Early Look at the Weekend

I'll get to the previous two weeks of games shortly, but here's what to look forward to in week four of College Football 2006:

Weekday Specials

Thursday night pits two uninspiring, ready-for-mutiny coaches against each other as Virginia and coach Al Groh face Georgia Tech and Chan Gailey.

Friday night gives us a kinky and unusual battle between Northwestern and Nevada, two teams who really like to score and aren't shy about it.

The Real Conference Battles Begin

Yes, South Carolina did face Mississippi State in week one.  Yes, Fresno State played Nevada.  No, that's not normal in the first three weeks of the season.

What is normal?

Wisconsin at Michigan or North Carolina at Clemson starting... now.  Sure, there are some ongoing OOC matchups such as Colorado at Georgia and Notre Dame at Michigan State, but this week is the true kickoff of conference play throughout most of D-I football.

What Looks Good

How about two Pac-10 battles: UCLA at Washington and Arizona State at California.

In the SEC Alabama travels to Arkansas and in the Big Ten Penn State takes a stab at No. 1 Ohio State.

Top Ranked, But Low Profile

In "other" games, some of college football's best have some barely visible matchups or are otherwise feasting on the weak sisters of the poor.

Louisville at Kansas State
Buffalo at Auburn
Iowa State at Texas
West Virginia at East Carolina
Kentucky at Florida
USC at Arizona
Tulane at LSU

Anything Else?

Yep.  Some midlevel ACC teams should use this weekend to not get caught in the fray and do something other than goof around against inferior conference foes if they know what's good for them.  I'm talking about you, Clemson (home against North Carolina) and you, Boston College (on the road at North Carolina State).

Here's a link to the early lines at the Las Vegas sports books to see how others are treating these games. 

Comments

[Cody]

Remember in the preseason, when you had Georgia in the top 5? Do it again. Think about it! You get to be the guy who said it first, that no one can beat this defense. Right now UGA is playing about 30 guys on D, creating quality depth. If we wanted, our 15 best could have held most of these teams to 100 total yards of O. The offense will only continue to get better as Stafford learns the ropes under a great QB teacher, and then you have yourself 2002 Ohio State! Kicking, Punting, Defense, Running. It isn't the prettiest thing in the world, but I'll be damned if it can't win a whole lot of football games.

[Cody]

Yes, yes I HAVE been drinking.

[Cody]

That doesn't mean it isn't true.

[Cody]

Kicking, Punting, Defense, Running. It even RHYMES!!