The college football regular season is set to go out with a bang as Rivalry Week is once again ready to take the country by storm. But aside from fierce state rivalries from across the land battling it out for local bragging rights and trophies, these games will also have plenty of implications with regard to the conference championship game, as well as the seedings for the first-ever College Football Playoff.
Let’s take a look at the five best and most meaningful games this week and what’s in store for those teams. For a more in-depth take on games with direct division implications, check out our previews of Auburn vs. Alabama and Minnesota vs. Wisconsin.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]Top Five Games to Watch in Week 14 of College Football
Arizona State Sun Devils vs. Arizona Wildcats (Fri, Nov. 28, 3:30 PM ET)
Line: Arizona State Sun Devils at Arizona Wildcats– view all NCAA Football lines
With the Pac-12 South title still very much within reach for both Arizona and Arizona State, this year’s Duel in the Desert will have a little more on the line than the Territorial Cup.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]Arizona is coming off a very impressive 42-10 beatdown of a solid Utah team on the road as they gained close to 300 yards on the ground. And after slipping up big time at Oregon State, Taylor Kelly (232 passing yards, four touchdowns) and the Sun Devils took care of business at home against Washington State, 52-31.
The Wildcats will have home field against the Sun Devils, but that hasn’t been much of an advantage seeing as they have failed to cover in five consecutive home games.
Writer’s Prediction: Arizona sneaks by the Sun Devils at home.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets vs. Georgia Bulldogs (Sat, Nov. 29, 12:00 PM ET)
Line: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (+13) at Georgia Bulldogs (-13) – view all NCAA Football lines
It’s time for some Clean, Old Fashioned Hate when heated state rivals Georgia and Georgia Tech come together in Athens.
The Bulldogs still have an outside shot of winning the SEC East, but they’ll need to win and hope Missouri falters in its final game against Arkansas. However, the Yellow Jackets also have a lot to play for, and would want nothing better than to end Georgia’s conference championship hopes while maintaining theirs as they would clinch the ACC Coastal Division with a win.
Georgia is 5-1 in its last six games against Tech in Athens.
Writer’s Prediction: The Bulldogs take care of business as they beat the Yellow Jackets at home.
Mississippi State Bulldogs vs. Ole Miss Rebels (Sat, Nov. 29, 3:30 PM ET)
Line: Mississippi State Bulldogs (-2.5) at Ole Miss Rebels (+2.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
All things considered, Mississippi State would’ve wanted to face a much stronger Ole Miss team in the Egg Bowl to strengthen their College Football Playoff resume.
But the Bulldogs will have to make do with a struggling Rebels team that has lost three-straight SEC games, including a humiliating 30-0 shutout at Arkansas which saw quarterback Bo Wallace slowed by an ankle injury.
However, Dak Prescott and Mississippi State must not get too complacent in Oxford, where they’ve lost six out of their last seven games, and have covered just once.
Writer’s Prediction: Mississippi State finishes the season strong with a win and cover on the road.
Minnesota Golden Gophers vs. Wisconsin Badgers (Sat, Nov. 29, 3:30 PM ET)
Line: Minnesota Golden Gophers (+13.5) at Wisconsin Badgers (-13.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
The Big Ten West has come down to the wire as Wisconsin and Minnesota battle it out for all the marbles in Madison.
The Gophers gave Big Ten giants Ohio State all they could handle at home before taking out Nebraska to set up this decisive duel with Wisconsin. But they’ve got their hands full with the Badgers’ record-breaking runner Melvin Gordon, who has rushed for an astounding 813 yards with seven touchdowns in his last three games.
Another thing in Wisconsin’s corner: it’s unbeaten in nine home games all-time against Minnesota.
Writer’s Prediction: Gordon gashes Minnesota as Wisconsin wins and covers at home.
Auburn Tigers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide (Sat, Nov. 29, 7:45 PM ET)
Line: Auburn Tigers (+9.5) at Alabama Crimson Tide (-9.5) – view all NCAA Football lines
This year’s Iron Bowl won’t be the winner-take-all classic that last year’s game was, but it’ll still have a lot on the line, at least for Alabama. The Crimson Tide, who’ve won seven consecutive conference games at home, are in pole position for a College Football Playoff berth, and beating the Tigers would send them one step closer to that goal.
But despite its recent struggles, Auburn is always a dangerous opponent with that explosive offense, one that played Bama’s defense to a draw last season until that unforgettable special teams play sealed the deal.
Writer’s Prediction: ‘Bama beats up on Auburn on both sides of the ball for the win and cover.
Create a betting account now and pick a side in these storied college football rivalries.
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