The first half of college football is in the books.  Whether that feeling provides excitement that this season is beginning to take form or deep-seated fear that we can see the end, fret not, The Armchair All Americans have you covered.  Thirteen of our college football writers have come together to provide you with the most extensive weekly college football preview you can find.  This Saturday, we see games with teams needing a win (Ole Miss vs. Texas A&M), teams looking to make a statement (Michigan State vs. Indiana & Ohio State vs. Rutgers), even some (Kansas State vs. Texas)  that are very confused, still try to find an identity.  Check back with us on Sunday as we recap all the action, but for now, allow college football to fill all of your orifices.
Games are listed alphabetically by conference (ACC, Big 10, Big 12, Pac 12, SEC) and alphabetically by home team in each conference.
ACC
#9 Florida State 6-0 (4-0) @ Georgia Tech 2-5 (0-4)
Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Time: October 24, 7:00
Network: ESPN2
Line: Florida State (-6.5)
Credit: fansided.com
WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE RAMBLING WRECK???? Well I’m not sure it is honestly anything more than inconsistency. Georgia Tech looks to be the most overrated ACC team of the 21st century. Whatever the case may be, they still welcome a top 10 team in FSU that has not lost a regular season or conference game since 2012. That is not the best odds, not to mention they have a Heisman contender at running back in Dalvin Cook. Georgia Tech desperately needs a win here to avoid losing 6 straight, then they would have to win out to even make a bowl. As crazy as it may seem I may smell an upset….
Boston College 3-4 (0-4) @ Louisville 2-4 (1-2)
Location: Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, Kentucky
Time: October 24, 12:30 EST
Network: ACC Network
Line: Louisville (-7.5)
Boston College is a measly 5 points from being 5-2 and 2-2 in the conference, but that does not matter here. This game is big for both sides. The loser of this game will have 5 losses and be at the bottom of the food chain for the Atlantic Division. A win for either teams keeps their bowl hopes more alive. This will be a defensive showing and will come down to who can make even a few plays on offense. I like my chances here with Lamar Jackson.
#6 Clemson 6-0 (3-0) @ Miami 4-2 (1-1)
Location: Sun Life Stadium, Coral Gables, Florida
Time: October 24, 12:00 EST
Network: ABC
Line: Clemson (-7)
Credit: tigernet.com
Somehow this will be just Clemson’s second road game of the season. The first resulted in a 3 point win at Louisville but in this one they will face a much better Quarterback and offense. Brad Kaaya leads Miami into another big game. Kaaya is possibly the best QB in the ACC and is the man in Miami. If he can lead this team to a win Saturday they could make a Coastal Division title run, but do not look past potential Heisman candidate DeShaun Watson and the high powered Clemson offense.
Virginia 2-4 (1-1) @ North Carolina 5-1 (2-0)
Location: Kenan Memorial Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Time: October 24, 3:30
Network: Fox Sports South
Line: North Carolina (-18)
Credit: post-gazette.com
With the other two leaders in the Coastal Division in tough road environments, all looks well for UNC. They face a struggling Virginia team who is coming off a win in conference play. Mike London has faced a very tough schedule, especially out of conference and was close to beating Notre Dame. If they could sneak out a win here they are right back in the Coastal race, but the way UNC has been playing lately winning 5 in a row, all odds point in their favor.
#25 Pittsburgh 5-1 (3-0) @ Syracuse 3-3 (1-1)
Location: Carrier Dome, Syracuse, New York
Time: October 24, 12:00 EST
Network: ESPNU
Line: Pittsburgh (-7)
The Pitt Panthers enter this week ranked for the first time, as they check in at #25 in the AP poll. This comes at a surprise for the conference as a whole since reigning ACC Player of The Year James Conner is out for the season. The Panthers have not had their premier player for the entirety of the season and are still tied atop the coastal with Duke and North Carolina. Syracuse has also dealt with a big blow on the offensive side of the ball in Quarterback Terrell Hunt. The season has not been as bright for the Orange but a win Saturday would boost their confidence.
#23 Duke 5-1 (2-0) @ Virginia Tech 3-4 (1-2)
Location: Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Virginia
Time: October 24, 3:30
Network: ESPNU
Line: Virginia Tech (-3)
It was announced earlier this week that Tech’s Senior Quarterback Michael Brewer would start Saturday. Brewer was hurt in the first game of the year due to a shoulder injury against Ohio State. This is big for Virginia Tech since Duke has the best secondary in the ACC, highlighted by safety Jeremy Cash. This is Duke’s first week in the Top 25 and a win here will keep the train rolling towards winning the coastal division.
