December 5th, 2015
Hello, all. Although the college football regular season is still going on, the focus today will be on the conference title games. Every conference title game is important, but the added playoff implications make them all the more crucial and therefore, exciting. Let's get into what I think will go down.
12:00
AAC Title Game
#22 Temple (10-2) at #19 Houston (11-1)
Both Matt Rhule and Tom Herman have done fantastic coaching jobs with their respective teams, but I think Herman will come out the victor here. Houston's offense is explosive and features receiver Demarcus Ayers, who has accumulated over 1,000 yards this season, and Greg Ward Jr. has the edge over PJ Walker in the QB battle in my mind. Houston is too hot to be denied by the Owls, but no matter what happens, Temple will finish this season with their heads held high.
Houston 34, Temple 17
Player to Watch: Demarcus Ayers
4:00
SEC Title Game
#18 Florida (10-2) at #2 Alabama (11-1)
I love Jim McElwain, but the 17.5 point spread against his Gators is well justified. Florida may be 10-2, but this game, at least on paper, is a mismatch. If these guys were shut out offensively at home against Florida State, why should they be expected to score enough against the best front seven in the country? Oh, and that Derrick Henry fella is pretty good as well. The Tide will roll right into the Collge Football Playoff.
Alabama 38, Florida 10
Player to Watch: Derrick Henry
7:45
Pac 12 Title Game
#20 USC (8-4) at #7 Stanford (10-2)
A couple months ago, I wrote an article that was highly critical of USC athletic director Pat Haden http://joesmeltzer775.blogspot.com/2015/10/usc-football-haden-is-to-blame-for.html. However, I must say that his decision to remove the interim tag off of Clay Helton instead of overthinking things like he did the last time was a good decision, and Haden deserves credit for it. This USC season should be looked at as a success no matter what simply because the Trojans avoided disaster given the circumstances. Although USC accomplished some good things this season, a PAC 12 title won't be added to that list. Stanford is on a mission to somehow sneak into the playoff, and their emotional win over Notre Dame last week will simply add to their confidence. Christian McCaffery only had 113 yards of total offense last week, and I don't see him having two off games in a row. McCaffery will make a case to have his name called in New York, and Stanford will win fairly easily.
Stanford 38, USC 20
Player to Watch: Christian McCaffery
8:00
#5 Michigan State (11-1) at #4 Iowa (12-0)
The Iowa turnaround has been one of the best stories in College Football this season, but I think that their luck will run out tonight. Michigan State, despite having an inferior record, has a stronger resume than the Hawkeyes, and I think that they are the better team all the way around. Connor Cook will lead the charge on offense while defensive end Shaquille Calhoun will sack C.J. Beathard twice today. Iowa is a good team, but they are by no means great. Michigan State can play with anybody in the country, and Iowa is not strong enough to get in their way. The winner of this game will be in the playoffs, and that team will be Michigan State.
Michigan State 34, Iowa 17
Player to Watch: Connor Cook
ACC Title Game
#10 North Carolina (11-1) at #1 Clemson (12-0)
This will be a good one. Both of these teams have very similar styles of play, and it will be a fun matchup to watch. Well, maybe not for Clemson fans. UNC has been on fire ever since that week 1 loss at South Carolina, and I'm feeling an upset tonight. Clemson is a very good team and deserves to be #1, but there have been times this season where they have not looked convincing in their victories, and they will need to be convincing to win tonight. UNC has nothing to lose, and with a good defense and a good offense and a very good quarterback in Marquise Williams, they have everything they need to pull off an upset. Williams will out play Deshaun Watson and beat Clemson with his arms and legs. The time has come for the Tigers to go down.
UNC 31, Clemson 27
Player to Watch: Marquise Williams
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