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This is kind of an odd week. There are two humongous games with major implications that both kick off at the same time. Outside of that, it’s kind of slim pickings. Either way, it’s a September Saturday, which means it should be spent with a day of college football.
(#12)West Virginia at (#25)Texas Tech
ESPN Noon
The Mountaineers keep getting floated as a darkhorse playoff contender, and will look to stay undefeated a week after a beatdown of Kansas State. Texas Tech is also coming off an impressive outing, dismantling #15 Oklahoma State 41-17. The Red Raiders offense has been on fire as of late, averaging just over 60 points a game during the last three weeks. The scoreboard operator will be keeping busy this game, which should be an excellent start to a college football Saturday.
Prediction: Texas Tech- 45, West Virginia- 41
(#14)Michigan at Northwestern
FOX 4:30 p.m.
After floundering against Notre Dame in week one, Michigan’s offense seems to be coming together. A trip to Northwestern would normally be considered a good test at the least, but the Wildcats are coming off a two-game losing streak to Duke and....Akron. Maybe we learn something, maybe we don’t...but at the end of the day, either Jim Harbaugh of Pat Fitzgerald comes out a loser, which is good enough for me.
Prediction: Michigan- 31, Northwestern- 17
Florida at (#23)Mississippi State
ESPN 6 p.m.
If the Michigan-Northwestern game gets out of hand, flip over to this one to pass the time as you anxiously await the clock to strike half-past seven. Joe Moorhead looked to have the Bulldogs hitting on all cylinders early, until their season was derailed in a 28-7 loss to Kentucky last week. Now they will look to bounce back against another 3-1 SEC foe who also fell victim to Kentucky.
Prediction: Mississippi State- 38, Florida- 28
(#19)Oregon at (#24)Cal
FS1 10:30 p.m.
If you’re anything like me, you will either be watching highlights into the wee hours of the morning or will want to avoid any reminders of the existence of college football depending on the outcome of the Penn State-Ohio State game. However, if you’re in the mood for some PAC 12 After Dark, this should be an entertaining match-up. It will be interesting to see how Oregon bounces back on the road after completely giving away the game to Stanford last week in the most heartbreaking fashion imaginable. This is actually the biggest game for Cal in years- with a win here, the Bears have a legitimate shot at a 7-0 start to the season.
Prediction: Oregon- 31, Cal-23