College Football Week 4: The Ultimate TV Viewing Guide
Welcome back you couch potatoes to another week of "The Ultimate TV Viewing Guide" for Week 4 of the college football season.
Last week there were not a lot of marquee matchups between ranked teams. But that did not mean that there was not a lot of great football to be watched on television. Last week viewers were treated to:
The thrilling: Arkansas vs. Georgia, Arizona State vs. Wisconsin, UMass vs. Michigan, Clemson vs. Auburn, and Notre Dame vs. Michigan State.
The upset: Arizona over Iowa
And of course,
The duds: Texas vs. Texas Tech, Wake Forest vs. Stanford, and Nebraska vs. Washington
So where do we stand now heading into the final week of September? For starters there have been no major upsets in the first three weeks of football. The top two teams—Ohio State and Alabama—have both won big against their first two tests ( Miami @ OSU and Penn State @ Bama).
In the first three weeks potential sleepers for the BCS National Title game had their seasons killed with bad losses (Miami, Iowa, Pitt, Virginia Tech). In the first three weeks the non BCS schools that look to be the first non-BCS school to play for a national title still have a chance (TCU, Boise State).
What will happen in this final week of college football in September? Will the top teams of the first quarter of the season be able to finish strong? Will the top players be able to keep their strong play up?
Regardless, you the television viewer have been treated to some great college football television.
So fire up that DVR or TIVO that you may have. Record those season premiers on Thursday of: The Office, 30 Rock, The League, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, or whatever else you or your significant other may watch.
Because starting Thursday through Saturday there is a lot of great college football to watch, click through the slides to find out when and where week four's games can be watched.
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.
Thursday: Sept. 23, 7:30 (EDT): No. 19 Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh, ESPN
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To open the college football viewing week you, the viewer, are treated to "The U" Miami University heading to Pittsburgh. This is an old Big East rivalry with two teams both coming off a bye week that have something to prove.
For the Hurricanes, they are coming off the disappointing loss at Ohio State. In the game, Heisman hopeful Jacory Harris had one of his worst games ever as a Miami Hurricane. He was picked off four times, and only had one passing touchdown.
If it was not for the Hurricane special teams, which accounted for 14 points, the win for Ohio State would have been a lot more than the final score of 36-24.
Jacory needs to have a big game this week in Pittsburgh. Not just to get the Hurricanes back in the hunt for the Atlantic Coast Conference championship, but for his own confidence.
For Pittsburgh, they're coming off a win against Delaware in their home opener. That is fine; every team needs a win against a division I-AA school after losing their season opener on the road.
But what is concerning is that their Heisman hopeful, Dion Lewis, has failed to rush for over 100 yards in a game this year.
Also concerning for the Panthers is that they lost their best defensive player, Greg Romeus for eight weeks due to back surgery.
It has to scare the Pitt fans that they will turn their offense over to first year starter Tino Sunseri to win this game against Miami.
Sportsbook.com has Miami -3 points.
Friday: Sept. 24, 8:00 (EDT): No. 4 TCU at Southern Methodist (SMU), ESPN
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Friday night two teams very close to each other in location face off in Dallas, Texas. TCU and SMU battle in which should be a game that ends with the score board in the high double digits.
For TCU they come in ranked fourth in the nation fresh off of a dominate performance of Baylor. TCU held the Bears offense, which came into the game averaging 30 points per game to only 10.
TCU torched a Bears defense that had only allowed no more than six points by scoring 45.
For Southern Methodist (SMU) they are coached by the offensive minded June Jones. In June's first year, last year, he took a SMU team to their first bowl game in over 10 years. Now he has SMU averaging 30 points per game. However, SMU has been giving up 21 points per game as well.
Sportsbook.com has TCU at -18 points
Saturday: Sept. 25, Noon (EDT): Bowling Green at No. 21 Michigan, ESPN 2
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Let’s start this game preview off by saying, "Has Rich Rod saved his job at Michigan?" Has Michigan finally found the quarterback that can run a Rich Rodriguez style offense?
Last week Michigan was heavily favored over Massachusetts (I-AA). They nearly escaped an embarrassing loss at home against UMass.
Through the first three games of this young season Denard Robison has everyone talking Heisman trophy. He leads the team in passing and rushing and if he could, he would lead the team in receiving as well.
His stats are very impressive, however the Michigan defense fell asleep last week letting UMass score 38 on them at home. This week against Bowling Green, will it be the Denard Robinson show? Or will Michigan's defense allow another close game at home?
Sportsbook.com has Michigan at -25 points.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Saturday: Sept. 25, Noon (EDT): North Carolina State at Georgia Tech, ESPN
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Fresh off of their victory against North Carolina, Georgia Tech this week looks to continue their North Carolina dominance against North Carolina State.
This Tech team started this season as the favorites to win the ACC. Then in week two, Tech went to Kansas and were upset by the Jayhawks.
