FAVORITE TEAMS

Did I mention that October was a month full of upsets? Well, more victims were taken. Utah put the last nail into USC’s coffin. More Sooner fans rose up after that day. Don’t get Sooner Nation started though, we escaped one from Gus Malzahn’s UCF Knights. Meanwhile, UNC succumbed to Virginia for the first time in three seasons. This is also UNC’s fifth loss to Virginia

Both teams meet for the first time since 2013 when they played each other in Conference USA, and it’s their 36th all-time meeting. Tulane battled some AAC opponents this season, and none were blowouts thus far. Tulane lost the last three meetings to Rice dating back a decade ago. Rice has a quarterback and the team’s been competitive after the Texas loss. Quarterback JT Daniels is on top of his game and stayed healthy, which could give Tulane a big scare this weekend.

MY PICK: RICE

I wasn’t planning on putting James Madison in the Top 10 this week, BUT James Madison’s not only in the Top 25 for the second straight season, but Old Dominion won a big conference game over Appalachian State. So yeah, James Madison’s here once again! Defense played by far their best game last weekend at Marshall trying to put the NCAA on notice. However, when the Dukes made their first ever Top 25 appearance last season, they lost to Georgia Southern causing a trickle-down effect to three straight losses. This sounds like a merry ol’ time matchup with the Monarchs and Dukes and I expect this to be close with the Dukes escaping this one.

MY PICK: JAMES MADISON

Liberty imposed their will in C-USA without much of a fight before Mid Tenn traded blows with them. Quarterback Kaidon Salter is an efficient quarterback making plays with his arm and feet with trust and reliability in his top target CJ Daniels. Western Kentucky was right behind the Flames before losing close to FBS newcomer Jacksonville State (whose currently behind Liberty). The Hilltoppers have a good offense led by Austin Reed and an improved defense that keeps them in games. This will be Liberty’s true road matchup, but their roster is built to compete with anyone in the Group of 5 and maybe more.

MY PICK: LIBERTY

Air Force is rolling with a leg up in retaining the Commander-in-Chiefs trophy with a win over Army in two weeks. Right now, they travel to Fort Collins to face those middle-of-the-road, yet sneaky Rams. Coach Jay Norvell is slowly but surely building this program to compete for the conference next year for sure. This roster is surprisingly good and will try airing it out against a stingy, disciplined Falcon defense. Colorado State lost the last three games at home but are expected to put up a fight against a ranked Air Force unit. However, the Ram defense is vulnerable in the ground and air (yes, Air Force can pass too).

MY PICK: AIR FORCE

Oregon State’s on the cusp of their first Top 10 appearance since 2012. However, they travel to Tuscon, and the Wildcats await them as they “Bear Down” on the Beavers with an upset on their mind. Arizona coach Jedd Fisch did a phenomenal job with this squad against some of the most challenging opponents this season, even in losses against Mississippi State and two Top 10 opponents in Washington and USC back-to-back. Then, they knocked out now-formerly ranked Washington State with a kitchen sink in the back of a shed in Pullman. They’re home for their fourth round with a ranked opponent and should feel very motivated to put the Beavers in the grave days before Halloween.

MY PICK: ARIZONA

Miami (OH) lost a close one to Toledo and their quarterback Brett Gabbert to a bad leg injury. The Redhawks are resilient thanks to their hard-nosed defense, but they will be challenged by the Ohio Bobcats that’s playing their best football alongside them and Toledo. Quarterback Nathan Rourke is playing about as healthy as he possibly could, which is great for the team that desperately needs him from start to finish. Both teams are tied for first in the division. Miami (OH) and Ohio could be in somewhat of a defensive struggle since they grind it out. Ohio has the quarterback to maneuver their way past Miami (OH) for a win to control the MAC East.

MY PICK: OHIO

Wisconsin’s in a stranglehold with the Big Ten West while Ohio State’s slowly but surely reeling themselves out as they finish the last week of October. Ohio State may not be as intimidating, but they’re not to be underestimated either. They’re very talented across the board and defeating Notre Dame and Penn State are one of the prime examples. Wisconsin is ebb-and-flow with their new coach, but they still have their identity with being physical in the trenches, running the ball with Braelon Allen, and playing good defense. Luke Fickell and Ryan Day reunite in the Big Ten environment despite being on opposite sidelines now. Wisconsin could level the playing field for the first half or a little more, but Ohio State has the horses to grind out the Badgers and edge out another tough win.

