Baylor will have to contain Oklahoma State QB Clint Chelf (10) and RB Desmond Roland (9) if it expects to escape Stillwater with a win. ( rendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports)
Welcome to Week 13 of The Lowe Down. I just wanted to start out by saying what a great win for Auburn last weekend. That was easily one of the best games I’ve ever attended and hands down the best play to help seal a victory (in person) that I’ve ever seen. If the Tigers have that kind of luck on their side moving forward, they will be an extremely tough team to beat.
As far as this weekend’s big games are concerned, the Baylor/Oklahoma State matchup will take center stage. The weather could play a factor in the game due to cold and wet conditions passing through the area. The Bears have been great all season long, but they will be put to the test against a Cowboys team that can still win the Big 12 title if it wins out. Last week the record was ridiculous 19-1 (yeah, that’s the sound of my loud horn), bringing the yearly record to 173-50. To the games we go …
Friday, November 22
Navy 38, San Jose State 31
Saturday, November 23
No. 13 Michigan State (9-1, 6-0) Big Ten at Northwestern (4-6, 0-6 Big Ten) at 11:00 a.m. CT
I really believed before the season began that Northwestern would be one of the surprise team’s in the country and man what a prediction that turned out to be huh? This week things don’t get any easier for Pat Fitzgerald’s bunch when it hosts red-hot Michigan State, a team that’s won six in a row after a heartbreaking loss at Notre Dame.
The Lowe Down: Michigan State 29, Northwestern 16
No. 12 Texas A&M (8-4, 4-2 SEC) at No. 22 LSU (7-3, 3-3 SEC) 2:30 p.m. CT
The scoreboard operator shouldn’t be flagged for inactivity when these two high-powered offenses meet up in Baton Rouge. Expect points, points and more points. Last year, LSU’s defense held Johnny Manziel in check and delivered the Aggies one of the only two losses they suffered in 2012. That won’t be the case this year due to the Tigers significant dip in defensive production, but Les Miles club should do enough to pull out a hard-fought win at home.
The Lowe Down: Texas A&M 41, LSU 44
No. 19 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) at No. 25 Minnesota (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) 2:30 p.m. CT
I’ve seen the Badgers play a few times this season and their backfield duo of James White and Melvin Gordon is arguably the best in the country. Both players are physical and both are big-play threats. Although Minnesota has played well of late, I think the Badgers’ ground attack and improving defense will be too much to overcome for the home squad.
The Lowe Down: Wisconsin 33, Minnesota 20
Indiana (4-6, 2-4 Big Ten) at No. 3 Ohio State (10-0, 6-0 Big Ten) 2:30 p.m. CT
Last year Indiana lost by a field goal to Urban Meyer’s team in Memorial Stadium but don’t expect that to happen this time around. Even though Ohio State is in the national title discussion, you almost get the feeling that the Buckeyes are taking it personal when it comes to being slighted in the polls —and by the media due to the Big Ten’s mediocrity. Whatever the case, it won’t matter here.
The Lowe Down: Indiana 23, Ohio State 66
No. 17 Arizona State (8-2, 6-1 Pac-12) at No. 14 UCLA (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) 6:00 p.m. CT
If you haven’t seen UCLA freshman tailback/linebacker Myles Jack yet, do so. He’s a special talent. And he’s a big reason why Jim Mora’s team has suddenly found a groove on offense. Brett Hundley is one of the nation’s finest dual-threat quarterbacks, but Jack has instilled balance into the ULCA attack and that’s been a real big key for the team’s resurgence. Quarterback Taylor Kelly and all-purpose threat Marion Grice are two of the Pac-12’s best offensive players and will present the Bruins defense with its share of problems. But Arizona State hasn’t played well on the road and its defense should have a hard time with Hundley and Jack.
The Lowe Down: Arizona State 24, UCLA 31
No. 8 Missouri (9-1, 5-1 SEC) at No. 24 Ole Miss (7-3, 3-3 SEC) 6:45 p.m. CT
Before we pencil in Missouri for the SEC title game, the Tigers have to win in Oxford and at home against Texas A&M. That’s no easy task — for any team. Remember, the Rebels played one of the most daunting early-season schedules any team has played in the last 10-20 years and they lost to two Top 10 teams (on the road at Alabama and Auburn) and a Top 15 team (Texas A&M) in back-to-back-to-back weeks. Since then, however, the Rebels have reeled off four wins in a row. Two big keys in this game will be the matchup of the Rebels O-line against the Tigers D-line. Ole Miss’ front wall must contain Missouri defensive end Michael Sam. The Rebels have had problems against teams that can rush the passer and Mizzou can do that well. Another key factor will be Bo Wallace and Ole Miss’ talented receiving corps against the Tiger secondary. This is an area where I think Ole Miss can have a lot of success. Missouri welcomes quarterback James Franklin back to the starting lineup this weekend, but I like the underdog Rebels to get the job done at home.
The Lowe Down: Missouri 28, Ole Miss 38
No. 4 Baylor (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) at No. 10 Oklahoma State (9-1, 6-1) Big 12 7:00 p.m. CT
Although it is cold and wet (sleet) in Stillwater as of Friday, the forecast for the Bears and Cowboys game is expected to be clear and cold. Now if it was rainy on Saturday, I’d have to say that would favor Baylor and its powerful ground attack. But since the weather is supposed to be clear, I think this is a pretty even game. Regardless of what Bryce Petty and the Baylor offense is capable of, it will find the going a lot more difficult in Boone Pickens Stadium. Throw in the fact that the Cowboys have a strong running game, led by Desmond Roland, and dual-threat quarterback Clint Chelf is rounding into form and this is the place where Baylor’s dream season will come to an end.
The Lowe Down: Baylor 38, Oklahoma State 41
In other Saturday games:
Memphis 13, No. 21 Louisville 36
Duke 28, Wake Forest 13
Michigan 20, Iowa 27
Citadel 10, No. 7 Clemson 63
Cincinnati 24, Houston 16
No. 20 Oklahoma 20, Kansas State 34
Mississippi State 31, Arkansas 28
Chattanooga 0, No. 1 Alabama 55
BYU 21, Notre Dame 24
Nebraska 31, Penn State 34
No. 23 USC 45, Colorado 17
California 10, No. 9 Stanford 38
