Hey everyone, here’s a brief overview of what I plan to do for the Top Games to Watch this season. I’m not going to list the matchups that are too obvious unless a division title, conference title, or playoff scenario is involved. I will focus more on interesting matchups not talked about whether its Power 5 teams or not. I will involve Group of Five games more unless the majority of their opponents are outside of Division I. Most importantly, if I see an upset matchup or two, it will be on the list. The purpose of my posting is to give the Group of Five and the lesser teams a bit more attention. I’m not expected to be right or expect anyone to move away from Power 5 teams or games. I’m an Oklahoma fan and a Big 12 fan, but I’m also a UNR alumni, my friend’s a couple of my friends are Fresno State alumni, and I have a mom that’s a San Diego State alumni, so I will support the Mountain West conference too. I like to make my list and my picks more interesting because it makes people think. Hopefully you all drop by and check out my postings. Don’t be afraid to leave a comment. I would love to hear from people during the season.
10) SOUTH CAROLINA VS. UNC – 12:30PM PT/ 3:30PM ET [ESPN] (CHARLOTTE, NC)
North Carolina competed in 75% of their games last season, while dealing with 13 players being suspended between 1-4 games. UNC’s backups behind some returning starters should have more experience. South Carolina ended their season by being shutout against Virginia. They start their season in that same location against UNC, another ACC team. South Carolina coach Will Muschamp will face his former mentor Mack Brown in North Carolina. Man will that be some matchup. The Gamecocks won the last three games against UNC, including the last one in Charlotte in 2015. We’re not sure how the Tarheels will perform with a starting true freshmen quarterback, so South Carolina should win this game. I do expect this game to be a bit closer than some experts think.
9) UCLA AT CINCINNATI – 4PM PT/ 7PM ET [ESPN] THURSDAY
UCLA lost to Cincinnati last season due to lack of production on offense. While their defensive stats weren’t great, there was optimism on that side. They picked off teams 11 times and have defensive backs Darnay Holmes and Quentin Lake back that led the team in that category. Cincinnati should return to their competitive selves. Two problems though, front lines on both sides have depleted and could pose a problem. They do return quarterback Desmond Ridder and running back Michael Warren II and both had solid seasons. UCLA looks to bounce back from a 3-9 season, but they’re at Cincinnati for the opener. Their priority should be running the football while slowing down Cincinnati’s run game.
8) #19 WISCONSIN AT USF – 4PM PT/ 7PM ET [ESPN] FRIDAY
I’m hearing USF upsetting Wisconsin. But I’m looking at USF’s rushing defense and Wisconsin’s running back Jonathan Taylor and thinking…Why??? Maybe Wisconsin’s replacing eight players on defense and USF returning offensive players could produce yards and points on them? Maybe there’s uncertainty at the quarterback position for Wisconsin? Or maybe Wisconsin’s playing in Tampa and humidity could play a factor into Wisconsin’s endurance? There’s questions that will be answered soon enough once Wisconsin receives the ball on offense. USF’s upset could start a conversation for what’s to come for the rest of their season. Also USF’s Charlie Strong and Wisconsin’s Paul Chryst met once when Pitt (coached by Chryst) played against Louisville (coached by Strong) with Louisville winning 45-35.
7) OKLAHOMA STATE AT OREGON STATE – 7:30PM PT/ 10:30PM ET [FS1] FRIDAY
This game has entertainment written all over. Oregon State shouldn’t have an issue scoring with quarterback Jake Luton, running back Jermar Jefferson, and receivers Isaiah Hodgins, Trevor Bradford, and Noah Togiai returning. Oklahoma State has offensive talent, but he hasn’t decided on a starting quarterback yet. The winner will throw to several receivers, led by Tylan Wallace and Dillon Stoner. However, both sides have an awful defense so it’s for sure a high-scoring game. The Beavers have an edge at home so they have a chance to upset the Cowboys. To add on to this upset potential, Friday night college games were made for upsets.
6) TULSA AT #18 MICHIGAN STATE – 4PM PT/ 7PM ET [FS1] FRIDAY
Both Tulsa and Michigan State were bad on offense, and even though Michigan State’s defense were Top 10 calibur, Tulsa’s defense were pesky and physical. Michigan State’s linebacker Joe Bachie and Tulsa’s linebacker Cooper Edmiston return to lead their defense. Michigan State was #1 in the nation in rush yards allowed on defense and will stop Tulsa’s run game in their tracks. Tulsa was #6 in the nation in passing yards allowed on defense. Overall, this game will determine who’s offense is better. If Michigan State doesn’t solve their offensive woes from last season, Tulsa has a shot of upsetting Michigan State if they have an answer at quarterback.
