CFB: Week Seven - matchups of interest
Week seven of the college football season is here and though this weekend’s slate isn’t quite as compelling as recent weeks have been, there are two games of interest. Both involve Pac 12 teams which will join the B1G next season. Those two games will capture the Saturday pre-game programming. Oregon (8) at Washington (7) will be the site of Fox’s Big Noon, while Game Day goes to South Bend for USC (10) at ND (21).
The matchups that caught my attention and the team’s ranking is noted in parentheses below.
The action begins Friday evening:
- Stanford (NR) at Colorado (NR) – 10:00 pm – The Buffs move closer to Bowl Eligibility.
On Saturday:
- Indiana (NR) at Michigan (2) – Noon
- Oregon (8) at Washington (7) – 3:30 pm - Best game of the weekend, IMO.
- Texas A&M (NR) at Tennessee (19) – 3:30 pm
- USC (10) at Notre Dame (21) – 7:30 pm – frigid temperatures – around 50 degrees are predicted. I have no idea what to expect. Does USC have a defense? Does ND have an offense?
- Miami (25) at North Carolina (12) – 7:30 pm – Let’s see if Cristobal learned about “game end” situations.
- UCLA (18) at Oregon State (15) – 8:00 pm
Other B1G games:
- Ohio State (3) at Purdue - noon
- Michigan State (NR) at Rutgers (NR) – noon – This will determine ticket prices for October 21st
- UMass at Penn State (6) – 3:30 pm - What can Don Brown do that might shed light on PSU’s offense?
- Illinois (NR) at Maryland (NR) – 3:30 pm
- Iowa (NR) at Wisconsin (NR) – 4:00 pm - Is this the B1G West Division Championship game?
Of course - one other game of note - Slippery Rock will take their (6-0) undefeated record to Erie, Pa for a noon start against Gannon University.
What are you looking forward to seeing / watching / following? I'll be in Ann Arbor and we'll have the Oregon v Washington game on in the afternoon. At night, I will be curious about the game in South Bend.
October 9th, 2023 at 10:05 AM ^
I'm definitely interested in Washington v Oregon, if only because it's assured to produce a loss for one of those teams. I like Washington to win this one, especially as it's a home game for them.
I will be pulling for ND at home to knock off undefeated USC and I think they have a chance in this one, as long as their coaching staff doesn't pull a Miami or two at critical junctures of the game.
I'm also planning to hate-watch OSU and their charmin-soft O Line vs Purdue.
October 9th, 2023 at 10:32 AM ^
But it's the extra-strength Charmin... that's why Ryan Day says they're tough!
October 9th, 2023 at 2:43 PM ^
I like Michael Penix so I'm also pulling for Washington in that one.
USC should get its first loss of the season this week. Their defense is much worse than ND's offense. As long as ND can contain the USC pass rush they should win. Definitely doable considering ND always has great O-Line play.
October 9th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
USC-ND will be interesting. ND's offense stinks...but so does USC's defense. I like USC
I cannot believe AP voters seriously left Miami ranked after that. So of course it would be peak ACC cannibalism for Miami to beat UNC
October 9th, 2023 at 12:29 PM ^
Personally, even if I were a cannibal I wouldn't eat anything in the ACC
October 9th, 2023 at 10:07 AM ^
Game Day is in Seattle this week. Would be pretty rare for them to be in the same place 2x in a month.
October 9th, 2023 at 10:14 AM ^
Oregon - Washington feels like it should be a top 5 matchup. Those are the only two I've watched who look like they might be able to match up with Michigan and Georgia. I don't know if anyone will make it out of the PAC-10 or if they'll cannibalize each other but I hope at least one makes the playoff to see how they stack up.
I think USC's luck runs out against Notre Dame, ND is just too complete a team and USC has been playing with fire lately.
October 9th, 2023 at 11:32 AM ^
I still think Oregon St or Utah may end up winning the P12. Oregon and Washington are great. They've had the fortune of not playing the other excellent pac12 teams yet.
USC doesn't look like a top 10 team to me. But they've got some time to turn it around.
