FRIDAY

2. #13 IOWA STATE (6-2 OVERALL; 6-1 BIG 12) AT #17 TEXAS (5-2 OVERALL; 4-2 BIG 12) – 9AM PT / 12PM ET [ABC]

Between 2011 and 2014 before Iowa State’s rise against Texas, the team allowed around 37 points per game. From 2015 and on, they won two games in five seasons, allowing only 18 points per game, and haven’t allowed 30 points since. They also won three games all-time in the last decade after Texas won the first 7 meetings overall. That’s a huge improvement, and although head coach Matt Campbell put Iowa State on the map, former coach Paul Rhoads rebuilt this program and was the one who won twice with the Cyclones against Texas.

Ok, that’s enough history. Texas is fighting for a spot in the Big 12 title game and it takes quarterback Sam Ehlinger to get there. Iowa State will be tough to stop because running back Breece Hall is running over defenses and quarterback Brock Purdy and his receivers could outplay the Longhorn’s vulnerable coverage. Here’s one interesting stat: From 2018 to now, Iowa State is 3-10 against ranked opponents. They did defeat ranked Texas last season, but they also lost to them in Austin too. This is Sam’s last chance to defeat Iowa State and they should pull it off just by a hair.

1. #2 NOTRE DAME (8-0 OVERALL; 7-0 ACC) AT #19 UNC (6-2 ACC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [ABC]

Usually a basketball matchup that might turn into an entertaining dual-sport in the ACC. UNC head coach Mack Brown improved the Tarheels’ overall performance while Notre Dame’s playing great competition in the ACC. Quarterback Ian Book and the backfield continues to dominate opposing defenses and will likely give UNC’s defense a difficult time too. Notre Dame’s defense may have given up 72 points in two games, but they’re still elite. However, I see them struggling too because of UNC quarterback Sam Howell and his various options on offense. If there’s one game where Notre Dame could be on upset alert, this is the game right here. But at the end of the day, I see Notre Dame’s defense coming up with a season-saving stop. So the Fighting Irish should win in a one-score game.

SATURDAY

3. #22 AUBURN (5-2 SEC) AT #1 ALABAMA (7-0 SEC) – 12:30PM PT / 3:30PM ET [CBS]

A very interesting, yet unorthodox Iron Bowl. Alabama’s offense is virtually unstoppable and it makes their defense look like an enigma. Auburn has a so-so squad that chooses to be elite at the right time. Unfortunately, there’s no telling when they will. Their only chance of winning is if they score more than 29 points. In Auburn’s wins, they averaged 34.4 points per game. In their two losses, they averaged only 14 points per game. Last year, it took all of Auburn’s positions of the field to upset Alabama. That has to happen again with quarterback Bo Nix playing well too. Otherwise, Alabama’s bulldozing the Tigers on their way to a conference championship appearance.

2. LSU (3-3 SEC) AT #5 TEXAS A&M (5-1 SEC) – 4PM PT / 7PM ET [ESPN]

In 2018, Texas A&M won against LSU for the first time since joining the SEC in a crazy seven-overtime game. Last season, eventual national champ LSU responded by beating down Texas A&M without qualms. Now, a young cub LSU squad could be in a fight for their season against the Aggies that are just one spot away from a College Football Playoff berth. Texas A&M could easily beat the Tigers without qualms themselves, but the Tigers’ pass rushing the quarterback and shutting down the run game could be their one chance at an upset. But for now, Texas A&M should win because of their more experienced roster.

1. SAN JOSE STATE (4-0 MWC) AT BOISE STATE (4-1 OVERALL; 4-0 MWC) – 1PM PT / 4PM ET [FOX]

The Mountain West deserves some love with how these past few weeks have gone for them. While a few Mountain West games were cancelled due to COVID, competition for the top two has been really interesting and the ones up there are…well…not Boise State, Fresno State, Hawai’i, or San Diego State. One is Nevada, and the other is San Jose State. San Jose State’s defense is the reason for their success this season allowing 15.3 points per game in the conference. In their previous four seasons, they allowed around 36 points per game, so this is a huge improvement.

Now they face Boise State and they score on average 40 points per game. Don’t think it’s all offense because defense and special teams were also responsible for their scoring average too. What we’re witnessing is San Jose State’s improbable run to their first conference title appearance in program history against one of the Mountain West’s winning programs.

In the Chris Petersen era, Boise State clobbered San Jose State and hasn’t allowed 20 points in four of five seasons. In the Bryan Harsin era, the last three meetings were high-scoring games. San Jose State has slowly crept closer though and Boise State hasn’t look as dangerous as they used to against a few Mountain West foes. However, San Jose State is 0-14 all-time against Boise and are 0-12 on the road in the last three seasons. I will give the Spartans the benefit of the doubt and say they will finally upset the Broncos for their first ever win all-time. They have a better defense and an experienced offensive roster led by quarterback Nick Starkel and receivers Bailey Gaither and Tre Walker.