College Sports Forum

College Sports Forum

College sports fan talk.

Viewing Guide: Week 6

Matt Gutridge's picture
October 4, 2018 at 8:09pm
15 Comments
Red River Rivalry

Forget the intro. Let's jump right into it.

SATURDAY'S BEST
ABC
Maryland at Michigan...Noon
Florida St. at Miami.......3:30
Notre Dame at V-Tech...7:30

BTN
Nebraska at Wisc..........7:30

CBS
LSU at Florida...............3:30

ESPN
Clemson at WF..............3:30
Kentucky at A&M...........7:00
Utah at Stanford............10:30

ESPN2
SMU at UCF...................7:00

FOX
Oklahoma vs. Texas....Noon
Indiana at Ohio State...4:00
Washington at UCLA....7:30

FS1
N'western at Mich. St...Noon
The Marquee Three
INDIANA at No. 3 OHIO STATE
Indiana When: 4:00
TV: FOX
Series: 74–12–5* (OSU)
Favorite: Ohio State (-26)  
Ohio State
REASON TO WATCH
Ohio State returns to Columbus for Homecoming.    

Storyline
This will be the 92nd time Ohio State (5–0) and Indiana (4–1) have faced each other in football. The Buckeyes are 53–2–2* against the Hoosiers since 1952. The last time Ohio State played Indiana on the sixth of October was 1934. Under the direction of Francis Schmidt, Ohio State defeated the Hoosiers 33-0 in the season opener.

*Includes Ohio State's 2010 win. 

Indiana Notes
The Hoosiers are coming off of a 24-17 win at Rutgers. The victory was the program's first conference road opening win since 2007. Ohio ties, there are 14 players on Indiana's roster from our great state.

Want more information? Check out The Rundown.

No. 5 LSU at No. 22 FLORIDA
LSU When: 3:30
TV: CBS
Series: 32–29–3 (UF)
Favorite: LSU (-2.5)  
Florida
REASON TO WATCH
The last four games in this series have
been decided by 7 points or less.

Storyline
LSU (5–0) and Florida (4–1) play in Gainesville for the second straight year due to 2016's Hurricane Matthew. The teams played at Baton Rouge in 2015 and 2016. The series is now back on track and will resume with the home and away pattern. Last year, the Tigers escaped the Swamp with a 17-16 victory last year.

LSU Notes
Joe Burrow is the first quarterback in LSU history to defeat two teams ranked in the Top 10 with in his first three games as a starter. Last week, Burrow led the team in rushing and passing against Ole Miss. He was also responsible for 4 touchdowns. The Tigers have defeated Florida the last two times this game has been played in Gainesville (2017 and 2014).

Florida Notes
Dan Mullen's team has lost six of the last games played against the Bayou Bengals. He might lean on the defense to turn the tide because the Gators have forced 14 turnovers and have scored 43 points off of turnovers this year. 

No. 7 OKLAHOMA vs. No. 19 oTexas
Oklahoma When: Noon
TV: FOX
Series: 61–46–5 (Texas)
Favorite: OU (-7)  
Texas
REASON TO WATCH
Oklahoma is trying to win three straight against Texas.

The Storyline
This is the 113th time these schools have played and for the 90th straight year, Oklahoma (5–0) and Texas (4–1) face off in the Red River Showdown in Dallas. The Texas State Fair is the backdrop to this storied series. The Golden Hat is on the line as the winning team takes claim to the trophy. This tradition began in 1941.

Oklahoma Notes
The Sooners have won 27 of its last 28 conference games. The lone loss came to Iowa State last year. Oklahoma's offense is sparked by quarterback Kyler Murray. The signal-caller leads the nation in passing yards per attempt (13.4) and passing yards per completion (19.0). He ranks second in passing efficiency rating (231.0) and points responsible for (126). Murray tied an OU record by accounting for seven touchdowns (six passes) in the 66-33 victory over Baylor last week.  

