Two Of The Greatest Rivalries In College Football Take Place This Week.
The college football seas0n is nearing it’s end. Many teams around the country will play their final regular season game this week. Teams are running out of chances to impress the college football playoff committee.
Here are the best two games to watch:
#9 Ohio State at Michigan, 12 pm on Fox
After taking a bad loss against Iowa, Ohio State has rebounded nicely with dominate wins over Michigan State and Illinois.
Michigan lost to Wisconsin last week so they will be looking to avoid ending the regular season with back to back losses.
Ohio State has benefited from the fact that running back Mike Weber has returned to form. He has played really well during the last two games rushing for 270 yards and four touchdowns on just 20 carries. Weber has had a rough season due to injuries and the emergence of freshman running back J.K. Dobbins but he looks to be back to 100 percent and is possibly putting himself back into position to enter the draft.
Another Buckeye who is playing well is cornerback Denzel Ward (pictured above). The junior defensive back has taken over the role of number one corner and has handled those duties pretty well. He has one interception and 11 pass breakups so far and will look to add to those numbers against the Wolverines.
The Wolverines best player is defensive tackle Maurice Hurst. Hurst has been one of the best defensive lineman in college football this season. He’s recorded five sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss this season. He will play a major role trying to slow down Ohio State’s rushing attack in this game.
#1 Alabama at #6 Auburn, 3:30 on CBS
This game is not only a classic rivalry but it also will have a major impact on the college football playoff standings. A win for Alabama would mean that they’re basically a lock for the playoff. Auburn needs a win in order to have a chance to make the top four.
Alabama will likely give the ball to running back Damien Harris (pictured above) quite a bit in this game. Harris has been outstanding this year collecting 855 yards and 11 touchdowns on 104 carries.
Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick has received a lot of hype, and deservingly so. However he isn’t the only high level safety that Alabama has, Ronnie Harrison is also one of the best safeties in college football. Harrison leads the Crimson Tide with 61 total tackles and is tied for first on the team with three interceptions. Both Fitzpatrick and Harrison look like potential first round picks in the 2018 NFL draft.
Another Alabama defender who will likely be a sought after prospect is linebacker Rashaan Evans. Evans has 48 tackles, nine and a half tackles for loss and five sacks this season.
Auburn also features a solid running back in their offense in Kerryon Johnson. Johnson has racked up 1,172 yards and 16 touchdowns on 220 attempts this year. He came into the year as a bit of an unknown but he’s been steadily climbing the draft rankings all year. A big game against Alabama would really boost his stock.
On defense Auburn is led by cornerback Carlton Davis and edge rusher Jeff Holland. Davis has 10 pass breakups and one interecption and Holland has eight and a half sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles this season. Both will need to show up in a major way for Auburn to has a shot against the number one ranked team in college football.
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