How to Watch College Football While I go to the Huskies Game Today

Welcome to my favorite weekend of the year across College Football. Gameday after Halloween always fills the stands with outlandish spooks, frightening goblins and the occasional inappropriately dressed co-ed. It all comes together to produce must-see TV and a festive buzz live in the stands that is not to be missed.

But, you know what else is scary? Oh, let me count the ways ...

• Washington’s pass rush has produced just 16 sacks in 8 games - tied for 72nd in the nation (although, ironically, Utah is one of those teams tied)
• Washington’s rush defense is giving up 4.2 yards per rush - tied for 65th in the nation (Utah’s is first in the nation)
• Washington’s offensive third down conversion rate is 35.5% - 105th in the nation (sandwiched between Eastern Michigan and Fresno State). Compare and contrast that to the 36.3% rate it surrenders. Incidentally, if this ratio doesn’t reverse itself, it will be the first time a Chris Petersen coached team ever had a negative differential between third downs converted and surrendered.
• The Huskies were out of the CFP race, the Rose Bowl chase and the North Division race all before Halloween ... BOOOOOOO

For those of you looking for upsets today, I would say that UW does have a nice chance to pull one off and earn that elusive win over a Top 10 team that has dogged Chris Petersen and his staff since he arrived at UW. But, if you are of the mindset that the Huskies are likely to get their facemasks pulverized into turf fertilizer at the altar of Zack Moss and the Utah rushing attack today, there are some other interesting upset opportunities that you might want to consider watching.

Week 10 Upset Alerts

NC State at #23 Wake Forest (-8)

The Demon Deacons are pretty much the only reason that the ACC has an argument for being one tad bit ahead of the PAC 12 in the fictional “conference power rankings”. Their surprising start and middle to the season has led to an unlikely ranking and a sense that they are on the upswing in a conference that badly needs teams not named Clemson to do something. The problem is that WF still has some big gaps, particularly on defense. I like the Wolfpack to pull the straight up upset today.

#15 SMU at #24 Memphis (-4)

Ok. This isn’t an upset per se given that Memphis is actually favored. But it is nice to put some attention on the the magical story that SMU has put together this season. This trip to Memphis - who has had their own magical story thanks to the arm of ASU transfer Brady White - is going to be a tough one. I expect that high-octane Memphis offense (nearly 40 points a game) to be too much for the Mustangs.

#7 Oregon at USC (+4)

The Ducks are getting four points on the road in a stadium that they haven’t won in since 2012 and against a team that has the offensive firepower to overwhelm a good but thin Oregon secondary.

Sorry, I’m not seeing it.

In fact, in the grand view of overall team health, I do think the Trojans (while banged up themselves) might be in a better position than the Ducks thanks to their overall depth of talent advantages.

I like the Trojans to cover this and think an upset isn’t out of the question.

#8 Georgia at #6 Florida (+8.5)

Betting lines are funny. The Bulldogs are ranked lower and traveling to Jacksonville, and yet the oddsmakers still have them as an 8.5 favorite over a Florida team that plays good defense and has a QB in backup Kyle Trask playing at just as a high of a level as Georgia QB Jake Fromm. It is a battle of Goliaths that should be close the whole way and whose outcome may comedown to a turnover and an extra possession. Oh, did I mention that Florida is tied with Alabama among Power 5 teams leading the nation in turnovers forced (18). Georgia has just nine.

Give me the Gators.

Enjoy football today, no matter what games you watch. Below is your full viewing schedule for today. This is your open thread.