College Football Week 14 Bold Predictions

1. Four or more ranked teams lose to unranked opponents

It's rivalry week, so expect upsets.  Teams that should be on alert: TCU (vs Texas), UCLA (vs Stanford), Arkansas (vs Missouri), Marshall (vs W Kentucky), Florida State (vs Florida), Michigan State (vs Penn State), Clemson (vs South Carolina), Louisville (vs Kentucky), Boise State (vs Utah State).  So, basically everyone.

2. Mississippi State takes down Ole Miss by margin of 10+

The Bulldogs will be looking for style points in this year's Egg Bowl, as they sit right on the edge of playoff contention.  They are currently ranked fourth in the rankings, but if Alabama beats Auburn they won't be able to add a conference championship to their resume, and may get left out as a result.  Arkansas exposed Ole Miss last week in a 30 - 0 blowout, and I think Mississippi State uses that game as a blueprint for defeating the rebels.  Bulldogs win it, 24 - 10.

3. Ohio State's defense records four or more sacks in The Game

The Buckeyes' defense is 17th in the country with 2.9 sacks per game and look to continue their dominance against their rivals from the north.  Look for Joey Bosa to create havoc in the backfield in this match-up with a struggling offensive line.  The Game stays close until halftime but disruptive defensive line play in the second half helps Ohio State pull away to a 45 - 31 win.

4. Alabama's Amari Cooper tops 200 receiving yards against Auburn

It's been a special season for the wide receiver out of Miami.  Meanwhile, the Auburn defense has been shredded in losses to Mississippi State, Texas A&M, and Georgia, and I see Alabama following suit.  The Heisman trophy may seem out of reach for Cooper, but a big game in the Iron Bowl may put him back in the mix.  The receiver shines in a 41 - 30 Crimson Tide victory.

5. Melvin Gordon climbs to third on FBS rushing list

The Wisconsin running back has been outstanding lately, and is now 10th on the FBS list for most rushing yards in a season.  At 2,109 yards, he should easily reach the number four spot after Saturday's showdown with Minnesota.  Current number four on the list is Iowa State's Troy Davis with 2,185 yards, and current number three is USC's Marcus Allen with 2,342 yards.  I think Gordon continues his historic run as he goes for 240+ rushing yards to pass Allen.  Wisconsin rides him to a 30 - 24 victory to wrap up the Big Ten West.

College Football Week 13 Recap

1. USC upsets UCLA

Brett Hundley's strong QB play for UCLA was too much for USC, as the Bruins beat their cross-town rivals 38-20.  UCLA will claim the PAC-12 South title if they can get past Stanford this week.  Then, with a win over Oregon in the PAC-12 championship, the Bruins would have an outside shot at sneaking into the playoffs, but would need a good deal of help to get there.

2. Iowa throws Big Ten West into chaos with win over Wisconsin

The Hawkeyes gave it their best shot, but ultimately came up short against the Badgers, 26 - 24.  Melvin Gordon had another big day as he eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards for the season and is on the verge of setting a new Big Ten record.  Not only that, but he reached that number faster than anyone has before, and has an opportunity in the next few games to climb even higher in the record books.  This week, Wisconsin faces Minnesota in what is essentially a division championship game.  Winner will play the Buckeyes for the Big Ten Championship.

3. Ohio State's defense holds Indiana to 75 passing yards or less

The Buckeyes had another too-close-for-comfort showing on Saturday, trailing until late in the third quarter against the Hoosiers.  Eventually, Ohio State surged ahead with the help of four touchdowns by Jalin Marshall, winning 42 - 27.  In general, they were able to limit Indiana's passing game, which has been in shambles since injuries forced third-string quarterback Zander Diamont into the starting role.  But a 49-yard pass in the second quarter was enough to ruin this prediction, and Diamont eventually finished with 114 yards passing.  Concerns about stopping big running plays are more troubling for the Buckeyes, though, as they gave up 281 on the ground in Columbus.  That, and continuing issues with turnovers, should be points of focus as they head into the all-important match-up with that school up north and then either Wisconsin or Minnesota in the Big Ten Championship.

