College Football Week 3: The Ultimate TV Viewing Guide
Welcome to another week of the "Ultimate College Football TV Viewing Guide." Last week viewers were treated to such great games like:
The upsets of the week: Kansas over Georgia Tech and James Madison over Virginia Tech.
The thrilling: Michigan and Notre Dame.
And of course;
The duds: Florida State vs. Oklahoma, Miami vs. Ohio State, and Penn State vs. Alabama.
What did last week teach or tell us about our favorite teams? What did last week teach or tell us about watching 12 straight hours of television?
Well, for starters, it told us that the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) took a back seat to the Big East as the weakest BCS conference. It told us that the Pac-10 conference is one people should watch out for come National Title time. And it told us that the Southeastern Conference (SEC) still has the teams to beat and the teams to watch.
So with Week 3 coming up, teams will start to move away from playing games outside of their conferences. Now fans of certain schools will start to see if they have a contender or a pretender.
This week even has some games on that could derail National Title dreams.
So click through the slides and see which games to watch starting Thursday night and ending in late Saturday night.
Thursday, Sept. 16, 7:30 (EDT): Cincinnati at North Carolina State, ESPN
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The college football week starts with defending Big East champion—Cincinnati Bearcats—traveling to North Carolina to take on the Wolf Pack of N.C. State. Both teams are coming off wins last week, as Cincinnati had a commanding victory at home against Indiana State and N.C. State beat Central Florida.
The win for Cincinnati was big after dropping its home opener to Fresno State. The Bearcats struggled out of the gate to only a 12-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. Then the wheels came off the wagon for Indiana State, as the Bearcats went on to score 28 unanswered points.
For the Wolf Pack, it was a bit of a struggle against Central Florida. N.C. State had to hold off a late surge from UCF as they scored 14 points in the fourth quarter. N.C. State has a very tough test this week with the Bearcats and their high scoring offense.
If this game is low scoring then expect the Wolf Pack to hold serve at home. But, if this game gets into a shootout, expect the Bearcats to come out on top.
Sportsbook.com has the Wolf Pack at -2 points.
Friday, Sept. 17, 10:30pm (EDT) California at Nevada, ESPN
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If you like points then you will love this game. For starters, each team is 2-0; each team is coming off big wins (Nevada 51 Colorado State 6 and California 52 Colorado 7).
For California, it ranks in the top 50 in rushing (35th) and passing (43rd) and fifth overall in points scored with on average 52.
For Nevada, it ranks in the top 50 in rushing (sixth) and passing (18th) and seventh overall in points scored with on average 50.
However, what is funny about all of these offensive numbers is that both teams rank in the top 10 in points against.
Something has to give in this game.
Sportsbook.com has California at -3 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18, Noon (EDT): No. 12 Arkansas at Georgia, ESPN
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Arkansas starts their SEC conference play on the road against a Georgia team coming off a tough loss in their SEC conference opener.
For the Razorbacks of Arkansas to come out of Athens with a victory, quarterback Ryan Mallett needs to just manage the game. Yes, he has an cannon for an arm and can win any game by himself.
But from what we saw with the Georgia game last week, their offense is not there. Whether it be a freshman quarterback under center, or a very tough South Carolina defense, the Bulldogs just did not get it done.
If Mallett can throw two-three touchdown passes in the first half, then Arkansas will get the victory they need if they want to be a serious threat in the SEC.
Sportsbook.com has Georgia at -2 1/2 points.
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Saturday, Sept. 18, Noon (EDT): Maryland at No. 21 West Virginia, ESPN U
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This week against Maryland it is a bit of a trap game for West Virginia as they open their Big East conference play the following week. West Virginia is coming off a close call against in state rival Marshall as well. As last week West Virginia had to squeak out an overtime victory 27-24.
