:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/51911233/624051834.0.jpeg)
Honorable Mention - (5) Louisville vs. Houston
Now this game already went down as a Houston victory when they toppled the Cardinals in a 36-10 romp Thursday night. Even tough this all went down Thursday, it must be discussed as the upset has fairly large implications. Louisville dropping another game puts them further out of the playoff race while Houston may have put themselves back into the top 25. This is also the Lamar Jackson down game that players like D’Onta Foreman needed to have a Heisman shot.
#5 - (11) Oklahoma State vs. TCU
Big 12 games are always high scoring shootouts and this match should not deviate from that pattern. The Cowboys average 41.3 points a game while the Horned Frogs put up 37.4 a game. The difference maker is James Washington, Oklahoma State’s star wide receiver, who averages 20.2 yards a catch. That is the most in the nation.
Prediction: Oklahoma State wins 45-40
#4- (22) Washington State vs. (12) Colorado
While Colorado’s defense has only let up 17 points a game and gathered 29 sacks on the season, I still like the Cougars offense in this matchup. The Cougars rank 9th in total offense with 44 points a game and 518 total yards a game. Their offense is designed to get the ball out of quarterback Luke Falk’s hands quickly and make plays out in space. Playing sideline to sideline wears out a defense and that will be the key for Washington State.
Prediction: Washington State wins 30-27
#3 - (23) Florida vs. (16) LSU
LSU has played some absolutely crushing defense against talented offenses over the past three weeks. They held Ole’ Miss to 21, Alabama and Arkansas to 10. The Gators have been offensively confused for at least two years. Tigers run away with this one on the back of Leonard Fournette.
Prediction: LSU wins 35-10
#2 - (9) Oklahoma vs. (14) West Virginia
OK State vs. TCU is the appetizer, this is the meal. West Virginia averages 32 points a game while Oklahoma puts up 44. Baker Mayfield and Skyler Howard may just be the quarterback face-off of the year as these two do battle against defenses that have gave up lots of points this season. However, the Mayfield, Joe Mixon and Dede Westbrook is a three headed monster just too lethal to stop.
Prediction: Oklahoma wins 45-38
#1 - (13) USC vs. UCLA
The Trojans are back and proving it to everyone after dominating Washington 24-13. Now they head to UCLA, without Josh Rosen or a consistent running game this one looks bleak for the Bruins. However, it is a rivalry game and the Bruins still have a solid defense. They should make a game of it early but the Trojans will pull away before halftime.
Prediction: USC wins 28-13
Bonus Prediction: Adoree Jackson, USC cornerback, has a pick six.
Follow us on Social Media:
facebook: facebook.com/RuleOfTree/
twitter: twitter.com/RuleofTree