It’s week 14 of the 2024 college football season… how did we get here already? I’m looking forward to a fantastic weekend of big matchups that could define rivalries, playoff hopes and conference supremacy.

In the Palmetto Bowl, the No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks will take on the No. 12 Clemson Tigers (Noon ET on ESPN) in a battle that will see the Gamecocks’ elite pass rush try to disrupt the home Tigers’ offensive rhythm. The Syracuse Orange welcomes the No. 6 Miami Hurricanes (3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN) to the Dome, showcasing one of the nation’s most potent passing attacks in what could be a high-scoring ACC showdown. Out West, the Washington Huskies head to Eugene to take on the top-ranked Oregon Ducks, where the Huskies will look to prove they can be competitive against top teams.

And of course, the Auburn Tigers and the No. 13 Alabama Crimson Tide (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+) resume their storied rivalry in the Iron Bowl, with offensive fireworks and playoff implications on the line.

Those are the matches I will be paying attention to as I place my bets for the weekend.

Rivalry Week is here and it’s packed with storylines, drama and must-see football.

All rules current as of publication time, courtesy of ESPN BET.

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Gamecocks want to beat Clemson and solidify SEC vs. ACC superiority

Read & React analysts Cole Cubelic and Roman Harper break down the battle for South Carolina as both teams look to make a final push in the season.

South Carolina enters this rivalry battle with one of the most dominant units in the country. According to Pro Football Focus, the Gamecocks have the third-highest graded pass rush in the country while piling up 39 sacks, third-most in FBS. Leading the way is fifth-year edge rusher Kyle Kennard, whose 11.5 sacks rank fifth in the nation. Clemson’s offensive line, which has shown cracks in recent games, could struggle to contain this relentless attack.

While Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has only recorded 16 sacks this season, it’s concerning that 11 of those have come in his last three FBS games. Teams like Pittsburgh and Virginia Tech, known for their aggressive defensive fronts, exposed vulnerabilities in Clemson’s pass protection. South Carolina, with its elite pressure and creativity in blitz packages, could disrupt Klubnik’s rhythm again.

Adding to the challenge, South Carolina’s secondary has become a nightmare for quarterbacks, throwing 12 interceptions and tied for third in the SEC. This opportunistic unit could feed off any forced or errant throws from Klubnik, who has been tasked with an increased workload of late. Through his first seven games, Klubnik averaged 31 passing attempts; in his last three, that number has risen to 44 attempts per game — an adjustment that could play into South Carolina’s hands.

South Carolina proved it can hold its own against elite competition, securing a win over Texas A&M and keeping things close with narrow losses to Alabama and LSU. This team has both the firepower and tenacity to rise to the occasion. If the Gamecocks can control the line of scrimmage and convert defensive stops into points, they not only have a great chance to cover the +2.5 spread, but also pull off the outright upset (+115 on the moneyline) , ruining Clemson’s day in the game. Valley of Death.

The Orange are poised to unleash one of the nation’s most aggressive passing attacks against Miami. Quarterback Kyle McCord has been nothing short of productive. He led the nation with 522 pass attempts and gained 3,946 yards, the most in FBS. His 26 passing touchdowns rank fifth in the nation. Expect Syracuse to stick to their identity: passing, passing, passing.

While talented, the Miami high school has shown that they are not immune to exploitation. In Week 10, Duke’s Maalik Murphy threw for 236 yards on just 16 completions, allowing the Blue Devils to build a 28-17 lead deep in the third quarter. That effort included throws of 40 and 27 yards, which were clearly momentum-shifting plays. McCord has a knack for finding his playmakers down the field, and Miami will have its hands full containing the deep threat.

LeQuint Allen Jr. is the ultimate Swiss army knife in this Orange attack. The versatile running back is not only effective on the ground, but also has 423 receiving yards this season, creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Miami has struggled against passing backs, most notably in their 39-38 loss to Cal, where RB Jaydn Ott racked up 75 receiving yards on just three receptions. Allen’s dual-threat ability could be the X-factor the Orange need to keep this game within striking distance, or even tilt it in their favor.

