Writer: Aaron Hendon & Andrew Martin
Saturday, October 28th, 2017
#11 Oklahoma St. (6-2) @ #22 West Virginia (5-2)
Where: Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV
Time: 12 PM ET, on ABC
Line: Oklahoma St. -7.5
After a scare in Austin last week where the Cowboys were held to just 13 points and 282 yards through the air, they’ll attempt to keep the big 12 championship game hopes alive with a travel to Morgantown. The scrappy Mountaineers have won 4 of last 5 where Will Grier averages 348.8 yards and 4 touchdowns a game.
Aaron: Oklahoma St. Andrew: Oklahoma St.
#4 TCU (7-0) @ #25 Iowa St. (5-2)
Where: Jake Trice Stadium, Ames, IA
Time: 3:30 PM ET, on ABC/ ESPN 2
Line: TCU -6.5
Could the Cyclones do it again? The most surprising team in the Big 12 putting up 38 per game on offense. The challenge will be stopping the TCU offense, led by Kenny Hill. Hill has a ton of weapons and will use all of them on Saturday in order to avoid an upset in Ames.
Aaron: TCU Andrew: TCU
#14 NC State (6-1) @ #9 Notre Dame (6-1)
Where: Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN
Time: 3:30 PM ET, on NBC
Line: Notre Dame -7.5
One of the more intriguing but potentially overlooked games this week. Notre Dame has seemed to turn it around after a disappointing 2016 season. While NC State is an exciting ACC team that is looking to prove their worth is a tough conference. Neither team was expected to be in this position at the beginning of the year, it will be fun to see who keeps the momentum rolling.
Aaron: Notre Dame Andrew: Notre Dame
UCLA (4-3) @ #12 Washington (6-1)
Where: Husky Stadium, Seattle, WA
Time: 3:30 PM ET, on ABC/ ESPN 2
Line: Washington -18
One of the few Pac 12 schools with a shot at the final 4 still. After a loss 2 weeks ago to Arizona St. The Huskies are looking for not only a confidence builder but a statement win in a big conference game. A win this week would be massive for Washington heading down the final stretch of the season.
Aaron: Washington Andrew: Washington
#3 Georgia (7-0) Vs. Florida (3-3)
Where: Everbank field, Jacksonville, FL
Time: 3:30 PM ET, on CBS
Line: Georgia -13.5
Boy we are in for a doozie in this SEC matchup, a total dogfight every year and Florida has nothing to lose this go around. On the other side, this is Georgia’s big test to see if they can make a run at the SEC title game. Georgia is better on both sides of the ball but in a rivalry game like this some of that goes out the door, an interesting key will be to see how QB Jake Fromm plays in this environment.
Aaron: Georgia Andrew: Georgia
#2 Penn St. (7-0) @ #6 Ohio St. (6-1)
Where: Ohio Stadium, Columbus, OH
Time: 3:30 PM ET, on FOX
Line: Ohio St. -6.5
The Absolute biggest game of the week and maybe year not including conference championships. After rolling through Michigan a week ago, the Nittany Lions are off to Columbus for a Big 10 showdown with big implications. Ohio St. has looked incredibly different since the embarrassing loss week 2 against OU. They’ll need to stop Saquon Barkley if they want to have any chance.
Aaron: Penn St. Andrew: Penn St.
Houston (4-3) @ #17 USF (7-0)
Where: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, FL
Time: 3:45 PM Et, on ESPNU
Line: USF -10.5
Quietly, the AAC has put together a competitive group of football teams, this matchup in Tampa could be inline for potential upset when the Cougars meet the Bulls. USF has more talent on both sides of the ball but are suspect in certain aspects. You might see Ed Oliver in the backfield a ton, if he gets the defense going enough to stop Quinton Flowers, Houston can score enough to make it interesting.
Aaron: USF Andrew: USF
Mississippi St. (5-2) @ Texas A&M (5-2)
Where: Kyle Field, College Station, TX
Time: 7:15 PM ET, on ESPN
Line: Mississippi St. -1
Big SEC standing implications in this one as A&M sits a game over the Bulldogs in SEC play and has a chance to bury them this week. The aggies struggle mightily in pass defense, Nick Fitzpatrick has had a problem with giving the ball away with 7 interceptions on the year. If Mississippi St. can limit turnovers, this could be a route.
Aaron: Mississippi St. Andrew: Mississippi St.
Texas Tech (4-3) @ #10 Oklahoma (6-1)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Norman, OK
Time: 8 PM ET, on FOX
Line: Oklahoma -20
Oklahoma is still trying to stay alive in the College football playoff picture with just the one stunning upset at home against a now ranked Iowa State team. Baker Mayfield and the sooners have what it takes to run the table in the Big 12 but its all in front of them, they control their own destiny with key matchups against Oklahoma St. TCU, and West Virginia.
Aaron: Oklahoma Andrew: Oklahoma
Georgia Tech (4-2) @ #2 Clemson (6-1)
Where: Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC
Time: 8 PM ET, on ABC
Line: Clemson -14
Kind of tricky game for Clemson at home versus the Yellow Jackets and their confusing triple option offense. I can never see anyone completely shutting down the option but Clemson’s defense is one that could
slow it down as good as anyone. The tough part about this game will be Tech’s defense against Kelly Bryant and Clemson’s offense.
Aaron: Clemson Andrew: Clemson
Cover Picks
Aaron: This should be a tough ACC matchup in South Carolina Saturday night. It’s never an easy match up against the triple option attack, let alone preparing for it during the week. Clemson’s defense is top tier in the ACC but Georgia Tech will keep this one close.
Andrew: Interesting game with Josh Rosen and the Bruins on the road. Washington is coming off a bye after losing at Arizona St. the week before. The Huskies should be pretty focused but Rosen’s offense is averaging 35 points over their last 3 games.
THE DRIVE ONLINE 