FAVORITE TEAMS

My college football takeaways from Week 6:

 

The AAC stacks up on competition and their top teams are entertaining to watch. Give this conference credit where credit is well overdue!

The Big Ten has three teams in the Top 10. Ohio State looks for real after stomping on Michigan State, but there’s still plenty of football left after their bye week. Wisconsin’s defense makes a difference for a group that has new players on their starting roster. Penn State snuck into the Top 10 and are now on the spotlight for the last five of seven games of the season. First up, road game at Iowa.

Technically, Baylor snuck their way into the Top 25. Also technically, Baylor has an improved roster after growth and development under Matt Rhule. Texas Tech is a sneaky game. But after them, their next five games are tough.

Boise State could re-appear in the Top 10 by next month if they continue winning. I don’t see a game where they could potentially lose, but it’s too early to assume anything.

The Pac-12 continues to beat each other out of a playoff opportunity. Right now, Oregon is their only hope. But after their previous opponent, Auburn, suffered their first loss, it puts more pressure on the Ducks to not lose another game.

Auburn’s loss isn’t a huge blow, but they have some work to do before dealing with LSU next weekend.

While there wasn’t much detail on the rest of the Top 12, Florida got a big win against Auburn. I’m still not sold on them. That was an ugly game with a lot of turnovers and I’ve seen plenty of it against Miami and parts of it against Kentucky. Kyle Trask is less than 100% with a sketchy offense, but quarterback Emory Jones performance proves that coach Dan Mullen can make any quarterback good, or at least legitimate. I can’t say they’re a playoff team just yet. A win is a win though.

 

10) #1 ALABAMA (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 SEC) AT #24 TEXAS A&M (3-2 OVERALL; 1-1 SEC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [CBS]

It was either this matchup or Florida State vs. Clemson at #10. It’s hard to evaluate whether this is a game to watch or just a slowly but surely another blowout on Alabama’s schedule. Alabama’s favored by about three scores, but lets see if their battered defense can slow down A&M’s offense. One more thing, how’s the progression of Texas A&M under coach Jimbo Fisher in Year 2?

 

9) HAWAI’I (4-1 OVERALL; 1-0 MWC) AT #14 BOISE STATE (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 MWC) – 7:15PM PT / 10:15PM ET [ESPN2]

I considered this an underrated west coast college game at night. Hawai’i has one of the best high-flying offenses in the conference led by quarterback Cole McDonald. Boise State’s defense hunkered down against their last four opponents by an average of 12.3 points per game since allowing 31 to Florida State. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier has proven to be the Bronco’s future and could create a potential playoff debate for the Group of 5 teams in the near future. If Hawai’i can lay off the turnover bug, this could be a much closer game.

 

8) TEXAS TECH (3-2 OVERALL; 1-1 BIG 12) AT #22 BAYLOR (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG 12) – 1PM PT / 4PM ET [FOX SPORTS 1]

This series is tied at 38 with one tie all-time. Texas Tech won two of the last three games, but Baylor won on neutral ground in Arlington last season. That win makes it six of the last eight games in this meeting for the Bears. So why is this matchup on my list? After Baylor scored 53 and 61 in their first two games, they were chained down to no more than 31 points in the past three games. However, those numbers could go back up since they’re playing Texas Tech’s defense. Although, Texas Tech’s defense is second in the conference in interceptions. This team was battle-tested against Arizona and Oklahoma before tearing up formerly-ranked Oklahoma State. Quarterback Jeff Duffey started in place of Alan Bowman due to injury and tore up Oklahoma State with over 400 yards passing. Baylor is in the ranked 20s and lower realm where most teams suffered after debuting for just one week in the Top 25.

7) WASHINGTON STATE (3-2 OVERALL; 0-2 PAC-12) AT #18 ARIZONA STATE (4-1 OVERALL; 1-1 PAC-12) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [PAC-12 NETWORK]

Arizona State comes off a bye on upset alert against Washington State. Wazzu won the last two meetings but not playing each other two seasons could make a difference. Arizona State is a different team under coach Herm Edwards and could threaten the Pac-12 South. Wazzu is currently 0-2 in the Pac-12 despite being one of the best offenses in the nation. They lost a massive lead to UCLA, and then failed to figure out Utah’s defense. The Cougars should find some opening against Arizona State, but the Sun Devils work hard on all sides. Arizona State must win to set up a Pac-12 South-controlling matchup next weekend at Utah.

