CFB Playoff Weekend Preview & What These Games Mean for FSU

Arguably, seven teams come into Week 15 with high hopes of making the inaugural College Football Playoff; my take on all the top four teams’ games and what they mean for the ‘Noles.

#1 Alabama vs. #15 Auburn

After last season’s Iron Bowl “Kick Six” that knocked Alabama out of the national championship and launched Auburn into it, the Tide are going to be seeking revenge. Auburn has fallen off the map as of late with three late-season losses, but a win over the top-ranked Crimson Tide would surely salvage what seemed to be a lost season.

Auburn has the offensive fire power to pull off the upset, but Alabama’s defense has returned to form and should be able to hold off any Auburn surge. If Alabama can match whatever offense Auburn puts together, this could be ugly. Do I think Auburn can pull the upset? Absolutely. Will it happen? Eh, probably not, but it sure is fun to speculate.

Pick: Alabama- 31 Auburn- 28

What this means for the ‘Noles: Alabama will stay atop of the polls for yet another week, despite its defeat to a three-loss Ole Miss team. Alabama will go on to play against either Missouri or Georgia in the SEC Championship game.

#2 Oregon at Oregon State

Oregon has won the last six in this rivalry, most of which were by double digits. A loss to Oregon State would surely end Oregon’s hopes for a College Football Playoff birth, and Oregon State would love to do nothing more than that. Last season, Oregon won 36-35 in a nail-biter, but by that game the Ducks were already out of the National Championship picture. This season Oregon has played “dominantly,” as ESPN likes to say, but they do have a loss already. Oregon State did pull off an upset over then #6 Arizona State, so they have shown potential, but I just don’t see it happening again this weekend.

Pick: Oregon- 49 Oregon State- 28

What this means for the ‘Noles: Oregon will likely stay at #2 despite their one-loss and will likely play UCLA in the PAC-12 championship game. A first round match-up in the CFB Playoff between the ‘Noles and Ducks in Pasadena still seems imminent.

#3 Florida State vs. Florida

It’s very simple for the ‘Noles: win and you’re in. Seeding is yet to be determined due to all the teams around them playing some tough games the next few weeks, but it is indeed that simple for Jimbo Fisher’s Seminoles. It’s a commonly known fact that, under Will Muschamp, the Gators have continuously fielded outstanding defenses and this year’s it no different.

Saturday is Muschamp’s final game as the Gator head coach, and his team will come out firing because they truly have nothing to lose. The Gators have already secured a bowl birth, and they simply don’t have much to play for but pride and to ruin their arch-rival’s season. Florida boasts a strong run-game, and will look to repeat the success Boston College had just a week ago on the ground. The Eagles ran the ball and kept Jameis Winston off the field; simple enough right?

Well, no, because the ‘Noles still came out with a win, despite BC’s absolute best effort. If Dalvin Cook and the Florida State rushing attack can match Florida’s rushing attack and win the turnover battle, FSU will be fine. If not, then the ‘Noles could find themselves in a late game dog fight. Either way, Florida State still has Jameis Winston and Florida doesn’t. The ‘Noles haven’t given me a reason to pick against them in 27-straight games, so why start now?

Pick: Florida State- 31 Florida- 24

What this means for the ‘Noles: Florida State will remain undefeated heading into the ACC Championship Game show down next weekend vs. Georgia Tech, and will still be very much in possession of their own destiny for the CFB Playoff.

#4 Mississippi State at #19 Ole Miss

This is where is starts to get interesting. Another situation in which one team has everything to lose, and the other team has absolutely nothing to lose. Ole Miss was knocked out of SEC West contention last weekend after traveling to Arkansas and getting blown out, 30-0, by the Razorbacks. Many think Mississippi State has to blow this game open in order to have a chance at the College Football Playoff with TCU and Ohio State hot on its tails for that #4 seed.

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If Ole Miss can get back to early-season form and “Bad Bo” doesn’t come out, the Rebels have a chance in this one. Mississippi State has a mediocre past defense at best, and Ole Miss will have to take advantage in order to pull away. I expect Dak Prescott to have a huge game, but Ole Miss will hang around just enough in the 4th quarter to keep it interesting and pull the upset. Ole Miss’ kicker makes me second guess that, but I’m going with my gut.

Pick: Ole Miss- 27 Mississippi State- 24

What this means for the ‘Noles: I don’t see Mississippi State making the CFB playoff, whether they win this game or not, because Ohio State, TCU, and Baylor could be 12-1 conference and co-conference champions. The committee said they would value conference champions highly, and, unless Alabama loses to Auburn, thus putting Mississippi State into the SEC Championship game, I just don’t see it happening (Though I have been shocked at the committee before, such as an undefeated defending national champion being ranked behind two one-loss teams in the polls, but that’s another conversation).

Other Games to pay attention to: #5 TCU at Texas, #6 Ohio State vs. Michigan, #7 Baylor at Texas Tech

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