Clifton Canady – Associate Sports Director (18-7)
#7 Penn State @ #3 Ohio State
Get ready for a heart-pumping, edge-of-your-seat game this Saturday. These two powerhouses of the Big 10 are going head to head, and it’s anyone’s game. With colossal playoff stakes on the line, this matchup will likely go down as an instant classic. While Ohio State has struggled a bit on the offensive end this season, Penn State brings a much more explosive team to the table. However, as history has shown, the quarterback is often the deciding factor in games like this. With that said, my gut tells me that the Nittany Lions will triumph in a nail-biting field goal game. Buckle up, folks, and get the popcorn ready, because this game is going to be one for the books.
Penn State 35, Ohio State 31
#17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama
The air is charged with anticipation, and you can feel the electricity running through every single fan at Bryant Denny Stadium. Last year’s shocking loss for Alabama still lingers in the air, and the Tide are primed and ready for revenge. With a defense that’s firing on all cylinders, Tennessee is going to have their work cut out for them. But this is college football, and anything can happen on the field. It’s going to be a heart-pounding, edge-of-your-seat battle between two dynamic quarterbacks, and I have a feeling that the Tide will come out on top. Make sure you don’t miss a moment of the action because this could be one of the most memorable games of the year!
Tennessee 20, Alabama 31
#16 Duke @ #4 Florida State
The highly anticipated match-up between #16 Duke and #4 Florida State is set to take place soon, but the fate of Duke’s star player, Riley Leonard, is uncertain. Despite the odds being against Duke in their road game in Tallahassee, their defense is expected to hold strong early on. However, they will be faced with the challenge of defending against Florida State’s talented receivers, who will be catching passes from quarterback Jordan Travis. FSU wins by 10.
Duke 24, Florida State 34
South Carolina @ #20 Missouri
South Carolina fans are growing impatient with head coach Beamer now that the honeymoon phase has passed. With high expectations, the Gamecocks are facing a tough challenge this week against the Columbia team. Despite hopes for a strong performance, the Gamecocks get killed.
South Carolina 7, Missouri 42
Clemson @ Miami
The Tigers are favored to win the upcoming away game against the Hurricanes, who have been struggling after suffering bad defeats due to turnovers. Even though the Hurricanes are playing at home, their chances of recovering from these losses are slim. Clemson’s week-long preparation following a bye gives them an edge in the matchup. While Miami has some notable players, their quarterback Tyler Van Dyke is injured and their defense will have to contend with Clemson’s standout players like Akheem Mesidor and Kenny Kinchens. Clemson will need to play a clean game and execute well in all aspects to come out on top.
Clemson 31 Miami 28
Garrett Mitchell-Staff Writer (15-10)
7 Penn State @ #3 Ohio State
Talk about the game of the week across college. A match-up of top-7 teams pits the Nittany Lions against the Buckeyes in a game with massive Big 10 implications and potential College Football Play-off hopes on the line. Ohio State has barely nudged by in several games this year. Good as they are defensively, the Buckeyes have struggled at times on offense. Penn State is a bit more explosive. Give me the Nittany Lions in a thriller.
Penn State 27, Ohio State 24
#17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama
Remember when Tennessee beat Alabama at Neyland Stadium and the blared Dixieland Delight as the fans tore down their own goal posts? Alabama remembers. I would not expect the reception at Bryant Denny Stadium to be a kind one. Nor will the result on the field. The Tide rolls on Saturday.
Alabama 34, Tennessee 21
#16 Duke @ #4 Florida State
Who would have thought this game could be a possible preview of the ACC championship game? Well, it is. The Blue Devils have continued to play very well despite the absence of quarterback Riley Leonard. Florida State, meanwhile, just keeps rolling along. This one is shaping up to be a total barn-burner that I believe can go either way. The Seminoles’ luck, though, runs out this week. Give me the upset.
Duke 28, Florida State 24
South Carolina @ #20 Missouri
South Carolina fans might have thought last week was rock bottom. Well, our feathered friends, you still have a few feet to go. You will get there on Saturday.
South Carolina 17, Missouri 38
Clemson @ Miami
South Beach, prime time, Tigers and Hurricanes. What’s not to love? Clemson is coming off a much-needed bye week. Miami is on the heels of two demoralizing losses. Either the Hurricanes bow up and play with reckless abandon or they continue to simmer in their woes. Clemson has a lot to prove and needs the offense to get going again. Antonio Williams is back, and that is a spark Clemson needed. South Beach is about to be lit…with lots of Clemson Orange.
Clemson 28, Miami 17
Drew Watts-Senior Staff Writer (15-10)
#7 Penn State @ #3 Ohio State
This might be the biggest game of the season to this point. Big time noon game in the horseshoe? Ohio State already with a major win on the season against Notre Dame and looking for a second big time win. I think this will be a really tight game, and Ive got to just go with the better quarterback. Give me Penn State in a field goal game!
Penn State 31, Ohio State 28
#17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama
We saw Tennessee take down Alabama last year in Neyland Stadium. This year the Vols will have to travel down to Tuscaloosa. Alabama is 32-17-7 all-time in Tuscaloosa against UT. I think they add another one to the win column this week.
