Month: October 2021

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 7-0 (5-0) Next Game: Florida (Jacksonville)
2.Cincinnati 7-0 (3-0) Next Game: at.Tulane
3.Alabama 7-1 (4-1) Next Game: Off
4.Oklahoma 8-0 (5-0) Next Game: Texas Tech
5.Ohio State 6-1 (4-0) Next Game: 20.Penn State
6.Michigan 7-0 (4-0) Next Game: at.8.Michigan State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
9.Iowa at. Wisconsin (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
Wisconsin has a lot of momentum following a win over then number 25.Purdue. But Iowa should add another win to continue their one loss season, keeping themselves in the CFP conversation. Projected Score: Iowa 20, Wisconsin 16

6.Michigan at. 8.Michigan State (12 PM ET, FOX)
Who would’ve guessed that at the beginning of the season both squads from Michigan would be unbeaten entering their battle? I definitely wouldn’t have. The battle between Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker and the Spartan offensive line versus the Michigan defensive line led by Aidan Hutchinson will be the battle to watch. Projected Score: Michigan State 26, Michigan 23

1.Georgia vs. Florida (Jacksonville) (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
This one should be an easy Georgia win, but you never know what will happen at the World’s Largest Cocktail Party. Projected Score: Georgia 28, Florida 17

20.Penn State at. 5.Ohio State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
With Ohio State playing the best football it has all season and Penn State coming off a loss to Illinois in the longest game in college football history, one could easily guess who has more momentum going into this game. The way Ohio State QB CJ Stroud is playing is phenomenal and the OSU defense has been playing more inspired football of late. Unfortunately for Penn State I see Ohio State handling this game fairly easily and knocking the Nittany Lions two games out of the Big Ten East race. Projected Score: Ohio State 45, Penn State 27

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 7-0 (5-0) Next Game: Off
2.Cincinnati 6-0 (2-0) Next Game: at.Navy
3.Oklahoma 7-0 (4-0) Next Game: at.Kansas
4.Alabama 6-1 (3-1) Next Game: Tennessee
5.Ohio State 6-1 (4-0) Next Game: at.Indiana
6.Iowa 6-1 (3-1) Next Game: Off

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
Tennessee at. 4.Alabama (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
USC at. 14.Notre Dame (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, NBC)
5.Ohio State at. Indiana (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)

AP Top 6
1.Georgia 6-0 (4-0) Next Game: 11.Kentucky
2.Iowa 6-0 (3-0) Next Game: Purdue
3.Cincinnati 6-0 (3-0) Next Game: Central Florida
4.Oklahoma 5-0 (2-0) Next Game: TCU
5.Alabama 5-1 (2-1) Next Game: at.Mississippi State
6.Ohio State 5-1 (3-0) Next Game: Off

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)

10.Michigan State at. Indiana (12 PM ET, FS1)
Can Michigan State continue its undefeated season? I think so. Projected Score: Michigan State 35, Indiana 24

12.Oklahoma State at. 25.Texas (12 PM ET, FOX)
After a gut-wrenching loss to Oklahoma, Texas has to win out to even be in the picture in the Big 12. Oklahoma State just has to keep on winning, and they too, will get a shot against the Sooners. Projected Score: Oklahoma State 42, Texas 31

Auburn at. 17.Arkansas (Saturday, 12 PM ET, CBS)
With both Arkansas and Auburn coming off of losses, this game should be interesting. Considering also the fact that Arkansas absolutely got a win taken away from them on the plains last year, expect a fired up Razorback football team, returning home for the first time in three Saturdays. Despite the loss, Arkansas QB KJ Jefferson accounted for 6 touchdowns in his return to his home state of Mississippi. Auburn QB Bo Nix has also become more consistent. The battle of this game is going to be which defense can stop the opposing team’s running game. Auburn’s Tank Bigsby and Arkansas’ plethora of backs (Trelon Smith, Rocket Sanders, Dominique Johnson, and AJ Green) will run all over the opposing defenses. It should be a fun one in Fayetteville. Projected Score: Arkansas 38, Auburn 24

