FAVORITE TEAMS

Over the weekend, I contemplated on what to post this weekend. I figured previewing a few games each week this season sounded right. I originally concluded The Games to Watch content, but I rather mix things up while doing The Underrated Teams content. I’ll list the Top 10 games of the weekend, if necessary, but I’ll discuss only the top five games for each weekend. Since college football in some way is back to normal, I figured why not? One more thing, any teams marked in red represent my Underrated Team.

10) SAN JOSE STATE (1-0) AT #15 USC – 2PM PT/5PM ET [PAC-12 NETWORK SATURDAY]

A potential trap game for USC??? Offense is good, but defense is so-so. They were in a lot of comeback situations last season. San Jose State looks to impose their will in the Coliseum.

9) #9 NOTRE DAME AT FLORIDA STATE – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ABC SUNDAY]

The battle of transfer quarterbacks, and a lot rides on this game for both teams. Notre Dame aims for another playoff run, while Florida State is trying to be relevant again. Florida State has home field, but they lost the last two meetings and it’ll take McKenzie Milton’s old UCF ability and strong mentality to right that ship again.

8) BOISE STATE AT UCF – 4PM PT/7PM ET [ESPN THURSDAY]

Two new coaches battle with well known Group of Five programs. Both teams are experienced and are closely similar in many areas. While humidity could affect the Broncos, many returning players played in Tallahassee in 2019. However, the edge goes to Gus Malzahn with more success as a head coach than Andy Avalos as a coordinator.

7) #18 INDIANA AT #17 IOWA – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [BIG TEN NETWORK SATURDAY]

Both teams have high hopes this season, but the winner has leverage in their division. Indiana may have improved, but they haven’t won in Kinnick Stadium since 2007 and lost the last three meetings. Iowa has the advantage at home, but how good will the defensive line be after losing three of four starters to the NFL?

6) NEVADA AT CAL – 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET [FOX SATURDAY]

This is an intriguing west coast matchup. Believe it or not, Nevada won the last two meetings. Cal’s offense has plenty to prove while Nevada hopefully cleans up their offensive inconsistencies that cost them two wins last season. Cal should be on upset alert.

5) #10 UNC AT VIRGINIA TECH – 3PM PT/6PM ET [ESPN FRIDAY]

Since 2000, North Carolina has struggled in season openers against FBS opponents (7-14). They’re also 3-13 against Virginia Tech since 2004 and only won in Blacksburg once. UNC’s ranked in the Top 10 for the first time since 1997. Meanwhile, Virginia Tech’s head coach Justin Fuente is on the hot seat, but UNC’s recent history could work in his favor to avoid it for a week or more. Their defense must bounce back after a dreadful season allowing 32 points per game for the second time in 3 years. Blacksburg will not be kind to the Heels and a potential upset is possible. For UNC to survive, they must come at them early and hold the lead the rest of the way. They can’t afford slow starts or Virginia Tech will make them pay.

4) #16 LSU AT UCLA (1-0) – 5:30PM PT/8:30PM ET [FOX SATURDAY]

UCLA scored on averaged 15.7 per game while allowing a whopping 35 points per game against six non-conference opponents in 2018 and 2019. They broke that drought after scoring 44 points and allowing only 10 against Hawai’i. Since the SEC’s expansion in 2012, SEC teams are 0-3 at the West Coast against the Pac-12. Ole Miss (to Cal), Texas A&M (to UCLA), and Tennessee (to Oregon) were the victims. LSU is favored, but their week of travel from home to Texas and then UCLA with only two days to prepare could affect their game early. While LSU’s focus is attacking the backfield consistently, UCLA’s only chance of victory is behind quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson’s arm. His performance will either win or lose the game.

3) #19 PENN STATE AT #12 WISCONSIN – 9AM PT/12PM ET [FOX SATURDAY]

Wisconsin lost the last four meetings to Penn State, but Penn State’s 4-6 at Wisconsin all-time. However, the Nittany Lions won two of the last three meetings. They also won the last four games to end 2020 after starting 0-5 and should carry that momentum into Saturday. They retain nearly everyone on offense, led by quarterback Sean Clifford. Their defense should be better this season and have players at each level with experience. Wisconsin should be a Big Ten title contender and have plenty of starters back to be one for sure. After an odd 2020 with cancellations and players out with injuries and COVID, this shouldn’t be an issue. Quarterback Graham Mertz showed parts of last year that makes Wisconsin optimistic about 2021. The matchup will have plenty of focus on defense, but it comes down to the quarterbacks and who has more control on the field.

2) #23 LOUISIANA AT #21 TEXAS – 1:30PM PT/4:30PM ET [FOX SATURDAY]

Texas is 2-0 in this meeting all-time. They outscored Louisiana 112 to 13 and hasn’t allowed over 10 points. Texas is a bit down from past seasons, but they’re still formidable. Louisiana has turned improved their competition under Billy Napier in the past three seasons. They went from seven wins in his first year to double digit wins in the past two seasons, including two conference title appearances. Louisiana is looking to prove their worth in the Top 25 after upsetting Iowa State last year. Texas quarterback Hudson Card is the starter, but Casey Thompson should have some time too. Unfortunately, both haven’t taken many snaps and Thompson started once in a bowl game. A lot hinges on the quarterback success for the Longhorns, but they’ll lean heavily on Bijan Robinson and Roschon Johnson in a heavy backfield. For Louisiana to pull off this upset, they must dominate the trenches on both sides. Otherwise, Texas should still win this matchup.

1) #5 GEORGIA VS. #3 CLEMSON – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ABC SATURDAY]

First meeting since 2014 and first time as a Top 5 matchup. Georgia has a 3-2 edge when both were ranked. Since 1991, Georgia won five of the last six meetings. During that span, Georgia’s the only team to blowout Clemson three times while Clemson did it once. Georgia also shut out Clemson twice. This will be Dabo Swinney’s third time encountering Georgia, and his second all-time meeting against Kirby Smart but first time as head coaches. What everyone is looking forward to is D.J. Uiagalelei as the full-time starter and J.T. Daniels in year two with Georgia. While Clemson has everyone back on defense, Georgia’s defense has some important guys on their end, but the problem is the Bulldogs’ adjustments after losses in coverage and injuries on offense. Their defensive front must make an impact early to make up for it. Also, how will Clemson’s offense fair without Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne?

Finally, MY Top 4 Playoff Teams:

1) Georgia

2) Wisconsin

3) Oklahoma

4) Oregon