NC State 4-2 (0-2) @ Wake Forest 3-4 (1-3)
Location: BB&T Field, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Time: October 24, 12:00 EST
Network: Fox Sports South
Line: NC State (-4)
NC State has had a tough start to the ACC season with losses to Virginia Tech and Louisville. Fingers have been pointed in all kinds of directions for the Pack’s struggles. At the end of the day only one number matters and that’s 13, it’s been 13 years since NC State has won at Wake Forest. That is the one thing Wake definitely has on its side. They have played well defensively all season but they will need the offense to step up big time to extend its home winning streak against the Pack.
BIG 10
Wisconsin 5-2 (2-1) @ Illinois 4-2 (1-1)
Location: Champaign, Illinois
Time: 3:30 EST
Network: Big Ten Network
Line: Wisconsin (-6)
The Skinny: Wisconsin looks to keep up with their rivals, as they take on the Illini. We all know what Wisconsin will do in this game: run, run, and oh yeah, run the ball some more. Illinois has played a team very similar to Wisconsin, Iowa, and they took Iowa down to the wire. A somewhat under the radar game, look for a low scoring but competitive game in Illinois this Saturday.
Penn State 5-2 (2-1) @ Maryland 2-4 (0-2)
Credit: post-gazette.com
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
Time: October 24, 3:30 EST
Network: ESPN
Line: Penn State (-6.5)
Penn State sits at 5-2 this season, and both of its losses have come against teams that are currently ranked –– No. 1 Ohio State and No. 22 Temple. Therefore, the Nittany Lions beat the teams they should beat. Maryland has a new coach and is coming off of a bye week. The change of pace for the Terrapins may prove to be what they needed all along.
Indiana 4-3 (0-3) @ Michigan State 7-0 (3-0)
Location: East Lansing, Michigan
Time: 3:30 EST
Network: ABC, ESPN2
Line: Michigan State (-16)
I specifically asked to do the preview for Indiana because I’ve reported on them previously. Indiana (4-3, 0-3) is on their own three game slide after starting off to a quick 4-0 record. The task doesn’t get any easier as they travel to East Lansing to play one of the best teams in the nation (despite what anyone says about how poorly they’re playing, they’re still undefeated and very talented). Fresh off the miracle in Ann Arbor, can Michigan State avoid the upset against the injury plagued Hoosiers?
(In case you hadn’t seen it enough)
Northwestern 5-2 (1-2) @ Nebraska 3-4 (1-2)
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
Credit: wikipedia.com
Time: 12:00 EST
Network: ESPN2
Line: Nebraska (-7)
Northwestern (5-2, 1-2) were the Cinderella’s of College Football for the first 5 weeks of the season. Currently, Pat Fitzgerald and Co. are on a two game losing streak. On the otherhand, Nebraska (3-4, 1-2) come off an impressive win against Minnesota. Mike Riley still trying to prove his worth during his first season at Nebraska. Both teams need this victory in order to get their respective seasons back on track.
#1 Ohio State 7-0 (3-0) @ Rutgers 3-3 (1-2)
Location: High Point Solutions Stadium, Piscataway, NJ
Time: October 24, 8:00 EST
Network: ABC
Line: Ohio State (-21)
The quarterback battle at Ohio State was fun while it lasted, but J.T. Barrett emerged as the rightful starter. He beat Penn State last week with both his legs and his arm. Rutgers won a slugfest against Indiana last week, but the Hoosiers aren’t the Buckeyes. Ohio State is No. 1 for a reason, and with the quarterback situation all figured out, look for Urban Meyer’s team not to waste any time in proving the decision was the correct one.
(Anyway we see Pandemonium in Piscataway Part 2?)
BIG 12
Iowa State (2-4) vs. Baylor (6-0)
Location: McLane Stadium, Waco, TX
Time: October 24, 11 AM CDT
Network: ESPN
Line: Baylor (-37)
These are two teams on opposite ends of the Big 12 spectrum. Baylor looks like the best team in the league seven weeks into the season as their high flying offense has shattered every defense they’ve played this season. Led by Corey Coleman and Seth Russell, the Bears welcome in perennial bottom feeder of the conference Iowa State who is really glad they share a conference with Kansas. The Cyclones gave Baylor’s rival TCU a game for a half before the Frogs pulled away in the second half last week. Iowa State is going to have to hope Coleman misses the team bus is they want a shot in this game.
