Bo Wallace will need to play well for the Rebels to beat Arkansas. (Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports)
Welcome to Week 13 of The Lowe Down.
After having a brief conversation with Lindy Davis, the owner of Lindy’s, on Monday, we both came to the conclusion that the two best teams in America played last Saturday afternoon. Not taking anything away from FSU, Oregon, Ohio State or any other team, but I think Mississippi State or Alabama could do the deed against any of those foes on a neutral field. How it all plays out only time will tell, but if the Bulldogs and Crimson Tide get into the first-ever College Football Playoff, then they very well could meet for the whole enchilada.
Last week’s record was 11-10, bringing the yearly record to 171-66. To the games we go…
Saturday, November 22
No. 25 Minnesota (7-3, 4-2 Big Ten) at No. 23 Nebraska (8-2, 4-2 Big Ten) 11:00 a.m. CT
Just one week after Melvin Gordon ran for a FBS single-game rushing record 408 yards against the Cornhuskers, now comes the challenge of stopping a powerful Minnesota rushing game that features David Cobb, one of the nation’s top runners (1,350 yards; 11 TDs). Cobb’s a bruiser who runs with a lot of power. He also opens up opportunities for quarterback Mitch Leidner to find big-time tight end Maxx Williams (seven TD grabs) in the passing game. The Gophers get a big road win here.
The Lowe Down: Minnesota 32, Nebraska 28
Indiana (3-7, 0-6 Big Ten) at No. 6 Ohio State (9-1, 6-0 Big Ten) 11:00 a.m. CT
There’s no doubt the Ohio State offense can score on anyone, but the Buckeyes need to show improvement on defense, especially against the run, down the stretch if they expect to win a Big Ten title much less a national championship. Last week Minnesota rolled up 218 yards on the ground and would’ve been in position to tie the game late had a 52-yard field goal attempt not clanked off the right crossbar in the third quarter. Ohio State rolls here but keep an eye on the Buckeyes run D down the stretch.
The Lowe Down: Indiana 16, Ohio State 48
No. 8 Ole Miss (8-2, 4-2 SEC) at Arkansas (5-5, 1-5 SEC) 2:30 p.m. CT
One week after finally picking up his first SEC win as a head coach, Bret Bielema has chance at another milestone with the school: notching his first win against a Top 10 team. To do so Arkansas must maintain its offensive success on the ground (232 ypg) and take some shots downfield in the passing game. Ole Miss’ defense is fast and physical and it can be tough on one-dimensional opponents. Therefore, it will be critical for Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen to make some throws when he’s called upon to do so. Another key to the game will be the play of the Rebels offensive line against an Arkansas defensive front that’s coming off a four-sack performance against LSU. If Ole Miss can’t protect Wallace, the Rebels could bog down on offense due to the absence of Laquon Treadwell and the lack of a consistent running game.
The Lowe Down: Ole Miss 14, Arkansas 13
Boston College (6-4, 3-3 ACC) at No. 3 Florida State (10-0, 7-0 ACC) 2:30 p.m. CT
Alright. Let me just tell you how this game is going to go. Boston College will be up 14-7 at the end of the first quarter. Then the Eagles will be up 28-14 at half time. And that’s when the Seminoles will turn it up and pour it on … like they always do. We should all know the drill by now.
The Lowe Down: Boston College 28, Florida State 38
No. 16 Wisconsin (8-2, 5-1 Big Ten) at Iowa (7-3, 4-2 Big Ten) 2:30 p.m. CT
Melvin Gordon right. Melvin Gordon left. Repeat. Melvin Gordon right. Melvin Gordon left. Repeat. Ah, yes, it seems that simple doesn’t it. Sure does. The way the Badgers are running the ball down the stretch this seems like the perfect plan of action against every foe from here on out. Yes, Iowa is always good at home, but if Minnesota had their way with the Hawkeyes front seven two weeks ago in a 51-14 win (291 yards rushing) what will this powerful Wisconsin bunch do?
The Lowe Down: Wisconsin 34, Iowa 17
No. 15 Arizona (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) at No. 17 Utah (7-3, 4-3 Pac-12) 2:30 p.m. CT
If Arizona wants to keep its Pac-12 South title hopes alive then it must be up to the task of entering Rice-Eccles Stadium and emerging with a win. To do that, quarterback Anu Solomon will have to protect the football against a rugged Utah defense and hit some plays downfield. The Utes have a stout run D but the secondary can be taken advantage of if the opposing QB shows patience. This has the makings of a great game, but I’ll roll with the Utes at home in a tight one.
The Lowe Down: Arizona 20, Utah 24
Oklahoma State (5-5, 3-4 Big 12) at No. 7 Baylor (8-1, 5-1 Big 12) 6:30 p.m. CT
From here on out Baylor must not only win, but it must win big considering there’s no Big 12 title game and no margin for error. If it comes down to Baylor and TCU for the final spot in the first-even College Football Playoff, I would think that the committee would have to give Art Briles’ team the nod due to the head to head matchup. Regardless, it’s time for Bryce Petty and his compadres on offense to crank up the volume and rack up some numbers. This game will present an excellent opportunity to do so.
The Lowe Down: Oklahoma State 22, Baylor 59
No. 20 Missouri (8-2, 5-1 SEC) at Tennessee (5-5, 2-4 SEC) 6:30 p.m. CT
It’s hard to believe that Missouri could win its second straight SEC East title in only its third year in the league but that will be the case if Gary Pinkel’s team wins out. But first things first, the Tigers have to get a big road win against a surging Vols team. Sophomore quarterback Joshua Dobbs has helped put the Volunteers on the verge of becoming bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 by accounting for 1,079 total yards — 790 passing — and 11 touchdowns in the three games he has played, so this is a different Tennessee team than the one that lost by a point to Florida at home. This Vols team can score and it’s played pretty solid defense all season long so I look for Butch Jones’ squad to keep it rolling.
The Lowe Down: Missouri 20, Tennessee 27
No. 19 USC (7-3, 6-2 Pac-12) at No. 9 UCLA (8-2, 5-2 Pac-12) 7:00 p.m. CT
Although USC has talent along its defensive front (Leonard Williams is one of the top D-linemen in the country), it’s struggled against quality passing teams. And that’s exactly what UCLA is behind dual-threat Brett Hundley, but the Bruins defense will have a tough time against the Trojan offense. Look for a ton of scoring in this matchup, but I think the Trojans pull off the mild upset behind the quarterback-receiver connection of Cody Kessler (2,919 passing yards to go along with 29 TDs) and Nelson Agholor (82 receptions for 1,079 and 10 TDs) and the legs of talented tailback Javorius Allen (1,184 yards; eight TDs).
The Lowe Down: USC 41, UCLA 38
In other Saturday games:
Charleston Southern 10, No. 10 Georgia 59
South Alabama 27, South Carolina 47
Rutgers 17, No. 11 Michigan State 44
Marshall 38, UAB 20
Kansas 23, No. 21 Oklahoma 37
No. 24 Louisville 26, Notre Dame 24
Washington State 23, No. 13 Arizona State 45
Western Carolina 0, No. 1 Alabama 48
Samford 20, No. 14 Auburn 55
Vanderbilt 10, No. 4 Mississippi State 49
Boise State 38, Wyoming 16
Oregon State 20, Washington 24
