#21 Utah State Aggies (10-1)

#23 Boise State Broncos (9-2)

Smith: Boise State

Broncos’ QB Brett Rypien has been impressive this season throwing for 3,270 yards and 28 touchdowns to only 7 interceptions. While Utah State has had a nice turnaround season compared to last year’s 6-7 team, Boise State is just the more talented team and it doesn’t help the Aggies that the game’s on the legendary blue turf. This should be a shootout.

Boise State 45 Utah State 38

McCrary: Boise State

Boise State has shined on offense this season, averaging 465 yards per game. Their quarterback, Brett Rypien, has impressed by throwing 28 touchdowns and 7 interceptions on the year. I don’t see Utah State getting the win on the road. Boise State gets the upset.

Boise State 42 Utah State 31

#7 LSU Tigers (9-2)

#22 Texas A&M Aggies (7-4)

Smith: Texas A&M

The Aggies have been great at home, with their only home loss being a 2 point game to 2nd ranked Clemson. Both defenses are excellent with LSU only giving up 16 points per game (7th) and A&M only giving up 80 rushing yards per game (2nd). Texas A&M will shut down LSU’s run game and I don’t see Tigers’ quarterback Joe Burrow getting it done. A&M running back Trayveon Williams has been phenomenal and will run all over the Tigers. The Aggies pull off the upset at home.

Texas A&M 21 LSU 17

McCrary: LSU

LSU has a very good defense that ranks 31st in rushing defense. They will do a good job of stopping A&M’s running back Trayveon Williams from running all over them. Joe Burrow needs to step up and play very well to get LSU a conference road win. This will be a very tough game for both teams, but I’m taking LSU here.

LSU 24 Texas A&M 20

#20 Syracuse Orange (8-3)

Boston College Eagles (7-4)

Smith: Boston College

Syracuse is not good against the run, ranking 72nd nationally. Unfortunately for the Orange, Boston College has one of the best running backs in the nation, sophomore AJ Dillon, and plays ground and pound football as good as any team in the nation. Dillon will overwhelm the Syracuse defense and could easily have over 200 yards rushing. The Orange also could be without star quarterback Eric Dungey, after a back injury sidelined him last week against Notre Dame. The Eagles should win this one handily.

Boston College 31 Syracuse 17

McCrary: Boston College

Syracuse ranks 72nd is rush defense and is facing an extremely talented running back in AJ Dillon. If Orange quarterback Eric Dungey is out with a back injury, then they have no chance to win. AJ Dillon might have 150-200 yards rushing in this contest.

Boston College 27 Syracuse 14

#6 Oklahoma Sooners (10-1)

#13 West Virginia Mountaineers (8-2)

Smith: West Virginia

Oklahoma’s defense has been atrocious this season, ranking 88th in yards given up per game, 86th in points given up per game, and 106th in passing yards given up per game. West Virginia has one of the top passing attacks in the nation (5th) led by senior star Will Grier. Oklahoma’s offense has been incredible as well, but the defense will not be able to do enough to get this one done.

West Virginia 56 Oklahoma 45

McCrary: West Virginia

This will be a shootout. Both teams have high powered offenses that put up a lot of points. Oklahoma just gave up 40 points to Kansas, who is one of the worst teams in the country. Oklahoma’s defense is worse than terrible, and I don’t see them slowing down the Mountaineers. West Virginia gets it done at home.

West Virginia 54 Oklahoma 48

#16 Washington Huskies (8-3)

#8 Washington State Cougars (10-1)

Smith: Washington State

This should be a good one with Washington State’s top ranked offense going head-to-head with Washington’s top ranked defense. Cougars’ QB Gardner Minshew has been scary good this season leading the nation in passing yards (4,325) and passing touchdowns (36). If any team can keep him contained, it’s the Huskies. The Washington offense is talented too, with senior quarterback Jake Browning and senior running back Myles Gaskin leading the unit. While this will be a close game, Minshew and the Cougars will be able to pull this one out.

Washington State 24 Washington 21

McCrary: Washington State

Washington State, led by heisman candidate Gardner Minshew, has been phenomenal this season. They are 10-1 with a playoff spot in their grasp, and a win here would bolster their resume. They struggle defensively, but are incredible on offense. The Cougars average 482.3 passing yards a game and just put up 69 points against Arizona last week. Unless Washington contains Gardner Minshew, Washington State will get the home win.

