FAVORITE TEAMS

10) #9 MICHIGAN AT NEBRASKA – 4:30PM PT/ 7:30PM ET [ABC]

This is the third time both teams meet in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Huskers lead this meeting at home with one win while the other game ended in a tie. Michigan overcame one defense on the road only to play their second straight road game at Nebraska. The Huskers are trying to prove something and this weekend could be that game.

9) EAST CAROLINA AT UCF – 3PM PT/6PM ET [ESPN+]

East Carolina is on a three-game win streak while UCF lost two straight. UCF aims to end their skid at home but East Carolina hopes to continue their run in Orlando this weekend. It’ll be a high-scoring game, but can East Carolina slow down UCF’s offense?

8) #19 WAKE FOREST AT SYRACUSE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ESPN2]

Syracuse is 0-2 against Power 5 teams this season and will need plenty of help at home to rattle Wake Forest. The Orange’s success could come from the run game. If Wake Forest’s defense struggles against that, Syracuse has a shot at an upset.

7) #13 ARKANSAS AT #17 OLE MISS – 9AM PT/12PM ET [ESPN]

Arkansas and Ole Miss’s reality set in after big losses to Georgia and Alabama. How they respond depends on their coaches. The last six games were the most entertaining in this meeting, but Arkansas won four of them. This game has high-scoring potential, but Arkansas has an edge over Ole Miss with a good offensive line. Ole Miss’s defense will be critical this weekend.

6) WYOMING AT AIR FORCE – 4PM PT/7PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

Wyoming and Air Force meet as the only Mountain division teams with four wins. Wyoming played a lot of close games while Air Force outscored four teams this season and lost once to Utah State. Wyoming’s defense will have their hands full against Air Force’s triple option offense. They must make some stops and force turnovers to stay undefeated.

5) LSU AT #16 KENTUCKY – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [SEC]

Kentucky continues a low-key run as they enter the Top 25 for the third time in four seasons under Mark Stoops. Their success comes from special teams, defense, a strong run game from Chris Rodriguez Jr. and company, and skilled playmakers. There were talks about Ed Orgeron’s future with LSU, but it shouldn’t affect how they play. However, they lose their best defender, Derek Stingley Jr., for the season. That may affect their passing game when it has already struggled this season. Kentucky, for now, has leverage and recent meetings here in Lexington have been close games, which Kentucky won the last one in 2007. The dysfunctional Tigers could be a big gain for Kentucky this weekend.

4) #2 GEORGIA AT #18 AUBURN – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [CBS]

Auburn and Georgia have a long month against ranked SEC opponents, although Georgia already faced Arkansas last week. Georgia allowed two touchdowns through five games, hasn’t allowed 20 points yet, and has shut out two straight opponents so far. Auburn could likely end that and make this a challenge, but can their offense outplay the nation’s best defense? Auburn quarterback Bo Nix must answer those questions in the game. If he can’t, Georgia’s guaranteed the win.

3) BALL STATE AT WESTERN MICHIGAN – 12:30PM PT/ 3:30PM ET [ESPNU]

The last three meetings were the most intense ones since the early 2000s. Western Michigan was a consistent program revamping their roster while Ball State quietly rose in competition. However, Ball State has gone downhill this season and has averaged 12.3 ppg in their three losses. Meanwhile, Western Michigan looks dangerously good on offense under their rising star quarterback Kaleb Eleby. He has yet to throw an interception after throwing only two to his 18 touchdowns last season. At home, the Broncos averaged only 25.5 ppg, but their defense haven’t allowed a touchdown while giving up three points through two games thus far. It’s likely Western Michigan will run away with this one, but if Ball State can score over 20 points, they have a chance.

2) #6 OKLAHOMA AT #21 TEXAS – 9AM PT/ 12PM ET [ABC]

The last nine meetings were decided by 16 points or less and there was not one game that wasn’t worth watching. Every quarter, every series, every drive, every play, every down, and every second heavily matters to both sides. While Oklahoma is the Big 12’s powerhouse and a consistent Top 25 team, Texas has their say against the Sooners every season when playing them since 2013. Unfortunately, the Longhorns won three games in those nine meetings. The Sooners’ offensive line and quarterback situation have been ebb-and-flow consistently. As of right now, this game could lean towards Texas unless the Sooners’ offensive line are finally in sync and Spencer Rattler plays up to his hype all game like he did in the second half in last year’s Red River Rivalry.

1) #4 PENN STATE AT #3 IOWA – 1PM PT/ 4PM ET [FOX]

This is a must watch game and potentially a Big Ten championship matchup. Both are similar defensively and partially on offense while playing in different divisions. Penn State and Iowa both average 30 plus points per game while allowing 12 points or less and consistently forcing turnovers. The only difference is that Penn State has a bit more success on offense, but Iowa tends to grind out yards and time throughout the game. Also, the Hawkeyes creates turnovers into points the majority of the time. This is likely low-scoring with a high chance of turnovers, but Penn State has leverage over Iowa offensively.