AthlonSports.com - Season Previews, Predictions and Pre-Game Analysis

Thursday previews for every Division I game

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:04:00 -0600

Athlon Sports previews every Division I–A football game for Week 13 of the College Football season. Visit our College Football section to get all the previews or click here to view all the direct links.

Week 13: Texas Tech at Oklahoma

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:03:00 -0600

Doubts remain about Texas Tech, a team that this season has confidently crossed every bridge leading to the neighborhood where college football’s big boys reside. This week, that brings them to Norman, Okla., home of the Sooners, one of the biggest boys on the block.

Week 13: BYU at Utah

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:02:00 -0600

For only the second time in history, the rivals are both ranked going into their meeting. And this one should be competitive. Each of their last eight meetings was decided by a touchdown or less. The past three years, the outcome was decided only after a pass into the end zone, whether complete or incomplete, on the game's final play.

Week 13: Pittsburgh at Cincinnati

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:30 -0600

The Big East office was off just a bit. Every season it strategically places what it believes to be the biggest game at the end of the season. South Florida at West Virginia? Not this year. Cincinnati will host the de facto title game at Nippert Stadium on Saturday. If, that is, the Bearcats can defeat Pittsburgh.

Week 13: Michigan State at Penn State

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:30 -0600

Much is riding on this game. A Michigan State win would cloud the Big Ten bowl picture, whereas a Penn State win would restore stability to the conference. All of the window dressing aside, this game is the epitome of what has long defined Big Ten football.

Week 13: Washington at Washington State

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:30 -0600

This is undeniably the Rotten Apple Cup. There hasn’t been a worse pairing for these once competitive Northwest rivals in the 100-game series. No matter how this game is sized up, the team that comes up short in this epic gains the unwanted distinction as one of college football’s all-time biggest losers.

Week 13: Louisiana-Lafayette at Troy

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:30 -0600

This is unquestionably the game of the year in the Sun Belt Conference. Louisiana-Lafayette and Troy are both 4-1 tied atop the league standings with one conference game remaining after this one. The winner clinches at least a share of the conference championship.

Week 13: Boise State at Nevada

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:30 -0600

The WAC’s best offense and best defense clash in a rematch of last year’s four-overtime thriller — a 69-67 Boise State win.

Week 13: Miami at Georgia Tech

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 23:00:01 -0600

Miami could clinch the division as soon as this week with help. But the Hurricanes can’t worry anything aside from this game, because their hands will be full facing a Georgia Tech team looking for redemption.

Week 13: N.C. State at North Carolina