We’re in the heart of conference play in week seven, and this week’s slate of games doesn’t disappoint. Four ranked conference matchups are all good choices to spend your Saturday watching, but there’s a few games you can’t miss.
Here are our picks...
The Top-10 Matchup Everyone Is Talking About:
(7)Florida at (5)LSU
Saturday October 12 @ 8:00 PM EST
Tiger Stadium
TV: ESPN
ESPN Spread: LSU -13
Raise your hand if you thought Florida would be a legitimate SEC title contender this season.
If your hand is raised, you’re either a Florida fan or a college football psychic that needs to go to Vegas and make a fortune betting on games.
Florida heads to Death Valley to take on LSU in one of the SEC’s most anticipated matchups since...last week’s Florida victory over Auburn. Florida has experience playing in and winning big games this season, but so does LSU. LSU went to Austin and knocked off Texas with its explosive offense.
Both teams have stingy defenses. Florida has allowed opponents to score a total of just six touchdowns in six games, and the Gators are third in the nation with 26 sacks. They also lead the country with 12 interceptions. Not to be outdone, LSU’s defense allows just 81 yards per game on the ground, good for eighth in the nation. The Tigers’ red zone defense is also one of the best in the FBS, as the Tigers have only allowed opponents to score six touchdowns in 12 red zone possessions.
As good as the defenses are, the offenses are pretty good as well. LSU’s offense has been running up the score on opponents, and the Tigers lead the nation with 54.6 points per game. If you haven’t been watching the Tigers much, they’re slinging the ball and scoring in a hurry-up offense. Yeah, it’s strange to not see the ground and pound football that usually happens in Baton Rouge, but it’s obviously worked well for LSU.Florida’s offense is talented, and head coach Dan Mullen isn’t afraid to take risks, but the Gators haven’t put up more than 38 points with quarterback Kyle Trask at the helm.
I’ve got the Tigers and that exciting offense in this game, 42-34.
My Favorite Game of the Year:
(6)Oklahoma at (11)Texas
Saturday October 12 @ 12:00 PM EST
Cotton Bowl
TV: FOX
ESPN Spread: Oklahoma -10.5
Disclaimer: I grew up a Texas fan, and my family has three generations of Longhorns. But, I will keep this analysis fair and balanced because I love college football, and this will be one of the best games of the year, no matter who wins.
The Red River Rivalry (or AT&T Red River Showdown, which is the official name, but no one says that) is one of football’s best environments. With the Texas State Fair in the background, Texas and Oklahoma split the historic Cotton Bowl Stadium in half. The hatred between the schools runs deep, and it’s a game worthy of any college football fan’s bucket list.
This game is going to be a shootout, much like it has been in recent years. Oklahoma averages 53.4 points per game, and Texas isn’t far behind, averaging 41.8 points per game.
Oklahoma quarterback Jalen Hurts will experience the Red River Rivalry for the first time, but he’s played against top teams before at Alabama. Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger will make his third start in the game he grew up dreaming of playing in for the Longhorns.
The difference in this game will be turnovers. In last years 48-45 Texas win, Texas didn’t commit a turnover, while Oklahoma lost two fumbles and had an interception. In the rematch in the Big 12 title game, each team turned the ball over once in a 39-27 Oklahoma victory.
It hurts to say this, but I think Oklahoma’s offense just barely edges out Texas’ offense in this game. I’ve got the Sooners 52-48.
The Annual “Is Penn State for Real?” Game:
(10)Penn State at (17)Iowa
Saturday October 12 @ 7:30 PM EST
Kinnick Stadium
TV: ABC
ESPN Spread: Penn State -3
Penn State hasn’t played a ranked opponent yet this season. But, don’t fall in the trap of forgetting about the Nittany Lions with Wisconsin’s surge through the polls and Ohio State’s dominance taking up all of the headlines in the Big 10. Penn State averages 47 points per game, good for fifth in the nation. Quarterback Sean Clifford has thrown for 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions this season. And after Miles Sanders departed for the NFL this offseason, Penn State has developed a balanced rushing attack with running backs Journey Brown and Noah Cain splitting carries with Clifford.
Penn State is a disciplined team, as the Nittany Lions commit an average of just four penalties a game and have committed only six turnovers this year.
Iowa is coming off a tough 10-3 loss to Michigan. The game wasn’t pretty to watch on either side, but it showed how talented the Hawkeyes’ defense is. Iowa allows 8.8 points per game, good for third in the country and one spot behind...you guessed it, Penn State. Safety Geno Stone is a leader in the secondary, and linebackers Kristian Welch and Djimon Colbert are imposing presences in the front seven who have combined for 66 tackles this year.
I think Penn State’s offensive firepower is the difference in this game. I’ll take the Nittany Lions straight up and against the spread, 45-27.
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