FAVORITE TEAMS

10. NEBRASKA AT #5 OHIO STATE – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [FOX]

Justin Fields, Ohio State and Nebraska wanted college football this season and the Big Ten will play again. Guard Wyatt Davis and cornerback Shaun Wade also opted back in, so this team is ready for a championship run. Nebraska returns quarterback Adrian Martinez, running back Dedrick Mills, the offensive line and the backend of their defense. However, Nebraska’s receivers were hampered by injuries and they don’t have an experienced defensive front. I’ve read that their defense overall could be an issue if they don’t step up. Otherwise, this weekend’s about Ohio State and Justin Field’s performance.

9. #8 PENN STATE AT INDIANA – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [FS1]

Penn State returns good offense in the Big Ten led by quarterback Sean Clifford. Indiana hopes to surprise after an improved 8-5 season. Their defense improved in nearly all of their categories and their offense should be as good as last season. This is a potential trap game for Penn State, and their best linebacker in the nation, Micah Parsons, opted out after the conference was temporarily cancelled. Penn State’s passing defense was also the second worst in the Big Ten. With less time to sort it out, they’re prone to Indiana’s offensive firepower for the third straight season.

8. #19 VIRGINIA TECH (3-1 ACC) AT WAKE FOREST (2-2 OVERALL; 1-2 ACC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ESPN3]

Virginia Tech’s much better with quarterback Hendon Hooker leading the offense while riding on the run game with Khalil Herbert too. They’re currently sixth in the ACC but could move higher while teams above take each other down. Wake Forest won two straight after starting 0-2 against Clemson and NC State. They host their second ranked opponent and hope to get a big upset to continue their streak. Virginia Tech’s 3-0 when having less turnovers this season, and Wake Forest has the second-best turnover margin in the nation. Whoever wins the turnover battle wins the game.

7. WYOMING AT NEVADA 4PM PT / 7PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

Nevada returns 15 players, including quarterback Carson Strong, running back Toa Taua, and defensive end Dom Peterson. Nevada’s 6-4 in home openers against conference foes but lost the last two. Wyoming returns enough players to vie for a conference title bid and shake things up against Boise State. They have leverage against recent bowl teams coming to their homefield this season. They’re also 5-3 against Nevada, including a current 3-game win streak. However, they’re not the best road team and they are vulnerable against the pass. Nevada’s offense has a chance but their defense must make an impact too.

6. SOUTH CAROLINA (2-2 SEC) AT LSU (1-2 SEC) – 1PM PT / 4PM ET [SEC NETWORK]

South Carolina’s win against Auburn gives them confidence. Despite their defense allowing more yards than Auburn’s, their defense made life difficult for Gus Malzahn’s offense with turnovers and pass rushes against Bo Nix. LSU had a week off and hopefully fixed issues that plagued their start and there were talks of roster adjustments. Since Myles Brennan won’t play Saturday due to his injury, TJ Finley and Max Johnson will battle for the starting job. But here’s the most important question: Will LSU’s defense play better? South Carolina will come in hoping to continue their surprise run.

5. #23 NC STATE (4-1 ACC) AT #14 UNC (3-1 ACC) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ESPN]

This is the 110th meeting between these two rivals that feature duo backs and talented receivers. Since 2000, NC State won 12 of the last 20 meetings. North Carolina struggled in the first half against Florida State and fell short of a program history comeback. Their rival, NC State, played some good football this season thanks to quarterback Devin Leary’s second half spark against Virginia Tech. Unfortunately, NC State won’t have Leary due to his injury, and he was 3-0 as a starter this season. It’s up to Bailey Hockman to hopefully lead this team to an upset this weekend.

4. GEORGIA SOUTHERN (3-1 OVERALL; 1-1 SUN BELT) AT #25 COASTAL CAROLINA (4-0 OVERALL; 2-0 SUN BELT) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ESPNU]

Coastal Carolina didn’t receive any attention (even with a late night upset at Kansas) until their huge road win against formerly-ranked Louisiana. The credit goes to freshmen quarterback Grayson McCall, running back CJ Marable, and an underrated, backfield-disrupting, and turnover-causing defense. They face Georgia Southern and this team shouldn’t be underestimated since they play the triple-option offense under quarterback Shai Werts. Coastal has one win out of six meetings, and if they want the right to challenge Appalachian State for the East division title, they must take down Georgia Southern for that opportunity.

3. #18 MICHIGAN AT #21 MINNESOTA – 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [ABC]

Everything I’ve looked into with this matchup is more about Michigan than Minnesota. Michigan’s defense will be tested against Minnesota’s offense without former cornerback Ambry Thomas after opting out. What’s even bigger is how Michigan’s offense will fair with a new quarterback, three new offensive line, and only one returning receiver. Supposedly, big boy 6’5 243lb Joe Milton will start at quarterback. I watched videos on him and it’ll be interesting to see what plays Harbaugh calls for him. If that side can be figured out, Michigan could have the advantage this weekend.

2. #17 IOWA STATE (3-1 OVERALL; 3-0 BIG 12) AT #6 OKLAHOMA STATE (3-0 OVERALL; 2-0 BIG 12) 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [FOX]

While everyone’s focused on Iowa State, no one’s looking at Oklahoma State. With the Cowboys’ games postponed twice, it feels like they’re non-existent in the Big 12, but the Cowboys will come out to make a statement. Iowa State has the advantage with quarterback Brock Purdy, but people forget that Oklahoma State has a good defense. They will also likely have two quarterbacks play some snaps and hopefully either or both will make an impact against the Cyclones’ defense. The last five meetings were decided by a touchdown or less and it’s likely to happen again.

1. #9 CINCINNATI (3-0 OVERALL; 1-0 AAC) AT #16 SMU (5-0 OVERALL; 2-0 AAC) 6PM PT / 9PM ET [ESPN2]

SMU and Cincinnati will be in a dogfight for the right to have a New Year’s Six Bowl opportunity. Cincinnati hasn’t faced an offense like SMU’s while SMU’s offense hasn’t faced a defense like Cincinnati’s. Cincy’s defense could slow down SMU since they’re one of the best in the country in most categories, but can their offense keep up? SMU’s offense is one of the best and could slowly but surely breakdown their defense if Cincy’s offense fails to control time of possession. It’s also their first road game of the season, so the pressure is more on them.

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK’S TOP 5 GAMES