Time to make Week 13 College Football Predictions. Currently, Alabama, Ohio State, Michigan, and Clemson hold the Top 4 spots in the College Football Playoff Rankings heading into Week 13. All four teams head into major rivalry games this week, including the battle between Ohio State and Michigan. Washington holds the 5th spot as they go into Pullman this Friday afternoon to take on a Washington State squad that just recently lost to Colorado in Boulder last week. Wisconsin and Penn State with the 6th and 7th spots have tough rivalry games as well along with 9th ranked Colorado taking on a strong team Utah team, who endured a heartbreaking lost to Oregon last week. Oklahoma and Oklahoma St both hold the 8th and 10th spots in the rankings, but they both have a bye this week before their Bedlam matchup next week. Right now, that is ten teams still in the mix for the College Football Playoff and Week 13 is going to decide some playoff spots. Welcome to Rivalry Week!
#5 Washington at #23 Washington State
Washington State may have suffered an unfortunate defeat to Colorado last week, but quarterback Luke Falk still did not play that bad. They are lucky to be the home team in this year’s Apple Cup against a very good Washington team led by quarterback Jake Browning. Washington also has a ferocious defense led by cornerback Sidney Jones and safety Budda Baker, but all signs seem to be pointing towards a trap game in this one.
Washington State 35, Washington 30
#3 Michigan at #2 Ohio State
I was expecting Ohio State to beat Michigan State last week, but I certainly wasn’t expecting it to be that close. Yikes! The score was 17-16 and it was very obvious that Ohio State was looking ahead towards this showdown against Jim Harbaugh and his Michigan squad. The Wolverines weren’t perfect either against Indiana, but they were coming off a stinker to Iowa, had a new quarterback starting in John O’Korn, and it was snowing. Regardless of the way things played out last week, this epic showdown in what is known to be one of the greatest rivalries in college football is going to be a battle for a playoff spot and both teams are going to have to bring their A-game. This matchup also has Heisman Trophy implications as well with Ohio State being led by quarterback J.T. Barrett and Michigan being led by linebacker Jabrill Peppers.
Ohio State 21, Michigan 17
#13 Auburn at #1 Alabama
Do I call the upset??? Absolutely not. This Alabama squad has a chance to end up being one of coach Nick Saban’s best teams if they go on to win the National Championship. Their defense consists of future NFL stars in Johnathan Allen, Marlon Humphrey, Ruben Foster, and Tim Williams. Auburn has had a decent season this year, but after the way they played against Georgia a couple of weeks ago, this matchup is going to be way too overwhelming for them to handle.
Alabama 31, Auburn 13
Michigan State at #7 Penn State
Michigan State actually ended up playing their best game of the year against Ohio State last week. They even possibly could have pulled the upset in overtime had coach Mark Dantonio not gone for the two-point conversion late in the 4th quarter. Michigan State running back LJ Scott had a heck of a game as well. Although, I believe Penn State has the better running back in Saquon Barkley. Barkley has basically carried the team since the overtime win against Minnesota in early October and the team has been on a roll since, including an upset win over Ohio State. All signs point to Penn State winning this game. I feel like Dantonio has his squad ready for this one as they play for pride to close the year. We’ve got an upset in Happy Valley!
Michigan State 24, Penn State 20
Minnesota at #6 Wisconsin
Who’s going to win Paul Bunyan’s axe? With an actual spot for the playoff on the line, this is a good battle for the Axe. Wisconsin is definitely ready to take on a surprisingly good Minnesota team. Gophers Running back Rodney Smith has been sensational this season, but Wisconsin sports a dominant running game of their own led by Corey Clement, Dare Ogunbowale, and Bradrick Shaw. Their offensive line, led by Ryan Ramcyzk, will be way too overwhelming for the Gophers. The Badgers also feature one of the best defenses in the nation, led by linebackers T.J. Watt and T.J. Edwards. I see the Axe going to Madison this Thanksgiving Weekend.
Wisconsin 28, Minnesota 10
#22 Utah at #9 Colorado
Ever since the loss to USC, quarterback Sefo Liufau has stepped it up for the Buffaloes. Liufau has led the team to a five game winning streak heading into a showdown against Utah. This game for Colorado always means a spot for the Pac-12 Championship Game on the line. Utah had an unfortunate loss to a disappointing Oregon squad last week. That’s definitely not something you want to endure before going into Boulder. I believe the committee will continue to talk about Colorado this coming Tuesday.
Colorado 32, Utah 23
South Carolina at #4 Clemson
If this game was being played at South Carolina, I could actually see an upset brewing as well. Unfortunately, the game is in Death Valley. Clemson’s offense, led by quarterback DeShaun Watson, is too potent right now to be stopped by Will Muschamp’s squad. This game will be closer than the experts think.
Clemson 24, South Carolina 14
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