4. Maryland hurts Michigan's bowl chances with upset in Ann Arbor

Michigan led 16 - 9 at the start of the fourth quarter, but were unable to hold off Maryland's late rally as they fell 23 - 16 to the Terrapins.  The Wolverines travel to Columbus next in what could be Brady Hoke's last game as Michigan's coach.  A third-straight loss to the Buckeyes to cap off a disappointing season will likely mean the end for Hoke's tenure.  But the Wolverines would love nothing more than to knock Ohio State out of the playoff race, regardless of what the future holds for their head coach.

5. Florida players make it through game against Eastern Kentucky without blocking each other

It's been a rough time for Gator fans with Will Muschamp at the helm.  Last year, two Florida players were caught blocking each other in an embarrassing loss to Georgia Southern.  Then, in last week's loss to South Carolina, it happened again.  It's no wonder Florida's been having so much trouble winning games, when they can't seem to distinguish opponents from teammates.  I couldn't find any evidence of it happening again against Eastern Kentucky, so I'm making this one green.  Good job, Gators.

Week 13 record: 2 - 3
Overall record: 26 - 39

Other headlines from week 13:

Melvin who?

Last week, Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon broke the single-game rushing record, which had previously stood for 15 years.  One week later, and it had fallen again.  But this time it was Oklahoma's freshman running back Samaje Perine, who went off for 427 yards and 5 touchdowns against Kansas.  Perine graciously asked to be taken out of the game when he learned he was close to the record, but was overruled by his offensive line.  Gordon later showed real class as well as he reached out to Perine to congratulate the young back and give him some advice on handling the added media attention.  Kudos to both for great football and sportsmanship.

Move ref, get out the way

Jameis Winston lead the Seminoles to another close victory, this time over Boston College.  But the win was not without controversy, as Winston intentionally shoved a referee when trying to line up for a play.  The ref was trying to hold the offense as they had just substituted (and rules state the defense must also be allowed to substitute in this case).  Many experts have come out afterwards and said the contact should have resulted in a 15-yard penalty and ejection of Winston from the game.  The ref kept the flag in his pocket, though, and Florida State's QB went on to lead his team to victory.

Harvard beats Yale, takes Ivy League title

While most FBS teams are gearing up to take on their rivals this week, Harvard is celebrating winning an eighth straight win over rival Yale to end the season with an undefeated record.  The latest edition of college football's oldest rivalry was a good one, as Yale rallied to tie it with 3:44 to play after being down by 17 points.  But Harvard had the last say, as they scored a touchdown with less than a minute to play to win 31 - 24.

College Football Week 13 Bold Predictions

1. USC upsets UCLA

2. Iowa throws Big Ten West into chaos with win over Wisconsin

3. Ohio State's defense holds Indiana to 75 passing yards or less

4. Maryland hurts Michigan's bowl chances with upset in Ann Arbor

5. Florida players make it through game against Eastern Kentucky without blocking eachother

College Football Week 12 Recap

1. Miami knocks off Florida State

Well, they did it again.  The first half followed the usual script, as anticipated, with Florida State falling behind 16 - 0 early and going into halftime with a 13-point deficit.  The Seminoles rallied in the last 30 minutes, but Miami's inability to move the ball in the second half was what really blew up this prediction.  The Hurricanes managed only 3 points after halftime, which was not enough to hold off Florida State's comeback.  They might not look too good doing it (especially early in games), but you can't argue with the Seminoles' perfect record.  Can they keep it up and hold on to a playoff spot?  They survived Saturday, 30 - 26.

2. Alabama holds Mississippi State to 20 points or fewer

The Crimson Tide dominated the Bulldogs in the first half, building a 19 - 3 lead before halftime.  Mississippi State finally got things going in the third quarter but were ultimately unable to reach the endzone enough times to defeat Alabama, as they fell 25 - 20.  The Bulldogs are still clinging to a top-four ranking after the close loss, but they might not be there for long without somehow finding their way into (and winning) the SEC championship game.  Alabama, on the other hand, now controls their own destiny after the win propelled them to the top of the rankings.  But they still face tough challenges ahead with upcoming games against rival Auburn and the SEC East winner (if they make it past the Tigers).

