Post by Uncle on Oct 21, 2021 20:52:50 GMT -6
This week is basically the "calm" before the storm of playoff-caliber games that start next weekend (Michigan/Michigan St, Penn St/Ohio St, Georgia/Florida, etc). There are no matchups of ranked teams, but even so, there are some matchups that could be entertaining and I think there could be some upsets.
Saturday, 10/23
#8 Oklahoma St @ Iowa St - 3:30PM ET
The Cowboys are undefeated yes, but I don't think they're a Top 10 team and this has upset written all over it. Iowa St has traditionally been a slow starter after starting the season as a Top 25 team, so on paper they don't look too daunting, but they played Baylor tough a few weeks ago and won last weekend at Kansas St, which is a tough place to win. The Cyclones do have some solid players and with only 2 losses, a win here vs. a Top 10 team will get them back into the Top 25 and in-line for a solid bowl game.
#10 Oregon @ UCLA - 3:30PM ET
Another game that I think could result in a Top 10 upset. UCLA started the season strong with a win over LSU, but then had a couple of losses to Fresno St (thriller of a game) and Arizona St. Like Iowa St, UCLA is playing at home and needs a win over a Top 10 team to get back into contention for a strong bowl game. The real matchup for this game is Oregon DE (and possible top overall pick in the 2022 Draft) K Thibodeaux going up against UCLA LT Sean Rhyan, who's a possible Day 1/Day 2 OT prospect. If Thibodeaux dominates against Rhyan, he'll probably cement his Top 5 and possible Top overall pick status, but if he doesn't do much, Rhyan might have his Rashawn Slater/Chase Young game that he can cash-in all the way to a Day 1 pick in 2022.
LSU @ #12 Ole Miss - 3:30PM ET
I thought last weekend's win vs Florida was somewhat of a statement W for Ed Orgeron who needed it to stay afloat at LSU, but earlier this week it was announced Orgeron will be gone following the season. If Ole Miss was a full strength, this should be a "W" w/ LSU down some solid players, but Ole Miss QB Matt Corral is injured and is questionable to play. If LSU pulls off another upset against a ranked team (Florida was ranked last week), perhaps LSU should rethink letting Orgeron go.
Clemson @ #23 Pittsburgh - 3:30PM ET
I didn't end up watching Pitt QB Kenny Pickett last weekend vs Virginia Tech, but after reading the game summaries, he passed the test with flying colors and is still the current "darling" of the 2022 QB Draft class. If he can continue to roll vs a solid Clemson defense, he'll continue to go up-and-up.
USC @ #13 Notre Dame - 7:30PM ET
This game isn't as much about watching the actual game as it is watching some 2022 Draft prospects, mainly USC WR Drake London, who seems to be the current WR "darling" among college "experts".
Saturday, 10/23
#8 Oklahoma St @ Iowa St - 3:30PM ET
The Cowboys are undefeated yes, but I don't think they're a Top 10 team and this has upset written all over it. Iowa St has traditionally been a slow starter after starting the season as a Top 25 team, so on paper they don't look too daunting, but they played Baylor tough a few weeks ago and won last weekend at Kansas St, which is a tough place to win. The Cyclones do have some solid players and with only 2 losses, a win here vs. a Top 10 team will get them back into the Top 25 and in-line for a solid bowl game.
#10 Oregon @ UCLA - 3:30PM ET
Another game that I think could result in a Top 10 upset. UCLA started the season strong with a win over LSU, but then had a couple of losses to Fresno St (thriller of a game) and Arizona St. Like Iowa St, UCLA is playing at home and needs a win over a Top 10 team to get back into contention for a strong bowl game. The real matchup for this game is Oregon DE (and possible top overall pick in the 2022 Draft) K Thibodeaux going up against UCLA LT Sean Rhyan, who's a possible Day 1/Day 2 OT prospect. If Thibodeaux dominates against Rhyan, he'll probably cement his Top 5 and possible Top overall pick status, but if he doesn't do much, Rhyan might have his Rashawn Slater/Chase Young game that he can cash-in all the way to a Day 1 pick in 2022.
LSU @ #12 Ole Miss - 3:30PM ET
I thought last weekend's win vs Florida was somewhat of a statement W for Ed Orgeron who needed it to stay afloat at LSU, but earlier this week it was announced Orgeron will be gone following the season. If Ole Miss was a full strength, this should be a "W" w/ LSU down some solid players, but Ole Miss QB Matt Corral is injured and is questionable to play. If LSU pulls off another upset against a ranked team (Florida was ranked last week), perhaps LSU should rethink letting Orgeron go.
Clemson @ #23 Pittsburgh - 3:30PM ET
I didn't end up watching Pitt QB Kenny Pickett last weekend vs Virginia Tech, but after reading the game summaries, he passed the test with flying colors and is still the current "darling" of the 2022 QB Draft class. If he can continue to roll vs a solid Clemson defense, he'll continue to go up-and-up.
USC @ #13 Notre Dame - 7:30PM ET
This game isn't as much about watching the actual game as it is watching some 2022 Draft prospects, mainly USC WR Drake London, who seems to be the current WR "darling" among college "experts".
... and neither is this Chris guy.