Week 13 Predictions

Week 12 proved to be another great one with quite a few playoff-significant games turning into close finishes. Mississippi State came up short on the road at Alabama falling 25-20 to the Crimson Tide. Florida State continued to do what it does best and rallied from 13 points down at halftime to knock off Miami at home, 30-26. TCU avoided the upset and survived against Kansas, 34-30. Oregon State pulled the shocker over Arizona State crushing the Sun Devils' playoff aspirations, 35-27. Georgia got Gurley back and dominated Auburn 34-7, but loss Gurley yet again as he would go down with an injury in the third quarter which we later learned was a torn ACL. LSU had a hangover from the Alabama game and Arkansas took advantage ending their 17 game SEC losing streak blanking the Tigers 17-0 at home. Northwestern outlasted Notre Dame, 43-40. Clemson couldn't get it done in Atlanta falling to the Paul Johnson's crew, 28-6 and South Carolina gave Spurrier a happy homecoming and escaped the Swamp with a 23-20 overtime victory. This week's menu doesn't look as sexy as the past few weeks but nevertheless there is football on again this weekend. In the ACC, Florida State welcomes Boston College to town, Louisville is on the road at Notre Dame, Duke squares off against rival North Carolina, and Clemson host Georgia State. South Carolina is back at home against South Alabama, while Ole Miss meets Arkansas. Georgia is at home against Charleston Southern, Kansas State is in Morgantown against West Virginia and finally Baylor plays Oklahoma State. Let's take a look!


#3 Florida State vs Boston College

Last week FSU pulled off yet another 2nd half rally, this time on the road, to take care of business against the Miami Hurricanes. For anyone that has watched all season it came as no surprise. They've done it all year long and it just seems as though they are this years' Auburn avoiding disaster week after week. They have now secured the Atlantic division but must keep playing at a high level (and winning) if they want to find themselves in the mix for the playoffs come early December. Boston College is capable of putting up a good fight but I don't think they have what it takes to hang with the Seminoles for four quarters. They simply have too many weapons on both sides of the ball. Winston continues to get the job done and freshman running back Dalvin Cook is becoming a solid option in the back field averaging nearly six yards per carry and has seven touchdowns on the year. I look for him to have another impressive showing this week after having a solid 92 yard performance on just seven carries last week at Miami. I think he is going to be a special player for the Seminoles in the coming years. The Noles are a 19 point favorite and while I'm not sure they cover, they win by double digits.

The Pick: Florida State

#24 Louisville @ Notre Dame

After starting 6-0, the Irish have lost 3 out of their last 4 and can kiss their major bowl aspirations goodbye. In a matter of week's they went from a dark horse playoff contender to unranked. It won't get much easier this week with Louisville coming to town. They won't have to worry about Will Gardner as the former starting Cardinal QB had a season ending knee injury against Boston College back on Nov. 8th and freshmen Reggie Bonnafon has taken over. The Cards still have a top five defense but will have their hands full with the Irish offense that has scored 71 points the past two weeks in losing efforts. It will be interesting to see how they respond after whats been a rough past few weeks. They still have plenty to play for including a 10 win season with a bowl win but will have to get past the #24 Cardinals and the #19 USC Trojans in the next two weeks. I look for Notre Dame to get back on track and take advantage of the opportunity with a freshmen under center for Louisville playing on the road.

The Pick: Notre Dame

South Carolina vs South Alabama

Things are a bit brighter down in the midlands following South Carolina's thrilling overtime victory over Florida last Saturday. The Gamecocks are now 5-5 and in position to win their final three in the regular season and go to a bowl game with the possibility of ending this season on a positive note. Dylan Thompson is on the final leg of his career and closing in on a 3,000 yard passing season. While the defense continues to struggle (105th in scoring defense in the nation) Thompson is playing well and WR Sophomore Pharoh Cooper has emerged as a key player on offense and should end the year with 1,000 yards receiving. South Alabama (6-4) is from the Sun Belt and is coming off a win over Texas State last weekend. Look for the Gamecock seniors to go out in style as they play their final game in Williams Brice Stadium. Spurrier and company get it done easily over the Jaguars and prepare for the showdown next weekend in Death Valley.

The Pick: South Carolina

#22 Clemson vs Georgia State

Despite the questions at quarterback, Clemson is still nearly 41 point favorites to the Georgia State Panthers from the Sun Belt conference. The Panthers are 1-9 and while we've seen first hand that anyone can beat anybody on any given weekend I think the Tigers could put Vic Beasley at QB Saturday and come out on top by at least two touchdowns. This will be a good warm up game before next week's date with South Carolina and give Clemson the opportunity to jump out to an early lead and get some valuable experience for some of the younger guys and backups.  Among those are QB Nick Schuessler who finds himself right in the mix of things now and will likely see significant playing time Saturday despite Stoudt being named the starter. Look for another dominating performance from the Tiger's defense as they look to let some frustration from last week out on the weak and inferior Panthers. If I'm Clemson and win the toss I'm taking the ball and putting it Stoudt's hands right off the bat and hopefully setting the tone for a much better day at the office than he had last week. We shall see but Tigers get it done....no doubt!

The Pick: Clemson 


Other Predictions: 

#12 Kansas State over West Virginia 
#10 Georgia over Charleston Southern
#8 Ole Miss over Arkansas
#7 Baylor over Oklahoma State