But last week went on to win a thriller in their conference opener. So what can we make of the Yellow Jackets? Will the preseason top 25 team show up on Saturday? Or will the team that could not throw the ball against Kansas come to play?
For North Carolina State, they come into this game off of a big Thursday night win against defending Big East champion, Cincinnati.
Viewers of this game Saturday afternoon will have to pay attention to NC State's quarterback, Russell Wilson. Last week against Cincy, Wilson threw for 333yards with three touchdowns.
This was not his only 300 yard/ multiple touchdown performance; as week one Wilson threw for 304 yards and four touchdowns.
Sportsbook.com has Georgia Tech -8 1/2 points.
Saturday: Sept. 25, 3:30 (EDT): No. 1 Alabama at No. 10 Arkansas, CBS
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Let me just start by saying, WOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH PIG SUEY!
Love that cheer, absolutely love it.
This week will either make Arkansas' quarterback Ryan Mallett a Heisman trophy finalist, or just another quarterback who has a high NFL draft stock (see: Locker, Jake).
Mallett had his first big South Eastern Conference road game last week at Georgia throwing for 380 yards and three touchdowns.
On the other hand, last week saw the return of last years' Heisman trophy winner Alabama's running back Mark Ingram. In just one half against Duke, Ingram had nine carries for 151 yards and two touchdowns.
Impressive stats indeed, but even more impressive is that Ingram averaged 16.8 yards per carry! Could you imagine if he played for the full game? He would have made up the stats that he missed in his first two games.
To quote former World Wrestling Entertainment announcer Jim Ross, "this game will be a slobberknocker!"
Sportsbook.com has Alabama -7 points
Saturday: Sept. 25, 3:30 (EDT): Eastern Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State, ABC
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Another week for college football and another week for Ohio State fans to watch their Buckeyes cruise to a double digit win against a non BCS team.
This week it's Eastern Michigan's turn to come into the Horseshoe as a sacrificial lamb to THE Ohio State University. Last week Ohio University came to "the Shoe" and was thanked for their trip with a beating of 43-7.
Thanks for coming; I hope you enjoy your free t-shirt on your way out.
Terrell Pryor has put up big numbers this season against these small schools. After three games Pryor has six touchdown passes and just two interceptions.
But in Ohio State's only game, in their non-conference schedule against a BCS team, Pryor only had one throwing touchdown and another one running.
This week it is the last week for Pryor to fine tune his game before the Big Ten portion of their schedule.
Sportsbook.com has Ohio State -44 points.
Saturday: Sept. 25, 3:30 (EDT): UCLA at No. 7 Texas, ABC
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To answer what you are probably thinking with that picture, yes that is Derek F'n Jeter, no; I have no clue why he was on the Texas' sideline.
Last week UCLA stunned the college football world by upsetting Houston. Yes, UCLA has a great defense but to hold a Houston team that came into the game averaging over 50 points on offense to only 10.
They were able to knock two of Houston's quarterbacks out of the game and forced the thrid to be pulled mid way in the third quarter.
They also rushed for over 250 yards on the Houston defense as well.
For Texas they are coming off of a huge emotional win against Texas Tech. This was the first big game for Texas' first year quarterback, Garrett Gilbert. Gilbert in the game was not great. Heck, Gilbert was borderline awful, turning the ball over three times.
But it was the Texas defense that held the Texas Tech offense to just 158 yards passing and -14 yards rushing.
So who wins in this game; Texas' rushing defense or UCLA's rushing offense?
Sportsbook.com has Texas -15 1/2points.
Saturday: Sept. 25, 3:30 (EDT), No. 16 Stanford at Notre Dame, NBC
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The Notre Dame Fighting Irish come into this game against Stanford at 1-2. However, this Notre Dame Football team could easily be a 3-0 team ranked in the Top-25.
Notre Dame has the best first year starting quarterback in Dayne Crist. Crist has done nothing this year but put up big numbers and big drives when his team has needed it. Last week Crist threw for 369 yards with four touchdowns.
This week Dayne faces a Stanford team that has given up on average 13.6 points per game this year. They face a Stanford team that not only has a great defense, but ranks third in points scored with 51.7.
This game will be won through the air. Just who will be the better quarterback on Saturday; Notre Dame's Crist or Stanford's Andrew Luck?
Sportsbook.com has Stanford -4 1/2points.
Saturday: Sept. 25, 3:30 (EDT), Wake Forest at Florida State, ABC
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Florida State this week enters their ACC play. They, much like another ACC team Georgia Tech, have had the roller coaster type season.
It started out great against Samford winning 59-6. Then the season took a turn for the worse when they went to Oklahoma and were embarrassed 47-14.
But when a good BYU team came to Florida State, the Seminoles bounced back with a strong performance winning 34-10.
So which Florida State team opens the ACC season this Saturday at home?
For Wake Forest they come into this game after losing to Stanford 68-24. Wake Forest does not have a passing game, but they can run the ball (283 yards per game average). Wake can steal this game if they can control the clock and establish the run early.
Sportsbook.com has Florida State -18 1/2points.
