It’s a big weekend of college football. Trap games, ranked matchups, and high stakes for several teams. I can promise you I won’t leave the couch after at least 3:30 p.m. Here are five games that you need to look out for this week!
California Golden Bears @ No. 22 Pittsburgh Panthers | Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPN
California looks to play spoiler yet again to another undefeated team. After two close losses in ACC play, they head to Pittsburgh looking to bounce back. Cal has has been a scrappy team this year and has caused problems for several teams including Miami and Auburn. Meanwhile the Pitt Panthers are looking to go 6-0 for the first time since 1982. The home crowd has been a huge boost for Pitt. They have been winning games by an average of 25 points or more. I think this game will be close early, but Pitt wins this one comfortably. Pittsburgh 27 | California 13
No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions @ USC Trojans | Saturday @ 2:30 p.m. CT on FOX
It’s a big game in Los Angeles as the Penn State Nittany Lions face USC in a rematch of the 2017 Rose Bowl Game. Both teams are in need of a win for different reasons. The Trojans have been on the end of two brutal losses to Michigan and Minnesota where they blew leads in the fourth quarter. Take away those losses, and they would probably be undefeated and ranked. The Nittany Lions have been getting it done with quarterback Drew Allar at the helm. He’s been impressive, showing a lot of maturity in his junior season. I expect a good bit of scoring in this game, but I think Penn State comes out the winner and stays undefeated. Penn State 31 | USC 28
No.18 Kansas State Wildcats @ Colorado Buffaloes | Saturday @ 9:15 CT on ESPN
Kansas State faces yet another road trap game this week in Boulder against Colorado. The Wildcats’ last road game was a nightmare loss at BYU by a score of 38-9. This week they face a Colorado team that is starting to play their best football. The whole nation questioned whether or not Colorado would actually get it together, and they proved it last week with convincing win at UCF. This is a huge game in the BIG 12 standings and I think it will come down to the final few minutes of the game. I think the experience and maturity of Kansas State will shine in this game. I think they pull off the win. Kansas State 41 | Colorado 35
No. 11 Iowa State Cyclones @ West Virginia Mountaineers | Saturday @ 7:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Iowa State has a tough test on the road this week against an improving West Virginia. The Mountaineers are on a two game winning streak with wins against Oklahoma State and Kansas. Iowa State has yet to face a difficult game on the road and I think it will show this time. I like West Virginia to upset the Cyclones. West Virginia 34 | Iowa State 20
No. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes @ No. 3 Oregon Ducks | Saturday @ 6:30 p.m. CT on NBC
It’s the biggest matchup of the year. Oregon faces Ohio State in what could be a precursur to the BIG 10 Championship Game. A few weeks ago, I might have easily been picking Ohio State, but the Ducks have improved on both sides of the football. Their defense is stepping up and quarterback Dillion Gabriel is showing everyone just how good he really is. Ohio State has a great backfield with Quinshon Judkins and TreVyon Henderson. The Buckeyes will look to run the ball and control the clock to keep the ball out of the hands of Gabriel. I have to take the Ducks at home. I think they make a big statement and win by at least two scores. Oregon 35 | Ohio State 20
