2018 Week 13 Preview

We have reached the final weekend of the regular season. A lot is still undecided when it comes to conference championships. We know that Alabama and Georgia will face off for the SEC and Pitt and Clemson will fight for the ACC. This final week should be very interesting. Who knows? Maybe we’ll get a weekend of chaos.

How I fared: 5-1 last week, 44-28 overall

Notable Games
4Michigan at 10Ohio State
The Game will be a big one this year. The winner will move on to face Northwestern in the Big 10 Championship game and possibly then to the playoff. Michigan has looked great ever since losing to Notre Dame in week 1. A win will be a tall task for the Wolverines. They haven’t beat Ohio State in Columbus since 2000. I think they end that losing streak with a major statement win. Urban Meyer looked unwell last week as he watched his team barely edge out Maryland in OT. I expect Michigan to win and all but lock up the final playoff spot this weekend.
I am picking Michigan

6Oklahoma at 13West Virginia (Friday)
I honestly have no idea who will win this game. I am picking Oklahoma because they have a little more to play for than West Virginia. Both teams are still in the Big 12 Championship hunt, but only Oklahoma can still make the CFP. There should be tons of points scored in this game that features two Heisman-hopeful QBs. Texas should beat Kansas and play their way into the Big 12 Championship game on Friday. That would mean the winner of this game will take on Texas. If Texas loses to Kansas (again, #neverforget) and West Virginia wins, we’ll get an OU-WVU rematch. If OU and Kansas win, it becomes very complicated. The sooners have more to play for and I think that could be the difference.
I am picking Oklahoma

7LSU at 22Texas A&M
This game will be mostly for pride. LSU has been good this season but just not good enough to be in contention for the CFP this year. I think they are the better team going into this game, but they might be a little down since they won’t be playing for anything. A win here would be huge for Texas A&M and give them a nice boost when it comes to bowl bids. LSU is the better team, but don’t be surprised if the Aggies come out on top in this one.
I am picking LSU

16Washington at 8Washington State (Friday)
This game will determine the winner of the Pac 12 North. Washington State is probably the closest team to the playoff if they can win out and get some help. The Cougars have had a great season and are just a weird close loss to USC away from being undefeated. A win over their rival and then a conference championship will at worst send them to the Rose Bowl. I think Washington State has more to play for and should come out strong for this game. I don’t think Washington will be able to hang with them for a full 60 minutes.
I am picking Washington State

21Utah State at 23Boise State
The winner of this game will not only win their division, they will host the Mountain West Championship Game (I think). Utah State has been very good this season, but they showed weakness last week when they almost lost to Colorado State. I have more overall faith in Boise State, especially since this game is being played on the Smurf Turf. This should be a hard-fought matchup. I think Boise State will get the win and set themselves up for a rematch with Fresno State.
I am picking Boise State

Tennessee at Vanderbilt (winner is bowl eligible)
Neither of these teams has been very good this season, but they are both only one win away from bowl eligibility. Is there anything sweeter than knocking your rival out of a bowl while securing a spot for yourself? Tennessee got lit up by Missouri last week and struggled on offense again. Vanderbilt needed OT to beat Ole Miss and I think there was some controversy surrounding it. Having seen Vanderbilt in person, I am comfortable saying they are a decent team. They sometimes struggle getting over the hump and winning, but I think they will succeed in this one.
I am picking Vanderbilt

Arkansas at Missouri (Friday)
I don’t have high hopes for the Hogs in this one. Missouri scored 50 on Tennessee last week and two of our starting DBs are suspended. Drew Lock should have a field day against the Arkansas secondary. I am hoping to see some younger players from Arkansas playing hard and showing they want to be here. Last week was an all around bad showing, and I don’t want to end with a taste like that in my mouth.

Top 25
Auburn at 1Alabama
South Carolina at 2Clemson
3Notre Dame at USC
4Michigan at 10Ohio State
Georgia Tech at 5Georgia
6Oklahoma at 13West Virginia (Friday)
7LSU at 22Texas A&M
16Washington at 8Washington State (Friday)
9UCF at USF (Friday)
11Florida at Florida State
Maryland at 12Penn State
14Texas at Kansas (Friday)
15Kentucky at Louisville
BYU at 17Utah
18Mississippi State 35 Ole Miss 3 (Thursday)
Illinois at 19Northwestern
20Syracuse at Boston College
21Utah State at 23Boise State
24Pittsburgh at Miami
Kansas State at 25Iowa State

Other Games
Houston at Memphis (Friday)
Nevada at UNLV
Baylor at Texas Tech (winner is bowl eligible)
Purdue at Indiana (winner is bowl eligible)
Troy at Appalachian State
Louisiana at ULM
Arizona State at Arizona