2017 Week 13 Preview

Rivalry Week is here! Sadly, it also means college football is almost over. (Maybe not so “sadly” for some fan bases.) Rivalry Week! Let’s just dive right in!

Hopefully everyone had a happy and safe Thanksgiving! I just want to say thank you to you for reading my blog!

How I Fared: 5-1 last week, 52-23 overall

Notable Games
1Alabama at 6Auburn
I’ve been waiting for this game all year. I love the Iron Bowl and I am going to do my best to make it to Tuscaloosa next year for this game. This is the best rivalry game in college football in my opinion. This particular installment is extremely exciting. The winner of this game will head to Atlanta next week to play Georgia in the SEC Championship game. If Auburn wins, their playoff hopes are very much alive. It’s also possible if Bama loses a close one and Auburn beats Georgia and a couple other things happen, both could make the playoff. I think Alabama will win. The injuries in the linebacking core are not good, but I think they will overcome them. I think this is going to be a classic. Auburn is firing on all cylinders right now and they have the best chance of any team to beat Alabama. I am so ready for this game. (Fun Fact: Nick Saban is 0-6 against Auburn teams with at least 9 wins.)
I am picking Alabama

3Clemson at 24South Carolina
I don’t really know if South Carolina deserves to be ranked. I would have rather seen South Florida in the top 25. I also don’t really think Clemson should be in the top 4, but I’m not on the committee. This game should be very interesting. South Carolina has been a little scrappy this season. You can’t call a rivalry game a “trap game” but Clemson does have to play Miami next week. If the Tigers’ full attention isn’t on SCAR, they might only be playing for an ACC title next week.
I am picking Clemson

8Notre Dame at 21Stanford
I’m previewing this game because it features two ranked teams. This could be a competitive game, but Bryce Love might not play. If he doesn’t play, I don’t think this will be a great game to watch. Both of these teams had playoff hopes. Now this game is mainly for bowl game prestige. If Washington beats Washington State then Stanford will be playing USC in the Pac12 Championship. Notre Dame should win this game, but Miami might have broken them a little bit. Who knows, could be an interesting game.
I am picking Notre Dame

13Washington State at 17Washington
Ah, the Apple Cup. My ‘Cougs need to win to face USC in the Pac12 Championship game. As mentioned above, if Washington wins, Stanford will face the Trojans. Both teams have fallen off here in the end of the season. Washington State is coming off a bye and Washington is coming off a very close win over Utah. Washington might not have a ton to play for, but keeping their rivals out of the conference championship game would be good. I also don’t have too much faith in Wazzu winning in Seattle. I hope they prove me wrong and Luke Falk throws for 400 yards and 6TDs. But Washington has one of the best defenses in the country statistically.
I am picking Washington

South Florida at 15UCF (Friday)
The War on I-4 (for I-4?). These are probably the two best G5 teams. And yes, I know Memphis and Boise State are ranked against USF. The Bulls’ only loss is a weird one to Houston. UCF is a very good team. They are undefeated and tend to beat their opponents by a ton of points. They are getting no love from the CFP Committee. I don’t think they should be in the top 4, but they should be higher. There should be some points scored in this game and some defense. It should be an all-around very good football game.
I am picking UCF

25Virginia Tech at Virginia (Friday)
Another interesting matchup. Virginia Tech is back in the top 25. Virginia has had a very good season and will be going to a bowl game. The Cavaliers have a decent chance in winning this game. Virginia Tech might be a little bummed that the season didn’t turn out to be as good as they wanted. UVA on the other hand, could put a huge exclamation point on their season with a win in this game. I think Virginia Tech is the better team in this game and I think they will win a close one. A very close one with probably a weird play or two.
I am picking Virginia Tech

Missouri at Arkansas (Friday)
You know what? Arkansas played really hard against a good Mississippi State team last week. They didn’t win and they blew a lead, but they fought for the whole game. They ended up getting out played in the end and that happens. I hope we get another good game this week. Missouri’s offense is extremely good and their defense has improved greatly over their 5-game win streak. Arkansas is playing for pride in this one. And a trophy. This is the 3rd year of this rivalry (the 4th time they have played as SEC teams). The home team has won the previous 2 games. That’s a good sign. It is the last game for Arkansas this season. And on this Thanksgiving weekend, I want to say thank you so much to all the seniors who put in the work and fight for this team that I love. I wish we could send you out with a bowl, but a win would do great too.

Top 25
1Alabama at 6Auburn
2Miami at Pittsburgh (Friday)
3Clemson at 24South Carolina
West Virginia at 4Oklahoma
6Wisconsin at Minnesota
7Georgia at Georgia Tech
8Notre Dame at 21Stanford
9Ohio State at Michigan
10Penn State at Maryland
11USC BYE
Baylor at 12TCU (Friday)
13Washington State at 17Washington
Ole Miss at 14Mississippi State (Thursday)
South Florida at 15UCF (Friday)
16Michigan State at Rutgers
Texas A&M at 18LSU
Kansas at 19Oklahoma State
East Carolina at 20Memphis
22Northwestern at Illinois
23Boise State at Fresno State
25Virginia Tech at Virginia (Friday)

Other Games
Western Michigan at Toledo (Friday)
Northern Illinois at Central Michigan (Friday)
Navy at Houston (Friday)
Texas Tech at Tech (Friday)
California at UCLA (Friday) (winner is bowl eligible)
UNLV at Nevada
Florida State at Florida
Louisville at Kentucky
Indiana at Purdue (winner is bowl eligible)
Old Dominion at Middle Tennessee (winner is bowl eligible)
Iowa State at Kansas State
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Arizona at Arizona State
UTSA at Louisiana Tech
Colorado at Utah (winner is bowl eligible)