Another great Saturday of college football is upon us, and the chill in the air indicates this season is growing old. Despite the fact that most teams have already passed the mid-point of their season, college football has yet to reach it's apex. Ironically, the current BCS rankings ( if the top 4 teams don't change) would provide two de facto semifinal games. The first of those games is slated for Nov. 5 when LSU and Alabama go to battle with the winner pretty much becoming a shoe-in for the SEC championship game. The winner will then most likely face a much weaker SEC East opponent and with a win, waltz right into the BCS title game. In order for other de facto semifinal to take place, Oklahoma and Oklahoma St. have to stay undefeated until Dec. 3 when they face off in their final game of the season. If they both do in fact run the table, this games winner will also most likely waltz into the BCS title game. However, there is of course a "kicker". Due to the fact that Colorado and Nebraska left the Big 12 this season, there will be no Big 12 Championship game. On the other hand, all the other Major BCS conferences will play a championship game, which will inevitably result in one of two outcomes. 1) The winner in the Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State game could get to the BCS Title by not playing a conference championship game and create yet again another controversial bowl season. 2) Another undefeated team that wins their conference championship game could catupult into the BCS Title game and leave the winner of Oklahoma/Oklahoma St. in the dust. The moral of this story is clear, fasten your seatbealts for a turbulent ride through the rest of the College Football season! Now, without further ado here's What I'm Watching!
North Carolina @ (7) Clemson ESPN 12PM
The "high noon" slot is just flat out miserable today. I wouldn't be surprised if every game is lopsided, and if it's not lopsided it'll most likely be a sloppy one and in turn very boring game. Anyways, I can guarantee one thing. Tune into this game for kickoff and you're bound to see some serious action (especially if Clemson receives the first kick). Clemson freshman Sammy Watkins is the biggest "Freshman Phenom" I've seen since Maurice Clarret. Watkins has made many contributions to this Clemson team that's looking to match their best start since 2000, when they started the season with 8 consecutive wins. Last week Watkins recorded 345 all-purpose yards, breaking C.J. Spiller's single game school record. This kid is every word that analysts use to describe a play-maker. He's got lighting speed, explosiveness, great vision, and freakish agility. Watkins reminds me of a more physical, bigger bodied Desean Jackson. He embodies that same prototype as well. Big play receiver, blinding speed, and a great kick returner. I suggest you get aquainted with Mr. Watkins, his Quaterback Mr. Boyd, and the rest of this Clemson Tigers team, they're about as exciting as they come in college football.
(13) UNH vs. (22) UMass @ Gillette Stadium 3:30 PM CSN-NE
It doesn't get much better than this, the 74th meeting between two of New England's premiere State Universities, on top of that it will the last meeting in this rivalry as UMass moves to the FBS and Mid-American Conference next season. I'll be lucky enough to be at this game for the 5th consecutive year, and have been fortunate enough to see the the last ten meetings. It's tough to put into words what this game means to me; growing up in New England as a football fan on top of being a UMass alumnus. I'll miss this rivalry like nothing else along with the spirit and great brand of football that comes along with it. This game dates all the way back to 1897, which means if you do the math you'll conclude- a lot of people have been involved in and impacted by this game and they will all undoubtedly miss it dearly.
USC vs. Notre Dame 7:30 PM NBC
I almost tossed my TV out the window earlier this week when I heard someone raise the question "Does USC vs. Notre Dame still meant anything" wait....what? You've got to be kidding me right? I wish I was in the same room as that guy so I could have asked him if he remembers what happened the last 3 times USC has been to South Bend. Then he would have done his research and stayed stuck in awkward silence for a few moments. The last three times the Trojans have come to Notre Dame Stadium it's been pretty ugly. There was the whole favorable clock management by the refs, followed by Matt Leinart getting illegally pushed into the endzone by an ineligible Reggie Bush for the win. Next, there was Mark Sanchez participating in what looked like an early NFL pro-day workout, and embarrassing the Irish 38-0! And the last time, in what could have possibly bought Mr. Weiss' another year or two on his tenure (very glad it didn't), the Irish lost a close one 34-27. In which the Irish failed to score on the goal line with three consecutive incomplete passes as time ran out. So to say this game doesn't still mean anything is ludacrious. Brian Kelly is looking for his second straight win against a rival, and first win against USC at home, add to that it's under the lights! This game means everything to Notre Dame fans and that's why it's the only game on my list tonight!
You can follow me on twitter @ KMHJr for all the latest news and analysis surrounding College Football
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