Ryan: 565-175
Matt: 549-191
Purdue at Indiana
Matt: The Old
Oaken Bucket Game. A game that I as an Indiana fan look forward to very much
every year. When I first started as a student at Indiana University, this game
wasn’t a game that took place the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It was a game
that took place the first Saturday after that Saturday. When all the students
were back from Thanksgiving break, and ever since they moved it to this game to
the Saturday after Thanksgiving, I feel like it has lost a bit of it’s
intensity. However, it is still a rivalry game and I’m sure both teams have
this game circled. Both Purdue and Indiana have had seasons that they are
looking forward to erasing, but I think Indiana’s season has a bit of a better
overall look, looking back at it. Beating Penn State for the first time, and
being a lot more competitive than in the past few years. However, there is no
reason this team shouldn’t be bowl eligible and the one reason they aren’t is
the defense. I’m really looking forward this game, and sure Purdue fans will
tell you that they have the edge in this series, but in this game I think the
Hoosiers have the edge and bring the Old Oaken Bucket back to where it belongs:
Bloomington, Indiana
Winner: Indiana
Winner: Indiana
Ryan: Though
college football is coming to an end, I’m sure it’s one that these two teams
are looking forward to. Both Purdue and Indiana have had terrible seasons and
no post season play on the horizon. The last game is going to be the biggest of
the year: The Old Oaken Bucket Game. Normally, there is a clear favorite to win
it. This year, that is not the case. Both teams have shown that they cannot
compete with the top tier in the Big Ten, getting destroyed by Ohio State and
Wisconsin. Danny Ettling showed some improvement against Illinois, but he has a
long way to go. The Hoosiers get Purdue at home this year, and I look for them
to try and grab momentum early, airing it out with Nate Sudfeld. In all but one of the Hoosiers offense,
Sudfeld has failed to throw for over 250 yards. If the Hoosiers can’t get the
passing game going, I see the Boilers being able to win it. Purdue has shown up
for one game this year when Notre Dame came to town. If Purdue can bring the
same intensity to Bloomington, they might just be able to take home the Bucket,
which they have won two straight and 68 percent of the time. With that said,
Boilers cap off their terrible season with a little white light.
Winner: Purdue
Winner: Purdue
Minnesota at Michigan
State
Matt: Michigan
State is coming off another win against Northwestern, and they punched their
ticket to the Big Ten title game as the representative for the Legends
division. The Spartans have really had such a successful season because of
their defense. One of the best defenses in the nation. Michigan State finishes
their season against the Golden Gophers, another surprise team in the Big Ten.
I think the Spartans finish strong and finish their season undeafted in the Big
Ten and heading into Indianapolis hoping to pull off the upset and find
themselves in a BCS bowl, perhaps, with a lot of luck and loses by other teams,
the National Championship.
Winner: Michigan State
Winner: Michigan State
Ryan: Michigan
State is kicking themselves for losing to Notre Dame earlier in the season. The
Spartans are 10-1 and ranked thirteenth in the nation. If Michigan State hadn’t
struggled at Notre Dame, a game in which they lost by four, then maybe they
would have hopes of their own national title. However, Michigan State has put
together a great year, one that will find them in the Big Ten Championship game
against Ohio State. Not looking forward, the Spartans play a Minnesota team
that has a lot to play for. The Gophers have embraced their coach and now with
the ongoing seizure situation, have rallied to make this year mean something. Minnesota
has flirted with the rankings, but after a loss to Wisconsin, they might just
fall right out of it. The Spartans have relied heavily on defense this year,
only allowing 12.5 points a game. Mix the Michigan State defense with a
Minnesota offense that has only scored over twenty points three times in Big
Ten play and you get a great matchup for Michigan State.
Winner: Michigan State
Winner: Michigan State
Ohio State at
Michigan
Matt: At the beginning
of the season, this game was going to be the one game that I thought Ohio State
might have trouble winning, but after Michigan disappointing season, and Ohio
State being undeafted and being dominate over just about every team they faced,
it’s hard to see a way that Ohio State doesn’t win this. The one stat that does
play a factor in this game is that Michigan has only lost once at home under
Brady Hoke. However, this isn’t a game that I think the home advantage is going
to be enough to overpower the Buckeyes. Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde are
running on all cylinders right now and if they want to find themselves in the
National Championship game they’ll have to beat their old rivals and do it with
some style. I think the Buckeyes will just do that and keep my hopes of predicting
the National Champion alive.
