Just two weeks remain in the 2021 college football regular season. Things are starting to ramp up in division, conference, and national championship races, and we have a plethora of games with massive implications. Without further ado, let’s get into some of them!
Games of Note:
Memphis @ Houston
-Scott: This Friday night, the Tigers visit the Cougars in a game that will go a long way to determining who reaches the AAC title game. Houston sits at 5-2 in conference, with Memphis a half-game back at 4-2. UH dropped a brutal game in Philly last week to Temple, which gave them almost no margin for error, and now their conference title hopes are in question. Memphis has a couple impressive wins back-to-back over SMU and ECU to put them right in the thick of this race. The Tigers have also won five straight in this series. I think Dana Holgorsen will have this team focused following last week’s debacle. Houston 33, Memphis 30
-Gavin: Houston 28, Memphis 27
#12 Iowa State @ #5 Oklahoma
-Scott: This could be the Big XII game of the season, but it could have been that much bigger had ISU not dropped a late-night game in Lubbock last weekend. Still, The Cyclones have a shot to win the conference, and maybe, just maybe sneak back into playoff contention. They obviously need this one though. The Sooners are right in the thick of this as well, and they might be able to afford a loss and be able to make it to Arlington. Still, this is the playoff era, and the playoff is what matters. I think OU capitalizes with home field, and knocks the ‘Clones out of the race in the process. Oklahoma 42, Iowa State 31
-Gavin: Oklahoma 35, Iowa State 21
Nebraska @ #23 Wisconsin
-Scott: Wisconsin appears to be back from the dead, after the offense woke up against Rutgers and Northwestern. This isn’t a great sign for the Huskers, as they already struggle mightily with UW. The Badgers have won seven straight over Nebraska, and although this Nebraska team is better than most of those previous versions, Wisconsin still should have the upper hand. Madison is always a brutal place to play, particularly in November. While I think the Blackshirts will be able to slow down Wisconsin’s run attack a bit, the defense will be too stout, and Adrian Martinez has proven to be more-turnover prone than even Graham Mertz. I like the Badgers to come out on top, eliminating Nebraska from reaching Indy, and putting Wiscy in the driver’s seat. Wisconsin 26, Nebraska 17
-Gavin: Wisconsin 24, Nebraska 10
#6 Oklahoma State @ Texas Tech
-Scott: Tech shocked the world and defeated #7 ISU last week. Can they pull of a repeat performance against #7 OSU? Texas Tech has been pretty unpredictable this season, so I can’t count on it. However, this looks like a vulnerable spot for the Pokes. OK State is coming off of a pretty massive game in the Big XII standings after shutting out TCU last week. Not only might there be a hangover effect, the big, bad, Sooners lie ahead next week on the calendar. This game is more about not who the opponent is, but when the game is. Tech will be up for this one, needing a win to reach a bowl game as well. I think history repeats itself and the Raiders storm the field yet again. Texas Tech 34, Oklahoma State 32
-Gavin: Oklahoma State 42, Texas Tech 31
#24 Oregon @ #17 Utah
-Scott: While these two teams had playoff hopes at times this season, they both are out of the picture at the moment. However, finishing strong for both programs is huge, and could generate enormous momentum heading into next season, as well as a premier bowl game, perhaps. On the Utah side, a Pac-12 title could still be in reach as well. Oregon mushed Utah’s very realistic playoff hopes the last time they played in the 2019 Pac-12 Championship. While the hopes are not nearly as high, I think the Ducks can control this Utah offense, which hasn’t broken 20 points the last two weeks. Oregon 30, Utah 21
-Gavin: Oregon 35, Utah 28
Appalachian State @ Troy
-Scott: A Sun Belt conference game in late November among the featured games? You betcha. This game features two of the “Big Four” within the Sun Belt East division. Both teams sit at 5-1, along with Georgia State, and Coastal not far behind. This game could ultimately very well end up deciding this loaded division, depending on what happens with the other programs. Troy looked to be out of the race after getting throttled by Coastal, but they’ve strung off two home wins over West teams. App State is rolling, having won five in a row by 18 or more points. Despite this being in Troy, I think the Mountaineers are too hot, and I have to trust the team that’s won the big game before. Appalachian State 38, Troy 28
-Gavin: Appalachian State 45, Troy 21
#18 Virginia Tech @ #19 Miami (FL)
-Scott: This is a pretty important match-up between ACC Coastal teams. The thing is, neither of them can win the Coastal, as UNC has that wrapped up. However, these two fan bases expect contention. With that being said, the winner is in much better spirits going into next year. VA Tech is four points away from a perfect season, fielding just two losses. The Hurricanes looked to have an extremely disappointing season after a 3-3 start, but have rattled off four straight, including ranked wins over NC State and Pitt. The Hokies have won four straight too, but against much easier teams. I think the Canes’ more impressive streak shows the actual quality of play is higher for UM. Give me the Hurricanes at home. Miami 37, Virginia Tech 19
-Gavin: Miami 35, Virginia Tech 24
#8 Washington @ Colorado
-Scott: The Pac-12’s remaining playoff hopes lie in the hands of Jimmy Lake’s Huskies. The Dawgs are on a roll, winning eight in a row, including last week’s ranked primetime defeat of Arizona State. Thus, UW vaults into the Top 10. Now, Washington travels to a very trappy spot: Boulder, late at night, in the chilly, elevated, air might be a tough challenge. Colorado upset UCLA last week in the Rose Bowl to snap a three-game skid, and get to 5-5 on the season. Now, CU needs one more win to reach their second straight bowl game, which would be quite the accomplishment under Karl Dorrell. I think the Buffs will keep things close for a while, but the Buffaloes’ defense won’t be strong enough to hold down UW for four quarters. Washington 34, Colorado 20
-Gavin: Washington 28, Colorado 14
Upset Picks:
-Scott: Purdue vs. Northwestern
This is an eliminator game in the B1G West. The winner will need a lot of help, but the loser is done for good. Nevertheless, both teams have done good to reach a bowl game in 2021. While the Cats have won six of the last seven in the series, I like Purdue to emerge victorious in historic, albeit run-down Wrigley Field. Purdue 28, Northwestern 16
-Gavin: East Carolina @ Navy
East Carolina 28, Navy 21
There are plenty more of huge games across the country, so make sure to follow along with our updates throughout the weekend!
NCAA 2020 Football Simulation 