Week Eleven Projections
Mark Schlabach (ESPN) – Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
Brad Edwards (ESPN) – Michigan State vs. South Carolina
Scout.com/CollegeFootballNews.com – Wisconsin vs. Auburn
Jerry Palm – Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M
ESPN Big Ten & SEC Blogs – Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
Big Ten Network– Wisconsin vs. Missouri
SB Nation– Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M
Athlon Sports– Wisconsin vs. Texas A&M
Sporting News– Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
Orlando Sentinel– Michigan State vs. Missouri
Stewart Mandel/SI– Wisconsin vs. South Carolina
USA Today– Michigan State vs. Texas A&M
Off Tackle Empire– Michigan State vs. South Carolina
Wisconsin has emerged as heavy favorites out of the Big Ten to head to Orlando, with Michigan State also receiving votes, while in the SEC things remain rather unclear with four teams all appearing in projections.
The Badgers (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) completed their nonconference schedule this past weekend with a 27-17 win over BYU. James White rushed for 147 and two touchdowns in the win; this was his sixth straight game and eighth this season with a rushing touchdown. Wisconsin returns to Big Ten action this weekend as they welcome Indiana (4-5, 2-3 Big Ten) to Camp Randall.
Michigan State (8-1, 5-0 Big Ten) won their fifth straight game this past weekend and remains in projections to head to the Capital One Bowl. The Spartans beat in-state rival Michigan, 29-6, two weekends ago. Michigan State’s defense didn’t allow an inch to the Wolverines on the ground, literally, as Michigan lost 48 yards on the ground. Michigan State has yet to allow a team to rush for 100 yards this season. The Spartans have a chance to secure at least a share of the Legends Division with a win over Nebraska (7-2, 4-1 Big Ten) this weekend.
South Carolina (7-2, 5-2 SEC) one projection behind the new favorite Texas A&M this week. The Gamecocks were idle this past weekend leading up to their final SEC game of the season against Florida (4-5, 3-4) this weekend. South Carolina remains alive in the SEC East as they will win the conference with a win and losses by Georgia and Missouri.
Missouri (9-1, 5-1 SEC) continued their string of impressive offensive performances in a 48-17 win over Kentucky this past weekend. The Tigers were led by Dorial Green-Beckham who hauled in seven receptions for 100 yards and four touchdowns, nearly doubling his season total of five coming into the game. Missouri still control its own destiny in the SEC East as it heads to Ole Miss (6-3, 3-3 SEC) before hosting Texas A&M to close out the season.
Auburn controls its own destiny in the SEC West thanks to a 5-1 SEC record and a home game against undefeated Alabama remaining on its schedule. The Tigers won their sixth-consecutive game, 55-23, over Tennessee this weekend. Nick Marshall only threw the ball seven times, but rushed for 214 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Before hosting the Iron Bowl, Auburn has to get by Georgia (6-3, 4-2 SEC) this weekend.
Texas A&M (8-2, 4-2 SEC) won its final game in Kyle Field before it begins huge renovations this offseason. The Aggies beat Mississippi State 51-41 thanks to 446 passing yards and five touchdowns by Johnny Manziel. A&M is idle this weekend before traveling to face two top 25 teams to end the season, LSU and Missouri.
LSU (7-3, 3-3 SEC) fell from the projections this week due in part to a 38-17 loss to Alabama. The Tigers tied the game early in the second quarter at 17-17 but allowed Alabama to score 21 unanswered points to end the game. LSU now has their second weekend off in three weeks before hosting Texas A&M and Arkansas to end the season.