FAVORITE TEAMS

10) AIR FORCE AT UNLV – 7:30PM PT/10:30PM ET [CBS SPORTS NETWORK]

UNLV gets the honorable mention for their 4-2 start. They’re taking advantage of a rebuilding/injury-riddled West division in the Mountain West. Air Force should still be in contention for the Mountain, but they must have some urgency after an 0-2 start in their conference. Winning this game is a must.

MY PICK: AIR FORCE

9) #25 JAMES MADISON AT GEORGIA SOUTHERN – 1PM PT/4PM ET [ESPN+]

James Madison couldn’t be happier with a season debut at the FBS level, especially at the Sun belt where that conference is competitive. Quarterback Todd Centeio gets the majority of the credit for their immediate surge throwing 15 touchdowns to only one interception. Now, the Dukes get a taste of a potential upset alert at Georgia Southern. The Eagles are known to make good Sun Belt teams sweat.

MY PICK: JAMES MADISON

8) UNC AT DUKE – 5PM PT/8PM ET [ACC NETWORK]

It is not a basketball matchup, I swear (but I wish). UNC is electric on offense behind freshmen quarterback Drake Maye, two-backs Omarion Hampton and Caleb Hood, and receiver Josh Downs, while Duke has an underrated defense and a good quarterback in Riley Leonard. UNC is one win away from being ranked, but Duke could play spoiler in the Tarheels’ efforts. Oh, and did I mention that they hold a little grudge for ending Coach K’s conference tournament and NCAA Final Four hopes?

MY PICK: DUKE

7) MINNESOTA AT #24 ILLINOIS – 9AM PT/12PM ET [BIG TEN NETWORK]

The Fighting Illini is ranked for the first time since 2011. Coach Bret Bielema is responsible for Illinois’s competitive resurgence, making them a potential Big Ten West division contenders and more. Defense, running back Chase Brown, and the nasty offensive line are the key cogs to their success. Minnesota smacked around Illinois in three of the last four road games with double-digit wins. Illinois expects to end that run.

MY PICK: ILLINOIS

6) #4 CLEMSON AT FLORIDA STATE – 4:30PM PT/7:30PM ET [ABC]

Clemson plays their fourth straight game on ABC and third straight on primetime. Clemson’s last three games were positive progress. They went from escaping the clutches of the Demon Deacons, to eventually stomping over NC State, and mowing down Boston College from start to finish. Florida State has dipped each game thanks to Wake Forest and NC State. The Seminoles look competitive enough to challenge Clemson but not fully to where they can win over them, yet.

MY PICK: CLEMSON

5) #15 NC STATE AT #18 SYRACUSE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ACC NETWORK]

The Orange look competitive and mean this season. Their resurgence is noted after a 3-year drought involving new players, COVID, and injuries alike. With enough patience and rebuild for the second time, Dino Babers put together a seriously competitive roster that’s similar to 2018. NC State looked like serious contenders for the ACC, but after the loss to Clemson and Devin Leary due to his injury last week, the Wolfpack could fall back to Earth. They have a balanced roster, but their quarterback position could be a concern unless backup Jack Chambers can lead this offense about as well as Leary. As much as I want to root for the Wolfpack in this potential epic matchup, the ‘Cuse have an improved roster that looks about as good as 2018, but a bit better. Without Devin Leary, it’s doubtful that NC State succeeds this weekend.

MY PICK: SYRACUSE

4) #8 OKLAHOMA STATE AT #13 TCU – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [ABC]

Oklahoma State’s handling business in the state of Texas while TCU’s planting flags against teams outside of Texas. Oklahoma State comes a calling and TCU answers and travels home to end Oklahoma’s madness. Oklahoma State looks as good as last season’s offense. They’re even better knowing that quarterback Spencer Sanders is taking better care of the ball. Defense isn’t all that great, but when they must make a crucial play, they’ll likely make it. Sonny Dykes learned enough from TCU as an analyst and coaching against them as an SMU head coach to turn them into an instant powerhouse in his first season. Quarterback Max Duggan found redemption after starting the season as a backup and hasn’t looked back since. Both top the Big 12 in scoring offense, and it should be a high scoring game after a little chess match here and there. Oklahoma State is running hot, but Dykes may have Oklahoma State figured out in his first stint with TCU.

MY PICK: TCU

3) #7 USC AT #20 UTAH – 5PM PT/8PM ET [FOX]

I’m assuming that Utah and USC had this matchup circled during the offseason. This is the matchup will decide who’s in contention for the Pac-12 championship (USC still plays UCLA next month). It features USC’s offense against Utah’s defense and that’ll be the focus for the majority of the evening. Lincoln Riley’s USC squad is feeling the heat of Pac-12 competition each game. But quarterback Caleb Williams, stayed poised in moments to cap off wins. Utah ran away in most games but dealt with two road losses to Florida and UCLA. Fortunately, they are home and have a major shot at ending USC’s hot streak. Their key will be containing Caleb and avoiding turnovers against the defense at all times. The two key losses may be learning lessons for Utah to finally end USC’s undefeated run and spoil their playoff opportunity for now.

MY PICK: UTAH

2) #10 PENN STATE AT #5 MICHIGAN – 9AM PT/12PM ET [FOX]

Here is part one of this Big Ten East mega matchup of the Ohio State, Michigan, and Penn State matchups, and all three are ranked in the Top 10 and undefeated. Penn State’s defense re-established themselves after struggling last season with the offense’s inconsistencies. That speaks well for the offense that found their way to run the ball again. Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen feature as duo-backs that made Penn State dangerous. Michigan maintained their foundation after key player losses at each level. The offense also improved through running back Blake Corum’s leadership and quarterback J.J. McCarthy’s passing attack. McCarthy may be the answer to Michigan’s overall offensive success, and it could go a long way to another promising season. Michigan may have homefield, but Penn State won in hostile territory on more than one occasion. It comes down to who handles the front lines better. Michigan has slightly better protection and it’s enough for McCarthy to carve the defense and Blake Corum to leverage the situation later in the game.

MY PICK: MICHIGAN

1) #3 ALABAMA AT #6 TENNESSEE – 12:30PM PT/3:30PM ET [CBS]

This is the game of the week that’ll play critical to both schools. Tennessee looks to establish themselves as the SEC East’s best this season while Alabama hopes to have Bryce Young back to stay in control of the West division. Don’t expect perfection from either side. Alabama’s vulnerable through the air and playing without Bryce Young could become a major issue. Tennessee’s great on offense, but it’s unclear if their defense can slow down Alabama again. Both are tops respectively in scoring offense, so it could turn into a high-scoring game if Tennessee can open the field. Remember the LSU/Alabama matchup with Joe “Buckets” Burrow and Tua Tagovailoa as featured quarterbacks? We hope for the same with Bryce Young and Hendon Hooker for this upcoming weekend. I’m crazy to say this and people will agree, but I’m siding with Tennessee to end their 15-season losing streak to Alabama, given the challenges the Tide has faced prior to this matchup. Tennessee had them for three quarters last year before the Tide escaped their clutches in the fourth quarter.

MY PICK: TENNESSEE