FAVORITE TEAMS

5. TEXAS TECH (1-2 OVERALL; 0-2 BIG 12) AT #24 IOWA STATE (2-1 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG 12) 12:30PM PT / 3:30 PM ET [ABC]

Iowa State’s Big 12 resume is looking more legit each week. The win over TCU turned into a good win after TCU’s upset over Texas last week. During that same day, they hosted Oklahoma with black jerseys and made it their funeral after a huge home win for the first time since the 1960s. However, they had plenty of miscues. Nine penalties, a lost fumble by quarterback Brock Purdy, and a few missed big play opportunities that could’ve sealed Oklahoma before the fourth quarter. They have the pieces to win the Big 12 but discipline and ball control will play a factor.

Texas Tech nearly ran the table with two or three wins, but Texas’ onside kick saved their bacon to win in overtime, and miscues and missed field goals against Kansas State cost them a chance to win a road game. The Red Raiders played with backup quarterback Henry Colombi last week and performed well after Alan Bowman’s injury. The Utah State transfer played sparingly under Matt Wells when he was still the coach there. The team’s offensively dangerous when miscues aren’t involved, and their defense can make enough plays to at least give this team a chance.

Iowa State’s in a three-way race with…Oklahoma State and…Kansas State. Unusual standings in the Big 12 when it’s not Texas nor Oklahoma but anything’s possible in a COVID world. It’s unsure if Alan Bowman will play after a leg injury, but Texas Tech is prepared to play Colombi if possible. Iowa State must stay poised after a win against Oklahoma, but be aware of their miscues and third down struggles. The upset over Oklahoma doesn’t mean they have cleared up their issues just yet. If Texas Tech plays all four quarters, they could win in Ames for the first time since 2014.

4. #4 FLORIDA (2-0 SEC) AT #21 TEXAS A&M (1-1 SEC) 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ESPN]

Here is some info between Florida’s Dan Mullen and Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher’s history. When Fisher coached at Florida State, he won six of seven games against Florida. Dan Mullen’s current record is 2-3 against Texas A&M. But when he was Florida’s offensive coordinator from 2005-2008, he was 3-1 against Fisher when he was OC at LSU and Florida State.

Florida is playing hot on offense. Quarterback Kyle Trask is heavily responsible for their success. But the credit also goes to tight end Kyle Pitts and all-purpose player Kadarius Toney. With A&M’s passing defense being the weak spot, Pitts, Toney, and the rest of the receivers could have a field day.

Texas A&M’s coming off a big loss to Alabama. But according to Jimbo Fisher, there was progress. I can’t completely doubt him for that comment. The front line on defense can disrupt the offensive line and quarterback Kellen Mond did throw over 300 yards and three touchdowns. All of the Aggies’ receivers are young, but talented and will improve each game they play. It’s unfortunate that they had to play Alabama in the second game of the season.

The Aggies’ season is on the line, but don’t count them out just yet. Why? Florida’s defense. It’s skeptical, it’s vulnerable, and they allowed 942 total yards and three turnovers through two games. The offensive line will be the focus because they never faced a defensive line as good as A&M’s this season. Before A&M played Alabama, they recorded 10 tackles for losses and two sacks against Vanderbilt. If Florida’s offensive line struggles against A&M’s defensive line, this could make the game much closer than what the spread predicted.

3. #22 TEXAS (2-1 OVERALL; 1-1 BIG 12) VS. OKLAHOMA (1-2 OVERALL; 0-2 BIG 12) 9AM PT / 12PM ET [FOX]

This was an awkward year for the Big 12, but nothing more awkward than Oklahoma and Texas struggling in the Big 12 so early. After a promising year for the two Big 12 elite schools, they’re fighting for their Big 12 lives…THIS WEEKEND!!!

Texas played the great escape in the state of Texas twice. Unfortunately, they came up short against TCU after a lost fumble at TCU’s one yard line and penalties impacted their game too. They had 10 against Texas Tech and 12 against TCU. What’s worse was they were outscored against the Horned Frogs. The positive is quarterback Sam Ehlinger will do everything to give this team a chance to win. It’s almost Vince Young-ish and it’s hard to count these guys out while he’s on the field.

It’s difficult to say where Oklahoma is at. Their second half performance in two games were downright awful. They were outscored by Kansas State and Iowa State 55-27. What I also witnessed was a lack of confidence and less sense of urgency by the Sooners. The majority of the offense is young and inexperience, but the responsibility falls on coach Lincoln Riley to keep them poised. If he fails to do that, the rest of the Big 12 will feed off them.

