Top 10 College Football Must Watch Games

As Week Six falls upon us today, conference races really heat up in the SEC East, SEC West & Big 12. The eyes of the nation will be deep in the heart of Texas, the Ozark Mountains and Rocky Top. There are five very intriguing games this weekend and then a lot of dogs! So let’s take a look at 10 can’t-miss college football games today.

Oklahoma/Texas: The Red River Rivalry takes center stage at the Cotton Bowl with the backdrop being the Texas State Fair. The two teams enter the match-up with unblemished records for the second time in the last seven years, and the high stakes, High Noon showdown will finally bring attention to the Southwest Conference, I mean Big 8, I mean Big 12, I mean Big 12 minus 2 (Colorado & Nebraska), minus 1 (Texas A&M), and add 1 (TCU). Which game were we discussing before conference realignment began?
Prediction: Texas brands OU, 37-31.

Auburn @ Arkansas: Both of these teams are coming off come-from-behind road victories last week. The Auburn defense will be tested through the air, as Petrino’s pass-happy hogs will sound the air raid sirens. The Tigers will counter the aerial assault with a stout ground attack led by sophomore RB Michael Dyer, who touched the ball 42 times last week versus South Carolina.
Prediction: There will be no Pickled Pigs Paws on the menu for these Tigers, Hawgs wild 44-31.

Georgia @ Tennessee: Mark Richt brings his young pups deep in the Appalachian Mountains looking for Volunteers. Will Vince Dooley lead the Fightin’ Dooleys into Neyland Stadium against the silver & black? The last two trips to Rocky Top were Rocky Horror shows for UGA, and a third beat down would unleash the dawgs on Richt & Co. in Athens.
Prediction: Big Orange squeezes UGA, 31-27.

Miami @ Virginia Tech: Who kidnapped the Hokies last week? Will the real Virginia Tech please stand up in Blacksburg? In another lackluster A-She-She conference game, these two teams are trying to avoid an 0-2 conference start. Miami has simply been gashed in the running game by opposing teams, especially the last two games, surrendering 484 rushing yards. Sounds like the storm brewing in Blacksburg might not bring a golden opportunity for the Canes.
Prediction: Neither team can throw, so I like ground turkey, Virginia Tech 30-20.

Ohio State @ Nebraska: Well, with the return of Terrell Pryor, Jim Tressel’s Buckeyes squad ventures into Lincoln with at least a puncher’s chance. Oh wait, Jim Tressel is in the NFL, along with Terrell Pryor. Ironic how neither stayed around to face the music! OSU might have its worst team in years after tattoo gate. Is anyone crying for the Buckeyes? Me either! Fear the children of the corn, Ohio State!
Prediction: Nebraska shucks the Buckeyes back to Columbus, 31-13.

Air Force @ Notre Dame: Notre Dame begins its tour of duty this week with its annual contests with the service academies. Does anyone else think Notre Dame secretly wants inclusion into this Commander-in-Chief’s Cup race, since it’s the only hardware the Irish might bring home at year’s end.
Prediction: Notre Dame shoots down Air Force, 38-31.

Missouri @ Kansas State: The annual border bash to claim owner’s rights to Kansas City BBQ (I made this up…). Missouri brings a high-powered offense into the Little Apple (Manhattan, KS) to face a surprising KSU team. Kansas State is coming off back-to-back nail-biting wins over Miami and Baylor. The scoreboard will get a workout tonight.
Prediction: In a cat fight, Mizzou claws KSU 43-42.

Florida @ LSU: The top-ranked Bayou Bengals welcome an ailing Gators’ team into Death Valley. Florida will start a true freshman, Jeff Driskell, at quarterback for the injured John Brantley. Talk about Tiger Bait! I predict gator on the menu in Baton Rouge.
Prediction: LSU sends the Gators packing, 34-13.

Kentucky @ USC: Well, if you like offense, you might want to watch another game. Coming into the game these two teams have not set the offensive record books on fire. Connor Shaw replaces the erratic Stephen Garcia at quarterback for the Gamecocks, hoping to revive a dormant offense. Potentially without standout DE Melvin Ingram, the Gamecocks will have to look elsewhere for TDs. Paging Mr. Clowney!
Prediction: In a shootout, USC leaves UK feeling blue, 17-13.

Wyoming @ Utah State: If you have not seen Utah State play this year, please take time to watch them. They have a fantastic running back (Turbin) and freshman quarterback (Keeton). Do you remember opening weekend when the Aggies almost beat Auburn? Utah State is 1-3, but the three losses have been by a combined eight points, all on the road. I promise Utah State will keep the game interesting on both sides of the ball.
Prediction: Utah State corrals the Cowboys, 31-27.

My next blog will be posted Monday as I review the USC/Kentucky game and peek ahead to Mississippi State.

Go Gamecocks!