South Florida at Cincinnati Pick and Preview
The Big East takes center stage on Thursday night on ESPN as the South Florida Bulls travel to Cincinnati to face the Bearcats. The Bulls were expected to contend for the Big East title this season but with two conference losses they are almost out of the race already. Cincinnati is not in much better shape at 1-1 in the conference.
Penn State at Ohio State Pick and Preview
First place in the Big-10 is on the line Saturday night as #10 Ohio State hosts #3 Penn State. This game could have national title implications as the Nittany Lions don’t have anyone on their remaining schedule that stacks up to Ohio State. The problem for Penn State is that they haven’t won at Columbus in 30 years.
Boise State at San Jose State Pick and Preview
The Boise State Broncos will look to remain perfect on the season as they travel to San Jose State to meet the Spartans on Friday. The Broncos have always been a team that outscored opponents with a powerful offense but this year it is the defense that is dominating. The Broncos are third in the nation in scoring defense allowing just 10.5 points per game. They have given up more than seven points only once all year.
Auburn at West Virginia Pick and Preview
Two teams that have fallen out of the national spotlight meet on Thursday night as West Virginia hosts Auburn. The Tigers have a solid defense but no offense while West Virginia has a solid offense but no defense. It should be an interesting contrast.
Hawaii at Boise State Pick and Preview
Unbeaten Boise State will look to keep their perfect record intact as they host Hawaii on Friday night. Last year Hawaii was able to defeat the Broncos for the WAC title but it is a much different Hawaii team this season without Colt Brennan and head coach June Jones. The Warriors are not without talent though.
Florida State at NC State Pick and Preview
Florida State and NC State are getting used to meeting on Thursday nights. It is the third time in the last four Thursday games that Florida State has played at NC State. The Wolfpack won the last Thursday night meeting between the teams in Carter-Finley Stadium in 2006. The game will be the 73rd appearance on an ESPN network for Florida State. They are 56-16 in the previous 72 games. FSU is 2-3 in their last five games played at Carter Finley Stadium.
Penn State at Wisconsin Pick and Preview
The Wisconsin Badgers will try and avoid starting 0-3 in the Big 10 as they host 6th ranked Penn State on Saturday night. To get the win the Badgers will have to slow down the Big Ten’s best offense. The Nittany Lions are averaging almost 500 yards per game, 9th best in the nation. They are scoring 44.8 points per game which ranks 7th in the country. Quarterback Daryll Clark has thrown 9 touchdowns with only one interception this season while running back Evan Royster has eight touchdowns this season.
LSU at Florida Pick and Preview
An intense SEC rivalry game is on tap Saturday night in Florida as the Gators host the LSU Tigers. It is a matchup of the last two national champions and features last year’s Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. It is the first time in 18 years that the National Champs from the previous two seasons will meet in a regular season game. LSU has won four of the last six meetings against Florida including two of the last three in Gainesville.
Texas vs Oklahoma Pick and Preview
The biggest game of the college football season so far takes place on Saturday in Dallas as Oklahoma and Texas get together. The Sooners are ranked #1 in the country while the Longhorns are ranked #5. Both teams have been excellent this season but Oklahoma has been a little more impressive. The Sooners have outscored opponents 248-69 this season. Texas is not far behind and with a win could take over the #1 spot.
Louisville at Memphis Pick and Preview
Two teams looking to move above the .500 mark will meet Friday as Memphis hosts Louisville in a nationally televised game on ESPN. The Cardinals enter the game at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Big East after losing to Connecticut almost two weeks ago by a score of 26-21. Memphis has won three straight games after losing their first three of the season. Last week they defeated UAB 33-30.