Thursday, October 20, 2016

What to Watch this Week in College Football

Thursday Night

Miami @ Virginia Tech- 7:00 ESPN
BYU @ #14 Boise State- 10:15 ESPN

Miami heads to Lane Stadium on a Thursday night to face the Hokies.  Virginia Tech is trying to keep pace with UNC and Pitt in the ACC Coastal standings, while Miami is trying to hold on to an outside shot.  This game will most likely come down to Miami’s ability to pass the ball, as they lean on QB Brad Kaaya to score points.  Virginia Tech shut down UNC’s Mitch Trubisky 2 weeks ago, and this will be Kaaya’s toughest test to date.  In the nightcap, BYU takes on Boise State.  BYU will most likely be Boise State’s toughest opponent all season.  As it stands now, Boise State will be the group of 5 representative in a New Year’s Six bowl.  However, a loss opens the door for the Navy, Houston, and Western Michigan to qualify for that spot.

Friday Night

Oregon @ California- 10:30 ESPN

Oregon looks to turn their season around against Cal.  Cal has been able to put up points all season, while Oregon has not been able to stop anyone on defense.  Oregon’s offense will need to put up over 50 for a chance to win in this one. 

Saturday Day

#10 Wisconsin @ Iowa- 12:00 ESPN
NC State @ #7 Louisville- 12:00 ABC
Texas @ Kansas State- 12:00 ESPN2

Wisconsin heads to Iowa for a noon time Big 10 matchup.  Iowa has had a disappointing season thus far, but has the talent to knock off the Badgers.  With a win Iowa is back in the Big 10 West race, and Wisconsin would need to pretty much go undefeated the rest of the season.  Look for a low scoring affair as last year’s matchup was a 10-6 Iowa victory.  In the ACC NC State takes on Lamar Jackson and Louisville.  Louisville struggled against Duke last weekend, while NC State came within a missed field goal of knocking off Clemson.  If the Wolfpack and slow down Jackson like they did Deshaun Watson last weekend, they have a chance at pulling the upset.  In the Big 12, Texas takes on Kansas State, as both teams come into the meeting at .500.  With a loss, Texas may struggle to reach bowl eligibility, which would defiantly be the end of Coach Charlie Strong.  Texas has been horrid on defense all year, and will need to step it up to slow down an efficient Kansas State squad.

Saturday Afternoon

#6 Texas A&M @ #1 Alabama- 3:30 CBS
TCU @ #12 West Virginia- 3:30 ABC
Memphis @ #24 Navy- 3:30 CBS Sports

Texas A&M heads to Alabama as 18 point underdogs in a matchup of top ten teams.  Alabama blew out Tennessee last weekend, while Texas A&M needed to force 7 turnovers, and overtime to beat the Vols.  Alabama has used the big play, particularly on defense.  Alabama has scored 11 non-offensive touchdowns.  However, the Tide still has a freshman QB starting for them, and the Aggies strength is getting to the quarterback.  If A&M can limit the big plays, and get pressure with its defensive line, they have a chance to pull the upset.  Elsewhere, TCU takes on West Viriginia.  The Mountaineers are undefeated so far this season, and have moved up into the top 15.  They have ridden the strength of their defense, which held Texas Tech to just 14 points last weekend.  TCU has lost 2 close games to ranked opponents this season, and look for another close one this weekend.  In the AAC, Memphis heads to Annapolis to take on Navy.  The winner of this game takes the lead in the AAC West. A Navy win, combined with a Boise State loss, would put Navy in the driver’s seat for a New Year’s Day bowl bid.


Saturday Night

#17 Arkansas @ #21 Auburn- 6:00 ESPN
#22 Ohio State @ Penn State- 8:00 ABC
#16 Oklahoma @ Texas Tech- 8:00 FOX

Arkansas takes on Auburn as they play their second ranked opponent in a row.  Last week, they upset Ole Miss by 4.  Auburn, which started disappointingly, has turned their season around under the direction of QB Sean White.  Arkansas has used the passing attack of Brandon Allen to move the ball, while Auburn fields one of the best defenses in the country.  In the primetime ABC game, Ohio State heads to Happy Valley.  Penn State is never an easy place to place, but Ohio State has proven it can beat anyone, anywhere as it has wins at Oklahoma, and at Wisconsin.  If JT Barrett plays the way he is capable of playing, the Buckeyes should have no trouble.  On Fox, Oklahoma takes on Texas Tech.  Tech had its streak of 9 straight home game scoring 50+ points snapped by West Virginia last weekend, and will need to bounce back this weekend.  Oklahoma is slowly moving up the rankings since its early season losses, and is still undefeated in Big 12 play.  Baker Mayfield is one of the best QB’s in the conference, and should light up Tech’s defense.

Saturday Late Night

#23 Ole Miss @ #25 LSU- 9:00 ESPN
Washington State @ Arizona State- 10:00 PAC12 Network


Ole Miss, coming off an upset loss to Arkansas, heads to the Bayou to play LSU.  LSU has found a new offensive energy under interim coach Ed Orgeron.  Leonard Fournette is expected to play for LSU, which should be able to move the ball on the ground.  Ole Miss will need Chad Kelly to put up big numbers in order to win in this one.  In the final game of the night, Washington State tries to stay undefeated in the PAC12 when they face Arizona State.  The Sun Devils lost big to Colorado last weekend, while Washington State has continued to improve throughout the year.  The winner has an outside shot at making the conference title game. 

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