-Originally published 11/11/21-
Must Watch: 12:00pm – #12 Oregon @ #3 Ohio State – FOX
Audible: 7:30pm – Missouri @ Kentucky – SECN
Check In: 7:00pm – NC State @ Mississippi St – ESPN2, 10:15pm – #21 Utah @ BYU – ESPN
Saturday, Sep. 11 – Noon Slate
Fresh Squeezed
12:00pm – #12 Oregon @ #3 Ohio State – FOX
What looked like a matchup of super powers just a week ago has lost some luster. OSU struggled in two areas that were expected last week. The secondary gave up a couple big plays to the Minnesota Gophers and QB DJ Stroud was slow to start. That being said, Stroud will be coached up and put in a position to make plays with his outstanding receiving core (and finished with 4 Tds last week) and the secondary only allowed 205 receiving yards against Minnesota. The run game is dominant and will give everyone issues accounting for 201 yards last week. Oregon had to squeak by Fresno State and they may still not have a quarterback. Anthony Brown only managed 172 yards and a Td in the air but scampered for 56 yads and 1 Td on the ground and that’s the greatest threat to the Buckeyes defense. Start defensive end Kayvon Thibodeaux and linebacker Justin Flowe, both stars on the defense are out and will hinder what the defense can do. The Ducks are in from a rough time, even if they’re able to get some movement against the OSU secondary they’re on the road and missing two top defensive players. Oddly enough for a top CFB matchup, QB play probably won’t be at a high caliber on either side.
Prediction: Ohio State 41-24
Lower Grove:
11:00am – Illinois @ Virginia – ACCN
12:00pm – Pittsburg @ Tennessee – ESPN
12:00pm – South Carolina @ East Carolina – ESPN2
12:00pm – Tulsa @ Oklahoma State – FS1
1:00pm – #13 Florida @ USF – ABC
Three games actually kickoff prior to noon with Illinois/Virginia being the highlight. Pittsburg and Tennessee with be and great contest with both squads pushing to finish in the middle of their respective conferences. East Carolina hasn’t had a winning season in years but the Pirates will be favored over a struggling South Carolina team that’s only a steam about Vanderbilt team in the SEC. Tulsa and Oklahoma State will play a tight contest. Florida struggled against FAU last week and has two QB’s that’ll see play. Emory Jones was taken off the field for freshman Anthony Richardson who looked explosive as a 6’4 duel threat from Gainesville. He was only 3/8 passing for 40 yards last week but ripped off a 73 yard run and finished with 160 yards and a Td on the ground. He’ll keep the Gators interesting.
Saturday, Sep. 11 – Afternoon
Fresh Squeezed
4:30pm – #10 Iowa @ #9 Iowa State – ABC
Iowa mowed down a Indiana team 34-6 that might be further behind last season than originally thought. The Hawkeyes did return two picks for touchdowns and the defense was stifling, allowing only 233 yards of offense. The Hawkeyes only had 303 yards of offense themselves and were 4/12 on 3rd down and the offense will have to pick it up against ISU. The Cyclones gave up 230 yards in the air to Northern Iowa and snuck out a 16-10 win. They did shut down the run game though. Iowa is going to be a popular pick to win on the road after last week, especially with a 45-22 lead in the series and coach Matt Campbell hasn’t won in the series. I think the Cyclones produce more on offense and shut the Hawkeyes down in a defensive battle.
Prediction: Iowa State 21-20
Lower Grove:
2:00pm – Middle Tennessee @ #19 Virginia Tech
2:30pm – Toledo @ #8 Notre Dame – Peacock
3:30pm – UAB @ #2 Georgia – ESPN2
3:30pm – #5 Texas A&M @ Colorado – FOX
3:30pm – California @ TCU – ESPNU
3:30pm – Murry State @ #7 Cincinnati – ESPN+
3:30pm – Ball State @ #11 Penn State – FS1
4:00pm – Mercer @ #1 Alabama – SECN
5:00pm – S Carolina St @ #6 Clemson – ACCN
Alabama, Clemson, and Cincinnati will all roll. Georgia, Norte Dame, and Texas A&M will face tighter contests. JT Daniel’s is questionable for the Bulldogs as the host one of the favorites out of Conference USA in UAB. A quality non-power 5 opponent, the final will still probably end up around three touchdowns but the contest could be close for a half. Toledo will challenge Notre Dame and keep the game close. A&M will probably wax Colorado late. Virginia Tech will look to continue a hot start after shutting down #10 North Carolina 17-10 last week, Penn State looks to improve against a decent MAC squad in Ball state and the best game between non ranked teams is California and TCU. The Horned frogs should be a sound favorite but the game should be competitive. The best watches of this group are Toledo/Notre Dame and California/TCU. I wouldn’t plan on any upsets.
