College Football Week 5: The Ultimate TV Viewing Guide Sept 30th-Oct 2nd
Welcome one and all to another great college football television week. So come on in to see what CBS, ESPN, ABC, and Versus has in store for us, the college football viewer, from Thursday through Saturday night.
But before we can move forward, we have to look back. As last week, just like in previous weeks, there were the three categories of games:
The Thrilling: Alabama at Arkansas, South Carolina at Auburn, and West Virginia at LSU.
The Upset: UCLA at Texas.
And always
The Dud: Miami (FL) at Pittsburgh.
In fact that dud of a game that was Miami at Pittsburgh; almost made a certain featured columnist that does a certain piece that gives you the reader a heads up of what's the best games in the week, question his love for college football.
Deep breath, in, out; okay enough of the terrible, awful, play of the Pittsburgh offense that game is over let's move on.
Here we go, week five of the college football season. This week there is not a lot of college football to watch on television. This week it is not the quantity of games on television but the quality of games. Because holy bleep are there some great games on this week.
Have the friends ready on the phone, have your bookie on the phone, and start thinking of excuses to TIVO or DVR Grey's Anatomy or whatever else the wife or girlfriend will want to watch.
This week will have you glued to the television.
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. 30th, 7:30 PM EDT: Texas A&M at Oklahoma State, ESPN
1 of 12
To open our week of television watching, the Texas A&M Aggies travel to Stillwater, OK. Both the Aggies and Cowboys of Oklahoma State open their Big 12 conference play.
Both teams come in the game with perfect records (3-0) surviving their non-conference play.
Both teams come in the game with potential Heisman trophy candidates from the Big 12 in, Jerrord Johnson (Texas A&M) and Kendall Hunter (Oklahoma State).
For Oklahoma State much was made in the offseason about their offense losing two of their best players in wide receiver Dez Bryant and quarterback Zack Robinson. Both players are gone, and this Oklahoma State passing attack has never looked better. Currently the Cowboys rank second in college football averaging 391.7 yards per game. Their quarterback Brandon Weedon has been on fire so far this year throwing for 975 yards with 11 touchdowns. Oh and his quarterback rating in his first three starts is only 186.33
Texas A&M on the other hand has their own quarterback playing just as good as Weedon. Senior quarterback—Jerrord Johnsonentered the season as the Big 12 offensive player of the year and Big 12 MVP. In three games this year Jerrord has had the numbers to back up the pre season hype.
Thursday night will be his first chance to showcase all of this hype attached to Johnson. Win big here, and Jerrord vaults himself to the top of the Big 12 candidates for the Heisman.
Sportsbook.com has Oklahoma State -3 points.
Friday, Oct. 1st, 7:30 PM EDT: Brigham Young at Utah State, ESPN
2 of 12
To be honest unless you are a fan of either BYU or Utah State, missing this game will not be the end of the world.
Utah State did play Oklahoma tough in Week 1 on the road. But since then they've won one and lost one.
For BYU they came into the season with a chance to spoil the seasons of Utah and TCU. However, BYU after winning the opener against Washington has lost three straight games.
So who wins in this game?
A BYU team that cannot put points on the scoreboard, a BYU team that has averaged only 15 points per game, a BYU team that ranks 116 out of 120 teams in points for?
Or a Utah State team that cannot keep opponents off of the scoreboard, a Utah State team that has surrendered 32 points per game, a Utah State team that ranks 101 out of 120 teams in points against?
Sportsbook.com has BYU -5 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, Noon EDT: No. 16 Miami (FL) at Clemson, ESPN 2
3 of 12
The Miami and Clemson game this week has two teams both opening their ACC season and both coming off two opposite games.
For Miami they enter ACC play coming off a dominate performance on the road in Pittsburgh. There are still concerns about Jacory Harris and his under throwing of receivers. Even with his two touchdowns and 250+ yards throwing against Pittsburgh; Jacory still had two badly thrown balls for interceptions.
This is the last of a brutal three game road trip that started against Ohio State.
For Clemson, they open their ACC play at a respectable 2-1. However, it was the one loss that has the Clemson fan base stinging. Two weeks ago they lost a close three point overtime game against SEC Leader, Auburn.
Clemson features a dynamic running game and a moderate passing attack. It is very cliché to say that the game will be won on turnovers, but, in Miami's only loss to Ohio State it was because of the four interceptions.
Sportsbook.com has Miami -3 points.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Saturday, Oct 2nd, Noon EDT: Northwestern at Minnesota, ESPN
4 of 12
In the other game on ESPN at Noon, a surprising Northwestern team plays a disappointing Minnesota.
