College football Week 14 preview

Led by two-time MAC Defensive Player of the Year, Sutton Smith, NIU will try for a fourth conference title. However, the Huskies have dropped the last two games, and their offense has managed just three touchdowns in those contests. Buffalo has lost 11 in a row to NIU but boasts an offense that's scored at least 42 points five times in 2018.

Prediction: Buffalo 24, NIU 16

Washington extended its winning streak over Utah to three games with a 21-7 victory in September. The Huskies won the 2016 Pac-12 title game, while the Utes are making their first appearance in the contest. Washington running back Myles Gaskin has averaged 151 rushing yards and has scored five touchdowns on the ground in the last three games.

Prediction: Washington 27, Utah 16

Here we go. The Red River Showdown '18: the sequel. Texas needed a late field goal to win 48-45 in Dallas in October. It might be even tougher for the Longhorns to repeat that feat. Oklahoma's defense is a joke, but its offense is averaging 52.7 points during a six-game winning streak that's followed the loss to Texas.

Prediction: Oklahoma 55, Texas 44

The inaugural Sun Belt Conference championship game is a rematch of the Oct. 20 meeting won 27-17 by Appalachian State on the same home field where it will play this one. The Mountaineers have outscored the Ragin' Cajuns 177-54 while winning five consecutive matchups.

Prediction: Appalachian State 28, Louisiana 19

It was just last weekend when these teams squared off to conclude the regular season. Middle Tennessee stymied UAB 27-3 at home, holding the Blazers to eight first downs and only 89 total yards. This will be the first appearance in the Conference USA title game for both schools.

Prediction: Middle Tennessee 24, UAB 17

With their collective mind on injured quarterback McKenzie Milton, the Knights look to extend their winning streak to 25 games while trying to secure a New Year's Six bowl in the process. Memphis blew a 16-point lead against UCF in October, so it has reason to be extra motivated for this rematch.

Prediction: UCF 28, Memphis 21 

This rematch of last season's national championship game won't only determine the SEC champ, but also what the College Football Playoff will look like. Georgia slid into the No. 4 spot in the rankings this week after Michigan was drubbed in Columbus. Alabama, however, is trying for a fifth straight win over the Bulldogs and record eighth SEC title game victory.

Prediction: Alabama 31, Georgia 16 

At some point, one would think, Fresno State will end its struggles at Boise. Maybe it's the blue turf, but the Bulldogs have lost 10 in a row at Boise State. That drought includes two losses in the Mountain West title game (2014 and '17) and earlier this season, 24-17.

Prediction: Boise State 27, Fresno State 24  

Even after rolling over Michigan last weekend, the Buckeyes still don't have a clear path to the College Football Playoff. A second straight Big Ten title would help. Northwestern, meanwhile, has dropped six in a row and 11 of 12 vs. Ohio State but is 7-1 following three straight September defeats.

Prediction: Ohio State 33, Northwestern 20

It's the final hurdle for Clemson to clear before securing a spot in the College Football Playoff semifinals — most likely vs. Notre Dame. The Tigers will try to become the first team to win four consecutive outright ACC championships. They were supposed to be here; Pitt was not. But the Panthers won the Coastal Division and hope to record a repeat of their last meeting with Clemson, a 43-42 road victory during the Tigers' 2016 national championship season.

Prediction: Clemson 42, Pitt 13

After poor weather canceled its season opener against South Dakota State, Iowa State was looking for a 12th game. Incarnate Word was then slated to be the Cyclones' opponent Saturday, but it made the FCS playoffs. In comes Drake, making the 45-minute trek from Des Moines to provide Iowa State with a bowl tune-up.

Prediction: Iowa State 50, Drake 10

After Hurricane Florence canceled games for N.C. State and East Carolina on Sept. 15, both schools went looking for opponents. This is the result. The Wolfpack are headed to a fifth consecutive bowl but first will try to snap a three-game slide against the Pirates.

