We are a little light on premier matchups this weekend, but as always we will play the cards we are dealt and make it work.
With several teams falling last weekend the Top 25 has some not so familiar names in it these days, those names happen to be headlining a couple of the matchups this weekend.
Lets get to it!
#23 Cal vs. #5 Utah
Did anyone else double take when they saw that five next to Utah? Head coach Kyle Whittingham has the Utes playing some good football and has them back in the Top 5 looking to take home the Pac-12. This week the Utes will host the Golden Bears and their future first round quarterback in Jared Goff and it will be must see TV. If Cal can pull the upset they will no doubt make a jump in the rankings and solidify their presence this year, and if Utah picks up the win it will further prove the Utes are for real. With the game being in Salt Lake City, I am taking the Utes to take down the Bears.
Prediction: Utah
#18 Michigan vs. #13 Northwestern
Don’t look now, but Jim Harbaugh has the Wolverines on the rise, and this week they play host to Pat Fitzgerald’s Northwestern squad is just on the outside of the Top 10. Both coaches have done great jobs so far this year, and I feel like this may end up being the toughest matchup to peg this week. It feels like Michigan at home against the Wildcats would be easy pick, but I can’t count out Fitzgerald’s squad because they always seem to be a tough out. Gun to my head…. I’m going to pick Michigan.
Prediction: Michigan
#12 Florida State vs. Miami
When I talk college football rivalries, this might be hands down my favorite that I have to watch every year. I don’t care what the records are coming in you throw them out the window for this game. You can count on top notch trash talk, and lots of big hits when these two schools meet on the gridiron, and this year won’t be any different. Neither team has blown me away this year, which is why I think this game could be closer than most think despite FSU being the ranked team going in. Call me crazy, but I’m picking the Canes.
Prediction: Miami
#11 Florida vs Missouri
The whole sideline incident between Jim McElwain and one his players seems like distant memory after head led the Gators to a big upset over Ole Miss last week. Funny how all of that works out, huh? This week the Gators hit the road to take on Mizzou, and while I’m picking them to win this week, they need to be careful as they head into a hostile environment coming off a big week.
Prediction: Florida
#10 Oklahoma vs. Texas
Talk about a game that doesn’t have the luster that it usually does year in and out. This is as bad of a Texas team that I’ve seen in my entire lifetime, and despite playing as tough of a schedule as anyone these first few weeks, they have only looked competitive in two of the games. While I think Charlie Strong deserves at least three years to try to get things worked out in Austin, I think a 1-5 start is going to have national media and restless fans/alumni calling for heads to roll.
Prediction: Oklahoma
#6 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech
Same logic applies here with Clemson, coming off a big win against Notre Dame last week and now they play host to a Georgia Tech team who needs a big win. It seems everyone is waiting for Clemson to take that one L that has everyone shaking their heads, could this be it? I’m picking the Tigers in Death Valley, but don’t you dare sleep on Tech in this one.
Prediction: Clemson
#3 Baylor vs. Kansas
Serious question: Does Baylor flirt with 100 points in this game? Does Art Briles call off the dogs in the middle of the 2nd quarter? It’s going to get ugly FAST and I think Baylor will hit the over by themselves.
Prediction: Baylor hangs at least 70 on the Jayhawks