Week 10 National Preview- The Little Guys

With the Fighting Irish idle this week my motivation to post has been well below average. Fail. It is now time to get back on the horse and take a look at the other games on tap for this weekend.

There are a few pretty interesting matchups this weekend and the opportunity to scout Notre Dame’s next two opponents is also available. The Coach is in town visiting this weekend so we will try and take a close look at both Army and Utah.

This weekend is really all about the little guys. TCU, Boise State and Utah are all undefeated and currently ranked #3-5 in the BCS. All three have big games this weekend, the biggest being a head to head duel between the Horned Frogs and Utes. Due to my tardiness in getting this post up I will cut to the chase.

Below are the games that I am most interested in this week. Rankings are per the BCS. If you want the full TV Schedule for the week it is available here.

*All times listed are EST.

Thursday 4 November

Georgia Tech (5-3) at #22 Virginia Tech (6-2) 7:30 ESPN

After an ugly 0-2 start that included a loss to James Madison, the Hokies have ripped off six straight wins. Can they make it seven in Lane Stadium tonight? To stay in the ACC Coastal Driver’s seat the Hokies need this game. Every college football fan should experience the Hokies "Enter Sandman" intro at least once.

Friday 5 November

UCF (6-2) at Houston (5-3) 8:00 ESPN2

This could be a preview of the CUSA title game. I’m already on the edge of my seat.

Saturday 6 November

Air Force (5-4) at Army (5-3) 12:00 CBS College Sports

Installment number two in the battle for the Commander-in-Chief’s trophy. Air Force beat Navy in the first matchup, so a win here would give the Falcons this year’s crown. I expect that will happen.

#21 Baylor (7-2) at #17 Oklahoma State (7-1) 12:30 FOX

These two teams are tied with Oklahoma for 1^st place in the Big 12 South. What a bizarre season it has been thus far. I expect that Okie Light will take care of business at home but with RGIII on the field the Bears won’t go down without a fight. Interesting…

#6 Alabama (7-1) at #10 LSU (7-1) 3:30 CBS

This is a big game for Les Miles and the Tigers to prove they are a contender vice a pretender. Red Stick is a dangerous place but I think Bama wins this one comfortably.

#7 Nebraska (7-1) at Iowa State (5-4) 3:30 ABC/ESPN3.com (Regional)

Hmmmmm. Had Iowa State not beaten Texas this would be much less interesting. I said last week that if the Huskers beat Mizzu they wouldn’t lose again. I’ll stick with that.

As a side note there are two other 3:30 ABC games that are reverse mirrored on ESPN2. Both are awful. Oregon will run rule Washington and Northwestern at Penn State is a snooze fest.

North Carolina (5-3) at Florida State (6-2) 3:30 ABC/ESPN3com. (Regional)

This might be pseudo interesting but probably won’t make the cut at my house. I have other plans for the 3 TV’s I will have fired up.

Hawaii (7-2) at #4 Boise State (7-0) 3:30 ESPNU

At a glance this game isn’t that interesting but Hawaii is actually a pretty good football team. The Warriors have been scoring points and playing passable defense for a WAC team. Keep an eye on this one. With all eyes on TCU vs. Utah this game could be the upset of the week.

#3 TCU (9-0) at #5 Utah (8-0) 3:30 CBS College Sports

This has to be the biggest game in Mountain West history. Game Day will be on hand as these two BCS Championship contenders face off in what should be the game of the day. Both of these teams are obviously very good. But which one is better? I really think that TCU is the best of the Non-BCS Conference contenders and will prove it in Salt Lake City this Saturday.

#18 Arkansas (6-2) at #19 South Carolina (6-2) 7:00 ESPN

This might be fun. I’ll check it out.

#15 Arizona (7-1) at #13 Stanford (7-1) 8:00 ABC/ESPN3.com (Regional)

Both of these teams are still chasing Oregon in the Pac Ten. Stanford already came up short against Webfoot U and the Cats are staring down USC and Oregon in the next two weeks. I think Stanford wins this game and continues to nip at Oregon’s heels down the stretch.

What do you think?