For Maryland, they had to survive Week 1 against a great running team in Navy. The following week they just steam rolled over Morgan State to the tune of a 62-3 victory. Now with their first road game in Morgantown, WV, this is a true test of if this team is a serious threat in a wide open ACC.
Sportsbook.com has West Virginia at -10 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18. Noon (EDT): Kent State at No. 22 Penn State, ESPN 2
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Can you say James Madison at Virginia Tech? More than likely Penn State will not let a repeat of what we saw last week in Blacksburg; but take this into consideration:
Penn State is coming off a big game loss like Virginia Tech.
Penn State has questions at quarterback like Virginia Tech.
Penn State is coming home to a cream puff opponent like Virginia Tech.
Penn State is expected to rebound in this game like Virginia Tech.
Kent State does rank in the top 50 in passing and did play Boston College tough last week. Can this little school out of the MAC be the upset of the week?
Sportsbook.com has Penn State at -21 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18. Noon (EDT): Georgia Tech at North Carolina, ESPN Gameplan
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ACC conference play begins for these two teams that have had disappointing losses to start their seasons. For North Carolina it was a valiant effort against LSU, coming up just short on the last play of the game. Georgia Tech was upset last week on the road against Kansas.
This week, a majority of the North Carolina players who were suspended for that first game against LSU return. Does this make North Carolina a better team? Or will the haze of controversy surrounding these players throw off any momentum that the team has?
For Georgia Tech, this has to be a rebound week. After a disappointing loss to a Kansas team that only scored three points to North Dakota State the previous week, they gave up 28 points to the Jayhawks. The defense needs to show up in their ACC opener or this season could be lost before the calendar turns to October.
Sportsbook.com does not have a line open for this game.
Saturday, Sept 18. 3:30pm (EDT): No. 8 Nebraska at Washington, ABC
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This Saturday, the Cornhuskers of Nebraska travel to Washington to face a deceptive Washington Huskies team. I say deceptive because just two years ago these Huskies did not win a game. Last year a little momentum was made, winning five games.
This year?
This year the Huskies have one of the best quarterbacks and best overall players in college football in Jake Locker. In his first game against Brigham Young, Locker struggled. However he seemed to find his form last week back at home when Syracuse came to visit. How does Jake fare against the tough Nebraska defense that has only given up just 13.5 points per game?
And if Nebraska is to win this game and continue their perfect season, can this Nebraska offense continue to run the ball with success? This year they rank third overall in college football, with an average of 324.5 yards per game.
Sportsbook.com has Nebraska at -3 1/2 points
Saturday, Sept. 18 3:30pm (EDT): No. 1 Alabama at Duke, ABC
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This week Alabama seems to be getting back their Heisman Trophy running back, Mark Ingram, back from a knee injury that held him out the first two games of the season. His absence did not seem to slow down Alabama's offensive attack, as they aired it out in their first two victories.
But it will be interesting to see if Ingram still has the speed and power in his running game after that knee injury. Playing Duke this week is the perfect opponent before starting their very tough SEC division play.
Sportsbook.com has Alabama at -24 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 3:30pm (EDT): Arizona State at No. 11 Wisconsin, ABC
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This Arizona State team, led by Dennis Erickson, has always had a lot of promise and hype, but never seemed to get over that proverbial "hump" that would lead them to a Pac-10 conference championship. A win this Saturday at Wisconsin would be a great momentum swing before they start conference play next week.
This year, ASU has one of the best passing attacks in college football. The Sun Devils have averaged 352.5 yards, which is good enough to rank them seventh overall. And the Sun Devils can put the points up on the board; in two games they have averaged 47.5 good enough for 11th overall.
However, Wisconsin prides their game on playing Big Ten defense and offense; which means playing an ugly, nasty, stout defensive game that does not give their opponents a lot of yards either through the air or ground and running the ball. Wisconsin has been rushing the ball great this year, averaging 245 yards in their first two games.
