The game between Oklahoma and Oklahoma State looks like it could be an elimination game for the conference and the playoff atmosphere, but first the Cowboys need to be focused in this one.
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Wake Forest at No. 1 Clemson: Clemson is in cruise control as they are finishing strong down the stretch. However, I don’t see them covering the spread.
Charleston Southern at No. 2 Alabama: The Tide rolls big this week. And, at least momentarily, they’ve squelched the notion that they’ve been surpassed by the Bears in the Big 12’s hierarchy and that, in his 17th season, Stoops’ program is in a slow, downward spiral. “It’s always fun to play these type of games, these big games”.
No. 9 MI State at No. 3 Ohio State: Finally a few competition for the Buckeyes.
The Horned Frogs will be without star wideout Josh Doctson, who’s out for the rest of the regular season with a wrist injury he suffered against Oklahoma State. Both offenses have its specific strengths.
Although the game will be played on Ohio State’s home turf, the Buckeyes’ home field advantage has proven to be faulty in recent memory. The 10th-ranked Bears (8-1, 5-1, No. 10 CFP) lead the nation in points and yards per game, and their defense has plenty of talent. MI State and MI would be battling for an at-large spot.
But let’s assume that there are no changes among the top three teams and that Notre Dame wins out and finishes with the same 11 record as Oklahoma. It’s worth watching because it’s being played at Fenway Park and that’s freakin’ cool. Now the betting odds for the game have the Cowboys favored to pick up the victory in this one. Since the season began, the Cowboys have increasingly absorbed more damage on the ground, and that’s no more apparent than in the team’s last five games.
The Cowboys are the lone remaining undefeated team in the Big 12.
K.D. Cannon led with 5 catches last week for 77 yards. LSU will inevitably have rely on quarterback Brandon Harris to beat the Rebels through the air, and I don’t think the young passer can handle that challenge.
No. 10 Baylor at No. 6 Oklahoma State: The Big 12 has certainly saved its best games for last.
FILE – In this December 6, 2014, file photo, Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy, left, talks with Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, right, before the start of an NCAA college football game in Norman, Okla. Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Oklahoma’s Bob Stoops were the target of great criticism after subpar seasons a year ago. TCU, which faces Baylor next week, can also potentially seize the conference title by winning out, though a playoff berth is far less likely no matter what.
Baylor has yielded 402 yards (72nd) and 27.1 points (68th) per game this year.
“The Big 12 is no longer Oklahoma’s”, Darlington, the Sooners’ senior center says, reciting the mantra. Oregon, on the other hand, is practically done with a Stanford win against California. The Ducks’ defense has been throttled all season, surrendering points in bunches to just about every team they’ve played, including 42 against FCS Eastern Washington, and 62 to Utah. Defense will be the difference maker in this game, as it is in most games.
Despite last week’s loss to OU, the Bears are still in the thick of things in the Big 12, having an explosive offense capable of piling up yardage and points very quickly.
“We’re definitely a different team than at the beginning of the season”, Adams said. Final Score: DE 20, Elon 17. With talents such as J.T. Barrett, Ezekiel Elliott, and an athletic group of receivers, Ohio State has the potential to explode at any time in the game. Did I mention that these two still have to play each other? May luck be on the Hornets side, because I am taking them to win.
Ohio State has won 23 straight games.
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Framingham State at Wesley: It’s playoff time again for the Wolverines.
