2019 Week 13 Preview

There wasn’t too much excitement last week. Minnesota and Baylor both finally lost, so I guess the committee knew what they were doing with the rankings. The biggest news to come out of Week 12 was the loss of Alabama QB Tua Tagovailoa. He took an awkward fall and ended up dislocating his hip as well as fracturing something else. He did have successful surgery this week and should make a full recovery, but he will miss the rest of the season, which greatly hinders Alabama’s playoff case. There is only one ranked matchup in Week 13. There is some potential for upsets, and with only two weeks left in the regular season, there is still a ton to be decided.

My Record: 4-2 last week, 49-25 overall (68%)

*No CFP Reaction this week. I’ve been busy with moving and also, I don’t have any issues with the rankings this week.

Notable Games
8Penn State at 2Ohio State
The biggest game of the weekend will kick off at 11am CT on Fox. This game had the potential to be so much bigger until Penn State went and lost to Minnesota. This is still a very important game. Penn State has shown some weakness over the last couple of weeks and I think Ohio State will be able to exploit them. I don’t see this game being very close when it is all said and done.
I am picking Ohio State

Texas at 14Baylor
Both of these teams are coming off losses. The Bears suffered their first loss of the season last week when they blew a big lead over Oklahoma. Texas came up short against Iowa State and just looks less impressive every week. I think Baylor is the better team and they will be a little angry after their loss. All Baylor needs to do to make the Big 12 Championship Game is win out. Texas needs some help, but they can still get there. I just don’t think this Texas team will be able to get the win in Waco.
I am picking Baylor

21Oklahoma State at West Virginia
Oklahoma State isn’t out of the Big 12 race just yet. Like Texas, the Cowboys also need to win out and receive some help. West Virginia upset Kansas State last week and is looking to become bowl eligible. They are sitting at 4-6 right now so they need to win out. Both teams have a lot on the line, but OKST is more talented and they should win this game.
I am picking Oklahoma State

25SMU at Navy
After losing to Memphis, SMU fell a bit off the map. They are back in the CFP Rankings this week and will face off with Navy. Both of these teams still have their sights set on making the AAC Champ Game if Memphis can get beat. We all know SMU can score, but they have trouble stopping other teams. I think Navy will keep this game v close, but SMU just has the ability to score fast and I think that will come in handy.
I am picking SMU

Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech
This is another very important game when it comes to division title races. All Virginia Tech has to do in order to lose to Clemson in the ACC Champ Game is win out and Pitt needs to win out and have VT beat Virginia. (I picked UVA to win the division and they just need to beat Liberty and VT.) This is a game between two pretty good teams, and I think it will be hard fought. I am giving the edge to the Hokies because they are at home.
I am picking Virginia Tech

UAB at Louisiana Tech
Continuing with the trend, Louisiana Tech and UAB are fighting for a spot in their conference championship game. LT is just two wins away whereas UAB needs to win out and have Southern Miss lose out. UAB has been a strong team this season with a great defense. Louisiana Tech is coming off a loss to Marshall. I don’t think UAB is going to give up enough points to lose this game.
I am picking UAB

Arkansas at 1LSU
This will be Arkansas’s first game without Chad Morris at the helm. Interim HC Barry Lunney Jr. will be leading the Hogs into Death Valley for a night game. I am interested to see how the Razorbacks respond. I think they will compete, but they just aren’t good enough to hang with LSU.

Top 25
Arkansas at 1LSU
8Penn State at 2Ohio State
3Clemson BYE
Texas A&M at 4Georgia
Western Carolina at 5Alabama
6Oregon at Arizona State
7Utah at Arizona
TCU at 9Oklahoma
10Minnesota at Northwestern
11Florida BYE
Purdue at 12Wisconsin
15Michigan at Indiana
Texas at 14Baylor
Samford at 15Auburn
Boston College at 16Notre Dame
Illinois at 17Iowa
18Memphis at South Florida
Temple at 19Cincinnati
20Boise State at Utah State
21Oklahoma State at West Virginia
Kansas at 22Iowa State
UCLA at 23USC
Texas State at 24Appalachian State
25SMU at Navy

Other Games
UCF at Tulane
Georgia Southern at Arkansas State
Western Kentucky at Southern Miss
Tennessee at Missouri (winner is bowl eligible)
Oregon State at Washington State (winner is bowl eligible)
SDSU at Hawaii