3. Buckeye's trounce Gophers by margin of 30+ points

Ohio State had several opportunities to pull away in the first half, but turnovers kept Minnesota in the game.  Despite a 14 - 0 first quarter, the Buckeyes took only a 17 - 14 lead into the locker room.  Ohio State surged again to a 31 - 14 lead in the third quarter and were about to get the ball back with a chance to really put the game away, but once again let the Gophers claw their way back because of a special-teams turnover.  The mistakes can probably be credited, at least somewhat, to the cold, snowy conditions, but these are still things that need to be cleaned up if the Buckeyes want to win the Big Ten and have a shot at the playoffs.  As it stands, Ohio State missed a chance to really impress, as they simply survived in Minneapolis with the 31 - 24 win.  It was still enough to move them up to number six in the rankings after Arizona State was upset.  Can they sneak into the top four if they win out?

4. Michigan State suffers letdown loss against Maryland

Michigan State started a little sluggish on offense, but the defense was stout from beginning to end after surrendering 49 points to the Buckeyes the previous week.  The Spartans are still alive in the hunt for a New Year's Six bowl, as they beat down Maryland 37 - 15.  They are still technically in contention for the B1G East title as well, but would need to win out and have Ohio State drop their last two regular season games against Indiana and Michigan.  Don't hold your breath, Sparty.

5.  Florida State players involved in so-called hit-and-run accident don't miss any playing time on Saturday

Neither player seemed to missed any playing time against Miami, and the hit-and-run story wasn't even a blip on the radar in ESPN's prime-time coverage.  FSU coach Jimbo Fisher is sending a clear message, with this and past cases, that as long as you aren't charged with a crime you won't face any consequences.  And the Tallahassee Police Department is doing a great job of making sure none of the Seminole football players get charged with anything.

Week 12 record: 2 - 3
Overall record: 24 - 36

Other headlines from week 12:

Gordon sets FBS record in Wisconsin's romp over Nebraska

Melvin Gordon went from Heisman contender to Heisman front-runner as he tore up the Cornhusker's defense with a FBS single-game rushing record of 408 yards and 4 touchdowns.  Even more impressive is that he didn't even play in the fourth quarter.  It's scary to think how much higher he could have gone if he did.  With the 59 - 24 win, Wisconsin takes control in the Big Ten West with eyes on a date with the Buckeyes in Indy.

Big guy TD, part two

Mercer University's football team took a page out of Arkansas' playbook and got a big guy in the endzone for a touchdown.  The best part might have been the celebration though - which was totally worth the penalty.  Watch here.

Botched field goal?  No problem

Down 3 points with five seconds to play, Division III Cortland State lined up for a field goal to send it to overtime.  It didn't go quite as planned.  Watch below, or here.

College Football Week 12 Bold Predictions

1. Miami knocks off Florida State

I've said it before and I still believe it: Florida State will lose one before the end of the season.  But, they've proven me wrong up to this point, so my stubbornness might be my downfall on this one.  Jameis Winston may be the Seminoles' most valuable asset and at the same time their biggest weakness.  The 2013 Heisman winner has thrown 6 interceptions over the past 3 games, but has come through in the clutch when it really matters.  The pattern appears to continue this Saturday, as first-half turnovers give the Hurricanes an early lead and Seminoles try to rally after halftime.  But the dynamic Miami offense makes the difference in this one as they continue to score to hold off the Florida State rally.  Miami wins, 41 - 37.

2. Alabama holds Mississippi State to 20 points or fewer

Something's got to give in this match-up featuring the nation's second-best defense vs the twelfth-best offense.  The Crimson Tide are allowing just shy of 14 points per game, while the Bulldogs are posting almost 40 points per game.  At home, eyeing a SEC championship and playoff spot, I give the edge to Nick Saban's squad who haven't surrendered more than 23 points in a game all season.  Alabama takes control of the SEC West with a staunch defensive performance, winning 30 - 20.

