Bye week for our Buffs, bye-bye week for James Franklin, who leaves Pedo State with a $50 million going away present. Will this week’s results give more coaches an early vacation? Good chance of it.
We’ve also reached the point where teams who aren’t at the top of power conferences are looking toward getting that 6th win and a trip to some bowl that draws less than a good high school game.
Between the NFL and college football we have games every day this week. Didn’t say good games but we have games.
Tuesday night you can choose between a couple of C-USA games and a Sun Belt game. All of these games have betting lines which proves that there is no limit to how low some gamblers will go.
New Mexico State (3-2) is at Liberty (2-4). Both are coming off wins over bad teams. Liberty is a big favorite. Florida International (2-3) is at Western Kentucky (5-1.) WKU is looking for bowl eligibility.
Wednesday night the Cocks and Hens get together and try not to lay an egg. Delaware “Fighting Blue Hens” (3-2) are at Jacksonville State “Gamecocks” (3-3.) Winner gets dinner at Popeyes, loser gets dinner at Popeyes, that's what these schools can afford. They prove that there is a worse mascot than a sheep.
Thursday night the Hurricane comes to the Pirates. Tulsa (2-4) is at East Carolina (3-3.) Tulsa has lost 4 of their last 5 (only win against Oklahoma State.) ECU lost to Tulane in the last minute last week.
Friday night we start into the games that matter. Louisville (4-1) goes to (2)Miami (5-0) and it won’t be a trip to the beach. Miami is coming off two straight big rivalry games beating Florida and Florida State. The Cardinal meanwhile suffered their first loss of the season to Virginia.
The other big game has back in the rankings (25)Nebraska (5-1) at Minnesota (4-2.) Nebraska has had a less than challenging schedule. Minnesota meanwhile hasn’t been overly impressive either. Cornhuskers are a big favorite but have shown an ability to lose this kind of game in recent years.
The late games aren’t going to thrill anyone unless they have a thing for Bill Belichick’s stripper girlfriend. North Carolina (2-3) is at Cal (4-2.) Tar Heels have lost their last two by a combined 72-19. Expect them to continue the slide. Rumors are that Belichick may not be there for many more losses if they can figure out how to handle his massive buyout. If they fire him without cause it would cost them about $30 million.
Saturday again includes plenty of games that could reshuffle to top 25 and make a big difference in who goes to the playoff.
Early games start with (10)LSU (5-1) at (17)Vanderbilt (5-1.) Neither team has played a killer schedule. Vandy is coming off their first loss of the year to (6)Alabama.
(12)Georgia Tech (6-0) is at Duke (4-2.) GT pushing for a playoff spot, Duke has been a scoring machine winning three in a row.
Two teams that have been in the rankings and want to get back in meet. Washington (5-1) goes to the Big House facing Michigan (4-2.) Huskies only loss was to (1)Ohio State while Michigan has lost to (14)Oklahoma and (20) USC last week.
(14) Oklahoma (5-1) at South Carolina (3-3) is at the time of this writing a 5.5 point favorite. Sooners lost big in their huge rivalry game last week to Texas. Boomer Sooner went bust in Dallas. They may be in the mood to lay one on South Carolina even if Mateer doesn’t play, it is looking like he will be trying to go.
Not a great lineup of mid-day games.
Best should be (5) Ole Miss (6-0) at (9)Georgia (5-1.) Both teams are still in control of their destiny, considering how Georgia players drive that is a scary thought. Ole Miss has escaped the past couple weeks with close wins including just getting by Washington State last week. Bulldogs lost three weeks ago to Bama and have won two since but not in impressive fashion. One of these teams is going to get knocked down.
Are the Red Raiders for real? (7)Texas Tech (6-0) is in the desert to play Arizona State (4-2.) Sundevils just took a big loss to Utah.
Early evening starts with Penn State (3-3) at Iowa (4-2) in their first game since their coach was fired in his 12th year. Iowa coach Kirk Ferenz this season became the winningest coach in Big 10 history with a win over Wisconsin that almost assures that Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell has no chance to keep his job past this season.
The real attention though will be on three games going on at the same time involving matches of top 25 teams.
(11)Tennessee (5-1) at (6)Alabama (5-1) has two teams with real playoff hopes. A win here would be huge for either. Tide are a big favorite.
(20)USC (5-1) at (13)Notre Dame (4-2) renews a longtime cross country rivalry that has often included both teams being ranked. Notre Dame is still alive for the playoff but can’t afford another loss. After this game their schedule should be easy the rest of the way.
