Week 14

It's Rivalry Week!

 

   Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone had a safe and enjoyable holiday. Of course, Thanksgiving is about the family and food.... and being thankful, right? Well yeah, but what would it be like without RIVALRY GAMES??? Yes, Thanksgiving is great!!

   So, here it is, the final week of the regular season.

South Carolina at Clemson

   Who doesn't enjoy watching and listening to Spurrier and Dabo talk about each other? I thought so. This game is purely for the bragging rights. No conference championship implications, no playoff implications, this is just purely for the bragging rights. Clemson has struggled the back half of the season and I believe they will continue to struggle in this game. If Deshaun Watson can't stay healthy in this game, it could get ugly for Clemson. Cole Stoudt has had his bright moments, and his very dark moments, but if he is called upon this game he can't afford to struggle much in this game. On the other side, South Carolina has had its struggles this season on defense. The Gamecock's defense has not been what we have come to expect from South Carolina, and that has cost them in a few games this season. This game should be close for about a half, but I see South Carolina pulling away in the second half.

My Pick: South Carolina 31 Clemson 17.

Kentucky at Louisville

    Pure bragging rights on the line here. Louisville has looked very good at times this season. Kentucky hasn't looked so good this season, even though they improved from last season. The Wildcats started the season 5-1 and had a very promising season well in hand until losing five straight games had derailed their season. I believe that Louisville is still a much better team and as long as Petrino has his team focused, the Cardinals should roll in this game.

My Pick: Louisville 37 Kentucky 17

Michigan at Ohio State

    Who wants to play Ohio State right now? Any takers? The Buckeyes might just be the most improved team in the nation (since the start of the season). J.T. Barret has quietly moved up in the Heisman discussion, and this team looks like they are on a mission. Can Michigan keep it close and pull the upset? Can Brady Hoke get an emotional win over Ohio State before he's done at Michigan? Sorry, Wolverine fans..... but no. Ohio State is playing too well right now, and they won't let this game ruin their season.

My Pick: Ohio State 42 Michigan 20

Mississippi State at Ole Miss

    The "Egg Bowl". At one time this season, we all were circling this match-up as it looked like it would be #1 vs #2. It would've been interesting, no doubt, but reality set in for one team, and the other dropped a game to Alabama. Bo Wallace has had his struggles, and the Rebels haven't had that magic they seemed to have early in the season. Mississippi State on the other hand, may have had some close calls and a tough loss to Alabama, but they still look like they have some unfinished business. And they still have something to play for, (other than just bragging rights) unlike Ole Miss. Miss State is still playing for a chance at the SEC Championship (if Alabama falls to Auburn, of course) and they are still alive in the Playoff picture, for now.  

My Pick: Mississippi State 27 Ole Miss 20

Auburn at Alabama

    Big game here, for Alabama. A win for the Crimson Tide clinches the SEC West and a shot at the SEC Championship, a loss (as long as Miss State wins) takes them out of the SEC Title hunt, and more than likely, the College Football Playoffs. For Auburn? Well, this is bragging rights. This is for all the times they heard "ROLL TIDE!!"  Yeah, Auburn would love nothing more than to ruin their hated rival's season on the last game of the regular season. But let's get something straight. Alabama is at HOME, and the Crimson Tide have looked unbeatable at home this season. Auburn has to play a perfect game if they want to come out on top in this game, and I don't see that happening. Alabama has had this game circled for an entire year. When Alabama fans and players take a 'second' to think about last year's game, it makes them sick. Alabama is looking for some revenge this year, and I believe they will get it.

My Pick: Alabama 28 Auburn 21

Georgia Tech at Georgia

     Georgia no longer has a chance at the SEC Championship game, as Missouri has clinched the SEC East for the second straight season. Look for that to have a lingering affect on Georgia. Mix that in with having to stop an offense like Georgia Tech's? Yep, it could be an ugly game. I think Georgia Tech will give Georgia all they can handle, but at the end of the day, the game is being played in Athens and I think that will be the difference in the game. 

My Pick: Georgia 24 Georgia Tech 21.

Florida at Florida State

    This is the game of the year for the Gators. FSU has so much riding on this game. Whereas the Gators have nothing to lose. Bragging rights, ruining your rival's season, and sending your coach out with a victory over the only undefeated team in the country? Yeah, this game will be a good one. Muschamp is on his way out at UF, but he can still give Gator fans that one key victory that can save a disappointing season. Every team that has played FSU this season has given them their best shot, and many of them had two weeks to prepare for FSU. And in this case, it's safe to say, UF has had two weeks to prep for FSU, as well. But all season long, other team's best shot wasn't good enough to finish off the Noles led by Winston. This won't be just UF's best shot, this will be UF's best shot and then some. It's a rivalry game, and it's a chance to ruin everything FSU has achieved this season. The last time FSU lost? Yep, that's right, it was to the Gators two years ago in Tallahassee. It's FSU against the Nation, no doubt. Every week, the entire country is rooting against FSU. This week, it won't be any different. I've picked against the Noles one time this season, and it was Notre Dame. They've found ways to win all season long, so how could we expect anything different this week? Well, this isn't just any game. This isn't just any opponent. This is a Gator team that shocked the nation against Georgia a few weeks ago. This is a Gator team that is hungry to give their season meaning. And that is why I must make my pick this week........................

My Pick: Florida Gators 24 Florida State 34 (You didn't really think I would pick the Gators, did you?)