5) PURDUE AT NEVADA – 6:30PM PT/ 9:30PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK] FRIDAY
This matchup will most likely have a lot of yards and scoring. Nothing’s more entertaining than watching Purdue receiver Rondale Moore play this Friday and I can’t wait to watch him. Along with him, Purdue has quarterback Elijah Sindelar to throw a lot of passing yards. But how stable is the offensive line and what will they do about their running back situation? Nevada’s offense features returning running back Toa Taua and four leading receivers. The offensive line must be in sync to open holes for their running back. More importantly, how prepared is redshirt freshmen quarterback Carson Strong? Nevada’s defense must prepare to slow down Rondale Moore or it’ll be a long night for them. Another Friday night game that could be an upset game. Purdue’s defense hasn’t been great and their offense is centered around Moore. Nevada must shut him down and Carson Strong must play well to make this their big non-conference win since last season against Oregon State.
4) #14 UTAH AT BYU – 7:15PM PT/ 10:15PM ET [ESPN] THURSDAY
Utah is favored to win the South and could end someone’s run in the Pac-12 North. But their season starts with the Holy War against their in-state rival, BYU. Utah’s defense is the strength of this team. Quarterback Tyler Huntley and running back Zack Moss both return from injury. BYU took until the second half to prove themselves by tearing apart Western Michigan in a bowl game. Hopefully their young offense improves overall to deal with Utah’s phyiscal defense. Quarterback Zach Wilson completed 65.9 percent of his passes and should improve after his presence improved the offense. This game decides whether Utah battles for a potential playoff spot or BYU continues their run through a brutal schedue, but with confidence. Utah won the last eight meetings, and the last six games came down to a touchdown.
3) VIRGINIA AT PITT – 4:30PM PT/ 7:30PM ET [ACC NETWORK]
Virginia returns quarterback Bryce Perkins and really played up to his potential. But hopefully he has a running back and a number one receiver to take some pressure off of this quarterback. Virginia’s defense return seven starting defensive players and should contend with anyone on their schedule. Pitt returns quarterback Kenny Pickett, but must improve his completion percentage. They also must find a new running back and their offensive line must improve in pass protection while replacing three players. Defense and special teams will be the core strength to help Pitt contend in a wide-open division again. Here’s what we should know about this matchup. Virginia may finally have balance on their roster in coach Bronco Mendenhall’s fourth year, and Pitt has never lost to Virginia in Pennsylvania are on a 4-game winning streak in that meeting. Virginia lost the last two games on the road in overtime. Virginia is a slight favorite, but they must watch out for Pitt’s special teams and take care of the football or Pitt will grind them out all four quarters.
2) OLE MISS AT MEMPHIS – 9AM PT/ 12PM ET [ABC]
Memphis is poised to take the AAC after UCF lost McKenzie Milton for one more year. But their main focus is on upsetting Ole Miss again. They have an abundance of starters and depth returning on both sides of the ball. The backfield and receivers are loaded and will be dangerous. Ole Miss’s defense have work cut out for them this weekend. They return eight starters, but were horrible in most statistical categories. Benito Jones will lead the front to pressure Memphis quarterback Brady White because Memphis allowed 82 tackles for loss last year. Their offense unfortunately returns three starters and Matt Corral has little experience but has potential too. If this team can find answers to help this guy out, then Ole Miss could potentially score a lot of points. Could this be an upset game for Memphis? Could it really be? Ole Miss’s quarterback Matt Corral will be tested on the road. Memphis currently won the last meeting against Ole Miss after Ole Miss had two wins in the last three meetings vacated, unfortunately.
1) HOUSTON AT #4 OKLAHOMA – 4:30PM PT/ 7:30PM ET [ABC] SUNDAY
This is a primetime Sunday matchup to watch for. Houston D’Eriq King accounted for 50 touchdowns before getting hurt against Tulane. This offense should be lethal once again, but this defense might be dreadful after defensive tackle Ed Oliver goes to the NFL. Oklahoma welcomes quarterback Jalen Hurts to Norman after transferring from Alabama. He’ll be counted on with his impressive record to lead Oklahoma back to a conference title and hopefully the playoffs again. There’s two questions for the Sooners prior to Sunday: Can the offensive line reload quickly around center Creed Humphrey? And is Alex Grinch the answer to improving the Sooners’ defense?
Let me give you a brief history: This last matchup was where Houston’s Ed Oliver made a name for himself as a freshmen phenom. This was also when their defense wrecked Oklahoma’s offensive line and junior quarterback Baker Mayfield. Oklahoma also missed a field goal midway through the third quarter only to have it returned by Houston for a touchdown.
Now let’s return to the now. Oklahoma coach Lincoln Riley and new Houston and former West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen meet again and have a long history together and shortly against each other. Holgorsen returns to Houston after being an offensive coordinator for one season over a decade ago. What he wants is a big win against Oklahoma after failing seven straight times as a West Virginia coach. Houston has the offense to do it, but they need enough stops on defense to shock the college football world.
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