In Utah no game is bigger than the Holy War. (23)Utah (5-1) at (15)BYU (6-0) for bragging rights and a lot more as many families have graduates of each and they are culturally very different. BYU is undefeated but has been winning close, Utah lost to Texas Tech but otherwise has been dominating.
Late games don’t have much to offer but if Florida State (3-3) stumbles at Stanford (2-4) the heat already on Seminoles coach Mike Norvell will take another step up.
Blowout of the week is in the B1G. Wisconsin (2-4) not only welcomes (1)Ohio State to their stadium but also frequently to their end zone. Badgers are done with their coach waiting to be fired. Buckeyes have never been shy about rolling up scores and Wisconsin lost last week to Iowa 37-0, that Iowa which rarely scores in the 20’s.
Garbage game of the week takes us back to Wednesday with where Texas-El Paso spells INEPT as UTEP. UTEP (1-5) is at Sam Houston State (0-6.) The Bearcraps almost got their first win last week only to pull out a loss in the last minute.
If you want bad football on Saturday try Nevada (1-5) at New Mexico (3-3.) New Mexico is always bad, the Wolf Puke of Nevada has so far only been able to beat a middling FCS team.
Other local games include Hawaii (5-2) at CSU (2-4.) Rams got a real win last week beating Fresno State. Hawaii plays much better on the Islands than on the mainland. This one could be close.
Big local match-up in Colorado Springs with Wyoming (3-3) at Air Force (1-5.) Air Force has been putting up points in bunches, and giving up even more. Cowboys have been struggling as well but pulled of a big comeback win over San Jose State last week.
Northern Colorado (3-3) is at Sacramento State (3-3.) Bears look to be much improved and have a chance to win this one.
Shouldn’t be a challenging week for the top small colleges
Colorado Mines (4-2,2-2) gets the closest thing to a bye hosting Adams State (0-6,0-4)
Colorado Mesa (3-3,2-2) is at New Mexico Highlands (3-3,1-3) in what should be the most competitive game of the week. Stream it on the RMAC Network.
(9)CSU Pueblo (6-1,5-0) is at Black Hills State (1-6,1-4)
(5)Western Colorado (6-0,4-0) goes to South Dakota Mines (2-5,2-3)
Fort Lewis (1-5,0-4) is no longer the worst team in the conference but will still likely take one on the chin at Chadron State (5-2,5-0.)
We’ve also reached the point where teams who aren’t at the top of power conferences are looking toward getting that 6th win and a trip to some bowl that draws less than a good high school game.
Between the NFL and college football we have games every day this week. Didn’t say good games but we have games.
Tuesday night you can choose between a couple of C-USA games and a Sun Belt game. All of these games have betting lines which proves that there is no limit to how low some gamblers will go.
New Mexico State (3-2) is at Liberty (2-4). Both are coming off wins over bad teams. Liberty is a big favorite. Florida International (2-3) is at Western Kentucky (5-1.) WKU is looking for bowl eligibility.
Wednesday night the Cocks and Hens get together and try not to lay an egg. Delaware “Fighting Blue Hens” (3-2) are at Jacksonville State “Gamecocks” (3-3.) Winner gets dinner at Popeyes, loser gets dinner at Popeyes, that's what these schools can afford. They prove that there is a worse mascot than a sheep.
Thursday night the Hurricane comes to the Pirates. Tulsa (2-4) is at East Carolina (3-3.) Tulsa has lost 4 of their last 5 (only win against Oklahoma State.) ECU lost to Tulane in the last minute last week.
Friday night we start into the games that matter. Louisville (4-1) goes to (2)Miami (5-0) and it won’t be a trip to the beach. Miami is coming off two straight big rivalry games beating Florida and Florida State. The Cardinal meanwhile suffered their first loss of the season to Virginia.
The other big game has back in the rankings (25)Nebraska (5-1) at Minnesota (4-2.) Nebraska has had a less than challenging schedule. Minnesota meanwhile hasn’t been overly impressive either. Cornhuskers are a big favorite but have shown an ability to lose this kind of game in recent years.
The late games aren’t going to thrill anyone unless they have a thing for Bill Belichick’s stripper girlfriend. North Carolina (2-3) is at Cal (4-2.) Tar Heels have lost their last two by a combined 72-19. Expect them to continue the slide. Rumors are that Belichick may not be there for many more losses if they can figure out how to handle his massive buyout. If they fire him without cause it would cost them about $30 million.
Saturday again includes plenty of games that could reshuffle to top 25 and make a big difference in who goes to the playoff.
