10) #16 WAKE FOREST AT ARMY – 9AM PT/12PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]
Last three meetings were decided by a one-score game. Army notched their first win against Wake Forest after losses in the last nine meetings. Army is unbeaten at home while Wake Forest’s defense allowed over 30 points in the last two games after averaging 14 points per game. Not something they want to hear when they’re heading to West Point. Watch out for an upset alert in this game.
9) UTAH AT OREGON STATE – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [PAC-12 NETWORK]
Utah currently leads the Pac-12 South while Oregon State is trying to ruffle Oregon’s feathers in November for a Pac-12 North title. Utah played tough and hasn’t lost a game against a Pac-12 opponent thus far, but Oregon State has a proven defense capable of disrupting plays from time-to-time. Utah quarterback Cam Rising may have his hands full, but Utah should escape with a close win.
8) #24 UTSA AT LOUISIANA TECH – 4PM PT/7PM ET [STADIUM NETWORK]
If you don’t know UTSA, you do now. They’re building off their 2020 season and for the first time since joining the FBS, they are bowl-eligible for the second straight season and are ranked in the Top 25. It’s all thanks to quarterback Frank Harris, running back Sincere McCormick, an improved defense, and coach Jeff Traylor. HOWEVER, their road games have been suspect. They won all three by seven points or less. Louisiana Tech hasn’t been great this season, but they stayed competitive while losing three of four games by a touchdown or less. Louisiana Tech will test the Roadrunners and see if they deserve to stay in the Top 25.
7) #18 NC STATE AT MIAMI (FL) – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ESPN2]
NC State has their second straight ACC road test at Miami while trying to keep up with Wake Forest for the Atlantic title. The Hurricanes are 0-2 in the ACC, but those losses were by a total of five points. The last six meetings haven’t been runaways by either side and it could happen again. Miami could turn NC State’s afternoon into a nightmare, but the Wolfpack should avoid an upset with a win.
6) CLEMSON AT #23 PITTSBURGH – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ESPN]
Everyone must tune in to this game. This is Clemson’s last hope of staying in the race for the Atlantic division title. Pittsburgh has probably the best offense in the ACC led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, but Clemson’s defense is still one of the best in the nation led by linebacker James Skalski. They allowed over 20 points once all season but unfortunately lost. Either Pitt wins this game by scoring over 20 points and not looking back or Clemson stifles them for a jump back in to the Top 25 next week.
5) #14 COASTAL CAROLINA AT APPALACHIAN STATE – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ESPN2 ON WEDNESDAY]
Coastal Carolina rolls through their schedule with their next opponent at Appalachian State. It might be their toughest competition on the schedule for the regular season. Appalachian State rarely loses at home and averages one home loss per season since joining the FBS in 2014. But they are 0-8 against ranked opponents since 2015. If Appalachian State wants to end the Chanticleers’ Top 25 run and a New Year’s Six Bowl opportunity, the run game must succeed, their defense must pressure and stifle quarterback Grayson McCall, and force turnovers. It’ll be a close game, but if App State can’t complete these scenarios, it leads to a guaranteed Coastal Carolina win.
4) NEVADA AT FRESNO STATE – 4PM PT/7PM ET [FOX SPORTS 2]
The West division in the Mountain West is crowded with three teams, San Diego State (1st place), Nevada (2nd place), and Fresno State (third place). This might be the first of three best West division games to watch this season featuring two best scoring offenses with two best quarterbacks in the conference. Nevada comes in with a bag of riches in the passing game that quarterback Carson Strong inherits. Not only that, Nevada has an improved defense with good pass rushers and defenders that can force turnovers. Fresno State has similar bag of riches with Jake Haener being their golden arm treasure from the transfer portal. He leads the conference in nearly every category but is second passing percentage (1st is Carson Strong). Although, their main guy on offense is running back Ronnie Rivers. Fresno State’s defense came off a bye week surprisingly improved, but Nevada’s offense is completely different from Wyoming’s. The main factor is Fresno State’s pass coverage against Nevada’s passing offense. Constant pressure on Strong and forcing turnovers could be what wins the game for the Bulldogs.
3) #10 OREGON AT UCLA – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ABC]
UCLA Coach Chip Kelly and company have probably the most difficult game on their season schedule. They host defensive lineman Kayvon Thibodeaux and the Oregon Ducks, who are trying to stay in playoff contention. Their defense can pass rush on a whim and force turnovers. Their offense is about as good too and a lot goes through quarterback Anthony Brown and running back Travis Dye. UCLA bounced back with two-straight wins and are still alive for the Pac-12 South title. They have a good, balanced roster that’s proven to compete against nearly anybody in the conference and country. They must focus on ball-handling and game management this weekend. Quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson will be highlighted to make plays while Oregon plans to shut down the run game and force his hand. This game could be close and a lot of pressure will be on Oregon. UCLA understands the situation and are capable for a second Top 25 upset in Pasadena this season.
2) #22 SAN DIEGO STATE AT AIR FORCE – 4PM PT/7PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]
This game features not just the third (San Diego State) and fourth (Air Force) best scoring offense in the Mountain West, it also features the top two best scoring defenses in the Mountain West. It’s hard to separate the two because they’re both similar in almost every stat category despite both running difference offensive styles. San Diego State currently owns the last eight meetings while Air Force won their last meeting at home in 2009, which Brady Hoke was San Diego State’s coach in his first year during his first stint. Air Force’s triple option is good and their defense is consistent for three straight seasons. It’s very likely a low-scoring affair but it should be close and competitive. However, San Diego State is more experienced and played a tad tougher schedule and triumphed in close games this season. The Aztecs are formidable defensively in four quarters and the offense will slowly but surely break through with two capable dual threat quarterbacks.
1) #8 OKLAHOMA STATE AT IOWA STATE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [FOX]
The state of Oklahoma in the Big 12 remains undefeated but the city of Stillwater hopes to remain there. They quietly appeared in the Top 25 and capitalized on it. Their strong defensive game kept them in close game situations and opened plenty of opportunity for the offense to capitalize, especially last week with a comeback win over Texas. Iowa State’s choppy September pushed them out of the Top 25, but they’re quietly alive in the Big 12 race and could jump back in the Top 25 after this weekend. Running back Breece Hall is still dominating defenders, but quarterback Brock Purdy could have a better October performance than September. After throwing 71% of completions for five touchdowns, four interceptions and fumbling once in his four games in September, he threw for 83%, five touchdowns and no interceptions while fumbling once in two games in October. Iowa State still poses a threat in the Big 12, but they haven’t fared well against Oklahoma State even when Cyclones were on the rise. They won just two games in the last 10 meetings. Iowa State may not be strong enough to defeat Oklahoma State, but they will compete and a lot will be put on Purdy to play well at home. Oklahoma State’s defense is too good against Iowa State’s offense and forcing turnovers will be enough to end the Cyclones’ Big 12 title hopes.
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