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

The Palmetto Bowl pits the No. 15 South Carolina Gamecocks against the No. 12 Clemson Tigers (Noon ET on ESPN) in a battle where the Gamecocks’ elite pass rush will look to disrupt the home Tigers’ offensive rhythm. The Syracuse Orange welcome 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 face the top-ranked Oregon Ducks, where the Huskies will aim 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 hanging in the balance.

Those are the games I’ll have my eye on as I make my bets for the weekend.

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

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

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Gamecocks look to beat Clemson, beef up SEC vs. ACC superiority

Read & React analysts Cole Cubelic and Roman Harper break down the battle for South Carolina as both of these teams are looking to make a late-season push.

South Carolina enters this rivalry showdown with one of the most dominant pass-rushing units in the nation. According to Pro Football Focus, the Gamecocks have the third-best graded pass rush in the country while piling up 39 sacks, the third-most in FBS. Leading the charge 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.

Although Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik has taken just 16 sacks this season, it’s concerning that 11 of those have come in his last three FBS matchups. 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 yet again.

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

South Carolina has proven it can hang with elite competition, securing a win over Texas A&M and keeping things close in narrow losses to Alabama and LSU. This team has both the firepower and grit 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 shot at covering the +2.5 spread, but also at pulling off the outright upset (+115 on the moneyline), spoiling Clemson’s day in Death Valley.

The Orange are poised to unleash one of the most aggressive passing attacks in the nation against Miami. Quarterback Kyle McCord has been nothing short of prolific, leading the nation with 522 passing attempts and racking up 3,946 yards, the most in FBS. His 26 passing touchdowns rank fifth in the nation. Expect Syracuse to stick to their identity: pass, pass and pass some more.

Miami’s secondary, while talented, has shown that it is not immune to being exploited. Back in Week 10, Duke‘s Maalik Murphy threw for 236 yards on just 16 completions, helping the Blue Devils build a 28-17 lead deep into the third quarter. That effort included 40- and 27-yard throws which were clearly momentum-shifting plays. McCord has a knack for finding his playmakers downfield, and Miami will have its hands full trying to contain the deep threat.

LeQuint Allen Jr. is the ultimate Swiss Army knife in this Orange offense. The versatile running back has not only been effective on the ground but also has 423 receiving yards this season, creating matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. Miami has struggled against pass-catching 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 needs to keep this game within striking distance, or even tilt it in their favor.

While a sprinkle on the Syracuse 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 Orange. Syracuse keeps this game uncomfortably close for Miami, leveraging their high-octane offense and versatile weapons to cover the double-digit spread.

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 attack, led by McCord, leads the nation in passing attempts, while Miami’s balanced offense has shown it can strike quickly and efficiently.

The tempo could be electric, with Syracuse’s relentless air raid creating more possessions for both teams. Miami, meanwhile, has the versatility to keep pace, especially against a Syracuse defense ranking 70th in passing touchdowns allowed. On the other side, Miami’s defense isn’t far ahead, sitting at 62nd in the same category. Both secondaries are ripe for exploitation, and with neither defense 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 is embracing its role as potential spoiler against a top-10 opponent. The result? Aggressive play-calling, quick drives and plenty of scoring.

Thinking big? How about a 90-point shootout! Okay, maybe this ends 35-34, but expect both teams to bring offensive firepower and defensive vulnerabilities to the table. Buckets of points, a track meet of offenses, and a final score that leaves the scoreboard operator sweating. I like the over.

The Huskies have endured a brutal travel gauntlet in 2024, logging nearly 19,000 miles with trips to Rutgers, Iowa, Indiana and Penn State. Unsurprisingly, this grueling schedule has contributed to their 0-4 SU and ATS record in those games, as jet lag, time zone shifts and relentless travel fatigue took 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 familiar Pacific Northwest. With no cross-country flights and a return to their time zone, the Huskies could 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 attack. But it is the Huskies’ rushing game that has me intrigued as a huge ‘dog. Led by Jonah Coleman, who has 1,008 rushing yards this season (fifth-most in the Big Ten) and a knack for breaking off chunk plays (36 runs of 10+ yards, tied for sixth-most), the run game can keep Oregon’s defense guessing all night while playing keep-away.

Even with Oregon’s dominance and No. 1 ranking in the CFP rankings, cracks have shown. The Ducks struggled to contain Wisconsin‘s ground game, surrendering 97 yards to their leading back — a vulnerability Coleman is also well-equipped to exploit.

The Huskies won’t make it easy for Oregon. Expect a spirited effort from Washington to cover the spread, keeping 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 chat about what Auburn and Alabama are playing for following emotional Week 13 games for both schools.

The Iron Bowl has the ingredients for a higher-scoring affair. Auburn’s recent offensive surge, showcased in its thrilling 43-41 quadruple-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 gashed 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 side, Alabama’s offense will be hungry to rebound from a rare dud. Oklahoma stifled Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, limiting him to just seven rushing yards in the Sooners’ 24-3 upset, but Auburn’s defense isn’t equipped to repeat that feat. 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, unleashing his dual-threat abilities to carve up Auburn’s defense. His running ability will likely open up Alabama’s passing game, creating the balance the Crimson Tide need to bounce back. With their playoff hopes still alive, expect Alabama to push the pace and put points on the board.

Buckle up for a thriller in Tuscaloosa pushing the game total over 52 points.