As we’ve officially entered fall, it’s time for these games to matter just a bit more. Conference play is in full swing, plenty of coaches are already on the hot seat, and we still have no idea how the playoff race will shake out. Man, this sport is fun.
Week Three Recap
It appears that karma still exists in college football, at least when it comes to Lane Kiffin, who fell short in his much-anticipated return to Oxford. Elsewhere in the SEC, Texas A&M still can’t shake off the 8-4 stigma after an upset loss to Kentucky. Texas Tech and Louisville won ranked conference matchups, and NC State managed to lose a game in the most ridiculous way possible (just run out of the back of the end zone!).
Top 25 Matchups
Rankings are from AP Poll
Friday 9/25:
- Northwestern @ #5 Indiana, 8PM, FOX
Saturday 9/26:
12:00-3:00PM
- #1 Texas @ #14 Tennessee, ABC
- Illinois @ #7 Ohio State, FOX
- Sam Houston @ #11 Texas Tech, TNT
- Wake Forest @ #16 Louisville, ESPN
- #3 Notre Dame @ Purdue, Peacock
3:30PM-6:30PM
- Oklahoma @ #2 Georgia, ESPN
- #4 Ole Miss @ #21 Florida, ABC
- #15 Utah @ Iowa State, FOX
- #17 Iowa @ #18 Michigan, CBS
- #25 Houston @ Georgia Southern, ESPNU
- Wisconsin @ #13 Penn State, Peacock
- Central Michigan @ #6 Miami, The CW
7:00-10:00PM
- South Carolina @ #8 Alabama, ESPN
- #23 Texas A&M @ #10 LSU, ABC
- #20 Oregon @ #12 USC, NBC
- #19 Missouri @ #24 Mississippi State, SECN
- Missouri State @ #22 SMU
Most Interesting Matchups
Tennessee @ Texas: In the first of six ranked-on-ranked matchups this week, Arch Manning and the Longhorns travel to Knoxville for the first time ever to take on his uncle Peyton’s Volunteers. I guess whoever wins this one takes custody over the nickname “UT.”
Ole Miss @ Florida: No, I have no idea how Florida is favored in this game, and apparently head coach Jon Sumrall is likewise confused. Ole Miss is riding high after an emotional win over Lane Kiffin and LSU, but the Swamp is never an easy place to play, especially against a seemingly revitalized Gators team.
Iowa @ Michigan: This game might legitimately end 3-2 with the final two points scored as an intentional safety to run out the clock. Both the Wolverines and Hawkeyes have great defenses and suspect offenses, so if you love low-scoring Big Ten football, this is the one to watch.
Texas A&M @ LSU: The key to winning this matchup is the ability to bounce back after a tough loss. While another loss won’t automatically disqualify either team from the playoffs, their odds of winning the SEC would shrink to near zero. As such, this is about as high-stakes as a Week 4 game can get.
Oregon @ USC: Despite being undefeated and averaging 43 points per game, the Trojans raised a lot of eyebrows by letting a decidedly bad Rutgers team hang around for nearly the entire game. Meanwhile, the Ducks shook off their shocking loss to Oklahoma State by hanging 84 points on an FCS team and have had the better of USC over the last several matchups. Whatever the outcome, expect defense to be optional in LA this Saturday.
FCS Game of the Week
#4 Montana @ #9 UC Davis 9/26 10 PM, ESPN+
We have a FCS Top 10 matchup this week, as the Grizzlies travel to Davis, CA to take on the Aggies. For the record, I didn’t realize Davis was an actual city in California.
Selected Pick ATS
My Picks:
Last Week: 1-4 Season: 8-10
- Tennessee @ Texas (-4)
- Ole Miss (+3) @ Florida
- Iowa (+4.5) @ Michigan
- Texas A&M @ LSU (+9.5)
- Oregon (-2.5) @ USC
Coin Flip Picks
Rules – Heads: Home Covers, Tails: Away Covers
Neutral Site: Heads picks the first team alphabetically
Last Week: 3-2 Season: 10-8
- Tennessee @ Texas (-4)
- Ole Miss (-3) @ Florida
- Iowa @ Michigan (-4.5)
- Texas A&M @ LSU (+9.5)
- Oregon @ USC (+2.5)