Texas Notes
The Longhorns dropped their season opener to Maryland, but have since won four consecutive games with two of the victories coming against ranked opponents. Beating Oklahoma will give Texas its second five-game winning streak since 2009 and mark the first time since 2013 that the Longhorns have started Big 12 play with a 3–0 record. Texas is the only Big 12 team with a winning record against Oklahoma.

Thursday's Throwdown
TULSA at HOUSTON
Tulsa When: 8:00
TV: ESPN
Series: 23–19 (Houston)
Favorite:  UH (-17.5)  
Houston
REASON TO WATCH
Houston has scored 45+ points and totaled 500+
yards of offense in each of its first four games.   

The Storyline
Houston (3–1) is the only team in the nation to be ranked in the top 15 for both passing offense (355.5 ypg) and rushing offense 253.0 ypg). Last year, Cougar defensive lineman, Ed Oliver was the first underclassman to ever win the Outland Trophy. He is averaging a nation's best 1.52 tackles for loss each game. Tulsa (1–3) is looking for its first win at Houston since 2012.

THURSDAY'S OTHER GAME
TIME GAME CHANNEL
7:30 GEORGIA STATE at TROY ESPNU
Friday Night Lights
GEORGIA TECH at LOUISVILLE
Georgia Tech When: 7:00
TV: ESPN2
Series: 0–0
Favorite: Georgia Tech (-4)  
Louisville
REASON TO WATCH
This is the first game between GT and Louisville.  

The Storyline
These schools are fighting for relevance and bowl eligibility. Georgia Tech (2–3) and Louisville (2–3) meet for the first time ever Friday night. The Yellow Jackets ended a three-game losing streak by defeating Bowling Green 63-17 last week. The Cardinals gave up 14 fourth quarter points and  lost a tough game to Florida State, 28-24. The Rambling Wreck's second ranked rushing offense will try to extend Louisville's losing streak to three games.

UTAH STATE at BYU
Utah State When: 9:00
TV: ESPN2
Series: 48–36–3 (BYU)
Favorite: BYU (-2.5)  
BYU
REASON TO WATCH
The teams are playing for the Old Wagon Wheel. 

The Storyline
BYU (3–2) hosts Utah State (3–1) for the 39th time in Provo and holds a 28–17–1 advantage at home. Last year, the Aggies spanked the Cougars 40-24 in Logan. Since Kalani Sitake took over at BYU, the Cougars are a middling 16–15. With a win, Matt Wells (Utah State's coach) will improve to 3–3 against BYU. He is the first Aggie coach to have multiple wins against the Fighting Mormons since Bruce Snyder went 2–5 between 1976-82.

Friday's Other Games
TIME GAME CHANNEL
6:00 DARTMOUTH at YALE ESPNU
7:30 MIDDLE TENNESSEE at MARSHALL CBSSN


Saturday's High Noon Showdowns

MARYLAND at No. 15 MICHIGAN
Mayrland When: Noon
TV: ABC
Series: 6–1 (Michigan)
Favorite: Michigan (-17.5)  
Michigan
REASON TO WATCH
Has Michigan righted the ship? Maryland has a
decent running game and provides a decent test.

The Storyline
Michigan (4–1) has won four consecutive games after dropping the season opener 24-17 at Notre Dame. The Wolverines have won three straight against Maryland (3–1) and are 20–4* when playing in Michigan Stadium. The Terrapins' Tre Watson leads the Big Ten by averaging 9.8 tackles per game and 6.3 solo tackles per game. The senior linebacker was named the Big Ten's Defensive Player of the Week after recording 11 tackles and returning an interception 36 yards for a touchdown.

*Two of the the four home losses are to Ohio State and Urban Meyer.

