2017 College Football Picks & Predictions: Ohio State at Michigan and Alabama at Auburn: Two of the most historic and bitter rivalries in college football will add another chapter to their storied legacies this weekend when the Ohio State Buckeyes and Michigan Wolverines square off and the Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Auburn Tigers in the Iron Bowl.
Both games will impact the College Football Playoff race, and while victories for Michigan and Alabama will make the playoff picture much clearer, wins by either Ohio State or Auburn will keep the drama going right up through championship week.
Needless to say, there is plenty on the line in both games, as if either rivalry needed more juice. Let’s dive into both of these matchups to take a closer look.
2017 College Football Picks & Predictions: Ohio State at Michigan and Alabama at Auburn
No. 9 Ohio State Buckeyes (-12.0) at Michigan Wolverines
In one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football, the Buckeyes head to Ann Arbor as 12-point favorites to face the Wolverines. Ohio State already has a spot in the Big Ten Championship Game locked up, but there is still plenty at stake for both sides. The Buckeyes still have an outside shot at sneaking into the College Football Playoff, and the Wolverines would love nothing more than to salvage a disappointing season by ruining the title hopes of their bitter rivals.
On paper, this matchup clearly favors Ohio State. Led by a powerful running game and a four-year starter at quarterback in J.T. Barrett, the Buckeyes boast the third-best scoring offense in the country. On the flips side, the Wolverines have struggled to score all year and aren’t even sure who will be under center in this one.
That being said, Michigan does boast one of the stingiest defenses in the country, and if Ohio State was a consistent team, it would enter this matchup with two losses. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State’s ground attack is held in check, forcing Barrett to make throws down the field, something he has been hit and miss doing.
The Wolverines have nothing to lose in this one, and that makes any team dangerous, especially when we are talking about one of the most intense rivalries in sports. I’m not sure the Wolverines, spring the upset, but playing at home, I like their chances of taking this game to the wire.
Prediction: Michigan Wolverines (+12.0) Cover the Spread.
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide (-4.5) at No. 6 Auburn Tigers
Maybe it’s the memories of the “kick six” game still fresh in my mind, but this year’s Iron Bowl seems destined to be another classic. A spot in the SEC Championship Game and potential the College Football Playoff is on the line, and while the Crimson Tide are favored, the Tigers are at home and just a couple of weeks removed from taking out the former top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs.
While Alabama seems to reload every year with ease, I don’t think you can overlook the fact the Nick Saban’s defense is currently down four linebackers. The Crimson Tide are allowing less than 100 yards rushing per game this year, but Alabama has allowed more than 150 yards on the ground to both LSU and Mississippi State in recent weeks. Enter Auburn workhorse Kerryon Johnson, who should be able to test the Crimson Tide’s front seven.
Auburn’s defense proved its mettle when it shutdown Georgia’s dynamic duo of running backs, so I don’t think Alabama can just line up and run an expect to win. The Crimson Tide to have a dual-threat weapon in quarterback Jalen Hurts, but in big games, Alabama can tend to go a little conservative on offense.
I think Saban will try to outmuscle Auburn in the trenches, limiting his team’s biggest weapon in the process and keeping this game close to the end. With so much on the line, I’ll take the home team and the points.
Prediction: Auburn Tigers (+4.5) Cover the Spread
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