NCAA Football 2018 Week 13 picks

Thurs Nov 22
#24 Mississippi State Bulldogs at Ole Miss Rebels:  For the first time in a long time, the Texas Longhorns do not play on Thanksgiving Day.  Instead the Mississippi state rivalry takes center stage, and the Rebels act like a few of their roles are played by stand-ins.  To say it has been a disappointing conference season for the 1-6 Rebels would be an understatement.  MISSISSIPPI STATE

Fri Nov 23
#16 Texas Longhorns at Kansas Jayhawks:  The Longhorns don't have a shot at the conference title, but a win here closes out a great season.  TEXAS

Nebraska Cornhuskers at #20 Iowa Hawkeyes:  The Cornhuskers have won four of their last five games, including the baseball-style score of 9-6 against Michigan State last week.  However, to beat Iowa on their home field requires a bit more moxie than Nebraska has shown.  They may make this one closer than Hawkeye fans would like, though.  IOWA

Houston Cougars at Memphis Tigers:  This game determines the American Athletic West winner and UCF's opponent in the conference championship game.  Houston has definitely looked better recently, but Memphis started the season strong.  Momentum seems to favor the Cougars.  HOUSTON

Buffalo Bulls at Bowling Green Falcons:  The Bulls might rest some players to keep them healthy for the MAC Championship, but they should be able to beat struggling Bowling Green.  BUFFALO

East Carolina Pirates at #18 Cincinnati Bearcats:  The usually fierce Pirates defense has no ammo this season.  CINCINNATI

#5 UCF Golden Knights at South Florida Bulls:  The Bulls vaulted defense is empty this season, so UCF should be able to score practically at will this game.  UCF

#6 Oklahoma Sooners at #12 West Virginia Mountaineers:  This game decides the regular season winner of the conference (since the "Big XII Championship Game" is just for show). West Virginia is still a threat, especially on defense, but that Oklahoma offense is a monster.  Unless the Mountaineers score on a couple of turnovers, the Sooners should win this.  OKLAHOMA

#23 Washington Huskies at #8 Washington State Cougars:  This in-state rivalry determines the Pac-12 North.  It features the best offense in the conference against the best defense in the conference.  Defense often wins those bouts, so Washington will be dangerous, but the Cougars keep finding ways to win.  I think Washington will lead late in the fourth, but the Cougars will barely pull this one out.  WASHINGTON STATE

Sat Nov 24
Top 25
Auburn Tigers at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide:  Auburn has not had a great year, but the temptation to win the Iron Bowl will motivate the guys.  Unfortunately, motivation alone will not be enough to halt the behemoth that is the Tide.  ALABAMA

South Carolina Gamecocks at #2 Clemson Tigers:  Clemson will likely have an even easier time against South Carolina than Alabama will in the Iron Bowl.  CLEMSON

#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at USC Trojans:  The Trojans play tough in the Rose Bowl, but I don't see how the Irish will lose this game.  Playoffs, here you come!  NOTRE DAME

#4 Michigan Wolverines at #9 Ohio State Buckeyes:  Wow, it is really hard to pick the Buckeyes to lose at home in the Big Game, but they have just seemed to play a bit "off" in recent weeks.  Unless they have been looking ahead to this game and not concentrating on their other opponents, the Wolverines definitely seem like the stronger team.  Never count out the Buckeyes in the Big Game, especially in the Horseshoe, but I have to favor Michigan to win their first division title ever.  MICHIGAN

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at #7 Georgia Bulldogs:  Like Alabama and Clemson, this should be an easy victory.  GEORGIA

#10 LSU Tigers at Texas A&M Aggies:  Although you can never count out the Aggies, this year's squad has allowed more points to SEC opponents than they've scored.  That's not a good sign.  LSU

#11 Utah State Aggies at #15 Boise State Broncos:  A contest with some teeth in it!  Not only will it decide the Mountain division title (and the front-runner to win the Mountain West Championship), but it pits two of the most exciting offenses against each other.  This game should exceed 100 points, with Utah State coming out on top by a single score (or less).  UTAH STATE

Maryland Terrapins at #13 Penn State Nittany Lions:  The Terrapins may have exhausted themselves against Ohio State last week.  If they still have some gas, they can scare the Lions, but I think Penn State gets them at the right time.  PENN STATE

San Jose State Spartans at #14 Fresno State Bulldogs:  It's Bulldog filled weekend, and so far the Dawgs are out, and winning.  FRESNO STATE

Troy Trojans at #17 Appalachian State Mountaineers:  This game decides the Sun Belt East, and pits the two best defenses against each other.  In a defensive battle it can be anyone's game, but I favor the home team here.  APPALACHIAN STATE

#19 UAB Blazers at Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders:  Middle Tennessee is a strong team, and if UAB takes a breather to prepare for the Conference USA Championship, they could lose here.  I don't think they will, as a Middle Tennessee win could potentially put the Raiders into the Championship, and I don't think UAB wants to face them two weeks in a row.  UAB

#22 Florida Gators at Florida State Seminoles:  This in-state rivalry should easily go to the visitors.  FLORIDA

#25 Syracuse Orange at Boston College Eagles:  The Orange need a strong game to bounce back from the atrocious performance against Notre Dame.  The Eagles could give them a challenge, but I think the Orange will prevail.  SYRACUSE

Big Ten
Illinois Fighting Irish at Northwestern Wildcats:  The Wildcats could rest some guys in preparation of the battle they would expect next week in the Big Ten Championship Game, but the rivalry between these two schools will likely prevent anyone from wanting to sit this one out.  That spells doom for the Illini.  NORTHWESTERN

Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Michigan State Spartans:  Could Rutgers win their first conference game in the last week of the season?  That would make a great movie, but this is real life.  MICHIGAN STATE

Purdue Boilermakers at Indiana Hoosiers:  Indiana has played some teams tough, but they just can't seem to close most games.  I think they'll have the same problem here, as they might lead at the end of the third quarter, but Purdue will come out swinging at the end.  PURDUE

Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers:  Would you believe Wisconsin has been to more Big Ten Championship Games than any other team (5 out of 7)?  They won't be there this year, but they will end their season with a win.  WISCONSIN

Other Games of Interest
Marshall Thundering Herd at Florida International Golden Panthers:  The Panthers need the win to ensure a division title, regardless of how Middle Tennessee plays UAB.  Marshall can be a tough opponent, so that won't be easy, but I think the home team will squeak this one out.  FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL

Temple Owls at UConn Huskies:  Not much of a challenge here, as UConn hasn't won a single American Athletic game all season.  TEMPLE

North Texas Mean Green at UTSA Roadrunners:  The Roadrunners have the worst offense in Conference USA, and their defense isn't much better.  No contest.  NORTH TEXAS

BYU Cougars at Utah Utes:  The Battle for Utah should go to the Utes, although don't expect BYU to roll over.  UTAH