Last week: 5-3 Overall: 25-15
A few pretty good matchups this week, but nothing too explosive and probably not one of the better weeks overall. But Hokies-Tar Heels, Vols-Aggies, and Seminoles-Hurricanes should be solid contests.
Texas vs. No. 20 Oklahoma in Dallas, Noon FS1
The Longhorns got the year off to what they thought was a good start with a comeback win over Notre Dame, but now the Fighting Irish are 2-3, and Texas is 2-2, once again facing uncertainties regarding coach Charlie Strong's future. The Horns' defense has been nonexistent, allowing 47 points against the Irish, 50 against Cal, and 49 at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma is 2-2, but the losses have at least come against high-profile teams in Ohio State and Houston. Sometimes the "Red River Rivalry" gets wacky, but I like the Sooners this season.
Oklahoma 37, Texas 27
Notre Dame at N.C. State, Noon ABC
The Wolfpack impressed me last week, not even messing around with undefeated Wake Forest in a 33-16 victory. The Fighting Irish won at Syracuse, 50-33, once again giving up a lot of points. They've given up fewer than 33 only once, and that was against Nevada. State hasn't scored fewer than 30 points yet. I'll go with the Pack as the Irish continue to struggle.
N.C. State 34, Notre Dame 30
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. ACC Network
With the Yellow Jackets' triple option and the Panthers' Quadree Henderson and James Conner, there should be plenty of running in this game, which should move the clock along. This one feels mostly like a toss-up. Georgia Tech has flopped in its first two steps up in competition after winning three in a row to begin the year against Boston College, Mercer, and Vanderbilt. Clemson beat the Yellow Jackets, 26-7, while Miami beat them, 35-21. Pittsburgh is 3-2 but could easily be 5-0 with close losses to Oklahoma State and North Carolina, the latter of which was a last-second defeat. The Panthers rebounded after those losses by beating Marshall last week, 43-27. Virginia hosts the Panthers next week in what could amount to a big game for both teams.
Pittsburgh 30, Georgia Tech 27
No. 25 Virginia Tech at No. 17 North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ABC
It seems like it's been awhile since the ACC had a top-25 matchup not involving Florida State and/or Clemson, but the league gets one with this sneaky-good game after Tech got back into the top 25 for the first time since early in the 2014 season. These teams played a really good game last year in Blacksburg for Frank Beamer's final home game, with UNC prevailing, 30-27 in overtime. This season, these teams bring high-flying passing attacks into the contest. North Carolina is picking up where it left off in that regard with first-year starter Mitch Trubisky, and Tech's offense has found a spark under new coach Justin Fuente and transfer QB Jerod Evans. Tech is coming off a bye week after wins over East Carolina, Boston College, and Liberty and a loss to Tennessee. UNC is coming off a thrilling last-second win over Florida State last week when the Tar Heels made a 54-yard field goal. It was actually the first time an ACC team beat FSU in Tallahassee since 2011 when UVa did it. UNC also has wins over Pittsburgh, JMU, and Illinois. The Heels lost their opener to Georgia. Rain could be a factor in this game with Hurricane Matthew starting to barrel along the East Coast. North Carolina will no longer get the brunt of the storm, probably, but plenty of rain is expected. In that case, the running games could be come important, and UNC has an edge there, although RB Elijah Hood could be limited with an injury. Tech has the edge on defense, but I think North Carolina has been more tested so far, and I'll take the Heels in a close game at home.
North Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 31
No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. CBS
Tennessee is involved in the "College GameDay" game for the third time this season after the pregame show set up at Virginia Tech-Tennessee and then Florida-Tennessee two weeks ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vols make it four times since they have a home game next week against Alabama. But first, they have to get past the Aggies on the road, and that's anything but a given. A&M comes in undefeated as well and had arguably been more dominant, beating a ranked UCLA squad, Auburn on the road by 13, a ranked Arkansas team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington by 21, and South Carolina on the road by 11. The Vols had a close call with Appalachian State, fell behind Tech 14-0 before blowing the Hokies out, fell behind Florida 21-0 before storming back for a win, and last week needed a Hail Mary to escape Georgia with a victory. I think their luck will run out and the Aggies get it done.