October 9th, 2023 at 12:16 PM ^
Meant to reply here with my post below but USC and Orgeon play later this year.
October 9th, 2023 at 1:20 PM ^
That USC - Oregon game is in Eugene - the same weekend Michigan plays at Maryland.
October 9th, 2023 at 12:30 PM ^
UCLA could win the conference simply due to having the most manageable schedule
October 10th, 2023 at 2:27 PM ^
oregon state is flying under the radar and playing with a huge chip. I like them in this game.
October 9th, 2023 at 11:51 AM ^
I think you could easily argue UW and Oregon should be top 5 teams over OSU and FSU. I'd have UGA, Michigan, OU, UO, and UW in my theoretical top 5 in
October 9th, 2023 at 10:16 AM ^
Regarding ticket prices for the MSU game, they have been steadily dropping for weeks and continue to hit new lows. If you're looking to go, it's probably best to wait until the week of the game to buy. You can track ticket prices over time at https://cfb-tickets.com/
October 9th, 2023 at 10:17 AM ^
Looking forward to seeing which of Oregon or Washington will be the class of the P12 this year as I don’t see how USC can compete with either of them. Speaking of USC, and despite my dislike of ND, I think Williams’ Heisman campaign takes an enormous hit on Saturday. Yeah, he’ll make some incredible plays, but I’m thinking he’ll throw 2-3 picks and only crest 300 yds because of volume. Of course, if USC wins the media will gloss over any bad from his game and only highlight the winning play(s) he makes.
October 9th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
Oregon and USC do play in the regular season this year. Not sure if Washington and USC play in the regular season this year.
October 9th, 2023 at 10:47 AM ^
(Checking calendar) Since when is a Midwest temperature of 50° in mid October considered "frigid"?
October 9th, 2023 at 10:55 AM ^
I believe the answer is - "When you're from Southern California."
The contract between USC and ND requires that any game in South Bend be played by the third weekend in October. I look forward to the Trojans playing November games in the midwest. It's going to be entertaining - and, if you thought the Buckeyes complained about snow flurries - just wait.
October 9th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
I wonder how much they actually will tho. In the years they only have 4 home games in league, they'll play ND at home in November and travel to UCLA in November - meaning only 4 Midwestern road games and only 1-2 November Saturdays to have them. The other seasons they'll have 4 road games and an additional November Saturday but I think it'll be a once a year at max type of deal.
October 9th, 2023 at 10:51 AM ^
There's football every day this week. Sheer joy.
I like Two-Lane at Memphis on Friday. Two solid G5 teams there. Then it's Michigan, UO/UW, SC/ND for me. Washington and Georgia are the only two teams that give me pause vs Michigan. Hoping the Ducks win. ND can bark at the moon, but it would not hurt for them to win this game.
October 9th, 2023 at 11:08 AM ^
Honestly, I could care less. USC defense is a joke and watching Riley and the team choke up at the end tells me this team does not have the mental make up to play at a CFB playoff level games...
So let them win that game. I highly doubt USC makes it through the PAC-10 unscathed. Oregon and Washington will beat them and UCLA is a rival, so that game will also be a challenge. No way USC makes it to the playoffs. Any loss to ND only reveals the paper tiger ND is and only proves that Charmin Day and the Buckeyes only squeaked by Paper Tiger ND with 10 players on defense...
October 9th, 2023 at 6:04 PM ^
If could care less, they why don't you?
October 9th, 2023 at 11:17 AM ^
I’m looking forward to Jack Tuttle getting substantial playing time once again on Saturday.
October 9th, 2023 at 11:29 AM ^
Wisconsin/Iowa. If the badgers win they'd have a 2 game lead in the West. If Iowa wins, the West would still be wide open.
October 9th, 2023 at 11:35 AM ^
Grand Valley vs Ferris State is a great game this weekend
October 9th, 2023 at 11:38 AM ^
i'll be there, pending the forecast. No one wants to sit in the wind and rain
October 9th, 2023 at 11:54 AM ^
Go Lakers!
October 9th, 2023 at 1:19 PM ^
That should be a great rivalry game (Grand Rapids vs Big Rapids). Light rain/drizzle, blustery and 45-50 deg all day up there. The battle of US-131.
