This weekend feels very much like a warm-up for what we’ll see on Rivalry Weekend starting a week from now. It’s crazy because I am ridiculously excited for Thanksgiving football, and yet we still have a very solid weekend of college football immediately in front of us.
Let’s get into it!
#4 TCU at Baylor
TCU just needs to keep on keeping on, and they ought to make their very first College Football Playoff. The only problem is that their defense hasn’t scared anyone despite their immaculate record, so no one believes in them. Moreover, the Horned Frogs and the Bears always put up a million points whenever they meet. This contest promises all of that and then some.
The Bears are getting 2.5 points at home. Kickoff goes at noon on Fox.
??? ????????: ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?️
— TCU Football (@TCUFootball) November 17, 2022
Hear from the best running back in the Big 12 @Offical_dre11 on tonight’s episode. Airing on ESPN+ #GoFrogs #DFWBig12Team pic.twitter.com/f13Qcl1S1k
#22 Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
Bedlam is your Rivalry Weekend amuse bouche. Somehow the Cowboys are getting 7 points despite the fact that they’ve won two more games and come in ranked. I don’t get that at all.
ABC has this one, starting at 7:30 pm.
A game known for big plays and dramatic finishes. What's your favorite Bedlam moment? #OUDNA pic.twitter.com/fM6tSQYxhO
— Oklahoma Football (@OU_Football) November 18, 2022
#7 USC at #16 UCLA
And again we have another Rivalry Weekend appetizer. USC and UCLA are literal crosstown rivals — the game itself is the Crosstown Showdown — and they’re both ranked. Plus, the game is on network TV in prime time. What more can you ask?
Can the Pac-12 get a team into the Playoff? Southern California has their best chance in a good long while. Fox has coverage. Kickoff goes at 8 pm ET.
⏰✌️ pic.twitter.com/eVQrz9gH6W
— USC Football ✌️ (@uscfb) November 13, 2022
#10 Utah at #12 Oregon
This would be the game of the weekend if it was scheduled in a better time slot. Alas, the Ducks laid an egg last week, so they’re now getting 3 points at home against a Utah team that, no matter how good they play, no one ever takes seriously. That, friends, is how the #10 and #12 teams wind up playing a game that starts at freaking 10:30 PM ET on cable television.
Granted, the cable station is ESPN, so at least most sports fans have access to it.
“Tavion Thomas the Tank Engine” coming through! ?
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) November 16, 2022
Did Thomas earn the @76 Fan Fueled Moment in @Utah_Football’s dominant win over Stanford? Tweet #FanFueled2 to vote! pic.twitter.com/ZGpqkI12mA
Western Kentucky at Auburn
Western Kentucky (7-4, 5-2 CUSA) is quietly having a terrific season. They just blasted a much-improved Rice team, 45-10, and now they’re headed to Jordan-Hare Stadium to meet Auburn on a down year.
This could end badly for the Tigers.
Auburn is giving just 5.5 points in this one, which starts at 4:00 pm on Saturday. Alas, it got relegated to the SEC Network. It promises to be a pretty interesting game, reminiscent of an early-season bowl match-up.
Editor’s note: This tweet from Auburn borrowed a level of trouble that I personally would never have contemplated.
One more at ??? house. pic.twitter.com/FuuKNNN8Sg
— Auburn Football (@AuburnFootball) November 16, 2022
Honorable Mentions
#24 NC State at Louisville
Louisville blasted Wake Forest, and now they’re giving 3.5 points to #24 N.C. State. What in the world?
This one’s on ESPN3, starting at 3:30 pm.
Syracuse at Wake Forest
Two similar teams having similar seasons, but the ‘Cuse are getting 10 points. I like it. This one’s on the ACC Network, starting at 8:00 pm.
UConn at Army
Army-UConn is the low-key regional rivalry that you might never have realized that you needed until you’re in the stadium for it. But one of my all-time favorite Army games was the 2014 barnburner these two had at Yankee Stadium, and indeed, these teams play close a lot more often than one blows the other out.
The Huskies are getting 10 points this week, which is insane. They’re a young team with a lot of talent and a much better record. Kickoff is at noon on CBS Sports.
Navy at #20 UCF
Navy came back on Notre Dame last week by blitzing the crap out of the Irish passing attack from a Cover 0 look. I am legitimately curious to see what will happen if they try that again this week against UCF. I mean, I think I know what will happen, but to quote Mike Tyson, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face.”
The Knights are giving more than two touchdowns at home. The game kicks at 11:00 am on ESPN2.
Go Army! Beat UConn!!!
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