The season has had its share of big games and upsets already, and with another week upon us there will be a couple more unbeatens that put their records on the line. Here’s a look at those games and others that have huge implication for conference championship races.
Coastal Carolina vs. Louisiana
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 14
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Louisiana -6.5
Pushed back from last week because of Hurricane Delta, Coastal Carolina and Louisiana match up in a what could be one of the best games of the week on Wednesday night. Following its upset of Iowa State, Louisiana has struggled with injuries and turnovers in a couple of close calls. Coastal Carolina started its season off with a win over a Big 12 team as well taking down Kansas in the season opener. This one looks like it could take on the form of a shootout with Coastal Carolina scoring at least 38 points in every game it played this year. Louisiana has the talent advantage, but quarterback Levi Lewis has been reckless with the football, and I do not expect that change in this one. Coastal Carolina will win the turnover battle and the game.
Prediction: Coastal Carolina wins 34-31
Pitt vs. Miami
Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
Time: Noon ET
TV: ACCN
Spread: Miami -10
The honeymoon is over for Miami after the absolute beatdown the suffered at Clemson. The Canes will have to rebound against a stout Pittsburgh defense, albeit a unit that has suffered back-to-back losses after a hot start to the season. Miami has the decided quarterback advantage in this one and might be the best defense Pitt has seen this year. The Panthers simply need better play from quarterback Kenny Pickett if they hope to compete in this one. This will likely be a low-scoring affair with Miami suffering a bit of a hangover in that Clemson game but ultimately getting on track. The Miami kicking game is a decided advantage in this one and will secure the Canes a bounce back victory with Jose Borregales knocking threw a couple clutch field goals in the fourth quarter for the win.
Prediction: Miami wins 30-22
Louisville vs. Notre Dame
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: NBC
Spread: Notre Dame -16
This is a matchup of two teams going in opposite directions. Louisville has looked horrible since starting the season 1-0 and needs a get right game. Unfortunately for the Cardinals they run into a Notre Dame team that seems to be firing on all cylinders. New offensive coordinator Tommy Rees has the Irish offense running the ball at an elite level and should see success with that formula against a leaky Louisville defense. On defense, Notre Dame is one of the few teams that has the athletes to stay with an explosive Cardinal offense and will likely shut down the running game and force Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham to beat them with his arm. This has the makings of an Irish blow out as long as Ian Book can take care of the ball.
Prediction: Notre Dame wins 52-28
LSU vs. Florida
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Florida -14
Coming off stunning losses, both LSU and Florida will look to regroup in what will probably be a defense optional matchup Saturday afternoon. Florida will have to figure out how to stop Terrace Marshall and an LSU passing attack that seems to have found something in its past couple of games. Meanwhile, LSU will be tasked in stopping Kyle Pitts, who might be the biggest matchup problem in college football. The difference in this game will likely be the running games. Florida has a decided advantage over what can only be described as a hope and pray LSU rushing attack. Look for the Gators to get a few stops early and keep LSU chasing the rest of the way.
Prediction: Florida wins 45-30
UCF vs. Memphis
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: ABC
Spread: UCF -3
A huge match up in the AAC for both squads, UCF and Memphis both look to get back rolling after disappointing losses the last time they touched the field. This game has been a track meet in recent years and could be again with a couple of gunslingers taking the field Saturday afternoon. Brady White has experience on his side, but it is his counterpart Dillon Gabriel who will likely dictate the outcome of this game. If Gabriel can protect the football, UCF has the team speed to make it difficult on the Memphis offense. This one will probably boil down into a track meet once again, where Memphis will miss Kenneth Gainwell and ultimately fall a bit short.
Prediction: UCF wins 48-44
North Carolina vs. Florida State
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: UNC -10
After a slow start to the season, the North Carolina offense finally came to life in its shootout win against Virginia Tech last week. Likewise, Florida State showed it still has some fight in it, albeit in a lost at Notre Dame. This game may look lopsided given the records of the two teams, but Florida State still has a ton of talent on its roster and could make this a game against the Tar Heels. However, North Carolina holds the trump card with a significant advantage at the quarterback position. Look for Sam Howell to have another stat night and lead North Carolina to another win in the ACC.
Prediction: North Carolina wins 45-34
Georgia vs. Alabama
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: CBS
Spread: Alabama -4
Potentially a preview of the SEC championship game, Alabama and Georgia enter Saturday’s heavy weight matchup as the clear-cut favorites in their respective divisions. The Tide are coming off a surprisingly close win against Ole Miss that saw its defense get shredded, but the offense put up over 700 yards. Georgia is far and away the best defense Alabama has seen this season and will challenge the Tide to move the ball on every play. As good as its defense has been, Georgia’s offense will likely be the key to a Bulldogs win. If they can move the ball against the Tide, defense this game could swing in the Dawgs favor. This will be a tightly contested game on both sides, but Saban seems to get the best of his former assistants, and I do not expect this week to be any different. A late touchdown by the Tide secures the victory.
Prediction: Alabama wins 30-27
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