WAKE UP & START HATIN’! Week 8 College Football viewing guide, schedule, and why-to-watch

Why to Watch:

No. 6 Michigan (-7) at No. 24 Michigan State 12:00 PM FOX - This rivalry game has had some wild and crazy chapters added to its history as of late. In 2012, the Wolverines defeated the Spartans (12-10) for the first time since 2007, despite not scoring a touchdown. In 2014, some Michigan players thought it would be cool to drive a stake into the Spartan Stadium turf then got pasted, 35-11. In 2015, it was the crazy muffed punt returned for the winning touchdown (see above). Michigan has been playing pretty well lately and should win but this is one of those games where anything can happen.

No. 1 Alabama (-28½) at Tennessee 3:30 PM CBS - It’s Third Saturday in October. If you are under twelve years old, you probably don’t know what the big deal is. It’s been 4,382 days since Tennessee beat Alabama but the hate still lingers. There are a few storylines to follow: Will Tua play and if so how much? Will the Vols feed off the upset over Auburn? In which quarter will Vols players flip off Tide fans? Will Fat F*** Phil Fulmer fire Jeremy Pruitt at halftime and take over coaching duties like he has in his dreams? What brand of cigars will the Tide players smoke?

No. 16 NC State at No. 3 Clemson (-17½) 3:30 PM ESPN - This game looks like the final hurdle for the Tigers before they start their Tour d’Cupcake. True freshman QB Trevor Lawrence is still feeling his way after being thrust into the spotlight. On the other side, the Wolfpack is led by sixth-year (no sartalics) quarterback Ryan Finley who hopes to up his NFL Draft profile. We don’t really know what kind of team 5-0 NC State is. They have yet to play a ranked team (a game with West Virginia was cancelled because of that blowy-windy thing).

No. 22 Mississippi State at No. 5 LSU (-6½) 7:00 PM ESPN - These two SEC West teams are at crossroads. The Tigers are coming off a big upset win over No. 2 Georgia a week after loss to Florida. The defense is toughening up and the offense can be good at times. Bullies quarterback Nick Fitzgerald is back to his old and bold running ways after some hesitancy earlier in the season. MSU trounced Auburn in Jerdin-Hair last week - also a week removed from a loss to Florida. The Bayou Bengals have momentum on their side but Clanga-clang had a week off to rest, heal, and prepare. And then there are the purple helmets...

No. 12 Oregon at No. 25 Washington State (-3) 7:30 PM FOX - The Ducks were a late game fumble-bumble away from being 6-0 and in a position to squarely insert themselves into the playoff hunt. They aren’t out just yet but there is no room for error. Mike Leach and his Cougars are also 5-1 with a blocked field goal against Southern Cal marring their record. Wazzu is hoping to make some splashy headlines. Oregon QB Justin Herbert is having an outstanding season and will likely be throwing passes on Sundays next year.

Keep an eye on:

The following are not Must-See but they are worth missing political ads and Addiction Network commercials.

Auburn (-3½) at Ole Miss 12:00 PM ESPN - Can the Tigers rebound from back-to-back humiliating losses and less-than-glowing statements from the Aubie president about Gustavo? The Rebels are playing with wild abandon and have nothing to lose. Combined with being an underdog at home makes a dangerous combination.

No. 9 Oklahoma (-8) at TCU 12:00 PM ABC - This year’s version of the Horned Frogs is not one of those feisty TCU teams like we saw last season. It’s more like the 6-7 team from 2016. The reason to watch this game is to see what Sooners QB Kyler Murray does. Some of the flapping gums out there are trying to wedge Murray in between Tua and this season’s Heisman Trophy.

Minnesota at Nebraska (-4) 3:30 PM BTN - Will the Cornhuskers FINALLY get the monkey off their back and earn their first win? Vegas sure thinks so. [Side Note: Alabama and Nebraska have met only twice during the regular season in 1977 and 1978 in which both teams won at home. If they scheduled a home & home, would you be willing to travel to Lincoln. I would.]

Memphis at Missouri (-9½) 4:00 PM SECN - Every year, Memphis beats some team they have no reason to be beating and losing to someone they shoulda clobbered. They already lost to Tulane by 16. Could this be the one inexplicable upset win? Mizzou has lost three straight after starting 3-0. Drop this one and it could mean Barry Odom’s head.

Vanderbilt at No. 14 Kentucky (-11½) 7:30 PM SECN - We are at the point in the UK season where the Wildcats usually unravel. Is this team different? I get the feeling Vandy is a little pisst off.

No. 2 Ohio State (-12½) at Purdue 7:30 PM ABC - Serious question: If Alabama was playing at Purdue today, what would the point spread be? It sure as heck would be more than -12½.

Unwatchable Filth or Intriguing Match-Up?

Tulsa at Arkansas (-7) 12:00 PM SECN - The following will be the most absurd/insightful comment you will read all day: These two teams are the best one-win teams in the nation. After winning their opener against Northeastern Directional Tech, the Hawgs have lost six straight. However, they have looked better as of late since inserting Ty Storey under center. The Razorbacks scored 31 on top-ranked Alabama and 33 on Ole Miss (5-2) a week ago. Tulsa followed the same script winning Game 1 against Podunk U. followed by five losses. Yet, they have been close losses including a 7 point defeat at No. 7 Texas and a one point loss to No. 21 South Florida. Both teams are fighting for their bowl eligibility lives. Add in the fact that these two schools are a tad over 100 miles apart, this might be worth a gander.
UPDATE: Arkansas will reportedly be without starting QB Ty Storey for today’s game.

Un-‘Merican Game of the Week

North Texas at UAB (-1½) 7:30 PM beIN - This game will be aired on beIN Sports which is “a global network of sports channels owned and operated by beIN Media Group, a spinoff of Al Jazeera Media Network.” I am not making this up.

Unwatchable Filth

Northwestern (-20½) at Rutgers 12:00 PM BTN - Don’t do it. Your eyeballs will thank you.

Final Note:

On a final note, I know you all are missing the witticisms and insights of Airwreck, so here are some big words to hold you over til he returns next week: lucre, anomalistic, parsimonious, sesquipedalian.