This Weekend in College Football: Week 8

As usual, all times Eastern and all predictions wrong.

Noon:

• Oklahoma State @ Missouri (FX): The biggest difficulty for me with these FX games so far is remembering they exist. I'm sure the Big 12 types remember, but I generally had an easier time when they were on FSN because then they were at least near everything else. As for the game, Oklahoma State should roll.
• North Carolina @ Clemson (ESPN): One of these weeks, Clemson will play with fire and get burned. I think this a game they could lose, but they probably won't.
• Illinois @ Purdue (ESPN2): Illinois should be out for blood a week after losing their undefeated mark, but on the flip side this is a team coached by Ron Zook. So, who knows? They should still win though.
• Kansas State @ Kansas (FSN): Can K-State handle being heavy favorites in their in-state rivalry game? Yeah, they probably should be able to.
• Jacksonville State @ Kentucky (ESPNU): Kentucky won't lose this game, but it could be too close for comfort.
• Indiana @ Iowa (BTN): Iowa can really put up the points against drastically inferior competition. I believe Indiana qualifies as such.
• Arkansas @ Mississippi (SEC): Can you imagine a SEC team giving up 60 in a conference game? Ole Miss almost did to the usually stodgy Crimson Tide last weekend, giving up 52. Arkansas should be worse.

12:30: Wake Forest @ Duke (ACC): This is apparently one of those years where all of the stars align for Wake Forest and they're sort of halfway decent. Which is probably bad news for Duke.

3:00: Boston College @ Virginia Tech (ACC/FSN): BC's defense isn't, like, terrible. It's not great or anything. But their offense is just so bad that even VPI should be able to win by (at least) 20.

3:30:

• Auburn @ Louisiana State (CBS): Yes, I get that LSU is missing several key players from this defense but still, we've got a freshman QB going into a place where even veteran QBs can whither and die. LSU all the way.
• Nebraska @ Minnesota (ABC/ESPN2): Nebraska isn't as good as you probably think, but Minnesota is worse. Much worse.
• Maryland @ Florida State (ESPN2/ABC): Maryland sure has made it interesting the past couple of weeks, haven't they? They may manage to do the same against FSU, but it's still hard to see them breaking through.
• Texas Agricultural and Mechanical @ Iowa State (ABC): ISU just gave up 52 to Mizzou last weekend. I don't see this ending well for them.
• Georgia Tech @ Miami (ESPN): I think I've mentioned each of the last three weeks the issues with our run defense. So what happened? Virginia ran all over us. That said, Georgia Tech had 3 chances to tie or take the lead in the 4th quarter but never mustered anything on offense.
  The usual things were said this week about "intensity" and "wanting it" and such on both sides of the ball. We certainly haven't been as sharp since the UNC game, missing the big pass element of our game that had been so crucial early in the year. The defense is just, well, it's a continual work in progress, though we should get two of our starting linebackers back this weekend.
  Miami enters with a rejuvenated offense but a very banged up defense. If this game turns into a shootout, I'm not really sure who I like better. Then again, that's true regardless.
• North Carolina State @ Virginia (ESPNU): NC State isn't very good, but neither is Virginia and we just lost to them. So, yeah, I have no idea. UVA could well be in for a letdown after their big (ugh) win last weekend.
• Oregon @ Colorado (FSN): Oregon will attempt to keep up with the Joneses in this one. In this case, the Joneses are Stanford (put up 48 points) and Washington (put up 52 points).
• Air Force @ Boise State (Versus): Air Force might keep it close for a half, but Boise should just be able to keep throwing it over their heads.
• East Carolina @ Navy (CBSS): Navy desperately needs a win to break out of a four game losing streak, and I think they'll get it against ECU.

 7:00:

• Army @ Vanderbilt (ESPNU): In years past, this might've been a concern for the 'Dores, but this year's new and improved edition should be able to dispatch them fairly easily.
• Pennsylvania State @ Northwestern (BTN): Northwestern's been more competitive in recent weeks, but they're still losing due to a lack of a defense. However, Penn State is inept enough on offense to keep this close and possibly allow the upset.

7:15: Tennessee @ Alabama (ESPN2): This one might get ugly. Tide rolls.

7:30: Southern California @ Notre Dame (NBC): It's the nation's favorite intersectional rivalry! Mostly because, well, there aren't really very many intersectional rivalries, but still. Outside of Michigan State and Michigan this will be Notre Dame's toughest test by far, but it appears that it will benefit them to play this at home. USC has a suspiciously bad defense (for them), so I like the Domers.

8:00:

• Washington @ Stanford (ABC): This could be one of the more interesting Pac-12 matchups of the year, but ultimately I don't think Udub can run with Stanford.
• Texas Tech @ Oklahoma (ABC): Texas Tech has only held two teams below 30 points this year: Texas State and New Mexico. I have to say, I don't think I really like their chances against Oklahoma.
• Wisconsin @ Michigan State (ESPN): Gutting out wins won't be enough against the Wisconsin Death Machine.
• Southern Methodist @ Southern Mississippi (CBSS): This could well turn into one of the more interesting games of the evening, but I like the Golden Eagles at home.

10:30: Oregon State vs. Washington State (@Seattle, WA; FSN): Well, Wazzou already beat one of the awful teams of the Pac-12 (Colorado), they should be able to do the same against Oregon State.