After some really good matchups last week, this week is kind of a disappointment..  In fact, I could have called this "Three Intriguing Games..."  or maybe just one.  But there are going to be weeks when I'll have to narrow it down.  So I guess it evens out.

I'll be interested in these games this weekend.

BOISE STATE AT FRESNO STATE  (Friday, 8pm, ESPN)

In the preseason, more than one publication picked Fresno State to win the Mountain West this year. Fresno has only played two games, having had their matchup with Colorado cancelled because of the flooding in that region.  Boise has a loss already, very unusual for them.  Despite Boise not totally lighting up the scoreboard so far, both of these teams are a lot better on offense than defense, so this could be a high scoring game.  Boise has won seven straight in the series.  This could be a preview of the Mountain West championship game.

WEST VIRGINIA VS MARYLAND  (Saturday, 2:30, ESPNU)

It's really hard to gauge these teams so far.  Maryland, on their last go round in the ACC, is 3-0, albeit against FIU, Old Dominion and Connecticut.  West Virginia's wins are nothing to write home about either, but their loss, 16-7 to a solid Oklahoma team isn't what anyone would consider a bad loss.  The sidebar in this game is Maryland officials have refused to let the West Virgnia band perform at halftime, citing school policy.  Can you imagine the Cajuns telling Southern something similar next year?  Me neither.  Anyway, they aren't happy in West By God Virginia and we'll see if the Mountaineers feed off that.

UTAH AT BYU (Saturday, 9:15, ESPN2)

This game may not be a big one in South Louisiana, but anytime you get two rivals together, it's worth paying attention to.  The "Holy War" has been quite a rivalry in the past.  BYU is favored in this game, especially playing at home, but as we all know, when rivalries happen, anything can happen.

MICHIGAN STATE AT NOTRE DAME (Saturday, 2:30 NBC)

Michigan State may be 3-0, but wins over Western Michigan (who lost to Nicholls State), South Florida (who was blown out by McNeese State) and FCS member Youngstown State isn't exactly anything to beat your chest about.  Notre Dame is playing its third consecutive game against a Big Ten school.  The Irish need this one badly.

KANSAS STATE AT TEXAS (Saturday, 7pm, ABC)

Well, the Mack Brown watch continues as the struggling Longhorns welcome a team that's beaten them three straight times.  K-State has won two in a row after losing their opener.  The two Texas losses were to pretty good teams in BYU and Ole Miss.  Well, Kansas State is a pretty good team, too.  The goal of a Big 12 championship is still in front of the 'Horns.  But there's no margin for error.

 

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