#20 UNLV Rebels vs. #10 Boise State Broncos
The Rebels (10-2) and Broncos (11-1) are set to meet for a second time this season — but this time a trip to the College Football Playoff is on the line. Boise State won the first meeting of the campaign in Las Vegas. The two teams weren’t separated by much as there were four lead changes, with UNLV holding a 10-3 advantage early only for Boise to take a 20-10 lead entering halftime. The Rebels took a 24-23 lead into the fourth, but star Ashton Jeanty’s touchdown early in the quarter gave Boise the win. It is hard to beat a good team twice; however, Boise will be playing on its home field and will have the best player in the game.
Prediction: 35-30, Boise State
#16 Iowa State Cyclones vs. #15 Arizona State Sun Devils
In their first season as a member of the Big 12, the Sun Devils (10-2) will play for a spot in the CFP. Arizona State is led by star running back Cam Skattebo — 1,398 yards and 17 TDs — and QB Sam Leavitt. While Skattebo will be the workhorse for the Devils, Leavitt is more than capable of leading his team to victory. On the other side of the field, the Cyclones (10-2) have a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Both CFP hopefuls average more than 30 PPG but aren’t daunting defensively. This game has shootout potential.
Prediction: 37-33, Arizona State
#5 Georgia Bulldogs vs. #2 Texas Longhorns
With both teams a lock to reach the College Football Playoff, Georgia (10-2) and Texas (11-1) will be playing for bragging rights and a first-round Bye. The Bulldogs benefitted from some very questionable officiating in their 8OT win over Georgia Tech last week, while the Longhorns are coming off a road win over the rival Texas A&M Aggies. Georgia handed Texas its only loss of the season, in Austin, in October. It was a sloppy game as the teams combined for seven turnovers, but the Bulldogs could have won by 30. This battle should be closer than the first game. In the end, Georgia will prove its mettle.
Prediction: 24-17, GeorgiaÂ
#3 Penn State Nittany Lions vs. #1 Oregon Ducks
Like the two teams competing for the SEC Championship, the two teams vying for the Big Ten crown have already punched their tickets to the College Football Playoff. Penn State (11-1) reached the title game thanks to Michigan’s upset win over Ohio State. The Nittany Lions don’t have a great résumé — their best win came against then-No. 19 Illinois, 21-7 — but they have a strong defense that has surrendered 20+ points just four times this season. The Ducks (12-0) are the nation’s only undefeated team and have victories over Ohio State, Boise State, and Illinois. A first-round Bye and possibly the No. 1 seed is on the line.
Prediction: 31-20, Oregon
#17 Clemson Tigers vs. #8 SMU Mustangs
With Alabama ranked ahead of Miami in the latest College Football Playoff Top 25, the ACC will likely send just one team to the CFP. Clemson (9-3) backed its way into the ACC Championship after Miami lost at Syracuse. All three of Clemson’s losses came against its best opponents this year (Georgia, Louisville, South Carolina). SMU (11-1) should be in the CFP regardless of the result of this game. The Mustangs lost to a 10-win BYU team by three points and have since won nine games in a row. While the fix appears to be in to get Alabama into the CFP, Clemson could throw a wrench into the plan.
Prediction: 30-27, Clemson
