College Football Picks Week 14: Odds and Spread Predictions for Top 25 Teams
If a team wants to play in the College Football Playoff, it better prove it this weekend or be prepared to watch from the couch.
This is championship weekend, where most conferences have their title game to showcase which team is really the best. The Big 12 doesn't have one, so we are left with regular-season battles with both Baylor and TCU trying to earn style points with blowouts (if only they had a head-to-head matchup to prove which is better).
Still, just about every game taking place in Week 15 has some sort of bowl implication, making the level of play that much better. This is certain to create an unpredictable weekend, but here's some help with picks against the spread for the week's biggest games.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
| Dec. 5 | No. 7 Arizona vs. No. 2 Oregon | 9 p.m. | ARI +15 |
| Dec. 6 | No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 16 Missouri | 4 p.m. | ALA -14.5 |
| Dec. 6 | Iowa State vs. No. 3 TCU | 12 p.m. | TCU -34 |
| Dec. 6 | No. 4 Florida State vs. No. 11 Georgia Tech | 8 p.m. | GT +4.5 |
| Dec. 6 | No. 13 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Ohio State | 8:17 p.m. | OSU +4.5 |
| Dec. 6 | No. 9 Kansas State vs. No. 6 Baylor | 7:45 p.m. | BAY -8 |
| Dec. 6 | Oklahoma State vs. No. 20 Oklahoma | 3:30 p.m. | OSU +21 |
| Dec. 6 | Fresno State vs. No. 22 Boise State | 10 p.m. | BSU -22.5 |
Top Games
Arizona (+15) over Oregon
Does Arizona have what it takes to beat Oregon? Yes, the Wildcats have proven this on the field with a win in Eugene earlier in the year as well as a victory last season. They not only know what it takes to win, they have shown they can do it.
ESPN's Chris Fowler notes how the defense finds a way to disrupt Heisman candidate Marcus Mariota:
The Arizona defensive line does a great job of controlling the line of scrimmage, and Scooby Wright simply makes big plays no matter where he is on the field. Andrew Greif of The Oregonian quoted thoughts from the Ducks personnel on the elite defensive player:
With the way Nick Wilson has run the ball lately (396 rushing yards and six touchdowns in his last two games), the Wildcats will be able to move the chains and maintain possession for a good portion of the game. At the very least, this will keep the score within two touchdowns.
Oregon also doesn't have a need to play for style points with a spot in the playoffs virtually assured with a win. The Ducks can stay relatively conservative and just earn a win instead of going for a blowout, making sure Arizona covers this way-too-high spread.
Alabama (-14.5) over Missouri
Unlike Arizona, Missouri really hasn't shown the ability to beat elite teams when given the chance. Not only is the SEC East significantly weaker than the SEC West this season, but the Tigers had the easiest possible conference schedule while facing the two worst teams in the opposite division (Texas A&M and Arkansas).
The only team Missouri has even played in the current Top 25 is Georgia, and that led to a 34-0 loss. As Dan Wolken of USA Today noted, the team's profile wouldn't be enough to make the playoff even with an SEC Championship:
On the other hand, Alabama has battled and beaten many of the top teams in the nation. The Crimson Tide have shown the ability to win both high- and low-scoring games when needed, and they are still one of the most talented squads in college football.
With Blake Sims improving every game, Alabama should have an easy time in this matchup and secure a blowout win in the SEC title game.
Georgia Tech (+4.5) over Florida State
Florida State has managed to survive a number of tough scares throughout the season, but the team's luck could run out Saturday.
Georgia Tech is not only the best team the Seminoles have faced all year, it is perfectly suited to beat the defending national champs. ESPN takes a look at the efficiency on offense for the Yellow Jackets:
They run the ball and run some more, helping maintain possession and keep opposing offenses off the field. They also do a great job of avoiding turnovers and forcing them on defense.
Unlike other teams Florida State has faced, Georgia Tech is not going to give up a lead too easily.
Jameis Winston might have a Heisman Trophy on his mantle, but he hasn't played well lately and now has 17 interceptions on the season. Mistakes like this will finally cost his team as the Yellow Jackets pull off the massive upset and knock Florida State out of the playoff picture.
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.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