Alabama 34, Tennessee 23
#16 Duke @ #4 Florida State
In what could be a preview of the ACC Title game, Duke will travel down to take on FSU. Will Riley Leonard play? Will he be 100%? I dont think so. I like the Noles by 2 scores.
Florida State 27, Duke 17
South Carolina @ #20 Missouri
South Carolina fans have been getting fed up with Beamer now that the honeymoon phase is over. Its put up or shut up time for the Gamecocks, and I think they get thumped this week in the battle of Columbia. Lock up the Gatorade coolers!
South Carolina 28, Missouri 45
Clemson @ Miami
Finally back from the bye week. What Clemson team will we get? Will the showing from the Wake Forest game continue to show up? Will they come out hot after a week off? We’ll find out Saturday night when they kick it off in prime time in South Beach. Give me the Tigers with a much needed win.
Clemson 27, Miami 20
Griffin Barfield – Staff Writer (16-9)
#7 Penn State @ #3 Ohio State
CFP hopes are on the line in this one. Both teams are worthy of winning this game and have some of the top defenses in the country. I think Penn State looks at this one differently. This is their year with a roster loaded from top to bottom and I think they just squeeze past Ohio State in a defensive battle. Still don’t believe in Kyle McCord and Ohio State’s offense with him under center.
Penn State 20, Ohio State 17
#17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama
Two pretenders in the SEC. However, I think last year’s loss the the Vols has kept Alabama up this season to get their revenge. In a battle of two boom-or-bust quarterbacks, I’m going to go with Alabama. Yes, they had a scary game against Arkansas, but there’s no way Nick Saban is going to lose a rivalry game like this at home.
Tennessee 17, Alabama 27
#16 Duke @ #4 Florida State
Who thought this was going to be the top ACC matchup all year, I’m here for it. But come on. It’s in Tallahassee AND Riley Leonard is still shaken up, what is the only way for Duke to remain in this game? The Seminole war chant will be going on all night long, and the Noles remain undefeated after Saturday night.
Duke 14, Florida State 24
South Carolina @ #20 Missouri
This might be your yearly South Carolina game where they get blown out. Shane Beamer and his team are still hurt (physically and mentally) after the last week’s loss to Florida, and they are traveling to a tough Missouri game where this game may be over by the first half. Missouri wins, and it is not even close.
South Carolina 13, Missouri 42
Clemson @ Miami
The two teams look identical. The Hurricanes looked like a top team in the ACC before the “not taking a knee” call and the Tez Walker game at North Carolina. Yes, it’s at home as well, but I don’t think Mario Cristobal and his team will bounce back. Clemson’s fresh off a bye and had another week to prepare. Clemson takes an away win in a very close game.
Clemson 21, Miami 20
Casey Cregan – Staff Writer (17-8)
#7 Penn State @ #3 Ohio State
The Drew Allar coming out party at the “Shoe” in Columbus? Or will be the same old story with Ohio State winning this game in “ho-hum” fashion? I’m hopeful, and not confident in the Nittany Lions in this one. I do believe the best player on the field is Marvin Harrison Jr. and if Ohio State needs a big play, they’ll get it. I just think this may be the year Penn State gets the win. Close!
Penn State 24, Ohio State 22
#17 Tennessee @ #11 Alabama
Tennessee lost already to Florida. Bama lost to Texas. I like Bama’s loss better than I like Tennessee’s and I don’t think Milton is nearly the qb that Hendon Hooker was before him. Bama at home won’t lose this game. Hide your mustard bottles Tuscaloosa.
Tennessee 17, Alabama 38
#16 Duke @ #4 Florida State
Duke will be without Riley Leonard against FSU. That’s not good news for Duke. The defense will keep them in this game early, but the depth and talent of the FSU receivers and the grandfather (Jordan Travis) throwing them the football will be enough. FSU big.
Duke 14, Florida State 35
South Carolina @ #20 Missouri
My foot hurts just writing about this game. Brady Cook is having a heck of a year for the Tigers from Mizzou. They’ve also got Luther Burden, Mookie Cooper and Mekhi Miller on the outside to help through the air. Spencer Rattler’s talent is being wasted in the other Columbia, and wide out Xavier Legette is an outstanding receiver also having a great season. This will be a good game. Close, but I can’t pick the feathered friends from the midlands…ever.
South Carolina 31, Missouri 34
Clemson @ Miami
The Tigers coming off the bye where everything was fixed, right? That’s the hope. Probably not, as that’s a big ask, but if Clemson can play a relatively clean game and play complimentary football it will be a long night in Miami for the Hurricanes. Tyler Van Dyke is banged up, but Miami rotates four different RBs and has some frisbee catching dogs on the outside, notably Xavier Retrepo. The defense is really good too and gets stand-out defensive end Akheem Mesidor back this week. Kenny Kinchens is a stud in the defensive backfield, so Cade will have to be careful with his throws. Clemson, all night!
Clemson 27, Miami 21
