We have finally reached the meat of the college football schedule. Conference rivalries, showdowns between ranked teams, games with huge playoff implications. Let's go.
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| Ian Book will look to lead Notre Dame over Virginia Tech Saturday night |
Record
Last Week: 17-1 vs. Spread: 10-9 Over/Under: 8-10-1
Season: 72-16 vs. Spread: 37-36 Over/Under: 32-40-1
Saturday
#1 Alabama @ Arkansas (Noon, ESPN)
The defending national champs start off the day (among many other teams) on the road against 1-4 Arkansas. The Crimson Tide average over 200 yards more per game than the Razorbacks (553.2 to 348.8), who have lost four straight. Tua and the Tide should roll.
Spread: ALA -35 Over/Under: 56.5
Prediction: Alabama 55, Arkansas 13
#19 Texas @ #7 Oklahoma (Noon, FOX)
We get a Top 25 matchup right off the bat this Saturday, as streaking Texas travels to Norman to battle unbeaten Oklahoma. The Longhorns looked impressive against USC and TCU, but they'll have a hard time containing Kyler Murray and company.
Spread: OKLA -7 O/U: 60.5
Prediction: Oklahoma 40, Texas 27
Kansas @ #9 West Virginia (Noon, ESPN2)
Will Grier and West Virginia host improved Kansas Saturday. The 2-3 Jayhawks already have more wins than last season, but they still aren't a match for the Mountaineers. Grier ranks seventh in the country in passing yards (1487) and fourth in passing touchdowns (19).
Spread: WVU -28 O/U: 61.5
Prediction: West Virginia 38, Kansas 14
Maryland @ #15 Michigan (Noon, ABC)
After barely beating Northwestern last week, Michigan needs to be wary of 3-1 Maryland as the Wolverines host the Terrapins Saturday. The offense is still a bit inconsistent, but the defense ranks first in the nation (233 yards allowed per game). I don't think Michigan will have trouble this week.
Spread: MICH -17.5 O/U: 47.5
Prediction: Michigan 31, Maryland 10
Northwestern @ #20 Michigan State (Noon, FOX Sports 1)
Northwestern will try to break a three-game skid when the Wildcats travel to East Lansing. The Spartans have not looked convincing all year. All four of MSU's games have been within 14 points. Plus, Northwestern played Michigan close last week. For those reasons, this could be a close one, but I think Michigan State still pulls it out.
Spread: MSU -10 O/U: 43.5
Prediction: Michigan State 28, Northwestern 21
Boston College @ #23 NC State (12:30 PM, ACC Network)
Two pleasant surprises in the ACC meet as NC State hosts Boston College Saturday afternoon. The 4-0 Wolfpack haven't played anybody of note, and the Eagles have looked good aside from a drubbing at the hands of Purdue. I'm going with the upset in Raleigh.
Spread: NCST -6 O/U: 59
Prediction: Boston College 35, NC State 28
#4 Clemson @ Wake Forest (3:30 PM, ESPN)
Following a whirlwind week that started with Kelly Bryant announcing he will transfer and Clemson barely escaping Syracuse with a backup quarterback, the Tigers travel to Winston-Salem to battle Wake Forest. Trevor Lawrence is expected to start after leaving last Saturday's game due to injury. Despite his return, this game could be relatively close, but I still expect a Clemson victory.
Spread: CLEM -20 O/U: 61
Prediction: Clemson 42, Wake Forest 28
#5 LSU @ #22 Florida (3:30 PM, CBS)
LSU starts off a brutal four-game stretch (which includes games against #2 Georgia and #1 Alabama) this weekend with a road game against Florida. It could be a defensive struggle, as Florida and LSU rank ninth and 12th, respectively, in points allowed per game. Therefore, the deciding factor might be at quarterback, and LSU (Joe Burrow) has a better one than Florida (Felipe Franks).
Spread: LSU -2 O/U: 44
Prediction: LSU 27, Florida 14
Florida State @ #17 Miami (3:30 PM, ABC)
Two Floridian rivals square off as Florida State travels to Miami Saturday afternoon. After a first-week loss to LSU, the Canes have beaten up on cupcakes. The 3-2 Noles have looked shaky against less-than-stellar teams. The Turnover Chain might be heavily-worn this weekend.
Spread: MIA -13.5 O/U: 48.5
Prediction: Miami 32, Florida State 17
Iowa State @ #25 Oklahoma State (3:30 PM, ESPN2)
1-3 Iowa State will look to bounce back from a close loss to TCU as the Cyclones travel to Stillwater to face the Cowboys of Oklahoma State, who bounced back from a loss to Texas Tech by beating Kansas and getting back into the AP Top 25. I don't think the Cyclones will stick with the Cowboys.
