Rivalry Week is here, and the four biggest games in Week 13 involve matchups between ranked teams.
That includes a Black Friday primetime two-pack with No. 16 Washington at No. 7 Washington State and No. 6 Oklahoma at No. 12 West Virginia. That should set the stage for The Game at noon ET on Saturday between No. 4 Michigan and No. 10 Ohio State. No. 14 Utah State and No. 21 Boise State will cap off the weekend at 10:15 p.m.
MORE: Week 13 bowl projections
Of course, there’s the Iron Bowl between No. 1 Alabama and Auburn and much more. Sporting News picks games involving the AP Top 25 each week, and we are still trying to get to 60 percent against the spread.
Straight up: 191-46 .806 (21-2 last week)
Against the spread: 125-96 .566 (10-11 last week)
Upset picks: 10-12, .454 (1-1 last week)
Here are SN's picks against the spread for Week 13 (lines reflect Consensus picks from VegasInsiders.com as of Monday):
No. 22 Mississippi State (-10.5) at Ole Miss
The Egg Bowl falls on Thanksgiving, and it's been a long road back for quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, who suffered a gruesome injury in this game last season. The Bulldogs’ last four victories have been by 14 points or more, and the Rebels rank 113th in scoring defense. Mississippi State wins 41-30 and COVERS the spread.
No. 8 UCF (-14.5) at South Florida
The Knights are still trying to make a last-ditch impression on the Playoff committee, and this was one of the most exciting games of the year in 2017. The Bulls are in a four-game swoon, but they will pull out all the stops in the spoiler role. This will be a fun game, but UCF stays unbeaten. UCF wins 44-34 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 6 Oklahoma (pick) at No. 12 West Virginia
It's a Big 12 shootout that should feature big points as usual, and the Mountaineers need this one to have a shot at the Big 12 championship. Oklahoma continues to be critiqued for their defense, and this game won't do much to help that perception. Kyler Murray will lead the offense, and Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks will be the difference in the fourth quarter. Oklahoma wins 52-41 and COVERS the spread.
No. 16 Washington at No. 7 Washington State (-3)
The Cougars are the story of the season, but this is the best team they've faced in 2018. Washington has lost three games by 10 points, and Chris Peterson has dominated the Apple Cup since his arrival. It's on Gardner Minshew to make a Heisman statement, and Jake Browning to play spoiler. Why do we feel like that's the case? Washington wins 44-41 in an UPSET.
No. 13 Florida (-5) at Florida State
The Seminoles need this one to extend the nation's longest bowl streak to 37 seasons. The Gators need it to keep their New Year's Day Six bowl hopes alive. The Seminoles have won five in a row in the series, and it will be on quarterback Feleipe Franks to change that for the Gators. It won't be easy. Florida wins 27-20 and COVERS the spread.
MORE: 10 biggest games of Rivalry Week
No. 4 Michigan (-4) at Ohio State
The Wolverines are a risky favorite, considering Urban Meyer is both 6-0 in The Game and as an underdog with the Buckeyes. Michigan hasn't won at Ohio Stadium since 2000 either. All that said, Michigan has been the more consistent team all year, and that will be the case in Columbus for the first time in a long time in what could be the biggest game of the Jim Harbaugh and Meyer eras. Michigan wins 31-26 and COVERS the spread.
Georgia Tech at No. 5 Georgia (-17)
It's worth knowing the Yellow Jackets have won their last four games, including three straight games by 10 points or fewer. The road team has won the last four meetings. The Bulldogs will take care of business here, but it won't be a complete rollover. Georgia wins 31-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 11 Texas (-15) at Kansas
Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger is dealing with a shoulder injury, which will have an impact on the final spread. The Longhorns lost in their last visit in Lawrence, and new coach Les Miles might make an appearance — but that won't be enough to prevent the loss. Not yet, anyway. Texas wins 42-24 and COVERS the spread.