Texas A&M 38, Tennessee 35
No. 1 Alabama at No. 16 Arkansas, 7 p.m. ESPN
The Razorbacks have had a nice little 4-1 start to the season, but their victories include close games against Louisiana Tech and TCU and blowouts against nobodies Arkansas State and Alcorn State. They got blown out against Texas A&M. Alabama has crushed each of its opponents except for Ole Miss. Arkansas will be fired up for this game at home, but there's no huge reason to latch on to the Hogs pulling the upset here, and Vegas seems to agree by making Alabama the two-touchdown favorite.
Alabama 27, Arkansas 17
No. 23 Florida State at No. 10 Miami, 8 p.m. ABC
The Hurricanes have enjoyed a 4-0 start under new coach Mark Richt but haven't really been tested yet. It is tough to know how good they are after beating Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State, and Georgia Tech. Last week's road win at the Yellow Jackets came by 14 points, but it should be noted that Miami had two defensive TDs, perhaps making the final score not indicative of the competitiveness of the game. While Miami has mostly cruised to its good start, FSU has had issues in posting a 3-2 record that includes an 0-2 mark in the ACC. The Seminoles were blown out by Louisville and were beaten by a 54-yard field goal as time expired against North Carolina last week. Additionally, FSU needed a big comeback to beat Ole Miss in the first game of the season. FSU's main problem has been defense, as it has not given up fewer than 34 points to an FBS team. I think this will be a close game, but I like Miami to win at home and beat the 'Noles for the first time in six seasons.
Miami 36, Florida State 33
A few pretty good matchups this week, but nothing too explosive and probably not one of the better weeks overall. But Hokies-Tar Heels, Vols-Aggies, and Seminoles-Hurricanes should be solid contests.
Texas vs. No. 20 Oklahoma in Dallas, Noon FS1
The Longhorns got the year off to what they thought was a good start with a comeback win over Notre Dame, but now the Fighting Irish are 2-3, and Texas is 2-2, once again facing uncertainties regarding coach Charlie Strong's future. The Horns' defense has been nonexistent, allowing 47 points against the Irish, 50 against Cal, and 49 at Oklahoma State. Oklahoma is 2-2, but the losses have at least come against high-profile teams in Ohio State and Houston. Sometimes the "Red River Rivalry" gets wacky, but I like the Sooners this season.
Oklahoma 37, Texas 27
Notre Dame at N.C. State, Noon ABC
The Wolfpack impressed me last week, not even messing around with undefeated Wake Forest in a 33-16 victory. The Fighting Irish won at Syracuse, 50-33, once again giving up a lot of points. They've given up fewer than 33 only once, and that was against Nevada. State hasn't scored fewer than 30 points yet. I'll go with the Pack as the Irish continue to struggle.
N.C. State 34, Notre Dame 30
Georgia Tech at Pittsburgh, 12:30 p.m. ACC Network
With the Yellow Jackets' triple option and the Panthers' Quadree Henderson and James Conner, there should be plenty of running in this game, which should move the clock along. This one feels mostly like a toss-up. Georgia Tech has flopped in its first two steps up in competition after winning three in a row to begin the year against Boston College, Mercer, and Vanderbilt. Clemson beat the Yellow Jackets, 26-7, while Miami beat them, 35-21. Pittsburgh is 3-2 but could easily be 5-0 with close losses to Oklahoma State and North Carolina, the latter of which was a last-second defeat. The Panthers rebounded after those losses by beating Marshall last week, 43-27. Virginia hosts the Panthers next week in what could amount to a big game for both teams.