For the Sun Devils, they are lucky that this game was scheduled in late September, where the temperature should be in the mid-50s, unlike if they scheduled this game in late November, where the temperature could be in the mid-20s.
Sportsbook.com has Wisconsin at -14 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 3:30pm (EDT): No. 18 USC at Minnesota, ABC
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Another Pac-10 team travels to the Big Ten when USC goes to Minnesota to play the Golden Gophers in their outdoor stadium. Now, hearing that USC will be playing at Minnesota outside would make you think that the boys from Southern California would be at a disadvantage.
But once again, game time temperatures should be in the 50s, making this a "cold" game but not as bad as it could have been.
For USC, does the news of Reggie Bush's Heisman Trophy controversy shadow their play? Or can Lane keep the team on the winning track against Minnesota this week?
For Minnesota, they are coming off an embarrassing home loss to Division I-AA South Dakota. The same thing happened to Kansas the week before, being upset at home by a Division I-AA team. Then a ranked Georgia Tech team came to play them the following week and the Yellow Jackets took them lightly and were upset.
What will happen this week to USC when it makes the trip to Minnesota?
Sportsbook.com has USC at -14 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 3:30pm (EDT): Brigham Young at Florida State, ESPN U
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These two teams, much like Georgia Tech and North Carolina, are coming off losses into this game.
For Florida State, there was much made of how Jimbo Fisher had this team ready to make a run at the ACC championship. The Seminoles went into Oklahoma last week in a much hyped game. Florida State had senior quarterback, Christian Ponder, ready to out shine Oklahoma’s Landry Jones. All seemed well in Florida State before the game.
Then the game started and the 'Noles fell flat on their face losing to Oklahoma 47-17.
For the Cougars at BYU, they survived Week 1 playing Washington. Then in their conference opener against Air Force, the Cougars were embarrassed by Air Force's running game losing 35-14.
Which team will bounce back this week and hopefully get their season back on track?
Sportsbook.com has Florida State at -9 1/2 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 4:30pm (EDT): Baylor at No. 4 TCU, Versus
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If you get Versus on your cable provider, make a point to find this game. Texas Christian University (TCU) won its first game against a BCS opponent in Oregon State 28-21. Now in its second game against a BCS school it hosts Baylor.
This Baylor team has picked up where they left off last year before their leader, Robert Griffin III, went down to a season ending knee injury.
This year the Bears from Baylor have shown their explosiveness on offense, but have shown that they can play some great defense this year. The Bears rank third overall, as in two games they have given up three points in Week 1 and six points in Week 2.
They will need to keep up this great defense, as TCU brings 46 points per game average and a rushing game that has averaged 247 yards.
Sportsbook.com has TCU at -21 1/2 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 7:00pm (EDT): Mississippi State at No. 15 LSU, ESPN U
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This LSU team is an enigma. They have all the talent in the world to make a run at the SEC conference title. Heck, an SEC title could land them in a BCS National Championship game. But they do not seem to blow any teams out.
Against North Carolina, they had a 21 point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Then they allowed North Carolina to get back into the game, and if it was not an incomplete pass on the last play of the game, the Tigers could have gone into overtime and resulted in a loss.
Then last week against Vanderbilt, LSU won, but not in the blow out convincing manner which bestows an elite LSU team.
So what does LSU do this week in their home opener against Miss. St?
Sportsbook.com has LSU at -8 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 7:00pm (EDT): Clemson at No. 16 Auburn, ESPN
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This game features two teams that have talent on paper, and have the chance to be a sleeper pick in their conferences to win and represent them in a BCS bowl game. But for some reason they have not shown that in their first two games.
For Auburn, they are coming off a tough SEC opener against Mississippi State. They won the game, but had to hold on winning 17-14. With this week against Clemson and next week against a hot South Carolina team, does this team still have its "sleeper" title? Or are they destined to drop these games and fall to 2-2.
