College football now has all teams back. With that, there will always be things to watch each week. Here are five things to watch for in college football week 10.
1. Clemson vs. Notre Dame- Without Trevor Lawrence
With Notre Dame playing a full ACC schedule, their game against Clemson means a lot more. If they win this game and finish the season strong, the Fighting Irish will find themselves in the ACC Championship Game. They run the ball well, but haven’t been tested this year by a quality opponent. Notre Dame hasn’t fared the best in big games in recent years, but there is a reason for some hope this year.
Clemson will be without superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is out with COVID. Highly-touted recruit D.J. Uiagalelei filled in for Lawrence against Boston College, passing for 342 yards and two touchdowns in the Tigers’ win. They were without three defensive starters as well for the game against the Eagles, but overcame an 18-point deficit to win. With the Tigers not being healthy, Notre Dame may just be able to steal one from them.
2. World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party
A game that is right up there with the Notre Dame-Clemson game this weekend is the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party. Georgia and Florida are both one-loss teams with hopes of making it to the SEC Championship Game. The winner will be in the driver’s seat and if they can win the SEC Championship with one-loss, they could still make the CFP.
This will be a battle of strengths vs. strengths and weaknesses vs. weaknesses. Georgia’s defense is one of the best in the country and will be tasked with slowing down an offense led by Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts. On the other hand, Florida’s defense has struggled and so too has the Georgia offense with Stetson Bennett under center. The game will likely be a close one and is definitely worth watching on Saturday.
3. BYU’s One Big Game
BYU has started the season off 7-0. They have received recognition for their play and are ranked ninth in the AP and Coaches Poll. Led by the play of quarterback Zach Wilson, the Cougars have stomped their competition. They haven’t been able to prove themselves against a quality opponent yet this season, but this week presents their only chance to do so.
The Cougars are traveling to Boise State to take on the 21st-ranked Broncos. The Broncos are 2-0 on the season after beating Air Force and Utah State. In each game, Boise State scored 40 points and won the games decently easily. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier missed their last game, but USC-transfer Jack Sears filled in well to lead the offense. They have enough fire-power to give BYU a game and they could ruin the Cougars’ perfect season.
4. Is Indiana for Real?
It is hard to get a grasp on the quality of teams in the Big Ten behind Ohio State. Indiana is one of the few undefeated teams at 2-0. They opened their season with a win over Penn State and then followed that up with a win over Rutgers. While their win over Penn State appeared to be good, the Nittany Lions now sit at 0-2 on the season.
This week presents another chance for Indiana to prove that they are for real. The Hoosiers play the 23rd-ranked Michigan Wolverines this week. Michigan is coming off of a loss to their in-state rivals, Michigan State. Jim Harbaugh has struggled against his rivals, but has otherwise won a lot of football games in Ann Arbor. If Indiana can pull off the win against Michigan, it would help to prove their legitimacy.
5. MACtion and the Pac-12 Return
All of the conferences will be back to play this week. It didn’t seem like it was going to happen just a few weeks ago, but now all FBS football has returned. The MAC will start up this Wednesday with six games. Fans who are looking for some mid-week football will be ecstatic to have the MAC back.
The Pac-12 also returns this week and will start up play over the weekend. They are the last power five conference to play football this year. Their all-conference schedule will lead to some good games, but the Pac-12 isn’t projected to have any CFP contenders. The only way they can prove doubters wrong is to start playing football.
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