Spread: OKST -9.5 O/U: 55.5
Prediction: Oklahoma State 41, Iowa State 24
Indiana @ #3 Ohio State (4:00 PM, FOX)
The Buckeyes will try to avoid a letdown following their nail-biting comeback win in Happy Valley as they host IU for Homecoming. Ohio State can't overlook the 4-1 Hoosiers, but shouldn't have too much difficulty with a team that lost by 14 to Michigan State and beat Rutgers by a touchdown.
Spread: OSU -26.5 O/U: 64.5
Prediction: Ohio State 48, Indiana 21
Arizona State @ #21 Colorado (4:00 PM, PAC-12 Network)
We get some #PAC12BeforeDark in Colorado on Saturday. The 4-0 Buffaloes may have their hands full with the 3-2 Sun Devils, whose two losses came by seven points at San Diego State and by seven points at Washington. I think Herm Edward's squad secures the upset.
Spread: COLO -2.5 O/U: 64
Prediction: Arizona State 38, Colorado 35
SMU @ #12 UCF (7:00 PM, ESPNU)
Central Florida has steamrolled through its weak schedule thus far, winning by an average of 32 points in the first four games. 2-3 SMU followed up an overtime victory against Navy with a rout of Houston Baptist, but the Mustangs will be on the receiving end of a rout this week.
Spread: UCF -24 O/U: 74
Prediction: UCF 55, SMU 21
#13 Kentucky @ Texas A&M (7:00 PM, ESPN)
3-2 Texas A&M is actually favored over 5-0 Kentucky this weekend, but as I've said before, I am on the Kentucky bandwagon right now. Benny Snell Jr. has been a stud for the Wildcats, running for 639 yards and eight touchdowns so far this season. I'm rolling with Snell and the 'Cats.
Spread: TAMU -5.5 O/U: 50.5
Prediction: Kentucky 31, Texas A&M 28
Vanderbilt @ #2 Georgia (7:30 PM, SEC Network)
The second-ranked Bulldogs will look to keep rolling when they host Vanderbilt Saturday night. If you're into common opponents, try this one on for size: Georgia smashed South Carolina (41-17) in Week 1, and Vandy got smashed by the Gamecocks (37-14) two weeks ago. 'Nuff said.
Spread: UGA -26.5 O/U: 54
Prediction: Georgia 48, Vanderbilt 17
#8 Auburn @ Mississippi State (7:30 PM, ESPN2)
The previously-ranked Bulldogs have lost two in a row (to Florida and Kentucky), and it might become three when they host Auburn Saturday. It should be a defensive battle between the 11th-ranked defense in the nation (Mississippi State) and the 16th-ranked defense in the nation (Auburn). I'm going with War Eagle in a tight one.
Spread: AUB -3.5 O/U: 43
Prediction: Auburn 27, Mississippi State 23
#10 Washington @ UCLA (7:30 PM, FOX)
Chip Kelly has had a rough first four games at UCLA. The Bruins are 0-4, and the quest for a win doesn't get easier against tenth-ranked Washington Saturday. All of UCLA's losses have come by double-digit margins. This one could get ugly.
Spread: WASH -21 O/U: 52.5
Prediction: Washington 52, UCLA 13
Nebraska @ #16 Wisconsin (7:30 PM, Big Ten Network)
Speaking of new head coaches still searching for their first win, Scott Frost has started 0-4 in Nebraska, a skid that has included a loss to Troy and a rout at the hands of Purdue. Wisconsin bounced back from an upset loss to BYU by beating Iowa last week, and the Badgers should smash the Cornhuskers Saturday.
Spread: WISC -17.5 O/U: 59.5
Prediction: Wisconsin 45, Nebraska 10
#6 Notre Dame @ #24 Virginia Tech (8:00 PM, ABC)
This week's primetime matchup comes between a team that has resoundingly beaten two Power 5 heavyweights (Michigan and Stanford) and a team that lost to Old Dominion. Virginia Tech did bounce back from that shocking loss by dispatching of Duke, but Notre Dame, with its dominant defense and improved quarterback play (thanks to Ian Book), looks like a Playoff contender right now. The host Hokies could keep it close, but I'll go with the Irish this week.
Spread: ND -7 O/U: 55.5
Prediction: Notre Dame 31, Virginia Tech 28
Utah @ #14 Stanford (10:30 PM, ESPN)
We get #PAC12BeforeDark (which is a hashtag I just made up) AND #PAC12AfterDark (a real, existing hashtag) this week. Stanford, coming off of two challenging weeks that saw the Cardinal come back and beat Oregon and then get smacked by Notre Dame, hosts a Utah team that has lost its last two games. This game could get wild, but I'll pick Stanford to get back on track.
Spread: STAN -3.5 O/U: 46
Prediction: Stanford 37, Utah 34
Stats and Info via ESPN.com
Lines via OddsShark.com
Lines as of Friday afternoon
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