For most teams; it's their last week of game until a bowl game (or last period, for those who fail to be eligible). That often produces some unusual results.
Tues Nov 22
Ball State Cardinals at Miami Ohio Redhawks : It's been a tough season for the Redhawks. I'm sure they'd like to end on a high note, but I think the Cardinals are too strong. BALL STATE by 13
Bowling Green Falcons at Ohio Bobcats : This game decides the division's representative to the conference championship. Both teams will fight hard, and I expect the lead to change several times. It could come down to who holds the ball at the end of the game. That's time management, and I think the Bobcats do that a little bit better. OHIO by four
Thurs Nov 24
Mississippi State Bulldogs at #24 Ole Miss Rebels : When these two in-state rivals meet, records often don't matter. This year, both teams performed well, so the possibilities are wide open. The Revels play very well, but they also stumble badly sometimes. The Bulldogs are more consistent, but sometimes miss the mark. The intensity of playing a rival should keep both teams on their toes, so I give an edge to the Revs. OLE MISS by eight
Fri Nov 25
#20 Tulane Greem Wave at #18 Cincinnati Bearcats : This might be the tightest game of the day. Cincinnati can score quickly, but their defense also allows big plays. Tulane has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball. I think Tulane might lead going into the fourth quarter, but Cincy will pull off a great comeback. CINCY by six
Baylor Bears at #16 Texas Longhorns : Baylor's defense is strong, but I don't think it's strong enough to slow the powerful Longhorns offense. TEXAS by 11
Utah State Aggies at Boise State Broncos : The Aggies can be a fierce competitor, but many teams find it hard to compete on the blue turf of Boise. BOISE STATE by 16
Central Michigan Chippewas at Eastern Michigan Eagles : The Chippewas have pulled off some surprises this season, but I don't think this game will be one. EASTERN MICHIGAN by ten
Toledo Rockets at Western Michigan Broncos : After losing last week, Toledo will double down and emerge victorious this week. TOLEDO by 12
NC State Wolfpack at North Carolina Tar Heels : It's always crazy when these two get together. The Wolfpack started the season very well, but they faded. Battling North Carolina would inspire them to play well, so the Tar Heels cannot get complacent. NORTH CAROLINA by six
Nebraska Conrnhuskers at Iowa Hawkeyes : Iowa's defense should hold the Huskers offense in check, allowing Iowa to win the division and face the East winner. IOWA by ten
#15 UCLA Bruins at Cal Golden Bears : This should be an easy win for the Brions. UCLA by lots
Florida Gators at #12 Florida State Seminoles : The Battle for Florida is always intense, but this year things are a bit different -- the Seminoles have the most consistent and tougher competitor. The Seminoles also have the better offense, which is definitely a rarity in this matchup. FLORIDA STATE by 18
Sat Nov 26
Top 25
#3 Michigan Wolverines at #1 Ohio State Buckeyes : This is it! The Big Game, and it will decide who represents the East division in the Big Ten Conference Championship. Illinois kncoked out Michigan's most potent players, so they come into the Hoursehoe lacking Blake Corum. That puts too much pressure on the Wolverines' young quarterback. OHIO STATE by 20
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at #2 Georgia Bulldogs : The Yellow Jackets have been pretty weak this season, so this is Georiga's game to win. GEORGIA by lots
#19 Notre Dame Fighting Irish at #4 USC Trojans : The Irish have steadily improved since a poor start to the season, but the Trojans have shown themselves to be a strong force all season long. USC by 13
Iowa State Cyclones at #5 TCU Horned Frogs : TCU is definitely the star of the Big XII conference. They have a chance to go to the playoffs, and they won't let Iowa State stop them. TCU by 20
Michigan State Spartans at #6 Penn State Nittany Lions : This game will be decided early. PENN STATE by lots
Auburn Tigers at #7 Alabama Crimson Tide : Most years, the Iron Bowl helps determine the seeding for the playoffs. Not so this year. Still, it will be just as competitive and emotional for the players. ALABAMA by 17
South Carolina Gamecocks at #8 Clemson Tigers : After what they did to Tennessee last week, the Tigers should watch out for South Carolina! I think Clemson will win, but it will be closer than they want. CLEMSON by four
#9 Oregon Ducks at #22 Oregon State Beavers : The Beavers always play their in-state rivals tough, especially at home. Oregon has a powerful offense, and the Beavers cannot keep pace with them. The key question is whether the Beavers defense can slow that offense. OREGON by 14
#10 Tennessee Volunteers at Vanderbilt Commodores : I don't think Vandy can pull off two upsets in a row. TENN by lots
#11 Utah Utes at Colorado Buffaloes :Colorado is a weakling in the conference, so this will be an easy win. UTAH by lots
#13 Washington Huskies at Washington State Cougars : The Huskies should outplay their state rivals, although you can never discount the Cougars. Their defense could force a turnover at a key time. WASHINGTON by ten
#14 LSU Tigers at Texas A&M Aggies : This game will be decided early. LSU by 26
UTEP Miners at #17 UTSA Roadrunners : UTSA once again proved to be the star of the conference. UTSA by 23
#21 Minnesota Golden Gophers at Wisconsin Badgers : Wisconsin can be tricky, so Minnesota had better watch their back. The best advantage to Minnesota might have been losing last week, as they will be more focused this week. MINNESOTA by nine
#23 Illinois Fighting Illini at Northwestern Wildcats : The Illini defense found life again last week, even in a loss. That defense will finish the season strong. ILLINOIS by 13
#25 Louisville Cardinals at Kentucky Wildcats : These teams get really intense when they play. Louisville has been improving as the season progressed, while Kentucky's best performances were early. Still, they have the ability to beat Louisville, so this game could go either way. I'll give a slight edge to Louisville, as they come into this game with more confidence. LOUISVILLE by six
Big Ten
Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Maryland Terrapins : As the Terrapins proved last week against Ohio State, they still have a potent offense. They should overwhelm the Knights. MARYLAND by 16
Purdue Boilermakers at Indiana Hoosiers : By this time, Purdue will know that they have no chance at the conference title. How will that impact them, especially since they have already become bowl eligible? Indiana is not eligible, but they have played spoiler in the past. They could surprise here. PURDUE by six
MAC
Kent State Golden Flashes at Buffalo Bulls : The Bulls ahve waited two weeks to play, so they'll be ready to score quickly and often. BUFFALO by 24
Akron Zips at Northern Illinois Huskies : It has been a disappointing season for the Huskies, but the Zips have been atrocious. NORTHERN ILLINOIS by 13
Other Games of Interest
New Mexico State Aggies at Liberty Flames : The Flames have lost two games in a row, but I think they'll finish strong. LIBERTY by 18
Coastal Carolina Chanticleers at James Madison Dukes : This game will decide who wins the Sun Belt East. James Madison was hot early in the season, but they've cooled a bit. How much momentum did Coastal Carolina lose by having their game canceled last week? COASTAL CAROLINA by six
Kansas Jayhawks at Kansas State Wildcats : Kansas was a force early on, but they couldn't keep pace with the stronger teams in the conference. KANSAS STATE by 20
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