Week 14 Predictions – 2023
Last Week: This week is never easy for Buckeye fans after a loss to Michigan. The Wolverines did what they needed to do and deserved the win. But Ohio State played a bit passive and it cost them in the end. Kyle McCord did not make the plays he needed to make and in the end the two turnovers proved to be the difference. So for the third year in a row, the Buckeyes will be sitting at home on championship week, cheering for a couple of key upsets which may allow them to back into the playoffs like they did last season.
This Week’s Games: Championship week starts on Friday once again as we witness the final PAC-12 championship. We have the rematch between the Ducks and the Huskies. Can Washington make two in a row over Oregon? …. For the SEC championship, we once again see Georgia and Alabama. The Bulldogs have dominated college football for the last three years. Can they get three more victories and close out another national championship? …. Louisville and Florida State will meet in the ACC championship. Can FSU win this and remain unbeaten without their starting quarterback? …. The Big Ten Championship should be a no-brainer. Penn State was able to score 31 on the Hawkeyes so there is no doubt in my mind that Michigan will be able to score on them as well. The question is can the Hawkeyes score on the Wolverines? …. The Big 12 may already be on the outside looking in on the playoffs as they do not have an unbeaten team entering the final week. But if the Longhorns can can defeat Oklahoma State can they work their way up the polls and into the playoffs?
Buckeye Greats: As in the past, we will continue to include former Buckeye players in our prediction fun and we are thrilled to have Vaughn Broadnax back with us as a regular participant for the ninth straight year.
Here we go with our Championship Week Picks – Good Luck to All – Gregg
(5)Oregon(-10) vs (3)Washington
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU 1980-83): Oregon over Washington 32-30
Coach Rick: Washington 24 Oregon 17
Dave: Washington 32 Oregon 31
Gregg: The final Pac-12 Championship game will be played in Las Vegas, and I think the neutral site plays in favor of Oregon. And the wise guys in Vegas felt the Ducks were an 8-point favorite and of course they know what they are talking about right. Apparently the gamblers feel the same way as the line has already moved up two points. Oregon has scored more points than any team in the country this season and have one of the top defenses as well. Washington has had a great run and deserves to be in this position. But I think Oregon wins this one and creates a bit more challenge for the playoff committee as they try to find their final four. Bo Nix gets a huge stage in this battle of two ‘transfer portal’ quarterbacks and could win the Heisman Friday night as well. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, I think they would prefer for Washington to win this one clearly drop one of the teams in front of them in the polls. Go Huskies but I think this one goes to the Ducks. Oregon 41 Washington 30
Josh: Washington 38 Oregon 35
Steven: This one was so close in week 7, with Washington taking home a 36-33 win. Now the pundits and Vegas have the Ducks as prohibited favorites. If the Ducks do win it could put both teams into the playoff, (and rightly so in my mind). Get the tin foil hats ready. Oregon QB Bo Nix has been spectacular in the second half of the year, and may have the Heisman race wrapped up. Still, there’s a little issue of getting past the Huskies and Michael Penix Jr. I still like Washington’s ability to rise up on defense and give Nix a rough go of it. U-Dub 44-38.
Trout: It’s hard to beat a team twice in a season. So that is why I am picking Oregon to win this game. We saw earlier this year how evenly matched these teams were. With Washngton coming out on top because the Ducks committed some devastating mistakes. THis game should be very close. Most likely with the game being decided on the final drive. As good as the Huskies and Penix Jr are, I just think the Ducks will be ready for this game. They will learn from the last meeting, and clean up what needs to be cleaned up. The Ducks will win this game by a hair, and become the PAC-12 Champs, as well as get their spot in the final 4 team playoff. (Oregon, 45-42)
Final Score: Washington 34 Oregon 31
(1)Georgia(-5.5) vs (8)Alabama
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU 1980-83): Georgia over Alabama 31-10
Coach Rick: Georgia 28 Alabama 21
Dave: Georgia 32 Alabama 24
Gregg: In my mind, this game should never be in question. Georgia has all parts to go all the way once again. They have had a few injuries, but like all championship calibur teams, they are deep and find ways to win. They are getting healthy at the right time and although Alabama is playing better than when they lost to Texas, they are still not good enough to beat the Bulldogs. They barely beat a .500 Auburn team last week. Tide QB Jalen Milroe has made the improvements during the year that the Buckeyes wish Kyle McCord had made but it will not be enough to win in Atlanta. Expect the Dawgs to gradually build a lead through the first three quarters and then coast through the final quarter to victory. A Georgia win eliminated another 1 loss team and should help keep the path clear for the Buckeyes as they cling to that thin chance of making the playoffs. Georgia 27 Alabama 17
Josh: Georgia 42 Alabama 24
