With the release of the first BCS rankings last weekend, all the arguing and complaining about who should be where has officially begun.
Last week saw five top 10 teams lose, including then No. 3 Clemson’s 51-14 thrashing at the hand’s of then No. 5 Florida State.
While last weekend was one that very few will forget because of all the upsets, this weekend won’t provide as much entertainment. But there are still a few intriguing games to watch and check out.
How to spend your perfect Saturday…
There isn’t much going on in the morning slot so use that time wisely because the rest of the day has at least one very good game at each time slot. Take the morning time to catch up on some sleep, head to Costco to get ready for the exciting day ahead or get some homework done. Let’s be honest, if all goes well for your team and with Halloween parties starting Saturday night, Sunday has the look of a “recovery” day, so it’s best to get midterm stuff finalized Saturday morning rather than Sunday while sick.
MORNING: 9 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. slot
Wake Forest @ No. 7 Miami (9 a.m., ESPN U): The Hurricanes are looking to keep their perfect record alive and maintain momentum leading up to their next matchup against No. 2 Florida State next weekend. It’s a perfect trap game for Miami with Wake Forest coming into town. The Demon Deacons are not considered elite in the ACC but do boast a 2-2 conference record and a two-game winning streak.
Prediction: Miami 38, Wake Forest 17
AFTERNOON: 12 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. slot
Tennessee @ No. 1 Alabama (12:30 p.m., CBS): Alabama, winners of consecutive BCS National Championships, continue their road to the title game by taking on a much-improved Tennessee squad. Tennessee is coming off games where they pushed then No. 6 Georgia to three overtimes two weeks ago and beat then No. 11 South Carolina last week. The score of this game will be a good measuring stick for the Alabama-Oregon debate because the Ducks beat Tennessee 59-14 in week two.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Tennessee 13
No. 10 Texas Tech @ No. 15 Oklahoma (12:30 p.m., FOX): The Red Raiders have returned to the top 10 for the first time in five years and will be looking to prove they’re the front runner in the Big 12 with a win in Norman, Okla. A loss by the Sooners knocks them out of the Big 12 Championship race while a win puts them right back in the thick of it.
Prediction: Oklahoma 41, Texas Tech 37
EARLY EVENING: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. slot
No. 12 UCLA @ No. 2 Oregon (4 p.m., ESPN): The game of the week features a Pac-12 battle that has the potential to be a rematch five weeks later in the Pac-12 championship game. It’s supposed to be the first time Oregon will be tested all year (I know, we’ve said that before) while UCLA is coming off their first loss of the year last week at Stanford. It’s a chance for Marcus Mariota to stake his claim to the Heisman trophy and for UCLA to show the Pac-12 and the country that they’re a national title threat.
Prediction: Oregon 48, UCLA 27
No. 21 South Carolina @ No. 5 Missouri (4 p.m., ESPN 2): Missouri has proven to be the front-runner from the SEC East to play Alabama in the SEC Championship game. The Tigers already own victories over Florida and Georgia, so a win over South Carolina all but clinches their trip to Atlanta. A victory by the Gamecocks keeps their hopes alive for the SEC Championship game. It’s going to take a big game by Jadeveon Clowney to stop Missouri’s potent offense.
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Missouri 24
EVENING: 7 p.m. – 8 p.m. slot
No. 6 Stanford @ No. 25 Oregon State (7:30 p.m., ESPN): The Cardinal got back to their winning ways with last week’s 24-10 victory over UCLA while Oregon State continued climbing with its sixth straight victory. The Beavers are led by darkhorse Heisman candidate Sean Mannion (2,992 passing yards, 29 touchdowns) and their high scoring offense. A loss by Stanford all but knocks them out of the Pac-12 North race while a win by Oregon State sets up a big showdown with Oregon at the end of the year.
Prediction: Stanford 24, Oregon State 23