:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/47744213/GettyImages-459698652.0.jpg)
The college football regular season is pretty much over after this week. Besides a few games in week 14 this is my last chance to hit a couple of upset winners.
But before we do that, lets start out by recapping last weeks article. I was happy to be wrong about Virginia Tech. I thought they wouldn't be able to hang with North Carolina and they did.
For my guaranteed upsets I rolled with Illinois over Minnesota as a road dog and No.10 Baylor over No. 6 Oklahoma State. Illinois failed me once again, but Baylor pulled out the upset. That was the easiest game to pick all week.
Well enough chatter, lets get into the Virginia Tech - Virginia game and also which teams need to be on upset alert. Don't forget to comment below or contact me on Twitter @RooksReport if there is a game you want me to preview or break down. Thanks again for always reading.
Virginia Tech -3.5 @ Virginia: This line has opened at 3.5 and it hasn't moved yet. Majority of the money is coming in on Virginia Tech which makes the lack of movement very strange. Virginia is a team that fights hard in every game. Lets not forget, they almost beat Notre Dame in the beginning of the season. Rumors are circling around that Mike London will be fired after the end of the year, but nothing is for certain. The seniors on Virginia want to go out on a winning note and finally beat Virginia Tech. The Hokies on the other hand are still fighting to earn an invitation to a bowl game. They need to win and they are in. On top of that, players will want send Frank Beamer riding off into the sunset with a victory. This game will be filled with a lot of emotion and for that reason I think the score will be close throughout. I want to side with Frank for his last game, but my mind is telling me Virginia ends Beamers bowl streak come Saturday. The Hokies have nothing left in the tank after last weeks heartbreak against North Carolina. Virginia wins 27-20.
Week 13 Guaranteed Upsets to Happen (5-13 YTD)
No upset alerts for me this week. I am going all in on guaranteed upsets to happen.
No.4 Iowa @ Nebraska +1.5: The Big Ten is living their worst nightmare. They know Iowa is not the most talented team in the conference, but because of scheduling the Hawkeyes are the team with the best chance to make it to the college football playoff. Don't kid yourself, the powers at be would much rather have a Michigan State or Ohio State represent the conference. Because of that, not only am I picking Iowa to lose this weekend, but I think its going to be a blowout. Nebraska is going to win by two scores. This is the type of situation where Mike Riley's teams thrive on. The Cornhuskers defense has not been very good this season and will have to put up some points to beat Iowa. I don't think the Hawkeyes will be able to keep up with Nebraskas scoring ability. Cornhuskers win 49-35. See ya later Iowa. It was nice while it lasted.
No.16 Northwestern @ Illinois +3.5: Yes, you are reading this correctly. I am once again selecting Illinois to win outright as a dog. They have failed me multiple times, but I just can't stop looking at this game. Northwestern is coming off an upset win of their own last week at Wisconsin. The Wildcats are a very good team and they will go to a great bowl game. However, I don't understand while this line is only 3.5. Illinois has only won once in their last six tries and their best win came against Nebraska. A game in which the Cornhuskers gave up 14 unanswered. The Illinois athletic director is stupid if he doesn't hire Bill Cubit permanently. After being the laughing stock of college football back in August, this team needs just one more win to become bowl eligible. They will finally get it this week. Illinois wins 24-16.