NORTHWESTERN at No. 20 MICHIGAN STATE
Northwestern When: Noon
TV: FS1
Series: 37–19 (MSU)
Favorite: MSU (-11)  
Michigan State
REASON TO WATCH
NU's Clayton Thorson is 15 passing yards and 1 rushing TD
away from becoming the 3rd QB in B1G history to pass
for 8,500 yards and rush for 20 TDs.

The Storyline
Michigan State (3–1) and Northwestern (1–3) play for the 57th time on Saturday. The Spartans are 18–8 when playing the Wildcats in East Lansing. However, Northwestern defeated Michigan State 39-31 last year and has a two-game winning streak in the series. 

Northwestern scored 54 points on MSU in 2016. That is the most points ever surrendered by the Spartans at home. Don't look for  a repeat. Mark Dantonio's defense ranks first in the nation against the run and hasn't allowed a team to rush for over 100 yards in seven consecutive games.

ILLINOIS at RUTGERS
Illinois When: Noon
TV: ESPN
Series: 1–1
Favorite: Illinois (-4.5)  
Rutgers
REASON TO WATCH
The worst of the East against the worst of the West.

The Storyline
Rutgers (1–4) hosts Illinois (2–) in an epic battle of futility. This is likely the only shot either team has at getting a conference win in 2018. However, Illinois does get to travel to Nebraska on November 10. 

TULANE at CINCINNATI
Tulane When: Noon
TV: ESPNU
Series: 8–0 (Alabama)
Favorite: Cincinnati (-7)  
Cincinnati
REASON TO WATCH
Both teams rank in the Top 10 in scoring,
total, rushing and passing offense.   

The Storyline
Luke Fickell has Cincinnati (5–0) rolling. The Bearcats started the 2018 season with a bang by defeating UCLA 26-17. UC ranks in the top 10 in all offensive stats. The Bearcats' defense is even more impressive. Fickell's defense is ranked first in scoring, total and passing defense. The unit is ranked second in rushing defense. A shame he can't moonlight on Ohio State's defensive staff.

Tulane (2–3) is facing its second loss in the great state of Ohio in the last three weeks.

SATURDAY'S OTHER NOON GAMES
TIME GAME CHANNEL
NOON KANSAS at No. 9 WEST VIRGINIA ESPN2
NOON EAST CAROLINA at TEMPLE ESPNU 
NOON BUFFALO at CENTRAL MICHIGAN CBSSN
NOON MISSOURI at SOUTH CAROLINA SEC NETWORK

Saturday's Tweeners
SYRACUSE at PITTSBURGH
Syracuse When: 12:20
TV: ACC NET
Series: 38–32–3 (Pitt)
Favorite: Syracuse (-3.5)
Pittsburgh
REASON TO WATCH
The last time these teams played at Pitt,
they combined for 137 points. 

The Storyline
Syracuse (4–1) was minutes away from stunning No. 3 Clemson and starting the season 5–0. Instead, the Orange lost and now travels to Heinz Field to take on Pitt (2–3). The Panthers have lost three of their last four games and two straight. There is good news for Pitt, the team is 7–1 against Syracuse when playing at Heinz Field and 2001 is the last time the Orange won in the Steel City. 

BOSTON COLLEGE at No. 23 NC STATE
Boston College When: 12:30
TV: ACC RSN
Series: 9–6 (BC)
Favorite: NC State (-5)
NC State
REASON TO WATCH
This is the first time these schools have played since 2012.. 

These schools only have one loss between them. Boston College (4–1) heads to Raleigh where the Eagles are 3–3 all-time. NC State (4–0) is one of only 14 teams in the FBS with an undefeated record. NC State is the 137th ranked team Boston College has played. The Eagles are 30–105–1 all-time against ranked opponents. Aren't you glad to be a fan of Ohio State.

SATURDAY'S 12:20 TO 3:00 GAMES
TIME GAME CHANNEL
2:00 STEPHEN F. AUSTIN at SAM HOUSTON STATE ESPN Extra
3:00 ESPN GOALLINE ESPNGL

The Dirty 3:30
IOWA at MINNESOTA
Iowa When: 3:30
TV: BTN
Series: 62–47–2 (Minnesota) 
Favorite: Iowa (-7)  
Minnesota
REASONS TO WATCH
The teams play for the Floyd of Rosedale Trophy. 

