FAVORITE TEAMS

To avoid any confusion, this is a review from Week 6 college football games prior to Appalachian State playing Louisiana on Wednesday.

AAC: 1-1, OVERALL: 4-6

USF (1-3) at UCONN– won 48-22

• It was an important win for USF and they looked solid from start to finish. They played their best run game all season after their first four games was a struggle. Even if it was against UConn, it’s a confidence booster. Enjoy it now because their next opponent is BYU.

 

TULSA (2-2) at #24 SMU– lost 43-37 3OT

• This was a thriller and a heartbreaker for Tulsa. They were up three scores going into the fourth, but SMU didn’t quit and fought back through three overtimes to win the game. It would’ve been Tulsa’s biggest win of all my underrated teams that was predicted to finish last in the AAC West standings. What hurt them was the kicking game and the offense’s lack of production for the whole fourth quarter that led to SMU’s comeback. Tulsa may have slightly improved as the season went on, but not finishing the game could hurt them for the rest of their season. The next three games in October (Navy, at Cincinnati, and Memphis) is a tough stretch for Tulsa to bounce back.

 

ACC: 0-0, OVERALL: 9-1

#18 VIRGINIA (4-1)– BYE WEEK

WAKE FOREST (5-0)– BYE WEEK

BIG TEN: 2-0, OVERALL: 9-1

#19 MICHIGAN (3-1) vs. #14 Iowa– won 10-3

• An expected low-scoring game that ended in a win for Michigan, and it was an important one. That win helps this team climb back up in the rankings. Now they have three remaining teams ranked higher than Michigan to deal with after Illinois: Penn State, Notre Dame, and Ohio State.

 

MINNESOTA (4-0) vs. Illinois– won 40-17

• When I thought Minnesota would be in their 5th straight close game with Illinois, they wipe the floor with them. I guess Illinois was allowed one win against the Gophers for every three losses to them. Guess they have two more seasons before it happens again. The main ground carriers Rodney Smith and Shannon Brooks both nabbed over 100 yards, but Smith carried over 200 yards. If they’ve figured out their identity, they should compete for the Big Ten West. They’re 5-0 for the first time since 2004 and is currently up there with rival, Wisconsin.

 

BIG 12: 1-1, OVERALL: 6-4

KANSAS STATE (3-1) vs. Baylor– lost 31-14

• Another unimpressive drubbing by Kansas State. Their first two Big 12 games against Oklahoma State and now Baylor is an unwelcoming reminder to coach Klieman that he’s in Big 12 territory now. Luckily, Kansas State’s on a bye. He has time to adjust to his new conference before playing TCU.

 

IOWA STATE (2-2) vs. TCU– won 49-24

• The Cyclones bounced back after a close loss to Baylor. Quarterback Brock Purdy has a huge day with 247 yards passing with two touchdowns and 102 yards rushing with two touchdowns as well. They travel to West Virginia in hopes of widdling down the Big 12 competition to stay with Oklahoma, Texas, and now Baylor.

 

C-USA: 1-0, OVERALL: 4-6

FIU (1-3) vs. UMass– won 44-0

• Good win for FIU, even though it was against UMass. Hopefully this is a tune-up game to help boost their confidence moving forward with the next four winnable games winnable, but don’t underestimate Charlotte or Mid Tenn. Funny how USF and FIU (both Florida) have struggled in my picks. Bad timing…

 

NORTH TEXAS (2-3)– BYE WEEK

 

INDEPENDENT: 0-1, OVERALL: 3-2

ARMY (3-1) vs. Tulane– lost 42-33

• Tulane’s an improved team and not many saw this coming. Army competed but their opponent played a bit more fast-paced than last year. Tulane quarterback Justin McMillan and Amare Jones were the examples to this improved offense. Army’s next game is at Western Kentucky and we’re about to find out more about the Hilltoppers after their upset win over UAB last weekend.

 

MAC: 0-1, OVERALL: 5-6

MIAMI (OH) (2-3)– BYE WEEK

WESTERN MICHIGAN (3-2) at Toledo– lost 31-24

• With that loss, Toledo leads the MAC West while the Broncos regroup. They failed to slow down quarterback Mitchell Guadagni, who accounted for four touchdowns that won them the game. The run game was another reason for Toledo’s success. Western Michigan’s next opponent is my other MAC underrated pick, Miami (OH), who went 3-1 on the road against the conference last season.

 

MWC: 0-1, OVERALL: 6-4

NEVADA (3-2)– BYE WEEK

AIR FORCE (3-1) at Navy– lost 34-25

• Air Force played at their best but Navy’s denied them early in the game. Navy quarterback Malcolm Perry had a field day passing and running. Air Force kept forcing turnovers to stay somewhat in the game, but they failed to capitalize on their opportunities. They host Fresno State and that should be a tough, physical matchup.

 

PAC-12: 1-0, OVERALL: 8-2

ARIZONA STATE (4-1)– BYE WEEK

#13 OREGON (3-1) vs. Cal– won 17-7

• The Ducks won against Cal after a slow start to that game. Oregon’s defense made an impact to keep this team in and capitalize on their opportunities on offense. They host Colorado next and Oregon’s defense will have their hands full with the Buffs’ talented offense.

 

SEC: 1-1, OVERALL: 9-2

MISSOURI (3-1) vs. Troy– won 42-10

• Missouri wins an easy one. Their next two games shouldn’t be all that different. It’s good preparation for their late October matchup against Kentucky. Let’s see if Mizzou will sneak up on the better of the SEC teams while everyone’s still not looking.

 

#7 AUBURN (5-0) at #10 Florida– lost 24-13

• Auburn lost a tough one. Turnovers and a hostile environment was too overwhelming for true freshmen quarterback Bo Nix to handle. Opportunity after opportunity turned into turnovers, punts, or field goals with only one touchdown throughout the game. They have a bye week before their second of their three road games in October.

 

SUN BELT: 0-1, OVERALL: 7-3

ARKANSAS STATE (3-2) at Georgia State– lost 52-33

• Either Georgia State’s the better team in the Sun Belt or Arkansas State’s the worst team in the Sun Belt. The offense seemingly overwhelmed Arkansas State, and there was little response until the 4th quarter. That was before Georgia State scored two more touchdowns to assure that they can’t come back. Their chances for a West division title just got more difficult as they host Louisiana in two weeks. They have a week to sort out their issues with their roster and the injuries plaguing them.

 

APPALACHIAN STATE (4-0)– BYE WEEK