By: Tyler Schraven
After a wild, upset filled regular season, rivalry week is Upon us. Trophies, championship game appearances, playoff spots, and good old bragging rights are on the line this weekend.
With that being said, here is the slate of games scheduled for the weekend, starting on Turkey Day and going through Saturday night:
Thursday, November 22
No. 22 Mississippi State at Ole Miss (7:30 p.m., ESPN)
Friday, November 23
No. 11 Texas at Kansas (Noon, FS1)
No. 8 UCF at South Florida (4:15 p.m., ESPN)
No. 6 Oklahoma at No. 12 West Virginia (8 p.m., ESPN)
No. 16 Washington at No. 7 Washington State (8:30 p.m., Fox)
Saturday, November 24
No. 4 Michigan at No. 10 Ohio State (Noon, Fox)
Georgia Tech at No. 5 Georgia (Noon, SEC Network)
No. 13 Florida at Florida State (Noon, ABC)
No. 19 Syracuse at Boston College (Noon, ESPN)
Auburn at No. 1 Alabama (3:30 p.m., CBS)
Maryland at No. 15 Penn State (3:30 p.m., ABC)
Illinois at No. 20 Northwestern (3:30 p.m., BTN)
No. 24 Pittsburgh at Miami (3:30 p.m., ESPN)
South Carolina at No. 2 Clemson (7 p.m., ESPN)
No. 17 Kentucky at Louisville (7 p.m., ESPN2)
Kansas State at No. 25 Iowa State (7 p.m., FS1)
No. 8 LSU at Texas A&M (7:30 p.m., SEC Network)
No. 3 Notre Dame at USC (8 p.m., ABC)
BYU at No. 18 Utah (10 p.m., FS1)
No. 14 Utah State at No. 21 Boise State (10:15 p.m., ESPN)
Predictions
Michigan 34, Ohio State 27
One of the more intresting games on the table for this week is THE game. The Wolverines of Michigan are set to Travel to Columbus to battle the 10th ranked Buckeyes. Ohio State has won every game in this series since 2011, but that is bound to change at some point. Why this year? Because this is arguably the best Michigan team under coach Jim Harbaugh, as well as the most complete. This could boil down to if Senior leader on defense Chase Winovich has the green light to play. Ohio State has been lackluster on the defesinve side of the ball, to say the least. And I just can’t see them keeping pace with Michigan, as the Buckeyes will not be able to score enough points on the stout Wolverine defense. Ohio State’s key to winning is establishing a strong run game, and holding Michigan to below 30 points. Michigan needs to limit mistakes as well as not give the Buckeyes great field position. Look for this to be the game of the week.
Washington State 37, Washington 31
It has been quite some time since Mike Leach’s Cougars have been this close to a PAC 12 championship. Standing in their way? Chris Petersen’s Huskies. Washington leads the all time series, 72-32-6. These teams started playing in 1900, and have played continuously for the last 63 seasons. Two seasons ago, when Washington made their Playoff appearance, Washington State was in their way. Washington blew out Washington State that day, and after the score was 28-3 in favor of the Huskies after one quarter, hope was lost for fans of the Cougars. But now is a new day, and the Cougars get another chance to host Washington, this time in Pullman. For there to be any hope in Washington State making the playoffs, a win here over the Huskies is mandatory. I believe they will do just that behind the leadership of Gardner Minshew, and, his mustache of course. The defense will be able to contain Washington, and the offense will do the rest. The fans in Pullman will head home happy.
Other Predictions:
Mississippi State 31, Ole Miss 24
Texas 45, Kansas 16
UCF 49, USF 27
Oklahoma 52, West Virginia 49
Georgia 33, Georgia Tech 10
Florida 31, Florida State 16
Boston College 35, Syracuse 31
Alabama 35, Auburn 13
Penn State 38, Maryland 20
Northwestern 34, Illinois 8
Miami 23, Pitt 20
Clemson 34, South Carolina 17
Kentucky 48, Louisville 17
Iowa State 28, Kansas State 13
LSU 23, Texas A&M 21
Notre Dame 41, USC 20
Utah 27, BYU 21
Utah State 31, Boise State 27
