The penultimate week of the 2014 season is chock full of rivalry games, conference showdowns, and elimination games for potential CFP contenders. Last week’s picks were garbage, although I was right about Virginia coming through at home, and I won my Big Game wager when Stanford thumped the Golden Bears at Strawberry Canyon, gaining a modicum of revenge for the travesty that occurred in the same venue on the same date 32 years prior. This weekend’s slate includes many games with sky-high stakes, which tends to create some unpredictable results.
| Last Week: | 4-6 | (.400) |
| Season: | 82- 48 | (.631) |
2014 Week 14 CFB Game Picks
Arkansas @ Missouri (Friday, November 28th, 2:30 p.m., CBS)
Arkansas is on a two game SEC winning streak after ending its nearly two year SEC losing streak. The Hogs are a team that no one wants to play right now, which is horrible for a Mizzou team that has a chance to lock up the East divisions berth in the SEC Championship Game next week. I’m not sure how, but I expect the Tigers to pull out another win to make it to Atlanta.
Pick: Missouri 27, Arkansas 20
Arizona State @ Arizona (Friday, November 28th, 3:30 p.m., FOX)
This is the biggest Territorial Cup matchup since…last year, when ASU won at home to clinch the PAC-12 South crown and earn home=field advantage for the PAC-12 Championship game. This year’s winner only wins the division if UCLA is upset, but likely gets to play in a Big 6 bowl game. Not bad, as consolation prizes go. Gimme #BearDown at home over a very talented Sun Devil squad.
Pick: Arizona 45, Arizona State 42
Virginia @ Virginia Tech (Friday, November 28th, 8:00 p.m., ESPN)
In addition to bragging rights, bowl eligibility is on the line here. Both teams have had up-and-down seasons, but Virginia Tech has to be the more disappointed group. Blackburg has traditionally been a difficult place to play, but less so this year than in the past. I like UVa to pull the road upset here, and earn a bowl appearance for Mike London, possibly earning him at least another season in Charlottesville at the same time.
Pick: Virginia 24, Virginia Tech 17
Georgia Tech @ Georgia (Saturday, November 29th, 12:00 p.m., SECN)
One of the three big ACC-SEC in-state rivalries to take place in Week 14, and it’s not even the most important game of the weekend for the home team. Georgia is the physically-superior team, though, and it might as well take care of business, irrespective of the previous day’s result in Columbia, MO.
Pick: Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 21
South Carolina @ Clemson (Saturday, November 29th, 3:30 p.m., ESPN)
The Gamecocks have won five straight in this series, by pushing their upstate ACC rivals around. Make it six straight.
Pick: South Carolina 35, Clemson 20
Florida @ Florida State (Saturday, November 29th, 3:30 p.m., ESPN)
Many have called for the Gators to pull a “Zooker” and knock off the #3 Seminoles in Will Muschamp’s finale on the sidelines. Yeah, no.
Pick: Florida State 38, Florida 17
Stanford @ UCLA (Friday, November 29th, 7:00 p.m., ESPN2)
UCLA needs only to win this contest at home to win the PAC-12 South and the “privilege” of playing Oregon in the PAC12CG in Santa Clara at Levi’s Stadium. Stanford has underperformed dramatically relative to expectations this season, but is only nine points short of a 9-2 record. Careful here, Bruins, because the Cardinal will come to play, despite not having star WR Ty Montgomery available due to injury. {Listen this time, Bruin Nation; last time I warned you, you went out and lost to Utah, also at home.}
Pick: UCLA 24, Stanford 20
Mississippi State @ Mississippi (Saturday, November 29th, 3:30 p.m. CBS)
A few short weeks ago the Egg Bowl looked like the SEC West game of the year, and possibly the CFB game of the year. Some of the luster has been lost, but this game still has massive national implications. At this moment, the CFP still has Mississippi State in its Final Four. Not so after Saturday’s game, in this week’s Upset Special.
Pick: Mississippi 21, Mississippi State 19
Auburn @ Alabama (Saturday, November 29th, 7:45 p.m., ESPN)
The Iron Bowl was, is, and shall be the definitive CFB rivalry south of the Mason-Dixon line. It’s a huge deal for #1 Alabama to clinch its spot in Atlanta the following week. The Tide is really tough in Tuscaloosa, so expect Blake Sims and company to get it done. Revenge for last year’s “Kick Six” will be very sweet icing on the cake.
Pick: Alabama 35, Auburn 21
Notre Dame @ USC (Saturday, November 29th, 3:30 p.m., FOX)
One of the all-time great intersectional rivalries is reduced to a pride contest between two teams who have squandered great chances to have great 2014 seasons. It happens. USC is the more talented team, and playing at home. QB Cody Kessler is having a fantastic season without anyone east of the Mississippi noticing. Expect the Men of Troy to win, going away.
Pick: USC 38, Notre Dame 20
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