Winner: Ohio State
Winner: Ohio State
Ryan: Michigan
has been a huge disappoint this year, just not to me. At the beginning of the
year, I was not sure what all the hype was about, and now I think just about
everyone in the nation is with me. The Wolverines have lost four of their last
six games, one of which was Brady Hoke’s first home loss against Nebraska. If
that alone wasn’t enough, this week they host the number three team in the
nation and their bitter rivals: Ohio State. The Buckeyes are coming into this
game with a staggering 23 game winning streak. Ohio State has bigger fish to
fry this year with the Big Ten Championship game against Michigan State and a possible
National Title game, but they will make sure to punish the hated Wolverines.
Braxton Miller exited Heisman talk when he got injured earlier in the season,
but he hasn’t skipped a beat since his return. Ohio State ranks in the top ten
in scoring offense and defense, which makes them a tough team to prepare for.
Seeing is how Michigan has a terrible coach and team, that switches to an
impossibility. The question at the beginning of the year was about Devin
Gardner’s accuracy, which is answered with a big red “X.” Gardner is completing
less than 60 percent of his passes and has thrown eleven interceptions. Ohio
State is going to have a field day in Ann Arbor.
Winner: Ohio State
Winner: Ohio State
Alabama at Auburn
Matt: I am so
excited about this game. It’s probably the biggest game of the year. It’ll not
only determine who will be going to the SEC Championship game, but it could
determine who find a spot in the National Championship game. Auburn is
definetly the comeback team and the surpise team of this year. Going from 3-9
and not winning a single SEC game to going 10-1 and only losing to LSU thus far
in the SEC. This game is going to be so intense, I don’t know if I’ll be able
to handle it. Auburn’s offense is dynamic, Alabama’s defense is powerful. This
game I think could go either way. I’m going to go with Auburn though because Alabama’s ego and lack
of tough opponents in recent weeks will come back to haunt them and Auburn will
find themselves with much to celebrate at the end of the night.
Winner: Auburn
Winner: Auburn
Ryan: An Iron
Bowl has never meant this much since, well, never. This is the first time the
Iron Bowl will decide who goes into the SEC Championship Game from the West.
This game also has National Championship implications for both teams. Alabama
has been the steady number one all year, but Auburn has put together a great
season of their own. As if this game needed any more hype. Both teams put up
thirty points a game, but the Crimson Tide once again have a stout defense,
allowing less than ten points a game. Auburn is lucky to be here today,
scraping by against Washington State, Mississippi State, Ole Miss, Texas
A&M, and last week against Georgia. The Tigers winning margin in those
games was a combined twenty-eight points. Alabama hasn’t won a game by less
than ten except for the shootout against the Aggies. With all on the line this
week, I look for Nick Saban to have the Crimson Tide on lockdown and ready to
go. Saban has always prepared his teams for big games, and that is something
Auburn will lack with a first year head coach. All the signs point to Alabama
once again winning the West, and that’s where I am going as well.
Winner: Alabama
Winner: Alabama
Clemson at South
Carolina
Matt: A cross
conference rivalry that I feel like in recent years a bit lopsided toward South
Carolina, because South Carolina has been a powerhouse in football for quite some
time while Clemson is just now coming into the spotlight. Both of these teams
have had a bit of disappointing season, with national championship hopes in
their eyes and now they need help from a lot of different teams if either of
them wants to find themselves in the National Championship game. South Carolina’s
big thing coming into the season was Jadeveon Clowney. With everyone picking
him as the preseason Heismen winner, but he hasn’t really shown up this year.
One could even argue that he hasn’t been the best defense player this year, let
alone the player of the year. Regardless, this should be a pretty decent rivalry
game but in the end I think that Clemson comes out on top on this one and in
the hunt for a BCS bowl.
