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I don’t hear anyone, and that makes sense. Though conference play is in full swing for most programs, there is a lack of games between two ranked teams (there are only two such games). Now, the flip side to this is there are more games that could get weird, silly or downright bonkers. I think I’ve picked some games that can do that.
Friday Night:
Washington State @ USC, 10:30, ESPN
Mike Leach’s teams are still must-see TV and the Trojans proved last week that teams are capable of scoring on them and the Cougars are 3-0. This could get wild in LA. More importantly, why would you not be watching football at 10:30 on a Friday night?
Noon:
Nebraska @ No. 19 Michigan, 12:00, FS1
Honestly, the noon slot is low-key trash this weekend, so the 2-1 Wolverines taking on the 0-2 Cornhuskers makes the watch list just because of the potential weirdness. Also, Jim Harbaugh.
No. 23 Boston College @ Purdue, 12:00, ESPN2
A week four cross-conference battle? I’ll take it. The Eagles are sneaky decent, with a prolific offense (yes, you read that correctly) and the Boilermakers are not great. Why watch? Points, y’all.
Afternoon:
Kansas State @ No. 12 West Virginia, 3:30, ESPN
Obviously, you’ll be watching this game. But I think there is a legitimate national interest, as the Mountaineers will look to prove themselves against a boogeyman of sorts for them in the conference opener.
No. 22 Texas A&M @ No. 1 Alabama, 3:30, CBS
If you’re not watching our game, or if K-State starts a 10 minute drive where they gain 3.4 yards per play, you can watch the Aggies, now led by Jimbo Fisher, pretend to be contenders as they travel to Tuscaloosa to take on the Crimson Tide.
No. 17 TCU vs. Texas, 4:30, FOX
Because this game starts after ours, you should be able to flip over after we’ve notched our third win of the season. The Horned Frogs have owned the Longhorns in recent years, but this game pits a team needing redemption against a team that is most-definitely back (so they say).
Primetime:
Texas Tech @ No. 15 Oklahoma State, 7:00, ESPN
Honestly, this is the most intriguing matchup for By-Godders purely because it features two conference foes. The Cowboys showed out last week and can earn some more style points this Saturday by taking down a Red Raider offense averaging more than 55 points per game.
No. 7 Stanford @ No. 20 Oregon, 8:00, ABC
Don’t tell SEC fans that this, but this is the most tantalizing matchup of week four. The Ducks have seemingly returned to their winning ways and their offensive style will match well against the stifiling Cardinal defense and an offense featuring Bryce Love.
After Dark:
Arizona State @ No. 10 Washington, 10:30, ESPN
OK, so I think we’ve established that Herm Edwards is must-see TV, and his late night time slot has been anything but boring. Now, his Sun Devils must travel to the Pac Northwest to take on the Huskies, who I still believe are the best in the Pac-12.
It’s kind of nice that WVU’s game will be a marquee matchup for the week, even if it’s because all the other games don’t move the meter yet. Which games on your radar this weekend?