Saturday: Sept. 25, 6:00 (EDT), No. 8 Oklahoma at Cincinnati, ESPN 2
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Continuing the theme of, "which team will show up?" it is the Oklahoma Sooners. The Sooners have the talent to be a team that will play for the National Title at the end of the year.
They are are a team that has the coaching to lead them to the National Title as well.
But what is it about this team winning games at home against non ranked teams by only single digits?
Week one, against Utah State, Oklahoma wins by seven points, 31-24.
Week two, against No. 17 Florida State, Oklahoma wins by 30 points, 47-17.
Week three, against Air Force, Oklahoma wins by three points, 27-24.
So what is it with this Oklahoma team that wins decisively against ranked team but struggles to hold on against unranked teams?
This week is the first road game for Oklahoma and it is a game for Cincinnati team that can salvage what is currently a horrible season.
Sportsbook.com has Oklahoma -14points.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 7:00 (EDT), Kentucky at No. 9 Florida, ESPN U
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If this Florida team is to get to the SEC championship game and possibly to the National Title game it will not be because of their quarterback play. No, this year's Gators team is carried by their Defense's ability to force turnovers and the running game led by Jeffery Demps.
This week the Gators have Kentucky and another week to fix the offensive woes. Florida has to correct any problems they have between their quarterback (Brantley) and their center.
Because in their next game they play either an Alabama team coming off an upset to either Arkansas or South Carolina. Or it will be an Alabama team looking to roll past Florida on their way back to the National Title.
Sportsbook.com has Florida -14points.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 7:45 (EDT), No. 12 South Carolina at No. 17 Auburn, ESPN
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In what could be the most entertaining game of the week to watch, South Carolina heads on their first road game of the season against an Auburn team coming off an emotional comeback win last week against Clemson.
For South Carolina they have one of the best freshman running backs in college football in Marcus Lattimore. His breakout game came in South Carolina's first SEC game against Georgia; rushing for 182 yards on 37 attempts with two touchdowns.
The Gamecocks now have a player that can take the pressure off of quarterback, Stephen Garcia. Before it was on Garcia to win the game on his own. Now South Carolina has a feared running attack and a defense that ranks in the top 10 in points against with 12.7.
For Auburn as was said above they come into this week off of an emotional win against Clemson. The Auburn offense is a lot like the offense ran in Michigan.
They rely heavily on one player to move the football for them and create scoring opportunities in quarterback Cameron Newton.
It will be entertaining to see the Auburn offense go up against this solid South Carolina defense.
Sportbook.com has Auburn -2points.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 8:00 (EDT), No. 24 Oregon State at No. 3 Boise State, ABC
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The College Game Day television show is at the Boise State Oregon State game this week. Will Lee Corso put the Bronco of Boise State or Beaver of Oregon State on his head?
For Boise they need a big win this week. And not just winning by 10-20 points; no, with the horrible loss by Virginia Tech to James Madision, Boise needs to win this game by 25 or more points.
After this game for Boise State they have no more games against BCS schools. After the Oregon State game, Boise's next game of notation is against Nevada.
For Oregon State this week they can do BCS schools a huge favor by defeating Boise State. Virginia Tech had a chance to put Boise's National Title dreams to an end but gave Boise's quarterback—Kellen Moore—too much time on the clock.
To win, Oregon State has to keep the ball on their side and out of the hands of Moore.
Fun fact about this game, Oregon State's head coach has had the practice field painted blue in preparation of Saturday's game.
Sportsbook.com has Boise State -17 points.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 9:00 (EDT), No. 22 West Virginia at No. 15 LSU, ESPN 2
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The end of the college football television week has the Big East leader, West Virginia heading south to take on SEC leader, LSU.
In fact the year that LSU won their last National Title ('07) it was a loss by West Virginia at home against Pittsburgh that led to LSU playing Ohio State.
The West Virginia Mountaineers are led by first year starter, Geno Smith. Geno is coming off one of his best performances last week against Maryland.
In the game Geno ripped the Maryland defense apart, throwing for four touchdowns.
For more information about the West Virginia quarterback, you can check out this Bleacher Report piece about him: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/466680-west-virginia-football-10-things-you-need-to-know-about-geno-smith
For LSU they're a team that is coming off two conference victories where they have only allowed one touchdown. They're a team that can keep points off the scoreboard against them, but they're a team that has trouble moving the ball through the air.
LSU ranks just five spots from last in division I-A football at 115th overall averaging just 120 yards per game. To have a chance at the upset, West Virginia must stop the LSU rushing attack, which ranks 32nd overall averaging 203 yards per game.
Sportsbook.com has LSU -8 1/2points.
Once again thank you for reading "The Ultimate TV Viewing Guide" for the upcoming week in college football.
Hopefully after reading this; you have gotten a good idea which games you will want to: watch, bet on, have some friends over, or now have an excuse to get out of any relationship responsibilities.
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.
Good day and go University of California (PA) Vulcans Football!
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
