FAVORITE TEAMS

AAC: 1-1, OVERALL: 6-10

USF (3-4) at East Carolina– won 45-20

• USF’s win caps off their October record with 3-1. Now they’re home for the rest of the season until their last game of the season at Orlando against their rival UCF. Unfortunately, they face Temple, Cincinnati, and Memphis prior. If they wanna prove their worth for bowl-eligibility, they must win out in November. More interesting note is that their remaining East opponents are above USF in the standings.

TULSA (2-5) vs. Memphis– lost 42-41

• Another close but disappointing loss by Tulsa. It’s honestly painful to watch with all the potential this team has. They’ll probably be improved by next season to compete. Right now, they most likely won’t play a bowl game this season with Tulane on the road, UCF and Houston at home, and at East Carolina to end the season. This team competes but there’s far too many mistakes that have ruined their chances against SMU, Cincinnati, and Memphis. Tulane lost two straight games now, so this could be Tulsa’s very last opportunity to salvage whatever season and pride they have to make the strongest finish down the stretch in their program’s history.

ACC: 0-1, OVERALL: 11-4

VIRGINIA (5-2) at Louisville– lost 28-21

• Virginia lost another road game and their overall road record is 1-3 with only a Pittsburgh win. Virginia could hold position in the Coastal, but they must survive their last road game against their rival, UNC. North Carolina is no joke and will compete to the very end with anybody. The Pitt win was important to give Virginia leverage in the division. Now they must defeat UNC to hold firm in the Coastal before hosting their last game against Virginia Tech on November 29th.

#23 WAKE FOREST (6-1)– BYE

BIG TEN: 2-0, OVERALL: 14-2

#19 MICHIGAN (5-2) vs. #8 Notre Dame– won 45-14

• The Irish and the rain were no match for Michigan at home. Michigan used them like a slip-and-slide mat and rolled past them. This was a big Top 10 win for coach Jim Harbaugh, but there’s no change on anyone’s opinion of him coaching next season. They host Michigan State and should hopefully role past them.

#20 MINNESOTA (7-0) vs. Maryland– won 52-10

• Minnesota completes the month of October by demolishing their opponents. Their offense averaged 42 points per game and allowed barely over 10 points per game. Despite most of their opponents being average to less, this was the step they needed to mesh their roster prior to playing in November. In two weeks, they host Penn State to start their gauntlet four-game stretch.

 

BIG 12: 1-1, OVERALL: 10-5

KANSAS STATE (4-2) vs. #5 Oklahoma– won 48-41

• Kansas State had the essence of Bill Snyder to upset my Sooners. I was unsure whether to be content or disappointed. Fortunately, the Sooners dropping to only #10 while Kansas State returning to the Top 25 made it really worth Kansas State being my underrated pick. I wasn’t kidding when I said this team could surprise this season, and that game was proof. Their next game is the Sunflower Showdown against their rival, Kansas. This may not be a normal Sunflower Showdown we all expect. It could be a really interesting matchup.

IOWA STATE (5-2) vs. Oklahoma State– lost 34-27

• Iowa State’s loss to Oklahoma State was a tough one to swallow. They failed their attempt at defeating the state of Oklahoma once again two weeks before playing Oklahoma. Two seasons ago, this team caused a major upset at Oklahoma and nearly shook the Sooners out of the conference title game. This matchup may decide the fate of both teams’ conference title chances.

 

C-USA: 0-2, OVERALL: 7-9

FIU (4-3) at Mid Tenn– lost 50-17

• FIU got destroyed in the second half, especially the third quarter. Whatever happened to the Panthers, they weren’t motivated to play in the second half. The loss eliminates them from a conference title appearance. It also creates a tough stretch to six wins entering next month. FIU should defeat Old Dominion. After them, at rival FAU, Miami (FL), and at Marshall to end the season. Not a good way to end the season.

NORTH TEXAS (3-4) at Charlotte– lost 39-38

• Like FIU, North Texas could’ve ended the game with a win but Charlotte stole that opportunity in the 4th quarter, including a go-ahead big play pass touchdown with only 18 seconds to go. The missed field goal and the passing defense were the reason for the downfall. North Texas should win their two games in November, but chances against Louisiana Tech and UAB aren’t likely.

 

INDEPENDENT: 0-1, OVERALL: 3-5

ARMY (3-4) vs. San Jose State– lost 34-29

• Army loses four-straight games. Here’s an interesting bit: Army lost to teams that won three games or less last season (Western Kentucky 3, Georgia State 2, and San Jose State 1). See the trend? Army’s bowl run could end because they have Air Force at the beginning of the month and Hawai’i and Navy back-to-back to end the season. If Army doesn’t defeat their rival Air Force this weekend, they’ll most likely lose to Navy at the end of the season.

