Finally we have a big time College Football weekend. Its taken seven weeks but we have our first Saturday that was made for sitting on the couch for 12 hours straight and not being bothered. There is couple big time rivalries and three Heisman candidates with big time match ups. This week will straighten out some conference title races and could eliminate some teams from the College Football Playoff. This might be the best week of the season so sit back relax and strap it down.
#6 Oklahoma vs #11 Texas
What a way to kick off the Saturday slate, we get a 11 o’clock Red River Shootout to get the blood flowing. We have a premier quarterback match up in this. Everyone knows Jalen Hurts is a stud and Sam Ehlinger might be the most underrated QB in the country. The kid has 1,448 yards in the air and has thrown for 17 touchdowns already. Ehlinger loves the spotlight, look for him to try and put on a show to keep up with Hurts. This game has shootout written all over it and I really hope it is. Texas has a lot of talent in the defensive backfield but Charleston Rambo and Ceedee Lamb are about as unguardable as it gets. A guy to watch out for is Joseph Ossassi, the 6’4 245 pound linebacker has two interceptions and two sacks this year. He’s going to have to make Hurts uncomfortable for Texas to have a chance. Texas is almost at place they can compete against Oklahoma again but they have a lot of injuries. Give me Lincoln Riley in a shootout 48-35 Oklahoma.
#1 Alabama at #24 Texas A&M
A&M has had a ridiculous schedule so far and now they welcome Alabama to Kyle Field. A&M has talent and a solid QB but I just don’t see a way the Tide don’t roll them. Jhamon Ausborn is a good receiver and has NFL size but Alabama always has a great secondary. Justin Madubuike and Buddy Johnson are both good players on defense for the Aggies but they just don’t have enough to stop Tua. The Alabama QB has thrown 23 touchdowns and 0 interceptions this year. Alabama’s receiving core might be the best in the history of College Football. There’s just to many weapons all over the field for Alabama. I know Kyle Field and the 12th man is one of the best home field advantages in the country. It won’t matter when Alabama is up by three scores in the third quarter. Alabama wins in a blowout.
#10 Penn State at #17 Iowa
To be completely honest I don’t see myself watching any of this game. Overall I think the Big Ten is pretty boring outside of Ohio State and Iowa is as boring as it gets. When the season started i thought Penn State was going to be average, turns out they’re actually pretty good. If you want to read about me being wrong about Penn State here you go. I think they are the third best team in the Big Ten. For Iowa, Nate Stanley is good and I feel like Iowa lulls teams to sleep at home. Penn State just recruits to well and has to many athletes on the field. Maybe Iowa can keep this one close but I see no way they win this game.
USC at #9 Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s loss at Georgia is as impressive as any other teams best win this year. Yet I still don’t know how I feel about this team. They recruit really well, but they just don’t look that athletic to me. My eyes could be lying to me though. As the leader of the Ian Book fan club. Its hard for me to bet against them no matter how I feel about the rest of the team. USC has some talent, Micheal Pittman Jr is a stud and has the ability to make big plays against the Irish defense. John Houston Jr and Drake Jackson are two guys that need to be all over the field for the Trojans to win this one. Slovis should be getting the start at QB for the Trojans but that means nothing to me. Him and Fink are basically the same player at this point. I really want to be a USC money-line guy this week but I can’t do it. The home crowd and Ian Book get it done for the Irish.
#7 Florida at #5 LSU
Death Valley at night might be the most exciting thing in college football. Unless your a visitor to LSU there dominance in home night games is almost unbelievable. Not only do you get the tigers at night they finally have a quarterback. Joe Burrow has been electric this year. Justin Jefferson has 547 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns this year. The kid has all the tools and the size to be a star at the next level.
This game really comes down to if the Florida defense can slow down the LSU offense. Florida has a legit defense with pros all over the field. This will be their toughest test so far LSU is a top five offense in College Football. I don’t know if I see a team holding them under 28 but the Gators have as good of a chance as anyone. The LSU defense hasn’t looked the same as they usually do but you have to remember this is still LSU. They have the same athletes as always and Florida doesn’t have a great offense. Kyle Trask is an upgrade over Felipe Franks but I don’t trust him to be able to handle Death Valley at night. Give me the Tigers by two touchdowns.
For more involving this highly anticipated match up, check out our Podcast The Black Out. TB shares the best ways you can support the show, and Nick de la Torre – who correctly predicted Florida’s Week 6 upset of Auburn – returns to the show to talk about Florida’s chances on the road in a Top 10 showdown with LSU.
