College Football Report - Thursday & Friday Picks - Week 14

(Thursday)

Arizona State (5-6) vs. #23 Arizona (7-4)

Vs.

8:00 ET, ESPN, Thur. Dec. 02, Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ

The Sun Devils have had a lot of near wins this season. They’ve lost four games this year by four points or less, including two one point losses where extra points held the Devils from a win. They couldn’t ask for a bigger stage to try to become bowl eligible, then going on the road against their biggest rival. Arizona has won the last two in the series against their desert rival. No game this season may be bigger to the team’s moral, not only for the bowl game, but for next season, than Saturday against ASU. The Wildcats have lost three straight and need a win to end the season on a respectable note. Pick: Arizona 31 – Arizona State 27

(MAC Championship)

(Friday)

#25 Northern Illinois (10-2) vs. Miami (OH) (8-4)

Vs.

7:00 ET, ESPN 2, Fri. Dec. 02, Ford Field, Detroit, MI

Outside of the BCS conferences this season, there may not be a hotter team than Northern Illinois. Their top 25 ranking they received last week was earned, with nine straight wins on the year. Their two losses came in close games to Iowa State and Illinois. Running back Chad Spann has had three straight multi touchdown performances, and has found the endzone at least once in all but one game. The Redhawks have won their last four games, but will still be without starting quarterback Zac Dysert this week. Backup Austin Boucher led Miami to two straight wins to end the year, but Northern Illinois is rolling through the MAC this season with ease. Pick: Northern Illinois 36 – Miami (OH) 21

Last Week: 8-5 – Overall: 107-49 – Upset Pick: 6-6