Its Week 3 of the college football season and after a lackluster week of games, there are several key games on the docket for this weekend. Here are the top five games for this weekend.
#6 Houston Cougars at Cincinnati Bearcats: This is a trap game for the Cougs but with Greg Ward Jr. back at quarterback, they should be fine. Cincy will come out flying but if Tom Herman’s troops can weather the storm and take control of the game, they’ll be fine. Cincy makes it a game for a half but Houston is too talented. I like Cougars by three scores.
Pick: Houston 45 Cincinnati 28
#2 Florida State Seminoles at #10 Louisville Cardinals: If Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson wants to stay the Heisman front runner, he needs a signature win. If the Cardinals can win this game, it would not only be a signature for Jackson, but it would be a big win for the program. Louisville can score points galore but they need to do against the big boys as well. I think they’ll light up a Florida State defense that is battling injuries and inconsistency. I’m taking the Cardinals in a shootout.
Prediction: Louisville 38 Florida State 31
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #19 Ole Miss Rebels: I wonder if Nick Saban ripping Lane Kiffin will have any affect on the Tide? I know this much. Alabama needs to play better offensively if they want to beat Chad Kelly and the Rebs. Ole Miss has had Bama’s number in Oxford in recent years and if the Tide want to reverse their fortunes against the Rebs, they will need to play much better offensively this week than they did last week. I think they will. This game will be close but I think Bama’s defense will do enough to slow Kelly and company and win his game.
Prediction: Alabama 28 Ole Miss 24
#12 Michigan State Spartans at #18 Notre Dame Fighting Irish: I love this rivalry. It is arguably the most underrated rivalry in college football. Sparty has had two weeks to prepare for DeShone Kizer and company so you can bet Mark Dantonio’s troops will be ready. These two usually end up playing tight games and this will be no different. I’m going with the Spartans in this one. I think they’ll pound the ball and get consistent pressure on Kizer and throw him off his spot.
Prediction: Michigan State 27 Notre Dame 21
#3 Ohio State Buckeyes at #14 Oklahoma Sooners: Ohio State struggled in the first half last week against Tulsa. If they play like that this week, they’ll get whacked! Oklahoma needs to win this game if they want to stay in the national championship hunt. Same goes for Ohio State. I think this game will be tight but I can’t in good conscious pick against the Buckeyes. I think JT Barrett and company get it done.
Prediction: Ohio State 31 Oklahoma 28
Other Match-Ups to Watch
#17 Texas A&M Aggies at Auburn Tigers: The Tigers don’t have a quarterback and that limits them against teams like A&M.
UCLA Bruins at BYU Cougars: UCLA needs to play more consistent football. Josh Rosen can’t do everything. It will take a total team effort to beat a good BYU team.
Boston College Eagles at Virginia Tech Hokies: Expect a low scoring affair. Both teams are struggling mightily on offense and look for that trend to continue this week.
#11 Texas Longhorns at California Golden Bears: Texas should roll right? I mean, Cal did lose to San Diego State last week so it makes sense. Then again, it’s college football. I’m buying freshmen sensation Shane Buchele and the Horns. They’re back!
Pitt Panthers at Oklahoma State Cowboys: Can Okie State recover after last week’s debacle against Central Michigan. They better if they don’t, John Connor and the Panthers will run them over.
Mississippi State Bulldogs at #20 LSU Tigers: Mississippi State is still licking their wounds from their last second loss to South Alabama.Going to Baton Rouge isn’t going to help them get back on track. I like the Tigers big in this one despite their offensive struggles.
USC Trojans at #7 Stanford Cardinal: USC wants to emphasize running the football. They’ll get a clinic courtesy of Stanford who runs it better than any other team in the country.