We are in for a great day of sports today with six college football games that have rank opponents playing each other. Three of these games will be on in prime time on network television. The Barclays Premiere League kicks off Week 11 and the second leg of the MLS playoffs start today.
College Football
11:00 AM Central - #12 Baylor at #15 Oklahoma - Fox Sports 1
At 6-2 the chances for Oklahoma to make the playoff is unlikely, but Baylor at 7-1 if they were to win out would have a good chance. The problem for Baylor is they are playing in Norman against a team last week who got back on track by destroying Iowa State. I think this will be a good game and will stay close most of the game, but in the end I think Baylor's playoff hopes will die in Norman. Oklahoma with the 40-35 win.
2:00 PM Central - #7 Northwest Missouri State University at Emporia State - Online Stream
This week in the regional rankings Northwest moved up to #5 in SR3, with the top 6 teams making the playoffs this season is simple for the Bearcats, win and your in. With two weeks to go Northwest will have their final true road game when they travel to Emporia State, who is 4-5 on the season. Emporia has beat the bad teams in the MIAA and lost to the good teams. I feel there is enough motivation for Northwest making the playoffs not to have a let down in a game they should win. Northwest wins going away 44-10.
2:30 PM Central - #10 Notre Dame at #9 Arizona State - ABC
This is basically a playoff elimination game as both teams are sitting at 7-1. If Arizona State wins out, which would include a win over Oregon in the PAC 12 Championship game I think they would make the playoffs. Even if Notre Dame wins this game they will need some help to make the playoffs. The game being in Phoenix is a huge help for Arizona State, not that they have a huge home field advantage, but not playing in South Bend is huge. I expect a close football game with a few mistakes made by both teams. Arizona State pulls out the win 31-27.
2:30 PM Central - Iowa State at Kansas - Fox Sports Net
Both teams come in to this game 2-6 on the year and without a win in Big 12 play. Iowa State took Texas and Kansas State to the wire while Kansas's closest loss was to Oklahoma State at home by 7 points. Iowa State will get their first of two Big 12 wins this weekend. Iowa State 28, Kansas 17
6:30 PM Central - #7 Kansas State at #6 TCU - Fox
Another great game in a match up of 7-1 teams. Kansas State is perfect in the Big 12 with their only loss being to Auburn at home by 6 points. TCU has one Big 12 loss to Baylor on the road by 3 points. The biggest difference is if TCU wins the toughest game they have left is at 4-5 Texas while Kansas State still has to go to West Virginia and Baylor. If TCU wins this game they just need to take care of business in three games they should win and then wait for 2 teams in front of them to lose (which should happen). Bill Snyder just knows how to win football games and his teams are always prepared. It took TCU a few years to get their program up to Big 12 standards, but they are there and have a legitimate chance to win the national championship. In a game that goes down to the wire, TCU 35, Kansas State 31.
7:00 PM Central - #5 Alabama at #16 LSU - CBS
Alabama has to win this game to stay in the playoff hunt at 7-1. Many are saying LSU is having a down year at 7-2 (losses to Mississippi State and Auburn). A couple weeks ago I went with Ole Miss even though I knew it was hard to win in Death Valley. I think this is going to be a highly entertaining game, but I think Alabama knows what is at stake. Alabama also has Mississippi State and Auburn both left this season. I think there will be heartbreak in Death Valley for LSU fans as a late comeback will win the game for Alabama 28-24.
7:00 PM Central - #14 Ohio State at #8 Michigan State - ABC
In a battle of 7-1 teams, both of these teams need a lot to go their way for them to make the playoffs. However for tonight they can only worry about one thing, winning this game to keep the hope alive as the loser will be out of the playoff picture. I think Michigan State is the only legitimate playoff contending team in the Big 10. Ohio State has only beat three teams with winning records and they all have three losses or more. I expect this game to be close early, but the talent of Michigan State will pull away late. Michigan State 38, Ohio State 27
9:00 PM Central - #4 Oregon at #17 Utah - ESPN
Last week Utah had their slim playoff hopes ended by Arizona State in overtime and fell to 6-2 on the season. This week they will try and ruin 8-1 Oregon's changes at home. Being at home gives Utah more of a chance in this game. However Oregon is far more athletic than Utah and by the end of the game this will show. Oregon takes control early in the second half and will hold on for a 42-34 win.
Premiere League
6:45 AM Central - Chelsea at Liverpool - NBCSN
Chelsea has been unbeatable this year drawing two matches and winning the rest, which has the firmly at the top of the table with 26 points and four points clear of second place. Liverpool has been disapointing this season sitting 7th in the table with 14 points and 3 points out of the top 4. If there is a game that can get Liverpools season back on track this one is it. Can Balotelli finally get his goal, or will he become more of a headcase? The is the biggest question for Liverpool. Chelsea has just flat out great all season and I don't expect that to chance even at Anfield. Chelsea wins this one 2-1 on the road.
MLS Playoffs
1:30 PM Central - New York Red Bulls at DC United - NBC
In my original playoff preview read here I picked New York to win 2-0 at home and for DC to come back in the second leg and win 2-0 to tie the match at 2-2 and go to extra time with DC winning. I am not going to change my prediction, but I am not confident in it. Here is why I am not confident in my prediction; with the way New York is playing right now I don't see them getting shut out. If New York scores one goal DC would have to beat them by three goals meaning at minimum scoring 4 goals. DC is going to have to play one of their best games of the season to advance, I think they are capable of it. In regulation DC wins 2-0 to tie the match 2-2 and wins with a late goal in the second extra time period.
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