3. Buckeye's trounce Gophers by margin of 30+ points

This match-up in Minneapolis is the definition of a trap game for Ohio State.  The Bucks are coming off their biggest win of the season and now have the inside track for a division title, a shot at a B1G Championship, and possibly a playoff spot.  Meyer has reiterated that the focus will still be there, though, and I believe it.  This is a critical game for Ohio State, as the Gophers serve as a common opponent between the Buckeyes and TCU, a team also right in the playoff mix.  The Horned Frogs beat Minnesota 30 - 7, so a big blowout win will help Ohio State's playoff argument, while a closer game or upset will obviously work in TCU's favor.  Meyer knows this and will have his team ready. Minnesota just blew out rival Iowa and might be the second best team Ohio State will face in the regular season, but they don't match up well in this game against a hungry Buckeye team.   OSU dominates in all stages of the game as they roll over Minnesota, 47 - 16.

4. Michigan State suffers letdown loss against Maryland

Motivation may be an issue for the Spartans after the disappointing loss to Ohio State, as any playoff hopes and conference championship dreams are likely out of reach now.  Michigan State could still make one of the major bowls if they win out from here and get some help, but even that is a far cry from the goals set by the up-and-coming program at the beginning of the season.  Maryland, on the other hand, had a bye week after their big win over Penn State and look to improve their bowl standing and make some more noise in the Big Ten with another win.  Michigan State comes out sluggish, giving the Terrapins a sizable first half lead.  Spartans rally in the second half but can't overcome the deficit in a 30 - 27 loss.

5.  Florida State players involved in so-called hit-and-run accident don't miss any playing time on Saturday

P.J. Williams and Ronald Darby, starting cornerbacks for the Florida State Seminoles, are the latest targets of too-early, unsubstantiated accusations.  On Friday, The New York Times released a report indicating the two were involved in a "hit-and-run" accident back in October (so long ago, right?  Why are we still talking about this?) but were only given a couple traffic tickets.  The author made claims that the players received special treatment because of their status on the football team.  But where is the proof?  The Tallahassee police did not charge Williams with a hit-and-run, so that means it wasn't a hit-and-run, right?  Why should these young men face any kind of consequences, when we all make mistakes (and then flee the scene).  Plus it's just too early to really know what happened, and none of us were there, so who are we to judge?  FSU coach Jimbo Fisher understands all of this, and that's why he won't wrongly condemn these poor victims when all they want to do is play football (and commit the occasional criminal act).  So, I think they will (and should) play on Saturday.  Fisher will remind us that we should not jump to conclusions or make accusations until after all the facts are known, everything is sorted out in an untimely matter, and any possible football championships are won.

College Football Week 11 Recap

1. LSU drops Alabama

The Tigers took a 13 - 10 lead with 50 seconds left in regulation but were unable to hold Alabama when it counted most.  The Crimson Tide drove 55 yards and tied the game up with a field goal as time expired.  Alabama secured the victory in overtime, 20 - 13, keeping their playoff hopes alive.  They take on undefeated Mississippi State next week in a game that will play a huge role in deciding the SEC West champion and possibly the SEC's representative in the playoffs.

2. Baylor knocks off Oklahoma

Baylor made their own case for a playoff spot as they stomped Oklahoma 48 - 14.  If they win out, they win the Big 12.  But is it enough to reach the playoffs, considering TCU is still ranked ahead of them, despite their head-to-head victory over the Horned Frogs?  The biggest thing holding the Bears back is their weak non-conference schedule and, obviously, the bad loss to West Virginia.  We will see.

3. Ohio State avenges last year's B1G title game loss

The Buckeyes had a bit of a shaky start, as anticipated, but a couple of long passes by Barrett in the second quarter opened things up for Ohio State's offense.  Overall, the young QB had a great night, throwing for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding another 86 yards and 2 touchdowns on the ground.  The defense still showed obvious flaws, as tackling fundamentals were lacking throughout.  But the offense did plenty to notch a huge 49 - 37 win over Michigan State, which essentially gives the Buckeyes a 2-game lead over the Spartans in the Big Ten East.  But Ohio State has their eye on much more than a division title, as they will undoubtedly move up the rankings after the statement victory.  However, a tricky match-up awaits next week, as OSU travels to take on a very good Minnesota team that has flown under the radar for much of the season.