(Just do yourself a favor and take the Over)
Texas Tech 5-2 (2-2) vs. Oklahoma 5-1 (2-1)
Location: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Time: October 24, 2:30 PM CDT
Network: ESPN2
Line: Oklahoma (-14.5)
After last week’s close win at Kansas, Texas Tech should be more focused this week knowing they barely squeaked out a win and now have to play Oklahoma. For Tech to have a chance to win this week, they are going to have to establish the run game like UT did against OU two weeks ago, but don’t expect to see them only throw the ball 13 times though. For Oklahoma, they just need to keep doing what worked last week against K-State, air it out plenty of times and keep the ball in your playmakers hands but can’t forget that they have a great running back in the backfield.
(It was just cruel what they did to Bill Snyder’s bunch last week)
Kansas (0-6) vs. Oklahoma State (6-0)
Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OK
Credit: bloguin.com
Time: October 24, 2:30 PM CDT
Network: Fox Sports 1
Line: Oklahoma State (-33.5)
This one could get ugly quick. Kansas might be the worst team in the FBS. They have been unwatchably atrocious this season. While Oklahoma State is pretty lucky to be 6-0, they do have a talented offense, led by quarterback Mason Rudolph. The key to the game for the Cowboys would be showing up to the game.
Kansas State 3-3 (0-3) vs. Texas 2-4 (1-2)
Location: Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, TX
Credit: bleacherreport.com
Time: October 24, 11 AM CDT
Network: Fox Sports 1
Line: Texas (-4)
Kansas State is coming off of their 1st shutout since 1991 and the 2nd worst loss under Bill Snyder. The team that played against Oklahoma is not a K-State team you will probably ever see again under Bill Snyder. They are going to come out with a similar intensity and desire that you Texas come out with against Oklahoma in their last game. Texas is going to have to build off of their success in the run game that they had against OU. They will also have to stop the run game, which has been a struggle of theirs this season but looked better against OU.
PAC 12
Washington State 4-2 (2-1) vs. Arizona 5-2 (2-2)
Location: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
Credit: rukkus.com
Time: October 24, 1:00 PM PT
Network: PAC-12 Network
Line: Arizona (-7.5)
Despite some early season struggles, both Washington State and Arizona enter Saturday’s matchup fresh off conference victories that highlighted each team’s respective offensive strengths. Washington State will seek to beat Arizona with a lethal air attack that put up 6 passing touchdowns in last week’s victory against Oregon State. Similarly, Arizona will utilize their powerful running game to wear down a weak WSU defense and control the clock. Whichever defense can hang on the longest could ultimately decide the outcome of this matchup.
Colorado 3-4 (0-3) vs. Oregon State 2-4 (0-3)
Location: Reser Stadium, Corvallis, OR
Time: 7:30 PM PT
Network: PAC-12 Network
Line: Oregon State (-3)
Life is rough at the bottom of the PAC-12. For both Colorado and Oregon State, Saturday’s matchup could be the only chance for either team to grab a PAC-12 victory this season. Colorado is led by quarterback Sefo Liufau, who ranks fifth in the PAC-12 with 1,730 passing yards. Oregon State has had a particularly difficult time stopping opposing offenses, giving up 44 points to Arizona; Colorado could take advantage of this to earn their first PAC-12 victory in over 2 years.
Washington 3-3 (1-2) vs. Stanford 5-1 (4-0)
Location: Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, CA
Credit: gojoebruin.com
Time: October 24, 7:30 PM PT
Network: ESPN
Line: Stanford (-15.5)
The 10th-ranked Stanford Cardinal seek to extend their PAC-12 record to 5-0 this Saturday against an inconsistent Washington team. Despite a rough loss to Northwestern to begin the season, Stanford has been red hot over the past month, averaging 45 points and nearly 500 yards in the last five games. Washington’s starting quarterback was injured in the final minutes of last week’s loss to Oregon; this bodes poorly for an offense that has struggled to score throughout the season. Washington’s defense must play well to slow down the Cardinal’s methodical, possession-oriented offense. If Kevin Hogan and the rest of Stanford’s offense are able to develop a rhythm, this could be a long day for the Huskies.
