Feast is defined as a rich or abundant celebration. When President Lincoln declared Thanksgiving as a national holiday in 1863, he no doubt intended for us to spend the holiday gathered with our loved ones; the Tigers, Crimson Tide, Seminoles, Gators, Buckeyes, Wolverines, etc. This weekend we have some of the best rivalry games in the country and games with a definitive impact on the playoff picture. Like any holiday feast, we know we will never be able to get to everything without over stuffing ourselves, but let’s take at the week 14 college football menu.
Week 14 College Football Preview
Texas (6-5) vs. TCU (9-1), Thursday 7:30pm ET, Fox Sports 1; This is the cheese and cracker appetizer plate before dinner. It’s important, but not the most critical. It’s not a traditional rivalry game, but it is big for TCU. They are fifth in the playoff rankings with a chance to move up, but after two consecutive subpar weeks, followed by a bye week, impressions are going to be everything. The Horned Frogs are averaging 46 points and 540 yards per game so they have the firepower. Texas has had a difficult transition to new coach Charlie Strong, but the Longhorns, a Thanksgiving tradition, are greatly improving through the season and bring a top-10-in-the-nation-pass-rush into the game. Texas has won five in a row over TCU.
Missouri (9-2) vs. Arkansas (6-5), Friday 2:30pm ET, CBS; More cheese and crackers. A Missouri win gives the Tigers the SEC East title. The Tigers’ offense has been up and down this season but the defense is only allowing 20 points per game. Arkansas has made great strides in year two under Bret Bielema, becoming bowl eligible just one year after winning only three games. The Razorbacks have manhandled LSU and Ole Miss in consecutive weeks. A Missouri loss gives Georgia the SEC East title on the tie breaker.
UCLA (9-2) vs. Stanford (6-2), Friday 3:30pm ET, ABC; This is the cranberry sauce. Might be jelly. Might be relish. We just know it belongs. If UCLA wins they face Oregon next weekend for the Pac-12 championship. The Bruins played their most complete game of the season last weekend in drubbing crosstown rival Southern Cal. Quarterback Brett Hundley threw for three touchdowns and continues to lead the nation in completion percentage. Stanford has not lived up to expectations this season, but the Cardinal are physical, having given up 30 points or more only once this season, and they have not lost to UCLA since 2008. The entire state of Arizona will be rooting for Stanford. If UCLA loses, the winner of Arizona/Arizona State is the Pac 12 South champ and the two games are played at the exact same time.
Ohio State (10-1) vs. Michigan (5-6), Saturday noon ET, ABC; Now, we are getting into the meal, with some green beans; traditional and reliable. One of the great rivalries in all of college football. This is likely the last game for Brady Hoke as Michigan head coach. He has a better winning percentage than his fired predecessor, but this season has been a nightmare. Ohio State is probably the most improved team since the beginning of the season thanks to the stunning emergence of quarterback JT Barrett and Michigan has shown no real ability to stop fast offenses. The sixth ranked Buckeyes have the chance to leapfrog over some higher ranked teams with an impressive win here and a Big 10 championship game win the following week.
Florida State (11-0) vs. Florida (6-4), Saturday 3:30pm ET, ESPN; This is the stuffing in the meal because it is open to interpretation. Stuffing or dressing? Bread? Cornbread? Rice? Is Florida State undefeated because they are lucky or good? Are they flirting with danger in the first half every week? Are they really one of the four best teams in the country? This non-conference, intra-state rivalry game will be critical to the post season meal. Nearly everyone has shown glimpses of how to beat Florida State this season, but no one has sealed the deal. The Gators are really only a few plays away from being 8-2 and are averaging nearly 300 yards rushing per game in November. Still, Will Muschamp will be out as Florida’s coach after this game, win or lose. Florida State will be playing in the ACC title game next week, but will they be doing so as an undefeated playoff contender?
Wisconsin (9-2) vs. Minnesota (8-3), Saturday 3:30pm ET, Big Ten Network; We have our rolls for the meal…simple and basic, but necessary. The winner is the Big Ten West champ and gets Ohio State the following week for the conference championship. Minnesota came back from 14 down to beat Nebraska last week and is having its best season since 2008. Wisconsin has running back Melvin Gordon: End of Story. He is the best running back in the country and if you think the Badgers don’t rely heavily on him, consider that in the last two games they have thrown a total of 21 passes.
Ole Miss (8-3) vs. Mississippi State (10-1), Saturday 3:30pm ET, CBS; You would think I make the egg reference here for the Egg Bowl, but that would be too obvious. This game is the potatoes of the meal with different possibilities in scalloped or mashed, but a needed side dish to the overall structure. Mississippi State has had a remarkable season. As of right now, they would be the four seed in the CFP. But their one loss is to conference rival Alabama so even if the Bulldogs win here, but don’t win the SEC West, they are likely to get jumped over by other teams. Quarterback Dak Prescott suffered his worst game of the season two weeks ago, but rebounded last week against Vanderbilt with three touchdown passes. Ole Miss is in a nosedive after being top four in the country into late October. They lost receiver Laquon Treadwell to injury and the offense went into a tail spin, relying heavily on an ineffective running game. MSU will play and then turn on the Iron Bowl and root for Auburn.
Alabama (10-1) vs. Auburn (8-3), Saturday 7:45pm ET ESPN; Here is the main course, the turkey of the meal. The Iron Bowl is one of the great rivalries in college football and the playoff layout rests on this game. If we can assume that the SEC West champ will beat the diminished SEC East champ, then this game controls the playoff picture. If top-ranked Bama wins then beats the SEC East champ, they are in. If they lose, and Mississippi State wins, MSU plays for the SEC title and playoff spot. Bama’s revamped offense is at or near the top in most SEC offensive categories with Blake Sims being the second best passer and Amari Cooper being the top receiver. Auburn will need to be ultra-disciplined. The Tigers are 111th in the country in penalties. This game historically has more twists and turns than your crazy uncle’s dinner table stories.
Dessert: Ok, you have eaten the feast and want to avoid holiday shopping. We have some extras that are worth your time as you recover from a tryptophan overdose:
Texas Tech (4-7) vs. Baylor (9-1), Saturday 3:30pm ET, ABC; Baylor needs an impressive win to stay in playoff race with TCU.
Clemson (8-3) vs. South Carolina (6-5), Saturday Noon ET, ESPN; The Gamecocks have won the last five in the series.
Georgia (9-2) vs. Georgia Tech (9-2), Saturday Noon ET, SEC Network; Georgia will know by game time if it is the SEC East champ. Georgia Tech will be playing Florida State for the ACC title next weekend.
Oregon State (5-6) vs. Oregon (10-1), Saturday 8PM ET, ABC; They call this the Civil War…like the holidays with your in-laws is civil. Corvallis is a tough place to play, but Oregon needs the win to stay in playoff contention.
Happy Feasting.
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