4. Four or more match-ups between ranked teams are decided by 7 points or less

I was not even close with this one, as only one of the six games fit the criteria.  It started with Baylor dismantling Oklahoma 48 - 14.  Then Arizona State capitalized on the mistake-prone Irish in a 55 - 31 win.  In the night games, TCU pounded Kansas State 41 - 20, while Ohio State picked apart Michigan State 49 - 37.  The only close game was Alabama's 20 - 13 overtime win over LSU.  Despite the lopsided scores, it was still a fun weekend in college football.  Now we wait to see the new CFP rankings as the dust settles from these big-time games.

5. I get two or more of the above picks right

Yay!

Week 11 record: 3 - 2
Overall record: 22 - 33

Other headlines from week 11:

Auburn's luck runs out

The past two years it has seemed like Auburn was always on the winning side of close games (save the national championship versus Florida State).  From the game-winning TD return on the missed field goal against Alabama last year, to the endzone fumble by Ole Miss which preserved the Tiger's win over the Rebels just one week ago.  They had earned the title "Team of Destiny" based on these crazy outcomes that always seemed to swing in their favor.  But after Saturday it seems Auburn will be destined to watch other teams duke it out for a national title as they suffered their second loss of the season.  It was Texas A&M who had fate on their side, as they recovered two late fumbles by the Tigers, including one on the goal-line.  Auburn fell to the Aggies, 41 - 38, and look to fall in the rankings as well.

Ultimate face-palm by Utah wide receiver

The Utes were leading Oregon 7 - 0 at the beginning of the second quarter when Travis Wilson hit Kaelin Clay in stride for what appeared to be a 79-yard touchdown pass.  But an inexplicable blunder by the wide receiver led to Oregon tying it at 7, instead of a 14 - 0 lead for Utah.  It may not have changed the final outcome, as the Ducks went on to win by 24, but you never know.  This was clearly a momentum shift and a play that I'm sure is leaving the Utes wondering what-if.  You just have to watch it.

College Football Week 11 Bold Predictions

1. LSU drops Alabama

Death Valley... the place where opponents' dreams come to die.  Alabama's points per game at home: 48.5.  Average points on the road?  24.5.  Tigers smother the Crimson Tide in a physical match-up of SEC West titans, 17 - 10.

2. Baylor knocks off Oklahoma

Despite the higher ranking and better record, Baylor is the underdog going into Saturday's game against the Sooners.  History is not on Baylor's side, as Oklahoma leads the series 21 - 2 and the Bears have not beaten a ranked opponent on the road since 1991.  Baylor QB Bryce Petty writes a bit of his own history on Saturday in a 41 - 38 win.

3. Ohio State avenges last year's B1G title game loss

The Buckeyes are hungry for this one, as they travel to East Lansing for the most important regular season game in the Big Ten this year.  But the Spartans are more experienced and have the better-looking resume.  Buckeyes struggle early under the lights, but the offense gets rolling with a couple of big running plays by J.T. Barrett.  Expect another nail-biter in prime-time, as Ohio State edges Michigan State, 34 - 31.

4. Four or more match-ups between ranked teams are decided by 7 points or less

An exciting Saturday of college football is headlined with six clashes between ranked teams, including two between top-10 teams.  At this point in the season we have a pretty good idea of who deserves to be ranked and who doesn't, so I expect some close games between some great teams.  All of these showdowns have potential playoff implications, so everybody involved should be highly motivated, whether playing for a potential shot at the top four or looking to spoil someone else's championship season.  Let the fun begin.

5. I get two or more of the above picks right

After ten weeks, I'm averaging only 1.9 correct picks per week and have only managed to get more than 2 picks twice (and have never gotten more than 3).  Look for me to turn it around this week and nail 3 or more picks (including this one of course).  If I get 4 right I will be thrilled.  If I get all 5 I might retire.

College Football Week 10 Recap

1. Louisville stuns Florida State

The Cardinals flew to a 21 - 0 lead with the help of a couple of interceptions thrown by Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, but were unable to hold off the Seminoles in the second half.  Overall, Florida State's offense turned in an impressive performance against a stout Louisville defense, coming back to win 42 - 31.  With the victory - the Seminoles' 24th straight - they remain one of only a few teams in the driver's seat of the playoff race.