While a sprinkle on Syracuse’s moneyline (+300) is tempting for the bold, beware of heartbreak. The idea of ​​Miami winning a 50-49 shootout would sting the soul. That said, +11 feels too generous to pass up for a team as explosive as the Dutch. Syracuse keeps this game uncomfortably close for Miami, using their high-powered offense and versatile weapons to cover the spread by double digits.

This could be an offensive spectacle in the Dome. This matchup features two dynamic offenses, each led by high-caliber quarterbacks. Syracuse’s pass-happy offense, led by McCord, leads the nation in passing attempts, while Miami’s balanced offense has shown the ability to strike quickly and efficiently.

The pace could be fast, with Syracuse’s relentless aerial attack providing more possession for both teams. Miami, meanwhile, has the versatility to keep pace, especially against a Syracuse defense that ranks 70th in passing touchdowns allowed. On the other hand, Miami’s defense isn’t far ahead, ranking 62nd in the same category. Both secondary players are ripe for exploitation, and with neither defense being exceptional, the points should come in droves.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Miami is chasing an ACC Championship berth, meaning the Hurricanes leave nothing in the playbook, while Syracuse embraces its role as a potential spoiler against a top-10 opponent. The result? Aggressive play-calling, fast drives and lots of scoring.

Think big? How about a 90 point shootout! Okay, maybe this will end at 35-34, but expect both teams to bring offensive firepower and defensive vulnerabilities. Buckets full of points, a series of violations on the track and a final score that makes the scoreboard operator sweat. I like the over.

The Huskies endured a brutal travel gauntlet in 2024, covering nearly 20,000 miles with trips to Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana and Penn State. Unsurprisingly, this grueling schedule contributed to their 0-4 SU and ATS record in those games, with jet lag, time zone shifts and relentless travel fatigue taking their toll.

But this week? It’s a different story. Heading to Eugene is a far cry from their coast-to-coast escapades. This is practically a backyard brawl in the famous Pacific Northwest. Without cross-country flights and a return to their time zone, the Huskies were able to maintain their home game rhythm.

Washington’s offense, 37th in passing yards per game, is more than capable of trading blows with Oregon’s explosive offense. But it’s the Huskies’ rushing play that has me intrigued like a huge “dog.” Led by Jonah Coleman, who has 1,008 rushing yards this season (fifth in the Big Ten) and a knack for breaking off chunk plays (36 runs of 10-plus yards, tied for sixth), the run game can Oregon’s defense was guessing all night while playing keep-away.

Even with Oregon’s dominance and No. 1 ranking in the CFP rankings, cracks are visible. The Ducks struggled to contain Wisconsin’s ground game, surrendering 97 yards to their leading rearguard – a vulnerability that Coleman is also good at exploiting.

The Huskies won’t make it easy for Oregon. Expect a spirited effort from Washington to cover the spread and keep this game within 18.5 points.

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Read & React previews this season’s Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa

SEC Network analysts Roman Harper and Cole Cubelic talk about what Auburn and Alabama are playing for after emotional Week 13 games for both schools.

The Iron Bowl has the makings of a higher-scoring affair. Auburn’s recent offensive surge, culminating in a thrilling 43-41 four-overtime win over Texas A&M, shows the Tigers can light up the scoreboard. Quarterback Payton Thorne threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Jarquez Hunter paced the Aggies for 130 yards and three scores. This balanced attack is peaking at the right time and should keep the Tigers competitive against Alabama.

On the other hand, Alabama’s offense will be hungry to bounce back from a rare dud. Oklahoma stifled Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe and limited him to just seven rushing yards in the Sooners’ 24-3 upset, but Auburn’s defense isn’t equipped to repeat that performance. The Tigers have consistently struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks, allowing big rushing games from A&M’s Marcel Reed (66 yards), Oklahoma’s Michael Hawkins (69 yards) and Arkansas’ Taylen Green (80 yards).

This sets the stage for Milroe to get back on track and unleash his dual-threat ability to split Auburn’s defense. His running ability will likely open up Alabama’s passing game and create the balance the Crimson Tide needs to bounce back. With playoff hopes still alive, expect Alabama to pick up the pace and put points on the board.

Brace yourself for a thriller in Tuscaloosa that will push the game total over 52 points.