 

MAC: 2-0, OVERALL: 9-8

MIAMI (OH) (3-4) at Kent State– won 23-16

• Miami (OH) takes down Kent State to tie up with Ohio in the East standings. Next weekend will be their biggest game to decide who controls the East division the rest of the season. If Miami (OH) defeats Ohio, their remaining key game left would be Ball State. Unless they slip up against woeful Bowling Green and winless Akron, they win the division outright.

WESTERN MICHIGAN (4-4) vs. Bowling Green– won 49-10

• Like Ohio, this is Western Michigan’s opportunity to control the West division. Ball State doesn’t look apart from the rest of the division but they won three-straight games at Northern Illinois, at Eastern Michigan, and home against Toledo before losing to Ohio. If Western Michigan wins that game, they lead the division. However, they’re on the road for the rest of the season against Ohio and Northern Illinois. This won’t be an easy finish for the Broncos and anymore losses sets up a photo finish for any team in the West.

 

MWC: 1-1, OVERALL: 10-6

NEVADA (4-3) at Wyoming– lost 31-3

• Nevada receives another blowout loss. Fortunately, they’re home against New Mexico and that should hopefully be an easy win. However, I’m assuming the Wolfpack won’t run away with this game, knowing the trend with their endings lately. If Nevada wins, they’re one win away from bowl-eligibility but doubt it’ll be against ranked San Diego State. Fresno State may be possible because the Bulldogs struggled this season, and they have Utah State and San Diego State prior. If Nevada fails both games, their only chance is defeating their rival UNLV and taking back the Fremont Cannon they lost last season.

AIR FORCE (5-2) vs. Utah State– won 31-7

• Air Force is now bowl-eligible after a big win against Utah State, and just in time for their rivalry matchup against Army. Air Force has the defense and improved offense to challenge Army, but this is a rivalry game. Quarterback Donald Hammond III and the offense must come out firing early to get Army off their game like the previous four teams that played Army.

 

PAC-12: 1-1, OVERALL: 12-4

#24 ARIZONA STATE (5-2) at UCLA– lost 42-32

• The Sun Devils deflated after their worst loss under coach Herm Edwards last weak. They failed to recooperate in time and lost another game to improved UCLA. As the conference itself progresses, Arizona State must avoid falling apart. Unfortunately, their remaining games are against USC, the state of Oregon, and Arizona. This won’t be an easy finish for the Sun Devils when they need one more win for bowl-eligibility again.

#11 OREGON (6-1) vs. Washington State– won 37-35

• The Ducks win another big game to end their run with the state of Washington. What I’m seeing though is inconsistency on offense except CJ Verdell carrying the offense the majority of that two-game stretch. They meet USC at the Coliseum where some ranked teams struggled at. Oregon’s defensive backs will have their biggest challenge against USC’s best receiving group in the Pac-12. This is Oregon’s trap game and must count on quarterback Justin Herbert to deliver for the offense.

 

SEC: 0-2, OVERALL: 11-5

MISSOURI (5-2) at Kentucky– lost 29-7

• I expected Missouri to be upset by Kentucky and it happened. They’re still in the realm of a possible bowl ban and it’s causing a lot of distraction for the program. The worst part is that quarterback Kelly Bryant’s hurt from that game. They have a week off to sort all this mess out. Their last road game after their bye week will be at Athens, Georgia. Their only chance of beating Georgia next weekend is if Florida defeats Georgia this weekend.

#9 AUBURN (5-1) at Arkansas– lost 23-20

• Auburn suffered their second loss to another Top 10 SEC team and their lack of production on offense and penalties showed. They’re most likely out of the SEC title race. The positive is that Oregon returned to the Top 10, so they have some leverage of getting to a New Year’s Six Bowl at least. The Tigers return home for the rest of the season and hosts Ole Miss. Believe it or not, Auburn isn’t out of playoff contention just yet, but they’ll need a lot of help and a strong finish to their four remaining home games.

 

SUN BELT: 2-0, OVERALL: 11-4

ARKANSAS STATE (3-4) vs.Texas State– won 38-14

• Arkansas State wins an easy game to give new quarterback Layne Hatcher some confidence. Their next game’s at Louisiana Monroe and Arkansas State won the last nine against them. The only problem is that UL Monroe progressed the past couple of seasons. The Red Wolves must hope that Layne Hatcher is prepared for an offensive shootout.

#24 APPALACHIAN STATE (6-0) at South Alabama– won 30-3

• The Mountaineers roll through South Alabama. They play Georgia Southern on Halloween and it shouldn’t be underestimated. This is also a rivalry game. More importantly, Georgia Southern’s only a game off from both Appalachian State and Georgia State for first place. They’re also the only team defeat ranked Appalachian State last season. Must I go on with more scenarios???