Winner: Clemson
Winner: Clemson
Ryan: Clemson was
a preseason top five team with all the aspirations in the world. One visit from
the Seminoles changed all that. After getting blown out against Florida State,
the Tigers lost all shot at a National Title. Now, the Tigers have to hope for
an at-large BCS bid. Don’t get too ahead of yourselves Clemson. South Carolina is
looking to finish the season with a huge rivalry win. Aside from losing to
Georgia and a terrible loss to Tennessee, the Gamecocks have mustered out nine
wins and looking to make it double digits. Connor Shaw has been the face of
this team, throwing for almost 2000 yards and twenty touchdowns and only one
interception. Shaw has also rushed for over 400 yards with four touchdowns.
However, Shaw isn’t the only quarterback playing in this game. Tajh Boyd has
over 3000 yards passing for the third straight season with 37 combined
touchdowns. Boyd has always been a stat quarterback while at Clemson but was
never able to win the big game. With one last game at Clemson, Boyd will look
to put the team on his back against South Carolina. A big storyline coming into
the season was how amazing Jadeveon Clowney was. Clowney was a man among boys,
the most NFL ready player in college football, hands down the best player in
the game. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Clowney has looked
pedestrian at best this year, looking like he isn’t giving any effort. With
only two sacks and less than fifty tackles this year, Clowney has disappointed.
With Boyd wanting to leave on a high note and Clowney underperforming, I see
Clemson with a great season finale.
Winner: Clemson
Notre Dame at
Stanford
Matt: Stanford comes
off a knockout victory over California but the loss against USC is still on
their mind and I’m sure still hurting a bit. This was a Stanford team that was
suppose to finally break through and find themselves in the National Championship
game, and now they had to get help from Oregon (which they did) to find
themselves in the Pac 12 title game. Stanford’s season, like a lot of the one
lose teams, has been a bit of a disappointment. Now they welcome the Fightin’
Irish into their stadium in a rivalry game. I know I’ve been hard on Notre Dame
all year, but they have fallen, but are still able to be ranked heading into
their last game of the season. Now they have their toughest test of the year
against Stanford and I just don’t see them pulling it off, Stanford is not
going to let themselves slip against and lose a game that they should win.
Stanford wins this one.
Winner: Stanford
Winner: Stanford
Ryan: Earlier in
the year, I predicted this game to decide who plays Alabama in the National
Title game. Now, both teams are fighting for a decent bowl game, maybe a BCS
game. Stanford clinched the Pac-12 North with Oregon losing to Arizona on
Saturday. Even with the championship game spot, the Cardinal will want to
finish strong against rival Notre Dame. The Irish have performed well this
season, losing only to ranked Michigan and Oklahoma, and an upset against
Pittsburgh. Notre Dame seemed to be hitting on all cylinders until they lost to
the Panthers. Last week against BYU, Notre Dame sprung out to an early lead but
faltered late, allowing BYU a chance to win. Stanford’s two losses came to Utah
and USC, both teams unranked. Both teams have tailored their games knowing that
the defenses are strong. Both defenses allow less than 23 points a game. Notre
Dame lost a key part of their defense when Louis Nix had season ending surgery.
In his absence, Stephon Tuitt has stepped up to the plate as the leader on the
line. The big key for this game will be who can make the big play that sets the
tone for the entire game. The Irish have a few big play guys in TJ Jones,
George Atkinson III, and now Tarean Folston, who looks to be the running back
of the future. Notre Dame does what it takes to win in Palo Alto.
Winner: Notre Dame
Winner: Notre Dame
Texas A&M at
Missouri
Matt: At the
beginning of the year it was all about Johnny Football. Weather he could take
his talents and will his team to the National Championship. However, it seems
that dream is no longer possible and he’ll end his college career (my prediction,
he hates being in College Station, and doesn’t want to spend another minute
there) by hoping to find him and his team in a high end bowl game. That,
however, will be a tough test considering the Aggies have to face Missouri. A
game that at the beginning of the season, they didn’t think would be a tough
test. This is going to be an interesting game, and Missouri is looking to punch
a ticket to its first ever SEC title game after only joining the SEC last year.
I think that is motivation enough for the Tigers to get past Johnny Football
and find themselves in the SEC Title game, and maybe even the National Championship
game.
