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

______________________________________________________________________________

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

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

#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

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

#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

 ______________________________________________________________________________

 ______________________________________________________________________________

#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

 ______________________________________________________________________________

UPSET OF THE WEEK

 ______________________________________________________________________________

#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

 ______________________________________________________________________________

My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week

 ______________________________________________________________________________

#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

 ______________________________________________________________________________

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

College Football Week 12 Picks/Predictions

After a wild week where 2, 3, and 4 all lost; we head into week 12 where those teams try to bounce back, and some others are trying to cease on their opportunity to move up in the rankings.  Here are my week 12 picks/predictions.


Lines via Westgate Las Vegas Superbook
____________________________________________________________________________
#22 Washington State (8-2) at #10 Colorado (8-2) (3:30 PM ET, on, in Boulder, Colorado)

Line is set at: #12 Colorado (-4)

My pick: #10 Colorado defeats #22 Washington State 38-31

What to watch for: Colorado's offense.  The Buffalo's have a pretty good offense, and they'll face a Washington State defense who has played good at times, but who is has also had some iffy performances earlier in the season.  So with that being said, I see Colorado's offense playing well enough to pull off the big victory to keep their CFP hopes alive.

My thoughts on this game: This game has some importance to it because of Colorado's playoff chances, and the impact on how big the Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State will be.  Both of these teams have things to play for in this game, but I see Colorado at home getting the win.

Photo credit: Rick Scuteri - AP

____________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________
#9 Oklahoma (8-2) at #14 West Virginia (8-1) (8:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Morgantown, West Virginia
                                                             UPSET
Line is set at: #9 Oklahoma (-3)

My pick: #14 West Virginia defeats #9 Oklahoma 27-23

What to watch for: West Virginia's defense.  The Mountaineers' defense has played well in the majority of their games so far this season, but if they want to pull off the win over #9 Oklahoma to keep their CFP hopes alive, they'll have to play their best game of the season vs a high powered Sooners offense, which I think will happen to help get them a big victory.

My thoughts on this game: This is the biggest game of the week, and of the season for these two teams and the Big-12, so there is a lot at stake.  With the crowd, and the prime-time setting, along with a possible shot at the playoff, I see the Mountaineers getting this victory in another game I think will be close in this week of the college football season.

Photo credit: Brad Tollefson - Lubbock Avalanche Journal via AP

____________________________________________________________________________

                                   My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week
____________________________________________________________________________
#23 Florida (7-2) at #16 LSU (6-3) (1:00 PM ET, on the SECN, in Baton Rouge)

Line is set at: #16 LSU (-13.5)

My pick: #16 LSU defeats #23 Florida 28-20

What to watch for: LSU's running game.  As everybody know, LSU running back Leonard Fournette is one of the best running backs in the nation.  However, he and his whole team will face a challenge on Saturday, especially vs the Gators' running defense which ranks 7th in the nation.  With that being said, I see LSU getting their running game going with Fournette and Guice en route to a close victory over the Florida Gators.

My thoughts on this game: This game is very interesting because of the story lines with this game.  Because not only was this game reschedule from earlier in the season, this also could determine who plays in the SEC championship on the East side, and who goes to the Sugar Bowl.  So, both of these teams have things to play for on Saturday, and I see LSU getting big victory.

Photo credit: Jonathan Bachman - Getty Images

____________________________________________________________________________

                                                 UPSET OF THE WEEK
____________________________________________________________________________
#5 Louisville (9-1) at Houston (8-2) (8:00 PM ET, on ESPN, in Houston, Texas) THURSDAY
                                                     UPSET
Line is set at: #5 Louisville (-13.5)

My pick: Houston defeats #5 Louisville 35-34

What to watch for: The Cougars' offense has shown flashes of being a great offense, but ever since their loss to Navy they haven't recovered.  However, in this game vs a talented Louisville team on Senior Night, I see them playing very well and even well enough to shock the CFB world and defeat #5 Louisville.

My thoughts on this game: People have had their eyes on this game since early in the season, but after Houston fell to Navy, and SMU people started to look elsewhere.  However, I see this game being a great game, and I see it living up to whatever hype it had early in the season in a game I see Houston upsetting #5 Louisville.

Photo credit: USA TODAY Sports

____________________________________________________________________________

Enjoy week 12 of the college football season!

