We have reached championship weekend.
As we approach the biggest games of the season, the College Football Playoff top four are Clemson, Auburn, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. If all four win Saturday, the CFP committee can kick back and drink lots of coffee Sunday morning.
I personally believe Alabama is out and should be out. Even Alabama head coach Nick Saban has said a team that does not win its conference should not play for the national championship. The Tide didn't even win the Western Division. But Saturday chaos could open the door for the Tide, which would be a shame in my opinion. Bama's resume is weak, really weak. The Tide simply isn't deserving this year.
The ACC and SEC championship games are essentially quarterfinal playoff games. If TCU beats Oklahoma and Ohio State manages to beat Wisconsin, the situation will get dicey late Saturday night.
Last week was another 5-5 week to push the season record to 64-64-2.
As always, all picks are against the spread and for entertainment purposes only.
Here are this week's selections.
Friday
Stanford vs. Southern Cal -4.0 at Santa Clara, Calif. -- Most of the national talk has the Pacific 12 already out of the College Football Playoff picture. Southern Cal has two losses, Stanford has three. But a victory by the Trojans and some Saturday chaos could put Southern Cal in the Sunday morning discussion. Stanford is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Bryce Love, who has rushed for more than 100 yards in nine games this season. After 12 straight weeks, Southern Cal had last week off. While the Trojans were resting, Stanford was running over Notre Dame. Southern Cal beat Stanford, 42-24 on Sept. 9. Stanford is traditionally strong late in the season. I am going to take the Cardinal in the rematch. Pick -- Stanford
Saturday
Georgia vs. Auburn -2.5 at Atlanta -- Auburn has done something no other team has ever done -- beaten two No. 1 teams in a three-week period. This is not the same Auburn team that lost at Clemson. The key to this game is Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson, who was banged up in the Iron Bowl victory over Alabama. Johnson is a key part of Auburn's offense, which has really started to hum. Most reports say Johnson will be a game-time decision. Georgia's running game got stuffed in the first meeting. The Bulldogs will have to get more on the ground if they want to get revenge. I am expecting a pro-Georgia crowd for the first SEC title game in the Mercedes-Benz Dome. I thing the Dawgs will pull it off. Pick -- Georgia
Miami vs. Clemson -9.5 at Charlotte, N.C. -- One more step and the Tigers will make it a remarkable three College Football Playoffs in a row. Mark Richt, the ACC Coach of the Year, has done a terrific job in Miami. The dumpster fire at South Beach has been extinguished. The Hurricanes have lived off their defense and take a lot of pride in the Turnover Chain. Ball security will be job No. 1 for Clemson. Miami is down a couple of play makers on offense because of injuries, so I expect the Hurricanes to fight an uphill battle most of the night against Clemson's defense. Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant will be tested, but I believe he will pass the test. Pick -- Clemson
North Texas at Florida Atlantic -11.5 -- FAU head coach Lane Kiffin has spent more time tweeting and trolling Tennessee than worrying about his team this week. Kiffin has directed a quick turnaround for the Owls. The Owls will take down the Mean Green for the Conference USA title. Pick -- Florida Atlantic
Memphis at Central Florida -7.0 -- This will be a wide-open, which-team-has-the-ball-last affair. Rumors are swirling that Central Florida head coach Scott Frost is headed back to Nebraska soon. Will the constant rumors regarding Frost's departure affect the Knights? Pick -- Central Florida
TCU vs. Oklahoma -7.0 at Arlington, Tx. -- Oklahoma won the first meeting 38-20 on Nov. 11. If package-grabbing Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield wins this game, he will have more Big 12 titles (3) than conference losses (2) in his career. For TCU to have a chance, the Frog defense will have to play better and quarterback Kenny Hill will have to play much bigger than he did in the first game. I just don't think TCU has enough firepower to stay with Oklahoma. Pick -- Oklahoma
Ohio State vs. Wisconsin +6.5 at Indianapolis -- This one will not be 59-0. That game is most certainly burned into Wisconsin's memory. The underdog Badgers are undefeated. Wisconsin is still searching for respect. I think the Badgers will finally find that respect Saturday. Pick -- Wisconsin
Akron vs. Toledo -21.5 at Detroit -- Toledo quarterback Logan Woodside tossed five touchdown passes in the Rockets' 48-21 victory over Akron on Oct. 21. I am expecting much the same result the second time around. Rockets take the MAC. Pick -- Toledo
Fresno State at Boise State -8.5 -- The Mountain West Conference championship game features one of the most weird situations of the weekend. Fresno beat Boise at home 28-17 last Saturday. A week later, the two teams will meet in Boise for the title. There is a reason Boise is favored by more than a touchdown. Take the Broncos on the smurf turf. Pick -- Boise State
Furman at Wofford -- This is a second-round game in the FCS playoffs. In the first meeting, Wofford won by one point when Furman missed a two-point conversion late in the game. Both teams stay on the ground, so this will be a quick game. I think the second meeting will go to the Paladins. Pick -- Furman
Last Week -- 5-5
For The Season -- 64-64-2
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