FAVORITE TEAMS

AAC: 1-1, OVERALL: 5-7

USF (2-3) vs. BYU– won 27-23

• Whether BYU’s struggling or not, that was a good win for USF. Their last two wins was due to their successful running game and hopefully that continues. They’ll definitely need it knowing that their last five of six games are against teams with a better record in the AAC, including four that are defensively strong in the conference.

 

TULSA (2-3) vs. Navy– lost 45-17

• It’s really hard to admit after that loss to Navy, but it’s potentially difficult for Tulsa to reach six wins with inconsistency on offense. Their defense is underrated, but their offense is still in the process of improvement. Their next five game basically makes or breaks their season.

 

ACC: 0-2, OVERALL: 9-3

#20 VIRGINIA (4-1) at Miami– lost 17-9

• Virginia’s defense, special teams and kicking kept them in the game, but the offense couldn’t produce even a touchdown each time they’re in the redzone or across Miami territory, and that resulted in their first ACC lost this season. Luckily, Virginia didn’t allow a turnover, but the lack of production in the run game added more pressure on quarterback Bryce Perkins and that worked in Miami defense’s favor. Virgnia’s last six games includes three key games that decides their ACC Coastal fate: Duke, UNC, and Virginia Tech.

 

#19 WAKE FOREST (5-0) vs. Louisville– lost 62-59

• Wake Forest’s late comeback run that involved with a near miraculous onside kick recovery came up short in a big upset loss against Louisville. What hurt Wake Forest overall was the turnovers and lack of protection on special teams that included a kickoff return touchdown. The three-point loss was masked by their three-score deficit prior to their huge fourth quarter run. Wake Forest needed that win to go bowling before their tough last six games. Now they must win one of those six to be bowl-eligible. Next up, Florida State.

BIG TEN: 2-0, OVERALL: 11-1

#16 MICHIGAN (4-1) at Illinois– won 42-25

• Michigan owned Illinois for the first half before allowing them to score 18 points in the second half. Luckily, they avoided that scare with a couple of more touchdowns to seal their victory. Their defense played up to par and forced a few turnovers of their own. Michigan had some miscues handling the ball that led to two lost fumbles. Michigan’s next game at Penn State will be a larger test that could either make or break their 2019 season.

 

MINNESOTA (5-0) vs. Nebraska– won 34-7

• Minnesota averaged 14 points allowed per game in the last two games and kept their opponents under 20 points for the second time this season. Their defense might have finally grown up in the Big Ten that’s playing good, consistent defense. Now they’re bowl eligible for the second straight time under P.J. Fleck. Their next game’s at Rutgers, which they should have no problem rowing their boat over them.

 

BIG 12: 1-0, OVERALL: 7-4

KANSAS STATE (3-2)– BYE WEEK

IOWA STATE (3-2) at West Virginia– won 38-14

• Iowa State blows out their second straight opponent and three opponents in their last four games this season. Quarterback Brock Purdy is becoming responsible for most of Iowa State’s points and their defense is causing opposing teams issues. If they manage to defeat Texas Tech on the road this weekend, their next three games (Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, and Texas) will show if they’ll appear in the Big 12 conference title game this December.

 

C-USA: 1-1, OVERALL: 5-7

FIU (2-3) vs. Charlotte– won 48-23

• FIU won their next two games against easier competition to be at a solid .500 mark. Their next game against UTEP should be no problem before facing four toughest opponents in their last five games of the season. They need three more wins to be bowl-eligible. Good luck Panthers.

 

NORTH TEXAS (2-3) at Southern Miss– lost 45-27

• The Mean Green loses two straight and the lack of a consistent run game and poor defensive play could see this team out of bowl-eligibility by season’s end. However, they have chance of defeating a 2-4 Mid Tenn team trying to find their own identity after a roster makeover in 2019. If they can win that game, their competition lightens up down the stretch.

 

INDEPENDENT: 0-1, OVERALL: 3-3

ARMY (3-2) at Western Kentucky– lost 17-8

• Army loses two straight and their schedule doesn’t get much easier from there. With each opponent, comes with another pace of play by them and it’s making their offense suffer when they’re not in scoring position. Their next game’s at Georgia State, and they’re currently 4-2 if some are paying attention to them. This could be another loss for Army if they can’t fix their flaws on offense.

 

MAC: 1-1, OVERALL: 6-7

MIAMI (OH) (2-3) at WESTERN MICHIGAN (3-3) – Western Michigan won 38-16

• I could say that Miami (OH) outplayed Weste rn Michigan on offense, but Miami (OH) threw three interceptions that led to two scores. If it was up to Western Michigan, they would’ve outplayed this team in every phase of the game, including having more yards than than them. Miami (OH) has defense and their team has potential, but their offense still needs time to progress.

 

MWC: 2-0, OVERALL: 8-4

NEVADA (3-2) vs. San Jose State– won 41-38

• I went attended that game and ran into another game-winning situation in the second half. Nevada got off to a hot start and dominated the first half. Then they went sideways, made a few key mistakes and allowed San Jose State some big plays to get back into the game. The Pack ended their game on another game-winning field goal. They won, but unfortunately quarterback Malik Henry made questionable decisions throwing the ball, the play-calling wasn’t all that great throughout the game, and the defensive backs gave up big play after big play that led to scores. But, I give their front seven credit for pressuring San Jose State’s Josh Love and slowing down the run.

 

AIR FORCE (3-2) vs. Fresno State– won 43-24

• Air Force wins another key game against Fresno State. This teams looking dangerous and should be bowling this season. However, they’re on the road at Hawai’i and their fast-paced offense will test Air Force’s defense. Have I mentioned Air Force has 7 wins over Hawai’i’s five wins in Hawai’i all-time?

 

PAC-12: 2-0, OVERALL: 10-2

#18 ARIZONA STATE (4-1) vs. Washington State– won 38-34

• True freshmen quarterback Jayden Daniels does it again. When they have their backs against the wall on one final possession, Arizona State does it again. I said this time and time again, Arizona State is a hard out under Herm Edwards. Their matchup against Utah could potentially decide who controls the Pac-12 South.

 

#13 OREGON (4-1) vs. Colorado– won 45-3

• Oregon came out playing with no mercy against Colorado. Their offense scored at will and their defense was relentless every series. This gave Colorado so much fits that it led to Colorado receiver Laviska Shenault shoving a corner on a pass play and a Colorado defensive player being thrown out of the game for throwing a punch. But here’s the downside: Oregon’s roster is hit with injuries during the game and this could be a bad sign when they visit Washington next week.

 

SEC: 1-0, OVERALL: 10-2

MISSOURI (4-1) vs. Ole Miss– won 38-27

• Missouri won, but it wasn’t an easy one against Ole Miss. Once quarterback Kelly Bryant and the offense bounced back, they went on a run. They shouldn’t have a problem defeating Vanderbilt, but now Missouri hits the road for the next three games and each game will become more challenging.

 

#12 AUBURN (5-0)– BYE WEEK

 

SUN BELT: 1-0, OVERALL: 8-3

ARKANSAS STATE (3-3)– BYE WEEK

APPALACHIAN STATE (4-0) at Louisiana– won 17-7

• It was a surprisingly low-scoring game. Appalachian State’s defense came out playing from start to finish, but their offense struggled moving the ball for the first time this season. But give credit to Zac Thomas for moving the ball for this team. He was responsible for two touchdowns throughout the game and helped keep App State undefeated. They host UL Monroe, and they’re also a team that made improvements from the last two seasons.