With the regular season only being a few weeks away, the college football playoff picture and starting to become more clear.
Last week we the SEC’s two top teams get after it in Tuscaloosa, and this week we will see more action in the SEC, along with AAC action, as two teams trying to claim the conference crown square off down in Houston.
Lets take a look at some of the action we have on deck for tomorrow.
#24 Houston vs. #21 Memphis
Last week Memphis fell from the ranks of the unbeaten as they were taken down by Navy, and now they have a chance to play the same role this week as they head south to play Houston. Houston still has an unblemished record, and will need to stay that way to get into the AAC conference title game. Houston is coming off a close call with Cincinnati this past weekend, and now they get their toughest test of the year. I expect plenty of offense in this one, and I think Memphis and Paxton Lynch get the job done.
Prediction: Memphis
#19 UCLA vs. Washington State
While the Bruins are favored in this game by double digits, Washington State has shown to be a tough out this year with their air raid offense. The Cougars will more than likely throw the ball 50+ times down in Pasadena, and that will put plenty of pressure on the UCLA secondary. I think UCLA will get the job down, but I think it will be closer than the experts think. I think Josh Rosen will have a big day, and that will be the deciding factor.
Prediction: UCLA
#17 Mississippi State vs. #2 Alabama
A year ago this was a huge matchup down in Tuscaloosa and the Crimson Tide was able to come out on top as they harassed Dak Prescott early and often. Things won’t be getting any easier for the Bulldogs despite playing at home, and Prescott being a year older and wiser. The Tide front seven on defense is as good as any in the country, and they will make moving the ball very difficult for State. One thing to keep in mind is that Mississippi State will honor a fallen teammate who passed away in a tragic car accident, so expect them to come out swinging in his memory. I think the Tide will weather the storm and come out with the win.
Prediction: Alabama
#12 Oklahoma vs. #6 Baylor
If you like offense, then this is probably the matchup of the weekend for you. Both Oklahoma and Baylor throw the ball a ton, and can put up points in a hurry. The Sooners are trying to play spoiler to Baylor’s attempt at a perfect season, on top of getting back into the college football playoff picture. This is going to be a game that is going to require at least 40 points for someone to win, and to be honest this is a bit of a toss-up for me. Jarrett Stidham threw for over 400 yards last week in his debut as the starter for Baylor, but the Bears still barely hung on to Kansas State. Meanwhile the Sooners have looked like a completely different team since losing to Texas in the RRR. Whatever the over is in this game, take it and run. I am taking the Bears in this one, and I think Corey Coleman continues to show why he is a Heisman contender this year.
Prediction: Baylor
#9 LSU vs. Arkansas
While LSU is coming off a game of getting battered and bruised against Alabama, Arkansas is coming in off one of the craziest wins I can recall in sometime against Ole Miss in Oxford. Arkansas will be looking to get bowl eligible in Death Valley, and I don’t think they will get there. Leonard Fournette is coming off his worst performance of the year and will be looking to let out some of his frustrations on the Razorback defense. I think the Tigers get back to their winning ways, and Fournette has another big day.
Prediction: LSU
#7 Stanford vs. Oregon
Any other year this would be one of the premier matchups in college football, but it has been a forgettable year for the Ducks. This year the Ducks have a chance to try to spoil Stanford’s hopes of contending for a Pac-12 title, and the shoe is usually on the other foot. This is not a great matchup for Oregon, as Stanford has gotten back to being effective running the football, and they have a dynamic playmaker in Christian McCaffrey coming out of the backfield for them. I expect the Cardinal to hit Oregon in the mouth from the opening whistle and never let up until final horns sound.
Prediction: Stanford