Winner: Missouri
Winner: Missouri
Ryan: Texas
A&M has done everything to make itself meaningless in the SEC this year.
The Aggies have lost three games in SEC play so far this year and may make that
four this week against Missouri. Johnny Manziel has put up more impressive
numbers this year, but has not come through when it matters. Though Manziel
matched Alabama down the stretch, early interceptions cost him that game. With
the game on the line against Auburn, ole Johnny Football couldn’t make a play.
Last week against LSU, Manziel just looked awful. This week, the Aggies play a
Missouri team with one of the best defensive lines in the game today. Missouri
has come out of nowhere this year with ten wins and a chance to play in the SEC
championship game. Missouri is in control of its fate. A win and they are in, a
loss and they are not. It all looked like it was over for the Tigers when
starting quarterback James was out for four games, but the Tigers held on to
win three of the four. Missouri and Texas A&M both know how to score
points, but the difference is on the defensive side of the ball. The Aggies
have struggled all year, allowing over thirty points per game whereas the
Tigers only allow nineteen. With the SEC on the line, I like Missouri to win.
Winner: Missouri
Winner: Missouri
New Mexico at Boise
State
Matt: I’m not
going to say too much about this game, but I will say this. I’m thinking that
Ryan is really excited that college basketball has started and he can put the
Lobo’s football season behind him. A great rushing team, but that hasn’t been
enough for the Lobos this year and they finish the season against a decent team
in Boise State. Boise State shouldn’t have too much trouble with the Lobos.
Boise State wins.
Winner: Boise State
Winner: Boise State
Ryan: New Mexico
has had a sad year. The Lobos entered the season hoping for a bowl game but
have only won three games so far. Man factors have played into the Lobo’s
upsetting season: no passing game, no defense, and no big playmakers. Kasey
Carrier has struggled this year and will miss the final game with a concussion.
Boise State isn’t having one of their Cinderella stories either. The Broncos
are 7-4 and need a loss from Utah State in order to go to the Mountain West
Championship. The Broncos are missing Kellen Moore this year, having to go
between two quarterbacks, never finding one that sticks. New Mexico has also
used two quarterbacks, but neither of which can throw the ball. This game looks
to be a sloppy one with no defense and a lot of running.
Winner: Boise State
Winner: Boise State
| DATE | TIME (ET) | MATCHUP | TV | Matt | Ryan |
| Tuesday | 7:00 PM | Western Michigan at No. 16 Northern Illinois | Northern Illinois | Northern Illinois | |
| Thursday | 7:30 PM | No. 24 Ole Miss at Mississippi State | Ole Miss | Ole Miss | |
| Thursday | 7:30 PM | Texas Tech at Texas | FOX Sports 1 | Texas | Texas |
| Friday | 12:00 PM | Iowa at Nebraska | Iowa | Iowa | |
| Friday | 12:00 PM | Southern Methodist at Houston | Houston | SMU | |
| Friday | 12:00 PM | East Carolina at Marshall | CBS Sports Network | East Carolina | Marshall |
| Friday | 12:00 PM | Toledo at Akron | ESPN 3 | Toledo | Akron |
| Friday | 1:00 PM | Miami (OH) at Ball State | ESPN 3 | Ball State | Ball State |
| Friday | 1:30 PM | Bowling Green at Buffalo | Bowling Green | Bowling Green | |
| Friday | 2:00 PM | Massachusetts at Ohio | ESPN 3 | Ohio | Ohio |
| Friday | 2:00 PM | Eastern Michigan at Central Michigan | ESPN 3 | Central Michigan | Central Michigan |
| Friday | 2:00 PM | Texas State at Troy | ESPN 3 | Troy | Troy |
| Friday | 2:30 PM | Arkansas at No. 22 LSU | CBS | LSU | LSU |
| Friday | 3:00 PM | Florida International at Florida Atlantic | FOX Sports 1 | FAU | FAU |
| Friday | 3:30 PM | No. 15 Fresno State at San Jose State | CBS Sports Network | Fresno State | Fresno State |
| Friday | 3:30 PM | Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh | Miami (FL) | |
