USC at California
Although not an OFFICIAL rivalry, its always an affair when So Cal meets Nor Cal in anything relating to Cali sports. And even though USC cant win a title or go to a bowl, that doesn't make winning any less relevant to the players. Cal has underwhelmed this year, while USC has quietly does what it usually does...win. There is a plethora of NFL-caliber talent going on in this game, most notably Barkley from USC, who has put Woods to be in position to win the Biletnikoff award as a FR. On the other side, both Allen and Jones are top flight WR, but Maynard will need to be more consistent on getting the ball to them if they want to win this game.
No. 11 Michigan at No. 23 Michigan State
Rivalry game, which plays for the Bunyan Trophy. MSU has won it 3 years in a row, but Michigan is looking to break that streak. And with a guy like Denard Robinson, that can happen. A win will also keep him in the Heisman race. On the other side, Kirk Cousins is doing his part to keep the Spartans winning, and vying for a draft slot in this coming NFL draft. While his numbers arent eye pooping, he is very efficient with the ball.Meanwhile, outside of the ND, no team has scored more than 7 points on MSU's defense, which is ranked 1st in total D, and 3rd in scoring D.
No. 20 Baylor at No. 21 Texas A&M
Rivalry game: Battle of the Brazos. TAMU has beaten BU 67 times. That is far and way the most they have won against any team they have ever faced. However, this is not your grandmother's Bears. Sure, Baylor has only beat TAMU 2X this decade, but anytime you sport a team with RG3, your changes are high. TAMU has been disappointing this season, mainly becuase they cant hold onto a lead in the 4th. BU couldn't hold to beat KSU, but they did to defeat than #14 TCU. Defense may be optional in this game, as both teams can score the ball. The team with the ball last may be the one that prevails.
Louisville at Cincinnati
Louisville has the 13th ranked scoring defense in the nation....and the 112th scoring offense. That makes for a lot of nailbiters. And that will be no different as they try and stop the 9th best scoring offense in Cincy, who also happens to have a very good defense themselves (15th in scoring). Making that offense go is Calleros, who can get it done with his legs and his arm. Louisville will have to find a way to generate some offense and avoid TO's, which is -4. Bridgewater has had no help from the ground game, which puts a lot of pressure on him.
Florida State at Duke
No, this is not about FSU, this is about Duke. Yes, Duke football. Yes, the same Duke that lost to FCS opponent Richmond in the first game of the year. The same Duke that is in 2nd place int he ACC Coastal division, ahead of both UNC and VT at the moment. That is why finding a way to win is crucial this week. And that may or may not happen the way FSU's highly vaunted defense has surrendered 70 points the last 2 weeks, falling to 2-3 on the season. Pass defense has been an issue, but the Qb issue has been just as glaring. Manuel went down with an injury, and Trickett did his part. While EJ brings athleticism to the spot, Trickett provides more of a natural QB feel, but he is very green. Duke counters with Renfree, who has been very efficient, completing 70% of his passes. However, he needs play makers to get into the end-zone for him.
No. 6 Oklahoma State at No. 22 Texas
Texas got exposed last week. However, that is not to say that they are not a good team, becuase they are. However, they will now have to face a very good OSU team who has one of the best QB-WR tandems in the land. How long can Mack Strong go with the 2-Qb system? It didnt seem to work at all against OU, and it may not be any different here. Shipley is proving that the bloodlines are alive and well in the family when it comes to football, but the defense got ran over last week. And OSU has the #1 scoring offense in the nation...how will Texas respond?
Ohio State at No. 16 Illinois
While OSU is down this year, the Illini are up. While they have not been dominating, it seems Zook & Co. are getting the bounces they didnt get last year. Scheelhaase is one heck of an athlete and makes this offense go. Meanwhile, Miller is expected to play this week. The offense has struggled mightily at times this year, and other times they seem to get it. In 3 of their 3 losses, they failed to score more than 7 points. If OSU wants to salvage this year, they need to start this week and take out a streaking Illinois team. If they cant, it sets up some very important B10 games in the very near future.
UCF at Southern Methodist
UCF is trying to repeat as champions of the CUSA. SMU is trying to assert themselves as a team to watch out for in not only the conference, but in the entire college football landscape. Padron came into this year with high expectations for the Mustangs...only to get benched the first game and give the control over to McDermott, who has done nothing but lead them past TCU in OT and reel off 4 wins in a row. Godfrey has looked inconsistent at times, and only has 1 TD pass this year, and the offense has only managed to score 33 points the last 3 games, in which they have lost 2 of those. They counter with the 2nd best scoring defense in the nation. While this could be a preview of the CUSACG, Houston still looms as the leader in the West division.
