What to Watch this Week in College Football

Friday Night 
#2 Clemson @ Syracuse- 7:00 ESPN 
#8 Washington State @ California- 10:30 ESPN 

With no Thursday night game this week, Clemson kicks off the weekend of football with a night game against Syracuse.  The Orange picked up their first ACC win last weekend over Pittsburgh.  The Tiger’s defense has been excellent this season, while their offense has struggled at times against weaker opponents.  Look for this game to be close early with Clemson winning in a route late.  In the late game, Washington State goes to Berkley to take on Cal.  While both of these programs are normally known for their offense, it is their defenses that have led to each of their surprising starts.  However, the Cougars are big favorites, and should roll in this one. 

Saturday Day 
#6 TCU @ Kansas State- 12:00 FS1 
#17 Michigan @ Indiana- 12:00 ABC 
#24 Texas Tech @ West Virginia- 12:00 ESPNU 
Florida State @ Duke- 12:00 ESPN2 

Kansas State has the potential to upset TCU this weekend at home. The wildcats have a very efficient, but time consuming offense, and while he has improved this year, TCU QB Kenny Hill turns the ball over frequently.  In the Big 10, Michigan tries to bounce back against Indiana.  Michigan has struggled to score touchdowns this season, and will need to change that against an Indiana team that likes to throw the ball on almost every down. In Morgantown, West Virginia is favored over Texas Tech even though Tech is ranked.  The Tech defense has improved so far this season, but face a tough test agasint Will Greir.  WVU only 2 losses we close games against top 20 teams.  On ESPN2, Florida State looks for just its second win of the season when it plays Duke.  Both teams have struggled on offense recently.  If FSU does not manage to win this one, its bowl streak could be in Jeopardy. 

Saturday Afternoon 
Georgia Tech @ #11 Miami- 3:30 ABC 
#10 Auburn @ LSU- 3:30 CBS 
#12 Oklahoma Vs. Texas (Dallas)- Red River Shootout- 3:30 ESPN 
#25 Navy @ Memphis- 3:45 ESPNU 

After proving itself last weekend in a last second win over FSU, Miami takes on a tough Georgia Tech squad.  Tech possesses one of the rushing attacks in country, and plays a style of football that will pose challenges to a tough Miami defense.  In the CBS game of the week, LSU looks to keep its momentum going when they host Auburn.  Auburn has one of the best defenses in the country, but has struggled to score against high quality opponents.  Look for a very low scoring game in this one.  In the Red River Shootout, Oklahoma looks to bounce back from an upset loss to Iowa State in its rivalry matchup with Texas. The Longhorns defense has improved this season, but it will be up to their offense to be able to score with Oklahoma’s high powered attacked.  Elsewhere at 3:45, in a clash of different offensive styles, Navy heads to Memphis.  The winner of this high scoring game will be the favorite to win the American West. 

Saturday Night 
Texas A&M @ Florida -7:00 ESPN 
#9 Ohio State @ Nebraska- 7:30 FS1 
Utah @ #12 USC 8:00 ABC 

Florida tries to rebound from a close loss to LSU when it hosts Texas A&M.  The Aggies played Alabama closer than other team so far in this season, and have looked strong all year outside of the 4^th quarter against UCLA.  In the Big 10, Nebraska looks to upset Ohio State.  JT Barrett has set all kinds of records for the Buckeyes, but has not become the playmaker people hoped he would be this season.  The Cornhuskers have struggled this year, and will need to cause turnovers if they have any hope in this one.  In the ABC game of the week, Utah heads to LA to take on Southern California.  USC has not looked impressive at all this season, and QB Sam Darnold has not lived up to the preseason hype.  However, they should be able to run the ball against Utah, and that should be enough for a win. 

Saturday Late Night 
#5 Washington @ Arizona State- 10:45 ESPN 
Oregon @ #23 Stanford-  11:00 FS1 

Washington, much to Coach Peterson’s hatred, plays another late night game, this time against Arizona State.  The defense for Washington should be enough for them to win easily.  In the last game of the day, Oregon heads to Stanford. While Stanford has had bad QB play, Bryce Love has been running wild. Look for him to have another big game.