Lincoln Riley’s currently 3-1 against Tom Herman and Texas, and Oklahoma won eight of the last 11 games in the last decade. This weekend will be a do-or-die game for both rivals. No team is at bigger risk of failure in 2020 than Oklahoma, but Texas failing to defeat Oklahoma could also put Tom Herman on the hot seat. Oklahoma has talent and their defense (to some degree) can play (YES, they can play). The problem is the offense struggles to finish games and that translates badly on the other side. Texas has talent on offense too, but Sam Ehlinger’s the key to Texas’s chance of winning, but count their defense to save their bacon if they can’t clean up the mistakes. This game likely comes down to one final possession.

2. #7 MIAMI (3-0 OVERALL; 2-0 ACC) AT #1 CLEMSON (3-0 OVERALL; 2-0 ACC) 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [ABC]

Miami vs. Clemson is one of the most anticipated matchups in the ACC this season. Both teams boast a strong backfield with their starting quarterbacks leading the way.

Miami’s offense received a major boost after D’Eriq King transferred from Houston. He’s quick, athletic, and capable of throwing the ball well too. His throwing percentage is the best in his career thus far and he has reliable targets in tight end Brevin Jordan and receivers Mark Pope and Mike Harley. Miami’s defense under Manny Diaz forced turnovers consistently and this season hasn’t changed their mentality through three games (4 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions). Defensive end Quincy Roche is a disruptor as a pass rusher. Him and the rest of the line will be key against Clemson’s offensive line.

Clemson’s playing like Clemson and is looking for a playoff return and another ACC domination for the sixth straight season. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne are lethal combinations for air and ground, not to mention that Travis is also the third leading receiver. Clemson’s defense is good, but they’re slow to pick up turnovers. It doesn’t take away the fact that they can still disrupt the backfield. Their defensive line is young, but dangerous to deal with. Freshmen defensive end Myles Murphy is second on the team in total tackles, has two sacks with five tackles for losses and a forced fumble. Also, watch out for linebacker James Skalski.

Of all the strengths that both teams have, what are their flaws? Both are similar in stats and performance through three games and currently holds the Top 2 ACC spots. Well, Clemson again hasn’t forced many turnovers this season. But the only miscues they did have came from their backups, so the starters are flawless. Miami, however, are susceptible to fumbles and already have four through three games. King and Lawrence have a clean sheet, but someone’s due for a turnover in this game. Clemson’s the obvious favorite, but Miami’s key to winning is disrupting the backfield for four quarters and D’Eriq King playing mistake-free football and attacking the coverage.

1. #19 VIRGINIA TECH (2-0 ACC) AT #8 UNC (2-0 ACC) 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ABC]

Virginia Tech and North Carolina should be a great game to watch. They’re currently in the three and four spot behind Clemson and Miami. They also escaped upsets against Duke and Boston College last week.

Virginia Tech went through obstacles with COVID and game cancellations and left them with only two games in two months and without quarterback Hendon Hooker. Luckily backup quarterback Braxton Burmeister managed the team in his absence, but the credit goes to running back Khalil Herbert and special teams. He ran for 311 and three touchdowns through three games while special teams were on point with their kicking game and kick/punt return units gave the offense good positioning for scoring opportunities.

North Carolina went through similar obstacles with game cancellations and played only two games in two months too. It was the reason for their sluggish start against Syracuse for three quarters and Boston College for an entire game. They escaped both upsets and hope to play the rest of their season without anymore issues. Quarterback Sam Howell is so-so this season after throwing 520 yards for three touchdowns and three interceptions. The offense will be dangerous once he gets going, but be grateful he has two running backs to rely on. UNC’s defense can make stops on third down and continues to show up in the second half despite only playing two games. The only issue would be how the run defense will fair against Herbert after playing two teams that doesn’t have a strong running game.

Virginia Tech dominated North Carolina in 13 of the last 15 meetings. The Tarheels’ last win came in 2015 during Frank Beamer’s last year as the Hokies’ head coach. While Virginia Tech are winners consistently, UNC coach Mack Brown made the Heels relevant again and continue their momentum for their first ACC title appearance since 2015. Virginia Tech’s Braxton Burmeister must make an impact along with special teams having a similar performance that they had last week. For the Heels to win, their defense must affect the Hokies’ running game while the Heels’ passing game plays clean as Virginia Tech already picked off opponents three times this season. I will also leave you guys with a clip from last year’s game and it was an epic finish.

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK’S TOP 5 GAMES