So many games made the cut this week that the preview gets its own post.
(7) Alabama at (13) Texas A&M (3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Texas A&M remains undefeated, and drawing Vandy and South Carolina from the East helps the Aggies' chances to win the West. Bama has lost a game to Ole Miss (for the second year in a row), but the Tide faithful will quickly point out that A&M has only played Mississippi State and Arkansas so far. Bama's elite defense--though admittedly weaker in the passing game that A&M favors--wins this one for the Tide.
Line: Alabama by 12
(21) Ole Miss at (17) Memphis (Noon ET, ABC/ESPN2)
The Rebels and the Tigers have similar offensive numbers--they're both tied for 7th at 47 ppg, for instance--but Ole Miss's defense has been stiffer despite playing stronger opponents. However, the stars can align for Memphis to pull off the upset: The Tigers are playing at home. Ole Miss could be caught looking ahead to the following game against Texas A&M. And knocking off an SEC team is a nice resume boost for a Group of Five team. I'd still give Ole Miss the edge, but I think the game will be closer than you think™.
Line: Ole Miss by 1.5
The laws of physics break down within several Planck lengths of Leonard Fournette.
(15) Florida at (6) LSU (7 PM ET, ESPN)
LSU's RB Leonard Fournette already has 1,000 yards rushing this season, without the benefit of playing against McNeese State in the cancelled Week One game. But Florida's defense gives up less than 100 yards per game. It's the age-old contest between an unstoppable force and an immovable object as the best of the SEC East faces off against the best of the SEC West.
LSU's RB Leonard Fournette already has 1,000 yards rushing this season, without the benefit of playing against McNeese State in the cancelled Week One game. But Florida's defense gives up less than 100 yards per game. It's the age-old contest between an unstoppable force and an immovable object as the best of the SEC East faces off against the best of the SEC West.
Line: LSU by 17
(43) Boston College at (3) Clemson (7 PM ET, ESPNU)
Boston College has one of the best defenses in the country. The Eagles have only given up 7.2 ppg (2nd in the country) and only 140 total ypg (1st). But that wasn't enough against Florida State or Duke or in last week's unwatchable 3-0 loss to Wake Forest. The Eagles are 3-3 so far and are sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Don't expect that to change against an undefeated Clemson.
Boston College has one of the best defenses in the country. The Eagles have only given up 7.2 ppg (2nd in the country) and only 140 total ypg (1st). But that wasn't enough against Florida State or Duke or in last week's unwatchable 3-0 loss to Wake Forest. The Eagles are 3-3 so far and are sitting at the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Don't expect that to change against an undefeated Clemson.
Line: Clemson by 12.5
(25) UCLA at (19) Stanford (Thursday 10:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Both UCLA and Stanford are 4-1 and are coming off a bye week. The difference is that UCLA's last game was a surprise 15-point loss to Arizona State, while Stanford's was a 55-17 dismantling of Arizona. As the Cardinal's only loss was in Week One to Northwestern, the big tree stands at the top of the Pac-12 North. The race is still early, but my rhetorical money is on Stanford.
Both UCLA and Stanford are 4-1 and are coming off a bye week. The difference is that UCLA's last game was a surprise 15-point loss to Arizona State, while Stanford's was a 55-17 dismantling of Arizona. As the Cardinal's only loss was in Week One to Northwestern, the big tree stands at the top of the Pac-12 North. The race is still early, but my rhetorical money is on Stanford.
Line: Stanford by 12
(38) West Virginia at (1) Baylor (Noon ET, Fox)
The numbers Baylor's offense is posting are ridiculous. The Bears average 725 ypg and 64.2 ppg, both of which are better than anyone else in the country. Granted, they've played three non-conference cupcakes, Kansas (Big 12's Cupcake!), and Texas Tech so far. But I don't know how you stop this offense. I don't know if LaQuan McGowan can be tackled. And I don't expect West Virginia, who lost their last two against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, to figure it out.
The numbers Baylor's offense is posting are ridiculous. The Bears average 725 ypg and 64.2 ppg, both of which are better than anyone else in the country. Granted, they've played three non-conference cupcakes, Kansas (Big 12's Cupcake!), and Texas Tech so far. But I don't know how you stop this offense. I don't know if LaQuan McGowan can be tackled. And I don't expect West Virginia, who lost their last two against Oklahoma and Oklahoma State, to figure it out.
Line: Baylor by 19
(35) USC at (10) Notre Dame (7:30 PM ET, NBC)
This is not what USC wanted to have leading up to the Notre Dame game. First, the Trojans lost 17-12 to Washington at home. Then, head coach Steve Sarkisian was placed on an indefinite leave of absence on Monday, which became an infinite leave of absence on Tuesday. The Trojans will fly to South Bend this weekend under interim head coach Clay Helton. No coach has led USC against the Irish in two consecutive seasons since Lane Kiffin in 2011-2012. Dynamite Rankings sincerely wishes that Sarkisian turns his personal problems around and less sincerely wishes that USC turns its performance problems around.
