College football Week 13 preview

While the usual pregame shenanigans for the Egg Bowl appear to have subsided at least for this season, there is always plenty on the line for this rivalry game. Ole Miss has dropped four straight overall entering the game but won three of the last four in this rivalry. Its lone loss during that stretch came at home in 2016.

Prediction: Mississippi State 32, Mississippi 27

Before the Jayhawks can look forward to Les Miles running the program next season, they will try to keep the Longhorns from claiming a place in the Big 12 title game. Texas' chance to grab that spot obviously gets better if injured quarterback Sam Ehlinger is able to play. Texas has won 14 of 15 against Kansas.

Prediction: Texas 33, Kansas 23

Looks like the College Football Playoff committee is starting to show the Knights some love by putting them ninth in this week's rankings. UCF won a wild one against South Florida last season, but it must go on the road this year. The Bulls have struggled of late but won three of the last four at home in this series.

Prediction: UCF 49, South Florida 39

The winner heads to the Big 12 championship game, and so may the loser, depending on what happens between Texas and Kansas. West Virginia has scored at least 35 points each game while going 5-0 at home. Oklahoma's much-maligned defense has given up 40 or more in each of the last three but has won five in a row. This should be a wild one.

Prediction: West Virginia 52, Oklahoma 49

It been a special season for the Cougars, which will get better with a rare victory over their Apple Cup rivals. With the Pac-12 North Division title on the line, Washington State will try to snap a five-game losing streak to Washington, which has won eight of the last nine meetings.

Prediction: Washington State 28, Washington 21

It was a rough afternoon in the Bronx for the Orange last weekend. The 33-point loss to Notre Dame was exacerbated by an injury to quarterback Eric Dungey. His status for this contest remains uncertain, but the task that awaits will be tough for Syracuse regardless of who is under center. BC has dropped two in a row but avoided a third consecutive defeat in the series last season.

Prediction: Boston College 23, Syracuse 16

Georgia dominated this series for many years, but the Yellow Jackets have won the last two games in Athens — and five over the last 10 there. The Bulldogs will use this as a solid primer for the SEC title game with the hopes they'll remain in position for a spot in the CFP.

Prediction: Georgia 38, Georgia Tech 20 

The Seminoles would love nothing more than to continue their dominance in this series. Florida State has won five in a row and seven of the last eight against the Gators at home and just might be capable of pulling off the win here.

Prediction: Florida State 24, Florida 21

It's "game on" already. Michigan players are guaranteeing a win over Ohio State this weekend, and the Buckeyes are laughing it off with funny tweets. The pressure all rests on the favored Wolverines, who are in position to remain in the CFP but have lost six in a row and 13 of 14 to Ohio State. Also, the Buckeyes have won the last eight meetings at Columbus.

Prediction: Michigan 27, Ohio State 21

Auburn would love to play spoiler in this year's Iron Bowl, but Alabama should be primed for the annual rivalry contest. The Tide got the last laugh at the end of the 2018 season despite losing to the Tigers in the regular-season finale. However, this game is personal for the fans, coaches and players — and Alabama has a year's worth of payback to unleash.

Prediction: Alabama 42, Auburn 7

Pitt will play for the ACC championship next week against Clemson, but there is business to handle first. The Panthers have won just three times in the last 14 matchups with Miami, but the most recent came last season, a 24-14 victory at home. The Hurricanes snapped a four-game slide by beating Virginia Tech last weekend.

Prediction: Miami 24, Pittsburgh 21

The Wildcats have not let off the gas since clinching the Big Ten West Division crown two weeks ago, and that won't change in this rivalry contest. Northwestern has won six in a row and 14 of its last 15 league games. Illinois has won 12 total Big Ten games since the start of the 2011 season.

Prediction: Northwestern 40, Illinois 13

Is Penn State coach James Franklin a candidate for the potential opening at USC? That's what the rumor mill is churning. At the moment, he will try to guide the Nittany Lions to a third consecutive victory to end the regular season. Maryland still has a chance to extend a season that most around the program would like to forget.

