All is right with the world as Florida football once again takes center stage in the college football landscape a week after a big win over Auburn.
A trip to Tiger Stadium will shine a light on who the Gators are in 2019. It’s a tough place to play, but this Florida football team is more than capable of pulling out a win to improve to 7-0 on the season.
9:00 AM ET
College GameDay (ESPN) – For the second straight week and for the third time this season, College GameDay will be on hand to see the Gators. Corso brought out a live Gator last week, but don’t expect him to pick the good guys this week.
https://twitter.com/CollegeGameDay/status/1180640750763163649
12:00 PM ET
#6 Oklahoma vs #11 Texas (FOX) – OU is a double-digit favorite in this one and, while it’s normally reasonable to expect a good fight from Texas, the Longhorns have struggled on defense this season. If QB Sam Ehlinger and the UT run game can slow down the game and keep Sooners’ QB Jalen Hurts on the sideline, the Horns will have a shot in this one.
South Carolina at #3 Georgia (ESPN) – Get a look at the Gators’ next two opponents. QB Ryan Hilinski took advantage of the bye week and looks to be a healthy start for Carolina.
Mississippi State at Tennessee (SECN) – The Vols played a solid first half against UGA. If Tennessee can bring that type of energy against a vulnerable Mississippi State team, the Vols may be able to pull the upset here. I would say this upset is about as likely as the Joe Moorhead to Rutgers rumors that began circulating last week.
All SEC Football
3:30 PM ET
#1 Alabama at #24 Texas A&M (CBS) – Jimbo Fisher was brought in to win games like this, but in a year-and-a-half, he has only one signature win (last year’s 7 OT thriller vs LSU). Don’t expect this to be his second.
Florida State at #2 Clemson (ABC) – A once competitive series has seen Clemson win four-straight. Expect FSU should come out swinging and don’t be surprised if they’re hanging around in the first half. However, the Noles’ second-half lulls will cost them in this one.
Washington State at #18 Arizona State (PAC12) – Who knows what to think about either of these teams? Arizona State has some nice wins on the road at Michigan State and Cal, but couldn’t take care of business at home against Colorado. Mike Leach and the Cougs have been putting up big numbers as usual on the offensive side. The defense has been an issue. After the Cougars gave up 67 to UCLA and 38 to Utah in the last two games, Wazzou DC Tracy Claeys’ resigned. Leach later stated that defense had “too much strategy” and needed to simplify. Expect the Cougars to play fast and take down the ranked Sun Devils.
4:00 PM ET
UNLV at Vanderbilt (SECN) – This game makes the list strictly due to the fact that Vanderbilt is a member of the SEC. Moving along…
7:00 PM ET
Ole Miss at Missouri (ESPN2) – Mizzou has played good defense this season, but the Rebs will present a challenge. QB Kelly Bryant should be good to go in this one after sustaining an injury last week. The Tigers should take care of business at home in this one.
7:30 PM ET
The Game of the Day
#7 Florida at #5 LSU (ESPN) – For as tough as an environment that Tiger Stadium can be, the Gators have had some success on the road against LSU. Since 1999, Florida is 5-5 against the Tigers in Baton Rouge. Outside of the 41-11 beat down in 2011 that featured LSU P Brad Wing waltzing in the end zone, Florida has hung tough in the losses: 2005: 21-17, 2007: 28-24, 2013: 17-6, and 2015: 35-28, losing only once by double-digits. It’s a tall task for Trask and the Gators to turn-around after the emotional high of Auburn and win another top-ten matchup, but this Florida defense is capable of slowing down a hot LSU offense. If the Gators can force a couple of turnovers, Florida could walk out of Baton Rouge with a win and thrust itself into the playoff picture.
USC at #9 Notre Dame (NBC) – USC received a boost this week with the announcement that QB Kedon Slovis has been cleared to play against the Irish. Notre Dame is a double-digit favorite in this one, however, Southern Cal’s offense is dangerous enough to Notre Dame some trouble. A win here for USC would go a long way for head coach on the hot seat, Clay Helton, and a win for the Irish would set up a big matchup in Ann Arbor next week against Michigan.
#10 Penn State at # 17 Iowa (ABC) – Iowa City has been a tough environment for major Big Ten programs in recent years. In 2017, the Hawkeyes narrowly lost to #4 Penn State 21-19 on a late touchdown before trouncing the #3 Buckeyes 55-24 later in the season. Despite victories in their last two trips to Iowa, Penn State has lost three of their last five at Kinnick Stadium.
- 2003 – Iowa 26-14
- 2008 – Iowa 24-23
- 2010 – Iowa 24-3
- 2012 – Penn State 38-14
- 2017 – Penn State 21-19
Arkansas at Kentucky (SECN) – The Hogs are sitting at 2-3 and have remaining SEC games against Auburn, Alabama, LSU, Mississippi State, and Mizzou, so it’s safe to say a bowl bid is not looking likely for Chad Morris in year two at Arkansas. Kentucky, also 2-3, has a real chance at a bowl game if they take care of business at home against the Hogs. An upset is a real possibility here. Arkansas can score a bit while the UK offense has struggled, however, I expect the UK defense to come up with enough stops to secure the win at home.
10:15 PM ET
Hawaii at Boise State (ESPN2) – The Warriors are big underdogs in this one and I made the assumption the Broncos would roll on the blue turf. However, the experts are saying this Hawaii team, coming off a 54-3 victory on the road is different than the Hawaii teams that have struggled on the road in the past. Both teams are contenders in each division in the Mountain West meaning this game could decide which team gets home-field advantage in the conference title game.
11:00 PM ET
Washington at Arizona (FS1) – The Huskies raised some eyebrows last week after they were beaten by what appears to be the worst Stanford in more than decade. Arizona is off to a quiet 2-0 start in the Pac-12. A loss here effectively ends any remote hopes Washington may have at a conference title this season.
Remember, No. 5 LSU hosts No. 7 Florida at 8 p.m. Saturday at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.