Now this game would be better fit to be on ESPN in Minnesota if it was later October or November. Instead of a great atmosphere with snow falling, viewers will see an undefeated Northwestern team that has a good, not great, passing game face a horrible Minnesota team. For Northwestern, they rank 27th overall in passing with 270 yards per game.
Northwestern's defense is just as good as the passing game. The defense has given up just 15.5 points per game and has helped them to victories over Vanderbilt and three other non-BCS teams.
For Minnesota their last game against Northern Illinois was close for the first two and a half quarters. Then Northern Illinois had too much talent on their roster for the Gophers and wound up winning the game 34-23.
Yes for all you gamblers you just read that last sentence right.
Sportsbook.com has Northwestern -5 points.
Saturday, Oct 2nd. 2:30 (PM) EDT: Navy at Air Force, Versus
5 of 12
In the battle for military supremacy, the Navy Midshipmen go against the Air Force Falcons.
Really this will not determine which branch of the United States military is better, but it will cause for one of the branches to have bragging rights for the year.
Air Force is terrible in passing. They are so bad that they are next to last in overall passing ranking 119 out of 120 teams. However, Air Force features a rushing attack that ranks first overall. This Air Force team rushes for over 300 yards in every one of their games.
Navy on the other hand is a lot like Air Force. They are terrible in passing, ranking 114 out of 120. But they can run the ball ranking ninth overall, averaging 272 yards per game.
So for two branches of military that do most of their fighting either in the air or on the seas, it is kind of ironic that this game will be won on the ground.
Sportsbook.com has Air Force -10 points
Saturday, Oct 2nd. 3:30 (PM) EDT: No. 21 Texas vs No. 8 Oklahoma, ABC
6 of 12
It is the Red River Rivalry, it is Texas-Oklahoma, it is the game that is played right in the middle of the Texas state fair. This is the game that has a stadium split right down the middle between two fan basis’s.
However, this game this year is a little tainted by two teams that are not as dominate as years past. This year both Texas and Oklahoma are struggling to establish a running game.
This year it lacks the star power of the last few years. This year it isn't Bradford vs. McCoy to see who the best quarterback in the Big 12 is. This year it is Gilbert vs. Jones to see who can play mistake free.
Texas may have been looking past UCLA last week when they were upset. Texas may have been exposed last week against UCLA for a team that cannot stop the run. And finally, Texas may have been exposed last week against UCLA for a team that cannot run the ball and has a first year quarterback who looks lost out there.
Oklahoma on the other hand has not looked any better. Last week we saw that against unranked teams, Oklahoma won by only single digits. Oklahoma went to Cincinnati; a unranked team, and cruised past the Bearcats. That was until the fourth quarter when Cincy crept back into the game. Oklahoma held on to win but by only three.
In a series that is played on a neutral site that has been dominated by Texas the last two years it is hard to pick against Texas.
Sportsbook.com has Oklahoma -3 1/2 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 3:30 (PM) EDT: No. 11 Wisconsin at No. 24 Michigan S
7 of 12
The play of the year in college football happened two weeks ago, when this Michigan State team pulled off a fake field goal in overtime against Notre Dame to win the game.
In fact that play was such a gutsy call and the game was at such a high level of intensity, that Michigan State's head coach had a mild heart attack.
Now after a game where the Spartans blew out Northern Colorado, Michigan State opens their Big Ten conference play against No. 11 Wisconsin.
Michigan State has to continue their emotional high from two weeks ago; as this is the first game back for Michigan State's coach. Sparty has a running attack that ranks in the top 20 averaging 231 yards while scoring 36 points per game.
Wisconsin on the other hand is a team that is coming into this game after scoring 70 last week. They, like Michigan State, feature a great running game and have had a close game at home when they narrowly defeated Arizona State by one.
Sportsbook.com has Wisconsin -3 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 3:30 (PM) EDT: Tennessee at No. 12 LSU, CBS
8 of 12
Welcome to the game where the over/under could be 10 points. All jokes aside both of these teams have good running games, but awful passing attacks.
If LSU could play the entire game on special teams and defense I think they would choose to do so. The LSU defense is right there with Alabama and Texas (before the UCLA game). And their special teams are one of, if not the best in the country.
Tennessee on the other hand had to steal a game against UAB last week, winning in overtime 32-28. Tennessee has shown glimpses of promise during the season. They took a lead into halftime against number four Oregon, and they were within no more than seven points against Florida.
