2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: Top 5 Conference Games

2014 College Football Picks and Predictions: Top 5 Conference Games: Conference rivalries are part of what makes college football great. Fans love watching the other team lose as much as they love watching their own team win, and the bad blood and hostility inevitably spills over on to the field. Heck, Ohio State fans would rather go 1-11 and beat Michigan than 11-1 and lose to Michigan, and the feelings are mutual for the Wolverines. The same can be said for plenty of other conference rivals, and the fact that many of the best rivalries are also among the perennial contenders in power conferences only makes them that much better. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the top conference matchups for the 2014 college football season.

1. Auburn at Alabama, November 29

It’s a safe bet that this year’s Iron Bowl won’t be as dramatic as last year’s game that ended with Auburn returning a missed field goal as time expired to win the SEC West, ending Alabama’s rein as champs and putting the Tigers in the conference title game and eventually the BCS title game. There is a great chance that the division will again be at stake when these teams meet, and the winner will likely find itself with a spot in the college football playoff. It is one of the most heated rivalries in the country, and there will likely be a ton at stake. What more can you ask for?

2. Baylor at Oklahoma, November 8

On paper, these two teams look like the class of the Big 12 by a wide margin, and I fully expect this game to decide the conference championship. In fact, I believe the winner of this game has a great chance to run the table and grab a spot in the college football playoff. Not only is plenty at stake in this matchup, but the talent on the field is excellent, as well. Baylor’s high-powered offense will take on Oklahoma’s stout defense, and Bears quarterback Bryce Petty and Sooners quarterback Trevor Knight could use this game as a platform to jumpstart a Heisman campaign.

3. Alabama at LSU, November 8 

The last time the Crimson Tide went into Death Valley, Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron had to engineer a last-minute comeback to escape with a win. This time around, the Crimson Tide will be breaking in a new quarterback when they face one of their toughest rivals. The game could easily decide the SEC West, and both teams have a chance to end up in the college football playoff. Throw in the fact that Alabama head coach Nick Saban used to coach at LSU, and the end result is two of the best programs in the country with plenty to play for and plenty of reasons not to like each other. Hard-hitting action is a given.

4. Stanford at Oregon, November 1

This matchup has basically become the Pac-12 title game as these North Division powers have ruled the conference in recent years. The contrasting styles of these teams make the matchup that much more entertaining, as Oregon’s speed meets Stanford’s size and strength. Stanford has won the last two meetings between these teams, controlling the tempo and slowing down the Ducks’ high-powered offense. The game could end up being Oregon’s toughest test of the year, and the outcome could end up deciding whether or not Stanford plays in a major bowl and whether or not Oregon reaches the college football playoff. To top it off, Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota could win or lose the Heisman in this one.

5. Ohio State at Michigan State, November 8

Although this matchup lost a little bit of juice when Ohio State lost quarterback Braxton Miller, this game is still likely to decide the Big Ten East, and in all likelihood, this will be the de facto conference title game. Last year, the Spartans upset the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game to ruin Ohio State national title dreams, and this year, both have a great chance to be a part of the college football playoff. With Miller sidelined and the game in East Lansing, the script could be flipped in 2014 with the Buckeyes trying to play the role of spoiler. Either way, watching Urban Meyer’s offense go against Mark Dantonio’s defense for a second time should be fun.