Clemson vs. South Carolina: CFP Hopes on the Line

#16 South Carolina Gamecocks @ #12 Clemson Tigers

This is a game that carries a lot of weight every year within the state of South Carolina. However, this year’s matchup is more important than usual. Both teams are ranked for the first time since 2010 — No. 10 South Carolina beat No. 6 Clemson — and both programs are hoping to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive. Clemson (9-2) will reach the ACC Championship Game with a win and a Miami loss, while South Carolina (8-3) needs a resounding victory to bolster its hopes of sneaking into the CFP. While Clemson has the advantage of playing at home, the Tigers have struggled against top competition this year. The Gamecocks are on a roll and will win their sixth game in a row this weekend.

Prediction: 35-24, South Carolina

#8 Miami Hurricanes @ Syracuse Orange

Can the Orange play spoiler? Miami (10-1) is a victory away from securing a spot in the ACC Championship Game and becoming one step closer to the College Football Playoff. Led by Cam Ward, the Hurricanes responded to their first loss of the season by beating Wake Forest 42-14 — although, it was a one possession game in the fourth quarter. Syracuse (8-3) has won two in a row and has lost just one game at home this season. This game is bound to be a high-scoring, back-and-forth affair. Ultimately, Ward will be the difference.

Prediction: 45-41, Miami

#3 Texas Longhorns @ #20 Texas A&M Aggies

One of the oldest rivalries in college football will return this weekend following a 12-year hiatus. Texas (10-1) and Texas A&M (8-3) last met in 2011 — A&M moved to the SEC ahead of the 2012 season — but the rivalry will waste no time being reignited. The Longhorns can secure a spot in the SEC Championship Game with a win over the Aggies. If A&M wins, there will be a three or four-way tie atop the conference. The Horns haven’t looked great this season and lack a signature win. Meanwhile, A&M is coming off a bad loss at Auburn and has dropped two-of-three overall. Texas will survive with a walk-off field goal.

Prediction: 26-23, Texas

Oregon State Beavers @ #11 Boise State Broncos

This is a dangerous game for Boise State. The Broncos (10-1) have won two close games over the past three weeks and will now welcome an Oregon State team with nothing to lose. The Beavers (5-6) were decimated by a coaching change and the transfer portal following a very good 2023 campaign, but they are coming off an impressive win over fellow Pac-12 member Washington State. The high-scoring victory over Wazzu ended a five-game losing streak, but we fear that the Beavs may have left it all out on the field last week.

Prediction: 34-21, Boise State

Memphis Tigers @ #18 Tulane Green Wave

If Boise State slips up against Oregon State or in the Mountain West Championship, Tulane (9-2) has an opportunity to reach the College Football Playoff. The Green Wave have rattled off eight wins in a row following back-to-back losses to Kansas State and Oklahoma, respectively. While they have secured a showdown against Army in the AAC Championship, the Green Wave cannot look past Memphis. The Tigers (9-2) have scored 30+ points seven times this season and put up 53 in their last victory. Tulane has won the past two meetings by 10 points each and we see a similar result this weekend as it continues to put pressure on Boise.

Prediction: 37-31, Tulane