That's OK. I'll take an 11-3 week and move right along. This week presents a challenge as only two Top 25 teams play each other. There will likely be upsets. But who will fall?
Iowa State at No. 2 Baylor
Poor Iowa State. Paul Rhodes' teams typically play up to one opponent each season. Could that have been last weekend when they were tied at 21 with TCU? Perhaps. But don't expect the Cyclones to waltz into McLane Stadium and slow down this group of Bears. Baylor QB Seth Russell and WR Corey Coleman have connected on 16 TD passes already this season. Guess here is they get a few more Saturday. Baylor continues to roll over weak opponents, setting up that brutal November stretch. Baylor 65, Iowa State 14
No. 6 Clemson at Miami
This is the game that has to worry Clemson fans more than any remaining game on the schedule. Sure, FSU is a much more talented and tougher team. But if the Tigers want to keep the "C" word away, it can ill-afford a let down here. These two have met four times since Miami joined the ACC and the road team has won each game. Three of the four were won in overtime. The noon start means it will be a weak crowd - well, the fact that it's in Miami means the crowd will be lacking. Dabo Swinney brought a new acronym to the fold - BYOE for Bring Your Own Energy. The Canes are in search of a signature win. Al Golden could use this to keep his job for at least another week. Miami's backs are against the wall here. I just think Clemson and its progressing offense led by Deshaun Watson, is focused on redefining "Clemsoning." Clemson 37, Miami 27
No. 23 Duke at Virginia Tech
Duke, one of just four ranked ACC teams, can stick a dagger in the Hokies' season. The job David Cutcliffe has done in Durham is spectacular. He's had the Blue Devils in ACC Coastal contention the last two years, winning the division in 2013, and now we find out how good Duke will be this season. The meat of their schedule is still ahead of them. It starts in Blacksburg against a Hokie team with a few black eyes. Virginia Tech has lost three of four, including gaining just 100 yards against Pitt and struggling to get anything going at Miami. Duke boasts the nation's No. 4 defense, a category Virginia Tech used to roam in the Top 10 year after year, but not so much anymore. The Devils win in a slugfest. Duke 17, Virginia Tech 10
Indiana at No. 7 Michigan State
Indiana gave a scare to Ohio State a few weeks ago. Michigan State needed a miracle to stay unbeaten. Sparty went from 10 seconds from being beaten by their in-state rival to epically etching their name in college football lore. They'll have to refocus this week to ensure they avoid a letdown against the Hoosiers. I'd give Indiana a fighting chance if this was in Bloomington. Michigan State 34, Indiana 20
Tennessee at No. 8 Alabama
What used to be known at the "Third Saturday in October" rivalry is being played on the fourth Saturday in October. The Vols have had two weeks to prepare for their trip to Tuscaloosa. Tennessee had a chance to enjoy its thrilling win over Georgia two weeks ago. The Tide have been up and down this season - losing at home to Ole Miss, dominating Georgia, struggling with Arkansas, and laying the hammer on Texas A&M. This would be the week they take a step back, if the trend continues. It won't. Alabama 28, Tennessee 16
Texas Tech at No. 17 Oklahoma
Baker Mayfield against his former squad. Which Oklahoma team will show up - the one who flopped against Texas or the one who walloped Kansas State? It's air raid vs. air raid. Two teams and a scoreboard operator are about to get a workout. The difference here is OU's defense. The Sooners had their mettle tested following the loss to the Longhorns. They answered the bell in a big way in the Little Apple. In the end, this back and forth affair should fall the Sooners' way. Oklahoma 48, Texas Tech 41
Western Kentucky at No. 5 LSU
What a weird game for Oct. 24. First, why is LSU playing Western Kentucky in the middle of the season? Secondly, the 6-1 Hilltoppers shouldn't be taken lightly. WKU already has one win over an SEC team (albeit, Vanderbilt). They may give LSU fits into the second half, but let's be honest, Leonard Fournette will have the final say. If he can get 180 yards on Florida's defense, I don't see any way Western Kentucky can find a way to stop him. LSU 45, Western Kentucky 31
No. 9 Florida State at Georgia Tech
The trap game of all trap games. Florida State looked to put it together last week in the second half against Louisville. The light bulb turned on for Everett Golson and Dalvin Cook did Dalvin Cook things. Now comes a night game in Atlanta against five-straight-loss Georgia Tech and the triple-option attack that has given the Noles fits in recent years. In the past, this game is one Georgia Tech bowed up and pulled off the stunning upset. I just think FSU isn't the type of team to let that happen. A win gives the Noles their 29th straight ACC win, a feat only accomplished by ... Florida State from 1992-95. Florida State 24, Georgia Tech 17
No. 15 Texas A&M at No. 24 Ole Miss
The only matchup of the week between ranked teams is a head-scratcher. How is Ole Miss still ranked after the beatdown in Memphis? Since knocking off Alabama and rising to No. 3, the Rebels have wins over Vanderbilt and New Mexico State and were embarrassed at Florida and stunned by the AAC Tigers. The Aggies, on the other hand, just threw another pick-6 to Alabama's defense. I'm not sold on Texas A&M and even a win here wouldn't prove much. But I do think they get it done in Oxford. Texas A&M 41, Ole Miss 35
No. 3 Utah at USC
Many have this pegged as the upset of the week despite the oddsmakers believing in USC and pitting them as a three-point favorite. USC is back home after playing an inspired game in South Bend against rival Notre Dame. Despite the loss, the Trojans proved they will fight for their interim coach the rest of this season. Utah is the surprise team in college football. The Utes are the only unbeaten team in the Pac-12. They have five wins over teams with winning records. Is this where the clock strikes midnight for Cinderella? USC 35, Utah 31
No. 1 Ohio State at Rutgers
JT Barrett finally gets the start for the top-ranked Buckeyes. His leadership and abilities outweigh Cardale Jones'. I fully expect this offense to light it up this week. If they do, Ohio State should get a firm grip on the No. 1 ranking because this is the team we all expected the Buckeyes to be. The Scarlet Knights have been in disarray all year with injuries, scandals, and who knows what else is going on. Just don't see them hanging around long in this one. Ohio State 60, Rutgers 20
Washington at No. 10 Stanford
Stanford looks like a team on a mission. That mission: To prove their opening game loss to Northwestern was a complete and utter fluke. Washington, coming off the loss to Oregon, can't be feeling good about itself. The Huskies are running into a machine. Christian McCaffrey should have another Heisman-esque game and the Cardinal have scored 40-plus points in all four Pac-12 games. Chalk up another one. Stanford 49, Washington 17
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| Stanford's Chris Owusu made the catch of the year last Thursday against UCLA. (Photo courtesy Pac-12.com) |
-BtW
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