The latest victim to the coaching carousel is Florida’s Dan Mullen. After leading the Gators to the SEC title game less than a year ago, he’s already out. The SEC coaching jobs are ruthless.
This is the last weekend of the regular season, and it’s rivalry week, which often provides some of the best moments from each season.
Many of the conference championships have yet to be decided, and will come down to this weekend’s results.
My Rankings:
My Playoff Predictions:
Georgia
Ohio State
Oklahoma State
UC
My Heisman Candidates:
Kenneth Walker III MSU RB
CJ Stroud OSU QB
David Bell Purdue WR
Kenny Picket Pitt QB
My Picks:
Last week I was 7/9
Florida State at Florida: Florida State started out the season 0-4, then turned around and kept playing hard, and now are only one win away from a bowl game. Their in-state rivals have been on an opposite path, completely free falling, with head coach Dan Mullen getting fired after last week's loss to Missouri. Both teams are 5-6, so whoever wins this clash will head to a bowl game. The Seminoles have been playing hard still, and I think they will out tough the Gators.
(17)Iowa at Nebraska: Nebraska has found every possible heartbreaking way to lose at the end of the fourth quarter this season. The Cornhuskers are 3-7, but are a better team than their record indicates. Since their loss at home to Purdue, Iowa has been off many people’s radars, but win this game and they still have a shot at winning the West and getting to 10 wins. Nebraska will be without starting quarterback Adrian Martinez and I’m not sure how great their backup is. Nebraska has been so close, and I think they’ll come away with yet another close loss.
(4)UC at ECU: ECU has always been a tough out for UC, and this year they will be ready to try to knock UC out of the playoff race. UC had a much-needed blowout of SMU, and with the Oregon loss, they have a legitimate playoff shot. I think UC could struggle a bit in this game, but they’ve made it this far undefeated, and I don’t think they will blow it.
UNC at (24)NC State: This North Carolina battle is an interesting matchup. UNC puts up a lot of points, but they also have an awful defense. NC State’s quarterback Devin Leary is very accurate and could help the Wolfpack to get into a shootout if they need it. However, I don’t think it will be a shootout because the NC defense will stop the Tar Heels offense. NC State still has a shot at making the ACC title game if they win (and Wake loses), and I think they will be motivated by that and get the win here.
(2)OSU at (6)Michigan: Jim Harbough is still searching for his first win in THE GAME, and this might be one of the best Michigan teams he’s had. Unfortunately for them, Ohio State has hit its stride recently. The OSU offense has found its rhythm, and CJ Stroud is a favorite to win the Heisman. The defense has also seemed to improve since their loss against Oregon. Michigan does have one of the best defenses the Buckeyes will face, and their edge rushers could put heavy pressure on Stroud. Whoever wins this game will go to the Big 10 title game, and I am predicting it will be Ohio State.
(21)Wake Forest at Boston College: If Wake wins this game they clinch a spot in the ACC title game. However, it will be no easy feat against a Boston College team that is playing much better football with the return of quarterback Phil Jackovic. Wake’s high scoring offense really sputtered last weekend at Clemson. I am having a really hard time picking this game because Wake Forest hasn’t played great the last few weeks and Jackovic is a really good quarterback. Ultimately I will go with Wake because they have a big reward if they can win.
(3)Alabama at Auburn: I think the Iron Bowl is one of, if not the best, rivalry game there is in college football, but I’m not sure this year will deliver a great game. Auburn has lost three games in a row, and their quarterback Bo Nix is out with injury. Auburn’s one bright spot is RB Tank Bigsby, who hasn’t put up great numbers, but may manage some success against Bama’s struggling defense. Because Alabama is Alabama, they still have legit playoff hopes even if they lose to Georgia next weekend. I think Nick Saban will want to put up style points, and the Tide will win big.
Oregon State at (11)Oregon: After their loss to Utah last weekend, Oregon is out of the Playoff race, and if they don't win this rivalry game, they may not even make the Pac 12 championship. Oregon State is having one of their best seasons in recent history. I will admit I don’t watch many Pac 12 games so I don’t know that much about either team. I will pick Oregon to win because they are the home team.
Penn State at (12)Michigan State: Both Mel Tucker and James Franklin inked huge ten year extensions this week, so they will be facing each other plenty of times in the future. Michigan State is coming off a demolition at OSU last weekend, but has still been much better than expected. Kenneth Walker was not very effective against OSU, but I think he will play well against Penn State. Penn State will be without quarterback Sean Clifford. I think this will be a close, low scoring game, but Michigan State will come out on top.
(18)Wisconsin at Minnesota: If Wisconsin wins, they automatically go to the Big 10 title game, but if Minnesota upsets, the Gophers could win the West, as long as Nebraska also upsets Iowa. Wisconsin has done a 360 on their season, changing up their offense to help them rack off eight straight wins. They now are a more run heavy team. Minnesota has been quietly good, with veteran QB Tanner Morgan. I think Minnesota will play them close, but Wisconsin will win and clinch the West.
(10)Oklahoma at (7)Oklahoma State: The stakes are at an all-time high in Bedlam, with Mike Gundy needing to finally take down the Sooners. Gundy has a 2-14 record against Oklahoma during his tenure at Oklahoma State. If he’s going to take them down, this is the year to do it. Oklahoma State has the second best defense in the country, which makes up for their struggling offense. Oklahoma is just not the team we expected them to be, and it’s time for everyone to accept that they just aren’t that great. Oklahoma State has already secured their spot in the Big 12 title game. If Oklahoma wins this game they will have another game against the Cowboys next weekend, but if Oklahoma State wins then they will face Baylor in the title game. I think this will be the year Gundy and the Cowboys finally break through and beat Oklahoma.
Here's to the last regular week of college football!
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