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Week 14 College Football Matches To Keep An Eye On

It’s Thanksgiving week and you know what that means, it’s the final week of the regular season and we have some absolute ripper games this weekend.

University of Michigan vs Ohio State University

The first must-see game is “The Game”.

The huge Ohio State Buckeyes vs Michigan Wolverines battle. 

This will be the 116th meeting between the two sides and currently Ohio State are on a win streak of 7 games, dating back to 2012. Ohio State were named #1 for the week in the CFP poll and Michigan came in at #13. 

The Buckeyes came off a huge win against #8 Penn State last week, 28-17. Ohio State are an absolute monster team this season and it would be a statisticians dream if they were to play LSU in the playoff. 

The Buckeyes are ranked #1 in scoring offense with 49.4 points per game and they are pretty good on defense too, only giving up 10.5 points per game, which puts them at #1 also. They have Top 25 wins against Michigan State, Wisconsin and Penn State.

Sophomore QB Justin Fields has thrown for 2353 yards this season with only 1 interception, and has thrown for 33 TDs which puts him 3rd in the nation in passing TDs. Junior RB JK Dobbins has rushed for 1446 yards and 15 TDs, which puts him at 4th in the nation in rushing yards and 7th in the nation in rushing TDs.

Michigan on the other hand are 2-2 vs top 25 teams, with their wins coming against Notre Dame and Iowa.

Freshman RB Zach Charbonnet is a shining light for the Wolverines, accounting for 635 yards and 11 TDs. Senior QB Shea Patterson is doing a serviceable job for Michigan throwing for 2523 yardsand 21 TDs.

Watch out for: 

Chase Young for Ohio State. The junior DE is averaging about 2 sacks per game and is going to be a first round draft pick.

Verdict:

This game will be close till the end, as its at Michigan and they are usually always close games. But I just can’t see any other result other than an Ohio State win.

#16 Auburn University vs #5 University of Alabama

The next game you should watch is the Iron Bowl. For those unfamiliar, it’s Auburn Tigers vs Alabama Crimson Tide. Americans love their bowl names and this game is played every year. This year both teams are ranked with Alabama at 5 and Auburn at 15.

Alabama is 2nd in the nation in scoring offense with 48.5 and equal 10th in the nation in defense, only giving up 16.2 points per game. Who are they equal with? You guessed it, Auburn. 

Alabama have only given up 10 points in total since their loss to LSU 3 weeks ago, so there is a huge chance we see a low scoring defensive battle this weekend. That plus they will be without their star QB Tua Tagovailoa who is out for the season with a hip injury. Alabama will be relying on junior WR Devonta Smith who has 13 TDs and 1120 yards to his name this season, which puts him 4th in receiving TDsand 7th in receiving yards in the nation. They will also be relying on junior RB Najee Harris who can run the ball as well as catch it. Harris has 942 rushing yards with 10 TDs, with 278 receiving yards and 7 TDs.

Auburn have 3 losses this season, but they have been honourable losses, all against ranked teams. #2 LSU, #4 Georgia and #10 Florida. Maybe this is the week they get their first top 25 win since September vs A&M. Freshman QB Bo Nixhas had an adequate year but will be looking to improve. Nix has 2193 yards with 14 TDs, and has also rushed for 6 TDs. Sophomore WR Seth Williams has 735 yardsand 8 TDs but hasn’t scored a TD since the LSU loss in October. Perhaps this is the game that he’s looking for.

Watch out for:

Aussie punter Arryn Siposs for Auburn as he makes a case for SEC punter of the year, averaging 43.6 yards per punt.

Verdict:

Maybe its the fact I don’t want to see another Bama vs Clemson playoff game, but I think Auburn might win this one. At home, biggest game of the year, a chance to end Alabamas playoff hopes… Go Tigers!

#21 Oklahoma State University vs #7 University of Oklahoma

The third game of the weekend you need to try and watch is the Oklahoma rivalry game called “Bedlam” between the #7 Oklahoma Sooners and the #21 Oklahoma State Cowboys. A win by the Sooners here keeps their playoff hopes alive, but a win to the Cowboys will be everything for them as it ruins the Sooners season.

The Sooners are 5th in the nation in scoring, and that is because they have Jalen Hurts. The senior QB has accounted for 3184 yards and 30 TDs in the air, and another 1156 yards and 17 TD on the ground. Hurts is 6th in the nation in passing TDs, 9th in passing yards and 6th in rushing TDs. If he keeps winning, then his Heisman hopes keep increasing too. Another player set for the NFL soon is junior WR CeeDee Lamb, who has 999 yards and 14 TDs.

For Oklahoma State, there isn’t much going on at the QB position, sorry to freshman QB Spencer Sanders (2065 yards, 16 TD, 11 interceptions and 18 sacks) but the offense for the Cowboys has been all Chuba Hubbard. The sophomore RB has rushed for 1832 yards and 20 TDs which puts in 1st in the nation in rush yards and 2nd in rush TDs.

Watch out for:

Chuba Hubbard to clock up 2000 rushing yards in this game.

Verdict:

After Oklahoma had a bit of a stumble a few weeks ago against Kansas State, they have been unstoppable on offense. I would expect this to be a high scoring game and if the Sooner defense can put up some sort of fight against the Cowboy run game, then this could be over by half time.

Did you enjoy this article? Leave a comment below, or join the conversation on the Stats Insider Twitter or Facebook page.


Dane Roy

Former ice-cream salesman turned college football player. Australian living the dream in the USA. When he's not punting footballs for the Cougars, you'll find him on the couch watching replays of the 2005 and 2012 grand finals. Go Swans!

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