DawgsHQ Staff Predictions: Week Thirteen

It’s rivalry week across the country and an important one for the College Football Playoff picture. Ohio State and Michigan play the game of the week to decide a spot in the Big Ten Championship and potentially a Playoff spot too. Clemson is holding on for its hopes against rival South Carolina, who’s coming off of its own big win. Maybe the same could be said for Alabama? Then of course there’s Notre Dame who would love to play spoiler for USC and the PAC-12. Needless to say, the outcomes of Saturday’s games will have ripple effects for weeks to come. Here’s how the DawgsHQ crew thinks it’ll all play out!

No. 1 Georgia (-35.5) vs Georgia Tech – 12:00 p.m. ET (ESPN)

Palmer (27-31-1): Georgia has dominated Georgia Tech the last couple of seasons, and while the Yellow Jackets have a better record, they aren’t much of a team. There are still huge holes and a massive talent gap between these two teams. I think we see an all-around team performance out of Georgia that gives fans a lot to be excited about headed into the postseason. Expect a special Senior Day for Stetson Bennett and Christopher Smith – two guys that have meant a lot to the program – alongside the likes of Kenny McIntosh and Robert Beal. Not to mention it’s likely the last game between the hedges for guys like Jalen Carter and Kelee Ringo – probably Darnell Washington too. All those guys will want to show out for the home fans. Prediction: Georgia 45, Georgia Tech 3

Reuse (22-36-1): Like my ability to pick games against the spread, Georgia Tech just isn’t very good. The Jackets didn’t add any difference-makers between this year and last, and we saw how the Dawgs were able to dismantle them on their home turf last year. This one will be emotional, especially as it’s senior day for Stetson Bennett and a host of others, and I believe those feelings will manifest themselves in the form of points. Look for Brock Bowers to put together some theatrics as he did in the last go-round of this matchup, and the defense shouldn’t have much of a problem imposing its will either. Kirby lets the old Dawgs give the home crowd one last show between the hedges. Prediction: Georgia 56, Georgia Tech 3.

Rowe (30-29): Hard to imagine Georgia not covering against a Georgia Tech team that will be out manned and out gunned and out everything else. The Yellow Jackets won’t and rarely ever do have to deal with a crazy crowd in Athens. Most of the time the students just aren’t back from the holidays yet. That’ll probably be the case again tomorrow as Georgia starts kind of slow. The Bulldogs get it rolling at the end of the first quarter and take control for the next 20 game minutes to put the game out of reach. Big day for Stetson Bennett and the passing game. Prediction: Georgia 48, Georgia Tech 10

Wes (29-30): Georgia showed its willingness to play the same style of game as its opponent at Kentucky. Kirby Smart peppered his press conferences all week with remarks about how physical the Cats play. Fast forward ahead to Georgia Tech week, and we’re hearing the same thing about interim head coach Brent Key’s Jackets. Is Kirby Smart willing to play this one in a phone booth again, control the game, and ultimately not push his offense too hard in preparation for the postseason run? The thought of that makes me think 35.5 points is a lot. I’m still unblemished when I pick the Dawgs spread against my gut, however. We’ll have to wait and see if a gut full of Thanksgiving dinner changes that trend. Prediction: Georgia 42, Georgia Tech 6

No. 3 Michigan @ No. 2 Ohio State (-7.5) – 12:00 p.m. ET (FOX)

Palmer: It’s always the biggest game of the season in the Big Ten and fittingly it’ll decide a spot in the conference championship game and probably a Playoff spot too. A loss to Michigan last season kept Ohio State out of the Playoffs. I don’t think that sat well in Columbus, and to me, the Buckeyes are simply more talented. At full strength, I think they are right there with Georgia for best team in the country. They aren’t there, but neither is Michigan with running backs Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards banged up. That doesn’t fare well for a team that likes to play physical football, and because of that, I’ll take the Buckeyes to win. However, I think this one is closer than the spread says. Prediction: Michigan (+7.5)

Reuse: Ohio State (-7.5)

Rowe: Ohio State (-7.5)

Wes: Ohio State (-7.5)

South Carolina @ No. 8 Clemson (-14.5) – 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC)

Rowe: The Gamecocks are just good enough to give the home crowd something to go crazy over. With that being said, the home crowd will be into this one for a long time. The Gamecocks are feisty. They play hard. They play good defense. They’ll try to carry over what they did against Tennessee last week. The Tigers present a bigger challenge defensively but South Carolina should be able to keep the score down. I like Clemson to win but South Carolina to cover. South Carolina (+14.5)

Palmer: South Carolina (+14.5)

Reuse: South Carolina (+14.5)

Wes: Clemson (-14.5)

Auburn @ No. 7 Alabama (-22.5) – 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

Reuse: Alabama’s had its struggles this season, but the talent gap in this one is sizable and several of the Tigers’ best are already bound for elsewhere after the season. Still, Cadillac Williams knows what this game means as much as anyone on the planet, and you know he’ll be hungry for an upset. I don’t quite think that’ll happen, but his guys will rally around him and put together enough to beat the spread. Prediction: Auburn (+22.5)

Palmer: Auburn (+22.5)

Rowe: Alabama (-22.5)

Wes: Auburn (+22.5)

No. 15 Notre Dame @ No. 6 USC (-5.5) – 7:30 p.m ET (ABC)

Wes: USC played a phenomenal game against UCLA and has a ton on the line here, including a potential CFP Playoff spot. Caleb Williams has a shot to cement his Heisman trophy candidacy, too. The Trojans are unbeaten at home this season, and Notre Dame’s hopes of playing spoiler won’t come easy. Still, I like the salt of this Notre Dame team late in the season. USC wins, but the Irish bring plenty of fight to the Coliseum. Notre Dame (+5.5)

Palmer: USC (-5.5)

Reuse: USC (-5.5)

Rowe: Notre Dame (+5.5)