This is not what USC wanted to have leading up to the Notre Dame game. First, the Trojans lost 17-12 to Washington at home. Then, head coach Steve Sarkisian was placed on an indefinite leave of absence on Monday, which became an infinite leave of absence on Tuesday. The Trojans will fly to South Bend this weekend under interim head coach Clay Helton. No coach has led USC against the Irish in two consecutive seasons since Lane Kiffin in 2011-2012. Dynamite Rankings sincerely wishes that Sarkisian turns his personal problems around and less sincerely wishes that USC turns its performance problems around.
Line: Notre Dame by 10.5
(23) Iowa at (20) Northwestern (Noon ET, ABC/ESPN2)
The Wildcats may have given up the game-winning touchdown during the opening kickoff of last week's game against Michigan, but Northwestern is still a good team. The Cats remain in the Top Ten defensively, both in terms of points and yards allowed. Unfortunately for Northwestern, they will have to bounce back against an Iowa team that remains undefeated. The winner of this game will be the favorite to win the Big Ten West.
The Wildcats may have given up the game-winning touchdown during the opening kickoff of last week's game against Michigan, but Northwestern is still a good team. The Cats remain in the Top Ten defensively, both in terms of points and yards allowed. Unfortunately for Northwestern, they will have to bounce back against an Iowa team that remains undefeated. The winner of this game will be the favorite to win the Big Ten West.
Line: Northwestern by 17.5
(33) Penn State at (12) Ohio State (8 PM ET, ABC)
The Buckeyes face something approaching a real test as Penn State comes to Columbus. The Nittany Lions have the nation's 11th-best defense in the country statistically, a far cry from the three defenses OSU has played that sit in the Bottom 25. (I can't say they've played four because Hawaii is only the 26th-worst defense in the country.) I still think Brutus finds a way to win on Saturday, especially given the performance of Penn State's offense, but an upset is a tantalizingly real possibility.
The Buckeyes face something approaching a real test as Penn State comes to Columbus. The Nittany Lions have the nation's 11th-best defense in the country statistically, a far cry from the three defenses OSU has played that sit in the Bottom 25. (I can't say they've played four because Hawaii is only the 26th-worst defense in the country.) I still think Brutus finds a way to win on Saturday, especially given the performance of Penn State's offense, but an upset is a tantalizingly real possibility.
Line: Ohio State by 13.5
(28) Oklahoma at (45) Kansas State (3:30 PM ET, ABC)
Which Big Twelve team will bounce back from last week better? Will it be Oklahoma who, for the second time in the last three years, lost what looked like an unlosable edition of the Red River Rivalry? Or will it be Kansas State who has lost two close games against TCU and Oklahoma State? The Math is picking the Wildcats, largely based on their strength of schedule and their ability to stop the run. It's too bad Oklahoma's offense favors the passing game.
Which Big Twelve team will bounce back from last week better? Will it be Oklahoma who, for the second time in the last three years, lost what looked like an unlosable edition of the Red River Rivalry? Or will it be Kansas State who has lost two close games against TCU and Oklahoma State? The Math is picking the Wildcats, largely based on their strength of schedule and their ability to stop the run. It's too bad Oklahoma's offense favors the passing game.
Line: Kansas State by 3
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(26) Michigan State at (2) Michigan (3:30 PM ET, ESPN)
Michigan fans say they're a better team because they've won their games by a combined 139 points compared to MSU's 60. State fans say that their 6-0 record is better than Michigan's 5-1. Wolverines rejoin that Sparty hasn't played anyone of Utah's caliber and that State's strength of schedule depended on a 3-3 Oregon team that got destroyed by the aforementioned Utes. MSU QB Connor Cook says he has a chip on his shoulder because Vegas dares to favor the Wolverines. Michigan fans fire up the Photoshop. The Math sides with Michigan; the Wolverines' defense has been phenomenal, their schedule has been tougher, and the only reason this game isn't higher on the list is because the Math favors Michigan even more strongly than the Vegas oddsmakers. But finally, we get to see the argument settled on the field.
Michigan fans say they're a better team because they've won their games by a combined 139 points compared to MSU's 60. State fans say that their 6-0 record is better than Michigan's 5-1. Wolverines rejoin that Sparty hasn't played anyone of Utah's caliber and that State's strength of schedule depended on a 3-3 Oregon team that got destroyed by the aforementioned Utes. MSU QB Connor Cook says he has a chip on his shoulder because Vegas dares to favor the Wolverines. Michigan fans fire up the Photoshop. The Math sides with Michigan; the Wolverines' defense has been phenomenal, their schedule has been tougher, and the only reason this game isn't higher on the list is because the Math favors Michigan even more strongly than the Vegas oddsmakers. But finally, we get to see the argument settled on the field.
Line: Michigan by 42.5
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