Week 14’s Big 3
Week 14 hands three late‑season battles that shape conference crowns and playoff matchups. A Big Ten rivalry with playoff implications in Ann Arbor, an in‑state SEC crossroads in Knoxville, and an ACC tempo test in Pittsburgh. Below are scouting notes, two players to watch per team with brief scouting reports, game context, and Sportsvival’s picks.
#1 (11-0) Ohio State at #16 (9-2) Michigan
Kickoff: Saturday | Time: 12:00 pm | TV: FOX | Location: Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, MI
This rivalry is a trench‑and‑tempo duel where situational quarterback play, third‑down execution, and line control decide late outcomes. Ohio State will try to force quick, explosive possessions and win with tempo; Michigan will counter with gap integrity, edge pressure, and crowd‑amplified situational defense.
Key players to watch
Ohio State - Offense: Julian Sayin, QB Timing‑oriented passer who thrives on rhythm and intermediate accuracy; manages tempo well and can extend plays with controlled mobility when protections break down.
Ohio State- Defense: Caleb Downs, S Sideline‑to‑sideline playmaker who reads progressions quickly, influences run fits, and takes away intermediate seams as a center‑field enforcer.
Michigan- Offense: Bryce Underwood, QB Pro‑style timing operator with strong intermediate accuracy and pocket feel who shows enough mobility to buy late‑down extensions and keep defenses honest.
Michigan- Defense: Derrick Moore, EDGE Explosive, technically sound edge who wins with bend and hand usage; consistently creates pressures and tackles for loss that change blocking plans.
Ohio State’s ability to sustain tempo and avoid negative plays will force Michigan into longer drives and more fourth‑down decisions; Michigan’s edge pressure and crowd noise aim to disrupt rhythm and tilt late‑game field position.
Sportsvival Prediction : Ohio State is just too talented for the Michigan defense. Ohio State- 38 Michigan- 17
#14 (9-2) Vanderbilt at #17 (8-3) Tennessee
Kickoff: Saturday | Time: 3:30 pm | TV: ESPN | Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
An SEC contrast: Vanderbilt’s spacing and timing offense will test Tennessee’s physical front and situational defense. This is a game of red‑zone execution, third‑down defense, and whether Tennessee can shorten the game with effective rushing and clock control.
Key players to watch
Vanderbilt-Offense: Diego Pavia, QB Rhythm‑based passer who excels in timing concepts and intermediate windows, capable of turning tempo into chunk plays when protections hold. A big game can put him atop the Heisman watch.
Vanderbilt -Defense: Miles Capers, EDGE Powerful, lengthy edge rusher who pairs functional strength with a sudden first step; a consistent pocket‑disruptor on stunt and blitz reps.
Tennessee-Offense: Joey Aguilar, QB Efficient game manager who mixes timing throws with timely scrambles, sustaining drives and converting third downs with smart reads.
Tennessee-Defense: Arion Carter, LB Athletic, downhill linebacker who flashes sideline‑to‑sideline range and reliable tackling in the box; a key factor in run fits and short‑area coverage.
If Capers can consistently pressure the quarterback and collapse the pocket, Tennessee’s timing attack will be forced into longer, less efficient drives; Tennessee’s linebackers must win the second level to limit intermediate gains and control the clock.
Sportsvival Prediction: Sportsvival thinks Pavia has a huge game and adds to his Heisman hype….although Tennessee pulls it out late. Tennessee- 41 Vanderbilt- 38
#13 (9-2) Miami at #22 (8-3) Pitt
Kickoff: Saturday | Time: 12:00 pm | TV: ABC | Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
An ACC clash where Miami’s balanced passing game and edge power meet Pitt’s physical front and sudden‑strike passing elements. Expect third‑down battles, special‑teams field‑position swings, and single‑play momentum shifts to decide a close contest.
Key players to watch
Miami-Offense: Carson Beck, QB Pro‑style pocket passer with strong timing and downfield anticipation who can orchestrate balanced, methodical drives and hit vertical windows when needed.
Miami- Defense: Rueben Bain Jr., DE Explosive edge rusher with a violent first step and power conversion who consistently pressures quarterbacks and creates backfield disruption.
Pitt-Offense: Mason Heintschel, QB Quick‑processing freshman passer who operates timing concepts efficiently and can create off‑schedule explosive plays to give Pitt a sudden‑strike element.
Pitt-Defense: Kyle Louis, LB Sideline‑to‑sideline linebacker with reliable pursuit angles and run‑fit instincts who contributes in coverage and factors into sub‑package pass‑rush looks.
Miami will try to control tempo and sustain drives with balanced play‑calling while Bain’s edge pressure looks to shorten possessions; Pitt will rely on Heintschel’s ability to create splash plays and Pitts big play defense look to limit chunk gains and flip field position.
Sportsvival Prediction- Miami still believes they should be thought of as a playoff team. They did beat Notre Dame and are a couple of plays away from being undefeated. Pitt has been strong for most of the year but will lose a close one at home- Miami,Fla- 27 Pitt- 24