For two seasons now, we have used this column space to try to preview the best upcoming games across the country in college football. We have taken a look not just at one conference or a few teams, but looked at the biggest games each week with a context of what they mean to the overall national picture as the season goes on. And so this week, we’d like to continue in that spirit. We’d like to, but we can’t; not when Georgia is playing Southern. Not when Michigan State is playing Central Michigan. Not when Notre Dame is playing UMass and Ohio State is playing Western Michigan. No, for the sake of good football this weekend we must heed the words of generations past and, “Go West young man.”
Look West for the Games; College Football Week 4 Preview
Stanford @ Oregon State; Friday, 10pm EDT, Fox Sports 1: I know this doesn’t look like an obvious one and a couple of weeks ago it didn’t to me either. Oregon State’s season is already a “crow bait,” (old west translation: dead), but we still need to see who the real Stanford is. Are they the Cardinal who got beat by what turns out to be a pretty good Northwestern team? The team that struggled against Central Florida? Or the team that manhandled previous top ten USC last week? Stanford’s offense looked infinitely more potent and Kevin Hogan looked every bit the experienced senior we have been waiting to see. Stanford started the season in the LWOS Top 25, got bounced around and out by the end of week two and now they are back in. We want to see if we got the “wrong pig by the tail,” (old west translation: made a wrong choice), or if the Cardinal really are a Pac 12 contender.
Tennessee @ Florida; Saturday, 3:30pm EDT, CBS: I could try to come up with a way to figure out how this fits into a western theme, but my deadline is looming. This is a telltale game for Tennessee. Florida has owned the Volunteers for ten straight years. Last season seemed to be the moment Tennessee turned the corner with a 9-0 lead at home, only to lose the game 10-9. Tennessee fans have been telling themselves all season that they are on the right track, but quarterback Joshua Dobbs is going to have to be better if they are going to beat Florida. He has one good game this season and it was against Bowling Green. In Tennessee’s biggest game to date, when they lost a sizeable lead and the game to Oklahoma, Dobbs only completed 42% of his passes. Florida’s Jim McElwain won’t even commit to his starting quarterback to start this week. Will Grier has been serviceable with 442 yards passing and four touchdowns but he has also fumbled the ball once and thrown two picks. McElwain says Grier is using his feet as his checkdown too often. Florida is vulnerable so it is now or never for Tennessee.
TCU @ Texas Tech; Saturday, 4:45pm EDT, Fox: TCU has not lived up to expectations. They struggled against the only quality opponent they have faced in the season opener against Minnesota. As if there wasn’t enough to talk about already, the Horned Frogs had two players arrested and charged with robbery with bodily injury. Coach Gary Patterson “got his dander up,” (old west translation: got overly excited), when asked about the off-field problems and said they were nothing compared to what conference rival Baylor has. Interesting approach. He would do well to “acknowledge the corn”, (old west translation: see the truth), and see that on the field quarterback Trevone Boykin has thrown three interceptions and been sacked four times already this season and the offense is stagnant right now. Texas Tech comes in with a “hell-fired,” (old west translation: a lot), amount of swagger. The Red Raiders are averaging 54 points per game (fifth in the nation) and quarterback Patrick Mahomes is averaging 343 yards passing per game. Plus, coach Kliff Kingsbury isn’t afraid to voice his opinions after games. Just ask Arkansas.
UCLA vs. Arizona; Saturday, 8pm EDT, ABC: A shootout in the west (no old west translation needed I would hope) between two top 20 teams. Arizona is 3-0 having run up big wins over Texas-San Antonio, Nevada and Northern Arizona. Sophomore quarterback Anu Solomon has had nothing but “pot shots,” (old west translation: easy shots), this season, but you still have to tip your hat to his 11 touchdowns and no interceptions with a 70% completion rate. Coach Rich Rodriguez is 0 for three against UCLA coach Jim Mora, with the most memorable game being 2013 when the Bruins introduced Myles Jack as a starting linebacker and a running back who had 120 yards rushing that day. Jack has since become the face of Mora’s offensive and defensive diversity and the face is now gone. Jack injured his knee in practice Tuesday and will be out for the season. The Bruins already lost defensive back Fabian Moreau this week to a broken foot and defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes to a torn ACL in week one. Because freshman quarterback Josh Rosen has been spectacular, and a mistake prone freshman, and everything in between, they need him to “keep his powder dry” (old west translation: don’t try to do too much) and let ace-in-the-hole running back Paul Perkins carry the offense.
Utah @ Oregon; Saturday, 8:30pm EDT, Fox: Oregon rebounded from its disappointing loss to Michigan State two weeks ago by taking Georgia State “out to the woodshed” (old west translation: they beat the crud out of them) last week. Utah has looked like its usual reliable self in going 3-0 this season. Both coaches are waiting to name their starting “gunslingers” (please tell me you don’t need a translation for this) as Ducks quarterback Vernon Adams is trying to determine to what extent he can play with a broken index finger on his throwing hand and Utah’s Travis Wilson has an injured shoulder. Both missed their games last week. Regardless of quarterback status, Utah is likely to ground out its offense with Devontae Booker. Oregon needs Adams to saddle up to run its flush offense because backup Jeff Lockie is solid, but he is no Adams.
USC @ Arizona State; Saturday, 10:30pm EDT, ESPN: Why not end the night with another duel in the desert. The Trojans need to “get a wiggle on” (old west translation: get off to a fast start) because the natives are restless after the unexpected beating they took at the hands of Stanford last week. Southern Cal’s Cody Kessler has put up great numbers so far, but his offensive line has down a poor job of protecting him. ASU likes to blitz and throw exotic schemes at offenses, so SC will have to stiffen up. Trojans defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox took a lot of heat for the game Stanford’s Kevin Hogan had against SC last week. Now he faces the Sun Devils’ Mike Bercovici who is more mobile and has a better arm than Hogan. By the way, the last time SC mosied on down to Tempe, the Sun Devils pulled the upset and Trojans coach Lane Kiffin was fired upon the team’s return to LA Airport. If SC loses it second conference game this early in the season, look for Steve Sarkisian to take a long, slow horse ride back to town.
Main Photo:
