What’s going on College Football fans! My name is Chris and welcome to the Week 3 edition of Touchdowns & Tailgates. We’ve got some totally rad match-ups this week, and I’m going to give you my MUST WATCH games for the weekend, but first, let’s get some thoughts about week 2.
After fans across the country, including myself, thought Week 2 would be an underwhelming week as far as match-ups went, games such as Central Michigan-Oklahoma State and Pitt-Penn State made us all look like a bunch of numbskulls. Speaking of the CMU win, although the officiating made a huge “oops” to give CMU a final play, I don’t even care, because that was by far the most unbelievable finish to a game so far this season. Also, to put in perspective how fucking lit CMU was on Saturday night, I figured I’d share what my brother Karl (a CMU senior) texted me following the finish to the game:
As far as Pitt-Penn State goes, all I have to say is after watching that one I pondered sending a “get well” card to Erik Oakley. After going into halftime down 28-14, his Nittany Lions put up one hell of a fight in the second half and were driving downfield to win the game before one bad pass by Trace McSorley was picked off, securing a tight 42-39 win for Pitt. Hey on the bright side it’s only one loss, but Penn State will need to take their game to the next level if they want to beat Michigan in two weeks.
Okay, now the moment you’ve all been waiting for…… (ok just act like you’re excited)
Chris’ MUST WATCH games for the weekend:
#2 Florida State vs. #10 Louisville
Easily one of my favorite match-ups so far this season after seeing what each team has done thus far. First off, at this point it’s fair to say Lamar Jackson is a Baller, with a capital B. What can he not do? Through two games the kid has 7 touchdowns passing and 6 touchdowns rushing. Those numbers are insane. 13 touchdowns in two games… If you don’t like watching Lamar Jackson tear apart defenses I’m convinced that you simply do not like fun things you damn party pooper.
Let’s not forget about Florida State though, their combo of Dalvin Cook & new QB Deondre Francois has been absolutely MONEY so far. Add in a defense with guys like DeMarcus Walker, who made Ole Miss’ offensive line look like a pee wee football team, and you’ve got a Florida State team that is pretty kickass. I’m not so sure Lamar Jackson can dominate FSU the same way he did Syracuse & Charlotte, but I think he has enough tools to keep Louisville in the game all day. With that said, I see Florida State taking home the W in an offensive shootout.
#18 Notre Dame vs. *drum roll please* #12 Michigan State
First, let’s talk about those damn Fighting Irish. I’m not gonna mince my words here guys, the only thing I like about them is that their team is the Irish, a nationality that is known for drinking a lot and fighting which is about as badass as it gets. As far as their football team goes, I’m not a fan, but they seem to always be good and this year is no exception. QB DeShone Kizer is one of the best players in the nation, and as a Spartan fan, he makes me awfully nervous because I’m well aware that on any day he is capable of dropping 350+ yards and 3 TD’s like it’s his fucking job. The Fighting Irish are going to come out fighting, and the Spartans better be ready.
As far as the Spartans go, look people… I know my guys in the green and white looked flat at times in their week 1 win over Furman, but that’s nowhere near what we should expect from this team on a weekly basis. Fifth-year senior QB Tyler O’Connor has big shoes to fill, replacing Connor Cook, but he’s really impressed me over the past 8 months with his insane work ethic & leadership skills. I’ve got faith that O’Connor will step up BIG this year and be very successful leading the Spartan offense. Of course, it helps to be able to hand the ball off to the sophomore phenom, LJ Scott. Speaking of LJ Scott, I think people are really sleeping on this kid! As a freshman, he split carries, but when he got the ball he was a fucking tank, just ask Iowa. The dude is really hard to stop! And with one of the best defensive tackle’s in the nation in Malik McDowell wreaking havoc on opposing QB’s and a strong group of linebackers, it would be blasphemous (Stephen A. Smith Voice) to overlook the Spartan defense.
On a real note, I’m so fired up for this game, you’d think I just listened to “Lose Yourself” by Eminem. It’s going to be an awesome matchup, and I have faith in my Spartans! I’m confident that although Notre Dame is legit this year, the Spartans will treat this game like a rivalry and show out Saturday night in a defining win. Soon after, you’ll find me running around kicking things while yelling “THIS IS SPARTA!”
#3 Ohio State vs. #14 Oklahoma
Man, I don’t even know where to start with Oklahoma, I preached my love for Baker Mayfield and the Sooners early this season, and then they went on to lose by 10 to a solid Houston team. But, after thrashing Louisiana-Monroe, I’m convinced the Sooner players are pissed off and want to show the nation how good they really are. The underdog type of a mentality in star players like Baker Mayfield and Samaje Perine paired with the fact Oklahoma will be playing in front of a packed home crowd under the lights means the Sooners will definitely come ready for battle Saturday night.
It should come as no surprise that Ohio State has outscored opponents 125-13 through two games. The Buckeyes have so much talent on both sides of the ball it’s almost something you’d expect out of a video game, not a real team. With JT Barrett scoring 9 touchdowns so far, it’s safe to say he’s back to torching defenses like a damn pyromaniac. BUT, let’s not forget about the Buckeyes defense that has been sick holding Bowling Green and Tulsa to a lowly 13 point total. It feels like the past two weeks the Buckeyes have shown very few weaknesses, but they haven’t faced tough competition yet, so they will need to prepare for a tough Oklahoma team.
Two of the best QB’s in the country going at it on primetime television! And now we’ve got Sooners backup QB Austin Kendall trash talking the Buckeyes D! Ya gotta love it. The Buckeyes have been crazy good so far, but they haven’t faced “real” competition and Oklahoma will be a whole new test. In a close game I think the Sooners have the advantage at home, and upset the Buckeyes.
Honorable Mention:
#19 Ole Miss vs. #1 Alabama
If not for the other huge match-ups this week, this game probably would have made it as both teams are solid. The Rebels upset Alabama last year, proving to be the only loss for the eventual National Champions. With that said, Alabama is disgustingly good this year and they’re coming for Ole Miss’ ass after last year; they want revenge! I got much love for Chad “Swag” Kelly and Ole Miss, but after watching the Rebels squander a nice lead against FSU in week 1, I don’t see them doing any better than USC did against the Tide two weeks ago. This week I see Alabama smoking Ole Miss like a bum on a crack pipe.