has playmakers.

As shocking as the 31-24 loss to Vanderbilt was, the passing game was great – Anthony Richardson threw for 400 yards – and the defense wasn’t all that bad.

It’s all up to the run defense. It didn’t give up 200 yards in six of the last seven games – Georgia was the outlier -and will give up yards here and there, but it should be able to keep Florida State from dominating with its big, gashing runs.

But there will be big, gashing runs from the Seminoles. Florida and Richardson should be able to keep up, but …

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

Why Florida State Will Win

Yeah, the Florida State running game. It’s really, really strong.

The Seminoles have worked their way though the season and now have everything working averaging 5.6 yards per carry or more in five of the last six games. Now they get a Florida defense that doesn’t generate enough pressure in the backfield to be any sort of a problem.

What the Gator D can do is generate takeaways with ten in the last four games and two or more in eight of the last nine. Florida State doesn’t have a turnover problem and isn’t going to give it away enough to matter, if at all.

And then there’s the issue on third downs. Florida State leads the ACC converting 51% of its chances, Florida absolutely miserable at coming up with third down stops, and …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

For all the Florida State love being thrown around lately, the really, really good win since getting by LSU at the beginning of September was against …

A battered Syracuse? Miami? Boston College?

The Seminoles were competitive against Clemson, NC State, and Wake Forest, and lost all three. They’re 7-0 when scoring 35 points or more and 1-3 when they don’t.

Florida has allowed more than 35 points to Tennessee, Georgia, and LSU. Its 6-1 when allowing 28 points or fewer, but …

At home, Florida State will win because the offense will be in control late when it has to come up with two good scoring drives, but 15 on the other side is about to have himself a day.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Florida vs Florida State Prediction, Line

Florida State 34, Florida 30
Line: Florida State -9.5, o/u: 57.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 4
Florida vs Florida State Must See Rating (out of 5): 4
– Florida vs Florida State Experts Picks

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

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Wyoming vs Fresno State Prediction Game Preview

Wyoming vs Fresno State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Friday, November 25

Wyoming vs Fresno State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Friday, November 25

Wyoming vs Fresno State Prediction Game Preview

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Wyoming vs Fresno State How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 25
Game Time: 10:00 ET
Venue: Bulldog Stadium, Fresno, CA
How To Watch: FS1
Record: Wyoming (7-4), Fresno State (7-4)
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Why Wyoming Will Win

Fresno State is set.

It’s already going to the Mountain West Championship no matter what to face Boise State – its head might be focused on bigger and better things.

Wyoming’s rushing attack should be able to rumble. It averaged over eight yards per carry in two of the last three games – including in the 20-17 loss to Boise State last week – averaging well over five yards per pop.

Fresno State’s defense has been fine, but it’s been getting hit up front over the last month and hasn’t faced anyone who can rip off yards in chunks like the Cowboys can.

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

Why Fresno State Will Win

Here comes the Fresno State passing attack.

Jake Haener came back and good things happened with well over 1,100 yards in the last four games and 12 touchdowns. The Wyoming secondary hasn’t been awful, but it hasn’t faced too many teams that throw. Even so, it’s allowing over 200 yards in each of the last three games.

Fresno State should dominate on third downs on both side of the ball, it won’t  have problems with turnovers or penalties to give the Cowboys too many breaks, and …

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

It’s the home finale. No, this game doesn’t matter in the big picture, and keeping everyone healthy will be the priority, but the Bulldogs will come out winging it around to overcome a plucky day from the Cowboy ground game.

Wyoming will keep this from getting out of hand, but the passing game will get Fresno State out of trouble when it needs to.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

Wyoming vs Fresno State Prediction, Line

Fresno State 30, Wyoming 17
Line: Fresno State -14.5, o/u: 50.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3
Wyoming vs Fresno State Must See Rating (out of 5): 2.5
– Wyoming vs Fresno State Experts Picks

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

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Advanced metrics picks for LSU vs. Texas A&M

Here’s what some advanced models have to say about LSU’s hopes

LSU will face Texas A&M on Saturday night to conclude the regular season.

Not many are projecting a blowout, but LSU is a decent favorite. It took a game against UMass for A&M to break its six-game losing streak and the Aggies have fell well short of preseason expectations.

LSU, on the other hand, has been trending up. LSU struggled against Arkansas a couple of weeks ago, but found a way to get the win. The Tigers played a much cleaner game against UAB.

This will be LSU’s first road trip since the Arkansas game. LSU’s been inconsistent away from Tiger Stadium this fall and a game in front of the College Station crowd will provide another test.

Here’s what some advanced stats models have to say about LSU’s chances on Saturday night.

New Mexico vs Colorado State Prediction Game Preview

New Mexico vs Colorado State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 13 game on Friday, November 25

New Mexico vs Colorado State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 13, Friday, November 25

New Mexico vs Colorado State Prediction Game Preview

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New Mexico vs Colorado State How To Watch

Date: Friday, November 25
Game Time: 3:30 ET
Venue: Canvas Stadium, Fort Collins, CO
How To Watch: CBS Sports Network
Record: New Mexico (2-9), Colorado State (2-9)
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Why New Mexico Will Win

Colorado State has one of the few offenses worse than New Mexico’s.

The Rams are disastrous up front, the offense is dead last in college football in points, and it’s dead last in third down conversions, scoring, and red zone production.

New Mexico can use as much help as it can get.

There’s enough of a running game to hammer away on a Colorado State defensive front that’s been crushed over the last several weeks. Air Force is Air Force – it came up with 359 yards in last week’s win – but Wyoming, Boise State, and Utah State were all able to go off.

The Lobos will be competitive if they can get to 200 rushing yards, but …

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

Why Colorado State Will Win

New Mexico has one of the few offenses almost as bad as Colorado State’s.

The Rams are the worst in the country on third downs, but New Mexico is the second worst. There’s no passing game to worry about, there’s nothing happening down the field, and yardage-wise New Mexico’s offense is the worst in the nation.

Colorado State might be dead last in scoring, but it averages 284 yards per game. New Mexico averages 237.

At least the Ram passing game has the upside to come up with a few big plays here and there. New Mexico doesn’t.

– Week 13 College Football Schedule, Game Previews

What’s Going To Happen

Colorado State will get a little bit more out of its offense than New Mexico will get out of its version. Neither one will do anything special.

Home field matters here. It’ll be ugly, there will plenty of mistakes, but these two will play at each other’s level. The Rams will get a few more field goal opportunities.

– Expert Picks College Week 12 | NFL Week 11

New Mexico vs Colorado State Prediction, Line

Colorado State 20, New Mexico 17
Line: Colorado State -7.5, o/u: 34.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 2.5
New Mexico vs Colorado State Must See Rating (out of 5): 2

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

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