Top headlines:
·KZ making waves on Twitter-
oMcKenzie tweeted 2 days ago: “I like 2017 UCF, Memphis, and USF over 2021 Cincy” HOT TAKE KZ!
oHe follows up by saying: This isn’t taking shots at Cinci..it’s trying to point out the disrespect that the American Conference faced back then. Memphis and USF that year were tougher opponents than Auburn & you can ask any player/coach from that UCF team & they’ll stand by that.
·Lincoln Riley is playing coy with his QB position
oNo. 4 Oklahoma suddenly canceled all media availability prior to its Saturday matchup against TCU, this comes a day after the OU Daily student newspaper posted a report featuring insight on the open quarterback battle from practice.
oOU Daily reporters Mason Young and Austin Curtwright wrote Tuesdaay that freshman Caleb Williams took the majority of first-team reps over incumbent starter Spencer Rattler.
oOf course, Lincoln Riley is playing dumb- saying he isn’t sure who the starting QB is…
·PSU/Iowa drama is brewing
oPenn State came under fire from fans who thought the team was faking injuries to slow Iowa's momentum during the Hawkeyes' 23-20 home win in Week 6. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin turned the flames around during his Wednesday press conference, questioning whether booing injured players like fans at Kinnick Stadium did is "good" for college football. BOOM!
oIt is possible these teams will meet again, Iowa is basically a lock for the Big 10 west division…and Penn State is certainly in the mix in the Big 10 east, but its much tougher sledding. PSU, Ohio State, Michigan State, and Michigan are all fighting for the top spot in the Big 10 East. STACKED.
Upset alert: (we’ve been nailing some of these as of late- so pay attention)
Miami @ UNC (-7.5)- This has upset special written all over it, Miami isn’t good, but neither is UNC. The Tarheels just lost to FSU on their home field, their fans have properly given up on the season, and Miami had a week off to rest and prepare. Now, they’re breaking in a new QB with D’Eriq King out for the season – but given the way he was playing, that might be a positive. 2nd year freshman Tyler Van Dyke, step right up. Apparently he’s got a new haircut, feeling fresh. Van Dyke: “No matter who is at quarterback, we have to win. And right now it’s me.’’ Amen.
Florida (20) @ LSU- Gators favored by 11.5. Ed Orgeron, some believe, is coaching for his job, and the Gators are just OK. They’re not a shoe in to beat anybody who is half way decent – on the road – in the SEC. Baton Rouge is not an easy place to play. Now, the Tigers have struggled, but their last 2 games have been against Auburn (close game) and at Kentucky. So that’s why they are 3-3. But the Gators can’t afford to sleep on them. Also, this was a game Florida lost last year, at home, with more talent than they have now. Keep that in mind.
BYU (19) @ Baylor- Waco, Texas will be rocking at 3:30pm on Saturday. Big game between 2 schools we never talk about. BYU comes in as a 6.5 point underdog, but the AP says they’re the better team. This is also a Big 12 preview matchup, with BYU accepting the invite for 2023. BYU lost their first game of the season last week against a scrappy Boise State team, I think they have a real shot @ bouncing back on the road. The last time these two teams met was in 1984 during BYU's national championship season - BYU won 47-13. What you want to do with that info is entirely up to you.
In-State Focus:
UCF @ (3) Cincinnati- ABC noon game, Cincy is ranked #3 for the first time in program history. And the storylines are plentiful. UCF is the AAC program that set the stage for what UC is experiencing right now, yet ironically, they are in a position to spoil a movement that they are a huge part of.
Cincinnati has slipped by the Knights by just three points in each of their last two meetings.
Of course this isn’t the same UCF team, the Knights have lost Dillon Gabriel, defensive tackle Kalia Davis. They lost running backs R.J. Harvey and Isaiah Bowser, and receiver Jaylon Robinson, among others.
I don’t think UCF wins, but this is the classic SUPER BOWL vs Just another game situation. UCF’s season, given everything they’ve been through is a success if they can beat the #3 team in the country. Perfection is tough…UCF knows that, Cincy has a lot of pressure on their shoulders. The Bearcats are better at just about everything, but they will be playing tight, and UCF has nothing to lose.
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