11.Kentucky at. 1.Georgia (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
ESPN’s College GameDay will head to Athens for a second time in three weeks for yet another undefeated battle between the home Georgia Bulldogs and the upstart Kentucky Wildcats. While it is no surprise Georgia is number one in the country after Alabama’s loss, it is unsurprising how little the Tide fell. Kentucky’s new pass offense is finally clicking as they hope to give Georgia at least a fight. Projected Score: Georgia 42, Kentucky 9

5.Alabama at. Mississippi State (Saturday, 7 PM ET, ESPN)
Of course, everyone knows that Alabama lost its first match up against an unranked team for the first time in 101 tries against Texas A&M last Saturday, 41-38. That Texas A&M team handled Alabama fairly well. They looked like it did not know what it was doing most of the time in conference losses to both Arkansas and Mississippi State. Of course, the Tide head to Stark Vegas, still in control of their path to Atlanta and the SEC Championship. All Nick Saban’s squad has to do is win, and I expect them to do it, coming off of a game where they did not play all that well. Projected Score: Alabama 38, Mississippi State 20

13.Ole Miss at. Tennessee (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, SECN)
After Ole Miss QB Matt Corral’s career day a week ago against Arkansas, a trip to Knoxville comes next. Tennessee’s offense is also hitting its stride. But, the offensive showing Ole Miss and Arkansas put up a week ago shows that it will be tough for the Volunteers to keep up. Projected Score: Ole Miss 49, Tennessee 38

TCU at. 4.Oklahoma (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
With Caleb Williams taking over at QB, Oklahoma should be fine against a talented TCU team, led by running back Zach Evans. Projected Score: Oklahoma 45, TCU 35

AP Top 6
1.Alabama 5-0 (2-0) Next Game: at.Texas A&M
2.Georgia 5-0 (3-0) Next Game: at.Auburn
3.Iowa 5-0 (2-0) Next Game: 4.Penn State
4.Penn State 5-0 (2-0) Next Game: at.3.Iowa
5.Cincinnati 5-0 (2-0) Next Game: Temple
6.Oklahoma 4-0 (1-0) Next Game: vs.21.Texas (Dallas)

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
6.Oklahoma vs. 21.Texas (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ABC)
ESPN’s College GameDay heads to the Cotton Bowl and the Texas State Fair yet again for Oklahoma-Texas. With both schools not being as good as they hoped for up to this point in the year, and the fact that they will both head to the SEC at the latest in 2025, this will be a great measuring stick game for both programs. Projected Score: Texas 28, Oklahoma 24

13.Arkansas at. 17.Ole Miss (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
Following highly anticipated games that turned out to be blow outs of both Arkansas and Ole Miss, both teams will have a lot of will to get back out on the field and move into the number two spot in the SEC West. Arkansas struggled mightily against easily the best defense we have seen in a long time in Georgia, and the same things happened for Ole Miss’ high-powered offense against Alabama. Nothing. Two of the most talented QBs battle in this game as KJ Jefferson (Arkansas) and Matt Corral (Ole Miss) duel. But, if the Arkansas defense can rattle Corral and do anything close to what they did a year ago (forcing seven Rebel turnovers including six Corral interceptions), Arkansas should win the game. But, Corral and the Rebels will definitely have it on their minds. Projected Score: Ole Miss 35, Arkansas 24

2.Georgia at. 18.Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Georgia is dominant and it will be tough for Auburn to stick around. Projected Score: Georgia 45, Auburn 10

4.Penn State at. 3.Iowa (Saturday, 4 PM ET, FOX)
The biggest showdown in the Big Ten that does not include Ohio State in the College Football Playoff era, pits Big Ten leading teams Penn State against Iowa. Both teams use their stingy defenses to give their offenses good field position. Look out for Penn State receiver Jahan Dotson to have a huge game. Projected Score: Penn State 34, Iowa 27

1.Alabama at. Texas A&M (Saturday, 8 PM ET, CBS)
Unsurprisingly, Alabama is in CBS’ annual “moved from 3:30 to 8 game”. But, with how Texas A&M has struggled without starting QB Haynes King, it is hard to understand why Brad Nessler and Gary Danielson are calling this one. The only way I can see Texas A&M having any success is with the ground game, running star back Isaiah Spiller. But, maybe former Nick Saban assistant Texas A&M head coach Jimbo can pull something together and surprise the college football world. Projected Score: Alabama 42, Texas A&M 17

