What’s that strange sight? A day of conference games? Finally. Look around, and you’ll see plenty of what should be more competitive matchups than we’ve seen so far this season. Here’s the best of the bunch.
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech, noon, ESPN
The Hokies were a little pokey at the start of last week’s loss to East Carolina. And it cost them. If Virginia Tech had won, it had a chance to go undefeated. That evaporated, and now the Hokies have to slow Georgia Tech. Even if they don’t, can the Jackets slow the Hokies?
Florida at Alabama, 3:30 p.m., CBS
Florida was spent at the end of its three-overtime thriller against Kentucky. As a reward, the Gators get to hang in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Now we get to see if they can hang with Alabama’s Amari Cooper, who is on pace to set all kinds of NCAA receiving records, but goes up against Florida cover expert Vernon Hargreaves III.
Mississippi State at LSU, 7 p.m., ESPN
Will this be the season when Mississippi State transforms into one of the big shots out west? Dak Prescott is pretending he’s Tim Tebow, and the Bulldogs have pummeled three lesser programs, but can they shake the past? Coach Dan Mullen’s teams have won once and lost 17 times against Alabama, Auburn, LSU and Texas A&M.
Oklahoma at West Virginia, 7:30 p.m., Fox
If you want points, flip to this game and hide your remote. There should be plenty of TDs — at least by Oklahoma — because that’s what happens at West Virginia. The Mountaineers can score, but they can’t stop many folks, which is fine with the Sooners. Oddsmakers put the over at somewhere around 62 points. Expect more.
Clemson at Florida State, 8 p.m., ABC
It’s a shame that the ACC’s best player will miss the first half of the ACC’s marquee matchup, but Jameis Winston could have been punished more severely for his latest transgression. Winston’s first-half absence might be the opportunity Clemson needs to wreck the Seminoles’ 18-game win streak, which includes last year’s 51-14 punch to the Tigers’ gut.
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