Media by Associated Press – Ohio State tight end Cade Stover (8) runs with the ball past Maryland linebacker Ruben Hyppolite II (11) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in College Park, Md. Ohio State won 43-30. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
The final week of November and the final week of the college football regular season is upon us. There are a lot of rivalry games throughout the country this week and a handful of games that will decide conference championship game participants and College Football Playoff finalists as well.
Let’s take a look at the top five teams to bet on in college football over the holiday weekend.
Ohio State -7.5
Why not start with the biggest game of the weekend, No. 2 v. No. 3, in one of the best rivalries in sports? Ohio State has had revenge on its mind for a year now, and since the teams didn’t play in the COVID-19 season of 2020, it has been nearly 1100 days since the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud has the chance to regain the top spot in the Heisman race with a big game and a win over Michigan. The Buckeyes have 32 passing touchdowns on the season, and while they started slow last week at Maryland, they played well in the second half, and the defense closed out when they needed it.
Michigan has a great run game, but Blake Corum left last week’s game injured, and his status is unknown. If Michigan falls behind early on the road, they don’t have the passing game to catch up. Look for the Buckeyes to make a statement and roll to a big offensive day.
Kansas State -11.5
This is a big spread for a rivalry game, but the Jayhawks have lost two games in a row, blown out by Texas and Texas Tech. Kansas has allowed 98 points in the last two weeks, and they are 1-5 since being ranked No. 19.
Kansas State is 8-3, and they have scored at least 27 points in five straight games. The Wildcats will be jacked up on Saturday night as a win puts them in the Big 12 Championship Game against TCU. Will Howard will get it going against Kansas, and the Jayhawks will struggle against the Wildcats’ top-10 defense.
Florida State -8.5
The Seminoles head into their rivalry game against Florida with a chance at a 10-win season. If they win at home on Black Friday and take their Bowl Game, the Noles will have a 10-3 mark with all the losses coming consecutively in October.
The Gators, meanwhile, just suffered an embarrassing loss at Vanderbilt and are staring at a losing season if they fall in Tallahassee and their Bowl Game. Florida has lost all their rivalry games this season with losses to Tennessee, Georgia, and LSU.
Jordan Travis has 21 touchdowns and only four interceptions for the Noles this season. Quarterback Anthony Richardson has been very inconsistent for the Gators, and while he poses a dual threat, he has eight interceptions on the season.
Florida’s best defensive player is suspended for the first half after a targeting call last week, and their top two wideouts left that game injured.
Mississippi -3
The Rebels have the better offense and the better coach in this matchup against Mississippi State. They are also at home, and the Bulldogs are 1-3 ATS on the road this season. In their last three SEC games, Mississippi State has allowed a total of 108 points while scoring just 64.
The only loss at home for Ole Miss this year came against Alabama two weeks ago. They are 1-3 in the last four games but will be fired up for the Egg Bowl. Lane Kiffin is 2-0 in the Egg Bowl, and while rumors persist that he’s headed to Auburn, his offense has what it takes to win this game in a convincing fashion.
Oregon -3.5
Both teams are ranked in the Civil War. Oregon State has covered five games in a row, but they also lost 42-15 to Utah, the team Oregon beat last Saturday. That win put the Ducks in a position to clinch a berth in the Pac-12 Championship Game with a win.
Ducks quarterback Bo Nix is hampered by an injured leg, but he gutted out the win over the Utes and will be ready to give all he can against the Beavers. This one will be close early, but the Ducks have more playmakers and will get the win and the cover on the road Saturday afternoon.
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