Indiana at Ohio State headlines the College Football weekend slate, plus there’s Mizzou at Mississippi State and other intriguing SEC games for your Saturday viewing guide. Let’s make some picks!
It’s the penultimate weekend of the College Football regular season. Wow, this year flew by. This Saturday’s slate is highlighted by a Top 5 matchup between the No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes, plus a few other intriguing SEC games. And Mizzou looks for their first SEC road win of the season at Mississippi State.
Enjoy the games today and let’s make some picks!
Standings recap after Week 12:
Sammy Stava (44-16)
Chad Moller (43-17)
No. 23 Missouri Tigers (-7.5) at Mississippi State Bulldogs (3:15 p.m. CST on SEC Network)
Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images
Sammy Stava: Will Missouri be motivated enough to play a late November game in Starkville? That’s a fair question to ask. Though, I think this team realizes they can still accomplish a pretty good season, and they will have enough pride to finish the season strong.
Talent wise, Mizzou is clearly the better team in this one. Mississippi State can put some points on the board, but their defense can’t stop anybody.
Big day from Brady Cook. 35-17, Tigers.
Chad Moller: I really hate that the question about motivation is part of this one, but it’s a legit intangible to wonder about? Is Mississippi State the more motivated team in this one, now that Mizzou is out of the playoff hunt? The Bulldogs should be desperate as they’re trying to avoid a winless SEC schedule (the Egg Bowl against Ole Miss is their only other shot), but the Tigers should still have some fire in them, right? I’m going with the latter being true, and Mizzou wants to notch its first league road win of the year, and stay in line for a good consolation bowl game. Tigers finally get a strong start and take care of business, 31-23.
No. 5 Indiana Hoosiers at No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (-12.5) (11:00 a.m. CST on FOX)
Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images
Sammy Stava: Indiana is having an incredible season thus far and the Hoosiers should be in the CFP regardless of their weak schedule.
But they’re going up against Ohio State in Columbus. IU’s undefeated run ends in the Horseshoe. 38-28, Buckeyes.
Chad Moller: I just see Ohio State as a class above Indiana. The Hoosiers have been a great story this year no doubt, but their strength of schedule is an abysmal 106th in the country. Granted, they’ve blown out most everyone they’ve faced, so you can only beat who’s on the schedule. I feel like everyone and their dog will be on OSU here, so that makes me nervous but I’d rather side with the home team that’s clearly better in this one. Don’t love giving 12.5 but I see it going that way more often than not. Give me Ohio State 34, Indiana 20.
No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels (-10.5) at Florida Gators (11:00 a.m. CST on ABC)
Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images
Sammy Stava: Florida all of a sudden has some momentum and confidence under Billy Napier, but the Gators’ upset win over LSU will have Ole Miss attention.
Big day from Jaxson Dart as Lane Kiffin’s squad will get it done on the road to keep their CFP hopes alive. 31-20, Rebels.
Chad Moller: We’ve seen Florida get off the mat in the past few weeks and show that they actually have a pulse. Ole Miss has to get this one however, and I’m thinking Lane will be hunting style points. Given that setup, I’ll say Ole Miss 41, Florida 17.
No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide (-13.5) at Oklahoma Sooners (6:30 p.m. CST on ABC)
Photo by Brandon Sumrall/Getty Images
Sammy Stava: Chad said it best. Welcome to the SEC, OU. The Sooners might be competitive since this one is in Norman, but in the end, too much Jalen Milroe.
37-21, Bama.
Chad Moller: Welcome to the SEC, Oklahoma. Alabama 31, Oklahoma 10.
No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies (-2.5) at Auburn Tigers (6:30 p.m. CST on ESPN)
Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images
Sammy Stava: Yes, winning on the road in the SEC is tough, but Texas A&M is simply a better team than Auburn, and the Aggies have a whole lot to play for here. A night game at Jordan-Hare will make things difficult, but Mike Elko’s squad will come out on top with a strong defense performance. 21-17, TAMU.
Chad Moller: What in the world of wide, wide sports is a goin’ on around here? This line makes no sense, and makes me wonder what Vegas knows that the rest of us don’t? I guess I must be stepping into a trap, but if the Aggies only need to win by a field goal for me to cover, I’m taking the clearly better team and laying the points. Aggies 27, Tigers 17. Crap, I just realized I took all five favorites this week. Not ideal but let’s see how it turns out.