2019 College Football Week 14 Picks – Rivalry Week Predictions: There have already been plenty of big games throughout the 2019 College Football season, but nothing quite compares to rivalry week. Not only is the intensity at an all-time high, but many of the matchups will have major ramifications for conference championships and the College Football Playoff picture. I’ll save the two biggest games for another preview, but here is a closer look at three other matchups between ranked opponents.
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2019 College Football Week 14 Picks: Rivalry Week Predictions
No. 19 Cincinnati Bearcats at No. 18 Memphis Tigers (-11)
A spot in a New Year’s Six bowl is likely on the line when the top two teams in the American Athletic Conference face off. The Bearcats have actually clinched a spot in the conference title game already, and if Memphis wins, it would force a rematch between these teams in the championship game. However, a loss for either side before the end of the year would likely turn the automatic Group of 5 bid over to Boise State or Appalachian State.
Although Cincinnati is the only undefeated team undefeated in conference play, the Tigers are 11-point favorites at home and have been the far superior team on offense. Led by versatile running back Kenneth Gainwell and quarterback Brady White, Memphis is averaging 42.2 points per game and just under 500 yards of total offense. On the flip side, the Bearcats opt for a more defensive-minded approach, pounding the ball on the ground with Michael Warren on offense to the tune of 29.9 points per game.
On paper, it doesn’t seem like the Bearcats will be able to keep pace, but this team has a way of slowing down games and winning ugly. Cincinnati has won three of its last four games by three points or less, and the Bearcats have won five games this year when scoring 27 points or fewer. The Tigers may be able to pull out the win, but I’ll take this Cincinnati team and 11 points.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bearcats (+11) Cover the Spread
No. 12 Wisconsin Badgers (-2.5) at No. 8 Minnesota Golden Gophers
The Big Ten West division crown and a spot in the conference title game will be up for grabs when Wisconsin goes on the road to take on Minnesota. The Badgers will be looking to prove that the West still belongs to them, but the Golden Gophers will be trying to continue what has been a dream season for the program. Minnesota heads into the matchup as a 2.5-point underdog at home.
These two sides have similar numbers on paper. Wisconsin has been a little stingier when it comes to allowing points on defense, and the Badgers are skewed more towards the run on offense, leaning on workhorse back and potential Heisman finalist Jonathan Taylor. The Golden Gophers opt for a more balanced approach on offense. Running back Rodney Smith has over 1,000 yards, and receivers Tyler Johnson and Rashod Bateman have both eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau while each scoring 10 times.
It is easy to fall in love with name recognition and assume the Badgers will roll into Minnesota and take care of business. However, many said the same thing when Penn State came to town, and the Golden Gophers jumped on the Nittany Lions early and hung on for the win. A four-point road loss to a ranked Iowa team is the only thing standing between Minnesota and a perfect season right now. I think the Golden Gophers will sell out to stop Taylor and ride their balanced offense and the home crowd to the win. Take Minnesota to cover, if not for the straight up win.
Prediction: Minnesota Golden Gophers (+2.5) Cover the Spread
No. 7 Oklahoma Sooners (-13.5) at No. 21 Oklahoma State Cowboys
The Sooners already know that they will be facing Baylor in the Big 12 title game no matter what happens in Bedlam, but if they want to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive, they have to keep winning. Oklahoma State doesn’t have nearly as much on the line, but the chance to ruin a rival’s championship dreams has always been excellent motivation for any team.
As usual, both sides boast powerful offense, but led by dual-threat quarterback and Heisman candidate Jalen Hurts, the Sooners are averaging 10.3 more points and about 100 yards more of offense per game than the Cowboys. Oklahoma is also more balanced on the offensive of the ball. Granted, Oklahoma State has the country’s leading rusher in Chuba Hubbard, but quarterback Spencer Sanders has struggled with turnovers. Since throwing six touchdowns and no interceptions in the first two games, Sanders has 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions over the last eight games, throwing at least one pick in seven of those eight games.
If Hurts and company show up ready to play, they simply have too much firepower for the Cowboys to handle. However, it has been a while since the Sooners have looked focused. Since blowing out West Virginia, the Sooners have suffered a surprise loss to Kansas State and have won their last three games by four points or less, needing a miracle comeback to get past Baylor and nearly blowing a huge lead at Iowa State. I’ll take the Cowboys and the points against an Oklahoma team that hasn’t looked locked in for over a month now.
Prediction: Oklahoma State Cowboys (+13.5) Cover the Spread
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