It is finally here -- Rivalry Saturday. Animosity reigns, and foes put their hearts and souls into coming away with a victory. There's nothing better than making your hated rival have to think about a loss for a full year, which is why these games are so much fun. It is bittersweet, though, because -- save for the Army-Navy game in December -- the regular season ends today. Not sure where the time went, but next week will be conference championship games and the unveiling of the actual College Football Playoff field.
TOP GAMES
(9) Ohio State at Michigan
The Buckeyes have ruled this series seemingly forever, and should have a sense of urgency knowing that a possible berth in the CFP is still in the cards with a victory. Michigan is offensively challenged so will need to lean on its defense to create turnovers, and to do something with them. Today is a chance for Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett to pick up his fourth win over Michigan, something no other signal-caller in school history has accomplished.
Line -- Ohio State -12.5; Pick -- Ohio State 24-13
(1) Alabama at (6) Auburn
Lookie what we have here -- a winner takes all showdown in the Iron Bowl. Auburn has been red hot lately, including knocking off previously top-ranked Georgia, relying on a huge ground attack behind Kerryon Johnson. But it has thrown the ball just well enough for defenses to play honest. Alabama does what it does, wears foes down with a multi-pronged running game, and a defense that is always around the football. No one has been able to run on the Tide this season, so Auburn coach Gus Malzahn may need to reach into his bag of tricks to get the offense going.
Line -- Alabama -4.5; Pick -- Alabama 28-27
(3) Clemson at (24) South Carolina
The Tigers had the chance to see unbeaten Miami venture into Pittsburgh and lose, so there's little chance of overlooking the Gamecocks in this year's Palmetto Bowl. Clemson will once again rely on defense, but the ground game has been picking up steam behind Tavien Feaster, and will challenge South Carolina's athletic stop unit. Jake Bentley has been great lately for SC, fairly willing his team to win despite having stars injured. South Carolina has won five of the last nine meetings.
Line -- Clemson -13.5; Pick -- Clemson 28-17
(8) Notre Dame at (21) Stanford
The Irish will attempt to close their season on a high note, while the Cardinal still need some help to reach the Pac-12 championship game. A Stanford win and Washington beating Washington State means Stanford faces USC in the Pac-12 contest, but if Wazzu comes out victorious it will take on the Trojans. No matter what happens, this game is a showcase for two of the best backs in the nation, Notre Dame's Josh Adams and Stanford's Bryce Love, who has been dealing with a nagging ankle injury and could be in and out of the contest.
Line -- Notre Dame -3; Pick -- Notre Dame 31-26
(13) Washington State at (17) Washington
This is a pretty high stakes Apple Cup, as touched on above, but even without the Pac-12 title game backdrop, these two would still want to tear each other apart. Washington has won seven of the last eight contests, and would love nothing more than to spoil the Cougars dreams. Washington will rely on a diverse offensive attack, while the Cougars will lean on quarterback Luke Falk to get it done. Wazzu cannot run the football, averaging just 3.1 yards per rush and ranking 129th nationally in rushing yards. Washington is eighth in the country against the pass and will present a major challenge. Oh yeah, it also has return specialist Dante Pettis, who would love nothing more than to leave his mark on this game.
Line -- Washington -10.5; Pick -- Washington 34-21
OTHER GAMES
(7) Georgia at Georgia Tech
Line -- Georgia -10.5; Pick -- Georgia 31-28
Louisville at Kentucky
Line -- Louisville 10.5; Pick -- Louisville 34-33
Indiana at Purdue
Line -- Purdue -2.5; Pick -- Purdue 27-23
Appalachian State at Georgia State
Line -- App State -7; Pick -- Appalachian State 31-23
Southern Miss at Marshall
Line -- Marshall -3; Pick -- Marshall 26-24
(23) Boise State at Fresno State
Line -- Boise State -7; Pick -- Fresno State 26-23
Iowa State at Kansas State
Line -- Kansas State -2.5; Pick -- Iowa State 24-21
(5) Wisconsin at Minnesota
Line -- Wisconsin -18; Pick -- Wisconsin 34-14
North Carolina at NC State
Line -- NC State -16.5; Pick -- NC State 34-24
West Virginia at (4) Oklahoma
Line -- Oklahoma -22.5; Pick -- Oklahoma 44-20
Vanderbilt at Tennessee
Line -- Tennessee -1; Pick -- Vanderbilt 28-24
Arizona at Arizona State
Line -- Arizona -2; Pick -- Arizona 38-34
Oregon State at Oregon
Line -- Oregon -24.5; Pick -- Oregon 44-18
Texas A&M at (18) LSU
Line -- LSU -9.5; Pick -- LSU 30-23
2017 RECORD
Straight Up -- 226-84 (72.6%); ATS -- 160-144-6 (52.6%)
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