By Jacob Seliga
College Football Writer
No. 20 Arizona at No. 14 Kansas State, 5PM, Fox (Friday)
This is the consensus game of the week nationally as the Big-12 showdown in Manhattan may be a conference championship preview although it isn’t a conference game oddly enough. Since this game was scheduled prior to the Pac-12’s collapse just like we saw last week between Baylor and Utah this game will not hurt either team’s chances of winning the conference title but it will gauge where both teams are at before conference play kicks off.
Both teams were in dogfights last week as Arizona struggled against FCS opponent Northern Arizona and Kansas State needed a last second stop to beat Tulane on the road. This should be a high scoring affair with two of the better quarterbacks in the country in Avery Johnson and Noah Fifita.
Best Bet: Over 60.5
No. 24 Boston College at No. 6 Missouri, 9:45 AM, ESPN2
Prior to week one, this game didn’t immediately jump out at people as a potential game of the week. And then Boston College went to Tallahassee and dismantled Florida State and now put themselves into position to showcase why they may be more than just a darkhorse conference title contender but a national threat. Missouri’s schedule is one of the easier slates in the SEC and preseason it looked as if they’d roll through their non-conference schedule without a challenge.
This game could vault both teams to special seasons with a win in this matchup and give the other a signature easy season victory.
Best Bet: Boston College +16.5
No. 18 Notre Dame at Purdue, 12:30 PM, CBS
Just a week ago, Notre Dame was in talks as a possible national title contender with a schedule that appeared to be a breeze until November and a team that clicked in week one on the road at Texas A&M. And then Northern Illinois came into South Bend and gave the Irish an embarrassing 16-14 defeat that may end up ruining their playoff chances.
Purdue enters this game off a bye after a 49-0 thrashing of Indiana State week one. Senior quarterback Hudson Card leads a strong passing attack against arguably the best secondary in the country.
Best Bet: Notre Dame -9.5
No. 16 LSU at South Carolina, 9AM, ABC
Shane Beamer is in need of a signature win. After a strong end to 2022 that saw the Gamecocks knock off No.8 Clemson and No. 5 Tennessee and finish the season ranked, South Carolina entered 2023 with high expectations. They fell flat on their face and now the seat is somewhat warm to start 2024. The Gamecocks knocked off Kentucky 31-6 last week and now Columbia is prepared to host College Gameday for the first time in 12 years. LSU is a question mark of a team.
After a loss to USC in Las Vegas to open the year, the Tigers struggled at home against FCS opponent Nicholls State in a matchup that saw a “lightning in a bottle” offense in 2023 turn into a pumpkin to start 2024 especially in the run game. This is a must win game for both sides.
Washington State at Washington, 12:30 PM, Peacock
The Apple Cup in September is something that’ll take a lot to get used to. Washington following a national title appearance is off to the bigger and better Big-10 and the in-state rival to the East was left to dry in the Pac-12. And now the new era of the rivalry will begin its new chapter at Lumen Field in Seattle. The Cougars enter coming off a big win in the Mike Leach bowl against Texas Tech at home and Washington has started the Jedd Fisch era strong.
Both teams are rebuilding their defenses and this could be a tough game that comes down to the wire.
Best Bet: Washington -4.5
Additional Best Bet: Texas -35.5 vs UTSA
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