AP Top 6
1.Alabama 4-0 (1-0) Next Game: 12.Ole Miss
2.Georgia 4-0 (2-0) Next Game: 8.Arkansas
3.Oregon 4-0 (1-0) Next Game: at.Stanford
4.Penn State 4-0 (1-0) Next Game: Indiana
5.Iowa 4-0 (1-0) Next Game: at.Maryland
6.Oklahoma 4-0 (1-0) Next Game: at.Kansas State

Key games this weekend (Rankings based off of AP Poll)
5.Iowa at. Maryland (Friday, 8 PM ET, FS1)
Iowa needs to continue winning games to prove that they are a for real team and can make the College Football Playoff. Maryland, also undefeated could use a win over the Hawkeyes to propel themselves into the top 25 conversation. Projected Score: Maryland 24, Iowa 21

14.Michigan at. Wisconsin (Saturday, 12 PM ET, FOX)
Wisconsin fell out of the top 25 following a loss to Notre Dame 41-13. Michigan, however, remains steady at 4-0, following a win over Rutgers. This should be a tough test for both squads as they continue through their Big Ten slates. Projected Score: Wisconsin 27, Michigan 23

8.Arkansas at. 2.Georgia (Saturday, 12 PM ET, ESPN)
ESPN’s College GameDay is headed to Athens for a top ten duel between the Kirby Smart’s tenacious Georgia Bulldogs and Sam Pittman’s upstart Arkansas Razorbacks. Georgia has beaten Clemson and three other teams that they easily destroyed like UAB, South Carolina, andVanderbilt. Arkansas swept the state of Texas, beating Rice, then 15th ranked Texas, and then seventh ranked Texas A&M as well as a dominant win over Georgia Southern. This will easily be Arkansas’ toughest game to date, facing off against an offense, led by QB JT Daniels that can score in a hurry and a defense better than any other in the country, thus not many will give Arkansas a shot to win this game. But, on the flip side, Georgia’s offense has not seen many like the Arkansas defense. Barry Odom’s bunch flies to the football, and only allows about one huge run per game. It will be interesting to see what happens as Arkansas faces its true first test. Projected Score: Georgia 30, Arkansas 20

7.Cincinnati at. 9.Notre Dame (Saturday, 2:30 PM ET, NBC)
Notre Dame clobbered Wisconsin 41-13 and will have to face a hard-nosed Cincinnati team this week. Marcus Freeman, the defensive coordinator for Notre Dame, was the defensive coordinator the last several years for Cincinnati, so things will be interesting. Cincinnati’s Desmond Ridder continues to impress at QB and will have to continue it as they head to South Bend. Projected Score: Notre Dame 31, Cincinnati 24

12.Ole Miss at. 1.Alabama (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET, CBS)
Alabama, following a tough win over Florida, destroyed Southern Miss 63-14 last Saturday night. One might say that when Ole Miss QB Matt Corrall and the Rebels (48 points versus the Tide a year ago) come into Tuscaloosa on Saturday afternoon that it will be the Tide’s toughest test to date. The Ole Miss defense looks improved from last year, especially considering they gave up 63 points to the Tide offense last year, and have been more multiple on that side of the ball. The key to the game, as this will be a shootout, will be which defense can force a turnover or multiple turnovers. Projected Score: Alabama 59, Ole Miss 49

10.Florida at. Kentucky (Saturday, 6 PM ET, ESPN)
Florida heads to Lexington at 4-0. Kentucky, despite boasting an undefeated record as well, has not looked as successful with single digit wins against both Chattanooga and South Carolina. Florida should control this game and come out with a win. Projected Score: Florida 28, Kentucky 10

Indiana at. 4.Penn State (Saturday, 7:30 PM ET, ABC)
Tom Allen’s team has not had the best follow-up, at least up to last season’s success. The Hoosiers head to Happy Valley for another test against a top four Penn State team with that is talented on all three sides of the ball. Penn State should get another quality win when Indiana comes in on Saturday night. Projected Score: Penn State 35, Indiana 24