The first true week of games is finally here, and there are some good ones. To start the season, we will be using the AP Top 25 to provide structure and rankings to the articles. First, we’ll take a look at the Top Ten’s schedule for this week and then we will dive into a couple of the bigger games.
Thursday:
-4:30pm (FS1) Tulsa @ #10 Oklahoma State
-5pm (ESPN) #2 Ohio State @ Indiana
Friday:
-5pm (FS1) #8 Washington @ Rutgers
-6pm (ESPN) Utah State @ #9 Wisconsin
Saturday:
-9am (ESPN) Kent @ #5 Clemson
-9am (ABC) Akron @ #6 Penn State
-12:30pm (FOX) UTEP @ #7 Oklahoma
-2:15pm (PAC12) WMU @ #4 USC
-5pm (ABC) #3 Florida State vs #1 Alabama
Big Games:
The two biggest games of the weekend are both neutral site match-ups on Saturday. First, we have #11 Michigan vs Florida, followed by #3 Florida State vs #1 Alabama. Unfortunately for the Florida teams their fans typically don’t travel well, so I would expect the crowds to lean more for Michigan and Alabama.
On ABC Saturday at 12:30pm we are treated to #11 Michigan versus #17 Florida from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This should be a defensive slug fest, in which both teams will look anemic offensively. Florida was absolutely atrocious on offense last year, and I would put little faith in them being any better this year. Michigan will probably do just enough on offensive to put this game out of reach. I like Michigan by 7 to 10 points.
The biggest game of the weekend is Saturday evening when #3 Florida State goes up against #1 Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This game should show us a ton about both teams, but I will be focused on the offensive side of the ball. Has Jalen Hurts improved as a quarterback, and what will Alabama’s offense look like without Lane Kiffin? Can Florida State move the ball effectively against a notoriously stacked Alabama defense? Nick Saban is ridiculously good given an entire offseason to prepare for a game (see last years 52-6 beat down of USC to open the season). I expect Alabama to win this game by double digits.
FANTASY UPDATE:
We have 14 Free league sign-ups so far and 8 money league sign-ups. Ideally, we need 2 free league guys to volunteer to play in the money league instead. It’s $25. 14 teams is too many and 8 is not enough. Lemme know
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