Lowell's Locks: Week Fourteen

Here we are; just like that, we’ve reached the final week of the overall college football regular season, and with it comes rivalry week. A 4-2 record last week brings the season total to 47-31 (60%), with Oklahoma, Oregon, SMU, and Furman covering their numbers, while Florida and Coastal Carolina fell flat. We try to close the regular season strong with some high-intensity games this week.

Saturday, November 29th:

#1 Ohio State (-9.5) at Michigan:

If Ohio State wins first down, Michigan has to live on long fields and third-and-medium. The Buckeyes bring the nation’s best defensive profile and an efficient Julian Sayin running a low-mistake offense. Michigan’s freshman QB faces his biggest ask yet against this speed. Ohio State’s top wideouts made the trip, and the scarlet defense has been suffocating in the middle quarters.
Lowell’s Lock: Ohio State covers -9.5

#12 Miami (-6.5) at #22 Pittsburgh

Pitt can drag you into a rock fight at home, but Miami arrives healthier, especially in the secondary, and the initial report looks cleaner than it has in weeks. If the Canes stay on schedule and avoid the sudden-change giveaway, red-zone finish, and special teams tilt their way. Pitt’s kicking situation remains a question, which matters in a one-score spread.
Lowell’s Lock: Miami covers -6.5

LSU at #8 Oklahoma (-11.5)

Oklahoma is at home with the better early-down plan. If the Sooners cap LSU’s explosives and cash one or two short fields, separation is there in the third. LSU’s initial availability listed multiple offensive starters out, including QB Garrett Nussmeier and key pieces at WR and C, which tightens their margin against a defense that rallies and tackles. OU still has a couple of names to monitor in the front and secondary, but the depth holds.
Lowell’s Lock: Oklahoma covers -11.5

#14 Vanderbilt at #19 Tennessee (-2.5)

Possession game. If Vanderbilt keeps Tennessee behind the sticks and limits the explosives, the Commodores can keep this inside a field goal and make the last drive matter. Tennessee’s availability remains a mixed bag with familiar defensive names on the report, while Vandy’s offense has traveled better than expected. I’ll take the points in a rivalry that plays tight.
Lowell’s Lock: Vanderbilt covers +2.5 

#10 Alabama (-5.5) at Auburn

The Iron Bowl turns on early downs and field position. Alabama’s defensive front and special teams travel, and Auburn’s depth has been tested with key defenders already ruled out. If the Tide stays turnover-neutral and avoids giving Auburn short fields, the fourth quarter belongs to the road favorite.
Lowell’s Lock: Alabama covers -5.5

Clemson at South Carolina (-2.5):

This isn’t about Clemson’s defense being elite. It’s about South Carolina’s offense struggling to stack first downs without help. If the Gamecocks don’t hit explosives or steal a short field, they get stuck behind the sticks, and the drives stall. Clemson just needs to play clean, win a handful of early downs, and let field position do the work. One red-zone stop or a special-teams swing likely decides it in a one-score script.

Score Prediction: 24-20 Clemson
Lowell’s Lock: Clemson covers +2.5