No. 19 Syracuse at Boston College (-7)
The health of Eric Dungey makes this a difficult game to pick. If he can go, the Orange would seemingly be in line to finish off a nine-win regular season. The Eagles are trying to salvage eight wins, and are at home. Boston College wins 31-28 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Auburn at No. 1 Alabama (-24.5)
This is a giant spread for the Iron Bowl considering the Tigers' largest loss this season was by 17 points to Georgia. Auburn is in the role of spoiler here, and that means Gus Malzahn will pull out all the stops. Auburn is not winning this game, but it can hang around with nothing to lose. Still, we like the Tide coming off a subpar (by its standards) performance against The Citadel. Alabama wins 45-17 and COVERS the spread.
MORE: Week 13 Playoff picture
Maryland at No. 15 Penn State (-13.5)
It's Trace McSorley's last home game, so emotions will be high for a Nittany Lions senior class that changed the direction of this program under James Franklin. Maryland, meanwhile, left it all on the line in last week's loss to Ohio State. The Terps are playing for bowl eligibility. Penn State still has a chance for a New Year's Day Six Bowl. You'll see the difference. Penn State wins 42-17 and COVERS the spread.
No. 24 Pitt at Miami (-5.5)
Miami isn't playing for much other than bowl positioning, and it’s up against a tough Pittsburgh team that can take a five-game win streak into the ACC championship game. The Panthers have averaged 346 rushing yards per game with 15 touchdowns on the ground in that stretch. That's the difference. Pitt wins 28-24 in an UPSET.
Illinois at No. 20 Northwestern (-18)
Northwestern won this game 42-7 last year, and the Illini are coming off a 63-0 loss at home against Iowa. The Wildcats can't won't look ahead to the Big Ten championship here, because they need to be as sharp as possible heading into that game. Clayton Thorson hit 71.4 percent of his passes last week against Minnesota. Northwestern wins 38-13 and COVERS the spread.
South Carolina at No. 2 Clemson (-25)
The Tigers have a chance to win five in a row in this fierce in-state rivalry, and it comes against a team whose biggest loss was a 41-17 blowout against Georgia on Sept. 8. The last two meetings have been snoozers where the Tigers won by an average of 36.5 points. South Carolina shows a little more fight this time. Clemson wins 41-17 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
Kansas State at No. 25 Iowa State (-13.5)
Iowa State is locked out of the Big 12 championship game now, and the Wildcats need a win to guarantee a bowl game for longtime coach Bill Snyder. Kansas State has won back-to-back games in ugly fashion; make it three in a row. Kansas State wins 24-23 in an UPSET.
MORE: Sporting News' Rivalry Week Power Rankings
No. 17 Kentucky (-17.5) at Louisville
Kentucky can clinch a nine-win season if it takes care of business against an in-state rival looking for its next head coach. Louisville has won six of the last seven meetings, but the Cardinals are in a different spot this year. The Wildcats aren't in a position to be merciful. Kentucky wins 38-16 and COVERS the spread.
No. 8 LSU at Texas A&M (pick)
The Tigers are a pick-em against Texas A&M on the road, and that raises our curiosity. LSU has been the more consistent team most of the year, especially on defense. Joe Burrow leads another win that gives the Tigers an inside shot at a New Year's Day Six bowl. LSU wins 27-20 and COVERS the spread.
No. 3 Notre Dame (-10.5) at USC
If the Irish win, they’re in the College Football Playoff. It's that simple. Notre Dame has won its last four games by an average of 23.5 points per game. They are the better team here, but even in this slide the Trojans have lost just one game by double digits since October. Will the pressure make this more interesting? Notre Dame wins 31-23 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
BYU at No. 18 Utah (-13.5)
It's the Holy War, and even better since it's the regular-season finale. Utah will barrel toward the Pac-12 championship game, but it will be that much better with a victory against the rival Cougars. Seven of the last eight meetings have been decided by seven points or fewer. That's all you need to know. Utah wins 35-28 but FAILS TO COVER the spread.
No. 14 Utah State at No. 21 Boise State (-3)
Utah State can get back to the MWC championship for the first time since 2013, but to do that they Aggies have to go through the Broncos — the defending conference champs. The Broncos are 17-5 all time in this series, and it's on the Aggies to prove them wrong on the blue turf. We can't go against Boise State, even though this might be the most entertaining game of the weekend. Boise State wins 45-40 and COVERS the spread.
