Will Penn State Recover And Upset Ohio State?
With the Big 10 back in the game, a few things are now loud and clear about the 2020 college football season. Some teams are already making noise that they need to be heard, others are proving to be a laughing stock and SEC officiating at Auburn games is a joke.
What happened to one star player is no laughing matter and Alabama will simply not be able to Waddle into the playoffs, Dabo chuckles at any criticism after his team’s early struggle last week and you can hear the laughs coming out of Colorado clear up to East Lansing.
Of course, they are crying “not AGAIN!” in Lincoln, saying “what happened” in the Pennsylvania mountains and one would think the commissioner is screaming at Auburn game officials in the SEC office.
Now onto this week’s games. Unfortunately, Wisconsin at Nebraska has been canceled and deemed a “no contest” due to the Big-10’s COVID-19 protocols. In another coronavirus development, Trevor Lawrence tested positive on Thursday. His status for next week’s game against Notre Dame is questionable.
All times are Pacific because the Prognosticator lives in San Diego. And don’t forget that Daylight Savings Time ends Saturday night.
Boston College at Clemson (9 a.m., ABC)
There’s a spooky setup here, birds from a place near Salem coming down to invade a place called Death Valley on Halloween. But if there’s anything scary here, it’s how bad the hosts will tear up the invaders, even without Lawrence of Clemson. This game will still be a treat and not a trick for the Dabos, who continue to carve up weak ACC opponents as if they were pumpkins. Winner: Clemson
Michigan State at Michigan (9 a.m., FOX)
Mel Tucker took the Michigan State job while he was at a Colorado booster’s dinner and now he’s feeling pretty green after losing to Rutgers in his first game. The Wolverines, on the other hand, come roaring in after a convincing opening rout and are ready to tear into a school they like to call “little brother.” And oh brother, what happens here won’t exactly have Tucker at the head of the table for the family reunion. Winner: Michigan
Notre Dame at Georgia Tech (12:30 p.m., ABC)
The Rambling Wreck is just that, a wreck that is rambling out of control down I-75 in downtown Hotlanta. The Irish could start Rudy at quarterback and still win this game by three touchdowns. Winner: Notre Dame
Indiana at Rutgers (12:30 p.m., BTN)
The Prognosticator would like to recognize Indiana Head Coach Tom Allen for playing to win the previous week against Penn State. He definitely doesn’t come from the Will Muschamp School of Conservatism. Not only did he go for the win in the first overtime he went for it in regulation by trying an on-sides kick after his team scored the tying touchdown. He proved that not all the balls in that game were on the playing field. And even while Greg Schiano returned to the State University of New Jersey with an upset of his own, it’s hard not give credit where credit it due to IU. Winner: Indiana
LSU at Auburn (12:30 p.m., CBS)
There’s an old sports adage that states “it’s better to be lucky than good.” Well, the Plainsmen have been plain lucky this season with quick officials’ whistles blowing dead plays in three games that would have left the Fortunate Souls dead-last in the SEC West at 0-5. Will the visiting Felines, who last week pulled themselves out of the Louisiana muck to beat South Carolina, be able to overcome both the Tigers and the zebras to be Gus Busters on Halloween? Doubtful. Winner: Auburn
Texas at Oklahoma State (1 p.m., FOX)
The Eyes Of Texas are upon themselves more than on others these days and unless the Steers get the art of tackling down they will be watching a bunch of Cowboys run by them as if it’s a cattle drive. The Pokes nearly got their roundup blown out to pasture by some Cyclones last week and want to be sure to keep the Steers under control this week. Winner: Oklahoma State
Boise State at Air Force (3 p.m.)
As a salute to the Prognosticator’s friends on both sides of this battle, this game is included in this week’s picks. The Blue-clad Boys go to the wild blue yonder but hope not to let their minds wander against the Hunting Birds, who are hunting for a win. The pickings will be slim for the hosts, tho, as the invaders will keep them grounded. Winner: Boise State.
Mississippi State at Alabama (4 p.m., ESPN)
The suddenly Waddle-less Pachyderms take the field in T-town with an air raid of their own. Mac is just not keeping up with the Joneses of college football, he’s surpassing them with an attack that rains points down on defenses. If the State Dogs think they have a chance at an upset, they are barking up the wrong tree. Winner: Alabama
Ohio State at Penn State (4:30 p.m., ESPN)
This game had its luster dimmed considerably when the Felines failed to take care care of business last week and now the hosts face a season on the brink of disaster. To say they were looking ahead is as obvious as a keg at a fraternity party and maybe the mountain air will clear their heads and enable them to re-focus this week. It’s more likely that the Acorns and their dizzying offense will have the Cats’ heads spinning before dealing the knockout blow. Winner: Ohio State
Arkansas at Texas A&M (4:30 p.m., SEC Network)
The Woo Sooies are going hog wild over their surprising team this year while the Cadets are starting to think the Gig may not be up for Jimbo just yet. Head Hog Sam Pittman has his team out of the pits and the Cadets had better call Reveille to have all the troops assembled to fight off a suddenly worthy adversary. The 12th Man made a difference against Florida and it will again in this one. Winner: Texas A&M.
Missouri at Florida (4:30 p.m., Alternate SEC Network)
The Swamp was drained the past two weeks by COVID and now the staggering Gators emerge from hiding by hoping they have enough chops in their chomps to put some wounds in the visiting prey. The kids from Columbia have been as up and down as an elevator while the Chompers are just chomping at the bit to play a game. Winner: Florida
Oklahoma at Texas Tech (5 p.m., FOX)
Apparently, Lincoln Riley got a bit wily after a bumpy beginning and he now has the Schooners pointed in the right direction. They blow into Lubbock for the usual basketball game on turf, a show that will produce the typical 100+ points, go down to the final couple of possessions and end in a Boomer victory. It will be exciting for sure but also with a predictable outcome. Winner: Oklahoma
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