The Storyline
The last time Minnesota (3–1) defeated Iowa (3–1) was 2014. The Hawkeyes have won 13 of the last 17 games in this series. Iowa TE Noah Fant has a school record 16 receiving TDs for players at his position. Minnesota might find scoring difficult as the Hawkeyes lead the Big Ten in scoring defense (13.0 ppg). The Gophers will also be without running back Rodney Smith and defensive back Anotine Winfield Jr. Both players will miss the remainder of the season due to injury.

NAVY at AIR FORCE
Navy When: 3:30
TV: CBSSN
Series: 29–21 (Air Force)
Favorite: Navy (-3)  
Air Force
REASON TO WATCH
This is the first leg of the Commander-In-Chief Trophy.

The Storyline
Air Force (1–3) is trying to get back to its winning ways. The Falcons have lost three consecutive games and dropped this game to Navy (2–2) last year by a score of 48-45 in Annapolis. Air Force owns the best record in the Commander-Chief's trophy competition and has won the competition 20 times. However, 2016 was the last time the team has earned the hardware. 

No. 4 CLEMSON at WAKE FOREST
Clemson When: 3:30
TV: ESPN
Series: 65–17–1 (Clemson)
Favorite: Clemson (-18)  
Wake Forest
REASON TO WATCH
To see if Clemson's scare against Syracuse was legit. 

The Storyline
Clemson (5–0) is attempting to start undefeated after six games for the fourth straight season. The Tigers have accomplished this feat six times in the last eight years and 14 times in the program's history. Wake Forest (3–2) has lost nine consecutive games to Clemson. This is only the second time in Demon Deacons' history that the school has hosted two Top 10 team on BB&T Field.

FLORIDA STATE at No. 17 MIAMI
Florida State When: 3:30
TV: ABC
Series: 32–30 (Miami)
Favorite: Miami (-13.5)  
Miami
REASON TO WATCH
To relive the excitement of the '80s and '90s. 

Storyline
Miami (4–1) has won four straight games after losing to Joe Burrow and LSU in the season opener. Florida State (3–2) is looking for revenge after Miami scored the winning touchdown (24-20) with only six seconds remaining in the game last year. The Hurricanes currently have a 12-game home winning streak. It's the longest for the program since winning 26 consecutive between 1999-2003. Strange but true. The Hurricanes own the series lead, but when the game is played in Miami, Florida State holds a 20–16 advantage.

SATURDAY'S 3:30 GAMES
TIME GAME CHANNEL
3:30 KANSAS STATE at BAYLOR FS1
3:30 IOWA STATE at OKLAHOMA STATE ESPN2
3:30 SAN DIEGO STATE at BOISE STATE ESPNU

Afternoon Siesta
No. 13 KENTUCKY at TEXAS A&M
Kentucky When: 7:00
TV: ESPN
Series: 1–1
Favorite: Texas A&M (-5.5)  
Texas A&M
REASON TO WATCH
Kentucky is ranked and undefeated in...football.  

The Storyline
Kentucky (5–0) travels to College Station to play Texas A&M (3–2) for the first time in 65 years. The last time these schools played, Paul "Bear" Bryant was Kentucky's head coach and lost to A&M in 1953.

Back to modern times, Texas A&M is looking to end a six-game losing streak to teams ranked in the AP Top 25. That might be difficult as the Wildcats' offense is powered by Central Ohio native Benny Snell. He currently leads the SEC in rushing yards and is a big reason why Kentucky is 5–0 for the first time since 2007.

SMU at No. 12 UCF
SMU When: 7:00
TV: ESPNU
Series: 7–1 (UCF)
Favorite: UCF (-24.5)  
UCF
REASON TO WATCH
UCF has won 17 consecutive games.

