Weekend Preview: November 18, 2016
Sorry about not getting this posted last week. It was a busy one for both Cole and I. I will also not be posting a Sunday Synopsis after the Aggies play UTSA this week, I'll be out of town. Here are some big games heading into the holiday:
ACC
Miami at NC State
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick: Miami, after a hot start, has been pretty bad the second half of the season. NC State has shown they can hang with some of the best teams in the country. I'm taking the Wolfpack, at home, with a convincing win.
Cole: With Miami coming in at 6-4 and NC State coming in at 5-5, this should be a decently even game. Even though this game will be played at NC State, I would bet that Mark Richt finds a way to get his team to their 7th win, but it won't come by much. Miami by less than a touchdown.
No. 17 Florida State at Syracuse
Patrick: Syracuse has had some decent wins at home, but Freshman QB Deondre Francois has had a very promising season and Florida State just has more athletes. Florida State wins by at least 21 in New York.
Cole: As Patrick said, Deondre Francois has had a great first season. Though the Seminoles will walk into this game out of playoff and ACC contention, they won't talk out with a fourth loss. Syracuse hasn't been able to string together a good game against a good team, and that trend will only continue as Florida State gets their win by a couple touchdowns.
SEC
No. 21 Florida at No. 16 LSU
Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick: Originally this game was supposed to be played in Gainesville, but some storm hit the East Coast or something. Oh well, it doesn't matter where this game is played, LSU dominates. There are very few teams as hot as the LSU Tigers right now. They have two dominant running backs, and a defense that may be the best in the nation. They haven't allowed more than 21 points in a game all season... Geaux Tigers
Cole: Florida is trash. Like I said before we called their loss to Arkansas, they are one of the most overrated teams in the country. Couple that with the fact that LSU under Ed O might be the second best team in the SEC, and this game won't be close. It will be retribution for the Gators trying to chicken out of the game to win the East, all because of a storm that other teams played through. Florida's defense may very well be above average, but with how terrible their offense is, LSU will win by two touchdowns.
Arkansas at Mississippi State
Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick: Nick Fitzgerald looks like he could be something special, and Arkansas has a bad defense. On paper, the Hogs should win this one, but with it being Stark Vegas, and because I'm determined they're good after beating the Aggies, I'll take Mississippi State by a score.
Cole: Mississippi State has strung together one of the most tumultuous seasons in all of college football. After losing to South Alabama to start the season, it looked like Dak's days of dominance wouldn't carry over past his graduation to the NFL. Then, all hell broke loose when the Bulldogs managed to knock then #4 Texas A&M completely out of the playoff race. Following that up with an expected 3-51 loss to Alabama, who knows what they'll come out looking like in this game. Believe it or not, OddsShark has Mississippi State walking into the game as a two point favorite and walking out with a one point win. Again, I say to thee, suck it Bielema.
BIG 10
No. 2 Ohio State at Michigan State
Patrick: Ohio State returned to the top 4 this week after a couple of shaky weeks. Michigan State has had a disappointing season, but held Michigan closer than most expected, and with them playing in East Lansing, this game has potential. I think Ohio State does win, but in a close one.
Cole: Ohio State definitely isn't willing to relinquish their playoff spot. After losing to what turned out to be a very good Penn State team and a close win at home over Northwestern, the Buckeyes have won their last two games by a combined score of 124 to 6, including a 62-3 win over then top ten Nebraska. Even with Michigan State playing at home, they just don't have the firepower to hang with or slow down a pissed off Urban Meyer team. Ohio State is going to destroy the Spartans, winning by more than three touchdowns.
Indiana at No. 4 Michigan
Patrick: Michigan has to bounce back to impress the Committee. This week provides them with that opportunity. They return home to play a bad Indiana team, that they should blow out.
Cole: Have mercy on their souls. Indiana is tasked with going into Ann Arbor to try and beat a pissed off team that just lost their first game of the season, with a Heisman Trophy candidate and one of the best coaches in the game. Watch out. Though Michigan's starting QB is hurt (and might be out for the year), Jabrill Peppers is still running wild on the field. Michigan will win by three touchdowns.
Big 12
No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 10 West Virginia
Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick: I hate to say it but I think Oklahoma wins again. Ever since they had two early losses, to two goods teams, they've been unstoppable. Even with some key guys out on defense they've been able to pull out some big games.
Cole: Oklahoma was the country's laughing stock after the first three weeks of the season. Now, they've run rampant through the Big 12, even with eight defensive starters out and one running back in some games. They find themselves on the cusp of the playoff, assuming some big name teams collapse in their final two games (and conference championships). West Virginia managed to escape Austin with a win last week, and this week they return to their home-sweet-couch-burning home. Oklahoma most likely wins this game, but it'll be close.
Kansas State at Baylor
Patrick: Baylor really is not good. Ever since they lost to that team in Austin, they've showed an inability to add wins to their record. Kansas State has been decent, and I think they pull of the "upset" on the road.
Cole: After being in the top 10, Baylor has dropped off the face of the planet. They stumble into Waco with three straight losses hoping to avoid their fourth. Kansas State competed with Oklahoma State in their last game, and walk into Waco as only a two point dog. I take Kansas State.
PAC 12
No. 20 Washington State at No. 12 Colorado
Casey Sapio-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick: I am very conflicted in choosing this game, I can't even decide in my College Pick' em league, where I just took the lead (what's up Jake?). Washington State is tugging at my gut, but I can't shake the home field advantage for Colorado, and that they are a top-15 team. I can't decide, so count me in with whatever Cole says.
Cole: Interesting. Very interesting. Washington State hasn't lost a game since September 10th. Colorado has the same record and is undefeated at home, with their only two losses to a scorching hot USC and Michigan. This game is a must-watch. I am almost as conflicted as Patrick is, but I have faith in the Buffs. I think Colorado is a really good team this year, and Washington State is just an average team with what has turned out to be an easy run through the conference. I bet Colorado wins by a touchdown and just barely covers the 6.5 point line in their favor.
Stanford at California
Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
Patrick: Stanford has finally started showing signs of life in the back half of the season. As for Cal, they showed promise earlier, but have gone cold. Stanford wins, and McCaffrey has a big time performance.
Cole: Cal's defense is atrocious. Stanford, after a rough four week stretch in October, is riding a three game win streak. Even though this is a rivalry game and it's being played in Berkeley, I don't think Cal's football team nor their student protestors will be enough to slow down a rejuvenated McCaffrey. Stanford will win by two touchdowns.
Enjoy the week, y'all.