No. 19 Virginia Tech at Wake Forest
VT is technically 4th in the Coastal division, but at 1-1, its still very much in the race. WF is 2-0 in the Atlantic, and has been the second biggest surprise behind Clemson (who leads the Atlantic). Both of these teams have very promising young QB's: Logan Thomas and Tanner Price. Thomas lead VT past Miami in a thriller last week, while Price conducted a comeback to beat FSU. VT has the better defense, but WF is a scrappy team and playing at home is a big advantage for them. If this is in Blacksburgh, the order may be too tall for the Deacons.
Florida at No. 24 Auburn
Florida has lost two in row, albeit to the #1 and #3 teams in the land. However, they lost big. Last week, they were forced to start true FR Brissett, but it seems that he will share the field with Driskel. For Auburn, a QB controversy stirred a bit last week about the starting duties of JR Trotter, who may be auditioning for his own job against teammate Frazier. Either way, both are 2-2 in conference, but only Florida really has a shot to stay in the race, as LSU and ALA own the West over Auburn.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 18 Arizona State at No. 9 Oregon
ESPN Game Day will be in Eugene for this game, which puts a surging ASU team up against a possibly James-less Duck squad. Osweiler is one of the best young QB's in the Pac-12. Darron Thomas isnt half bad himself for UO. This game comes down to defense, and ASU has a very good one. Burfect is a top NFL prospect at LB, who is ferocious and instinctive, but can be out of control if he doesn't control his emotions. Oregon would rather score 60 points on you if they could, while egging you to keep up with them. Helping that offense is true FR DeAnthony Thomas, who leads the team in receptions and is 2nd in rushing & in plays over 20 yards. Defense has been OK, but keeping a surprisingly agile Osweiler is going to be a tall task. ASU is the clear leader in the P12 South, while Oregon is trying to stay where they are while they await the Stanford matchup. That means that they need to stay focused and not overlook anyone.
Although not an OFFICIAL rivalry, its always an affair when So Cal meets Nor Cal in anything relating to Cali sports. And even though USC cant win a title or go to a bowl, that doesn't make winning any less relevant to the players. Cal has underwhelmed this year, while USC has quietly does what it usually does...win. There is a plethora of NFL-caliber talent going on in this game, most notably Barkley from USC, who has put Woods to be in position to win the Biletnikoff award as a FR. On the other side, both Allen and Jones are top flight WR, but Maynard will need to be more consistent on getting the ball to them if they want to win this game.
No. 11 Michigan at No. 23 Michigan State
Rivalry game, which plays for the Bunyan Trophy. MSU has won it 3 years in a row, but Michigan is looking to break that streak. And with a guy like Denard Robinson, that can happen. A win will also keep him in the Heisman race. On the other side, Kirk Cousins is doing his part to keep the Spartans winning, and vying for a draft slot in this coming NFL draft. While his numbers arent eye pooping, he is very efficient with the ball.Meanwhile, outside of the ND, no team has scored more than 7 points on MSU's defense, which is ranked 1st in total D, and 3rd in scoring D.
No. 20 Baylor at No. 21 Texas A&M
Rivalry game: Battle of the Brazos. TAMU has beaten BU 67 times. That is far and way the most they have won against any team they have ever faced. However, this is not your grandmother's Bears. Sure, Baylor has only beat TAMU 2X this decade, but anytime you sport a team with RG3, your changes are high. TAMU has been disappointing this season, mainly becuase they cant hold onto a lead in the 4th. BU couldn't hold to beat KSU, but they did to defeat than #14 TCU. Defense may be optional in this game, as both teams can score the ball. The team with the ball last may be the one that prevails.
Louisville at Cincinnati
Louisville has the 13th ranked scoring defense in the nation....and the 112th scoring offense. That makes for a lot of nailbiters. And that will be no different as they try and stop the 9th best scoring offense in Cincy, who also happens to have a very good defense themselves (15th in scoring). Making that offense go is Calleros, who can get it done with his legs and his arm. Louisville will have to find a way to generate some offense and avoid TO's, which is -4. Bridgewater has had no help from the ground game, which puts a lot of pressure on him.
