College football is already off to a great start this week after Florida State rallied from being down three touchdowns early on the road against Louisville to win by double digits. Now the focus shifts to Saturday and we have plenty of action inside the Top 25 as teams gear up to make a run at the college football playoff.
#3 Auburn vs. #4 Ole Miss
Won’t find a better game to watch this weekend when Auburn strolls into Oxford to take on Ole Miss. The Rebels are looking to rebound from an upset loss to LSU in Death Valley, while the Tigers are coming off a road victory over South Carolina. This game features arguably the best defense in college football against a very potent offensive attack that can ground it out on the ground or move the ball through the air. The Landshark defense has shown it is more than capable of slowing down any style of offense so far this year and I think they match up well against Auburn. This game will once again come down to the performance of Ole Miss quarterback Bo Wallace. If Wallace can play well and take care of the football, I like their chances of coming out with a win and getting back on track in the SEC West. If Wallace struggles and gives the Auburn offense too many chances, they will suffer a similar fate as they did in Baton Rouge.
Prediction: Ole Miss
#7 TCU vs. #20 West Virginia
Can the Mountaineers pull off the upset again? That’s the question on everyone’s mind as they host TCU in Morganstown this weekend and I think we will get us an offensive shootout. Clint Trickett and Trevone Boykin are both having outstanding seasons and have been tossing the pigskin all over the yard this year, I expect plenty of fireworks early and often. WVU has shown us from the jump that they shouldn’t be taken lightly by anyone, but TCU is my favorite to win and win the Big 12 title this year. I’m rolling with the Horn Frogs in a close one.
Prediction: TCU
#12 Arizona vs. #22 UCLA
Out West we go as we get us some Pac- 12 action between the Wildcats and the Bruins out in the Rose Bowl. While the Wildcats handled Washington State this past week with relative ease, the Bruins squeaked out a victory in double overtime against Colorado.Arizona is a missed field goal away from being undefeated and I think they are more than capable of going into LA and getting a W.
Prediction: Arizona
#14 Arizona State vs. #17 Utah
More West coast action out in the valley of the sun as Arizona State hosts the Utes from Utah. With Taylor Kelly back in the saddle, the Sun Devils notched a victory against Washington last week as Utah went down to the wire against USC and managed to come away with a win. Utah is in the middle of a brutal three game stretch of ranked opponents and think the lack of a potent passing game will end up rendering their strong run game worthless in Tempe. I think Arizona State will be able to get out and front early and rely on DJ Foster and Jaelen Strong to will them to the finish line.
Prediction: Arizona State
#5 Oregon vs. Stanford
I don’t care what the records are when these two teams square off, it is always must see TV.Is this the year that Oregon finally gets over the hump and beats the Cardinal? Marcus Mariota has yet to notch a victory against Stanford since he took over the starting job for Oregon, but I think Stanford’s lack of offensive production will cost them this year. Despite playing well of defense, Stanford has been allergic to the end zone all year long.
Prediction: Oregon