Former Michigan Key Player Gives Top Prediction About The Coming Event…

On the last weekend of the college football regular season, there’s no more pressure. Conference titles and postseason spots are at stake. It is possible to make a career. A stellar performance could earn you a Heisman Trophy. Given the high stakes, performing under pressure can lead to unexpected outcomes and performances. However, where will Week 14’s surprises come from?

That’s why we’re here: to make sense of it all. The bold predictions for Week 14 of the college football season are provided by USA TODAY Sports’ college football staff members Scooby Axson, Jace Evans, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken:

COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFFS:Washington gets past Oregon to win Pac-12 title

The upset is there are no championship game upsets

On Championship Saturday, expect chalk to emerge from the top four, despite the possibility of complete chaos. Should everything go according to plan, Georgia, Michigan, Washington (despite being ranked higher and almost 10-point underdogs against Oregon), and Florida State will secure berths in the playoffs, while the Huskies and Seminoles will have to fight their way to those wins.

Chaos would include a Texas victory over Oklahoma State and Alabama beating Georgia with all the resume comparisons and complaints coming from now until the semifinals are played. — Scooby Axson

Iowa can make life difficult for Michigan

The Big Ten title game will not be won by Iowa. Complete halt. Can Michigan be dragged into the mud by it, though? Perhaps! When you consider the level of difficulty Iowa’s defense plays on as a result of the Hawkeyes’ terrible offense, it is truly amazing. The Wolverines are only behind a Penn State team that shut out Iowa, so their reprehensible offense has no chance against Michigan’s formidable defense. However, can the Iowa defense contain Michigan long enough to cover a spread that has been extended to more than three touchdowns? If Iowa doesn’t toss in one or two pick-sixes, I believe it is feasible. — Evans Jace

Oklahoma State messes with Texas’ playoff hopes

With a victory in the conference title game, Oklahoma State gets the last laugh and dashes Texas’s hopes of making it to the playoffs and Big 12 farewell tour. The Cowboys’ best chance of pulling off the upset is if running back Ollie Gordon has a big game. Gordon can likely secure a spot in the Heisman Trophy finals with another 100-yard performance in a victory. The Longhorns went 11-1 at the end of November and had an impressive victory over Texas Tech, although they have been competitive at times. All Oklahoma State has to do is force Quinn Ewers to make mistakes in the pocket. — Paul Myerberg

Louisville spoils Florida State’s playoff hopes

To keep the Seminoles unbeaten and on course to qualify for the playoffs, Tate Rodemaker led the team admirably through their victory over Florida. However, Rodemaker’s availability for the ACC title game is under question, as was revealed on Friday. Using a third quarterback would complicate matters further because Jordan Travis’s loss is still recent. Despite their disappointing performance against Kentucky in their previous meeting, Louisville will be fired up for their first-ever trip to the ACC championship game. Florida State is going to put up a good fight. Unfortunately, when the semifinals are revealed on Sunday, it won’t be enough, and playoff mayhem will ensue. — Smith Erick

Texas has no trouble with Oklahoma State

The CFP committee has largely managed to avoid having to make tough decisions in the four-team playoff era. Sure, there’ve been a few exceptions, but usually conference championship weekend has clarified matters. Things might not be as simple this year.

Oklahoma State has a chance to resolve one possible conflict by eliminating Texas from the equation, but it’s hard to trust the Cowboys to make that happen. They followed a lackluster September with a terrific five-game stretch culminating in that victory against Oklahoma, the reason they’re here as it happens. Since then, however, they laid an egg at Central Florida, nearly let Houston hang around too long and, most recently, needed two overtimes to escape BYU.

There’d probably be an air of satisfaction around the Big 12 offices if the Cowboys can complete the sweep of the SEC-bound pair, even if a Longhorns’ loss would eliminate the league from this year’s national championship hunt. But it’s not going to happen. Texas will try at least one cute play that will blow up spectacularly – Sark can’t help himself –, but in the end the more talented ‘Horns will prevail. — Eddie Timanus

SMU closes out American era with Tulane win

In order to get to the American Athletic championship game, Tulane will need to defeat SMU, a hot team that has won eight straight games, in order to secure a second consecutive New Year’s Six bowl bid. Despite Tulane’s championship experience, I’m going with SMU because of Rhett Lashlee’s offense, which is playing well in the latter stages of the season and has been more dominant than Tulane, which hasn’t been all that explosive in the last month. SMU is a very well-balanced attack, ranking in the top 20 in passing offense nationally, the top 50 in rushing, and the top 10 in fewest turnovers committed. The Mustangs will win their final AAC game if SMU manages the ball before moving on to the ACC in the upcoming campaign.– Dan Wolken..