FAVORITE TEAMS

10. #25 LIBERTY (6-0 OVERALL) AT VIRGINIA TECH (4-2 OVERALL) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ACC NETWORK]

Three years ago, some writers’ opinion on Liberty moving up to the FBS-level was a “mistake”. SBNation wrote that there’s no foreseeable path in the playoffs nor the New Year’s Six Bowl.

Here’s the link if you want to read more about it: https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2017/2/17/14642188/liberty-university-football-fbs-division-1-fcs

Liberty’s currently 6-0, defeated Syracuse after losing to them last season, riding with 8-straight wins dating back to last season, and ranked for the first time in program history in just three FBS seasons. Virginia Tech’s fighting to stay in the ACC title race but the Clemson and Notre Dame makes this mighty difficult. They’re riding a 6-game home winning streak but must be careful. Their run defense is sub par and Liberty quarterback Malik Willis and company are a strong run team. Liberty’s win could be coach Hugh Freeze’s redemption.

9. #11 MIAMI (5-1 OVERALL; 4-1 ACC) AT NC STATE (4-2 ACC) – 4:30PM PT / 7:30PM ET [ESPN ON FRIDAY]

Miami returns tight end Brevin Jordan from injury, but I question the run game and offensive line. NC State’s known for pressuring the backfield and that could deem an issue for Miami. After the O-Line struggled against Clemson, Pitt, and Virginia after avoid an upset, NC State could do the same. Usually teams with a week off would clear up those issues, but I’m considering this an upset game because Miami could slowly be exposed up front.

8. BUFFALO AT NORTHERN ILLINOIS – 4PM PT / 7PM ET [ESPN2 ON WEDNESDAY]

Buffalo returns 16 players, including eight on defense along with duo 1,000 yard rushers Jaret Patterson and Kevin Marks. Northern Illinois wasn’t great last season, but they prevented Western Michigan from a conference title appearance, defeated Ohio and Toledo, and nearly upset Ball State, Vanderbilt, and Miami (OH). They return 15 players with eight on offense led by quarterback Ross Bowers. Buffalo’s offensive line will be tested against Northern Illinois’s defensive front. This may be a trap game because Northern Illinois owns Buffalo after their first loss in their very first meeting back in 1968.

7. #23 MICHIGAN (1-1 BIG TEN) AT #13 INDIANA (2-0 BIG TEN) 9AM PT / 12PM ET [FOX SPORTS 1]

Indiana’s 2-0 in the Big Ten for the first time since 1991 while Michigan failed to defeat Michigan State off of self-inflicting errors and Michigan State getting some lucky breaks with big plays. Indiana has not won against Michigan in 24 seasons and had opportunities to end it between 2015 and 2018. However, Michigan has shown inconsistency between game one and game two. If we don’t see the Michigan that handled Minnesota, Indiana will get the jump on them like they did to Penn State.

6. ARIZONA STATE AT #20 USC – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [FOX]

This weekend could decide early who’s in line to win the Pac-12 South. Ever since Herm Edwards coached for Arizona State two seasons ago, both teams traded road wins. Arizona State added depth in both positions with a young, talented offense and experience on defense. USC returns 19 starters, but won’t have offensive tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker or nose tackle Jay Tufele after both opted out. USC has high-expectations for a Pac-12 championship, but Herm Edwards’ experience and player motivation could help the Sun Devils put down the Trojans and Clay Helton back on the hot seat.

5. WEST VIRGINIA (4-2 OVERALL; 3-2 BIG 12) AT #22 TEXAS (4-2 OVERALL; 3-2 BIG 12) 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ABC]

Two seasons ago, Texas not only lost to West Virginia at home, but them and quarterback Sam Ehlinger didn’t appreciate the Mountaineers celebrating on their logo, and it still bothers them prior to this weekend. Meanwhile, West Virginia’s flying under the radar with four wins and could be on their own trail for the Big 12 title appearance. They competed with Oklahoma State and upset Kansas State and could be the third team not named Texas, Oklahoma State or Oklahoma to shake up the Big 12 standings. But I said this 100 times already, Sam Ehlinger’s on-the-field presence is enough to give Texas a chance to win.

4. #1 CLEMSON (7-0 OVERALL; 6-0 ACC) AT #4 NOTRE DAME (6-0 OVERALL; 5-0 ACC) – 4PM PT / 7PM ET [NBC]

New starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei impressed me last week. The big boy can throw and carry his 250 pound weight if he needs to and that should scare opposing defenses. Notre Dame outscored the last two opponents 76-16 after struggling against Florida State and Louisville. What’s ironic is Notre Dame has struggled a bit at home three out of the four games this season (fans or not). Notre Dame won 21 straight home games and their last loss was against ranked Georgia back in 2017. They have an elite defense, but it remains to be seen how well their offense plays. Same with Clemson, but vice versa. Barring the results, both teams will likely meet again in the ACC championship. I would think Notre Dame wins this only to set up the conference championship where Clemson equalizes it and both ACC teams get in the playoffs. But my assumption will be with Clemson winning this one.

3. #9 BYU (7-0 OVERALL) AT #21 BOISE STATE (2-0 OVERALL) – 6:45PM PT / 9:45PM ET [FS1 ON FRIDAY]

BYU versus Boise State is the most intriguing non-Power 5 matchup that will have New Year’s Six Bowl ramifications. BYU is in great position in the Top 10 and has only three games to play involving two quality Mountain West teams (San Diego State is the other). Defeating Boise State could help maintain their position for the New Year’s Six Bowl and potentially more, but they need a Cincinnati loss first. Boise State looks good no matter who their quarterback is. However, they’re 0-2 against ranked non-conference opponents and lost to BYU (28-25) last season. This is a true matchup for BYU and a win could set themselves up to potentially go undefeated prior to playing San Diego State next month.

2. #8 FLORIDA (3-1 SEC) VS. #5 GEORGIA (4-1 SEC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [CBS]

This matchup will decide who basically wins the SEC East. Florida’s offense went to another level, but their defense struggled to stop anyone until last week finally allowing less than 20 points. Georgia has championship potential but they’re currently beat up on defense and their offense can’t solve their offensive inconsistencies along with heavy criticism in the quarterback position…obviously. The Bulldog’s offense could be their downfall if it’s not solved by Saturday.

1. WASHINGTON AT CALIFORNIA – 7:30PM PT / 10:30PM ET [ESPN]

California versus Washington was meant to be at number one. California defeated Washington two seasons in a row and look to win three times to compete with Oregon for the North. They return the second-most starters in the Pac-12 behind USC but Cal’s could be a bit deeper too. Washington’s playing under new head coach Jimmy Lake and benefits from key returns in certain spots on both sides. Unfortunately, he hasn’t decided on a new quarterback, which brings me to another reason for this being the number one game to watch: Washington’s true freshmen quarterback, Ethan Garbers. He’s the younger brother of Cal’s starting quarterback Chase Garbers. If Ethan starts, it’s the Battle of the Garbers Brothers. Cal’s chances of defeating Washington again hinges on Chase’s performance against Washington’s stout defense. If he plays well, the team could go far this season.

RESULTS FROM LAST WEEK’S 10 GAMES