Washington State 31 Washington 21

#4 Michigan Wolverines (10-1)

#10 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-1)

Smith: Michigan

Michigan has been dominant ever since the loss to Notre Dame at the beginning of the season. Transfer quarterback Shea Patterson has played well for the Wolverines, but the defense has been the story of this team. The Michigan D ranks 1st in yards given up per game and in passing yards given up per game and is top 10 in everything else. Ohio State has struggled recently, to say the least. The Buckeyes got blown out 3 weeks ago by Purdue and kept it close with Nebraska and Maryland. They have not lived up to their potential this season and will continue to disappoint against a stout Michigan team.

Michigan 38 Ohio State 24

McCrary: Michigan

Michigan has one of the best defenses in the country and keeps getting better every game. Ohio State has looked awful recently, and their offense is getting worse every game. The Buckeyes allowed Maryland to score 51 last week. If they don’t pick it up on offense this week, they’ll get blown out. Even at home I give Ohio State a very slim chance to win this game.

Michigan 34 Ohio State 17

#3 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-0)

USC Trojans (5-6)

Smith: Notre Dame

USC quarterback JT Daniels should’ve stayed in high school. The true freshman, who reclassified to get into college a year early, has not been up to the task of leading a USC team that is historically a juggernaut. His troubles look to continue against a Notre Dame team that has proven to be one of the best in the nation. The Irish defense has been stout, ranking top 25 in yards given up per game, passing yards given up per game, and points allowed per game. The Notre Dame offense has been a force to be reckoned with as well, ever since they made the decision to start QB Ian Book. This will be a blowout.

Notre Dame 45 USC 10

McCrary: Notre Dame

This won’t be a competitive game. Notre Dame has shown that they are a true playoff team this year. They are one the best defensive teams ranking 21st in total defense. They look incredible right now and shouldn’t struggle on the road against a team who just lost to a 3 win UCLA team.

Notre Dame 42 USC 10

South Carolina Gamecocks (6-4)

#2 Clemson Tigers (11-0)

Smith: Clemson

Clemson is the only team in the nation right now that can beat Alabama. They’re clicking at every level. The Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Show will be on full display against a weak South Carolina defense. Their offense won’t be able to move the ball against the phenomenal Clemson front seven. Clemson will absolutely demolish the Gamecocks on their road the the College Football Playoffs.

Clemson 62 South Carolina 17

McCrary: Clemson

Clemson continues to dominate. They’re top 10 in total offense and total defense. The Tigers’ freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence continues to impress and rarely makes mistakes. South Carolina may not gain 250 yards on offense.

Clemson 42 South Carolina 7

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (7-4)

#5 Georgia Bulldogs (10-1)

Smith: Georgia

The Bulldogs are good, but not as good as they were last year. Georgia Tech’s triple option attack could be difficult for Georgia’s inexperienced linebackers. Last year the Bulldogs beat Tech 38-7 due to the now departed Roquan Smith and Lorenzo Carter. Georgia Tech has played very well offensively, but their defense will not be able to contain Jake Fromm and D’Andre Swift. This could be a much closer game than people expect. The Yellow Jackets have won the last two games in Athens, but I don’t see that happening again.

Georgia 35 Georgia Tech 24

McCrary: Georgia

Georgia is playing their best football and looks like a playoff team. Bulldog running back D’Andre Swift has run for 100 yards in the last 3 games. Tech has to contain him to have a chance in this game. Georgia Tech needs to limit their turnovers and dominate the time of possession to win this game. It will be a close game, but Georgia will find a way to force turnovers and run the ball to get the home victory.

Georgia 34 Georgia Tech 21

Auburn Tigers (7-4)

#1 Alabama Crimson Tide (11-0)

Smith: Alabama

Alabama is the best team in the country and is facing a disappointing Auburn team. ‘Nuff said!

Alabama 49 Auburn 13

McCrary: Alabama

The only question I have is by how much Alabama will beat Auburn. Auburn continues to struggle on offense, mainly due to horrendous play calling, and those struggles will continue against an Alabama defense that only allows 282.1 total yards per game. Auburn’s secondary has been terrible this season, and Heisman frontrunner Tua Tagovailoa will have a field day on Saturday. This game will be a blowout, and the only way Auburn will win is if Alabama refuses to play, and forfeits.

Alabama 54 Auburn 10