Three-Point Stance: More 5-star predictions; ranking the conferences
Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell’s thought-provoking Three-Point Stance is here with some predictions on more uncommitted five-stars, ranking the conferences and predictions for the weekend.
MORE: Predictions on top 10 players | Ranking top unbeaten teams this decade
1. More five-stars, more predictions
Yesterday I predicted the destination of the seven players in the top 10, but why not go a bit further? Here are my predictions on the rest of the uncommitted five-stars:
No. 14 Chris Steele – Florida. This is one of the easier ones, which is surprising since Steele is unpredictable and has already committed to UCLA and USC. But he seems to be a Florida lock right now.
No. 17 Zach Harrison – Michigan. It’s a tough battle between Ohio State and Michigan here but I have the Wolverines winning this one in a close battle.
No. 23 Clay Webb – Alabama. Clemson and Georgia are making a push, but this one has been done from the beginning. He could end up elsewhere, but I would be surprised.
No. 29 Evan Neal – Alabama. Miami is a big threat but in the end Alabama usually gets who they want and they want Neal badly.
2. It's the SEC's world and everyone else is living in it
Remember when the Big Ten was supposed to be the best conference in the country? That hasn’t panned out as Ohio State and Michigan State as well as Penn State have struggled. So who are the best conferences in college football? Here’s my pecking order:
1. SEC – Alabama is the best team in the country, Georgia is a playoff contender and LSU has been one of the bigger surprises this season, as well as Kentucky. The SEC still rules the college football world.
2. Big 12 – Wait, what? The Big 12? Yep. Oklahoma and West Virginia are top 10 football teams, Texas is just a year away from being great and from top to bottom this conference doesn’t have as many weaknesses as many people think. It’s a tough call here over the Big Ten, but I’ve been disappointed with the Big Ten overall.
3. Big Ten – Wisconsin has been a disappointment, Ohio State has one loss but is a question mark and Michigan State and Penn State have been disappointments. Michigan has been the class of the conference but with teams like Rutgers, Illinois and Nebraska, this is not a strong conference.
4. ACC – The ACC is horrible aside from Clemson. Boston College and Syracuse have been surprises in the Atlantic while NC State and especially Florida State have been disappointments. The ACC Coastal is a joke overall. This is not a good conference at all.
5. Pac-12 – Washington State is good but everyone else has been a disappointment. Washington lost to a very average Auburn team and has three losses, Stanford has four losses and USC is horrible. They were eliminated from the college football playoff in October. That’s sad.
3. What will happen this weekend (I think)
These are the games that interest me this weekend with my predictions. It’s not a great week….
Ohio State vs. Michigan State – This will be a tough game for Ohio State, but I still think they pull it out. The question is, how good will they look after the last two games?
Clemson vs. Boston College – Clemson is heavily favored and should roll over Boston College on the road. They are just too talented.
Fresno State vs. Boise State – Fresno State takes this one in an important matchup as they press for a New Year’s Six Bowl.
TCU vs. West Virginia – Why am I interested in this game? TCU has been horrible. West Virginia could have a letdown here and struggle before they pull it out in the fourth quarter.
South Carolina vs. Florida – Florida should rebound and win this game as long as the defense plays the way they are expected to play.
Wisconsin vs. Penn State – Two teams that have been disappointments this season, Wisconsin and Penn State should be a good game. The Badgers take this one and the heat rises on James Franklin.
Mississippi State vs. Alabama – Not sure why I put this game on the slate either, maybe because it’s a ranked team vs. a ranked team, but Alabama should win by 30 or more points despite the defense the Bulldogs boast.
Oklahoma State vs. Oklahoma – Bedlam should be a good game but in the end Oklahoma’s offense should take control by the second half.
Northwestern vs. Iowa – A big battle in the Big Ten West, I’ve been boosting Iowa for a long time and they’ve disappointed, so I’m going with Northwestern as they are just playing better football at this stage.
Auburn vs. Georgia – How is Auburn ranked again? Georgia should roll over the Tigers and win by 20 or more points.
Florida State vs. Notre Dame – Notre Dame doesn’t blow out opponents but it blows out Florida State. The ‘Noles have given up on the season and shouldn’t put up too much of a fight.
Texas vs. Texas Tech – Texas Tech has been playing with a lot of heart lately and the Texas defense hasn’t been good, but Texas outscores them in the end.