Top showdowns blanket Power Five slate
No. 4 Oklahoma at No. 18 Baylor
Saturday, noon ET, Fox
Tipico Sportsbook line: Oklahoma by 51⁄2
The Sooners (9-0, 6-0 Big 12) got a week off to prepare for their challenging three-week finishing kick in which they will face their three closest Big 12 pursuers. It begins with this trip to Waco, where the Bears (7-2, 4-2) must regroup quickly from last week’s surprising setback against TCU. Newly installed QB Caleb Williams has provided a boost to the Sooners’ offense with 1,189 passing yards and 14 TDs since taking over, but the OU defense remains suspect. The Bears’ defense has also been inconsistent, so QB Gerry Bohanon will again be asked to do a lot.
Prediction: The Sooners are likely going to have to stick with their model of outscoring opponents for now. That will probably get them by this week, but the defense is going to have to start making some plays by the time Bedlam rolls around.
Oklahoma, 38-27
No. 8 Michigan at No. 23 Penn State
Saturday, noon ET, ABC
Tipico Sportsbook line: Penn State by 11⁄2
The Big Ten East race officially goes through Columbus with Ohio State now the lone team unscathed in conference play. The Wolverines (8-1, 5-1) are still in a good position to challenge the Buckeyes but must get over a couple of more hurdles first. The Nittany Lions can only play spoiler at this point but would like to optimize their place in the league’s bowl pecking order. The Penn State defense has withstood a lot and must do so again with Michigan QB Cade McNamara showing a bit more pop in the passing game of late. Nittany Lions QB Sean Clifford is happy to have WR Jahan Dotson looming as a constant breakaway threat but is going to need other playmakers to step up as he tries to steer clear of Wolverines DE Aidan Hutchinson. Prediction: One or two big plays from the Nittany Lions (6-3, 3-3) isn’t going to get it done against the more balanced Wolverines. The PSU defense will play well but will run out of gas in the fourth quarter. Michigan, 28-17
No. 1 Georgia at Tennessee
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS
Tipico Sportsbook line: Georgia by 201⁄2
With the Southeastern Conference East wrapped up, the Bulldogs (9-0, 7-0) close out their regular-season conference slate in Knoxville, where the Volunteers (5-4, 3-3) are coming off the most significant win to date of the Josh Heupel era with last week’s triumph at Kentucky. Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker has accounted for 25 total TDs, 21 by air, with two interceptions. He’ll have his hands full, however, facing DT Jordan Davis and the lights-out Georgia defensive unit that has surrendered 13 points or fewer in every outing.
Prediction: This might be the game when either QB Stetson Bennett or JT Daniels has to make something happen for the Bulldogs’ offense. But it’s more likely the other side of the ball continues to dominate. Georgia, 31-10
Purdue at No. 5 Ohio State
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Tipico Sportsbook line: Ohio State by 191⁄2 Before the Buckeyes (8-1, 6-0 Big Ten) deal with the Michigan schools in their bid to close out the rugged East Division, they must first play host to Purdue (6-3, 4-2), the proven giant killer from the West. The Boilermakers would need help to win their division thanks to earlier losses to Minnesota and Wisconsin but have already sprung two top-10 upsets. QB C.J. Stroud has kept the ball moving for the Buckeyes, but coach Ryan Day would like to see more drives end with touchdowns rather than field goals. There might again be opportunities for Purdue QB Aidan O’Connell and WR David Bell to exploit the OSU secondary that has not always been airtight.
Prediction: Of course, the best way for OSU to avoid red-zone issues is simply to run through it on the way to pay dirt. Look for WRs Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson to do just that as the Buckeyes break out. For a big win.
Ohio State, 45-24
No. 11 Texas A&M at No. 12 Mississippi
Saturday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tipico Sportsbook line: Texas A&M by 21⁄2
The Aggies (7-2, 4-2 SEC) still have work to do and will still need help to win the West Division, but last week’s drubbing of Auburn was a huge step. Up next is this trip to Oxford, where Ole Miss (7-2, 3-2) poses a different challenge with its high-octane attack. Ole Miss QB Matt Corral’s ability to find running room is perhaps an underappreciated part of his game, but Aggies LB Aaron Hansford might make him think twice about taking off. The A&M offense figures to get off to a better start this week as RBs Isaiah Spiller and Devon Achane take advantage of the Rebels’ front that is allowing 4.3 yards per rushing attempt.
Prediction: This will come down to which team can establish its preferred tempo. The Rebels wouldn’t mind making it a track meet, but they might have no choice if the Aggies get on the board early. If A&M can mange its possessions, it’ll quiet the crowd and get out with a hard-fought road victory.
Texas A&M, 34-24
No. 19 North Carolina State at No. 13 Wake Forest
7:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network
Tipico Sportsbook line: Wake Forest by 21⁄2
It’s a first-place showdown in the Atlantic Coast Conference Atlantic Division, and it doesn’t involve Clemson. A win for N.C. State (7-2, 4-1) would all but lock up the division, as the Wolfpack would then own victories against both the Tigers and the Demon Deacons (8-1, 5-0). Wake must still travel to Clemson next week, but a win would put the Deacs two games clear of the field with two weeks to go in the season. Wake QB Sam Hartman accounted for seven TDs at North Carolina last week, though his two interceptions proved costly. The Wolfpack offense isn’t quite as prolific, but QB Devin Leary has 25 scoring throws with just three picks and should take advantage of Wake’s leaky secondary. Prediction: In four of Wake’s last five games, the Demon Deacons have surrendered at least 34 points, but they’ve scored at least 35 in every game this season. N.C. State will get its share of points, but Wake will get more.
Wake Forest, 42-34
Washington State at No. 6 Oregon 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tipico Sportsbook line:
Oregon by 131⁄2
The Ducks (8-1, 5-1 Pac-12) aren’t winning pretty, but they are winning and might still have a path to the playoff. They return home to face the Cougars (5-4, 4-2), who’ve been remarkably feisty amid all the turnover on the coaching staff. WSU will be rested coming off its impressive win at Arizona State two weeks ago, fueled by QB Jayden de Laura and five takeaways by the defense. The Ducks have lacked explosiveness in the passing game, but QB Anthony Brown and RB Travis Dye have at least been able to keep the chains moving thanks to a 50% third-down conversion rate. Prediction: It’s been almost like a March Madness “survive and advance” mentality for the Ducks, and it’s served them well for the most part.
Oregon, 34-26