Steven: Alabama QB Jalen Milroe is playing so much better than when he was benched earlier in the year, but it probably won’t be enough to overcome the juggernaut that Georgia has become. The Dawgs aren’t spectacular at one position, but they are collectively the best team in the SEC, and maybe the nation. UGA 33-27
Trout: I have to go with the Bulldogs in this game. At this moment they are the better team. They haven’t lost a game in over two seasons. And although the Crimson Tide have improved in the latter half of the season, I still think they are not as good as Georgia.I just don’t see them knocking the Bulldogs off the pedestal. That is not to say it will be a blow out. I could see this game being very close and coming down to the wire. Alabama is a good team, and they should be able to match Georgia blow for blow for a while. However, Georgia will be able to pull away right at the end, with some last minute heroics.Georgia wins this game and cements their spot in the playoffs. (Georgia, 24-17)
Final Score: Alabama 27 Georgia 24
(14)Louisville vs (4)Florida State
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU 1980-83): Louisville over FSU 27-24
Coach Rick: Florida State 35 Louisville 17
Dave: Florida State 38 Louisville 21
Gregg: Florida State has now won two games with a back-up quarterback, but Tate Rodemaker is no Cardell Jones. Louisville was sleepwalking last week as they lost to Kentucky. They will be ready to make up for that. The have had a great run in 2023, but it is time for the bubble to burst. Plus the Cardinals HAVE to win if the Buckeyes have any chance of sneaking back into the playoffs. Therefore I have to go with the Cards. Louisville 31 Florida State 21
Josh: Louisville 35 Florida State 28
Steven: Louisville is coming off an inexplicable late season loss to Kentucky last weekend. If they aren’t motivated by that, I’m not sure anything will help. The Seminoles are still reeling from the loss of their quarterback two weeks ago. FSU still has a chance with Tate Rodemaker, but last week’s 12-25 134 yard performance does not inspire confidence. Louisville comes back and gives the Bucks some hope. Cardinals 28-17
Trout: I am going to pick the upset here and go with the Cardinals. If Florida State still had their starting quarterback, I would pick them, no question. But that is not the case. Their replacement quarterback, Rodemaker was able to get the Seminoles the win against Florida, but it was still only a nine point victory against a bad Gator team. I think Louisville will take full advantage of the inexperience and pressure him into making mistakes. The game should be a close , somewhat low scoring affair. But when it’s all said and done, The Cardinals will come out on top and be the ACC champs. (Louisville, 26-19)
Final Score: Florida State 16 Louisville 6
(2)Michigan(-22) vs (16)Iowa
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU 1980-83): Michigan over Iowa 20-10
Coach Rick: Michigan 42 – Iowa 7
Dave: Michigan 42 Iowa 14
Gregg: Unless Michigan is still on their high from beating the Buckeyes, they should steamroll Iowa. They will have Coach Harbaugh back and they have everything still ahead of them. Plus, the Buckeyes NEED the Wolverines to win, so we find ourselves in the rare situation where we need to cheet Go Blue. Michigan 42 Iowa 3
Josh: Michigan 31 Iowa 3
Steven: Michigan has basically done just enough to get by against decent defenses this year. While Iowa has a top 10 defense, they roll out an offensively hapless offense. Michigan’s defense should be able to keep Herky out of the endzone. UM 33-6
Trout: Nothing would make me more happy than to see Michigan lose to Iowa, but it won’t happen. Iowa has no offense. There are only two reasons they are in this Big Ten Championship game. Firstly, the Big Ten West is awful. And secondly, the Iowa defense is really good. That should slow the Wolverines down for a while But Michigan will eventually find the endzone, and the Hawkeyes don’t have the offensive skill to counter. Michigan will once again win the Big Ten, and punch their ticket to the playoffs (where they’ll get steamrolled by Georgia again). However, it shouldn’t matter, these wins will be vacated in a couple years anyway. (Michigan, 20-3)
Final Score: Michigan 26 Iowa 0
(7)Texas(-15.5) vs (18)Oklahoma State
Vaughn Broadnax (OSU 1980-83): Texas over Oklahoma St. 31-17
Coach Rick: Texas 24 – Oklahoma State 21
Dave: Texas 32 Oklahoma State
Gregg: Rooting for the Cowboys but think the Longhorns win this one. And I am not happy to see yet another OSU QB landing in the playoffs while we struggle to reaplace our string of great signal callers. Texas 17 Oklahoma State 14
Josh: Oklahoma State 24 – Texas 21
Steven: Not to be too blunt, but the Cowboys ain’t got no defense. They’ve given up over 30 per game in the last 4 games whereas the Longhorns are giving about 10 points less in that same span. Texas 35-21 seems about right.
Trout: Texas should win this game. As improved as the Cowboys have been this year, I still think Texas is better. OKlahoma State is just too inconsistent. They’re able to beat a good Oklahoma team, but end up losing to the likes of South Alabama, Iowa State, and a 5-5 UCF. They are getting there, but not just yet. Plus the Longhorns have a healthy Quinn Ewers back. Although still raw, he has shown to be a very talented quarterback. I can see this game being a bit of a shootout. Both teams have the ability to score quickly. The game should go back and forth for a while, but towards the end of the game Texas will begin to pull away. And Unfortunately for the COwboys, they won’t have the talent to keep up. Texas wins the Big 12, and keeps their playoff hopes alive. (Texas, 49-42)