Let’s find out what looks tasty and what might be worth pushing to the side of your plate in this weekend’s college football buffet. (All times are Eastern.)
College Football Buffet, Week 6: Alabama vs. South Carolina, LSU vs. Florida Are Must-Eats
Herein Sean Keeley previews every noteworthy game being played this week, and tells you which ones are worth watching, and which aren’t, along the way. Plus, TV information! Now, belly on up to the table.
GIVE ME A HEAPING HELPING
No. 1 Alabama @ No. 20 South Carolina (CBS, 3:30 p.m.) - GameDay comes to South Carolina on Saturday. The No. 1 Crimson Tide aren’t satisfied and sill think they can improve on their defense, especially up front.
No. 9 LSU @ No. 12 Florida (ESPN, 7:30 p.m.) - Very few teams can be 4-1 while controlling their destiny in their conference and still feel like something’s wrong. Florida is one of them. All eyes will be on this game to see what kind of crazy predicament LSU gets themselves into this week and how the heck they get out of it.
I’LL HAVE A SCOOP OF THAT, PLEASE
No. 16 Michigan State @ No. 17 Michigan (ABC/ESPN, 3:30 p.m.) - A win here and the Spartans could realistically start talking about their chances at a Big Ten crown. If Michigan’s defense plays anything like it did last week, or most of the season, they probably will.
No. 13 Arkansas vs. Texas A&M @ Arlington, TX (ABC/GamePlan, 3:30 p.m.) - There’s plenty of reasons for A&M and Arkansas fans to hate one another. Probably a good thing this one’s in a neutral location.
Oregon State @ No. 11 Arizona (Versus, 6 p.m.) - OSU knocked off one team from Arizona last week, they’ll try to complete the set this weekend. The undefeated Wildcats feel pretty good about their chances, however.
No. 24 Florida State @ No. 14 Miami (FL) (ABC/GamePlan, 8 p.m.) - While not quite the glory days of this rivalry, it’s good to see both teams back in the rankings to make this game worthwhile. Anytime these two get together, there’s always a strong chance for animated GIF history.
USC @ No. 18 Stanford (ABC/GamePlan, 8 p.m.) - USC is an underdog for the first time in a long time. Despite their loss to Oregon, Stanford likes their chances and trusts their defense to step up.
I’LL TASTE IT FIRST...
UCLA @ California (FSN-National, 3:30 p.m.) - The Bruins still need to get rolling after the Texas win and improving their red zone offense will help immensely. Despite the upset, a lot of folks are still picking Cal to win the game
Baylor vs. Texas Tech @ State Fair, TX (FSN-National, 12 p.m.) - Don’t expect a lot of defense in this game. That’s all I’m saying.
No. 8 Auburn @ Kentucky (ESPN2, 7:30 p.m.) - Ask Auburn players what they think of their national ranking and they’ll tell you it doesn’t mean anything yet. Kentucky would love to knock off the Tigers and get their season back on track.
Arizona State @ Washington (FSN-AZ/FSN-Northwest, 10 p.m.) - Last week's mistake-filled loss to Oregon State was "so Arizona State" for ASU fans. Jake Locker seemed to get back on track last week and he should be able to keep that up this week.
Pittsburgh @ Notre Dame (NBC, 3:30 p.m.) - Not only is this a chance for the Panthers to take on a familiar foe in Notre Dame but they’ll also see a familiar face across the sidelines in Brian Kelly
I’LL KEEP THAT IN MIND FOR THE NEXT TRIP
Connecticut @ Rutgers (ESPN, Friday 7:30 p.m.) - Panic has officially set in within Scarlet Nation after last week’s loss to Tulane. They’ll get no sympathy from UConn, who consider RU the closest thing they’ve got to a football rival.
Indiana @ No. 2 Ohio State (ESPN/ESPN3D, 12 p.m.) - The Hoosiers haven’t beaten Ohio State since 1988 and haven’t played them competitively since 1996. They might not do it this year either but their Pistol offense does have OSU at battle stations.
Boston College @ North Carolina State (ACC Network/GamePlan, 12 p.m.) - BC fans are wondering just how good NC State actually is. The Wolfpack is just trying to avoid The Shinskieing.
Virginia @ Georgia Tech (ESPNU, 3:30 p.m.) - Tech’s running backs have come down with a serious case of fumble-itis, a 40% increase over giveaways last year.
Clemson @ North Carolina (ABC/ESPN/GamePlan, 3:30 p.m.) - All things considered it’s been a quiet week on the scandal front for UNC. The Tar Heels also catch a break with the return of Deunta Williams, who returns from suspension.
