Five Intriguing Games This Weekend – From the Bird’s Nest
From here on out, most of the intriguing games will be conference games. That's the case this week, with one notable exception.
HOUSTON (1-2) (+5) at TULANE (2-1) TONIIGHT 7:00 ESPN--Conference opener in the American for both teams. Houston has traditionally been one of the best teams in the AAC West. But Willie Fritz's club has shown to be pretty solid. Obviously, a lot has happened to both programs in the last two years for the Greenies to be favored in this one. Hint: There's a reason why....
(11) MICHIGAN (2-0) (+3') at (13) WISCONSIN (2-0) 11 am FOX--Michigan's value has been shaky since that narrow win over Army. But let's remember, Army took Oklahoma to overtime the previous year and that worked out OK for them. Wisconsin is hoping their smothering defense is back after a year absence. They've outscored two outmanned opponents 110-0 over their two games. This one is very, very interesting.
(8) AUBURN (3-0) (+3') at TEXAS A&M (2-1) 2:30 CBS--An early season SEC West showdown. There's no shame in the Aggies' lone loss to the defending national champions. Auburn's comeback against Oregon was impressive, but Kyle Field can be pretty intimidating for a freshman quarterback.
WEST VIRGINIA (2-1) (-4') at KANSAS (2-1) 3:30, ESPN+--Both teams had head-turning wins last week, with West Virginia taking care of NC State and Kansas shocking Boston College on the road. Neither is expected to contend for the Big 12 title, but someone is going to be 1-0 after Saturday.
(7) NOTRE DAME (+14') (2-0) at (3) GEORGIA (3-0) 7:00 PM CBS--When you talk about contenders for the playoff, there are six teams that look to be better than the rest. The fact there's a two touchdown spread in this game would lend credence to that opinion. Biggest test so far for the Bulldogs, but I'm thinking they're up to the task.