2016 BENched PTF Record
Last Week: 10-10
Game of the Week Pick: 5-4
Game of the Week Pick: 5-4
Overall: 117-54 (.684 win %)
Friday
MAC Championship (Ford Field in Detroit, Mich.)
Ohio vs. No. 17 Western Michigan (Line: Western Michigan -17)
On the verge of a 13-0 season, Western Michigan is staring a New Year's Six Bowl in the face. It's right there for the taking and all that stands in its way is Ohio, which has lost four games, but all have been decided by single digits. The Broncos, on the other hand, have had one game decided by single digits. In fact, it was a single-digit win (22-21) at Northwestern to start the season. No slowing down the boats. They can row right on down to the Cotton Bowl after this one. Boat Rowers 41-24
GAME OF THE WEEK
Pac-12 Championship (Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.)
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| Sefo Liufau has Colorado in position for one of the best turnarounds in college football history. (Photo courtesy Associated Press) |
No. 8 Colorado vs. No. 4 Washington (Line: Washington -7.5)
Implications in this one are larger than the Pacific Ocean. Washington knows it must win the Pac-12 to be considered for the CFB Playoff. The Huskies have had a fantastic year, but despite the 11-1 record, they are just 1-1 against the current Top 25. Colorado can creep into the conversation by knocking off No. 4. The Buffaloes are the turnaround team of the year, led by Sefo Liufau. Colorado's defense may be the best the Huskies have faced, but UW's defense is far and away the best the Buffs have seen. Huskies 27-21
Saturday
Temple at No. 19 Navy (Line: Navy -3)
Navy has a chance - albeit slim - to earn a New Year's Six berth. Ironically, Navy needs the boats to stop rowing and sink. The Midshipmen need a Western Michigan loss and to beat Temple for that conversation to begin. If the Broncos win tonight, which BENched predicts, all Navy can play for is a conference championship. That'd be tremendous for our nation's Naval Academy. Middies 34-20
Big 12 Championship - Bedlam (Oklahoma leads 85-18-7)
No. 10 Oklahoma State at No. 9 Oklahoma (Line: Oklahoma -11)
One of the few regular season games remaining on the schedule, Bedlam figures to live up to its name. The Sooners and Cowboys will go toe-to-toe with the Big 12 title on the line for the fourth time in the last six years. Oklahoma has a dynamic offense that is unstoppable with Baker Mayfield leading the charge. Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon are a great one-two punch in the backfield, but Dede Westbrook is a sensational wide receiver. Opposite OU is Oklahoma State's high-octane offense that has recently found a running game. Both defenses are, for lack of a better word, awful. This one will have points galore. Ponies and Wagons 55-45
SEC Championship (Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Ga.)
No. 1 Alabama vs. No. 15 Florida (Line: Alabama -24)
Unlike the matchup above, defense won't be optional in the Georgia Dome. Alabama boasts the nation's best and Florida isn't far behind. Alabama didn't allow a touchdown in four games in November. Florida has no offense, so this one shouldn't be close. Tide 33-3
ACC Championship (Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.)
No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 23 Virginia Tech (Line: Clemson -10)
Clemson has been on a tear since its loss to Pitt three weeks ago. Actually, the Tigers' offense has been on a tear since their Oct. 29 game at Florida State. In the fives game since, Clemson has scored 37, 54, 42, 35 and 56 points. Virginia Tech always has a tough defense with Bud Foster sailing that ship. And the Hokies' offense has seen an uptick with new head man Justin Fuente and quarterback Jerod Evans. But Clemson looks to be on a mission and VT won't be able to keep up the whole game. Tigers 41-17
Big Ten Championship (Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.)
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State (Line: Wisconsin -3)
The storylines out of the Big Ten are numerous. Ohio State allegedly is a lock for the Playoff. Penn State, which beat Ohio State, could win the Big Ten and be left out of the Playoff. Wisconsin is most likely left out even if it wins. These scenarios are all barring what may or may not happen in other conferences, like the ACC and Pac-12. There's little arguing that the Big Ten is the best conference this season, but whether its champion slides into the Top 4 is a mystery. As for the game, Penn State is a second half team, so ignore whatever may happen in the first half. Wisconsin has a stout defense and will pose problems for the Nittany Lions. Expect this one to be close and low-scoring. Nittany Lions 16-9
No. 3 Clemson vs. No. 23 Virginia Tech (Line: Clemson -10)
Clemson has been on a tear since its loss to Pitt three weeks ago. Actually, the Tigers' offense has been on a tear since their Oct. 29 game at Florida State. In the fives game since, Clemson has scored 37, 54, 42, 35 and 56 points. Virginia Tech always has a tough defense with Bud Foster sailing that ship. And the Hokies' offense has seen an uptick with new head man Justin Fuente and quarterback Jerod Evans. But Clemson looks to be on a mission and VT won't be able to keep up the whole game. Tigers 41-17
Big Ten Championship (Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.)
No. 6 Wisconsin vs. No. 7 Penn State (Line: Wisconsin -3)
The storylines out of the Big Ten are numerous. Ohio State allegedly is a lock for the Playoff. Penn State, which beat Ohio State, could win the Big Ten and be left out of the Playoff. Wisconsin is most likely left out even if it wins. These scenarios are all barring what may or may not happen in other conferences, like the ACC and Pac-12. There's little arguing that the Big Ten is the best conference this season, but whether its champion slides into the Top 4 is a mystery. As for the game, Penn State is a second half team, so ignore whatever may happen in the first half. Wisconsin has a stout defense and will pose problems for the Nittany Lions. Expect this one to be close and low-scoring. Nittany Lions 16-9
-BtW
Ben-- What is your take on PSU vs. Washington (big assumption that they both win this weekend)? If SoS, marquee wins, and conference championships are major factors for the committee, I'm struggling with my final 4.
ReplyDeleteI would say that PSU losing at Pitt early in the season and losing at the Big House is similar in gravity to UW losing at home in mid November to USC.
On the wins side, I think PSU over OSU and Wisc would be stronger than UW over Col. Stan. and the Utes.
As for overall SoS--sorry Wash...if you play in the PAC12 in today's football world, don't schedule Rutgers, Portland State, and Idaho as your Non Cons.
And finally...PSU would have won the toughest division of the toughest conference in football...Washington would have one of the worst conference championships of the power 5 winners (and not even a perfect run through the conference).
Washington is a great story this year, and I hope they do well in the bowls...but I think PSU deserves to jump to 4 if they beat Wisconsin in Indianapolis.
My Top 4:
Bama, Clemson & Bucks, PSU
It's a great debate, Caleb. I'd agree with you pretty much on all those fronts. The only difference to me is that PSU would have 2 losses and got absolutely destroyed by Michigan, whereas at least Washington was semi-competitive in the USC game (and of course UW would only have the one loss).
ReplyDeleteIt'll be hard for the committee to tell a one-loss conference champion that they are being left out for a two-loss champion - even though I agree that the Big Ten is much better than the Pac-12.
Assuming all the teams we are discussing win, I think it'll stay status quo - Bama, Clemson, OSU, Wash. The committee will use PSU's loss to Pitt and/or the blowout to Michigan as the reason for not putting them higher than 5. I could be completely wrong, but that's what I think will happen.