Wo-oah! Livin’ on a prayer!
Week Six Recap
I may have transferred some of my prediction karma to Texas when I mentioned that they had a “stranglehold on the number 1 spot” last week (sorry, Longhorns fans), as they’ve surrendered that spot to Georgia following the latter’s win over Alabama. In other news, UCLA appears to be a true contender in the Big Ten, Oregon is quite the opposite, Kentucky may be the most exciting team to watch in the SEC, and Florida is proof that what goes up may come crashing down in an instant. We’ve got plenty of ranked-on-ranked action this week so let’s get into it!
Top 25 Matchups
Rankings are from AP Poll, All game times EST
Saturday 10/17:
12:00-3:00PM
- Virginia @ #24 SMU, The CW
- #25 Northwestern @ Michigan State, Peacock
- Florida @ #7 Texas, ABC
- #16 Mississippi State @ #22 LSU, ESPN
- #4 Ohio State @ #5 Indiana, FOX
3:30PM-6:30PM
- Arizona State @ #10 Texas Tech, FOX
- Auburn @ #1 Georgia, ESPN
- #13 Missouri @ #9 Ole Miss, SECN
- #6 Alabama @ #14 Tennessee, ABC
7:00-10:30PM
- Florida State @ #3 Miami, ESPN
- #18 Oklahoma State @ #20 Houston, FOX
- Wisconsin @ #12 UCLA, NBC
- #2 Notre Dame @ #8 BYU, ABC
- #15 Kentucky @ Oklahoma, SECN
- #11 Utah @ Colorado, ESPN
- #21 Wake Forest @ Cal, ESPN2
Most Interesting Matchups
Mississippi State @ LSU: Well, well, well. It appears that karma still exists in college football and has its crosshairs set fully on Lane Kiffin and the Tigers. After a backbreaking loss to Kentucky, LSU’s chances at Atlanta and an at-large playoff berth are on life support. Another ranked win for Mississippi State keeps them on pace for a chance at both of those things, something no one expected at the start of this season.
Ohio State @ Indiana: The marquee matchup of the weekend is a rematch of last year’s Big Ten Championship game. The Hoosiers title defense is still going strong, and this is by far their hardest remaining game. Get past the Buckeyes, and Indiana one huge step closer to a repeat trip to Indianapolis, though that’s always easier said than done when Jeremiah Smith is on the other side of the field.
Missouri @ Ole Miss: In a clash of ranked SEC teams that may or may not actually be legitimate contenders, the winner will get the honor of remaining in a tie for second place in the conference standings. For the record, both of these teams play Georgia in November so they may want to enjoy this lofty status while it lasts.
Oklahoma State @ Houston: Don’t look now, but the Cowboys are squarely in the Big 12 race at the halfway point in the season. The same can be said for the Cougars, whose only blemish so far is a two-point loss to Texas Tech, but can’t afford another slip up with a huge matchup against Utah looming.
Notre Dame @ BYU: One could argue that the Irish haven’t really been tested so far, though most of their Power 4 wins have come in convincing fashion. This test against the Cougars and a meeting with Miami in two weeks will prove if this Notre Dame team has what it takes to make a playoff run, while also proving if the best of the Big 12 can hang with the big boys.
FCS Game of the Week
South Dakota State @ North Dakota 10/17, 2PM, ESPN+
A top 15 matchup between the Jackrabbits and Fighting Hawk to claim the FCS Dakota crown. Which one will earn the right to fill the power vacuum left by NDSU?
Selected Pick ATS
My Picks:
Last Week: 3-2 Season: 15-18
- Miss St (+14.5) @ LSU
- OSU @ Indiana (+3.5)
- Mizzou @ Ole Miss (-5.5)
- OKST (+5.5) @ Houston
- ND @ BYU (+10.5)
Coin Flip Picks
Rules – Heads: Home Covers, Tails: Away Covers
Neutral Site: Heads picks the first team alphabetically
Last Week: 2-3 Season: 16-17
- Miss St @ LSU (+14.5)
- OSU (-3.5) @ Indiana
- Mizzou @ Ole Miss (-5.5)
- OKST @ Houston (-5.5)
- ND (-10.5) @ BYU