Here are some other games to watch out for:

#11 Oklahoma State at TCU

Missouri at #19 Tennessee

Indiana at #3 Michigan

#4 Clemson at Wake Forest

You can follow me on twitter: @Footballfile

My College Football Week 11 Picks/Predictions

After an exciting week 10, we head into week 11 where things could get pretty wild.  Here are my week 11 college football picks/predictions.

Lines via Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook

_________________________________________________________________________

#24 LSU (5-3) at #25 Arkansas (6-3) (7:00 PM ET, on ESPN, in Fayetteville, Arkansas)

Line is set at: #24 LSU (-7)

My pick: #24 LSU defeats #25 Arkansas 24-17

What to watch for: LSU's defense.  LSU and Arkansas are both coming off of different results.  LSU fell to Bama in a tough, hard fought game; while the Razorbacks rolled over Florida and got a big upset win at home.  However, I think that LSU will come out ready and not worrying about their loss to Bama last Saturday, and I think they will face a Razorbacks team who is also well prepared, but I see LSU coming out with the victory, and I see a huge part being because of their defense.

My thoughts on this game: I think that this game will be a fun game to watch, but I think it will be a relatively close game with the Tigers of LSU coming out on top in the end to improve to 6-3 on the season.

Photo credit: Derick E. Hingle - USA TODAY Sports 

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

#20 USC (6-3) at #4 Washington (9-0) (7:30 PM ET, on FOX, in Seattle, Washington    

Line is set at: #4 Washington (-8.5)                                                                            

My pick: #4 Washington defeats #20 USC 37-34                                                          

What to watch for: Washington's offense.  The Huskies have a great offense, and have one of the best QBs in the nation in Jake Browning.  With that being said, I think that they will face a challenge vs the Trojans, and I think that it will go down-to-the wire, but I do see Washington escaping with the narrow victory.

My thoughts on this game: This game is an interesting one, because although Washington is a very good team and worthy of a top 5 spot, the Trojans of USC have won five straight and are looking really good right now, and are poised to give Washington a game on Saturday.  So, I think it'll be a close game that has a lot of people glued to their TV screens on Saturday, that Washington eventually gets the very close win in.

Photo credit: Kelley L. Cox - USA TODAY Sports

_________________________________________________________________________

My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week

_________________________________________________________________________

Pittsburgh (5-4) at #2 Clemson (9-0) (3:30 PM ET, on ABC, in Clemson, South Carolina)

Line is set at: #2 Clemson (-20.5)                                                                                 

My pick: #2 Clemson defeats Pitt 27-20                                                                         

What to watch for: Clemson's defense.  The Tigers' defense has talent, and they've played well in a lot of their games so far this season, and I think they'll have to do so again vs Pitt in a game I think will be tougher than most people think.  I do see Clemson pulling out the victory, and I see it being in large part because of their defense in this game to improve to 10-0 on the season.

My thoughts on this game: I don't think this game is getting a lot of hype, but I think it will be a good game that is close and fun to watch that the Clemson Tigers find a way to win to stay in the top four in the nation.

Photo credit: Elise Amendola - AP Photo

_________________________________________________________________________

UPSET OF THE WEEK

_________________________________________________________________________

#9 Auburn (8-1) at Georgia (5-4) (3:30 PM ET, on CBS, in Athens, Georgia)               

UPSET      

My pick: Georgia defeats #9 Auburn 30-28                                                                

What to watch for: Georgia's offense.  Georgia's offense hasn't been great so far this season, and they'll face a tough challenge this upcoming Saturday vs Auburn.  However, I see Georgia playing very well on Saturday and I see them pulling off a huge upset to become bowl eligible.

My thoughts on this game: This game is a big game because if Auburn falls to UGA on Saturday, Alabama wins the SEC West.  So, Auburn is playing to stay alive in the SEC West race, while Georgia is playing to become bowl eligible, and the spoiler for Auburn's championship hopes.  With that being said, I see Georgia coming out on top on Saturday in a close, hard fought win.

PPhoto credit: Kim Klement - USA TODAY Sports

_________________________________________________________________________

Enjoy week 11 of the college football season!

