The College Football Anarchist's Guide To Week 14

Because they only have 10 teams, the Big 12 isn't allowed to play a conference championship game.  So they'll still be playing regular season games next week, while this is the finale for everyone else.  Of course, there will still be those aforementioned conference championship games to play, so we're far from the end of things being settled for the four playoff positions.

Unless, of course, you happen to lose and cost yourself a spot in the title game....

As always, all times listed are Central and all lines are courtesy of Bovada.

#1 Alabama (10-1) vs #15 Auburn (8-3)

When: 6:45pm on ESPN
Line: Alabama -9
Chances Of Losing: Very High
Possible Chaos Level: Nutso

Hey, it's the Iron Bowl!  Who remember what happened at last year's Iron Bowl?

LULZ.  This year, the venue switches from Jordan-Hare to Bryant-Denny, and the hosting Crimson Tide are the ones with everything to lose.  A loss will definitely boot them from the top slot, and might shove them out of the top four all together.  Even worse, a loss combined with a Mississippi State win in the Egg Bowl will keep Bama out of the SEC Championship game.  Maybe that won't make a difference in how the CFP committee views them, but not getting another chance to shine isn't going to help, either.  All Auburn has to play for is ruining Alabama's fun, but when it comes to this rivalry, that's more than enough.

#2 Oregon (10-1) at Oregon State (5-6)

When: 7pm on ABC
Line: Oregon -20
Chances Of Losing: Medium Low
Possible Chaos Level: Banana Sandwich

Ok, look.  The Ducks have no business losing this game.  Heck, the Beavers have no business being in this game.  With that said, OSU figured out a way to dump Arizona State when the Sun Devils seemed poised to push their way into the playoff discussion.  Tack on the occasionally odd nature of rivalry games like this, especially with this year's incarnation taking place in Corvallis and not Eugene, and madness could ensue.

A loss by the Ducks ends their chances of a playoff bid, and probably ends the Pac12's chances at landing a spot, too.  Oregon will represent the North Division in the championship game, and they'll definitely get a quality opponent in that game.  If Oregon loses this game, the Pac12's title game winner will be guaranteed to have at least two losses, and thus throws the doors open for any number of teams to potentially take the Ducks' spot.

#3 Florida State (11-0) vs Florida (6-4)

When: 2:30pm on ESPN
Line: Florida State -7.5
Chances Of Losing: Low
Possible Chaos Level: Oh, man, can you even?

Are you like me?  Do you just get this weird feeling that with Will Muschamp's tenure at Florida ending as soon as the Gators' season does, Florida will find a stupid way to win this game?  Wouldn't that just be the most fitting end possible?  He's already a dead man walking, as UF has already announced his departure, but just watch him go out on a high note by finding a way to kick Florida State right in the pants.

FSU has this weird tendency to let teams stick around way too long in games, which given the committee's overall opinion on the ACC (Georgia Tech is the next ranked team at #16), has caused the Seminoles to slip to #3 even though they haven't lost a game since November 24, 2012.  Hey, who was that loss to, anyway?  OH LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE HERE.

#4 Mississippi State (10-1) at #19 Ole Miss (8-3)

When: 2:30pm on CBS
Line: Mississippi State -3
Chances Of Losing: Very High
Possible Chaos Level: High

Hey, remember when this year's Egg Bowl was shaping up to be the biggest game of the season?  It was just eight short weeks ago when the Rebels had beaten Alabama at home.  They've gone 1-3 in their last four, however, including getting completely plastered by Arkansas one week ago.  Meanwhile, the Bulldogs have taken a slight tumble following their loss to the Tide, but they're still in prime seating to end up in the playoff.  The season may have come crashing down for Ole Miss, but you can believe that The Grove will get out of control again if they manage to punch MSU right in the face and end their chance at a playoff bid.

#6 Ohio State (10-1) vs Michigan (5-6)

When: 11am on ABC
Line: Ohio State -21
Chances Of Losing: Very low, unless you're talking about Brady Hoke's job.
Possible Chaos Level: Even lower.

The Buckeyes are the sad creepster staring over the shoulder of TCU while the Horned Frogs (winners against Texas on Thursday) look longingly through the window into the playoff.  They remain alive for a spot in the playoff, but they're going to need at least two teams to do something to force them out.  It boggles the mind that they'd have any problems getting through the Wolverines here, but stupider things have happened.  If Michigan were to come away with a win in the Big Ten's most historically important rivalry, that'll be the end of the playoff hopes for Ohio State.