FAVORITE TEAMS

What a bizarre weekend of football. There was plenty of big comeback late game/overtime upsets. Several ranked teams managed to escape them while a couple of them had their doors literally blown off (USC and Washington State). Friday the 13th was an example that no one was safe during the weekend. Is there no end to these events that created the fear and trauma in some college teams across the nation??? Probably not, but there are still two weekends left before they’re out of the darkness and into the battlefield for the division title and the four-team playoff contention. For now, enjoy the “unexpected” that lurks in college football. These top ten games will likely be heart wrenchers, but none more than the #1 matchup of the weekend.

Michigan can’t overlook this game. They just can’t. A bye week is within reach before they stare down THE gauntlet November schedule. Michigan State’s a shell of their former selves, but they will put the alarm clock on Michigan to wake up right when kickoff starts in East Lansing. Michigan should escape any struggles to win and breathe a sigh of relief during the bye.

MY PICK: MICHIGAN

Ole Miss is quiet as a Top 25 team. When they were on the spotlight for one time against Alabama, they lost. They travel back to the state to face Auburn, who’s coming off a blowout loss against LSU. Ole Miss won last year against Auburn…at home. Prior to it, Auburn won the last six meetings. They have homefield advantage and Hugh Freeze faces his old team that he coached for. It must have been circled on his calendar, so if there’s any motivation for Auburn to bring in a big win this season, this is the game to pull off for coach Freeze.

MY PICK: AUBURN

The James Madison train continues and they’re on the cusp of their first ranked appearance this season with a win. However, they must jump past Marshall that has one of the better defenses in the Sun Belt. Unfortunately, they allowed 44.5 points per game in the last two losses (NC State and Georgia State). With how well James Madison has played on both sides, it’s difficult for Marshall to stop them despite being at home.

MY PICK: JAMES MADISON

Clemson could be on their way back to the Top 25, they have their work cut out at the Miami Gardens in the heart of the Hurricane. Miami looks to find their way back after two straight losses. Unfortunately, they struggled with turnovers again after committing four against North Carolina. They totaled up six turnovers in two games. Clemson’s defense is out to hunt, and as long as the offense plays game-managing football, the Tigers heat up coach Mario Cristobal’s seat with the Canes’ six straight home loss in his career.

MY PICK: CLEMSON

Oklahoma State put themselves back on the grid with back-to-back upset wins against the Sunflower State (Kansas and Kansas State). They were non-existent for a while because of Oklahoma leaving for the SEC next year. West Virginia’s off to a surprising 4-2 start after being wrote off quickly this season. Despite the Hail Mary loss against Houston, the Mountaineers are gritty and scrappy. The battle for relevance takes place in Morgantown, a very hostile environment. It’s likely a high-scoring affair and West Virginia has the horses and homefield to outlast the Pokes.

MY PICK: WEST VIRGINIA

In the first week, both teams lost their first game of the season. Now, they both won six straight and are in command of their own respective divisions. They clash in what should be a conference title preview featuring two good quarterbacks in the MAC conference. Toledo’s Dequan Finn is a dangerous dual threat quarterback who can carve defenses in the air or ground them down with his feet. He has a couple of receivers that are weapons but also has running back Penny Boone to contribute to the run game. Miami (OH) is continuing their run to potentially a special year. They return the majority of experience led by Brett Gabbert and linebacker Matt Salopek. Gabbert’s the most reliable quarterback that Miami (OH) has ever had since Ben Roethlisberger. Their defense has plenty of production and leads the MAC in sacks (21) while Toledo’s right behind him (19). Miami is a hard out at home and they already accomplished one milestone. Their next one is an eighth all-time double-digit win season, a division title, and a conference title. However, Toledo’s become the most consistently successful team for a good few years. It’s also hard to bet against Dequan Finn and Toledo’s defense. Miami will reach their milestone this season, but not against Toledo this weekend.