2. Oregon beats Stanford by double-digits

The Ducks had an even bigger win than what I predicted, as they stomped Stanford 45 - 16.  Oregon QB Marcus Mariota made another strong argument in the Heisman discussion as he led his team to their first win over the Cardinal since his arrival in Eugene.  The path to the playoff is clear: run the table and win the Pac-12 and they're a virtual lock.  Utah and the Pac-12 South winner (among others) will have their say on the matter first, though.

3. Ezekiel Elliott rushes for career-high yardage against Illinois

The Buckeyes chose to rest up Elliot and Barrett both in this one, so the Ohio State running back was nowhere near breaking any personal records.  Everyone got their turn in the blowout, with six Buckeyes getting at least five carries, accumulating a total of 296 rushing yards.  The Illibuck stays in Columbus for at least another year as Ohio State thrashed Illinois, 55 - 14.  There's no time to celebrate, though, as the attention immediately turns to the monumental match-up with Michigan State.

4. Maryland beats Penn State for the Nittany Lions' fourth-straight loss

I was spot on with this prediction, as Maryland's offense finally got going in the fourth quarter to notch a 20 - 19 victory over Penn State (pretty close to my 20 - 17 guess).  It was the Terrapin's first-ever win in Happy Valley, and only their second against the Nittany Lions.  Maryland players came out trying to stir up some emotions in the newly revived rivalry, as the team captains refused to shake hands with their Penn State counterparts.  The Terrapins become bowl-eligible with the win, while the Nittany Lions try to regroup and stop their season from spiraling further out of control.

5. Alabama's Nick Saban starts charity fund to pay for new sports car

Saban didn't have any cars paid for by boosters (as far as I know), but the NCAA would not care if he did.  Meanwhile, Georgia running back Todd Gurley is still serving a four-game suspension for accepting $3000 for autographing memorabilia.  Now, I'm not saying Gurley doesn't deserve the punishment.  He clearly violated NCAA rules and should face the repercussions of that decision.  But doesn't it seem like there's something wrong with this picture?  Coaches, universities, TV networks, etc. all rake in millions of dollars from college athletics.  But the players don't see a dime of that money (aside from scholarships).  I am not advocating we just start letting NCAA athletes accept money or pay them a salary.  The implications of doing either are far reaching and lead down a slippery slope that ends in a bad place.  I don't have a solution, but I can see there's a problem.

Week 10 record: 2 - 3
Overall record: 19 - 31

Other headlines from week 10:

Unbeatens survive, while other contenders fall

Top-ranked and undefeated Mississippi State and Florida State both scraped by this week and hold on to the top two spots for at least another week.  Marshall remains undefeated as well, but has yet to garner the attention of the CFP committee.  Meanwhile, things are starting to get clearer (marginally) in the group of one-loss teams.  Ole Miss suffered a second-straight loss, Georgia was exposed by Florida, Arizona was stuffed by UCLA, Utah fell to Arizona State in overtime, and East Carolina was upset by Temple.  There are still a lot of one-loss teams left, all eyeing those top four spots.  These last few weeks of the season should be a wild ride as these teams duke it out.

Four team race in the Big Ten West

This weekend's game in East Lansing may likely determine the Big Ten East winner, but the West is still wide open.  This past week, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and Iowa cemented their spots as three of the top four in the division with blowout wins, while Minnesota enjoyed a bye week.  The four teams remain tied, each with one conference loss.  Nebraska still looks the best, with their sole loss coming against the Spartans.  But it's still hard to say for sure, since none of these four teams have played each other yet.  That changes starting this week, as Iowa and Minnesota face off in Minneapolis, and in the remaining weeks they all eventually play one another.  The Gophers face the toughest remaining schedule, as they still have to play Ohio State, while the others miss the Buckeyes this year, and the Cornhuskers are the only ones to play Michigan State.  The Big Ten West race will be fun to watch, and will probably come down to the final week of the regular season.

Keep your eye on the ball

Indiana State tried something a little different on their kick return, down by one with less than a minute to play.  Broken tackles may have been a bigger factor than the design itself, but nonetheless, the big return setup a game-winning field goal.