Saturday, Sep. 11 – Evening
Fresh Squeezed
7:00pm – Appalachian State @ #22 Miami – ESPNU
App State bounced East Carolina 33-19 last week while Miami was punished by Alabama. Miami is better on both sides of the ball than they showed against the Tide where they were outgained 501-266 in yardage. They did hold Alabama to 3.9 ypc so that’s something positive. App St rolled up 266 on the ground and 259 in the air last week and has playmakers. This should be another tough game for Miami who has really packed the non-conference schedule (Alabama, Appalachian State, Michigana State) but they should put the Mountaineers away with better defense and QB D’Eriq King showing why he was a preseason Heisman contender.
Prediction: Miami 31-17
7:00pm – #15 Texas @ Arkansas – ESPN
Arkansas might be top-40 team but the schedule is one of the most difficult in the country. The Texas was really the story in a 38-18 victory over Louisiana last week. The offensive put up numbers (Passing – 18/26, 265 yards, 3 Td, 10.2 ypa Rushing- 170 yds, 2 tds, 4 ypa) and went 10-15 on 3rd down against a good defense. Consistency will be a question. Arkansas struggled to get going against Rice but pulled away 38-17 last week. They numbers are not good but they don’t reflect the teams potential either. Sophomore QB KJ Jefferson is intriguing, only passing for 128 yards 1-1 td-int but rushing for 89 yards and 2 scores. The Razorbacks racked up 245 yards on the ground and 4 scores. This will be a fun game and Arkansas can keep it close on the ground and in the trenches. Texas will have more firepower.
Prediction: Texas 31-24
8:00pm – Washington @ Michigan – ABC
Michigan looks like it has a real QB whether they stick with Cade McNamara or if JJ McCarthy hits the field. Ronnie Bell is out for the season but the team has talent at receiver. The defensive side of the ball looks to be back in place as one of the better units in the country as well. Michigan looks poised to bounce back from 2020. Washington, on the other hand, a popular pick to return to PAC12 winning form of ’16 and ’18 (8-5 in 19, 3-1 in 20, missed PAC12 Championship due to Covid cases) stubbed its toe against lowly Montana last week 7-13. The Huskies outgained the Grizzlies 291-232 yards and even did better on 3rd down (4-14, 2-13 Montana) but QB Dylan Morris threw 3 picks. They defense struggled to pressure and adjustments weren’t made mid-game. The real question is: What is Washington’s offense supposed to look like? That might still be the question heading into week 3 after the Wolverines get ahold of the Huskies.
Predictions: Michigan 27-10
10:15pm – #21 Utah @ BYU – ESPN
Utah has a 59-31 edge in the holy war. BYU looked dominate against a weak Arizona team for three quarters last week but kept them in late and survived 24-16. Utah allowed Weber St to post a respectable 40-17 score that was 26-10 entering the fourth. Two teams in a rivalry that certainly didn’t show true potential last week will be a great game. Both squads can run, throw and potentially take each other’s ground game away defensively. This will be one of the better late night contests.
Prediction: Utah 27-24
Lower Grove:
7:00pm – W Carolina @ #4 Oklahoma
7:00pm – E Michigan @ #18 Wisconsin – FS1
7:00pm – NC State @ Mississippi St – ESPN2
7:00pm – Liberty @ Troy – ESPN+
7:30pm – Missouri @ Kentucky – SECN
7:30pm – Austin Peay @ #20 Ole Miss – ESPN+/SECN+
7:30pm – Georgia St @ #24 North Carolina – ESPN3
10:00pm – San Diego St @ Arizona – PAC12
10:30pm – Stanford @ #14 USC – FOX
10:30pm – UNLV @ #23 Arizona St – ESPN2
The night game slate has tons of intriguing matchups. Ranked teams Arizona State, North Carolina, and USC will all be heavy favorites. Georgia State can keep pace offensively with UNC for two quarters if Mack Brown hasn’t figured out the offense yet. Stanford’s rivalry with USC should be underrated either. USC should beat the Cards by double-digits but good coaching in David Shaw can make a difference sometimes. Keep an eye on that game. Oklahoma, Ole Miss, and Wisconsin have easy matchups, with Eastern Michigan potentially a decent opponent, hanging with Wisconsin for a while if they continue to struggle. NC State looked excellent next week and figured to be one of the better teams in the ACC with the amount of talent returning. Speaking of return, Mississippi State returns several players that were suspended for week 1 this season from the bowl brawl at the end of last year. The Bulldogs should be much improved with a full squad and the game is a coin flip. Liberty’s Malik Willis will quarterback against an underrated opponent in Troy as he continues to put together highlight film for the NFL. Missouri at Kentucky is one of the most underrated games of the weekend. The Wildcats have opened up the offense and taken to the air to supplement the always potent run game and defense. QB Will Levis passed for 367 yds and 4 touchdowns last week. Mizzou also fields a blooming star in sophomore Connor Bazelak at QB. Arizona hosts San Diego St late, two squads that have potential and should be competitive.
Auburn, Florida State, Maryland, Michigan State, and Texas Tech all looked great in openers while Indiana, Louisville, and LSU were disappointing. All are worth a check in but can be skipped this week for better watches as they all play lower level competition and should clean sweep 8-0 through the week.
