Heading into gameday this week, we have another package schedule featuring battles against bonafide contenders. In this article, we will preview our top matchups for this weekend.
Honorable Mentions
#16 Mississippi State against #22 Kentucky, #4 Clemson against Florida State, #19 Kansas against Oklahoma
Noteworthy Unranked Matchups
LSU against Florida, Arkansas against BYU, UNC against Duke
5. #15 NC State against #18 Syracuse
Odds: Syracuse -3.5, O/U 42
Syracuse is a team that would not generally be on a top 5 list for competitive games, but they have had a hot start to the year. The Orange will look to make a statement win to move to 6-0 for the first time since 1987. This matchup is the first ranked matchup Syracuse has hosted since 2001 and looks to make noise in a nearly sold-out stadium. The biggest storyline for the game is whether Devin Leary is healthy. If Leary is healthy, the Wolfpack will be in a prime position to pick up their first big win. As for the Orange, QB Garret Shrader has been extremely solid so far, only having one game with an interception. Shrader is complemented on the ground by RB Sean Tucker, as the running back is coming off a performance of over 200 yards and 3 TDs against Wagner last week.
4. #7 USC against #20 Utah
Odds: Utah -3.5, O/U 65
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Lincoln Riley has revived the entire USC program, as the Trojans sit at 6-0 heading into their first-ranked matchup. Although the Utes already have 2 losses, they were both on the road in close games against decent teams in Florida and UCLA. Both squads are very balanced; each has an average of 40 PPG and under 19 points allowed (.3 point difference). The QBs highlight the immense talent that will be on the field, as USC QB Caleb Williams (2nd in Heisman odds) and Utah QB Cameron Rising have proven themselves as some of the most dynamic shot callers in the nation. The winner of the game will likely be decided by which quarterback performs better. The Trojans will look to avenge their loss from last season.
3. #8 Oklahoma State against #13 TCU
Odds: TCU -4, O/U 68.5
Following an embarrassing loss last year, the Horned Frogs will look to get even against the Cowboys this Saturday. Both teams have started as well. Both teams have at least one ranked win. TCU has the upper hand not only due to home-field advantage but also because they have picked up two big wins in the past two weeks. This matchup should be an offensive battle due to the number of weapons each team has on offense, as each averages 46.4 PPG.
2. #10 Penn State against #5 Michigan
Odds: Michigan -7, O/U 50.5
Following a low-scoring win at home last week against Northwestern, the Nittany Lions look to emerge as a playoff contender as they head into Ann Arbor in a top-10 matchup. The Wolverines got the best of the Nittany Lions last year in a close 21-17, their closest game of the season. This matchup features two talented backs, headlined by Heisman hopeful Blake Corum, as the Michigan RB is 6th in Heisman odds. As for PSU, RB Nicholas Singleton has shown flashes of why he was 2022’s #1 ranked running back. This matchup should be a low-scoring game that comes down to the last possession, with the winner positioning themselves as the biggest threat to Ohio State in the Big 10 East.
1. #3 Alabama against #6 Tennessee
Odds: Alabama -7, O/U 65.5
The obvious choice for the game of the week is the Crimson Tide head to Knoxville. Although reining Heisman winner Bryce Young is currently a game-time decision, he has made solid progress thus far, and it would surprise me if he did not suit up. Assuming Young plays, this game will be arguably the best QB matchup all season, as Young and Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker are currently 3rd and 4th in Heisman odds, respectively (according to VegasInsider). The Volunteers have defended their home field well thus far, holding off rival Florida in an early College Gameday matchup, and are seeking to find more success this Saturday. As for Alabama, the Crimson Tide have been uncharacteristic, as they almost dropped last week’s home matchup against Texas A&M and in their first road trip of the season against Texas. This matchup will be a statement game for whoever wins, with the #1 ranking likely on the line.
