College Football Week 13 Preview

We’ve made it. It’s 2017 College Football Week 13. It’s rivalry week with games on Friday and Saturday determining participants in conference championships as well as having a possible impact on the College Football Playoff. Check out a preview of this weekend’s top college football games!

2017 College Football Week 13 Preview

Friday, Nov. 24

2 Miami -14 at Pittsburgh +14

Pittsburgh is only 2 and 4 against the spread at home. It’s definitely difficult to back the Panthers knowing that Miami could take another step towards the College Football Playoff with a win. I’m not sure Miami’s mind is on football, though.

I think Pittsburgh can take advantage of the fact that Miami is undefeated going into this game. I’m not saying that Miami loses. I’m just saying that I’d rather take the 3 and 1 in their last 4 ATS dog Pitt at +14. That’s the way I see it.

Pick: Pittsburgh +14

Baylor +24.5 at 13 TCU -24.5

Baylor is one of the absolute worst college football teams in the nation. Baylor is 2 and 2 against the spread on the road while TCU is 2 and 3 against the spread at home. The only way to beat TCU is to field either an offense that can score more points, or a defense that can hang with TCU’s offense. Baylorsports neither.

This should be a beat down of epic proportions. I think TCU rolls the Bears on Friday night.

Pick: TCU -24.5  

19 South Florida +11 at 12 Central Florida -11

Central Florida is undefeated. I must bring up that South Florida was ranked ahead of Central Florida until their loss to Houston. South Florida’s defense has really come on lately. The Bulls haven’t allowed an opponent to score more than 20 points against them in their last 2.

I think Central Florida pulls out the win. But, I’m not looking past the Bulls to make this desperately close. Central Florida’s fans are going to be rubbing their hands and praying to the college football genie to get them the “W” on Friday. What a game this should be!

Pick: South Florida

Saturday, Nov. 25

7 Georgia -11 at Georgia Tech +11

Georgia came back like gangbusters after their first loss of the season. After Auburn destroyed the Bulldogs 40 to 17 in Week 11, Georgia dominated Kentucky 42 to 17 in Week 12. But, Georgia could find the going much tougher on Saturday versus the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The Yellow Jackets average 319.3 rushing yards per game. Georgia Tech is also 5 and 0 against the spread at home. Last season, Tech beat the Georgia Bulldogs by a single point. This season, Tech could upset Georgia by more than a single point.

I’ll side with the Yellow Jackets.

Pick: Georgia Tech +11

8 Ohio State -11.5 at Michigan +11.5

One of the greatest rivalries in college football history resumes on Saturday, Nov. 25 when the Ohio State Buckeyes travel to Ann Arbor to battle the Michigan Wolverines. The Wolverines were horrendous in a 10 to 24 loss to Wisconsin in their last.

I believe that Wisconsin is one of the Top 2 best teams in college football. Because of that, I’m taking the 11.5 points on Michigan. The Wolverines would like nothing more than to beat Ohio State. Expect coach Jim Harbaugh to bring out all the stops in this huge game.

Pick: Michigan 

Kansas +40 at 21 Oklahoma State -40

Oklahoma State’s 40 to 45 loss to Kansas State in the Cowboys’ last was as embarrassing as it gets. The reason is because the Cowboys were -19.5 home favorites. It’s doubtful that Kansas upsets Oklahoma State. This isn’t a college basketball game I’m handicapping.

I will say that the Jayhawks could score 30 or more points in this game. That means Oklahoma State would have to score at least 70 to cover. I like Kansas at +40.

Pick: Kansas +40 

East Carolina +27.5 at 16 Memphis -27.5

Memphis is back onto the Coaches Poll. The Tigers had been out of most polls since their 13 to 40 loss to Central Florida in late September. No worries. Memphis should remain in the Coaches Poll, maybe even jump up a spot or 2, after they dominate East Carolina in Week 13. Memphis rolls.

Pick: Memphis 

4 Wisconsin -17 at Minnesota +17

This is my first best pick of College Football Week 13. The Wisconsin Badgers have gone 4 and 1 against the spread in their last 5. Wisconsin’s D allows around 13 points per game. Minnesota’s offense averages 24 points. They won’t get close to that. The Gophers are 1-3-1 against the spread in their last 5 games.

