Week of Oct 24 Preview

Even though last week didn’t give us many big games, we saw a lot of upsets. The biggest upset being Florida State over 5th-ranked North Carolina. The SEC saw a couple streaks end and Coastal Carolina knocked off Louisiana and won their way into the top 25 for the first time. The big Alabama vs Georgia matchup lived up to the hype in the first half, but Alabama shut out the Bulldogs in the second half to end up with a comfortable win. This week features four ranked vs ranked games. We also welcome back the Big 10 and the Mountain West to competition. There are tons of great games to watch this week all over college football.

My Record: 3-3 last week, 22-14 overall

Notable Games
17Iowa State at 6Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State is coming off an extended break due to a coronavirus postponement. Iowa State had a bye last week as well, meaning this one might start out a bit iffy. These are two teams fighting to retain the top spot in the Big 12. I haven’t been that impressed by the Cowboys so far, but they are pretty good. Iowa State continues to be scrappy and exciting to watch. I think a shootout favors the Cyclones, but I believe that Oklahoma State’s defense will be the difference in this game.
I am picking Oklahoma State

9Cincinnati at 16SMU
Cincinnati is another team coming off of an extended break because of the coronavirus. Both of these teams are undefeated and have played well this season. SMU has played some close game this year, but the competition has been good. Both of these teams like to score, but I don’t see Cincinnati giving up a ton of points. This will be the best team that Cincinnati has faced this year and the Mustangs are very good on offense. This should be a close game.
I am picking Cincinnati

23NC State at 14North Carolina
One of the big surprises of last week was North Carolina being upset by Florida State. The Tar Heels were down early and, if it weren’t for a few huge drops on the final drive, there was a good chance they would have won or at least tied the game. I think they completely overlooked the ‘Noles in that game and will rebound this week. They are facing a tougher opponent in NC State. The Wolf Pack’s lone loss came to Virginia Tech. They are a strong team and will challenge UNC, but I don’t see them winning.
I am picking North Carolina

18Michigan at 21Minnesota
The Big 10 is joining the majority of the FBS world and playing football this weekend. The conference has a very condensed schedule so teams will have to start off well. With such a long time off I would expect this game to be a little but sloppy. It will be frigid for this game. The high is expected to be 31 degrees. Though home field advantage won’t be nearly as big because there will be no fans or bands, I think not having to travel will be an advantage for the Golden Gophers. This is a hard game to pick because we don’t know anything about these teams yet, but since they will play so few games, this one is very important.
I am picking Minnesota

Florida State at Louisville
This is a hard game to pick. Florida State is coming off a big win over a top-five ranked UNC team and Louisville is coming off a close loss to a top-five ranked Notre Dame. I believe both teams were overlooked by their opponents last week and that played a factor in the outcomes. Neither team is very good, but I think that the Seminoles are going to come in overconfident after their win. This could be an exciting game, but not necessarily a good one.
I am picking Louisville

South Carolina at LSU
LSU has fallen far and hard after their perfect season last year. Their game against Florida last week was postponed because of Florida’s coronavirus outbreak. They will be without their starting QB against the Gamecocks, but I just have a feeling about the Tigers. South Carolina is coming off a huge win over Auburn last week and I think they might have a bit of a hangover. LSU needs this win. We know they can score, but their defense has been uncharacteristically bad so far this season. Expect another shootout for LSU, but I think this one will end in the Tigers’ favor.
I am picking LSU

Arkansas Recap
Arkansas has a bye this week, but I still wanted to talk about them. The defense was just amazing against Ole Miss last week. Six total interceptions, two of which were pick-sixes. Walk-on redshirt freshman Hudson Clarke had three of those picks. I’m just super proud of the was the defense has stepped up, even with a couple big players not playing. The offense, on the other hand, isn’t good. Now, I know I am hypercritical of them because they are my team, but the offense can’t figure out its identity. Feleipe Franks is a decent QB when he makes decisions, but he doesn’t like to make decisions. I’m not sure if our WRs can’t get open or what, but it’s not good. Even with the offense not being great, the turnaround has been astounding. I’m so proud and I really am sad I don’t get to watch them play this season.

Top 25
Syracuse at 1Clemson
2Alabama at Tennessee
3Notre Dame at Pittsburgh
4Georgia BYE
Nebraska at 5Ohio State
17Iowa State at 6Oklahoma State
7Texas A&M BYE
8Penn State at Indiana
9Cincinnati at 16SMU
10Florida BYE
Virginia at 11Miami
Texas State at 12BYU
13Oregon OFF
23NC State at 14North Carolina
Illinois at 14Wisconsin (Friday)
18Michigan at 21Minnesota
19Virginia Tech at Wake Forest
Kansas at 20Kansas State
Florida Atlantic at 22Marshall
24USC OFF
Georgia Southern at 25Coastal Carolina

Other Games
Louisiana at UAB (Friday)
UNLV at SDSU
Auburn at Ole Miss
Oklahoma at TCU
Tulane at UCF
Houston at Navy
Baylor at Texas
Iowa at Purdue
Kentucky at Missouri
West Virginia at Texas Tech
Utah State at Boise State
Wyoming at Nevada, Reno
Louisiana Tech at UTSA