Every game previewed this week will be conference games for TCU, Tulsa, #21 SMU, Boston College, UNT, #4 Miami and Clemson. I’m a huge fan of the underdog because anything can happen on any given day. Keep an eye on the American, ACC and Big 12 conferences. The winners this week will start to take shape in the rankings and conference standings.
Boston College Eagles (2-2, 0-1 ACC) vs #21 SMU Mustangs (3-1, 1-1 ACC)
Saturday – October 3 – 11:00 a.m.
TV: CW
Gerald J. Ford Stadium – Dallas, TX
#21 SMU will need to play lights out! They can’t fall behind to BC at home this week. Boston College is a team that controls the clock when they get a lead. SMU is led by senior quarterback Kevin Jennings who will be the x-factor for the team. He has to play with a sense of urgency instead of his laid-back persona. The Eagles are pretty tough in close games, so SMU will need to come out hot! ESPN has the Mustangs with a 89.6% chance of winning at home. I’m taking the Mustangs by 13! They are the better team right now and will need to prove it Saturday morning.
Final Score
#21 Mustangs – 30
Eagles – 17
#10 BYU Cougars (3-0, 1-0 Big 12) vs TCU Horned Frogs (2-2, 0-1 Big 12)
Saturday – October 3 – 6:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN
Amon G. Carter Stadium – Ft. Worth, TX
Both teams are in the Big 12 conference. This game will do one of two things. The Horned Frogs could beat the Cougars and begin to make a run in the conference or they could fold up and allow the Cougars to take over the conference. TCU really needs this win to find some type of footing and reclaiming who they are in the conference. BYU is a good team that always shows up in the 4th quarter in every game. They can play from behind and control the game clock. ESPN has the Cougars with a 70.5% chance of winning on the road. I’m taking the Horned Frogs with a huge upset. They have the talent to win this one at home. Now they just have to do it!
Final Score
Horned Frogs – 30
#10 Cougars – 24
UNT Mean Green (2-2, 0-0 American) vs Tulsa Golden Hurricane (3-1, 0-0 American)
Thursday – October 1 – 8:00 p.m.
TV: ESPN
H.A. Chapman Stadium – Tulsa, OK
UNT put an absolute beating on HCU last week which sets up an American Conference Thursday night match up on the road in Tulsa. Tulsa’s defense has played stingy in their first 4 games of the season only giving up 8.7 points per game. This game will come down to how well UNT moves the sticks and scores in the red zone. Keep an eye on Tulsa’s quarterback Baylor Hayes. The Mean Green defense can’t allow him to get hot! ESPN has the Mean Green with a 59.1% chance of winning on the road in Tulsa this week. The over/under is 57.5, so take the under. This game will be closer than anyone expects. I’m taking the Mean Green by 3!
Final Score
Mean Green – 24
Golden Hurricane – 21
Game of the Week
#4 Miami Hurricanes (4-0, 2-0 ACC) vs Clemson Tigers (3-1, 2-0 ACC)
Saturday – October 3 – 6:30 p.m.
TV:ABC
Memorial Stadium – Clemson, SC
The ACC has a clash of the titans this week. The Clemson Tigers has owned the ACC for years recently. This season someone thawed out the Miami Hurricanes. The Hurricanes are ranked 4th in the country and beating the Tigers at home will allow them put the conference in a choke hold. Miami has a Heisman hopeful in quarterback Darian Mensah. He will be the x-factor for a win on the road. He’s already passed for 14 touchdowns in 4 games. Clemson will need to corral Mensah and wide out Malachi Toney who has 6 touchdowns receptions this season. The Tigers defense is giving up 20 points per game right now. ESPN has the Hurricanes with a 87.4% chance of winning on the road. I’m taking Miami by 10!
Final Score
#4 Hurricanes – 33
Tigers – 23
* This content is for informational and/or entertainment purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or any other advice.