Cal 5-1 (2-1) vs. UCLA 4-2 (1-2)
Location: Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA
Time: October 22, 6:00 PM PT
Network: ESPN
Line: UCLA (-3.5)
Just one week after a lopsided 56-35 loss to Stanford, the Bruins enter another difficult Thursday night matchup against 20th-ranked Cal. While Stanford beat the Bruins on the ground, the Golden Bears, led by junior quarterback Jared Goff, will seek to unleash an air attack on the Bruins defense. A similar strategy will likely be adopted by UCLA, which has one of the nation’s best freshman QBs in Josh Rosen. If everything goes right, this should be an entertaining, high-scoring game pitting two of the best quarterbacks in the PAC-12 against each other.
(The present versus the future of college football quarterbacks)
USC 3-3 (1-2) vs. Utah 6-0 (3-0)
Location: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA
Time: October 24, 4:30 PM PT
Network: FOX
Line: USC (-3.5)
the Colorado Buffaloes the USC Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on October 18, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
Fresh off of a comeback victory against Arizona State, the 3rd-ranked Utah Utes look to extend their undefeated season against a struggling USC team that has lost two games in a row. Despite the odds given by Vegas, the Trojans are the true underdog in this game. The USC offense will have to play its best to put up points on a dominant Utah defense, while the Trojan defense will have to deal with Utah RB Devontae Booker, a strong, physical runner who has solidified himself as an outside contender for the Heisman at the halfway point of the season. The Trojans will have to produce plenty of big plays to stand a chance of winning this game, while Utah simply needs to keep playing the physical, technical brand of football that has served them well so far this season.
(It’s Utah’s time to prove they are the real deal)
SEC
Tennessee 3-3 (1-2) vs. #8 Alabama 6-1 (3-1)
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium – Tuscaloosa, AL
Time: October 24, 3:30 PM EDT
Network: CBS
Line: Alabama (-15.5)
Alabama absolutely handled Texas A&M last week, proving that they’re still in the national picture despite a loss to an Ole Miss team that looks worse and worse every week. Propelled by three pick-sixes, Alabama let Derrick Henry run wild for over 200 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Tennessee are coming off a bye, but their last game was a very interesting comeback win over Georgia. After a good few close calls, Butch Jones finally won a game that was decided in the 4th quarter, and Tennessee fans everywhere will hope that win was a sign of things to come. Josh Dobbs continues to be almost all of the offense for this team, and will certainly be the focal point of Alabama’s defense. If they can shut him down both passing and rushing, they will win. However, Dobbs is very good at catching the defense off guard, using read options and play-action runs (if that’s even a thing) to find open spaces, so the job of containing him isn’t as straightforward as it may seem.
(Can they finally shake the curse of Mount Cody?)
Auburn 4-2 (1-2) vs Arkansas 2-4 (1-2)
Location: Razorback Stadium – Â Fayetteville, AR
Credit: foxsports.com
Time: October 24, Noon EDT
Network: SEC Network
Line: Arkansas (-5.5)
In a matchup of two of the SEC’s most disappointing teams this year, Saturday’s game in Fayetteville should actually be one of the best games of the weekend. Auburn goes into Arkansas on a two game win streak and with a couple extra days of rest following last Thursday’s game against Kentucky. Sean White has played about as well as one would have predicted for a true freshman but has yet to throw a touchdown pass. And with this Tiger offense going up against an Arkansas defense that is 11th in the country in rush yards allowed, White will have to step up and make plays through air. Brandon Allen and this Razorback offense have been racking up over 430 yards of offense a game, but stalling in the red zone and inconsistent play has led to the doom of this Razorback team. On the season the Razorbacks have been scoring on just 64% of their red zone trips, and with an Auburn team that shown its own struggles on offense, expect a low scoring but physical game in Razorback Stadium Saturday afternoon.