Florida State at Duke
No, this is not about FSU, this is about Duke. Yes, Duke football. Yes, the same Duke that lost to FCS opponent Richmond in the first game of the year. The same Duke that is in 2nd place int he ACC Coastal division, ahead of both UNC and VT at the moment. That is why finding a way to win is crucial this week. And that may or may not happen the way FSU's highly vaunted defense has surrendered 70 points the last 2 weeks, falling to 2-3 on the season. Pass defense has been an issue, but the Qb issue has been just as glaring. Manuel went down with an injury, and Trickett did his part. While EJ brings athleticism to the spot, Trickett provides more of a natural QB feel, but he is very green. Duke counters with Renfree, who has been very efficient, completing 70% of his passes. However, he needs play makers to get into the end-zone for him.
No. 6 Oklahoma State at No. 22 Texas
Texas got exposed last week. However, that is not to say that they are not a good team, becuase they are. However, they will now have to face a very good OSU team who has one of the best QB-WR tandems in the land. How long can Mack Strong go with the 2-Qb system? It didnt seem to work at all against OU, and it may not be any different here. Shipley is proving that the bloodlines are alive and well in the family when it comes to football, but the defense got ran over last week. And OSU has the #1 scoring offense in the nation...how will Texas respond?
Ohio State at No. 16 Illinois
While OSU is down this year, the Illini are up. While they have not been dominating, it seems Zook & Co. are getting the bounces they didnt get last year. Scheelhaase is one heck of an athlete and makes this offense go. Meanwhile, Miller is expected to play this week. The offense has struggled mightily at times this year, and other times they seem to get it. In 3 of their 3 losses, they failed to score more than 7 points. If OSU wants to salvage this year, they need to start this week and take out a streaking Illinois team. If they cant, it sets up some very important B10 games in the very near future.
UCF at Southern Methodist
UCF is trying to repeat as champions of the CUSA. SMU is trying to assert themselves as a team to watch out for in not only the conference, but in the entire college football landscape. Padron came into this year with high expectations for the Mustangs...only to get benched the first game and give the control over to McDermott, who has done nothing but lead them past TCU in OT and reel off 4 wins in a row. Godfrey has looked inconsistent at times, and only has 1 TD pass this year, and the offense has only managed to score 33 points the last 3 games, in which they have lost 2 of those. They counter with the 2nd best scoring defense in the nation. While this could be a preview of the CUSACG, Houston still looms as the leader in the West division.
No. 19 Virginia Tech at Wake Forest
VT is technically 4th in the Coastal division, but at 1-1, its still very much in the race. WF is 2-0 in the Atlantic, and has been the second biggest surprise behind Clemson (who leads the Atlantic). Both of these teams have very promising young QB's: Logan Thomas and Tanner Price. Thomas lead VT past Miami in a thriller last week, while Price conducted a comeback to beat FSU. VT has the better defense, but WF is a scrappy team and playing at home is a big advantage for them. If this is in Blacksburgh, the order may be too tall for the Deacons.
Florida at No. 24 Auburn
Florida has lost two in row, albeit to the #1 and #3 teams in the land. However, they lost big. Last week, they were forced to start true FR Brissett, but it seems that he will share the field with Driskel. For Auburn, a QB controversy stirred a bit last week about the starting duties of JR Trotter, who may be auditioning for his own job against teammate Frazier. Either way, both are 2-2 in conference, but only Florida really has a shot to stay in the race, as LSU and ALA own the West over Auburn.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 18 Arizona State at No. 9 Oregon
ESPN Game Day will be in Eugene for this game, which puts a surging ASU team up against a possibly James-less Duck squad. Osweiler is one of the best young QB's in the Pac-12. Darron Thomas isnt half bad himself for UO. This game comes down to defense, and ASU has a very good one. Burfect is a top NFL prospect at LB, who is ferocious and instinctive, but can be out of control if he doesn't control his emotions. Oregon would rather score 60 points on you if they could, while egging you to keep up with them. Helping that offense is true FR DeAnthony Thomas, who leads the team in receptions and is 2nd in rushing & in plays over 20 yards. Defense has been OK, but keeping a surprisingly agile Osweiler is going to be a tall task. ASU is the clear leader in the P12 South, while Oregon is trying to stay where they are while they await the Stanford matchup. That means that they need to stay focused and not overlook anyone.
