I realize these are insanely late. I insanely apologize. If you read this on Thanksgiving to avoid your relatives, I hope it is a good one. I am thankful you read our site. It has not been a great month for us, but a change in policy I hope will change things a bit. We will have a Packers recap on Friday as well as NFL picks. If Marquette does something stupid, we will talk about them as well. Grab Your Beers and Friends
1. Alabama at 4. Auburn 2:30 pm CBS - This is being called the biggest Iron Bowl in history. I thought the 2010 version was, but whatever. This is a major matchup with Alabama heading to Jordan-Hare Stadium. I am trying to determine if Auburn can pull this game out. I really cannot pick against Bama, but here's how it happens... Auburn controls the clock with Nick Marshall, Tre Mason and others. They get a turnover from A.J. McCarron or T.J. Yeldon and they do not make one of their own in the first half. That's how the game gets won for Auburn likely but I cannot see it happening. I want to pick it. I want to see chaos, but at the end of the day, McCarron will lead a spirited drive down the field late for a last-second win. BAMA 30-28
21. Texas A&M at 5. Missouri 6:45 pm ESPN - As I did with Oklahoma State, I have been down on Missouri. I picked them to lose to Ole Miss and their defense only gave up one touchdown and field goal. James Franklin looked fine in his first game back against the Rebels as well. Johnny Manziel played another awful game against LSU. In many people's opinions, Manziel dashed his Heisman hopes right there. But my question if he ends up stunting on one of the top defenses on the road in a night game, he goes right back to the front-runner, yes? I cannot pick against Missouri. It seems like they have a vision and I am betting against another South Carolina game happening to the Tigers. MIZZOU 24-17
22. UCLA at 23. USC 7:00 pm ABC - This game could be called 'Ed Orgeron Bowl' if USC goes out and beats UCLA, I cannot think of a situation where Coach O is not the first or second option. People say it is not going to happen, but let's face facts here, he caps off an amazing season for this team. UCLA shit the bed in the first half against Arizona State and played tough for the second. I like feel good stories and I like Coach O. I think USC does enough on offense with a great defense effort to win this football game. USC 17-13
6. Clemson at 10. South Carolina 6:00 pm ESPN2 - I am probably ignorant, but I feel like this rivalry does not get the same amount of love as some others do. These two teams very much so dislike each others including the head coaches. South Carolina won the last four games in this rivalry by double-digits in each of them. I cannot ride with Clemson. I like the Tigers, but who have they really beaten this year? Sure, we have Georgia but that was when I still wore shorts on a regular basis. South Carolina is a good team and Mike Davis will lead this team to victory. SCAR 31-16
25. Norte Dame at 8. Stanford 6:00 pm FOX - I have to believe this is Notre Dame's first game on FOX, correct? It really does not matter, I am just wondering things like why I am still writing on Blackout Wednesday. They notched a home win against BYU, but it is not saying much. They are without Louis Nix and I have to think Tyler Gaffney will have a huge game for the Cardinal on Saturday. Also Tommy Rees going up against Stanford's defense is just begging for a pick-six to happen plus the whole controversy from last year's game will probably fuel the Goofy Tree a bit. STAN 24-9
Channel Flip-Worthy
3. Ohio State at Michigan 11:00 am ABC - One of my favorite games of the year. It has been a part of my life even if I am not a fan of either team. It is more so about being a B1G fan and enjoying their greatest rivalry. Ohio State should roll in this one as the defense for Michigan has went by the wayside. Carlos Hyde will have a big day and Urban Meyer will get another undefeated regular season. OSU 38-14
Minnesota at 11. Michigan State 11:00 am Big Ten Network - All of the sudden, Michigan State looks like they have an offense. I know Badger fans will hate me, but they really belong in the conversation for the second BCS berth if they lose a close one to Ohio State. Phillip Nelson did not look good against Wisconsin last week and I cannot think he will look any better against Michigan State. MSU 28-6
