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That Miami win was a lot of fun. However, it hasn't stopped me from being nervous about this game. I'm not nervous because of past struggles we've had in Raleigh. I'm not nervous because this particular NC State team scares me. I honestly believe that Clemson is the only one who can beat Clemson. I'm nervous because this is the classic trap game. With FSU on the horizon, maybe we look ahead and get surprised by the Wolfpack? Also, with every week that passes, I fear that our coaches and players could grow complacent. Whether it's the C-word or the lack of respect in the polls or the one game season idea or whatever else it may take, I hope this team can find motivation to get up every week. Halloween is all about mischief. Let's hope that the Tigers put the Puppies away quickly, crushing any chance of something crazy happening.
#3 Clemson at NC State
Kickoff at 3:30pm EST
TV: ABC/ESPN2
We're faced with another uninspiring lineup of games this weekend. Just like last weekend, there is only one matchup of ranked opponents, and only a few teams that look ripe for an upset. That could mean that someone comes up with a crazy upset, like Georgia Tech last weekend. Or, it could mean that you won't miss much when your kids drag you away to go trick or treating. Here are a few games I'll check in on as I wait on our Halloween party to begin:
Georgia at #11 Florida
Kickoff at 3:30pm EST
TV: CBS
There's really nothing in the first wave of games that interests me. I'll be locked in on the Clemson game during the afternoon games, but if we're ahead by a lot, and these games stay close, I'll switch back and forth. I've heard a few people calling for the upset here. Florida looked good in their first game without Will Grier, even though they lost. Georgia, on the other hand, hasn't looked good at all since Nick Chubb went down. I'll keep an eye on the score to see if Georgia can keep it close, as some seem to think they will, but I'm not counting on it. UF 42 - UGA 17
#12 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
Kickoff at 3:30pm EST
TV: ESPN
Last week, I said Texas Tech could play spoiler in the Big 12. I admitted that I might have been a week early, and Oklahoma emphatically proved that to be true. Can my prediction come true this week? OkSt blew out Kansas last week, but really, who hasn't blown out Kansas. Before that, the Cowboys had to squeak by a number of teams. I think they're ripe for an upset and Texas Tech is just feisty enough to pull it off. I may look dumb again, but I'm going to call it. TT 48 - OkSt 42
Oregon State at #13 Utah
Kickoff at 7:00pm EST
TV: PAC12 Network (Is that real?)
*Sigh* My beloved Utes flopped against USC. I was hoping all the disrespect would motivate them. Instead, they completely came apart. They couldn't have asked for a better follow up game than hosting a poor Oregon State team. I'll check in on this game just to see if Utah can regroup and get back on track to win the Pac 12 South. A lot could happen between now and then, but a Pac 12 championship game featuring a one loss Utah and a one loss Stanford could very well be a playoff quarterfinal game. Let's go Utes! Utah 41 - Oregon St 13
#9 Notre Dame at #21 Temple
Kickoff at 8:00pm EST
TV: ABC
The only matchup of ranked teams is both interesting and important to Clemson's playoff hopes. Though Notre Dame lost to the only ranked team they've played—us, they still look like a strong team to me. Temple hasn't played anyone, and hasn't looked overly dominate against lesser competition. Are they that good and flying under the radar? Or are they the first of the AAC Cinderellas to be exposed? I'm guessing the latter. Notre Dame wins easily, giving their resume a boost, and strengthening our resume in the process. ND 38 - Temple 20
ESPN
North Carolina
(23) Pittsburgh
FS1
West Virginia
(5) TCU
CBSS
Western Michigan
ESPN3
Buffalo
ESPNU
Texas State
Oregon
Arizona State
ESPN2
Louisville
Wake Forest
Connecticut
Wyoming
FSN
ESPNN
Cincinnati
Illinois
Penn State
Nebraska
Purdue
BTN
Rutgers
Wisconsin
(19) Mississippi
Auburn
SECN
South Carolina
Texas A&M
ABC
Syracuse
(17) Florida State
Virginia Tech
Boston College
UTEP
Georgia Tech
Virginia
FOX
USC
Cal
PAC12
Colorado
(24) UCLA
ABC/ESPN2
(3) Clemson
NC State
CBS
(11) Florida
Georgia
(14) Oklahoma
Kansas
(12) Oklahoma State
Texas Tech
Maryland
(10) Iowa
Boise State
Tennessee-Martin
Arkansas
Oregon State
(13) Utah
Vanderbilt
Miami (FL)
(22) Duke
(15) Michigan
Minnesota
Texas
Iowa State
Tennessee
Kentucky
(9) Notre Dame
(8) Stanford
Washington State
Arizona
Washington