Wednesday, November 23, 2016

College Football Week 13 Picks/Predictions (Rivalry Week)

The college football season now heads into "Rivalry Week", where truly anything can happen.  Here are my week 13 picks/predictions.

Lines via Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

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LSU at Texas A&M (7:30 PM ET, on ESPN, in College Station, Texas) THURSDAY

Line is set at: LSU (-4.5)

My pick: LSU defeats Texas A&M 30-16

What to watch for: LSU's defense.  The Tigers' defense has been one thing that has remained solid throughout the whole season for them, and I think their defense will come up big again on the road in College Station vs the Aggies in a good win.

My thoughts on this game: This game doesn't really have too much at stake for either team, with the exception for maybe a better bowl game, and maybe Orgeron and Sumlin's future.  However, I think it will be a nice game to watch on Thanksgiving Day with the LSU Tigers getting the victory.

Photo credit: Gerald Herbert - AP
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#5 Washington (10-1) at #23 Washington State (8-3) (3:30 PM ET, on FS1, in Pullman, Washington) UPSET FRIDAY
    Line is set at: #5 Washington (-6)

My pick: #23 Washington State defeats #5 Washington 38-35                                                    

What to watch for: Washington State's offense.  The Cougars have a very good offense, but they will face a pretty good defense on Friday when they face the Huskies of Washington.  However, I think the Cougars will play great on offense en route to a huge upset shootout win.

My thoughts on this game: This game has a lot riding on it: Washington's playoff hopes, who goes to the PAC-12 championship game, and bragging rights.  So this game will be hard fought, and I think it will go down-to-the-wire with #23 Washington State coming out with the upset.

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas - USA TODAY Sports
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#3 Michigan (10-1) at #2 Ohio State (10-1) (12:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Columbus, Ohio)       

Line is set at: #2 Ohio State (-6.5)                                                                                       

My pick: #2 Ohio State defeats #3 Michigan 23-16                                                                

What to watch for: Ohio State has a very good defense, and they'll face a team that has a very good offense, but will be without starting QB Wilton Speight on Saturday.  So with that being said, I think that it will actually be a close game that is lower scoring with Ohio State pulling it out to improve to 11-1 on the season.

My thoughts on this game: This is the biggest game of the week, and it's pretty much a de facto CFP game, along with it being such a huge rivalry game.  So you better believe that both of these teams will come out ready and prepared.  However, I see Ohio State being too much to overcome for Michigan in the end.

Photo credit: Joshua A. Bickel - ThisWeek Newspapers
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#13 Auburn (8-3) at #1 Alabama (11-0) (3:30 PM ET, on CBS, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

Line is set at: #1 Alabama (-17.5)

My pick: #1 Alabama defeats #13 Auburn 34-16

What to watch for: Alabama's defense.  The Crimson Tide has undoubtedly one of the best defenses in the country, and not only are they giving up just 11.2 PPG so far this season, they also have not allowed a touchdown since the 3rd quarter of their game vs Texas A&M on October 22nd.  So I think that Bama's defense will show up and play well vs a viable opponent in their rival Auburn.

My thoughts on this game: This is one of college football's best rivalry games, if not college football's best rivalry game, so on that alone it's an important game for these two teams.  With that being said, I see Bama getting the victory to improve to 12-0 on the season.



Photo credit: Brynn Anderson - AP
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UPSET OF THE WEEK
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#15 Florida (8-2) at #14 Florida State (8-3) (7:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Tallahassee, Florida)   
UPSET
Line is set at: #14 Florida State (-7)                                                                                   

My pick: #15 Florida defeats #14 Florida State 17-16                                                            

What to watch for: Florida's defense.  The Gators have a very talented, well coached defense, that has been responsible for some of their wins this season.  With that being said, they may face some challenges vs Florida State's offense, especially since the Noles have Dalvin Cook running the football; but I still see the Gators pulling off another close victory to improve to 9-2 on the season.

My thoughts on this game: The rivalry between UF-FSU is one of the best rivalry games in college football, and I think it will live up to its hype on Saturday night in a game I see Florida getting the very close win in vs their arch rival.  (Note: This game is the "Upset Of The Week" because Florida State is the most favored team (via Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook) that I have predicted to go down this week.

Photo credit: Tim Casey - UAA Communications
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My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week
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#22 Utah (8-3) at #9 Colorado (9-2) (7:30 PM ET, on FOX, in Boulder, Colorado)                 

Line is set at: #9 Colorado (-10)                                                                                        

My pick: #9 Colorado defeats #22 Utah 37-30                                                                      

What to watch for: Colorado's offense.  Colorado's offense has played consistently good this season, and ranks 25th nationally in total offense.  While their opponent's defense ranks 53rd nationally in total defense.  So, there are some holes in the Utes defense I think the Buffs will exploit enough to pull off a big victory in a close game.

My thoughts on this game: This game has been somewhat low on a lot of people's radar, but I think it will get attention on Saturday night in a close game that I see Colorado escaping with to go to the PAC-12 championship game.

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy - USA TODAY Sports
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Enjoy week 13 of the college football season!

Here are some other games to watch out for:
Toledo at #21 Western Michigan (FRIDAY)
Notre Dame at #12 USC
Michigan State at #7 Penn State
South Carolina at #4 Clemson
#17 Tennessee at Vanderbilt



You can follow me at: @Footballfile


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