Another Football Saturday is upon us, and now that Fall has arrived (at least on the calendar), and October is here, the schedule should grow far more compelling.
Alas, while that may be the case over the next few weeks, today is as breezy as you’re going to see, with very few consequential games, and even fewer worth your attention. Still, let’s see what’s on (in God’s Right and Proper Central Time Zone).
Must See TV
No. 16 @ No. 10 Alabama: I don’t need to tell you why this one is important, but I will say that
the ‘Dores are continuing to pour kerosene on the fire…they even did it again last night:
This is what happens when you let one guy run their mouth and get away with it. The Tide are going to be on the receiving end of smack talk all year too until they prove definitively that ‘Bama is still ‘Bama.
No. 3 Miami @ No. 18 Florida State: This is the first time the ‘Canes have left Coral Gables all year, and objectively the first quality offense they face, with both teams coming off a bye, and there actually being high stakes to this one again. Is Miami the fundamentally sound, defensive-minded crew they’ve appeared to be? Or are they the same ole’ Hurricanes. Can the ‘Noles rebound after a painful road shootout loss to the No. 24 Cavs? The Tide could stand for a good outing by FSU here, but you have questions after seeing how ‘Bama and Virginia were able to carve that secondary up. Norvell in a big game vs. Cristobal in a big road game. Someone has to win it…that’s actually a rule in college football.
Big, Dumb Fun Football
Mississippi State @ No. 6 Texas A&M: The Aggies finally face a fully-functional offense, and bring their own retooled firepower into this one. A&M’s lines should be able to control the trenches, but can their secondary stand the stress test? Can Reed keep up in the passing game should the rushing attack falter? This seems like one of those games where the favored home team could be overlooking a very dangerous crew — ask Arizona State or Tennessee about CLANGA.
Army @ UAB: UAB can’t stop your six-year-old nephew from running at the pool, much less a college team, much less a triple option attack. But, that’s just as well. Army can’t stop a forward pass to save their life…and UAB’s aerial assault is very good. This could be our most fun shootout of the day.
No. 24 Virginia @ Louisville: The ‘Cards figured to be in the mix for the ACC crown, despite reloading their dangerous passing game. But few people expected the Hoos to finally round into form with a Top 10 offense, and into one of the most dangerous teams on Tobacco Road. UL looks to have the slight nod in passing, but the Cavs have the superior running game. Both teams are very well balanced though, and can pile on points in a hurry. Odd to say, but this is two fun ACC games in one day.
Keep An Eye On:
No. 8 Texas @ Florida: How is a 3-1 team on the road facing a 1-3 team important? Pretty easy, actually. The Gators have problems, but none of them are defensive, and they’ve faced a helluva meatgrinder already. The ‘Horns haven’t played anyone in a month, and their offense still doesn’t look very good. The defense is superb though, so they can always fall back on that. In this mid-off between Arch and Lagway, who can run the ball better may actually be the deciding factor. It would be genuinely hilarious to see Texas lose this game.
No. 14 Iowa State @ Cincinnati: Don’t look now, but Satterfield’s Bearcats have built a filthy little passing attack, and to date, the ‘Clones have yet to face a serious one, much less on the road. UC also has their customary defense. Can the ISU passing game keep up here? Can their perhaps-overrated pass rush get some pressure? It figures to be razor-thin and improbably matters a whole bunch in the B12.
Unwatchable Filth
Clemson @ North Carolina: There few more detestable men out than likes Dabo and Belichik. Albeit very few. But when you put them on the same field, and throw in their ACC bottom-three offenses? This isn’t watchable by anyone of good taste, decent morality, or an epicurean palate. This much ineptitude should be sanctioned by the UN.
Still, do you know what is fun?
Just say aloud: “North Carolina is one of the worst teams in the country, and still has a better record than Clemson.” LOL. I literally laughed typing it. Unfortunately, that is the beginning and end of whatever joy can be found in this most #GoACC of matchups.
Special shout out to Wisconsin @ Michigan, as well. What makes this one so bad, you wonder. Think to yourself: When was the exciting Wisconsin game you remember? I bet it’s been at least a decade. I genuinely think the last great one I saw was in 2004. Maybe a B1GCG like a decade ago? And yet, this one figures to be even worse: A freshman QB vs the Badgers Voltron of Suck, Justice Haynes diving at the line of scrimmage three yards at a time until he rips off a 70-yarder to tidy up the stat sheet, set in front of 109,000 deathly-quiet Michigan fans in their fishbowl mausoleum? Nah, miss me with that, fam. Quaaludes aren’t this effective.
Alright, we’ll be back this afternoon. Here’s your daily thread; feel free to drop any foosball musings you may have.
What game are you interested in? What are you on the look out for today?
Roll Tide.