For Clemson, they come into this game after two powder puff match ups against North Texas and Presbyterian. This game will either expose Clemson as a weak team opening on an even weaker schedule? Or will it show that Clemson is the team that will rise up in the ACC?
Sportsbook.com has Auburn at -7 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 8:00pm (EDT): No. 6 Texas at Texas Tech, ABC
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In a game that, two years ago, saw a Texas team come into Texas Tech with a perfect record and national title hopes and dreams, saw them come crashing down in one play. With the seconds winding down, then Tech quarterback, Graham Harrell, had his pass deflected in the air. With that pass just fluttering down there was then Texas freshman defensive back, Blake Gideon, waiting to intercept it and save the day and season.
What happened next and the following play lives in Texas Longhorns' nightmares.
The pass went threw Gideon's arms like a basketball hoop and fell to the turf. The next play Harrell found then Tech wide receiver, Michael Crabtree, on the sideline. Crabtree leapt to catch the ball. Then with one Texas cornerback on him, Crabtree flung the defender off of him and walked into the end zone.
Ball game.
Season over.
Big 12 Title dreams over.
National Title dreams over.
This is the first time that the Longhorns will make their return to Texas Tech. Will history repeat itself Saturday night?
Sportsbook.com has Texas at -3 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 8:00pm (EDT): Notre Dame at Michigan State, ABC
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In the other prime time game this week, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish travel to East Lansing to face longtime rival Michigan State. Notre Dame is fresh off of a heartbreaking loss at home against Michigan. This week is a true test for the Fighting Irish. Can Dayne Crist keep up his amazing play?
Actually out of all of the first year starters at his position, Dayne has impressed the most. Other teams with first year starters (Florida, Texas, Cincinnati, and Pittsburgh) have struggled to move the ball. Notre Dame has not with Crist under center.
For Michigan State to win this game they have to use their ground game. Last week Michigan tore the Irish up on the ground. This year the Spartans have averaged 261 yards per game good enough to have them 11th overall.
Sportsbook.com has Michigan State at -3 1/2 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 10:30pm (EDT) No. 9 Iowa at No. 24 Arizona, ESPN
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In another game of the Pac-10 vs. the Big Ten the Hawkeyes travel to Arizona to face the Wildcats. If the Hawkeyes are a National Title contender they have to win and win big against Arizona. Iowa comes into this game with a shaky offense led by Ricky Stanzi. He will have to make a few plays and not turn the ball over, like he normally does. Iowa does bring into this game a defense that is only giving up seven points per game.
For Arizona they need to score and they need to score early. They've opened up their season against two soft teams and have run the score up on them. They come into this game with a good passing attack. It will need to be on display at home on Saturday night.
If Arizona can move the ball through the air, this game could get ugly and fast with Arizona winning by two or three touchdowns. But if Iowa makes this a defensive game, then Iowa wins it 10-0.
Sportsbook.com has Iowa at -2 points.
Saturday, Sept. 18 11:30pm (EDT): Wake Forest at No. 19 Stanford, ESPN 2
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And to close out the "Ultimate College Football TV Viewing Guide" has the best team in the Pac-10, Stanford, hosting Wake Forest.
Yes you did read that right; Stanford is the best team coming out of the Pac-10 conference. It has the defense that has given up 8.5 points per game and shut out UCLA in its conference opener. It has the great leadership in quarterback Andrew Luck. And it has the great coaching in Jim Harbaugh.
They will need all of these intangibles this week as this Wake Forest team can put up some points. Last week in their conference opener in the ACC against Duke, Wake Forest won 54-48. In fact in their first game of the season, Wake put up another 54 points.
Sportsbook.com has Stanford at -17 points.
So thanks for reading the "Ultimate College Football TV Viewing Guide" for your week three in college football. I hope that this helped you plan out your Saturday and gave you a little help in knowing something about these teams.
You can always follow me on twitter http://twitter.com/tjmcaloon as you can see my thoughts of the day and any breaking news on Saturday.
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