TUCKER’S PICK ‘EM 2015: College football picks and previews for Week 13

• All times Eastern
• College Football Playoff rankings
• Record last week: 6-4
• Record this season: 79-31

Texas Tech (6-5, 3-5 Big 12) @ Texas (4-6, 3-4 Big 12)
Thursday, November 26 at 7:30 p.m. FS1

Texas still isn’t bowl eligible but could get a step closer with a win over Texas Tech.

 

I’ll go with the Longhorns since they’re in that must-win situation. Plus, they’ll be at home and have a better defense:

 

Texas 42, Texas Tech 35

Actual Score: Texas Tech 48, Texas 45 (LOSS)

 

Troy (3-7, 2-4 Sun Belt) @ Georgia State (3-6, 2-3 Sun Belt)
Friday, November 27 at 2 p.m. ESPN3
Their records don’t really show it, but these are two of the most improved teams in America.

 

The Panthers could still get bowl eligible by winning out, but they won’t do it:

 

Troy 38, Georgia State 28

Actual Score: Georgia State 31, Troy 21 (LOSS)

Missouri (5-6, 1-6 SEC) @ Arkansas (6-5, 4-3 SEC)
Friday, November 27 at 2:30 p.m. CBS
This could be Missouri coach Gary Pinkel’s last game.

 

His team won’t let his career end in a blowout:

 

Arkansas 27, Missouri 17

Actual Score: Arkansas 28, Missouri 3 (WIN)

Oregon State (2-9, 0-8 Pac-12) @ No. 17 Oregon (8-3, 6-2 Pac-12)

Friday, November 27 at 4 p.m. FS1

This may be the worst Oregon State team I’ve ever seen.

 

The Beavers have no chance Friday:

 

Oregon 59, Oregon State 17

Actual Score: Oregon 52, Oregon State 42 (WIN)

 

 

No. 7 Baylor (9-1, 6-1 Big 12) @ No. 19 TCU (9-2, 6-2 Big 12)
Friday, November 27 at 7:30 p.m. ESPN
A few weeks ago, we thought this would be one of those “Game of the Century” deals.

 

A few injuries and losses later, the story’s changed:

 

TCU 45, Baylor 44

Actual Score: TCU 28, Baylor 21 – OT (WIN)

No. 8 Ohio State (10-1, 6-1 Big 10) @ No. 10 Michigan (9-1, 6-1 Big 10)
Saturday, November 28 at 12 p.m. ABC
Ohio State losing last week was not what Michigan needed.

 

It’s hard to believe the Buckeyes will lose in back-to-back weeks:

 

Ohio State 28, Michigan 17

Actual Score: Ohio State 42, Michigan 13 (WIN)

No. 1 Clemson (11-0, 8-0 ACC) @ South Carolina (3-8, 1-7 SEC)
Saturday, November 28 at 12 p.m. ESPN
Steve Spurrier knew what he was doing when he quit.

 

The Gamecocks just aren’t what they were a few years ago:

 

Clemson 34, South Carolina 23

Actual Score: Clemson 37, South Carolina 32 (WIN)

Georgia (8-3, 5-3 SEC) @ Georgia Tech (3-8, 1-7 ACC)
Saturday, November 28 at 12 p.m. ESPN2
Mark Richt passed the tests against Auburn (barely) and Georgia Southern (barely).

 

Another win this week would give him another 9-3 season, but I’m predicting 8-4:

 

Georgia Tech 24, Georgia 23

Actual Score: Georgia 13, Georgia Tech 7 (LOSS)

South Alabama (5-5, 3-3 Sun Belt) @ Georgia Southern (7-3, 5-1 Sun Belt)

Saturday, November 28 at 2 p.m. ESPN3
South Alabama will be playing for bowl eligibility when it travels to Statesboro.

 

If the Jaguars can’t beat Georgia State, they can’t beat Georgia Southern either:

 

Georgia Southern 42, South Alabama 17

Actual Score: Georgia Southern 55, South Alabama 17 (WIN)

No. 2 Alabama (10-1, 6-1 SEC) @ Auburn (6-5, 2-5 SEC)
Saturday, November 28 at 3:30 p.m. CBS
I don’t want to say Auburn has no chance, but Auburn has no chance:

 

Alabama 31, Auburn 16

Actual Score: Alabama 29, Auburn 13 (WIN)

No. 22 UCLA (8-3, 5-3 Pac 12) @ USC (7-4, 5-3 Pac 12)
Saturday, November 28 at 3:30 p.m. ABC/ESPN2
The Pac 12 South title is up for grabs when the Bruins and Trojans meet Saturday in Los Angeles.

I’ve learned to never pick UCLA in a close game:

 

USC 38, UCLA 35

Actual Score: USC 40, UCLA 21 (WIN)

 

 

 

No. 18 Ole Miss (8-3, 5-2 SEC) @ No. 21 Mississippi State (8-3, 4-3 SEC)

Saturday, November 28 at 7:15 ESPN2

Ole Miss could still win the SEC West title, but it’s going to need some help.

 

The Rebel (Black Bears) have to beat Mississippi State, and they also need Auburn to beat Alabama:

 

Mississippi State 31, Ole Miss 30

Actual Score: Ole Miss 38, Mississippi State 27 (LOSS)

 

 

 

No. 13 Florida State (9-2, 6-2 ACC) @ No. 12 Florida (10-1, 7-1 SEC)

Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. ESPN

Florida escaped embarrassment with an overtime win over Florida Atlantic.

 

The Gators won’t get it done this week:

 

Florida State 27, Florida 20

Actual Score: Florida State 27, Florida 2 (WIN)

 

 

 

Texas A&M (8-3, 4-3 SEC) @ LSU (7-3, 4-3 SEC)

Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. SEC NETWORK
After a 7-0 start, LSU has dropped three in a row.

 

According to reports, coach Les Miles is fighting for his job:

 

LSU 21, Texas A&M 17

Actual Score: LSU 19, Texas A&M 7 (WIN)

 

 

 

No. 6 Notre Dame (10-1) @ No. 9 Stanford (9-2, 8-1 Pac 12)

Saturday, November 28 at 7:30 p.m. FOX

The Fighting Irish and Cardinal both need a win Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive.

 

Injuries haven’t affected Notre Dame much this season, but that will change in California:

 

Stanford 28, Notre Dame 21

Actual Score: Stanford 38, Notre Dame 36 (WIN)

 

 

 

No. 3 Oklahoma (10-1, 7-1 Big 12) @ No. 11 Oklahoma State (10-1, 7-1 Big 12)

Saturday, November 28 at 8 p.m. ABC

The Big 12 title (at least part of it) will be decided Saturday in Stillwater.

 

Oklahoma is the hotter team right now, but an upset wouldn’t surprise me:

 

Oklahoma 37, Oklahoma State 34

Actual Score: Oklahoma 58, Oklahoma State 23 (WIN)