Western Kentucky vs. #5 LSU 6-0 (4-0)
Location: Tiger Stadium – Baton Rouge, LA
Time: October 24, 7:00 PM EDT
Network: ESPNU
Line: LSU (-17)
Do not sleep on the Hilltoppers. I’m not saying that LSU will lose at home to the 6-1 C-USA leaders, but expect a good game. WKU comes into this game the country’s sixth best offense in terms of total yards with a quarterback, Brandon Doughty, who is second in the country is pass yards on the season. The Hilltoppers also have two capable backs that have over 300 yards on the season.  But as we’ve seen over the course of the season, LSU is getting better every week and proving to be one of the top teams in college football. The Heisman favorite Leonard Fournette has yet to be held under 150 yards on the ground in game this season and this Saturday #7 might have 250 yards. WKU has been giving up over 170 yards rushing a game this season and hasn’t even seen a running back in the same stratosphere as Fournette. Expect an LSU victory but don’t be surprised if the gang from Bowling Green puts some mileage on this Tiger defense.
(#CantStopWontStop)
Kentucky 4-2 (2-2) vs. Mississippi State 5-2 (1-2)
Location: Davis Wade Stadium – Starkville, MS
Time: October 24, 7:30 PM EDT
Network: SEC Network
Line: Mississippi State (-11)
Kentucky is a weird animal this year. We’ve seen them jump out to early leads in a couple games this year and proceed to give almost all of it back late, requiring heroics in the last two minutes to save wins. They’re more often than not a first-half team, and rely on their offense to score since their defense hasn’t done a great job of containing the opposition. Mississippi St coasted to a win over LA Tech after a first quarter scare. Dak Prescott showed glimpses of what made him a Heisman candidate last season, throwing for a couple touchdowns and running for another. These two teams are in very similar positions, which is something I didn’t think I would be saying considering last season, but I think the quality is there for State and I would expect Prescott to have a field day against the Kentucky defense.
#15 Texas A&M 5-1 (2-1) vs. #24 Ole Miss 5-2 (2-1)
Location: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, MS
Time: October 24, 7:00 PM EDT
Network: ESPN
Line: Ole Miss (-6)
With both teams coming off big losses last week, this game certainly carries a lot of weight in determining who will be representing the SEC West in Atlanta come December. Two of the most prolific offenses in the SEC will be on display in Oxford this weekend with tremendous talent at the receiver position. Ole Miss’ LaQuan Treadwell and A&M’s Christian Kirk are the SEC’s best wideouts and will help get these offenses going, both of which struggled last week. Ole Miss OT Laremy Tunsil will make his season debut Saturday, and will be tested immediately against an impressive Aggie defensive front headlined by Myles Garrett that has collected 20 sacks on the season. Robert Nkemdiche and Trae Elston are still undergoing concussion protocols and their statuses are still uncertain, which could leave this Rebel defense without two starters going up against an Aggie offense that collects over 450 yards of offense a game.  Expect a high scoring shootout in Oxford this weekend.
(Bo’s gonna Bo)
Missouri 4-3 (0-3) vs. Vanderbilt 2-4 (0-3)
Location: Vanderbilt Stadium – Nashville, TN
Time: October 24, 4:00 PM EDT
Network: SEC Network
Line: Missouri (-2.5)
The Commodores come into this game after a disappointing loss to a frankly reeling South Carolina. QB Johnny McCrary
Credit: cbssports.com
threw three more interceptions, adding to his SEC-high 10. In addition, both McCrary and RB Ralph Webb lost fumbles. This was a game the Dores will be thinking they should have won, and one that Derek Mason really had to win to show this team (and the higher ups) that he’s making some progress. If he loses here, I wouldn’t expect to see him on the sidelines next season, which is why it doesn’t surprise me that Mason may pull the redshirt off of four-star recruit Kyle Shurmur (son of Eagles OC and former Browns HC Pat Shurmur) and name him the starter for the rest of this season. Mason tried this exact tactic last year with Wade Freebeck, and that didn’t go well. Mizzou come in off of what can only be described as an eternally boring 9-6 loss to Georgia and have now failed to score a touchdown in two straight games, falling to 1-3 in conference. New QB Drew Lock has had one good game, but has been wholly disappointing since then. Mizzou seems to not have that big target WR that has saved their QB play in the past, which is the main cause of their offensive stall. Both these teams are not very good this season, and that could lead to a shootout or a snoozefest. But, someone has to win, and it probably comes down to whichever team can hold on to the ball.
Please join us on Sunday as we recap all of the action. Â Man, this week’s gonna be fun.
Lines via Bovada and VegasInsider
Stats via ESPN & Sports ReferenceÂ
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The Armchair All-Americans 