Pittsburgh 30, Georgia Tech 27
No. 25 Virginia Tech at No. 17 North Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ABC
It seems like it's been awhile since the ACC had a top-25 matchup not involving Florida State and/or Clemson, but the league gets one with this sneaky-good game after Tech got back into the top 25 for the first time since early in the 2014 season. These teams played a really good game last year in Blacksburg for Frank Beamer's final home game, with UNC prevailing, 30-27 in overtime. This season, these teams bring high-flying passing attacks into the contest. North Carolina is picking up where it left off in that regard with first-year starter Mitch Trubisky, and Tech's offense has found a spark under new coach Justin Fuente and transfer QB Jerod Evans. Tech is coming off a bye week after wins over East Carolina, Boston College, and Liberty and a loss to Tennessee. UNC is coming off a thrilling last-second win over Florida State last week when the Tar Heels made a 54-yard field goal. It was actually the first time an ACC team beat FSU in Tallahassee since 2011 when UVa did it. UNC also has wins over Pittsburgh, JMU, and Illinois. The Heels lost their opener to Georgia. Rain could be a factor in this game with Hurricane Matthew starting to barrel along the East Coast. North Carolina will no longer get the brunt of the storm, probably, but plenty of rain is expected. In that case, the running games could be come important, and UNC has an edge there, although RB Elijah Hood could be limited with an injury. Tech has the edge on defense, but I think North Carolina has been more tested so far, and I'll take the Heels in a close game at home.
North Carolina 34, Virginia Tech 31
No. 9 Tennessee at No. 8 Texas A&M, 3:30 p.m. CBS
Tennessee is involved in the "College GameDay" game for the third time this season after the pregame show set up at Virginia Tech-Tennessee and then Florida-Tennessee two weeks ago. I wouldn't be surprised if the Vols make it four times since they have a home game next week against Alabama. But first, they have to get past the Aggies on the road, and that's anything but a given. A&M comes in undefeated as well and had arguably been more dominant, beating a ranked UCLA squad, Auburn on the road by 13, a ranked Arkansas team at AT&T Stadium in Arlington by 21, and South Carolina on the road by 11. The Vols had a close call with Appalachian State, fell behind Tech 14-0 before blowing the Hokies out, fell behind Florida 21-0 before storming back for a win, and last week needed a Hail Mary to escape Georgia with a victory. I think their luck will run out and the Aggies get it done.
Texas A&M 38, Tennessee 35
No. 1 Alabama at No. 16 Arkansas, 7 p.m. ESPN
The Razorbacks have had a nice little 4-1 start to the season, but their victories include close games against Louisiana Tech and TCU and blowouts against nobodies Arkansas State and Alcorn State. They got blown out against Texas A&M. Alabama has crushed each of its opponents except for Ole Miss. Arkansas will be fired up for this game at home, but there's no huge reason to latch on to the Hogs pulling the upset here, and Vegas seems to agree by making Alabama the two-touchdown favorite.
Alabama 27, Arkansas 17
No. 23 Florida State at No. 10 Miami, 8 p.m. ABC
The Hurricanes have enjoyed a 4-0 start under new coach Mark Richt but haven't really been tested yet. It is tough to know how good they are after beating Florida A&M, Florida Atlantic, Appalachian State, and Georgia Tech. Last week's road win at the Yellow Jackets came by 14 points, but it should be noted that Miami had two defensive TDs, perhaps making the final score not indicative of the competitiveness of the game. While Miami has mostly cruised to its good start, FSU has had issues in posting a 3-2 record that includes an 0-2 mark in the ACC. The Seminoles were blown out by Louisville and were beaten by a 54-yard field goal as time expired against North Carolina last week. Additionally, FSU needed a big comeback to beat Ole Miss in the first game of the season. FSU's main problem has been defense, as it has not given up fewer than 34 points to an FBS team. I think this will be a close game, but I like Miami to win at home and beat the 'Noles for the first time in six seasons.
Miami 36, Florida State 33
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