What to Watch, Week 6: Battle of the Pac-12 unbeatens highlight the weekend
Who would have thought the best game of the weekend would have been between two mostly forgotten Pac-12 teams that are now battling for an early leg up on the College Football Playoff?
In a season where consistency has been in short supply, this week should give us clarity as to whether the nation’s most consistent team — Utah — can maintain what it’s done so far and essentially punch its own ticket to the postseason.
It’s early, but that’s just one of many stories we’re looking at as we check out what to watch this week.
Game of the week:
No. 23 California at No. 5 Utah, 10 p.m. ET
As mentioned in the opening, this is a key contest in the Pac-12 between the two remaining undefeated teams in the conference. Of the two teams, Utah has been consistent in play. Cal has struggled against teams such as Texas and Washington, but is off to its best start since 2007.
Cal’s best weapon is its offense and quarterback Jared Goff, who has already posted four 300-yard passing games with 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions. The Cal offense is averaging 43.4 points, which is second in the conference only to USC.
Utah’s defense is strong and has yet to allow more than 24 points in any game this season. It’s forced 11 turnovers, which is second only to Cal.
But the Utes can score as well and showed as much in a 62-20 thumping of Oregon. That was the last time the Utes took the field, so it will be interesting to see how much the layoff and the presence of ESPN’s Gameday affects the Utes psyche going into this contest.
Of the two teams, Utah has the “easier” path to the Pac-12 title game.
Game to Watch:
Miami at No. 12 Florida, 8 p.m. ET
This game would have been a better if both teams had been undefeated going into this contest. Unfortunately, Miami lost to Cincinnati during a Thursday night game and is now trying to get its season back on track. That said, this might be the best opportunity Miami has to knock off the Seminoles.
Miami has looked good at times this season, but it hasn’t faced a defense as good as Florida State’s. Florida State’s offense revolves around running back Dalvin Cook, who has practiced sparingly after straining his left hamstring during the first quarter of the win against Wake Forest last week. Cook has six of Florida State’s 16 offensive touchdowns and his backup Mario Pender remains in the hospital after suffering complications from a collapsed lung.
Miami quarterback Brad Kaaya has been solid this year, but he’s still 2-6 on the road. In that span, he has nine touchdowns and eight interceptions while averaging 238 passing yards. Also, the Hurricanes will have to be much better on third down. They’re currently averaging just 24.5 percent in that situation.
Miami coach Al Golden hasn’t beat Florida State in his four tries and the Hurricanes have lost five straight to the Seminoles and eight of the last 10. Miami also is 0-12 during Golden’s tenure against teams that finish the season ranked. There have been calls for his job for more than a year, so a win in this game would go a long way toward quieting that noise.
Also check out…
No. 13 Northwestern at No. 18 Michigan, 3:30 p.m. ET
Not sure anyone would have labeled this game a game to watch prior to the season, but both of these teams have exceeded expectations and are now jockeying to remain relevant in their respective Big Ten divisional races.
If you’re hoping for points, this is the wrong game to watch. No one in the FBS is allowing fewer points than Northwestern (7.0 points per game) and Michigan (7.6 points per game). Similarly, Michigan is holding opponents to an FBS-best 19.4 percent on third downs and Northwestern is second at 20.0.
These teams do have the ability to score and Michigan quarterback Jake Ruddock put up decent numbers (408 passing yards and two touchdowns) against the Wildcats while a quarterback at Iowa. Michigan also should have running back De’Veon Smith back after he missed last week’s contest with a foot injury.
Michigan has won the last four against the Wildcats, but contests in 2012 and 2013 went to overtime.
Channel surf through…
Maryland at No. 1 Ohio State, noon ET: There’s no competitive reason to watch this game unless you believe Maryland will rally around coach Randy Edsall and beat the Buckeyes to save his job. Yeah, right. So, consider this game the last time we all get to see Edsall on the sidelines as a head coach, at least for awhile.
No. 10 Oklahoma at Texas, noon ET: Doesn’t really matter the record of these two teams, this game is always entertaining because it’s a rivalry. And nothing would make Texas feel better about itself than beating the Sooners. That said, containing Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield has been tough for good teams, so it’s hard to imagine the Longhorns will fair much better.
No. 7 LSU at South Carolina, 3:30 p.m. ET: LSU is getting an unexpected home game, which means LSU fans get a bonus chance to see running back Leonard Fournette rush for more than 200 yards. No one has stopped the Heisman frontrunner so far this season and it’s doubtful the Gamecocks will be the program to do it.
No. 11 Florida at Missouri, 7:30 p.m. ET: Florida impressed the country with its win against Ole Miss last week and some are even declaring that the Gators are back as a power in the SEC East. However, this is a key road test to see whether that’s true or if it’s the overreaction that tends to happen in college football. Missouri might have fallen from its SEC East perch, but it’s still one of the best defenses in the country.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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