MY PICK: TOLEDO

In comes part one of the battle for the Commander-In-Chief Trophy, but one team seems in better position than the other. However, both teams can…actually throw the ball more often now. Was this approved by their superiors??? On one side, Air Force battled through challenges to stay undefeated and be ranked in the Top 25 this early since 2010 in that same month. They again field one of the best defenses in the nation that makes opposing offenses’ lives difficult. Navy looked choppy, however, they’re not as bad as some experts assume. They showed spurts of potential against Notre Dame and had opportunities to defeat a good Memphis team. When they’re not making mistakes, they are a very dangerous team under first year head coach Brian Newberry. I was on Air Force’s side before the Zac Larrier injury last week sidelined him for a while. Now, I favor Navy for a good reason. When I said Navy’s very dangerous when they don’t make mistakes, I wasn’t kidding. In three wins, they had zero turnovers. In three losses, they had one or more turnovers. It’s unclear if Air Force’s backup Jensen Jones can handle the pressure because he had one throwing attempt in his three seasons. I can’t trust him, so I’m siding with Navy.

MY PICK: NAVY

Utah is a thorn in USC’s side since Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams’ arrived at USC, which USC is unable to escape within an upgraded competition in the Pac-12. Utah’s defense looks alive and made life difficult for six opponents this season. Despite not having Cameron Rising available, the offense is managing. They’re doing enough to get by thanks to their run game, their defense, and their special teams. USC’s…well…I don’t know. I can’t say bad because they have the best player in college football in Caleb Williams and an immense amount of talent to compliment his ability. However, some players can’t help him, USC’s awful in the trenches, and defense doesn’t apparently know how to play fundamental football. Unfortunately, the ball starts and ends with Williams. Maybe the loss enforced changes within the unit, but it’s unclear knowing how Lincoln Riley runs his team. Last year, Utah upset USC during the regular season and put the nail in their coffin in the Pac-12 championship. What’s worse is that the Utes defense found their consistency again and will be a problem in this matchup. Maybe USC learns enough to not allow another loss to happen. They may have also had this marked on their calendar since the Pac-12 title loss. Cam Rising is 3-0 against USC all-time. Unfortunately, he’s likely not available and USC somehow, someway knocks Utah out to stay undefeated in the Pac-12 at least.

MY PICK: USC

Last year was a classic and a massive statement for Tennessee to prove they were the team to beat in the SEC. It did take plenty of big plays (thanks to Jalin Hyatt), enough stops on defense, a missed field goal by Alabama, and a lucky shanked field goal made by Tennessee to beat the Tide in chaotic fashion. Well, this season’s not the case. Alabama, to an extent, shored up those issues on defense. Most importantly, Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt aren’t there anymore, but Tennessee’s defense may have improved to where this puts Alabama in a vice. On the other side, Alabama’s offense is still searching for consistency. Quarterback Jalen Milroe is dubbed the guy, but the process is ongoing. When he’s on, he’s lethal, which Nick Saban and Tommy Rees wants out of him. When he’s not, chaos ensues within the Tide. If he can make the right decisions, get it to his best player (Jermaine Burton), and the team runs the god dang ball strong and consistent, they will be fine. Tennessee and Alabama will be at each other’s throats for the majority of the game. However, Alabama returns the favor by outplaying them in the trenches.

MY PICK: ALABAMA

There will be plenty of buzz in Columbus, Ohio this weekend. The rivalry. Gameday and Big Noon Saturday. The Pat McAfee Show. Ohio State and Penn State alumni. AJ Hawk. General Bobby Carpenter??? May I say more??? Let’s focus on the game, shall we? Penn State and Ohio State collide in a Big Ten East gauntlet matchup with so much to prove, and the world must know who these two teams are. Both play great defense and are Top 3 in nearly every defensive category. However, the offense differs in some ways. Ohio State’s all about the passing game with options at wideouts led by Marvin Harrison Jr. while Penn State has a strong run game led by duos Kaytron Allen and Nick Singleton. The B1G question is, which quarterback triumphs in this matchup??? Drew Allar has a cannon arm and was praised for it while Kyle McCord is making progress in the offense each week. Unfortunately, both haven’t proved themselves to be a threat to defenses, which is understandable being their first year as starters. It’s likely a defensive struggle throughout the game, but Ohio State’s offense has just a bit more options across the board to outplay Penn State’s. Also, Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has a plan up his sleeve to expose Drew Allar.

MY PICK: OHIO STATE

WEEK 7 RESULTS: 6-4

TOTAL RESULTS: 31-19

A slight improvement from last week. What an ending to the Oregon/Washington game, but how about them Notre Dame Fighting Irish? Sooner Nation rises 100% after seeing USC got smacked with a kitchen sink in the back of the shed in South Bend away from the eyes of Touchdown Jesus. Well, deserved win Irish fans, Sam Hartman, Audric Estime, defense and Marcus Freeman!