“And Fall, with her yeller harvest moon and the hills growin’ brown and golden under a sinkin’ sun.” – Roy Bean
Harvest Moon this week. Will it bring drama to the college football Saturday night? Time to reap what you sow.
Did you enjoy Week 3? 16 games this past Saturday were on the watch list, but only three games are grabbing my attention for Week 4, and one more:
Southern Cal @ Michigan. CBS 1:30
This is a chance for USC to earn a spot on the coveted ‘Impressive Teams’ list. Having documented the obvious flaws at the QB position for Michigan and the strengths of their running game and defense already, there is no sense in piling on what I’ve already said regarding them. This game is about what USC can do against the Wolverines in the Big House—When the hell does Michigan play a home game? I watched them Week 1 against Fresno, Week 2 against Texas, Week 3 against Arkansas St, and now Week 4 is at home as well…I certainly did not plan to go on this tangent, but I’ve just looked up Michigan’s schedule and it’s worth saying a word.
Michigan opens this season with 5 consecutive home games, one of which they have already lost. That is going to make for a long season with all of the away games stacking up towards the end. Oh wait, that doesn’t happen either. After beginning the season with 5 consecutive home games, the Wolverines somehow avoid playing road games in back-to-back weeks once this season. Their first road game will be in Washington October 5th followed by a bye week then a visit to Champaign on October 19th. They travel to Indiana November 9th and close the season in Columbus on the 30th. Eight home games and four spaced out road games. Seems a bit lopsided for what I’m used to seeing. I haven’t cross checked every big school’s schedule yet to compare, but just came across this info and thought it was worth noting. Back to USC and what was I saying? Oh yeah, what they will do in the Big House.
The Trojans beat LSU week 1 in Las Vegas, but I didn’t catch the game unfortunately. That would’ve given me some insight into this matchup. Instead, this game is my first real time watching the team that hails from Pasadena. Some questions that this game can help answer potentially are—
Can the Trojans contain the two headed monster Wolverine running attack? Can they continue to turn over the Michigan QB’s? Will they move the ball on the experienced Wink Martendale coached defense? If the game is tight late in the fourth, will Lincoln Riley stay composed and make the correct decisions?
I’m hoping for a well officiated, clean game that is free of injuries and looking forward to learning about USC this week. And that Wolverine Schedule. Geez. A HC’s dream.
- Utah @ Oklahoma St FOX 2:00
Besides the fact that Utah is a borderline ‘impressive team’ on the road against the undefeated Cowboys, this game is intriguing for another reason. Kyle Whittingham against Mike Gundy. Two staples of this sport for as long as I’ve been a passionate fan. Both guys have been the head coach of their school since 2005, and both have built winning programs and exciting teams year after year. This will be the first time they will be playing each other. A must watch for me.
The last and only time these two teams played, the final was 46-6 in favor of the Cowboys. Of course, the year was 1945 and the teams were then called the Oklahoma A & M Cowboys, and the Utes were named Redskins, and further that game was played in Salt Lake City not Stillwater. No sir, history will not help us with this one. Utah QB Cam Rising needs to be healthy.
- Tennessee @ Oklahoma ABC 5:30
The Volunteer freight train is pulling into Norman Saturday night. The Vols impressed me in Charlotte Week 2, and OU has yet to impress me this season in their three wins over Temple, Houston, and Tulane. Brett Venables Sooners have struggled on the offensive side from what I’ve observed. The play calling has been ‘suspect’ and the play designs have lacked creativity to this point. Have the Sooners been just ‘getting by’ and saving their best for the incoming Vols? Or is this Oklahoma team about to get routed in Norman, by the seemingly unstoppable force that is this Josh Heupel led team? The Sooners have looked prepared and disciplined on defense thus far. Will their defense force the Vols into punts or mistakes?
These are college kids and millions are on the line so anything can happen but based on my own observations of these two teams, there is exactly zero percent chance that Tennessee should lose this game. That said, you and I have been watching football long enough to know that the best team doesn’t always win, and that loud, raucous college football stadiums late on fall Saturday nights provide drama that only the best writer could script. Norman will be no exception. Will the Sooner fans conjure the magic needed to spell Nico Iamaleava and the explosive Volunteers? Kirk Herbstreit will tell us the story.
One More. Kansas St @ BYU
ESPN 8:00
Kansas St and BYU are both undefeated to begin the season, and Kansas St has impressed some enough to rank them “13th” in the country. I’ll be previewing this one later this week, but early intrigue in this late-night game from Provo that I’ll be attending. Gimme that Cougar Tail.
There is no shortage of football being played this Saturday, so watch what intrigues you. Vanderbilt, fresh off of their loss to Georgia St will be playing Missouri. Kansas, fresh off their home loss to UNLV will be playing West Virginia. Florida, fresh off their latest loss is travelling to Mississippi St who I’m pretty sure the Edinboro Fighting Scots could hang with right now.
I could write for hours about how bad these two teams have been. Historically bad. Where are the coaches? These players look lost. If Florida starts the correct QB, the Bulldogs could give up 50 at home. And, if the Florida secondary doesn’t tackle, then Mississippi State might actually win a game. Baylor at Colorado is a game that is actually intriguing to me, but I won’t be able to watch it. Disciplined Dave Aranda’s defense against the skill players of CU.
Later this week, I will post a preview of Kansas St @ BYU and perhaps one more post including a few picks, if there are any I like. Until then,
Find the Humor and keep on Movin’
Whit W.