Week of Dec 5 Preview

We have made it to December. There were a couple upsets last week, but none that impacted the CFP. The big news of last week was Sarah Fuller having the chance to make history as the first woman to play football in the Power 5. She got to kick off the second half of Vanderbilt’s game against Missouri but was not given the chance to kick an extra point or field goal because Vandy barely made it across the 50 in the game. What a great role model for girls everywhere. There are a couple of big games this weekend, maybe none bigger than the last minute matchup of BYU and Coastal Carolina after Liberty was unable to play this week. With only a couple weeks left of this not-so-regular season, there is still a lot to be determined.

My Record: 5-0 last week (the SJSU vs Boise State game got canceled after I wrote my preview last Saturday morning), 46-25 overall (65%)

Notable Games
1Alabama at LSU
This game was originally scheduled for November 14. Even though LSU isn’t what they were last year, they have made some strides in the last couple weeks. Alabama should win this game comfortably, but I think LSU will bring a lot of fight early. The Tigers just don’t have the depth this year to hang with Alabama for four whole quarters.
I am picking Alabama

5Texas A&M at Auburn
This is one of the more interesting games of the weekend. If this game was being played in College Station, I think it would be a pretty comfortable Texas A&M win. But since this is a home game for Auburn, I think this one will be close. I’m not sure Auburn is nearly as good as A&M (on a neutral field). Bo Nix plays very well at home and Kellen Mond doesn’t play great on the road. The Aggies still have an outside chance to make the CFP, especially because Ohio State’s might not get enough games to make the Big 10 Championship game. I think this game is a nail biter until the end, but I am going to pick the road team. I think A&M having more to play for will be the difference in this game.
I am picking Texas A&M

12Indiana at 16Wisconsin
On paper, I should be excited for this game, but in reality, I’m not. Indiana’s QB Michael Penix tore his ACL against Maryland and is done for the season. Wisconsin has been hit hard by covid this season and just doesn’t look as awesome as they did in game 1. I think this game is really a toss-up. A lot depends on the mindsets of the players. I really want to root for Indiana, but my gut is telling me to go with Wisconsin in this game. It isn’t a very strong feeling though.
I am picking Wisconsin

13BYU at 18Coastal Carolina
This game was put together on extremely short notice after Liberty had to stop football operations because of covid on Thursday. BYU even sent their equipment truck on the 33-hour trip before this game was confirmed just to make sure they would be able to play. This game features two 9-0 teams and is only the 6th pre-bowl December matchup of undefeated teams. I am so excited for this game. We will get a chance to have a real measuring stick on both teams. It is tough to have this little of time to prepare for a team, but I think these teams are up for it. Despite the travel, I think BYU has the better chance in this game. QB Zach Wilson has been amazing this season and has a lot to prove. I think this one stays pretty close, but BYU will pull away in the fourth quarter.
I am picking BYU

Penn State at Rutgers
These two teams both are in different spots than anyone thought they would be at the beginning of the season. Penn State finally got their first win of the season last week against Michigan. Rutgers beat Purdue last week to get to 2-4 overall on the season. Rutgers has played with a fire this season and that is due in large part to hiring Greg Schiano back as head coach. Penn State did show last week that they haven’t totally thrown in the towel, but they were playing a very bad Michigan team. I think Rutgers cares a bit more about winning this game and I think that will be the difference.
I am picking Rutgers

Fresno State at Nevada
Both of these teams have only one loss so far this season, and both of those losses are to Hawaii. I think this game will be a close one. Both have shown the ability to score a lot of points as well as play pretty good defense. Fresno State hasn’t played since November 14 and that might lead to a slow start in this game. Nevada has played better teams this season and I think they are the better team in this game.
I am picking Nevada

Arkansas at Missouri
This game was originally scheduled for last week but, because of covid issues with Arkansas, it had to be rescheduled. This is a winnable game for Arkansas. They will have to deal with not having their best secondary player, Jalen Catalon, for the first half after a completely bogus targeting call was upheld by referees and the SEC office. I really hope the Hogs come out of the gate fast and angry. Missouri is coming off a blowout 41-0 win over Vanderbilt and probably feel a bit cocky. Arkansas’s offense HAS to start better than they did against LSU. They have to make big plays early to get Missouri playing from behind. Arkansas has not been good at calling plays when they are behind, it is as simple as that. It will be tough because the Tigers have the best pass defense in the conference and only give up about 123 yards of rushing per game. If Arkansas wins this game, it will be by scoring early and often on explosive plays.

Top 25
1Alabama at LSU
Syracuse at 2Notre Dame
3Clemson at Virginia Tech
4Ohio State at Michigan State
5Texas A&M at Auburn
6Florida at Tennessee
7Cincinnati BYE
Vanderbilt at 8Georgia (postponed)
West Virginia at 9Iowa State
10Miami at Duke
Baylor at 11Oklahoma
12Indiana at 16Wisconsin
13BYU at 18Coastal Carolina
14Northwestern at Minnesota (canceled)
15Oklahoma State at TCU
Western Carolina at 17North Carolina
19Iowa at Illinois
Washington State at 20USC (Sunday)
Rice at 21Marshall
Stanford at 22Washington
23Oregon at California
24Tulsa at Navy
25Louisiana 24 Appalachian State 21

Covid-19 Interruptions
10Miami at Wake Forest (postponed)
Liberty at 18Coastal Carolina (canceled)
Southern Miss at UTEP (canceled)
Florida State at Duke (postponed)
Kent State at Miami (OH) (canceled)
Maryland at Michigan (canceled)
UAB at Middle Tennessee (canceled)
FIU at Charlotte (canceled)
Boise State at UNLV (canceled)
Houston at SMU (canceled)
Buffalo at Ohio (canceled)