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College Football 2018: 5 reasons to be excited about Rivalry Week

By Justin Dottavio

ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 01: Tua Tagovailoa #13 of the Alabama Crimson Tide warms up prior to the game against the Louisville Cardinals at Camping World Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

3. Playoff spoilers

The three locks for College Football Playoff spots in 2018 as of today are the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Clemson Tigers and of course the Alabama Crimson Tide. The Irish are 11-0 and ranked sixth per the S&P+ and face off against the USC Trojans. USC is having a down year and Clay Helton‘s seat is on fire down in Los Angeles, Calif.

Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has had an undefeated regular season before way back in 2012 when the Irish took on the Crimson Tide for the 2013 BCS National Championship. The upset probability is low as USC is 41st per the S&P+.

Prediction: Notre Dame by 10

The Clemson Tigers face their rival in the South Carolina Gamecocks. Clemson is 11-0 and second overall per the S&P+. The Tigers have had a scare this season with a narrow victory over the Syracuse Orange. Lately, the Clemson offense has caught fire as it’s the ninth-ranked offense in the country and back by their first-ranked defense. South Carolina is 6-4 and 38th per the S&P+. Will Muschamp‘s squad has had an up and down season and will need a flawless performance to upset Clemson.

Prediction: Clemson by 17

Alabama and Auburn has seen some classic games since Gus Malzahn became the Tigers head coach. Auburn is 7-4 but ranked 15th per the S&P+. Alabama is 11-0 and ranked first overall by Bill C’s analytics. The Tigers have never score consistently under Malzahn without a mobile quarterback and Jarrett Stidham has only tossed 12 touchdowns in 2018. On the other sideline, Tua Tagovailoa has thrown 31 touchdowns with only two interceptions this season. Tagovailoa is a clear Heisman Trophy front-runner.

Prediction: Alabama by 14

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