In which we all try to forget how last week ended
Week 14 had a 5 way tie for top pickers last week. wsecor, CatchABuzz, GreenMountainJacket, gorcone, and X7-GT all had 18 correct picks on the week. Following the picking bonanza that is rivalry week, wsecor now sits alone at the top spot with 100 correct picks. Below wsecor sits BearJacket with 98 correct picks and mrbuzz1885 and EducationalEngineer with 97 correct picks
Friday games this week so be ready to make early picks next week as the polls will close Friday night.
Plenty of things happened last week, but lets get to the one we’re all thinking about. That ending SUCKED!!!! I feel bad for the players and coaches. The players deserved a win for how much effort they left on that field. GT had their chances to win but just couldn’t find a way to do so. Blame it on the refs, blame it on the injuries, blame it on fate always being on the dwags side; whatever you blame it on it doesn’t change the result.
I want to be excited about how this program is headed in the right direction, and most of me still is, but this loss is going to sting for a while. Hopefully the bowl game leaves us with happier memories to end this year on.
In other news the ACC imploded. Losses by Clemson and Miami have left some big questions for which teams, if any, will make the playoff from the ACC. SMU now gets to face Clemson in the ACC Championship game. People keep doubting the Mustangs, but based on what I saw last week I think SMU should be favored in the ACC Championship.
Was planting flags and getting into fights a thing last year? I know getting in fights is not unusual during rivalry week, but it seems strange how all the fights this year seemed based around teams planting flags on other team’s 50 yard line. I can’t say I condone teams fighting, but I will continue to be amused watching it happen.
picks:
Conference USA Championship:
Western Kentucky Hilltoppers @ Jacksonville State Gamecocks (-4.0)
Logan: We have a lot of repeat games on this list, but this one literally just happened as both teams played last week. Western Kentucky won that matchup at home 19-17. This game is at Jacksonville State, and Jacksonville State is going to look to use their powerful run game with the home field advantage to control the tempo in this matchup. I think Jacksonville State wins, but Western Kentucky keeps things close enough to cover.
Logan’s pick: Western Kentucky
Mountain West Championship:
#22 UNLV Rebels @ #11 Boise State Mustangs (-3.5)
Logan: Another repeat game. The previous match was a close affair but the Mustangs managed to win the game by 5. It is difficult to beat the same team twice, but Boise State has the talent to do so. UNLV has had a great run this year, but I don’t think they can overcome Boise State at home.
Logan’s pick: Boise State
American Athletic Championship:
#17 Tulane Green Wave (-4.0) @ Army Black Knights
Logan: This one is tough for me. I love a good narrative, and Army has had one of the best narratives all season. No one expected a service academy to go 10-1 at the start of the season. Unfortunately, Army does not have the talent to matchup well against top teams. We saw it against Notre Dame, and despite Tulane’s recent loss to Memphis, I expect we will see the same in this game. I hope Army proves me wrong because that would be awesome, but I think Tulane can win by a touchdown.
Logan’s pick: Tulane
Big 12 Championship
#18 Iowa State Cyclones v #16 Arizona State Sun Devils (-2.5)
Played at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX
Logan: This is not a logic pick, sometimes you just go with your gut. Arizona State has been on a tear to end the season. The Sun Devils have talent and luck on their side, and other than some weird play-choices everything has been smooth sailing for Arizona State. Iowa State could make this a game, but I expect Arizona State to win by a FG regardless.
Logan’s pick: Arizona State
MAC Championship:
Ohio Bobcats v Miami of Ohio Redhawks (-2.5)
Played at Ford Field in Detroit, MI
Logan: Two Ohio teams and a Miami team that actually made their championship game. What a concept. Both teams are very similar having a balanced offense and strong defenses. They have faced each other before at Miami and the Bobcats ended up losing by 10 points. Ohio’s QB has been a bit inconsistent and that has been the core of most offensive problems for the Bobcats. I expect a good game, but Miami of Ohio should come out on top.
Logan’s pick: Redhawks
SEC Championship:
#7 uga bulldogs v #3 Texas Longhorns (-2.5)
Played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA
Logan: Everything I see reminds me of last week and I hate it. uga won the last matchup because Texas’ O-line could do nothing to stop the uga pass rush. This game rides completely on Texas protecting Ewers. I’m not confident Texas can do so, especially in a “neutral” site which is in the heart of Georgia. I hate this, but I think I have to go with uga to win in Atlanta.
Logan’s pick: uga
Sun Belt Championship:
Marshall Thundering Herd @ Louisiana Ragin Cajun’s (-4.5)
Logan: I know next to nothing about either of these teams. I just haven’t paid much attention to either team. On paper Louisiana has done a much better job organizing a pass offense and putting up big scores. That seems as good of a reason as any to take Louisiana to win at home.
Logan’s pick: Louisiana
Big Ten Championship:
#4 Penn State Nittany Lions v #1 Oregon Ducks (-3.0)
Played at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis IN
Logan: It’s interesting, ESPN analytics actually show it is more likely for Penn State to win this game than Oregon is favored in. Oregon has been an enigma this year. Sometimes the Ducks dominate their opponents, but they’ve had a few weird games where they kind of stumble to the finish line. Still, Oregon is undefeated which is more than Penn State can say. I could see this one going either way really, but I guess I’ll side with the Ducks as they have a great defense and Penn State struggles the most in low scoring games.
Logan’s pick: Oregon
ACC Championship:
#12 Clemson Tigers v #9 SMU Mustangs (-2.5)
Played at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC
Logan: Look at that, SMU is favored in this game! What a strange ACC season, just like they always are. Clemson needs to win this game to have any kind of chance to remain in the playoff, but I think SMU does what they’ve done all season and show that they are elevating the ACC. I can’t wait for SMU to win an ACC championship before Miami even plays in the ACC Championship.
Logan’s pick: SMU