But then turnovers by their quarterback ruined any hope that Tennessee had of winning.
If Tennessee can keep the ball on their side then this game ends 12-0 LSU with all of the points coming from field goals.
Sportsbook.com has LSU -15 1/2 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 3:30 (PM) EDT: Virginia Tech at No. 23 North Carolin
9 of 12
This is the game where North Carolina State can win and announce to the ACC and to the college football world that they are a real contender for the ACC championship.
NC State looked great last week against defending ACC champion Georgia Tech. They opened the game with a 7-0 lead and never looked back; defeating Georgia Tech 45-28.
NC State was led to this thrashing by their quarterback, Russell Wilson. Wilson had a career day against the Yellow Jackets by throwing for 368 yards and three touchdowns. This was not the first great performance of Wilson's '10 year. As for the year Wilson has thrown for 1112 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Virginia Tech is still a big question mark. The last two weeks they have shown glimpses of why they were ranked in the top 10 before the season started. They struggled in the first half against Eastern Carolina. But since that second half they have been a dominate team. Winning against Eastern Carolina 49-27 and then going on the road to open the ACC shutting out Boston College 19-0.
Sportsbook.com has Virginia Tech -4 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 8:00 (PM) EDT: No. 7 Florida at No. 1 Alabama, CBS
10 of 12
In the SEC Title game rematch, Florida travels to Alabama. The Tide survived a close call against Arkansas last week, where as Florida seemed to get their offense on track against Kentucky.
Much can be written about how great Nick Saban has this Alabama program at, and much can be written about how great Urban Myer has this Florida program at as well. Both of these teams will be ready for anything and everything that these two great coaches will pull.
The question leading into the game on Saturday is this one: Is this the game that makes or breaks Florida's quarterback, John Brantley?
If John Brantley has a great game throwing for 250+ yards and two or more touchdowns, does this make Florida fans finally feel contempt about Brantley in charge?
Or
If John Brantley is eaten alive by the Alabama defense, does this make Florida fans want a change at quarterback?
For the Alabama fans, Mark Ingram looks like the Heisman player that won him the trophy last year. Even after missing two games; his last two performances have put him back into contention for this year's trophy.
Sportsbook.com has Alabama at -8 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 8:00 (PM) EDT: No. 8 Stanford at No. 4 Oregon, ABC
11 of 12
It is amazing that the first week of October has the Pac 10 title game. This Oregon-Stanford match this Saturday in Oregon not only has the ESPN College Game Day cast there, but is the best game to watch on television this week.
For starters, who knows what type of uniform Oregon is going to come with this week? They have about give or take 100 different variations of their uniforms.
Then there is the Stanford program that under Jim Harbaugh is 4-0 for the first time since 1984. This Stanford team is all about defense first then opening up through the air with Andrew Luck. They blew out Notre Dame, in Notre Dame 37-14.
All Oregon has done this year has scored points and shut their opponetts down.
Week one: 72-0 against New Mexico
Week two: 48-13 against Tennessee
Week three: 69-0 against Portland State
Week four: 42-31 against Arizona State
Oregon ranks fourth in rushing yards per game with 316.8, first in points averaged with 57.8 and third in average points against with 11.
This Oregon team is built for speed, so if Stanford is going to pull the upset they need to hit Oregon hard up front for the entire game.
Sportsbook.com has Oregon at -7 points.
Saturday, Oct. 2nd, 8:05 (PM) EDT: No. 22 Penn State at No. 17 Iowa, ABC
12 of 12
And finally, for those who live in Iowa, or Pennsylvania there is the Penn State Iowa game.
When these two teams meet, it is always a great game. For example, two years ago, a heavily favored Penn State team took on an Iowa team led by a young quarterback named Ricky Stanzi. Iowa played strong defense throughout the game and won on a last second field goal.
This year it should be a bit of an easier time winning for Iowa since Penn State is without a strong quarterback. In fact the Penn State passing attack ranks 76th overall only averaging 209 yards per game.
Iowa took a step back in a loss to Arizona two weeks ago, but seemed to find a lacking offense from the Arizona game, last week against Ball State. Against Ball State Stanzi and the Hawkeyes of Iowa put up 45 points.
The one thing that these two teams have in common is that they both have the typical Big Ten defense; as both teams rank in the top 10 in points against.
Sportsbook.com has Iowa at -7 points.
That's it folks, there is your television guide for this up coming week of college football. What games are you most looking forward to watching, betting, or jeopardizing a relationship on because you want to watch the game so bad?
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.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