Wisconsin rolls.

Best Pick: Wisconsin -17

11 Penn State -21 at Maryland +21

Penn State has finally gotten it back together. Since losing back-to-back to Ohio State and Michigan State, Penn State has won 2 straight. It must worry the Nittany Lions backers that they’re 0 and 3 ATS in their last 3, though.

Is that enough of a worry to back Maryland in this game? I don’t think so. Michigan dominated Maryland by 25 points. Penn State’s offense is too powerful for Maryland to keep from scoring 40. I’ll lay the points.

Pick: Penn State -21

24 Boise State -7 at Fresno State +7

Boise State is ranked in the Coaches Poll. This might be only the second time this season that I’ve handicapped a game that’s included Boise State. The Broncos have won 7 straight. They appear well-suited to cover the spread versus the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday.

But, Fresno State has won 3 in a row. The Bulldogs are a good football team. They’re at 8 and 3 overall. I must take the points on the home team in this MWC matchup.

Pick: Fresno State +7

1 Alabama -4.5 at 6 Auburn +4.5

I was all set to back the Auburn Tigers at +4.5 in their battle with the Alabama Crimson Tide on Nov. 25.  Then, I started thinking about it. Auburn has played well. Plus, the Crimson Tide is without their top 4 middle linebackers.

But, and this is huge, Alabama is coached by Nick Saban while Auburn is coached by Gus Malzahn. I don’t see Alabama not stepping it up big time in this game versus the Auburn Tigers. Both teams had mini-byes last week in the sense that they played against teams they towered over.

Alabama should find it rather easy to move the football versus Auburn’s defense. Even without any healthy middle linebackers, the Alabama defense should be strong enough to get to Auburn quarterback Jarrett Stidham a couple of times in this game.

I’m siding with Alabama.

Pick: Alabama -4.5

West Virginia +22.5 at 5 Oklahoma -22.5

The West Virginia Mountaineers have the offense to stay with the Oklahoma Sooners. The problem is that West Virginia’s defense has no shot at keeping Oklahoma from scoring around 50 points against it. The Mountaineers allow 29 points per game on average. What’s worse is that West Virginia is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games. Sooners all the way.

Best Pick: Oklahoma -22.5

3 Clemson -14 at South Carolina +14

Clemson’s in tough versus South Carolina on Saturday. The Tigers are ranked third on the College Football Playoff Rankings. What it means is that Clemson could, amazingly, make it back to the CFP after losing straight up to Syracuse this season.

The Gamecocks have gone 4-1-1 against the spread in their last 6. South Carolina allows less than 20 points per game on average. I’ll take the 14 points.

Pick: South Carolina +14 

Texas A&M +10.5 at 18 Louisiana State -10.5

Texas A&M goes to Baton Rouge riding a 2-game winning streak. That sounds good. The only big issue is that A&M has beaten the University of New Mexico and Ole Miss. Those are a couple of incredibly awful teams.

LSU has gone 5 and 1 against the spread in their last 6 games. This isn’t that big of a rivalry game. It does mean something to the Tigers, though. I think LSU easily handles Texas A&M on Saturday.

Pick: LSU -10.5

9 Notre Dame -2 at 20 Stanford +2

Notre Dame over Stanford is a best pick. Stanford is ranked because they’ve beaten some pretty awful Pac 12 teams. Miami squashed Notre Dame a couple of weeks ago. That’s the only bad game Notre Dame’s played all season long.

Stanford’s defense won’t be able to stop Notre Dame’s offense. If this turns into a shootout, Notre Dame wins by around 20 points.

Best Pick: Notre Dame -2 

15 Washington State +9 at 14 Washington -9

I have no clue why the Washington Huskies are such a big favorite over the Washington State Cougars. Washington State has played as well as Washington has this season. In fact, Washington State’s defense might be slightly better.

I believe Washington State’s defense gets to QB Jake Browning. The Cougars’ quarterback, Luke Falk, should have a great game. I think Washington State can win this one straight up.

Best Pick: Washington State +9

What do you think?

Written by D.S. Williamson