What to Watch – Week 3
This will be my first weekend of the 2009 season without massive amounts of college football games on the TV and I couldn’t be happier. My entire Saturday will be focused on one game and one game only. Sure I’ll see bits and pieces of other games here and there, but it’s all about
Florida
/
Tennessee
and nothing else. I’ll be heading to Gainesville in the wee hours of the morning and not returning until Sunday. If I had to pick one Gator home game to attend this year (which I did) this is it. But for the rest of you…
Here are the games you should be watching on Saturday:
East Carolina @ UNC – 12:00 – The Tar Heels haven’t necessarily looked as good as many thought they would so far this season. It’s time for them to get it together and start impressing the pollsters. UNC doesn’t just need a win over ECU; they need a big win.
Boston College @ Clemson – 12:00 – I still have a tough time remembering these teams are in the same conference. Clemson looked good in the second half against Georgia Tech last week, but the Jackets defense hasn’t looked all the great yet, so it may not have been a real representation of the Tigers’ offense.
Tennessee @ Florida – 3:30 – The Gators have to beat the Vols by five scores to cover the spread. I’ll say that again. The Gators have to beat the Vols by five scores to cover the spread. When was the last time either of these teams was such a heavy favorite over the other? When I was at Florida, these were hard fought, tight games. They were even so only a few years ago. But in the last couple, not so much.
Nebraska @ Virginia Tech – 3:30 – Nebraska has been making the long climb back to prominence for a few years now, but I think VT has the upper hand in this one. The Hokies looked great in week two after their season opening loss to Alabama.
Utah @ Oregon – 3:30 – I know they lost the man who was supposed to be their leading rusher, but can Oregon really fall that far without him? Surely they are a good team even without one of their stars playing.
Michigan State @ Notre Dame – 3:30 – Based on the Irish schedule, a few certifiable individuals had Notre Dame playing for a national title at the end of the year. One loss to Michigan and that looks less likely. Don’t think ND will coast over Michigan State in this one. The Spartans have their number in South Bend.
Cincinnati @ Oregon State – 6:45 – After Florida/Tennessee, this is the game I want to see the most on Saturday, but I’m sure my friends will have something else to say if I’m searching for a bar televising this one the second the Gator game is over. Another big win and the Bearcats will find themselves in the top 15 and they will have deserved it.
FSU @ BYU – 7:00 – The Seminoles were very close to entering this game 0-2. They didn’t, but they have a good chance of leaving it 1-2. Max Hall should have a heyday with the FSU secondary.
Georgia @ Arkansas – 7:45 – It could be a long, bumpy ride for the Bulldogs in 2009.
West Virginia @ Auburn – 7:45 – The Tigers have looked good in two games under Gene Chizik. Very good in fact. However, it’s way, WAY too soon to say Auburn made the right hire.
Texas Tech @ Texas – 8:00 – Okay, okay. It’s worth watching. I’ll give you that. Just not necessarily game of the week status.