No. 10 Utah @ Iowa State (FCS-Central, 7 p.m.) - Utah might be the top ten program but they know they’re not facing the same-old Iowa State team. After last week’s win over Texas Tech, the Cyclones could get used to this whole “winning” thing.
Purdue @ No. 25 Northwestern (Big Ten Network, 7:30 p.m.) - It’s been a march through injuries and bad luck for the Boilermakers so far. They’ll need to do better than their six-turnover performance last season against the Wildcats if they want a chance.
I DON’T KNOW...SMELLS KINDA FUNNY...
Minnesota @ No. 19 Wisconsin (Big Ten Network, 12 p.m.) - The winner of this one will clumsily wield a giant axe after the game, so stay clear. Minnesota fans aren’t so sure they’ll win, but they at least feel good about covering the 22-point spread.
Syracuse @ South Florida (Big East Network/GamePlan, 12 p.m.) - Don’t say either program is rebuilding. Syracuse is “rejuvenating” while USF is “restructuring.” USF has dominated this series since joining the conference but they’ll face their toughest SU team yet.
Illinois @ Penn State (ESPN2, 12 p.m.) - Penn State made this their homecoming game, letting Illini fans know what they think of them. When the actually look at the stats, you understand why.
Temple @ Northern Illinois (MAC Network/GamePlan, 12 p.m.) - The Huskies see this as a battle for respect. Temple has it, No. Illinois wants it.
Tennessee @ Georgia (SEC Network/GamePlan, 12:21 p.m.) - A loss here and the Bulldogs drop to an unthinkable 1-5 record. At 2-3, the Vols are in slightly better shape and feel like they’re at least remaining competitive
Colorado @ No. 22 Missouri (FSN-National, 7 p.m.) - Georgia might not be their usual selves but a win over a name program like that was just what the Buffaloes needed. With Colorado leaving for the Pac-10 soon, Missouri wants to end their series with a fifth-straight win.
NO THANKS, PLATE’S FULL
No. 21 Oklahoma State @ Louisiana-Lafayette (ESPN2, Friday 9 p.m.) - ULL QB Chris Masson is coming off the best performance of his career. He’ll probably need to double that if the Cajuns want any chance in this one.
Central Michigan @ Virginia Tech (ESPNU, 12 p.m.) - The Hokies seem to be settling down after their tough start and this game is a chance to continue that trend
Memphis @ Louisville (ESPN3com, 2 p.m.) - These two teams have met 136 times but only once since L’ville joined the Big East. It’s a rivalry that has fans confused just how much they should hate each other.
.Wyoming @ No. 5 TCU (CBS College Sports, 3:30 p.m.) - TCU has defeated their opponents by an average of 33.5 points over the last four games. Sorry about this, Wyoming.
UNLV @ West Virginia (MASN/SNY/BH/GamePlan, 3:30 p.m.) - West Virginia might not be as good as years’ past, but they’ll stll good enough to give UNLV fits. The boys from Vegas don’t stand too much of a chance in Morgantown.
San Diego State @ Brigham Young (The Mtn., 6 p.m.) - This week will pit student vs. teacher as Bronco Mendehall works to turnaround a defense in 1 weeks time, while Rocky Long finally has his San Diego St. Aztecs defense firing on all cylinders.
Navy @ Wake Forest (ESPN3com, 6:30 p.m.) - Wake Forest’s QB situation is up in the air heading into this one.
Eastern Michigan @ Vanderbilt (ESPNU, 7 p.m.) - The actual game itself is of very little interest to anyone so it’s more fun to try and find the weirdest names on the EMU roster.
Miami (OH) @ Cincinnati (ESPN3com, 7 p.m.) - Miami has seen some improvement on offense but it’s been limited. The real news is that freshman all-name sensation Munchie Legeax will be on the field for the Bearcats at WR.
Toledo @ No. 4 Boise State (WAC Network/STO/GamePlan, 8 p.m.) - The Broncos and Rockets meet for the first time this Saturday. The Rockets are coming off a loss to Wyoming, and if they thought Wyoming was tough...
San Jose State @ No. 23 Nevada (ESPNU, 10:35 p.m.) - Nevada is favored by 39.5 points in this one, so...they’re probably going to be fine.
Mississippi State @ Houston (CBS College Sports, 8 p.m.) - Mississippi State won sloppily last week against Alcorn, but a win's a win. They don't have to face Case Keenum this week, which makes things a little easier.
New Mexico @ New Mexico State (Altitude-2/GamePlan, 8 p.m.) - If you live outside the state of New Mexico and you watch this game, you have some kind of problem. Report to a rehab clinic. Any one will do.
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