We’re entering the final round of non-conference games, except if you’re an SEC team then you get a random cupcake game in November. Anyways, it’s the last chance for a direct comparison between conferences. The chance to determine if a conference has staying power to boost up a single loss team into the upper echelon and secure a last second playoff spot.
App State – Marshall
I’m writing this a little late. Appalachian State already beat Marshall, but it was a great comeback by the Mountaineers and knocked C-USA out of any major bowl hope. Marshall should win the conference, but needed this win to get a chance at the Group of 5 bowl bid. I was split between this and the boring NFL game, glad I tuned in and saw an impressive comeback in Boone.
Liberty – Syracuse
This is an under the radar game for an under the radar team. Last year this win helped propel the Flames into the national spotlight on their way to taking 2 of 3 games from ACC foes. This year the Flames returned a lot of their players from last season and are still getting disrespected. The game is on Friday, going against a rather dull slate of Friday night games, so you might as well tune in to see if any of that 2020 magic is left in the tank.
Notre Dame – Wisconsin
I’m not a fan of neutral site games in college football, but if there’s going to be one I’m alright with it taking place at Soldier Field. It’s hard to say who will have the home field advantage, Chicago is a Notre Dame town. But the short drive for Wisconsin fans to make the trip should balance it out, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the stands had more red than green or navy in it. It’s a Top 25 matchup, but bot teams got off to a rough start in their first game. Notre Dame squeaking out a win and Wisconsin falling to Penn State. So this game will be a good test to see who’s for real and who’s living off their name (it’s Notre Dame). I might have a Big Ten bias, but this one should go to Wisconsin – getting their only big win of the season.
LSU – Miss State
Sure LSU is having a down year. Sure Mississippi State hasn’t been good since Dak was there. But this is still a solid SEC matchup, it should be a down and dirty game. Not in the ground and pound old school game, just not a high level game we’ve been accustomed to from LSU in the past. I see this being an upset and Miss State leaves Coach O fighting for his job the rest of the season.
SMU – TCU
The battle for DFW won’t excite many. But this is a key game in determining who gets the nod if a one-loss Oklahoma goes up against an undefeated Cincinnati for the final playoff spot. If SMU pulls the upset it will help the profile for the American and might be enough to boost Cincinnati later in the season. Enough about the teams not playing though, neither team has really faced any quality competition. This game is a toss-up. So let’s go for the small conference to get the upset in unfriendly confines.
Texas A&M – Arkansas
Neutral site games are stupid. Neutral site games in domes are even worse. Sure they could have the roof open at Jerry World but you won’t notice it on the field – that giant screen in the middle of the field acts as a roof on its own. This game needs to be played on campus. The crowd will have a distinct A&M favor, and they’ll need it. Arkansas is just the better team though and should be able to get the win.
Clemson – NC State
I have no faith in Clemson this year. This is a must watch because NC State overachieves in big games and it might hand the Tigers their second loss of the season and end their playoff hopes in the first month of the season. I don’t think it will happen, but it’ll be much closer than expected and worth the watch if it does. Take the points for NC State, but expect a Clemson win.
Iowa State – Baylor
Baylor is still garbage, but this is about as inconvenient of a road game as you can get for Iowa State. You can either make the 12 and a half hour drive on I-35 from Ames or you can try your luck at a flight. Either way it’s not convenient and should be a very pro-Baylor crowd. Iowa State should win this but it might be closer than they’re comfortable with. Of the must-see games, this might be the most missable one.
Nebraska – Michigan State
Let’s see if Michigan State is for real. Nebraska showed that their Week 0 loss to Illinois should have been a fluke. They held serve in a loss to Oklahoma, so they’re showing they’ll be a tough win for any team. Michigan State is hoping their back and Ohio State not looking great early might give them a chance at the Big Ten East. But in the end I think those hopes get killed this weekend. Nebraska hits the road and saves Scott Frost’s job for another week.
Kansas State – Oklahoma State
Don’t look now but Kansas State is a top 25 team. They’ve got a championship coach, at least from the FCS level. They get this win and they’ll make the Big 12 watchable this season. They’ll get this win. There’s not much competition for the late night Saturday game so this is probably your best bet to check out.
Conference games really get going next weekend and there should be much better games to check out. But for now, make sure you enjoy your college football weekend and at least take a peek at these 10 games… well the 9 that remain.