Guys, there is a lot of good to great college football going on this weekend. If you turn your TV on, you’ll probably stumble across a great game between elite teams. I’m so excited for this weekend, I’ve got the lineup ready a few days early. If you haven’t been keeping up, here are five games you need to watch this weekend:
Teams: #17 Iowa (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at #20 Northwestern (5-1, 1-1 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: ABC
The University of Iowa and Northwestern University are meeting in a high-stakes matchup. The winner of this game is in the driver’s seat to play in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. What a time to be alive.
Northwestern is coming off its only loss of the season, an embarrassing 38-0 loss to the University of Michigan at The Big House. There isn’t really anything redeeming Northwestern can take from the demolition it suffered, but the Wildcats didn’t make it to 5-0 by being a bad football team. Through six games, Northwestern is only allowing 12.2 points per game, the eighth best scoring defense in the nation. The Wildcats rushing attack isn’t eye-popping, but 213.7 rushing yards per game, the 26th best rushing offense in the nation, is no joke.
Y’all, if Iowa wins Saturday, it has a good chance to finish the regular season undefeated. Seriously. The Hawkeyes could have tricky games against Indiana University (4-2, 0-2 Big Ten) and the University of Minnesota (4-2, 1-1 Big Ten), but their other three opponents, the University of Maryland (2-4, 0-2 Big Ten), Purdue University (1-5, 0-2 Big Ten) and the University of Nebraska (2-4, 0-2 Big Ten), all have losing records.
This isn’t your usual 11 a.m. Big Ten matchup.
Teams: West Virginia (3-2, 0-2 Big 12) at #2 Baylor (5-0, 2-0 Big 12)
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 11 a.m.
TV: FOX
Two 11 a.m. games made it on my list. I honestly don’t know what’s happening anymore.
These teams will not stop scoring. The over/under for total points in this game was at 78 the last time I looked. That is a lot of points, but I am honestly not even afraid to take the over. If you take both teams’ average point totals, West Virginia’s is 36 and Baylor’s is 64.2, that is a cool 100.2 points. Sign me up.
I foresee Baylor winning comfortably, but I see West Virginia scoring its share of touchdowns. If not, Baylor might score 100 by itself. The Bears have 6’7,” 410-pound tight end LaQuan McGowan scoring touchdowns. Their offense can do anything.
Teams: #10 Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at #9 Texas A&M (5-0, 2-0 SEC)
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: CBS
Oh. My. Goodness. Is this an appetizing game or what?
It looks like Alabama bounced back from its loss to Ole Miss. Since the defeat, the Crimson Tide shutout the University of Louisiana at Monroe, dismantled the University of Georgia and defeated the University of Arkansas. Senior quarterback Jake Coker seems to be settling in. Since the Ole Miss loss, his completion percentage has improved each game. He also has six touchdowns compared to three interceptions in that same time period. Junior running back Derrick Henry is averaging more than 100 yards per game and he has scored at least one touchdown in every single game this season.
Texas A&M is led by sophomore quarterback Kyle Allen, who is impressive thus far. He has thrown for 1,274 yards and 13 touchdowns against just two interceptions. The Aggies haven’t had trouble scoring in the last few seasons. Their defense failed them. This season appears to be changing under former LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis. The Aggies are allowing just 21 points per game which allows their high-powered offense to win them games.
Both teams need a win in a highly competitive SEC West, so this one is definitely worth a watch.
Teams: #7 Michigan State (6-0, 2-0 Big Ten) at #12 Michigan (5-1, 2-0 Big Ten)
Date: Saturday,October 17
Time: 2:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN
The battle for the Paul Bunyan Trophy is a big game once again, thanks to a man who wears $8 dad pants.
Thank you, Jim Harbaugh.
Michigan State University’s win against Oregon looks less impressive every week. The Ducks collapsed since then, and the Spartans are struggling to beat bad teams. Close calls against Purdue University and Rutgers University in consecutive weeks have me questioning Sparty’s credentials. However, Michigan State is undefeated, which means something. Senior quarterback Connor Cook is top draft prospect for a reason, and he’ll need to be at his best for Michigan State to have any chance.
Michigan lost its opening game of the season at Utah, but that loss looks better every week. The Utes keep winning. In fact, Utah might just be the best team in the Pac-12. Michigan won every game since the opening weekend. The Wolverines have the stingiest scoring defense in the nation, allowing just 6.3 points per game. Michigan shut out its last three opponents, which included BYU and Northwestern. I knew Harbaugh would turn it around in Ann Arbor, but I didn’t see it coming this quickly.
The Big Ten’s East Division is a logjam near the top. A win here is vital for both teams as they pursue a chance to play for the Big Ten title.
Teams: #8 Florida (6-0, 4-0 SEC) at #6 LSU (5-0, 3-0 SEC)
Date: Saturday, October 17
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: ESPN
To say I’m excited for this game would be an understatement. The rivalry between LSU and the University of Florida is one of my favorites in all of sports.
LSU’s season is weird to say the least. A canceled game, a player leading the Heisman Trophy race, playing more backup quarterbacks than starters and an away game at Tiger Stadium that turned out to be Steve Spurrier’s last game. And October isn’t even halfway finished.
Despite all the oddities, the Tigers are impressive this year. I’m pretty sure, but not positive, that defenses would have a better chance of stopping a runaway Mack Truck than Leonard Fournette at the moment. Sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris looked the best he has all season during last weekend’s win against South Carolina. LSU’s defense should get a massive boost from the Tiger Stadium crowd this weekend, who will surely act as a 12th man when the Gators offense is on the field.
The Gators are another team that managed to turn it around quickly. Last season was not pretty to watch, but head coach Jim McElwain has the Gators rolling in his first season. Losing freshman quarterback Will Grier to suspension is a huge loss. Grier boosted Gators’ fans confidence after they were forced to watch Jeff Driskel for most of last season. Even without Grier, I expect Florida to stay in the game because the Gators’ defense is good. I don’t know if it’s good enough to hold LSU out forever, though. Florida will have to find a way to manufacture some points if it wants to win at Death Valley.
Jack is a 22-year-old mass communication senior from Ruston, Louisiana. You can reach him on Twitter @Jack_TDR.