Week of Oct 31 Preview

College football on Halloween! It super sucks that we won’t get the full effect because of minimal crowds, but safety is more important. This isn’t a great lineup of games, but as I’ve said before, those tend to be the most exciting weeks. I was very productive this week, so I am excited about doing nothing but watching football today. Also, #TheCannonIsRed and take that Reno.

My Record: 5-1 last week, 27-15 overall

Notable Games
3Ohio State at 18Penn State
Ohio State came out of the gates strong last week in their dominating performance against Nebraska. Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, this game doesn’t have the same meaning after Penn State lost to Indiana last week. In a regular season, this would be an amazing atmosphere. Happy Valley at night on Halloween against a top 3 opponent? Sign me up for that! Sadly, there will be no fans tonight. I think Ohio State will win this game, and the rest of their games, comfortably. I do expect Penn State to start strong, but I don’t know if any Big 10 teams are good enough to hang with Ohio State for four quarters.
I am picking Ohio State

Texas at 6Oklahoma State
This is an interesting game. The Big 12 has been weird this season. Oklahoma State is the conference’s best chance at making the playoff since they are still undefeated. Texas had a bit of a bounce back last week when they beat Baylor, but they didn’t look great. Oklahoma State had a close win over Iowa State last week. Oklahoma State should win this game by a decent margin, but I don’t have a lot of confidence in any of the Big 12 teams. There is always the chance that Sam Ehlinger has a great game and Texas outscores the Cowboys, but Oklahoma State’s defense is the reason they should win this game.
I am picking Oklahoma State

Memphis at 7Cincinnati
Both of these teams had big wins last week. Memphis took down Temple and Cincinnati completely stopped SMU’s offense. I think the Bearcats are clearly the best team in the AAC this season and that is because of the strength of their defense. This has the potential to be a really good game, but I’m not sure the Tigers will be able to score enough points. Cincinnati needs to keep winning big to keep their already slim playoff chances alive.
I am picking Cincinnati

17Indiana at Rutgers
So far these two teams have been the biggest surprises in the Big 10. Indiana was able to outlast Penn State last week and Rutgers looked really good against a not-so-great Michigan State. Is it possible that Rutgers is trying to take over Arkansas’s spot as America’s Team? I’m not sure how much we will learn from this game if Indiana wins, but if Rutgers wins, I will have more fuel for my “AP Poll voters have no real idea what they are doing” argument. I think bumping the Hoosiers up to 17 is a bit of an overreaction when we don’t really know if Penn State is any good. I think Indiana is better than Rutgers, but they played with a ton of fight last week, making them dangerous.
I am picking Indiana

24Oklahoma at Texas Tech
Oklahoma is back in top 25 after their win over TCU last week. Texas Tech is also coming off a win. Oklahoma is having an off year because they have a freshman playing QB. The last three QBs have been big time transfers, two of which won the Heisman. I feel a bit bad for Spencer Rattler because there was almost no way for him to reach the levels of his predecessors. I think this game will be a close one early. Texas Tech is decent, but they have struggled against good offenses. I expect OU to have another good game.
I am picking Oklahoma

LSU at Auburn
Besides the Arkansas and UNLV games, this is the most interesting game to me this week. LSU has struggled this season after pretty much everyone from the national championship team did not return. The Bayou Bengals had a good game against South Carolina last week and will be looking to build on that momentum. Auburn benefited from another extremely incorrect call by the officials in their game against Ole Miss. There aren’t many times I root for LSU, but I will be in this game. Auburn does have two of the best offensive players in the SEC in RB Tank Bigsby and WR Seth Williams, but Bo Nix just hasn’t been playing very well (a QB not playing well under Chad Morris?? What???). I think LSU gets this win, but don’t expect the refs to let that happen quietly.
I am picking LSU

Arkansas at 8Texas A&M
I actually missed watching Arkansas play football last week. Even though Texas A&M seems to be pretty good, I know they are overranked right now. They are a very good team when they play to their potential, but it has been years since I’ve seen A&M be consistent over the span of a season. They should win this game pretty comfortably, but Arkansas has more fight than any team I’ve seen this season (at least on defense). When our defense plays like they did against Ole Miss, I doubt there are more than 5 teams we wouldn’t beat. This game is always a bit crazy, and it is Halloween. I’m just happy the Hogs are competitive and having fun. (But they need to play better on offense.)

Top 25
Boston College at 1Clemson
Mississippi State at 2Alabama
3Ohio State at 18Penn State
4Notre Dame at Georgia Tech
5Georgia at Kentucky
Texas at 6Oklahoma State
Memphis at 7Cincinnati
Arkansas at 8Texas A&M
9Wisconsin at Nebraska (canceled b/c covid)
Missouri at 10Florida
Western Kentucky at 11BYU
12Miami BYE
Michigan State at 13Michigan
14Oregon OFF
15North Carolina at Virginia
16Kansas State at West Virginia
17Indiana at Rutgers
19Marshall at FIU (postponed b/c covid)
20Coastal Carolina at Georgia State
21USC OFF
Navy at 22SMU
23Iowa State at Kansas
24Oklahoma at Texas Tech
25Boise State at Air Force

Other Games
Nevada, Reno at UNLV
UCF at Houston
TCU at Baylor
Northwestern at Iowa
Ole Miss at Vanderbilt
Virginia Tech at Louisville