Oregon State at 13. Oregon 6:00 pm FOX Sports 1 (Played on Friday) - Oregon State has not won The Civil War since 2007. I cannot fathom how bad Oregon was last week, but I have to think they are blowing out their rivals. Beavers have lost their last four games including giving up 69 points last week against Washington. Give me Oregon and give me the points. OREG 55-17
Arizona at 12. Arizona State 8:30 pm Pac-12 Network - Arizona State locked up the Pac-12 South spot meaning they play Stanford next week in the Bay Area. You think they might relax against their rivals, Arizona? Maybe, the Cats have looked good in the past couple weeks especially with their win against Oregon. I am trying to decide who lets down more Arizona and Arizona State... I am going with the Wildcats. Sun Devils pull it out. ASU 31-30
Penn State at 15. Wisconsin 2:30 pm ESPN - No preview this week given the weird week, but Wisconsin should not waltz into this game. I doubt that they will with the senior leaders like Chris Borland and James White playing in their last game at Camp Randall Stadium. Penn State is a decent team who could give the Badgers a game and actually score an offensive touchdown. These two tend to play close games, but I am still taking Wisconsin at home. UW 28-23
Upset Alert
24. Duke at North Carolina 11:00 am ESPN2 - NO! GOD NO! I am so sorry for doing this one. I just said on a podcast cheering against Duke is like cheering against communism. I am not cheering against Duke. But let's face some facts here... North Carolina has won five straight games. Suddenly, this team figured it out and made themselves bowl eligible after starting 1-5 for the year plus losing their senior quarterback to a season-ending injury. Duke knows they need a win against their hated rival on the road at an 11 am start, and a hot Tar Heels team....Does not sound like the recipe to win. I'm so sorry. Also if this happens and Virginia Tech and Miami win, there is a six-way tie for first place so good times! UNC 35-27
16. Fresno State at San Jose State 2:30 pm CBS Sports Network (Played on Friday) - This might be a little risky, but my friends tell me a I am risk taker (Actually I am not, at all). But hear me out. Fresno State sees light at the end of the tunnel. They could get a BCS berth with an impressive win. San Jose State is not good defensively but they do have David Fales at quarterback, a first or second-round draft pick, next May. I am going with Fales and I have no idea why. SJSU 41-35
A palate cleanser for your Netflix Binge Watch
9. Baylor at TCU 2:30 pm ESPN2 - Baylor lost last week, and sometimes when you lose a game, you can lose another one (HOT TAKE). TCU is not a good team, they will not be playing in a bowl meaning this rivalry game will be their Super Bowl. I think it is a closer game than expected in the first half, and Baylor pulls away in the second half. BAY 48-21
2. Florida State at Florida 11:00 am ESPN - Oh poor Florida. If you do not feel bad for them, I really think you might be soulless. You might also be a Florida State fan as they are licking their chops seeing this matchup. Jameis Winston will go off in this one against a battered Gators team plus their offense is a complete wreck. FSU 45-6
Arkansas at 17. LSU 1:30 pm CBS (Played on Friday) - If I were a college football journalist, I would want to spend a week with Bret Bielema. The reason being is his team has not won since September, he does not have first first SEC win and the team he left, Wisconsin, is knocking on the door for a BCS berth for the fourth straight year. That has to at least make a man think about things. They will get rolled by LSU. It seems like albeit it being too late, LSU has figured their defense out. LSU 42-10
South Florida at 19. UCF 7:00 pm ESPN (Played on Friday) - This is the 'Battle for I-4' and South Florida has won all four games in the rivalry. Now, Bulls are down this year and if Golden Knights win this game, they get a BCS berth for the first time in school history. I think it happens Friday and Central Florida rolls in this one. UCF 30-7
Sleep off your hangover
Honestly, there are no games like this because all of these games are rivalries and you never know what can happen in these affairs. Enjoy the last full weekend of college football.
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