6) NEBRASKA (4-2 OVERALL; 2-1 BIG TEN) AT MINNESOTA (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG TEN) 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [FOX SPORTS 1]

Last season, Nebraska ran over Minnesota 53-28. This season, Minnesota is home and hopes to repeat their defensive performance like last week after allowing their first under 20-point game over Illinois. Minnesota’s one win away from bowling for the second straight season under coach P.J. Fleck. If they can slow down quarterback Adrian Martinez, Nebraska will have another dreadful offensive game after struggling in the last two weeks.

 

5) #10 PENN STATE (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG TEN) AT #17 IOWA (4-1 OVERALL; 1-1 BIG TEN) – 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [ABC]

This is Penn State’s second key game, and this one’s big. They play on the road at Kinnick Stadium where top-ranked teams struggle the most. This matchup includes teams two proven defensive squads. Penn State is second in points allowed, third against the run, and fourth in total defense. Their only blemish is passing yards allowed. But they allowed only three passing touchdowns all season and one on the ground. Iowa is third in points allowed, 12th against the run, and fifth in total defense. They also allowed five total touchdowns all season. Both teams have yet to allow 20 points to an opponent this season. Iowa quarterback Nate Stanley looks to end Iowa’s losing streak after coming up short twice and going 0-2 in his last two starts. Can Penn State also handle the Iowa crowd without quarterback Trace McSorley not being their guy anymore???

 

4) #7 FLORIDA (6-0 OVERALL; 3-0 SEC) AT #5 LSU (5-0 OVERALL; 1-0 SEC) – 5PM PT / 8PM ET [ESPN]

LSU finally has an offense to compete with anybody while Florida has a championship defense that’s keeping this team’s playoff hopes alive. LSU is a tad vulnerable on defense after allowing 38 points twice to Power 5 opponents. Luckily, they’re home because they allowed that many points only on the road. Florida plays their second road game, but their previous road game against Kentucky and neutral game at Miami were anything but flawless. There was speculation that they could’ve come into this matchup with two losses. But thanks to their defense (first in SEC, fifth in the nation), they survived up to this point. LSU has leverage at home but Florida has been reluctant twice away from Gainesville. If Florida’s offense can shake off their mistakes and protect Kyle Trask or Emory Jones, it’s possible they can expose LSU’s defense. LSU’s offense has their hands full and this is the game where quarterback Joe Burrow could prove his Heisman candidacy if they tear apart Florida’s defense.

 

3) #23 MEMPHIS (5-0 OVERALL; 1-0 AAC) AT TEMPLE (4-1 OVERALL; 1-0 AAC) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ESPN2]

Here’s another underrated game to watch at #3. Memphis is overshadowed by other competitive AAC teams, and they’re ok with it. They’re 5-0 and what used to be a simple October schedule turned into an AAC gauntlet schedule for the rest of their season thanks to Tulane and SMU’s hot start, including Tulsa competing despite their 2-3 start. Temple’s also overshadowed and despite their one loss, they’ve balled and their defense improved from last season. This is the game to watch next to the Red River Rivalry game in my opinion. The winner has an advantage in a tough AAC conference.

 

2) #20 VIRGINIA (4-1 OVERALL; 2-0 ACC) AT MIAMI (2-3 OVERALL; 0-2 ACC) – 5PM PT / 8PM ET [ESPN] (FRIDAY)

This is an upset game for Virginia unless they cleaned up their turnover woes and figured out their legit ball carrier to lessen Bryce Perkins’ load. Otherwise, Miami’s defense has their eyes locked on him. Virginia’s a slight favorite, but their in a difficult spot playing at Hard Rock Stadium. Despite Miami’s 2-3 record, their defense will always prepare for anyone. The Canes’ key on offense, however, is their new/returning starting quarterback N’Kosi Perry. His 5-2 record as a starter could be a sign that he may be an important piece to their offense. Can he be their guy to upset Virginia on Friday night?

 

1) #6 OKLAHOMA (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG 12) VS #11 TEXAS (4-1 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG 12) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [FOX]

The Red River Rivalry has been a great one to watch for the past few years. Since 2013, this matchup was decided by two scores or less. Last season was a great one to watch involving Oklahoma’s massive comeback that was cut short by Texas’s Dicker the Kicker’s game-winning field goal. Then another one in the Red River Big 12 title game with Oklahoma avenging that loss to get into the playoffs. I’m hearing from people either Oklahoma blowing out Texas or Texas causing Oklahoma to struggle for most of the game. Oklahoma’s defense and Texas’s roster durability will play a huge part in how this game will be decided. The winner wears the Golden Hat and takes advantage in a seemingly wide-open conference.

 

*red indicates my underrated team