FAVORITE TEAMS

Here’s my college football takeaways after Week 7:

 

I’m going to talk about Georgia and Florida. Wow, I didn’t see that coming from Georgia. After Florida’s loss too, the East may have imploded itself, but the Associated Press HAD to be generous enough to keep Georgia at #10. Really???

Oklahoma has proven to be a potential serious playoff contender after Saturday’s win over Texas. The only thing I’m concerned as an Oklahoma fan is Jalen Hurts turnover tendencies. The defense played well, but Hurts got them caught in a bad situation at times with the turnovers. And man, what a game by linebacker Kenneth Murray. He’s a monster.

The AAC is now dangerous with seven teams vying for a spot in the conference title game. Navy’s rejuvenated after last season and Tulane could cause some serious trouble for the West division this time.

While the Pac-12 continues to self-destruct, Oregon is holding its own and its defense is looking oh so for real! They’ve allowed only one touchdown in the last five games after giving up three against Auburn (in the second half).

Speaking of Pac-12, Arizona State has a no-quit mentality and could potentially give the rest of the conference trouble if they somehow upset Utah this weekend.

After looking at the current rankings, there could be some epic Top 10 to Top 15 matchups for the next three to four weeks. This may play into Boise State’s advantage depending on how chaotic things go. And one more thing, SEC East teams must watch out for Missouri because they’re creeping and November will be an interesting time for the Tigers.

 

5) UL MONROE (3-3) AT #24 APPALACHIAN STATE (5-0) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ESPN+]

I couldn’t tell whether this game is worthy of #5, but I’m giving this a go. Remember when Appalachian State appeared in the Top 25 for the first time in program history? Remember when they lost to Georgia Southern that next weekend after being ranked just one time? They’re return to the Top 25 and hope to make a case for their first New Year’s Six Bowl appearance. UL Monroe’s record is 3-3 but they dealt with tough competition early before going 2-0 in the Sun Belt. They played Florida State and fought them to the end, only to lose due to their missed extra point. They lost badly to Iowa State but they were down by two scores prior to halftime. They had another opportunity to come back against Memphis, but a late pick-six ruined their run. Appalachian State attempts their their first undefeated run in program history. Their offense can play with almost anyone, and their defense is slowly catching up. The only question is can their defense repeat against UL Monroe’s improved offense? UL Monroe’s offense can play and take advantage against teams with a slightly weaker defense. Believe it or not, UL Monroe upset Appalachian State two seasons ago. Even if they’re on the road, they played against tough competition, so Appalachian State can’t overlook those Warhawks.

 

4) #16 MICHIGAN (5-1) AT #7 PENN STATE (6-0) – 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [ABC]

Who would’ve thought that this matchup would involve Penn State being ranked in the Top 10 while Michigan’s outside the Top 15? Penn State has a proven defense this season and has still yet to allow 14 points this season after the first six games. Their grand total touchdowns allowed is only five. If you think they’re good, their offense is almost as good too with talented receivers, a depth of runners, and quarterback Sean Clifford playing well and not turning over the ball so much. Michigan plays the first of their last four toughest games of the season. Their offense recovered last week with 42 points, but lets assume that won’t happen again this weekend. Like Iowa, Penn State’s defense will likely stifle Michigan and their run game will likely suffer under the Nittany Lions’ third best run defense in the nation. Quarterback Shea Patterson must chip away at Penn State to nab any points and his receivers must help him get there. The biggest key will come from Michigan’s defense. If they can stay close and not allow as much points, they have a chance. I said this several times this season: Michigan’s walking on thin ice. If they lose one more time, their playoff chances are done. They must defeat Penn State to set up for a miraculous run back into the Top 4 and more. Penn State’s win means they only have Michigan State, Minnesota and potentially an epic Top 10 (or Top 5) matchup with Ohio State for a potential playoff spot.

 

3) TEMPLE (5-1) AT #19 SMU (6-0) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ESPN2]

SMU is 6-0 for the first time since 1982 when that team went undefeated at 11-0-1. Having Texas-transfer quarterback Shane Buechele is a blessing after losing Ben Hicks to Arkansas. Him, running back Xavier Jones, receivers Reggie Roberson Jr. and James Proche and their offensive line that allowed only six sacks this season makes up one of the best offensive squads in the conference and around the Top 20 in most categories in the nation. But they’ll face the second best defense in the conference in Temple and they won the last two matchups against SMU. They’ve also allowed only five passing touchdowns and figures to slow down SMU’s running game to make them HAVE to throw more than WANT to. Temple can also cause opponents to struggle on third down and in the redzone, which unfortunately SMU struggles in the redzone. It’s a battle between offense and defense. SMU faces a second good defense and this team might be better. That puts SMU on upset alert so they must keep their turnovers down and run the ball successfully to continue their undefeated run. Temple’s win could make them a likely threat in the East, including next week’s home game against UCF.

 

 

2) #17 ARIZONA STATE (5-1) AT #13 UTAH (5-1) – 3PM PT / 6PM ET [PAC-12]

I was waiting for this type of matchup for months…and now it was worth the wait. Both teams overcame a loss and ran the table in the Pac-12 South. While Arizona State’s young squad and staff dealt with an early tough schedule, Utah’s experienced squad and staff has only played USC. Utah’s one loss was when they allowed 30 points to that team. Besides USC, they allowed no more than 17 points in their five wins. In Arizona State’s non-conference games, they allowed 21 points through three games. In three Pac-12 games, they allowed 34 points twice and averaged 28.4 points allowed per game. Forget those stats because Herm Edwards’ team has a no-quit mentality. Time and time again I’ve watched this team attempt a comeback run and succeed half the time. Since Edwards was named Arizona State’s coach, they haven’t lost by more than 11 points through 19 games. Through the last four games, they all ended in one score situations. Whatever the spread is for this matchup, forget it because it could end by a touchdown or less. Arizona State’s win gives them a chance to knock off USC for control of the South, while Utah’s win keeps them in the race behind USC. Not to mention the winner goes bowling.

 

1) #12 OREGON (5-1) AT #25 WASHINGTON (5-2) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ABC]

Here’s another Pac-12 game that has Pac-12 implications for Washington, Oregon, and the conference itself. Washington lost both Pac-12 games and hurts their chances of winning the Pac-12 North again. Washington lost twice when failing to score 20 points and their offense has shown some struggles in those two losses. This isn’t a good sign when facing one of the best defenses in the nation this weekend, even if they’re at home. Oregon’s the very last undefeated team in the Pac-12 and has only three games left against the North. Despite losing to Auburn after allowing three touchdowns in the second half, they allowed only one touchdown in five other games and average is 8.7 points allowed per game overall (nation’s third best). That being said, this game works in Oregon’s favor. However, their team’s hit with injuries so far this season, including losing tight end Jacob Breeland, after leading the team in nearly every receiving stat. If Washington’s coverage can leverage over Oregon’s battered receiving core and force quarterback Justin Herbert to finally struggle this season, this could turn into a low-scoring game. What Washington needs is solid play from their quarterback and running back and the help of their Huskies faithful to end Oregon’s undefeated Pac-12 run.

 

 

 

 

*red indicates my underrated team