It’s finally here–Rivalry Week! Here’s what to expect.
#6 Oklahoma @ #11 West Virginia
Spread: Oklahoma by 2
Heartbreak! There’s no other way to express what happened to WVU last week in Stillwater. But these Mountaineers still have an opportunity at redemption. OU comes to town Friday with a slot in the Big 12 Championship game at stake.
CAN HE DO IT AGAIN? – West Virginia quarterback Will Grier (7) scores the game-winning two-point conversion against Texas. Grier will play his final home game Friday night, Nov. 23, when WVU hosts OU. (Nick Wagner/Austin American-Statesman via AP, File)
This will be one of the most exciting games of the year. Kyler Murray and Will Grier are two of the top QBs in the land–ranking 2nd and 3rd, respectively, in passing efficiency–and each has an elite receiving corps in tow. I doubt either defense will be able to stop the other’s offense.
In circumstances like this, I tend to go with the home team. But the reality is that WVU hasn’t beaten OU since joining the league–either in Morgantown or in Norman.
So which side will I take? To answer, two matters loom large. First, OU’s defense has been gashed all year. Second, the Mountaineers are decent at stopping the run game, ranking a respectable 36th nationally in rushing yards allowed.
If this game goes according to the script, Grier will be able to score again and again, and the Mountaineers will get a crucial stop in the 4th to pull out the win. I’ll take WVU to win outright.
West Virginia 45, Oklahoma 41
#14 Washington @ #7 Washington State
Spread: Washington State by 2.5
UDub-Wazzou just might just be the best game of the week!
UW’s Myles Gaskin (photo, Seattle Times)
Nobody has been able to stop WSU’s ‘Air Raid’ offense, led by Heisman candidate Gardner Minshew. WSU is the only team in the FBS that averages over 400 passing yards per game. The Cougars are no slouch defensively, either, ranking a respectable 25th in total defense.
But if there’s a team in the conference that can beat Wazzou, it’s Washington. The Huskies are 2nd to Cal and 10th nationally in pass defense. And UW’s balanced offense can beat teams through the air and on the ground, especially now that Myles Gaskin is healthy again.
I think the edge goes to the team with more balance and a better defense. That’s Washington. While I don’t think the boys from Seattle will be able to shut down Mike Leach’s pass-heavy attack, I do believe they’ll have enough to get the job done–and even cover the spread.
Washington 27, Washington State 24
Auburn @ #1 Alabama
Spread: Alabama by 24
Let’s face it: over the years, the dogfight between ‘Bama-Auburn has been a game for the highlight reels. But that outcome isn’t likely this Saturday. Advantage definitely goes to Alabama.
‘Bama’s Damien Harris won’t play Saturday (photo, The Crimson White)
Because Auburn’s offense lacks a Kerryon Johnson to complement Jarrett Stidham, the main hope for the War Eagles is defense. AU is in the top-20 nationally in both passing efficiency defense and team sacks, and the Tide’s Damien Harris is in concussion protocol and out for this game.
That combo means Auburn might be able to force the Tide to pass and, then, pressure Tua in the backfield.
If that happens–and ‘Bama doesn’t dominate time-of-possession–then Auburn has a chance. Still, though, Auburn has a lot to overcome–even to make this game close.
While I don’t see any circumstance that will lead to an Auburn win, I also don’t see ‘Bama covering the spread.
Alabama 31, Auburn 13
#13 Utah State @ #23 Boise State
Spread: Boise State by 2.5
Big breath, please! That’s what Utah State took last Saturday when the Aggies survived (barely) at Colorado State–thanks to an official’s call that wiped out CSU’s game-ending Hail Mary TD. The win kept Cinderella’s hopes alive.
But now USU faces its biggest challenge yet, playing juggernaut Boise State on the road for a spot in the Mountain West Conference championship game. The stakes are even bigger, too–a shot at playing in a New Year’s 6 bowl game.
Rypien will lead Boise against the Aggies on BSU’s famous blue field (photo, KTVB.com)
USU-BSU will feature a clash between two great quarterbacks–the Aggie’s Jordan Love and Boise’s Brett Rypien. Both players are in the country’s top-25 in points responsible for, passing efficiency, and passing yards per game. Yowza!
The Aggies are…well…and offensive force, ranking 2nd in scoring offense, in the top-30 in both passing and rushing, and averaging nearly 50 points a game. The Broncos are no slouch, either. BSU boasts a better overall passing offense and it has a more experienced signal-caller in Rypien.
This game may come down to a battle between Rypien and Love. If that happens, I’ll take Rypien, who excelled earlier this month against a dominant Fresno State defense (24-of-29, 269 yards, one TD). Besides, the game will be played in Idaho before BSU’s raucous fans.
The Broncos will prevail and cover the spread while they’re at it.
Boise State 33, Utah State 30
Game of the Week
#4 Michigan @ #8 Ohio State
Spread: Michigan by 4
Well, this is the game of the year for many fans, a contest they’ve been waiting for! For Michigan faithful, the wait has been a decade in the making. It has been that long since UM has been relevant nationally.
Both teams’ playoff hopes will be on the line this Saturday in the Horseshoe. It will be a game that will display a clash of styles.
The Wolverines’ pride themselves in dominant defense (the best, nationally, in yards allowed and pass defense). The Buckeyes specialize in offense, which (thankfully for OSU) has improved in recent weeks.
It’s Jim Harbaugh’s first chance at the CFP. To make it, he must beat OSU–something he has never done.
Ohio State’s offense relies primarily on Dwayne Haskins and the passing attack. The problem is that nobody has been able to pass effectively against UM. But the good news is that RB J.K. Dobbins has been better for the Buckeyes recently. That means Michigan won’t be able to shut down OSU’s attack … at least not completely.
But I think Michigan will simply have too much for Ohio State to handle. The UM offense ranks 4th nationally in time-of-possession–thanks primarily to Karan Higdon’s legs and Shea Patterson’s arm. UM should be able to keep the ball away from OSU as the offense drives down the field against a defense that hasn’t been able to stop anybody.
Michigan’s grind-it-out offense will limit just how many points that ‘Team Up North” will score, but the visitors will score enough to keep this game out-of-reach.
UM’s drought against Ohio State (0 victories since 2011) will end.
Michigan 31, Ohio State 24
