AP Top 25 picks and predictions: USC-Oregon headlines Week 13 clashes
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Week 13 of the college football season means one thing: We are a week away from some of the biggest and best rivalry games over Thanksgiving weekend. And that is never more obvious than what three powerful SEC schools will be doing on Saturday. Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M are all prominent in the CFP picture. And the week before each rivalry game, the combined record of the SEC trio's opponents is 5-27. Now, these contracts are signed years in advance, but athletic directors had to know they weren't exactly lining up a Murderer's Row of college football. On to the picks:
TCU at No. 25 Houston
The Cougars get a chance to make a statement they belong in the Big 12 Championship Game discussion. They will need help from other teams but they will help themselves by beating TCU. Prediction: Houston 27, TCU 23
No. 24 Tulane at Temple
The Green Wave are on the road but they will have no problem with the Owls. Look for an impressive showing by Tulane in a American Conference clash. Prediction: Tulane 28, Temple 17
No. 23 Missouri at No. 8 Oklahoma
Intriguing game in Norman. The Sooners are coming off the big road win over Alabama. Missouri plays strong defense and look for that to become a factor here. Will OU have a letdown? Prediction: Missouri 20, Oklahoma 17
No. 22 North Texas at Rice
The Mean Green have the best overall record in the American Conference at 9-1. Make it a double-digit win season. Prediction: North Texas 31, Rice 12
Washington State at No. 21 James Madison
The Dukes want to keep winning to find a way to be the Group of Five invite to the CFP. Remember, that Washington State's last three losses were by a total of eight points. That said, the Cougars lost to Oregon State. Prediction: James Madison 24, Washington State 21
No. 20 Tennessee at Florida
The Vols have been disappointing in conference at 3-3. Florida is playing inspired football for its interim coachin staff and gets the upset here. Prediction: Florida 31, Tennessee 27
No. 18 Michigan at Maryland
For some reason, Maryland is sticking with Mike Locksley. The Terps have lost six in a row. There only hope is the Wolverines get caught looking ahead to Ohio State. Won't happen. Prediction: Michigan 23, Maryland 10
Arkansas at No. 17 Texas
Texas hasn't had a great season after being preseason No. 1. Arkansas, meanwhile, is playing under interim coach Bobby Petrino and is still winless in SEC play. Prediction: Texas 34, Arkansas 16
No. 16 USC at No. 6 Oregon
The Ducks are tied for sixth in the AP Poll with Texas Tech, in case anyone is wondering. They need the win here in what could be considered a CFP playoff elimination game. They will get it over the Trojans. Prediction: Oregon 23, USC 20
Pitt at No. 15 Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech lost to NC State in a stunner and barely got past Boston College in its last two. Pitt was walloped by Notre Dame. Yet, they both still have one loss in conference play. Expect a tight game since neither school is playing its best football. Prediction: Georgia Tech 37, Pitt 23
No. 14 Miami at Virginia Tech
The Hokies got their man in James Franklin. He will get to watch them lose to the Hurricanes in a game Miami needs to stay in CFP race. Prediction: Miami 27, Virginia Tech 10
Kansas State vs. No. 13 Utah
The Utes have a stellar defense, having allowed only 156 points in 10 games while scoring 411. That is not a good sign for a Kansas State team which is 5-5 and playing to find a way to be bowl eligible. It won't happen here. Prediction: Utah 35, Kansas State 7
Kentucky at No. 12 Vanderbilt
Diego Pavia and Vandy catch an ordinary Wildcat team that already has lost three games at home. This will be the fourth loss in Lexington. Prediction: Vanderbilt 31, Kentucky 23
No. 11 BYU at Cincinnati
The Bearcats have lost two in a row. They were on a heater with a seven-game winning streak. Once these Big 12 schools lose their mojo, it is gone, gone, gone. Prediction: BYU 37, Cincinnati 23
Eastern Illinois at No. 10 Alabama
This game shouldn't be played in September, let alone November. A joke. Prediction: Alabama 63, Eastern Illinois 3
Syracuse at No. 9 Notre Dame
The Irish continue their ACC march as an independent toward what they hope will be a CFP invite. Prediction: Notre Dame 53, Syracuse 6
Charlotte at No. 4 Georgia
Another game where an SEC power loads up on a cupcake before Thanksgiving. Charlotte is 1-9 and last in the American Conference. Prediction: Georgia 57, Charlotte 0
Samford at No. 3 Texas A&M
Texas A&M is playing a Samford team that is 1-10. Samford's one win was against VMI by two points. The VMI Keydets are 1-10 in the Southern Conference. Prediction: Texas A&M 70, Samford 0
Rutgers at No. 1 Ohio State
This would be a trap game with Michigan up next. However, there is zero chance Rutgers can compete with the Buckeyes. Zero. Prediction: Ohio State 49, Rutgers 3
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: College football schedule: AP Top 25 picks and predictions, Week 13
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