Here are some other games to watch out for:

Baylor at #11 Oklahoma

Mississippi State at #1 Alabama

Kentucky at Tennessee

#10 Penn State at Indiana

#5 Ohio State at Maryland

#3 Michigan at Iowa

You can follow me on twitter: @Footballfile

My College Football Week 10 Picks/Predictions

After another week of great college football games, we head into what looks like could be a week that determines who is for real, and who is not, through out the college football landscape.  Here are my college football week 10 picks/predictions.

Lines via Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook


__________________________________________________________________________
#1 Alabama (8-0) at #13 LSU (5-2) (8:00 PM ET, on CBS, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana)

Line is set at: #1 Alabama (-7.5)

My pick: #1 Alabama defeats #13 LSU 31-16

What to watch for: Alabama's defense.  As always it is Alabama's defense that makes it on what to watch for, and the reason that's the case is because the Tide's defense is one of the best if not the best in the country.  However, they will face a tough test at LSU because the Tigers have a new and improved offense, with a healthy Leonard Fournette.  With that being said, I think the Tide will roll and play well enough to win on Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

My thoughts on this game: Once again, an Alabama-LSU game is one of the biggest games in November; and I think that both teams will come in hyped up for the game, but I see the Tide coming in more prepared, and calm in a game I see them pulling out the victory in.

Photo credit: John David Mercer - USA TODAY Sports

__________________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________

#10 Nebraska (7-1) at #6 Ohio State (7-1) (8:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Columbus, Ohio)         

Line is set at: #6 Ohio State (-17)                                                                                            

My pick: #6 Ohio State defeats #10 Nebraska 38-30                                                               

What to watch for: Ohio State's offense.  The Buckeyes have a good offense, but in these last three weeks they've struggled.  However, I see them playing better vs #10 Nebraska at home in a close victory to keep their college football playoff hopes alive.

My thoughts on this game: This game is a huge game for the Big-10, because of the fact it is really an elimination game for these two teams.  So both teams have a lot at stake here, and I see both teams playing a close competitive game, but I have Ohio State pulling the victory out at home to stay alive.

Photo credit: Jay LaPrete - AP

_________________________________________________________________________

My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week

_________________________________________________________________________

Iowa (5-3) at #12 Penn State (6-2) (7:30 PM ET, on BTN, in University Park, Pennsylvania)

Line is set at: #12 Penn State (-7.5)                                                                                           

My pick: #12 Penn State defeats Iowa 23-16                                                                              

What to watch for: Penn State's defense.  The Nittany Lions defense has been good in some games, but bad in others this season.  However,  I see them playing well enough on Saturday vs a struggling  Iowa offense, to pull off a close, but important victory over the Hawkeyes.

My thoughts on this game: This game is not high on many people's radar, and you can say rightfully so considering there are other better games.  However, if Penn State wins this game over Iowa, and Nebraska pulls off the upset (which I'm not predicting to happen) over Ohio State; Penn State would have a full game lead over the Buckeyes for second place in the Big-10, which could be huge considering the Nittany Lions don't play many tough opponents down this final stretch.  In terms of the game, I do think that Penn State will pull off the close victory over Iowa, 23-16, to stay in the Big-10 championship race.

Photo credit: Abby Drey - CentreDaily.com

_________________________________________________________________________

UPSET OF THE WEEK

_________________________________________________________________________

#8 Wisconsin (6-2) at Northwestern (4-4) (12:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Evanston, Illinois)   

UPSET

Line is set at: #8 Wisconsin (-7)                                                                                            

My pick: Northwestern defeats #8 Wisconsin 24-20                                                             

What to watch for: Northwestern's defense.  The Wildcats' defense has been shaky this season, and hasn't played consistently.  However, I think on Saturday in front of their home crowd vs #8 Wisconsin, they will find a way to pull out the victory led by their defense.

My thoughts on this game: Wisconsin went to #8 in the first CFP rankings, and this is their chance to make some noise if they win out, and get some help elsewhere.  With that being said, I see Northwestern taking advantage of their opportunity to upset #8 on Saturday.

Photo credit: Jerry Lai - USA TODAY Sports

_________________________________________________________________________

Enjoy week 10 of the 2016 college football season!

Here are some other games to watch out for:

#7 Louisville at Boston College

Syracuse at #2 Clemson

#11 Florida at Arkansas

#5 Washington at California

You can follow me on twitter: @Footballfile