October 9th, 2023 at 1:29 PM ^
I mean, yeah, GVSU has a campus in Grand Rapids but their main operation is in Allendale. So it's more like the Battle Of US-131 By Way Of I-196 & M-45.
October 9th, 2023 at 12:10 PM ^
I will have to catch the scores online since I will be at Hanover College in Madison, IN for my Class of '73 Fiftieth Reunion Homecoming. We have 11 frat brothers from our pledge class returning, including Dr Thom Mayer who is the Medical Director for the NFLPA and the author of the NFL Concussion Protocol in it's current state.
October 9th, 2023 at 1:12 PM ^
UCLA at Oregon State is very interesting to me.
UCLA is very good IMO and also under-the-radar: particularly their defense. They had a stout performance against WSU this weekend: 216 yards allowed and WSU only scored 17. 7 of those Cougar points came on a truly horrific Pick-6 right before the half.
I honestly think UCLA may have a Top 5-10 national defense this year (they are still in the 13-15 range in SP+, which is arguably still catching up from having their defense ranked 62nd in the pre-season).
UCLA also doesn't play Oregon OR Washington this year.
If they win this one, look at their schedule: there's no reason at all they shouldn't be 9-1 going into the USC game at the Coliseum. Win THAT one and they're off to Vegas for the Pac-12 Championship (probably to play Oregon or Washington), possibly playing for a shot at the playoff.
Sounds a bit crazy, but if UCLA can get a road win this week, they're a legit CFP contender.
October 9th, 2023 at 1:15 PM ^
USC @ND for a few reasons but the weather could be light rain/drizzle, breezy and 50 deg providing a wet field and wet ball (at times). Can USC play in those conditions? ND might have both the homefield and weather advantage. Plus ND can even practice in it on Thursday & Friday.
WA Huskies have the homefield advantage over the Ducks. It's about Pennix playing out of his mind, again. This could be fun to watch since it's after the Michigan game (win).
The best-of-the-west B1G between IA & WI, homefield advantage for the Badgers and IA better bring their defense.
October 9th, 2023 at 2:28 PM ^
UNC-Miami is at the top of my list. I want to see if UNC is for real, because they won't meet FSU in the regular season.
The two PAC-12 matchups are really awesome and interesting. Oregon-Washington will be the first time I've seen Washington, and I thought Oregon looked very scary when I saw them play. They're quick and creative, and they're helmed by a former 5-star QB who has ironed out some bad habits. Their defense also has some serious talent. If Oregon looks good against Washington, I'd rank them above the Buckeyes for sure. UCLA-Oregon State is also interesting, as Clemson's former 5-star QB is now at Oregon State and doing some impressive work. I think UCLA wins. They look solid on both sides of the ball, while Oregon State lacked consistency in the game I saw them play.
I wouldn't be surprised if USC loses. Their whole team is Caleb Williams. Against Arizona, it was 'not working, not working, Caleb miracle' and repeat. I think they are terrible, and while I don't think Freeman makes it to next season (10 men to lose a game, losing to Louisville), there's a possibility he gets out of his own way and wins.
There's some 'Spoilermaker' noise out of Purdue, but if you can't find enough points to beat Iowa, beating Ohio State really isn't in the cards....unless, maybe, the Buckeyes are too focused on Penn State the week after? Nah, but even then. One interesting thing for the Purdue game, however, is how they come up with creative schemes that Michigan can appropriate to shut down Ohio State's offense. I trust Purdue's defensive minds.
October 9th, 2023 at 2:29 PM ^
Oregon/Washington was an amazing game last year. And I never knew until recent years how much these two schools despise each other. This should be fun. I pick Washington to win this.
The only time I ever root for USC is when they play Notre Dame. But their defense is just…woof. They sure made Arizona look like a top ten team. This could end up being a 49-42 type game.
October 9th, 2023 at 2:34 PM ^
I must be sick in the head because quite a few of these games appear eminently watchable.
October 9th, 2023 at 3:49 PM ^
Cal @ Utah
cuz I’ll be in the stadium watching