| Friday | 3:30 PM | Washington State at Washington | FOX | Washington | Washington |
| Friday | 7:00 PM | Oregon State at No. 5 Oregon | FOX Sports 1 | Oregon | Oregon |
| Friday | 8:00 PM | South Florida at No. 18 UCF | UCF | UCF | |
| Saturday | TBA | No. 25 Minnesota at No. 13Michigan State | Michigan State | Michigan State | |
| Saturday | TBA | Purdue at Indiana | Indiana | Purdue | |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM | No. 2 Florida State at Florida | Florida State | Florida State | |
| Saturday | TBA | No. 4 Baylor at TCU | Baylor | Baylor | |
| Saturday | TBA | No. 14 UCLA at No. 23 USC | USC | UCLA | |
| Saturday | TBA | Duke at North Carolina | Duke | Duke | |
| Saturday | TBA | North Texas at Tulsa | North Texas | North Texas | |
| Saturday | TBA | Virginia Tech at Virginia | Virginia Tech | Virginia Tech | |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM | No. 3 Ohio State at Michigan | Ohio State | Ohio State | |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM | Rutgers at Connecticut | Rutgers | Rutgers | |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM | Temple at Memphis | Memphis | Memphis | |
| Saturday | 12:00 PM | Kansas State at Kansas | FOX Sports 1 | Kansas State | Kansas State |
| Saturday | 12:21 PM | Wake Forest at Vanderbilt | ESPN 3 | Vanderbilt | Vanderbilt |
| Saturday | 12:30 PM | Maryland at North Carolina State | ESPN 3 | Maryland | Maryland |
| Saturday | 1:00 PM | Southern Miss at UAB | UAB | UAB | |
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | Air Force at Colorado State | ESPN 3 | Colorado State | Colorado State |
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | Colorado at Utah | Pac-12 Network | Utah | Utah |
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | Wyoming at Utah State | Utah State | Utah State | |
| Saturday | 2:00 PM | South Alabama at Georgia State | ESPN 3 | South Alabama | South Alabama |
| Saturday | 3:00 PM | Tulane at Rice | Rice | Rice | |
| Saturday | 3:00 PM | Brigham Young at Nevada | CBS Sports Network | Brigham Young | Brigham Young |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | No. 1 Alabama at No. 6 Auburn | CBS | Auburn | Alabama |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | Penn State at No. 19 Wisconsin | Wisconsin | Wisconsin | |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | Georgia at Georgia Tech | Georgia | Georgia | |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | Idaho at New Mexico State | ESPN 3 | Idaho | New Mexico State |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | Boston College at Syracuse | ESPN 3 | Boston College | Boston College |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | Northwestern at Illinois | BTN | Northerwestern | Northerwestern |
| Saturday | 3:30 PM | Louisiana Tech at UTSA | Louisiana Tech | Louisiana Tech | |
| Saturday | 3:45 PM | UTEP at Middle Tennessee | Middle Tennessee | Middle Tennessee | |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM | Arkansas State at Western Kentucky | ESPN 3 | Western Kentucky | Western Kentucky |
| Saturday | 4:00 PM | Iowa State at West Virginia | FOX Sports 1 | West Virginia | West Virginia |
| Saturday | 7:00 PM | No. 7 Clemson at No. 11 South Carolina | Clemson | Clemson | |
| Saturday | 7:00 PM | Notre Dame at No. 9 Stanford | FOX | Stanford | Notre Dame |
| Saturday | 7:00 PM | Tennessee at Kentucky | Tennessee | Tennessee | |
| Saturday | 7:00 PM | Louisiana-Monroe at Louisiana-Lafayette | ESPN 3 | Louisiana-Lafayette | Louisiana-Lafayette |
| Saturday | 7:45 PM | No. 12 Texas A&M at No. 8 Missouri | Missouri | Missouri | |
| Saturday | 9:30 PM | Arizona at No. 17 Arizona State | Pac-12 Network | Arizona State | Arizona State |
| Saturday | 10:15 PM | New Mexico at Boise State | Boise State | Boise State | |
| Saturday | 10:30 PM | San Diego State at UNLV | UNLV | UNLV | |
| Saturday | 11:00 PM | Army at Hawaii | Hawaii | Hawaii |
