College Football Week 14 Picks
1 Alabama vs. 4 Auburn
The past three years, whoever ended up winning this one has gone on to win the
national championship and that will probably be the case this year. The undefeated Tide will use Heisman candidate A.J. McCarron and sophomore back T.J. Yeldon to try to beat the Tigers, who are led by speedy QB Nick Marshall and back Tre Mason. Auburn lives or dies with their rush attack, which has been great this year under Mason and Marshall and new coach Gus Malzahn, but the Tide are known for their run-stuffing defense. Sure, it has been exposed against some explosive offenses like Texas A&M,but linebacker C.J. Mosley and defensive HaHa Clinton-Dix are fantastic. Auburn's defense is no slouch either, they are fast and aggressive. Yeldon is a great back and opens up the play-action pass game which is dangerous with McCarron and the Tide's big, imposing receivers. This game will be decided by Marshall, who has reminded some Auburn fans of Cam Newton. The junior has been great at leading the 10-1 Tigers this year but was terrible against LSU earlier in the year and still struggles against elite defenses. Alabama is an elite defense, Marshall must make big throws if the Tigers are to pull of an upset.
Alabama, 31 Auburn, 27
6 Clemson vs. 10 South Carolina
Another one of college football's biggest rivalries is renewed as the Clemson Tigers square off against Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks. Since their embarrassing loss to Florida State, the Tigers have been rolling. Senior QB Tajh Boyd has been fantastic this season, throwing for 3,428 yards and 29 touchdowns to this point. He still has a lot to prove; despite having a historical career at Clemson, Boyd is yet to beat the Gamecocks. South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had a huge game in this rivalry last year, recording 4 1/2 sacks against Boyd and the Tigers. Clowney, a preseason Heisman candidate, has just 2 sacks this year but will still be a priority for the Clemson offensive line. South Carolina's defense has more than just Boyd to worry about they must contain explosive junior receiver Sammy Watkins, who is deadly in the return game as well. The Gamecocks have used both senior Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson at QB and they have both commanded the offense well. The biggest issue for an average Clemson defense will be containing powerful runner Mike Davis, who has looked like Marcus Lattimore at times. If Clowney can find his groove in this one, he could still change the game but it could be time Boyd finally beats the Gamecocks.
Clemson, 35 South Carolina, 24
5 Missouri vs. 21 Texas A&M
One of the biggest surprises in college football this year, the one-loss Missouri Tigers hope to hold on to the SEC East lead as they face former Big 12 foe Texas A&M this week. Senior quarterback James Franklin is back for the second straight after missing four games with a shoulder injury. The senior has been a great leader under center so far this year and has the arm to change games. The Tigers will still lean heavily on their ground game which is led by back Henry Josey. The Aggies' defense has been terrible against some good times like Alabama, LSU and Auburn, which have been all losses. As usual, the Aggies will rely on Johnny Manziel and their high-scoring offense which also includes Biletnikoff candidate Mike Evans. Missouri's defense has been solid this year led by defensive end Michael Sam, who has 10 sacks this year. Stopping Manziel is clearly not easy, the redshirt sophomore has 32 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing this season. If Sam can get pressure on Manziel and force him to force throws, the Tigers could take advantage of their turnovers, for a team that has forced one in 41 straight games,
Missouri, 38 Texas A&M, 35
Other Picks
8 Stanford, 28 25 Notre Dame, 18
23 USC, 34 22 UCLA, 30
2 Florida State, 59 Florida, 17
11 Michigan State, 24 Minnesota, 9
3 Ohio State, 42 Michigan, 28
Current Picks Record: 76-28
The past three years, whoever ended up winning this one has gone on to win the
 |
| Nick Marshall, Tre Mason |
Alabama, 31 Auburn, 27
6 Clemson vs. 10 South Carolina
Another one of college football's biggest rivalries is renewed as the Clemson Tigers square off against Steve Spurrier and the Gamecocks. Since their embarrassing loss to Florida State, the Tigers have been rolling. Senior QB Tajh Boyd has been fantastic this season, throwing for 3,428 yards and 29 touchdowns to this point. He still has a lot to prove; despite having a historical career at Clemson, Boyd is yet to beat the Gamecocks. South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney had a huge game in this rivalry last year, recording 4 1/2 sacks against Boyd and the Tigers. Clowney, a preseason Heisman candidate, has just 2 sacks this year but will still be a priority for the Clemson offensive line. South Carolina's defense has more than just Boyd to worry about they must contain explosive junior receiver Sammy Watkins, who is deadly in the return game as well. The Gamecocks have used both senior Connor Shaw and Dylan Thompson at QB and they have both commanded the offense well. The biggest issue for an average Clemson defense will be containing powerful runner Mike Davis, who has looked like Marcus Lattimore at times. If Clowney can find his groove in this one, he could still change the game but it could be time Boyd finally beats the Gamecocks.
Clemson, 35 South Carolina, 24
5 Missouri vs. 21 Texas A&M
One of the biggest surprises in college football this year, the one-loss Missouri Tigers hope to hold on to the SEC East lead as they face former Big 12 foe Texas A&M this week. Senior quarterback James Franklin is back for the second straight after missing four games with a shoulder injury. The senior has been a great leader under center so far this year and has the arm to change games. The Tigers will still lean heavily on their ground game which is led by back Henry Josey. The Aggies' defense has been terrible against some good times like Alabama, LSU and Auburn, which have been all losses. As usual, the Aggies will rely on Johnny Manziel and their high-scoring offense which also includes Biletnikoff candidate Mike Evans. Missouri's defense has been solid this year led by defensive end Michael Sam, who has 10 sacks this year. Stopping Manziel is clearly not easy, the redshirt sophomore has 32 passing touchdowns and 8 rushing this season. If Sam can get pressure on Manziel and force him to force throws, the Tigers could take advantage of their turnovers, for a team that has forced one in 41 straight games,
Missouri, 38 Texas A&M, 35
Other Picks
8 Stanford, 28 25 Notre Dame, 18
23 USC, 34 22 UCLA, 30
2 Florida State, 59 Florida, 17
11 Michigan State, 24 Minnesota, 9
3 Ohio State, 42 Michigan, 28
Current Picks Record: 76-28
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