Howdy, folks!
We are nearly 25% of the way through the CFB season (yes, already). I don't know about you, but I still don't have a handle on who is actually good, who isn't, and who is riding reputation. That said, we do have some entertaining games coming up this weekend, so let's dive in. For clarity, the rankings I list will be AP/RR (e.g. (1/9) Bama):
First up in a possibly intriguing game is (8/56) Cincy v (~/103) Indiana. Penix is off to a terrible start, and the show that was Hoosier football last season is nowhere to be found. Yet. But if they've gotten back on track this week, Fickell and Ridder need to be ready. I expect the Bearcats are approaching this as a great tuneup for the Irish next week, so I don't think it will be close, but Cincy seems to have the Iowa State disease of inconsistency when it comes to "gimme" games.
Next we have (~/41) UVA v (21/20) North Carolina. Yes, Sam Howell looked like Brett Favre without the moxie and TDs (read: many interceptions) against VaTech. But he is too talented to let his team down again, plus I figure the coaching staff worked on his head a bit. Still, could be interesting. UVA has had 5 people throw passes so far, but Armstrong is having a great early season with 7TDs to 1INT.
(~/127) Tulsa @ (9/18) Ohio State. I know, ought to be a Buckeye Blowout. Have you watched the OSU D at all in the past 2 seasons? They played 1 solid game vs Clemson. That's it. The rest of the time they have looked like a DII squad: zero penetration or push on the line, linebackers being swallowed whole by guards, and a complete inability to stop the run. Tulsa almost beat OkSt. last weekend, and outgained them in total yards. If they hadn't given up 21 points in the 4th...
(~/95) Tulane @ (17/73) Ole Miss. Only because I want to see if Tulane is for real of if they were just playing out of their minds vs OU.
(~/69) South Carolina @ (2/5) UGA. Is Daniels healthy? Is the Dog D that good for real?
(~/71) Nebraska @ (3/57) Oklahoma. Because tradition. I'm old enough to remember when you only ever got to see your local schools on TV unless there was a huge national game. This was always a huge national game.
(1/9) Bama @ (11/7) Florida. Florida is throwing too many INTs, and Bama isn't. This may be the game see how good Bryce Young really is. And we may see an upset if Jones gets himself sorted. I doubt it, but that's why they play the games!
(19/94) ASU @ (23/22) BYU. This game feels like a potential momentum game for both teams. I can see the winner improving all season while the loser flounders. No hard evidence, just a gut feeling.
(22/67) Auburn @ (10/8) PSU. Potentially the most important game of the weekend, and of the season for both teams. Bo Nix is in year 3 and a dark horse for Heisman. Sean Clifford, on the other hand, has thrown for 477 yds total, and they played Ball State last week. This is really a game of PSU's D vs Auburn's O, neither of which have been tested this season. Grab a dog and a beer and enjoy!
What games are you excited for this weekend?
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