We’ve been blessed with a few solid weeks of college football and the season isn’t slowing down any time soon as we get another great weekend of Top 25 action.
#2 Florida State vs. #5 Notre Dame
The Fighting Irish rolls into Tallahassee to take on the Seminoles in the main event of the college football weekend. Florida State is comes into the game fresh off of a convincing win against Syracuse, while Notre Dame is coming off a win in which they struggled to take down North Carolina at home. This game will feature two good quarterbacks in Everett Golson and Jameis Winston, and they both lead offenses that are capable of putting up points. I think this game has the chance to be one of the best games we see all year, and I’m rolling with the defending champs in this one despite the off field distractions with Winston. ND has had off the field distractions of their own, but they looked a little too shaky against a weak UNC team for my liking.
Prediction: Florida State
#7 Alabama vs. #21 Texas A&M
This is the toughest game to game to call for me this weekend. While this game could easily be a boat race in favor of Alabama, I think Texas A&M matches up well with Bama offensively when they spread out to 4 and 5 wide sets. I haven’t been overly impressed with Alabama’s play at corner this year, and Texas A&M has plenty of receivers that can give you problems. The key here is A&M getting off to a fast start and making Alabama play their style of football. If you can impose your will early, get the tempo up and make Alabama play from behind you will have a shot at winning this game. Kenny Hill needs to be smart with the football, know where guys like Landon Collins is at all times and stay ahead of the sticks. A&M comes into this game on a two game losing streak and is reeling after taking it on the chin at home from Ole Miss, and it won’t be easy marching into Tuscaloosa and coming out with a win this time. Johnny Football isn’t walking through that door any time soon.
Prediction: Alabama
#11 Oklahoma vs. #14 Kansas State
This is another tough one to call. Sooners are coming off a tough victory against Texas in the Cotton Bowl and are extremely tough when playing in Norman. On the other hand you got Bill Snyder’s Wildcats who are fresh off a bye and are never a easy out regardless of where they play. I haven’t been thrilled with Trevor Knight’s play this year,but I am a fan of Samaje Perine and OU’s run game. I think OU grinds out a W in Norman.
Prediction: Oklahoma
#12 TCU vs.#15 Oklahoma State
TCU returns to Fort Worth to host the Cowboys after coming up short on their upset bid against the Baylor Bears. Fortunately for the Horned Frogs, Oklahoma State struggled to put away a bad Kansas team this past week and I expect them to more then have there hands full with an angry TCU squad. I am picking the Horned Frogs to get back on the right path this weekend at The Carter.
Prediction: TCU
#17 Arizona State vs. #23 Stanford
This matchup features a high scoring offense and a very stingy defense. The Sun Devils are coming in fresh off a bye following a Hail Mary victory over USC and the Cardinal come in fresh off their second loss of the season. Both of Stanford’s losses this year have been by three points and even though their offense has struggled, their defense has been dominant. A third loss pretty much eliminates them from any talk of winning a Pac-12 title and pretty much dooms them to a lower tier bowl game this postseason. Arizona State got extremely lucky to come out on top in their previous matchup, I don’t think they are so lucky this weekend. I think the Cardinal roll into the desert and come out victorious and they do it on the back of their defense.
Prediction: Stanford by a FG
#9 Oregon vs. Washington
This is a bonus game from me. While the spread for this game is large, I think this one ends up being a lot closer then what Vegas is predicting. Washington has to go into Eugene for this one, but they feature a defense that is great at getting to the quarterback. Two names to remember going into this game: LB Hau’Oli Kikaha ( 10 sacks ) and LB/RB Shaq Thompson. Both players will be a rather large thorn in Marcus Mariota’s side by the time this one is all said and done. Oregon got back to their winning ways in the Rose Bowl, I think this game ends up being a lot closer.
Prediction: Oregon by a touchdown