It was a tough weekend for the ACC. Florida State has apparently lost any chance at the playoffs, and Virginia Tech suffered the first upset of the weekend (see the UPSETS section). Meanwhile, the Big Ten was the most successful, with only one team suffering a loss, and that team, Minnesota, well exceeded the predicted line.
Big Ten Report
Many of the teams started slowly, but that's not uncommon for this conference. Michigan and Michigan State struggled, but overcame their opponents. Oregon and UCLA were the two teams who struggled the most, but they still won. Minnesota lost, but they lost to a much stronger North Carolina team by only two points. USC surprisingly beat LSU, which further reinforced the conference's strength.
Upsets
Most years we have at least one FCS team beat their FBS opponent. We did not have any of those this year, but three teams came close. Central Arkansas nearly beat Arkansas State, and in fact led late in the fourth quarter. Tennessee Tech did the same thing to Middle Tennessee. Abilene Christian took Texas Tech to overtime.
One actual upset did involved a team who played in FCS up to last year. Sam Houston moved up to FBS this year, and they celebrated their first game at the higher level by beating Rice Owls. The first upset of the weekend involved Virginia Tech, who lost to perennial SEC doormat Vanderbilt. UNLV shocked Houston later.
Friday Sept 6
Big Ten
Duke Blue Devils at Northwestern Wildcats : Northwestern can be fiesty, but Duke was one of the few shining stars of the ACC last week. DUKE by ten
Other Games of Interest
BYU Cougars at SMU Mustangs : The Mustangs had a great game last week, but the Cougars are a strong team. I have to favor them, although it will be close. BYU by six
Saturday Sept 7
Big Ten
Texas Longhorns at Michigan Wolverines : The defending champions started slowly last week. That won't work against the powerful offense of Texas. TEXAS by 16
Bowling Green Falcons at Penn State Nittany Lions : Sure enough, a MAC team played a Big Ten tough last week. This one won't be so close. PENN STATE by lots
Iowa State Cyclones at Iowa Hawkeyes : This in-state rivalry is often hard-fought. I don't think that will be the case this year. Both played well last week, but Iowa showed more power. Like last year, Iowa's defense was strong, and their offense shined last week, too. They will overwhelm the Cyclones. IOWA by 20
Michigan State Spartans at Maryland Terrapins : The first Big Ten conference game of the season matches strength against strength -- the Spartans defense against the Maryland offense. I think the Terps will find ways to move against that defense. The Spartans offense, on the other hand, may find the going tough against the Terps defense. MARYLAND by 12
Kansas Jayhawks at Illinois Fighting Illini : Kansas is favored, but Illinois looked fabulous last week. We weren't sure how their offense would look, but it was sharp. The defense remains tough. Kansas may win, but I favor Illinois. ILLINOIS by three
Western Michigan Broncos at Ohio State Buckeyes : Perhaps the best team in the Big Ten plays a decent MAC team. No real threat here. OHIO STATE by lots
Colorado Buffaloes at Nebraska Cornhuskers : The Buffaloes struggled last week, while the Cornhuskers sailed. This was a bitter rivalry when both played in the Southwest and Big Eight conferences, but none of the members of these teams remember those. NEBRASKA by 11
Boise State Broncos at Oregon Ducks : Oregon struggled last week, but so did Boise State. Oregon's offense should improve faster than the Broncos. OREGON by ten
Other Games of Interest
Arkansas Razorbacks at Oklahoma State Cowboys : The Cowboys looked good last week, and they could put themselves in Top 25 consideration with a strong win. OKLAHOMA STATE by 16
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Syracuse Orange : Both teams had great games. Georgia Tech got more attention, beating pre-season ranked Florida State, but Syracuse was quite impressive. This will be a close game, and I usually favor the home team in those circumstances. SYRACUSE by four
Pitt Panthers at Cincinnati Bearcats : The Battle of the Ohio Cats will see Cincy victorious. CINCY by 16
Army Black Knights at Florida Atlantic Owls : The Owls defense was tough last week, but the Black Knights have a "grind 'em down" rushing attack that will wear them down. ARMY by 14
Baylor Bears at Utah Utes : Baylor had an impressive victory last week, but their opponent wasn't really tough. Utah is a strong team, and they should prevail. UTAH by 17
South Carolina Gamecocks at Kentucky Wildcats : Kentucky gets their first conference challenge earlier than usual, when the Wildcats are still fresh and strong. That should help get them started in conference play on the plus side. KENTUCKY by 16
Marshall Thundering Herd at Virginia Tech Hokies : Maybe Vandy is a strong team this season, but until I know that for sure, I have to consider the Hokies a weak team. This game might be telling. MARSHALL by eight
Houston Cougars at Oklahoma Sooners : Currently the front-runner for my Number One team, the Sooners victory won't quite be as impressive thanks to the Cougars loss last week. OKLAHOMA by lots
Mississippi State Bulldogs at Arizona State Sun Devils : The Sun Devils were a strong team last week. They looked more impressive, although the Bulldogs are no slouch. This could be a very close game. ARIZONA STATE by six
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