I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, as did I. I have been prioritizing my academics as well as my work with the Daily Campus and UCTV Sports, but don’t think I have forgotten about Calhoun’s Corner. Week 13 was a must-post for me, and I could not be more excited about the games today. It’s rivalries all day, including Michigan-Ohio State, Alabama-Auburn, Oregon-Oregon State, and USC-Notre Dame. Conference championship game spots will be filled today, and we’ll find out the magic number of teams that will be bowl eligible by the end of the day. Let’s take a look at the top games today.
Georgia Tech (5-6) at #1 Georgia (11-0) (-36)
I’m talking about this game because I will keep an eye on how Georgia plays today, as they are looking to repeat as national champions. Georgia Tech needs this game to become bowl eligible, but there’s no shot for the Yellow Jackets. Their season ends today in Athens.
Tune into Georgia Tech at Georgia at 12 PM ET on ESPN.
Illinois (7-4) (-15) at Northwestern (1-10)
Illinois, who should get an easy win against Northwestern today, has a shot at the Big Ten Championship game. If they win and Purdue loses, the Fighting Illini will be in Indianapolis facing the winner of the Michigan-Ohio State game today. I’m not sure it will happen, but Illinois will beat their in-state rival today.
Tune into Illinois at Northwestern at 3:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
Purdue (7-4) (-10.5) at Indiana (4-7)
I think Purdue will be traveling from West Lafayette to Indianapolis next week as they secure a rivalry win over Purdue to make it four wins in the past five meetings. If Purdue loses, it’s likely Illinois in the Big Ten Championship game. However, I think the Boilermakers move to 8-4 to finish the regular season.
Tune into Purdue at Indiana at 3:30 PM ET on Big Ten Network.
Iowa State (4-7) at #4 TCU (11-0) (-10)
TCU looks to keep their team’s undefeated season alive as they host Iowa State in Fort Worth. In the 14th meeting all-time, the Horned Frogs have lost four of the last five games and three straight against the Cyclones. With a spot in the Big 12 Championship already locked in, the only reason to win this game is to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. I think TCU keeps those hopes alive as they beat Iowa State today.
Tune into Iowa State at TCU at 4 PM ET on FOX.
Michigan State (5-6) at #11 Penn State (9-2) (-19)
Michigan State could become bowl eligible if they beat Penn State in Happy Valley this afternoon. However, I don’t see that happening, with their scoring offense and defense each near the bottom of the Big Ten rankings. The Spartans lead the series 18-17-1, but I think the series ties today with Sean Clifford leading the way as Penn State waits to see which bowl game they are in.
Tune into Michigan State at Penn State at 4 PM ET on FS1.
South Carolina (7-4) at #8 Clemson (10-1) (-14.5)
Clemson is one of the only teams remaining in college football with even a sliver of a chance at the College Football Playoff. This rivalry game is always important to both teams, but it’s more important for Clemson as their strength of schedule is why they are ranked 8th in the country. Clemson wins at home, which is normally how home games go for the Tigers.
Tune into South Carolina at Clemson at 12 PM ET on ABC.
Auburn (5-6) at #7 Alabama (9-2) (-22)
This may be the least important game of the Iron Bowl in the past decade, as Alabama will not be in Atlanta next week for the SEC Championship. The one thing at stake in this game is Auburn’s bowl eligibility, which can be secured if they upset the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa this afternoon. However, I think with how poor they have been this season, plus the search for a new head coach, I think the Tigers’ season ends today.
Tune into Auburn at Alabama at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.
Kansas (6-5) at #12 Kansas State (8-3) (-11.5)
It’s simple for Kansas State: win and you have a date with TCU in Arlington next weekend. However, they have to face Jalon Daniels and the Jayhawks, where Lance Leipold has made his mark as one of the top coaches this season. Kansas State has not lost to Kansas since 2008 when they lost three straight. I think the Wildcats will be at AT&T Stadium next week, earning a win today by ten.
Tune into Kansas at Kansas State at 8 PM ET on FOX.
#5 LSU (9-2) (-10) at Texas A&M (4-7)
I would not be shocked if Texas A&M pulls the upset off and eliminates any chance of LSU going to the College Football Playoff as the first two-loss team to be in the final four. The Tigers are seeking their first win in College Station since 2016. I will predict this game goes into overtime, with LSU coming out with a crazy victory as they move their focus to Atlanta against Georgia next week.
Tune into LSU at Texas A&M at 7 PM ET on ESPN.
#9 Oregon (9-2) (-2.5) at #21 Oregon State (8-3)
Oregon State’s only two wins against Oregon in the past ten meetings have come in Corvallis, where the game is held today. Oregon, with a win, would clinch a spot in the Pac-12 Championship game against USC. I’ll take Bo Nix and Oregon by a field goal late in the fourth quarter.
Tune into Oregon at Oregon State at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.
#15 Notre Dame (8-3) at #6 USC (10-1) (-4)
USC has not defeated Notre Dame since 2016, but this is a different team than the teams you’ve seen from the Trojans in past seasons. Caleb Williams has a legit shot at the Heisman Trophy, as a top 2 favorite alongside Ohio State’s C.J. Stroud. Williams looked like a Heisman winner in the rivalry shootout victory over UCLA. I think USC edges Notre Dame tonight.
Tune into Notre Dame at USC at 7:30 PM ET on ABC.
#3 Michigan (11-0) at #2 Ohio State (11-0) (-8)
Just like last year, Michigan-Ohio State is the most hyped-up game of the final week of the regular season. Michigan is quite a physical team, but Ohio State has won eight of the last nine games. Michigan blew out the Buckeyes last year in Ann Arbor, but this game is in Columbus today. I’m hoping for a classic, a battle of two Heisman candidates between Michigan running back Blake Corum and Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud. Marvin Harrison Jr. may be the best wide receiver in the country, as he’s been phenomenal with Jaxon Smith-Njigba out today. Also out is running back TreVeyon Henderson, so expect Miyan Williams to be the top back for the Buckeyes today. An x-factor playmaker for me is Emeka Egbuka, who will be the WR2 for Ohio State today. What’s on the line in this highly anticipated matchup? A lot. The winner will win the Big Ten East and head to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game next Saturday; they will stay undefeated and almost lock their spot in the College Football Playoff. I’ll take Ohio State in Columbus this afternoon.
Tune into Michigan at Ohio State at 12 PM ET on FOX.
Calhoun's Corner 