As we approach the second-to-last weekend of the college football regular season, teams are facing high-stakes situations they’ve been preparing for all year.

Whether vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff or competing for conference championship positions, the pressure mounts, often leading to unexpected outcomes.

Possible upset contenders this week include Ohio State, Arizona State, Texas, and Notre Dame. Will these teams pull off surprises, or will the unexpected occur elsewhere on Saturday?

YSL News Sports college football experts — Scooby Axson, Jordan Mendoza, Paul Myerberg, Erick Smith, Eddie Timanus, and Dan Wolken — share their bold predictions for Week 14 of the season:

Alabama Breaks Out Offense to Defeat Auburn Again

Last year, Alabama secured a dramatic win against Auburn thanks to Jalen Milroe’s fourth-down touchdown pass to Isaiah Bond, marking their fourth consecutive win in this rivalry. This season, Alabama’s playoff hopes looked grim after a dismal performance against Oklahoma, revealing that relying solely on Milroe’s scrambles and targeting Ryan Williams won’t be enough to succeed.

Auburn is also fighting for pride and bowl eligibility, energized by their stunning four-overtime win over Texas A&M last week. The Tigers have been vocal leading up to this matchup, especially after observing Oklahoma’s dominant performance against their rivals. However, Alabama is expected to find a way to win, keeping Auburn fans at home during the postseason. — Scooby Axson

Colorado Somehow Reaches Big 12 Championship Game

The Big 12 championship is up for grabs as the regular season wraps up, and Coach Prime’s team could be one of the contenders.

Despite a tough loss to Kansas, Colorado still has an opportunity to reach the title game, but they require assistance. After their victory over Oklahoma State, the Buffaloes can only sit back and hope for the right outcomes on Saturday. They need either Arizona State, Brigham Young, or Iowa State to lose, or a scenario where BYU loses and Texas Tech defeats West Virginia. There are many variables, but Saturday looks promising for Colorado to potentially secure a place in the conference championship and the playoff next week at AT&T Stadium. — Jordan Mendoza

Arizona Spoils Arizona State’s Big 12 Title Hopes

In a surprising twist, Arizona upsets Arizona State, finishing their season on a positive note while likely eliminating the Sun Devils from contention for the Big 12 championship and a playoff spot. Arizona has managed to win back-to-back games against Arizona State, including a significant 59-23 victory last year. However, this week’s win would be particularly surprising, considering Arizona State’s recent success in the playoff rankings amid Arizona’s struggles, winning just one out of their last seven games. — Paul Myerberg

Texas A&M Defeats Texas to Secure SEC Title Game Spot

A classic rivalry returns to the forefront after a 13-year hiatus, with Texas A&M and Texas clashing in a pivotal matchup for a conference title berth. The atmosphere in College Station should be electric as the Aggies, fresh off their move to the SEC, take on the Longhorns. Texas has shown vulnerability and could struggle away from home, providing the Aggies with a prime opportunity to claim victory and earn bragging rights for at least a year. — Erick Smith

Clemson Faces Tough Day with Loss to South Carolina and Miami Victory

Clemson fans are in for a rough Saturday. The day kicks off with the Tigers succumbing to rival South Carolina.

The situation worsens when, irrespective of the outcome of the Palmetto Showdown, Clemson’s hopes of an ACC title hinge on Miami stumbling against Syracuse later in the day. Unfortunately for Clemson supporters, the day concludes with more heartbreak as the Hurricanes secure a win in a nail-biting finish, thanks to a game-winning drive by Cam Ward. — Eddie Timanus

Notre Dame Struggles Against Southern California

It’s surprising that Southern California, despite its 6-5 record, has yet to allow 30 points in regulation to any opponent this season. This unusual situation suggests that a turnaround could be near, potentially at Notre Dame’s expense this weekend. Historically, many Notre Dame seasons have stumbled in Los Angeles, and this matchup seems ripe for another fall. The pressure is squarely on Notre Dame to secure a victory for a College Football Playoff spot, which is risky given they lack a conference championship to cushion any potential failures. This pivotal match could see them falter and jeopardize their playoff aspirations. — Dan Wolken