The most deadly accurate and never incorrect sports staff is here checking in with their picks for this weekend. With an interesting slate of football on tap, a lot will be sorted out in the next few days.
Memphis @ #24 Houston
James Brisentine: Memphis 27 Houston 26
This has become one of the best little rivalries in the country in the last six or seven years. Most of the games between these two have been very entertaining and high scoring. Hopefully, we will get the same this weekend. Memphis is desperate to win this game to secure bowl eligibility and take the pressure off their home matchup with Tulane next weekend. The added motivation I believe will be enough for the Tigers to come out on top.
Brian Bada: Houston 28 Memphis 24
The Houston Cougars are playing some good football. They are undefeated at home and that will not change this week.
Johnny Hill: Memphis 30 Houston 24
If Memphis controls the clock I believe they can slow down Houston's explosive offense. If the defense plays as good as they have been recently they can beat the Cougars. The Tigers will have to watch out for that explosive Houston secondary, but I think they will make enough plays to pull off the upset and secure bowl eligibility.
Zach Thompson: Houston 38 Memphis 31
Houston has been impressive this season and will be eager to strike back in a rivalry that Memphis has mostly gotten the better of recently. A loss here really ratchets up the pressure for Memphis and its bowl eligibility hopes next week against Tulane, but I just do not think they will be able to stop the Cougars offense on the road. (The only time I have picked against Memphis this season, I was wrong. Maybe this works out again?)
#7 Michigan State @ #4 Ohio State
James Brisentine: Michigan State 23 Ohio State 20
I'm gonna roll with our editor Lucas Finton's Spartans this weekend behind Arlington native and Heisman frontrunner Kenneth Walker. Both of these teams are going to go all out to stay up in the playoff race, but Sparty I believe will be victorious.
Brian Bada: Ohio State 45 Michigan State 28
Sparty has been a tremendous story this year. However, they are playing a national championship contender and fall short this week.
Johnny Hill: Ohio State 27 Ohio Michigan State 20
Ohio State’s offense has been playing great these last three weeks and I believe that they are going to continue the trend against the Spartans. CJ Stroud will put up big numbers and the Buckeyes will remain in the college football playoff picture.
Zach Thompson: Ohio State 34 Michigan State 17
Mel Tucker has done an incredible job turning Michigan State around and absolutely deserves the massive contract extension he just received. The Spartans have been a great story this season, but the Buckeyes will be too much for them to handle on the road. Ohio State will continue its march straight to the college football playoff with a definitive win here.
#21 Arkansas @ #2 Alabama
James Brisentine: Alabama 41 Arkansas 23
Arkansas has a good enough offense to stay in the game with Alabama for a good portion of the game, but the Alabama offense is just too powerful to stop. The game will be close at halftime and maybe even through the third quarter, but Bryce Young and the Tide will eventually pull away from the Razorbacks.
Brian Bada: Alabama 35 Arkansas 24
Sam Pittman is a great coach and had a big win last week over LSU. He will not fare the same this week. In the end, the Tide roll.
Johnny Hill: Alabama 42 Arkansas 27
I believe that Alabama is going to shut down KJ Jefferson and the Razorbacks. Right now, Alabama is clicking on both sides of the ball. I believe Bryce Young will be the x-factor for the game.
Zach Thompson: Alabama 41 Arkansas 21
It seems like those pesky Razorbacks always find a way to make this game interesting. Sam Pittman’s team is tough as nails and will stick around for a bit, but ultimately the Tide will overpower them. Alabama will continue on its collision course for the SEC title game and a date with #1 Georgia.
SMU @ #5 Cincinnati
James Brisentine: Cincinnati 45 SMU 20
The Bearcats are still looking to still solidify their place in the Playoff rankings and hopefully move up a spot or two with some chaos. They are going to want to stomp their competition the rest of the way to prove themselves a cut above the rest of the AAC, and the Mustangs are going to be in for an awakening.
Brian Bada: SMU 31 Cincinnati 28
SMU is still a really good football team. The Mustangs make enough plays to pull off the upset.
Johnny Hill: Cincinnati 27 SMU 24
Cincinnati’s defense will shut down SMU's offense. This will be a great win for the Bearcats going into the American Athletic Conference championship game. Cincinnati has been the best team in the league all season and they will prove it once again.
Zach Thompson: Cincinnati 34 SMU 20
The Bearcats might get left out of the top four, but what they have done this season cannot be underappreciated. They have put together an incredible season and potentially being left out of the playoff field would be much more of an indictment on the system than it would be on them as a football team. SMU is still a really good football team and will put up a fight, but the Bearcats will prevail here and take one step closer to a perfect season.
