Five Intriguing Games This Weekend – From the Bird’s Nest

There are ten undefeated teams in the FBS going into this weekend.

That number will be cut by at least two by Saturday night…maybe more.

The intriguing games are pretty obvious this weekend:  Two in the SEC, one in the Big 12 and two in the Pac-12.

TCU (4-0, 2-0) at BAYLOR (5-0, 2-0)(-8) Saturday, 2:30 ABC—The Horned Frogs are coming off a huge win against Oklahoma last week and now will face undefeated and fifth ranked Baylor.  Not really sure what the Bears have done to deserve the #5 ranking.  They did beat Texas by three touchdowns last weekend, but no one will have their eyes pop out over wins against SMU, Northwestern State, Buffalo and Iowa State.  Amazing thing about this one is Baylor opened as a double digit favorite, although the line has dropped to eight.  It’s going to be hard to play on that high level in back to back weeks for TCU, especially heading on the road to McLane Stadium

AUBURN (5-0, 2-0)(-3) at MISSISSIPPI STATE (5-0, 2-0) Saturday, 2:30 CBS—Let’s realize one thing.  Dak Prescott gives Mississippi State a chance to win.  Every week.  And, after back to back wins over LSU and Texas A&M, those in Starkville are convinced their Bulldogs are more than legit;  they’re contenders.  Well, we’ll see about that after this weekend.  We know Auburn is a special offensive football team.  But can they slow Prescott down?  And, can the MSU defense, which has performed admirably, make a dent in that Tigers’ offense?  The ‘Dogs will be ready.  Let’s see if it’s good enough.

OREGON (4-1, 1-1)(-2.5) at UCLA (4-1, 2-1)—Saturday, 2:30pm FOX—Two teams that were stunned last week in league games against Arizona and Utah clash at the Rose Bowl this weekend.  Both of these squads may have been looking ahead, but one thing is certain.  The winner of this game still has a shot at the four team playoff.  The loser, however, is in trouble.  Oregon has had two extra days to prepare, having played last Thursday.

OLE MISS (5-0, 2-0) at TEXAS A&M (4-1, 2-1)(-2)—Saturday, 8pm ESPN—A historic win for the Rebels last weekend left Vaught Hemingway Stadium without goalposts as mighty Alabama fell after leading in the fourth quarter.  Texas A&M showed that ranking was a bit too lofty as they were handled easily by Mississippi State.  The Aggies built that ranking on a win over South Carolina, who has lost a couple of times since then.  Why then, are the Aggies favored?  Can you say “trap game?”  Going to be really interesting to see if the Rebels are ready to play Saturday or if their heads are still in the clouds.

USC (3-2, 2-1) (-3) AT ARIZONA (5-0, 2-0)  Saturday, 9:30pm ESPN2—Okay, let me get this straight.  Arizona is undefeated, but unranked.  They go to Eugene and beat #2 Oregon and suddenly they’re the #11 team in the country.  Then why are they a three point underdog AT HOME to a USC team that has two losses?  Could it be the folks in Vegas know something that we, and the Associated Press, don’t know?  Last week got Rich Rodriguez back on the front page.  But he’s got to get this one in order to stay there.

Other unbeaten teams have Florida State at Syracuse, Duke at Georgia Tech (yes the Yellow Jackets are still unbeaten), North Carolina at Notre Dame and Middle Tennessee at Marshall,