Five Intriguing Games This Weekend

This week's college football games don't have the glamour of some other weeks, past and future. But there are a couple of stories worth keeping track of if you're a real fan of the game and can see past the Power 5. That's not to say the Power 5 doesn't have a few as well.

Who's favored? Where to see them? It's all right here

#20 WEST VIRGINIA (4-0, 1-0) at TEXAS TECH (3-2, 1-1) (Pick It) 11:00am FS1--Pretty decent way to start the day, especially if you like to see points. West Virginia has been moving up in the rankings thanks to wins over BYU and Kansas State. The Mountaineers haven't scored like they have in years past, but the defense has allowed over 21 points only once. That will probably fall on Saturday. Texas Tech, if you haven't been paying attention, is, well, Texas Tech. They score points by the bushel and give them up just as quickly. They averaged 60 over their first four games before scoring a paltry 38 in a loss to Kansas State. The Mountaineers have had two weeks to prepare for this, but how do you really prepare for Kilff Kingsbury's offense? The over/under of 83 should tell you this will be a Wild West Shootout on the Caprock, where the Red Raiders don't lose often.

EASTERN MICHIGAN (4-2, 1-1) at OHIO (4-2, 2-0)(-7) 1:00, ESPN--What makes this intriguing? If you have to ask, you don't follow college football all that closely. Since changing its name from Hurons to the more politically correct Eagles in 1991. Since then, their football team has a record of 71-209-1, and, as you might expect, those who were against the name change (many of whom quit giving money to the school) blame the name. EMU (would emus have been a better nickname?) is just eight miles from Ann Arbor. Yeah, that doesn't help. Since 1991 there has been one winning season (1995) and one break even season (2011). The last bowl game was in 1987. Now that you have the background, EMU is 4-2. They're thinking winning season. They're thinking bowl game. They're thinking about changing the name back to Hurons. Ohio is in the way this week. But even if the Bobcats deny them this week, the Eagles still have a couple of chances down the road to secure bowl eligibility. Hard not to root for them in that quest.

WESTERN KENTUCKY (3-3, 1-1) at MIDDLE TENNESSEE (4-1, 2-0) (-2') 1:30, ESPN3--Interesting in that both teams lost to Vandy, but WKU's loss was by one point in OT. Middle has beaten Louisiana Tech, who beat WKU last week in Ruston. The winner gets a leg up in the East Division of CUSA. Two good quarterbacks will be in this game. I like the Stockstill kid...a lot (15 touchdowns, four interceptions). There's something about a coach's son...Remember when they were in the Sun Belt and the two schools didn't like each other? They still don't.

NORTH CAROLINA (4-2, 2-1) at (#16) MIAMI (4-1, 1-1)(-7') 2:30pm ABC--North Carolina found out two things last week: They don't play well in the rain and Virginia Tech is really good. Miami was on the wrong side of a blocked extra point a week ago against an arch rival and the question of a hangover for this game isn't out of the question. Look for North Carolina's offense to be a lot better. Look for Miami to be ready. Georgia really fired Mark Richt??

#! ALABAMA (6-0, 3-0) at #9 TENNESSEE (5-1. 2-1) (+13) 2:30 CBS--Tennessee almost survived seven turnovers in a road game at one of the more difficult venues in America. It's time to quit asking if Tennessee is really that good. They are. It's also time to quit questioning whether they'll stay resilient. They will. Here comes Alabama, a team that finds all kind of ways to score points. Evidently Vegas still doesn't like Tennessee all that much. Either that or they think 'Bama might be indestructible. We'll see. This SHOULD be Must See TV. I'll let you know at halftime.