The Storyline
This is only the second time in program history that UCF (4–0) has started a season winning its first four games. Speaking of four, the Knights have won four consecutive games against SMU (2–3). Last year, UCF defeated the Mustangs 31-24. last time these teams played, UCF won 31-24.

SATURDAY'S 4:00 TO 7:00 GAMES
TIME GAME CHANNEL
4:00 ARIZONA STATE at COLORADO PAC-12
4:00 LOUISIANA MONROE at OLE MISS SEC NET
7:00 UCONN at MEMPHIS CBSSN
 
Prime Time Players
 
NEBRASKA at No. 16 WISCONSIN
Nebraska When: 7:30
TV: BTN
Series: 8–4 (Wisconsin)
Favorite: UW (-18)  
Wisconsin
REASON TO WATCH 
The teams are playing for the Freedom Trophy.
Never heard of it? Good, neither have I.

The Storyline
Last week, the Badgers defeated Iowa (28-17) in a game many considered the B1G West championship. Wisconsin (3–1) has defeated Nebraska (0–4) in five consecutive games and has won every contest since the Freedom Trophy was introduced in 2014. The Badgers have won a program best 16 straight regular-season Big Ten games.

On the opposite end, Nebraska has lost a program record 8 straight games and is 1–6 against Wisconsin as a member of the Big Ten. A bar in Iowa is offering free beer to its patrons when Nebraska ends its losing streak. 

No. 6 NOTRE DAME at No. 24 VIRGINIA TECH
Notre Dame When: 7:30
TV: ABC
Series: 1–0 (VT)
Favorite: ND (-6.5)  
Virginia Tech
REASONS TO WATCH 
Notre Dame's first game in Blacksburg.

The Storyline
Two years ago, Virginia Tech traveled to South Bend and defeated Notre Dame 34-31. The Hokies (3–1) are looking to defeat ranked teams in consecutive weeks for the first time since 2009. Notre Dame (5–0) is 8–12 in its last 20 "true" road games and is 1–8 against Top 25 opponents. 

No. 10 WASHINGTON at UCLA
Washington When: 7:30
TV: FOX
Series: 40–31–5 (UCLA)
Favorite: UW (-21)  
UCLA
REASON TO WATCH 
To see if Chip Kelly can get his first
victory as UCLA's head coach.

Storyline
Husky quarterback, Jake Browning, broke the school record for career passing yards last week. Saturday, Washington (4–1) travels to the Rose Bowl to take on UCLA (0–4). Chis Petersen (.816) is ranked second among active coaches in winning percentage. He trails Ohio State's Urban Meyer by 36 points.

Games After Dark
 
UTAH at No. 14 STANFORD
Utah When: 10:30
TV: ESPN
Series: 4–4
Favorite: Stanford (-4.5)  
Stanford
REASON TO WATCH
26K could be ours as this is the second game
in this week's 11W Community Power Parlay.

The Storyline
Utah (2–2) has the best ranked defense in the Pac-12. The unit is going to be tested going up against Stanford (4–1). The Utes have lost consecutive conference games and another loss will seal their fate in the Pac-12 North. Stanford has won 11 straight home games and hopes senior running back Bryce Love returns to his 2017 form.

GAMES AFTER DARK
TIME GAME CHANNEL
9:00 WASHINGTON STATE at OREGON STATE PAC-12
10:30 FRESNO STATE at NEVADA ESPNU
10:30 COLORADO STATE at SAN JOSE STATE CBSSN

A decent docket of games this weekend. Hopefully the Buckeyes can put the Hoosiers to bed early.

ICYMI
The Rundown: Indiana at No. 3 Ohio State
11W Community Power Parlay: Let's All Make Believe

This is a forum post from a site member. It does not represent the views of Eleven Warriors unless otherwise noted.

View 15 Comments