MY PICK: OHIO STATE

Outside of games I had eyes on, this one was definitely marked for this weekend. Post-Mark Mangino era, I would’ve laughed at Kansas and focused on more important matchups. Once coach Lance Leipold left Buffalo for Kansas, this was no laughing matter. The coach is great at building a down-on-their-luck program to being a very competitive group. As of now, it’s paying dividends, and the offense is playing their best football in decades. Oklahoma looks like the best Big 12 team and probably somewhere in the Top 25 in the nation. One of those reasons is Dillon Gabriel, and the other is the second-year defense under coach Brent Venables. When we need someone to come through in the most critical moments, Gabriel and names like Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman are your guys. Here’s where this matchup worries me as an OU fan. Kansas is still undefeated at home this season and done it in good fashion to two Big 12 newcomers (BYU and UCF). Oklahoma should win, but Kansas puts an upset scare into Sooner Nation with their lethal offense.

MY PICK: OKLAHOMA

At the beginning of the season, this matchup was an astronomical disadvantage for Florida. Now, the matchup could be surprisingly closer if Florida plays this perfectly. Florida wasn’t great against good competition since COVID season. The loss to Utah and Kentucky proves the Gators still have some ways to go. However, holding Tennessee to 16 points in a huge win show there’s progress is made. They have a tall task against a usually dominant Georgia team. It’s unclear if complacency took effect yet. Georgia’s undefeated but they haven’t been consistent since the South Carolina game. Worst of all, they’re without Brock Bowers for a few weeks and it’s unclear when he’ll return. Florida’s 0-9 since 2008 when Tim Tebow led Florida to a National Championship victory. They were 2-0 against #1 teams at that time (Alabama and Oklahoma). If the Gators want to make the SEC East interesting with a win, quarterback Graham Mertz must play his best, efficient football against an elite Dawg defense while Florida’s defense must pressure quarterback Carson Beck and keep him shook for the whole game. Florida may be in their home state, but they’re still at a disadvantage roster-wise.

MY PICK: GEORGIA

The Ducks and the Utes face off once again for what should be a do-or-die matchup for a Pac-12 title appearance. This rivalry was something else since 2013. Oregon had Utah’s number early since 2013, but the tide changed post-COVID and Utah won two straight before losing a close one last season. The loss was due to turnovers and mistakes that cost them a comeback opportunity. Utah will be without Cam Rising for the season, but Bryson Barnes served decently as a starter. It’s not perfect, but him and Nate Johnson are doing their best to keep Utah alive. Oregon’s out hunting for a conference title appearance after taking their frustration out on Washington’s rival, Washington State. They had chances to win at Seattle but bypassed two field goals for fourth downs instead. The Duck offense look worlds apart from most teams across the country, even Washington after their horrendous performance against Arizona State. Oregon’s playing angry and it’s hard to believe they’ll slow down. Last time, Utah injured Bo Nix to slow down the Ducks from running away. It’s hard to see it happening again and Barnes or Johnson could struggle against the pass rushing defense.

MY PICK: OREGON

WEEK 8 RESULTS: 5-5

TOTAL RESULTS: 36-24

I guess I’m stalled on improvements lol What I’m peeved over was the Air Force/Navy game. I guess I can’t trust college football injury reports. Apparently, Zac Larrier’s injury wasn’t as bad as some made it sound like. He was perfectly fine and carved up the defense for most parts of the game. Otherwise, how about Arizona State going toe-to-toe with Washington for over three quarters? Oh my goodness. They lost in the end but give credit to Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham for getting them ready against one of the best Pac-12 teams in the nation. If it wasn’t for the pick six in the fourth quarter, it could’ve been a very dramatic and chaotic upset in college football history. Don’t look twice, the Sun Devils are after Pac-12 opponents (and soon-to-be Big 12 opponents next season).