The College Five

Week three is upon us, and it is time to select the top five matches of the weekend, along with predicting their outcomes. After a down week, my record stands at 7-3 through the first two weeks. Time to get some wins this weekend.

5 - (25) UCLA Bruins vs. Memphis Tigers, Saturday 9:00 am

This is a trap game for Chosen Rosen and company. Bruins quarterback Josh Rosen has been nothing short of impressive, throwing for 820 yards and nine touchdowns and keeping his team from the jaws of defeat in the comeback win against Texas A&M. Now they head across country to take on a the Tigers, a team that will look to run the ball with Darrell Henderson. The Bruins defense will need to try and get stops and keep the Tigers from sucking up large chunks of the clock in a tight game.

UCLA wins 37-30

4 - (23) Tennessee Volunteers vs. (24) Florida Gators, Saturday 12:30 pm

The Gators looked strong with a pair of pick sixes to start their game against Michigan, but the offense failed to gain any traction in the game that flipped on them. The Gators had plenty of suspensions to hold back their offense and now have missed practices due to hurricane Irma. The Volunteers, on the other side, have established Quinten Dormady as the primary quarterback and looked far more ready for the SEC clash than the Gators. Dormady adds to his season totals of 415 passing yards and four touchdowns while running back John Kelly adds a nice compliment on the ground, a combination just too good for the sluggish Gator offense to keep up with.

Tennessee wins 31-16

3 - (9) Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Pittsburgh Panthers, Saturday 9:00 am

This is the first real test for the Cowboys and their star quarterback Mason Rudolph, who has already tossed for 638 yards and six touchdowns this season. This is the first team with a real name attached that the Cowboys will play, but they should be able to take care of business, scoring at the alarming rate of 51.5 points per game. They also have only let up 15.5 points per game, and should be able to handle the Panthers ground and pound style by stretching the defense and jumping out to a lead early to force them to pass.

Oklahoma State wins 45-24

2 - Texas Longhorns vs. (4) USC Trojans, Saturday 5:30 pm

The grudge match that has been in the making for 11 years since the Longhorns had their stunning comeback in the Rose Bowl that was led by star quarterback Vince Young. Now the two teams clash, with the quarterback advantage in USC’s corner because of Heisman hopeful Sam Darnold. While Shane Buechele’s health leaves his availability for the game murky, the key for the Longhorns to make this a game is blocking up front. If both these quarterbacks show up and get a chance to catch fire, this has game of the year potential, with two signal callers that can sling the football in front of a fanbase looking for redemption. Call me an optimist with this score, but I want both players healthy.

USC wins 45-37

1 - (3) Clemson Tigers vs. (14) Louisville Cardinals, Saturday 5:00 pm

Last year’s game may have been one of the best of the year, with the game going down to the wire as the defense of Clemson was able to just keep the Cardinals and quarterback Lamar Jackson in check by the skin of their teeth. Now the Cardinals host the Tigers in a matchup of strength vs. strength. While the offense of Jackson far more threatening than anything the Tigers have to offer, but up against a defense that racked up 12 sacks against Auburn and only a shaky line to try and stop them. It will be another instant classic that goes down to the wire and will greatly impact who goes to the College Football Playoff. Jackson picked up right where he left off, already putting up 715 yards and five touchdowns, with 239 rushing yards and three touchdowns. In the Heisman champion I trust.

Cardinals win 27-24