🏈 PJ's Picks- Week 15

[psychojoe]

A wild and crazy regular season reaches its climax this week. Championships , and with them playoff hopes, will be decided. I have no doubt that this time next week there will be a great debate over which conference champion should be left out of the four team playoff.

Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State

I am sure that both schools, fans and players alike, are grateful that this game will not be played in the record breaking cold of last year's games. Both teams have had seasons far below what was expected of them. Oklahoma began this season with national championship dreams, only to see the dreams come crashing down around them, and limp to the finish as at best the fourth best team in their league. Oklahoma State started the season giving Florida State a huge scare, but their starting quarterback went down early in the season, and with that their offense disappeared.. The only championship at stake with this game is the state championship. The intense dislike that these teams have for each other makes the game interesting. Because of injuries at key positions I expect this to be a low scoring game. The Sooners should have the upper hand.

PJ's Pick: Oklahoma 24 Oklahoma State 21

 

[psychojoe]

Kansas State vs. Baylor

The thinking among the well versed on the playoff system is that Baylor is on the outside looking in, third in the pecking order for the final playoff spot. Obviously they need to win, and while the Bears are at home, they have a very tough opponent who for much of the season was a playoff contender as well. A lot is on the line for Baylor, and with a win Kansas State will earn a share of the Big 12 championship. I think that Baylor pulls it off, but an upset would not shock me.

PJ's Pick: Baylor 34 Kansas State 27

 

[psychojoe]

Iowa State vs. TCU

The Horned Frogs have wildly outperformed expectation this year. No one expected them to be on the verge of making the field for the first four team playoff for FBS supremacy. Now they face a downtrodden Iowa State team, and they are a huge favorite to win. There are two caveats, however: first the frogs played down to the level of an equally inept Kansas team only a few weeks back, and second, with so much on the line here, the "eye test" does matter, as they need to make a strong statement to the selection committee.

PJ's Pick:

TCU 51 Iowa State 10

 

[psychojoe]

Georgia Tech vs. Florida State

The reigning national champs have not overwhelmed anyone this year, but in a string of close games they have found ways to win, in spite of making enough mistakes to lose several games. Talent wise, they are obviously better than Georgia Tech, but they face a very difficult task this weekend. Tech runs the old fashioned triple option offense from the wing bone formation, and they run it very well. FSU has played against pro style offenses this season, as well as against spread formation teams who run the read option, but they have not faced this type of attack. This time they must rely not on their great athletic ability, but on staying disciplined, and playing assignment football. It will not be an easy chore. Tech's defense has been surprisingly good as well. I expect that Tech's running game will gash FSU and keep the ball out of Winston's hands. If FSU makes early mistakes and falls behind, as has been their pattern for much of the year, they could be in serious trouble. I don't think that the Yellow Jackets can pull it off, but they might. FSU's great athletes on offense make just enough plays.

PJ's Pick: Florida State 34 Georgia Tech 31

 

[psychojoe]

Arizona vs. Oregon

Will lightning strike again? Earlier this year Wildcats took down the Ducks at home. Arizona has quite a good defense (by PAC 12 standards) and Oregon's offensive line was depleted by injuries, resulting in a miserable evening for Mariotta and a Wildcat win. The Ducks are on the doorstep of being in the playoffs, and their OL is healthy, so I do not expect another upset.

PJ's Pick: Oregon 41 Arizona 31

 

[psychojoe]

Wisconsin v. Ohio State

Starting with the latter part of their game against Michigan, it has been a very tough stretch for the Buckeyes. First, all everything freshman quarterback J T Barrett goes down with a broken ankle. Then, while the team is preparing to go against Wisconsin with a quarterback who has never taken a snap when a game was at issue, one of their players turns up missing and is later found dead. If their players lose focus it would be completely understandable. Meanwhile, Wisconsin comes in on a good roll, led by workhorse running back Melvin Gordon, who has had an astounding season. Though Bielema is now two seasons gone, the Badgers still have the same devastating running game. Were the Buckeyes to win, they would be in the hunt for a playoff slot, though no doubt the committee would consider their quarterback situation and imn my opinion would pass over them. This time the Badgers will make the committee's work easier.

PJ's Pick: Wisconsin 35 Ohio State 24

 

[psychojoe]

Missouri v. Alabama

For the second straight season the Tigers have proven the football cognoscenti wrong and advanced to the SEC CG. The betting public does not think much of them at all, as they were underdogs on the road against Tennessee and at home against Arkansas, tow must win games that they won. Their offense has been inconsistent, but their defense has been solid all year, and their very athletic front four is among the best in the nation. In Maty Mauk they have the athletic type of quarterback that has given the Tide defense fits over recent years. I though, as many did, that Arkansas and their huge OL would wear down the Missouri defense and control the game in the fourth quarter. If you watched this game you saw the Arkansas defense as the one that was worn out late, and Zou in control in the last stanza.

The Tide, as we know, is not Arkansas on offense. We can do the power running stuff, but this year especially we can throw the ball over the top with great success. This gives the Tigers a difficult problem. They can crowd the box and make themselves vulnerable to Cooper over the top, or they can double him and be exposed to our running game. Missouri's offense relies on speed, and they ran wide a lot last week , which probably contributed to Arkansas being gassed late in that game. Their receivers are good, but not the best group we have played. Our depth along the defensive line should have us fresh late in the game.

On the injury front, all the dinged up players will be available, though how well they will be able to play is being closely guarded by both teams.

I think that the Tide brings its A game.

PJ's Pick: Alabama 38 Missouri 27

 

[alabama mike]

Georgia Tech vs. Florida State

The reigning national champs have not overwhelmed anyone this year, but in a string of close games they have found ways to win, in spite of making enough mistakes to lose several games. Talent wise, they are obviously better than Georgia Tech, but they face a very difficult task this weekend. Tech runs the old fashioned triple option offense from the wing bone formation, and they run it very well. FSU has played against pro style offenses this season, as well as against spread formation teams who run the read option, but they have not faced this type of attack. This time they must rely not on their great athletic ability, but on staying disciplined, and playing assignment football. It will not be an easy chore. Tech's defense has been surprisingly good as well. I expect that Tech's running game will gash FSU and keep the ball out of Winston's hands. If FSU makes early mistakes and falls behind, as has been their pattern for much of the year, they could be in serious trouble. I don't think that the Yellow Jackets can pull it off, but they might. FSU's great athletes on offense make just enough plays.

PJ's Pick: Florida State 34 Georgia Tech 31

@psychojoe I disagree with this pick but agree with you 100% on the rest. The Rambling Wreck in a shocker!