Prediction: North Carolina State 35, East Carolina 21 

Another matchup that resulted from weather-related cancellations earlier this season. This gives the Gamecocks a good opportunity to bounce back from their 56-35 loss to rival Clemson last weekend. While South Carolina is headed to a bowl, Akron will not be. However, the Zips did win at Northwestern in September.

Prediction: South Carolina 35, Akron 12

It's been a crazy season for the Hokies, but a game born out of early-season cancellations for both schools gives them a chance to extend their bowl streak to 26 straight seasons. Virginia Tech snapped a four-game slide with an overtime victory over Virginia last week. Marshall, meanwhile, has won three in a row.

Prediction: Virginia Tech 34, Marshall 31

Liberty has a chance to finish .500 in its inaugural season in the FBS. Turner Gill's group has played big-time programs like Army, Virginia and Auburn and beat Troy. The Flames will try for a fourth consecutive home victory Saturday against the FCS Spartans.

Prediction: Liberty 22, Norfolk State 10

Poor air quality from the recent wildfires in Northern California moved the annual showdown between these rivals to this weekend. In a strange occurrence, the "Big Game" will be played a day after the Pac-12 champion is decided. The Cardinal have won the last eight over the Golden Bears.

Prediction: Stanford 27, Cal 24

Southern and Alcorn State have won five SWAC title games between them. Alcorn is also making a fifth consecutive appearance in the FCS league's championship game. That run began in 2014 with a 38-24 victory over Southern, which won its last title one year earlier.

Prediction: Alcorn State 31, Southern 21

Jacksonville State reached the FCS national championship game in 2015 and has dominated the Ohio Valley Conference for years but is not seeded in the subdivision playoffs this time. Maine, meanwhile, is the No. 7 seed and enters this contest on a four-game winning streak.

Prediction: Jacksonville State 34, Maine 28

James Madison is eyeing a third straight trip to the FCS national championship game, but unlike the past two seasons, it is not one of the favorites to get there. The Dukes endured a three-loss regular season, but one was to North Carolina State, 24-13. Eighth-seeded Colgate won the Patriot League and played Army strong in a 28-14 loss.

Prediction: James Madison 19, Colgate 10

Kennesaw State didn't start playing football until 2015, and now it's the No. 4 seed in the FCS playoffs. Versatile quarterback Chandler Burks is among the best in the subdivision, but Wofford hopes for another solid defensive effort following a 19-7 first-round victory over Elon.

Prediction: Kennesaw State 27, Wofford 14 

SDSU came within one game of playing for an FCS national championship a season ago and enter these playoffs as the No. 5 seed. Jackrabbits quarterback Taryn Christion has thrown 100 touchdowns in his career, including 12 during their current four-game winning streak. Duquesne won the Northeast Conference title.

Prediction: SDSU 31, Duquesne 20 

Barring a stunning upset, top-seeded North Dakota State will win the FCS national championship for the second consecutive season and seventh time in the last eight. Since the beginning of the 2011 season, the Bison are 108-8 and show no signs of slowing down. Montana State should just be another hurdle to clear.

Prediction: NDSU 42, Montana State 10

Second-seeded Weber State will try for a seventh consecutive victory while opening the postseason as one of the potential threats to North Dakota State. Running back Josh Davis ranks among the subdivision leaders with 1,288 rushing yards. SEMO's Kristian Wilkerson, meanwhile, is among the best in the FCS with 14 receiving touchdowns.

Prediction: Weber State 42, SE Missouri State 13 

Eastern Washington is seeded third, but Nicholls opened the season with an overtime win at Kansas. Colonels quarterback Chase Fourcade has thrown 53 touchdowns in three seasons. EWU, which lost at Washington State in September, has not allowed more than 23 points in any of its last eight games.

Prediction: Eastern Washington 38, Nicholls 14

Guided by former Boise State and Colorado coach Dan Hawkins, UC Davis is seeded sixth. The Aggies boast a likely NFL draft pick in receiver Keelan Doss, who's recorded 303 receptions, 3,789 yards and 28 TDs during his career. UNI topped Lamar in the opening round to earn this second-round date.

Prediction: UNI 26, UC Davis 20