College Football

Saturday, November 28, 2015

College Football: Predictions for key Saturday rivalries

Hello, all. The 2015 College Football regular season is drawing to a close, and the final season’s final true Saturday bring us a lot of intense rivalry games with big implications. Let’s get into what Smeltz thinks will happen in these key match ups.

12:00
#8 Ohio State at #10 Michigan

If you don't understand the importance of this game, you're at the wrong website. It's known as "The Game" for a reason, and this year, there is more at stake than simply 365 days of bragging rights. Both of these teams still have a shot to win the Big 10 East and fix themselves a date with Iowa in the Big 10 championship game. Before the season started, I did not see any chance of Michigan winning this game, but my tune has changed. The Buckeyes have not shown me anything this season and losing last week in their own stadium to a Michigan State team with a backup QB exposed them as an overrated football team. Jake Rudock is playing great football behind center for UM, and he will come to play on Saturday. JT Barrett has been struggling, and the Michigan defense will give him a harsh welcome to the Big House. I think Michigan is simply in better form than their rivals right now, and they will be playing extra inspired as it is the first time Jim Harbaugh will get to coach for his alma mater against the team he once guaranteed victory over as the QB of the Maze and Blue.

Michigan 31, Ohio State 17

Player to Watch: Jake Rudock



#1 Clemson at South Carolina

Clemson is undefeated and #1 in the country. South Carolina is 3-8 and lost to The Citadel last week. Yep, this is a mismatch. Clemson will roll over there in-state rivals, and Wayne Gallman will have 150+ yards rushing. End of story. Clemson 45, South Carolina 10.

Player to Watch: Wayne Gallman

3:30
Penn State at #5 Michigan State


My beloved Nittany Lions have let me down greatly the past two games, and I dread the thought of them playing a team that is actually well coached and gets to most out of their ability. Michigan State is fighting for a place in the College Football Playoff (which would be theirs to lost if not for a screw job at Nebraska), and Penn State simply does not have enough guts to get in Sparty's way. The Spartans can win with or without their starting QB, Connor Cook, and if Cook plays, Penn State's day will be even more miserable. All Penn State fans can look forward to is the possibility of Saquon Barkley going over 1,000 yards rushing for the season. Unfortunately for the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game, an MSU victory would eliminate any possibility of getting into the Big 10 Title Game. Don't count on Penn State to save those dreams.

Michigan State 34, Penn State 17

Player to Watch: Aaron Burbridge

#2 Alabama at Auburn

The Iron Bowl was supposed to be extra significant this year with both teams ranked highly, but Auburn has underachieved and therefore is trying to play spoiler to Alabama's national title dreams. Unfourtanly for the Tigers, I do not see that happening. Nick Saben is too smart to ever let his team overlook an opponent, and the Tide will come at Auburn the same way they would if the Tigers were ranked in the top 10. Derrick Henry will add to his Heisman resume, and the Tide will roll (no pun intended).

Alabama 38, Auburn 20

Player to Watch: Derrick Henry


7:15
#18 Ole Miss at #21 Mississippi State

Once a playoff contender, Ole Miss will view 2015 as a season of missed opportunity, and losing the Egg Bowl would pour salt in the wound for Rebels fans. After having their playoff dreams crushed by Hotty Toddy last November, Mississippi State will be out for revenge. No player will want this win more than Dak Prescott, who will be playing his last game at Davis Wade Stadium as MSU's QB (and the greatest in school history). Prescott will not be denied, and he will have a stellar performance that his teammates will feed off of. 

Mississippi State 38, Ole Miss 24

Player to Watch: Dak Prescott

7:30
#13 Florida State at #12 Florida

The Seminoles have had the upper hand in this rivalry the past two season, but Jameis Winston is gone and Jim McElwain is in. The first year head coach has made the Gators relevant again, as they have already sewed up a 10-win season and an SEC East Title. The Gators have been led by their defense, and I expect that unit to perform at a high level on Saturday night. It will be a defensive battle, and I think that Florida's defensive will prevail in the end due to them feeding off of the energy from playing in The Swamp.

Florida 20, Florida State 13

Players to Watch: Florida Defense



#6 Notre Dame at #9 Stanford

Not really a rivalry game, but there is still a lot at stake here. Both teams need to win to keep any playoff hopes they have left alive, and Stanford's Christian McCaffrey would love a big performance here to add to his Heisman resume. A lot would have to happen for Stanford to sneak into the playoff, but a win on Saturday night would at least give them the satisfaction of wrecking Notre Dame's dreams. With the emotions of Senior Day running high and McCaffrey being the most versatile player in College Football, I think the Cardinal will pull out a win behind 200+ all purpose yards from the man himself. It's a tossup, but my gut is with the home team.

Stanford 33, Notre Dame 21

Player to Watch: Christian McCaffrey

8:00
#3 Oklahoma at #11 Oklahoma State

This rivalry is known as Bedlam, and that word certainly applies to this game. With TCU beating Baylor Friday night, the Big 12 championship is to be decided and for Oklahoma, a playoff berth is at stake in addition. Both teams have high-powered offenses, and the quarterback matchup between Oklahoma's Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph should be fun to watch. It will be a close game, but I think that the Sooners will have too much firepower. 

The edge that OU has in the running game will be evident as Samaje Perine is an animal in the backfield. Perine will have 100+ yards rushing while Mayfield will have 350+ yards passing to pad his stats in this wide-open Heisman race. Also, watch for Mayfield's top receiver, Sterling Shepard. Boomer Sooner in a shootout.

Oklahoma 44, Oklahoma State 34

Player to Watch: Mayfield, Perine and Shepard



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