Wednesday, November 20, 2013

College Football Week 13 Picks

14 UCLA vs. 17 Arizona State
Two high-scoring Pac-12 teams square off in a game that could end up deciding the Pac-12 South
Clint Chelf
chase. The 8-2 Sun Devils are led by junior QB Taylor Kelly and back Marion Grice. Kelly, a dual threat, has already thrown for 2,838 yards along with 312 yards and 7 touchdowns on the ground. Though, unlike many other Pac-12 teams, UCLA has a defense that can hang with anyone, especially when it gets pressure on the quarterback, which they will be able to do with linebacker Anthony Barr. Freshman Myles Jack has been fantastic for the Bruins, racking up tackles as a linebacker and running through tackles as a RB. Sophomore Brett Hundley has been fantastic as well but he has struggled against the two best teams in the conference in Stanford and Oregon. UCLA might have been expecting this when the year began but Jack may be the difference-maker in this one. He will have to be able to get open field tackles against the speedy Sun Devils but also must pick up tough yards on the ground. I think Hundley will prove that he is the better quarterback in this one and the defense should be able to stop this from becoming a complete shootout.
UCLA, 44 Arizona State, 38

4 Baylor vs. 10 Oklahoma State
Baylor hopes they can get a huge road win over the Cowboys to help themselves jump above Ohio State in the rankings. Junior quarterback Bryce Petty has been fantastic in orchestrating the Bear's high-scoring, up-tempo attack, throwing for nearly 3,000 yards to this point this year. Though, his hasn't just been about Petty, receiver Antwan Goodley and their passing game, back Lache Seastrunk, who promised before the year he would win the Heisman, has been great although he has struggled to practice due to a groin injury. The Cowboys have quite the high-scoring offense as well led by QB Clint Chelf, junior back Desmond Roland and receiver Tracy Moore. Though consistency and turnovers have plagued them at times and was the big reason they were upset by an inferior West Virginia team. Both teams' defenses haven't been great but both can cause turnovers and can get pressure on opponents. This one could also be shootout, and whoever gets the ball last could decide it. But, Baylor has been more impressive so far this year and I feel more confident in Petty than Chelf.
Baylor, 62 Oklahoma State, 49

12 Texas A&M vs. 22 LSU
Johnny Football and the Aggies are still hoping for a BCS bowl, but in order to have any shot they must win this one before a tough match up with Missouri. Manziel has been up to his usual tricks, statistically he has been even better than last season. And the rest of the offense has responded as well, junior receiver Mike Evans is clearly Manziel's favorite target and his 1,263 receiving yards have helped him climb into the Heisman conversation. Though, the defense has been absolutely terrible, it allowing nearly 31 points per game this year and has surrendered 45 and 49 in their two losses to Auburn and Alabama. Stopping LSU will not be easy at all, they have been greatly improved on the offensive side of the ball. Zach Mettenberger and Jarvis Landry led their air attack but LSU can still do what they do best which is to pound the ball in between the tackles with a big back, in this case sophomore Jeremy Hill. The Aggies' defense is not psychical and has been pounded on the ground this season. I don't think they will be able to stop Hill or Mettenberger, meaning there will be even more weight on Manziel's shoulders. If he wants to win a Heisman he needs to win this one and get vengeance on one of only two teams to beat them last year.
LSU, 38 Texas, A&M, 35

Other Picks
8 Missouri, 31 Ole Miss, 21
19 Wisconsin, 42 Minnesota, 24
5 Oregon, 61 Arizona, 33
20 Oklahoma, 34 Kansas State, 17
3 Ohio State, 50 Indiana, 35
Current Picks Record: 71-25

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