Prediction: Penn State 55, Maryland 27

There was time at the beginning of the decade when South Carolina was in the midst of a five-game winning streak over Clemson. However, the Tigers have claimed the last four in a row against the Gamecocks. For Clemson, it's another step toward a likely date with Alabama in the national championship game.

Prediction: Clemson 48, South Carolina 10

Iowa State's five-game winning streak ended with a loss at then-No. 13 Texas last weekend. However, a bounce back seems possible, as the Cyclones look for a fifth consecutive home victory. Then again, Iowa State has dropped 10 in a row vs. Kansas State, which will be looking to become bowl eligible with a third straight victory to conclude the regular season.

Prediction: Iowa State 23, Kansas State 16

This rivalry should be intense on the basketball court in 2018, but all signs point to a one-sided affair on the gridiron this weekend. Kentucky has lost six of the last seven meetings with Louisville, but by now everybody should be aware of the struggles the Cardinals have endured this season. They will try to avoid a ninth straight defeat and first 10-loss season since 1997.

Prediction: Kentucky 44, Louisville 13 

It's hard to believe, but LSU has not recorded 10 or more victories in a season since 2013. It has the chance to accomplish that feat beginning this weekend. The Tigers have won seven straight against the Aggies and totaled 99 points in the last two meetings.

Prediction: LSU 24, Texas A&M 10

Not too much at stake in this one. Hah! The Irish look to conclude the regular season undefeated and remain in the College Football Playoff. USC, meanwhile, is trying to become bowl eligible and possibly save coach Clay Helton's job in the process. Now that's the kind of intrigue there should be when these historic programs meet.

Prediction: Notre Dame 35, USC 20

Utah has clinched the Pac-12 South Division title but certainly has reason to be amped up this week. It's a rivalry game, and the Utes have won seven straight in this series. However, the last three played in Salt Lake City have been decided by five points — and that dates back to 2010.

Prediction: Utah 28, BYU 14

The two teams have won 16 consecutive games between them. The Mountain West Mountain Division title is at stake along with the right to face Fresno State in the league championship game. This is somewhat of a historic contest for the blue turf in terms of ranked teams coming in, but Boise has won eight in a row at home in the series.

Prediction: Utah State 32, Boise State 30 

Virginia's winning season will be rewarded with a bowl bid, but the Hokies still have work to do to earn a postseason trip. Virginia Tech needs to win this rivalry game for a 15th straight time, and then beat Marshall in a conditionally scheduled Dec. 1 contest to extend its bowl streak to 26 games. Should Tech lose to the Cavs, then the Marshall game is off and its season is done.

Prediction: Virginia 27, Virginia Tech 20

The Boilermakers have wins over ranked Boston College, Oho State and Iowa teams but still are not bowl eligible. A loser in three of four, Purdue now has to go to Indiana, which is also looking to secure a bowl bid and a fourth consecutive home victory in the fight for the Old Oaken Bucket.

Prediction: Indiana 31, Purdue 30

UAB has already clinched the Conference USA West Division title, and this could be a preview of the league championship game. However, Middle Tennessee needs to win this one and hope co-East Division leader FIU loses to Marshall. The surprise Blazers, however, are 7-0 in the conference.

Prediction: UAB 25, Middle Tennessee 21

Herm Edwards has the Sun Devils bowl eligible in his first season as coach. Kevin Sumlin will try to do the same with the Wildcats in his first season in charge. Arizona has won the last two meetings between these rivals at home.

Prediction: Arizona 22, Arizona State 20 

There was so much promise at Colorado following a 5-0 start, but things have gone south in a hurry. A six-game slide cost coach Mike MacIntyre his job, but the Buffs still have a chance to go bowling for the second time in three years. Headed to a bowl for the first time since 2015, Cal has won two of three despite totaling just 40 points over that stretch.

Prediction: Cal 24, Colorado 10