Early games start with (10)LSU (5-1) at (17)Vanderbilt (5-1.) Neither team has played a killer schedule. Vandy is coming off their first loss of the year to (6)Alabama.
(12)Georgia Tech (6-0) is at Duke (4-2.) GT pushing for a playoff spot, Duke has been a scoring machine winning three in a row.
Two teams that have been in the rankings and want to get back in meet. Washington (5-1) goes to the Big House facing Michigan (4-2.) Huskies only loss was to (1)Ohio State while Michigan has lost to (14)Oklahoma and (20) USC last week.
(14) Oklahoma (5-1) at South Carolina (3-3) is at the time of this writing a 5.5 point favorite. Sooners lost big in their huge rivalry game last week to Texas. Boomer Sooner went bust in Dallas. They may be in the mood to lay one on South Carolina even if Mateer doesn’t play, it is looking like he will be trying to go.
Not a great lineup of mid-day games.
Best should be (5) Ole Miss (6-0) at (9)Georgia (5-1.) Both teams are still in control of their destiny, considering how Georgia players drive that is a scary thought. Ole Miss has escaped the past couple weeks with close wins including just getting by Washington State last week. Bulldogs lost three weeks ago to Bama and have won two since but not in impressive fashion. One of these teams is going to get knocked down.
Are the Red Raiders for real? (7)Texas Tech (6-0) is in the desert to play Arizona State (4-2.) Sundevils just took a big loss to Utah.
Early evening starts with Penn State (3-3) at Iowa (4-2) in their first game since their coach was fired in his 12th year. Iowa coach Kirk Ferenz this season became the winningest coach in Big 10 history with a win over Wisconsin that almost assures that Wisconsin coach Luke Fickell has no chance to keep his job past this season.
The real attention though will be on three games going on at the same time involving matches of top 25 teams.
(11)Tennessee (5-1) at (6)Alabama (5-1) has two teams with real playoff hopes. A win here would be huge for either. Tide are a big favorite.
(20)USC (5-1) at (13)Notre Dame (4-2) renews a longtime cross country rivalry that has often included both teams being ranked. Notre Dame is still alive for the playoff but can’t afford another loss. After this game their schedule should be easy the rest of the way.
In Utah no game is bigger than the Holy War. (23)Utah (5-1) at (15)BYU (6-0) for bragging rights and a lot more as many families have graduates of each and they are culturally very different. BYU is undefeated but has been winning close, Utah lost to Texas Tech but otherwise has been dominating.
Late games don’t have much to offer but if Florida State (3-3) stumbles at Stanford (2-4) the heat already on Seminoles coach Mike Norvell will take another step up.
Blowout of the week is in the B1G. Wisconsin (2-4) not only welcomes (1)Ohio State to their stadium but also frequently to their end zone. Badgers are done with their coach waiting to be fired. Buckeyes have never been shy about rolling up scores and Wisconsin lost last week to Iowa 37-0, that Iowa which rarely scores in the 20’s.
Garbage game of the week takes us back to Wednesday with where Texas-El Paso spells INEPT as UTEP. UTEP (1-5) is at Sam Houston State (0-6.) The Bearcraps almost got their first win last week only to pull out a loss in the last minute.
If you want bad football on Saturday try Nevada (1-5) at New Mexico (3-3.) New Mexico is always bad, the Wolf Puke of Nevada has so far only been able to beat a middling FCS team.
Other local games include Hawaii (5-2) at CSU (2-4.) Rams got a real win last week beating Fresno State. Hawaii plays much better on the Islands than on the mainland. This one could be close.
Big local match-up in Colorado Springs with Wyoming (3-3) at Air Force (1-5.) Air Force has been putting up points in bunches, and giving up even more. Cowboys have been struggling as well but pulled of a big comeback win over San Jose State last week.
Northern Colorado (3-3) is at Sacramento State (3-3.) Bears look to be much improved and have a chance to win this one.
Shouldn’t be a challenging week for the top small colleges
Colorado Mines (4-2,2-2) gets the closest thing to a bye hosting Adams State (0-6,0-4)
Colorado Mesa (3-3,2-2) is at New Mexico Highlands (3-3,1-3) in what should be the most competitive game of the week. Stream it on the RMAC Network.
(9)CSU Pueblo (6-1,5-0) is at Black Hills State (1-6,1-4)
(5)Western Colorado (6-0,4-0) goes to South Dakota Mines (2-5,2-3)
Fort Lewis (1-5,0-4) is no longer the worst team in the conference but will still likely take one on the chin at Chadron State (5-2,5-0.)