A look at this week's list of games reveals one of the ugly truths of early season college football: there are way too many games involving Division 1-AA teams. There are some juicy matchups out there, but they're like finding Rolex watches in a scrap heap. Most of what we see are top programs taking a week off, or suffering the embarrassment of being felled by a dull knife.
The reason this phenomenon is a problem is not just due to the lack of attractive football. Why do we have so many bowls? Because the free passes programs get stack up enough victories to qualify. Why do we have so few big time non-conference matchups? Because teams are baited by the promise of a full house and a free win.
My proposal, if anyone happens to be listening, is to bar the scheduling of 1-AA opponents. There's a reason we have two levels of Division 1 football, let's make the separation mean something. Clearing the schedule of these comical matchups would force teams to schedule more difficult non-conference opponents (meaning more Oklahoma-Florida State and less Coastal Carolina-Georgia), clear out some of the mediocrity surrounding the bowl season, and make September even more watchable.
As it is, apart from a few big games, there are slim pickings this week. We have some games that have no business being included in the Fifteen, but it's what the system lends itself to right now.
1. Penn State at Temple
The "at" is an operative term here: it's guaranteed that more Nittany Lion fans will be in the house than Temple backers. But even with the de facto home field advantage, as a Penn State fan this game frightens me. This isn't your father's Temple program. Al Golden brought respectability and now the Owls, after Golden's departure, are no pushover. They have talent beneath just the starting 22, a running back in Bernard Pierce who is worthy of playing at any BCS conference school, and the chip of being a little brother to Penn State on their shoulder. Believe it or not, it's been 70 years since Temple beat the Nittany Lions, which even outdates Joe Paterno's coaching tenure. Paterno has never lost to the Owls. You better believe that's bulletin board material in the Temple locker room. The problem for the Owls is that they get PSU as they're smarting by being smacked by Alabama, though like last year, the score didn't indicate how competitive the Lions were, especially in the first half. I was impressed with the improvements made, especially on the O-line, and have confidence that Silas Redd will eat up yards today. The Penn State defense will do enough to limit Pierce, force a crucial turnover or two, and the Lions will eke out a close one.
Penn State 27, Temple 17
2. Oklahoma at Florida State
The Seminoles are on their way back toward the top, but they're not there yet. Oklahoma will bring plenty of talent, and relatively green QB E. J. Manuel will feel it. Florida State falters in another big test. I don't think this one will be a blowout, but it will be a comfortable Oklahoma victory.
Oklahoma 34, Florida State 21
3. Ohio State at Miami (FL)
Not sure where to go with this one. We'll just say the matchup looked a ton better 6 months ago. Both teams took big offseason hits, and though Ohio State is worse in the short term, Miami will fall much further in the long run. I'll go with Miami having just enough to get one last big win before the floor drops out from under the program.
Miami (FL) 23, Ohio State 20
4. Tennessee at Florida
Don't look now, but the Vols may have a say in the SEC East race for the first time in years. The division is there for the taking with Georgia still down a few rungs, South Carolina looking vulnerable, and Florida still not where they once were. Tyler Bray has the Vol offense somewhere near potent for the first time in recent memory, and if this one wasn't in the Swamp I'd seriously consider picking Tennessee. But it is in the Swamp, and the Gators are about to become the favorite in the wide-open SEC East race.
Florida 34, Tennessee 24
5. Michigan State at Notre Dame
The road team always seems to have the upper hand in this series, and I see no reason to expect it to change this week. Notre Dame will be ok, but the Spartans aren't the team to sort their issues out with.
Michigan State 28, Notre Dame 24
6. Auburn at Clemson
This was one of the best early-season games last year, and very nearly derailed Auburn's dream season before it left the station. The Tigers beat the other Tigers in OT. Things look to go the other way around this time. The nation's longest losing streak ends today.
Clemson 35, Auburn 31
7. West Virginia at Maryland
Dear Maryland, please do not ever wear those uniforms again. You know the ones I mean. I might have picked you to win this game, but you have forced me to take the other direction.
West Virginia 38, Maryland 30
8. Utah at BYU
BYU may have the most difficult first 3 games of anyone, and they've fared quite well so far. At home against a Utah team now part of the Establishment, they'll be ready to roll.
BYU 24, Utah 17
9. Washington at Nebraska
Shouldn't be close.
Nebraska 30, Washington 13
10. Stanford at Arizona
I said a few weeks ago that Arizona was one of my surprise teams of the season. This is the week they get to prove it. Tucson is a difficult place to play and Mike Stoops is a defensive coach. The Wildcats struggled early against the powerful Oklahoma State attack last Thursday, and you'd think Andrew Luck would have his way, but Arizona buckled down as the game wore on. With a few extra days to prepare, the Wildcat D will be ready and the day's biggest upset will come in its final kickoff. Or at least that's what I'm telling myself.
Arizona 34, Stanford 31
11. Arizona State at Illinois
Not sold on the Sun Devils yet. Too much swagger for so little substance.
Illinois 27, Arizona State 24
12. Texas at UCLA
I have nothing interesting to say about this one.
Texas 30, UCLA 17
13. Pittsburgh at Iowa
Iowa State's win at Connecticut yesterday at least takes some of the embarrassment away from the Hawkeyes. They should bounce back and beat Pitt, another one of the nation's reeling programs, at home.
Iowa 20, Pittsburgh 13
14. Virginia at North Carolina
Virginia begins a quietly good ACC campaign in Chapel Hill today.
Virginia 23, North Carolina 17
15. Oklahoma State at Tulsa
Interesting upset possibility here. Remember that Tulsa finished in the top 25 last year and returned a heap of starters for this season. They may have enough offense to run with the Cowboys, but it's the defense that will be the deciding factor in whether or not possibility becomes reality. My guess is that they won't have enough - Brandon Weeden has Oklahoma State rolling right now. Tulsa hangs but gets overrun in the fourth quarter.
Oklahoma State 55, Tulsa 38
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