When we look back at the end of the season to remember who-beat-who, this will certainly be one of the games the NCAA committee will pay close attention. — Chips, on Alabama-Tennessee last weekend.
I hate to be the “told-you-so” person but I think it was pretty apparent even before kickoff this game would be contentious. Boy, did it deliver. Will this game be the appetizer before Week 10’s feast with the Georgia Bulldogs (#1)? Not if the Kentucky Wildcats (#19) have anything to say, who play Tennessee next weekend.
On the other hand, the Alabama Rolling Tide will attempt to bounce back from last week as they host the frisky Mississippi State Bulldogs (#24), who were rolling until Kentucky secured a 27-17 win last week. Despite the Bulldogs top-25 ranking, Alabama is currently a 21-point favorite.
There’s a great Pac-12 matchup this weekend (in the afternoon, no less!) featuring two top-10 ranked teams. The game I’m keeping a close eye on this weekend will be the SEC battle between Ole Miss and LSU. The LSU Tigers, who were given the business earlier this season by Tennessee, are currently a 2-point favorite.
The Fighting Illini are off this week and there aren’t many Big-10 games worth watching this weekend. If you feel so inclined, we have an evening game that will test the Penn State Nittany Lions (#16) at home versus the Minnesota Golden Gophers. PJ Fleck and the Gophers are another frisky team but looked depleted in last week’s loss to Illinois. PSU is a better team than Illinois, I expect them to easily defeat Minnesota.
Week 8: October 19 — October 22, 2022
Syracuse (#14) at Clemson (#5)
@ Memorial Stadium, Clemson, South Carolina
12:00 PM, ABC
Ole Miss (#7) at LSU
@ Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
3:30 PM, CBS
Ole Miss Rebels Chicago bars: Finley Dunne’s Tavern
LSU Tigers Chicago bars: Standard Bar & Grill
UCLA (#9) at Oregon (#10)
@ Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
3:30 PM, FOX
UCLA Bruins Chicago bars: Celtic Crown, Commonwealth Tavern, Glascott’s Groggery
Oregon Ducks Chicago bars: Homeslyce Wheel House, Theory Sports Div Lounge
Texas (#20) at Oklahoma State (#11)
@ Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Oklahoma
3:30 PM, ABC
Texas Longhorns Chicago bars: Stanley’s, The Field House
Kansas State (#17) at TCU (#8)
@ Amon G. Carter Stadium, Fort Worth, Texas
8:00 PM, FS1
Kansas State Wildcats Chicago bars: Toon’s Bar & Grill
TCU Horned Frogs Chicago bars: Joe’s Bar on Weed Street