Missouri at #7 Georgia – Saturday, 10/12 12:00 pm EST, ESPN
Missouri comes into Athens, GA undefeated, but untested to face Georgia early Saturday. After suffering through an injury plagued season last year, Mizzou quarterback James Franklin has rebounded this year and has been playing excellent. He has a couple of playmaking wide receivers led by Dorial Green-Beckham, a prized recruit from two years ago that is showing why he received such star status coming out of high school. The Tigers also have a good running game that gets it done by committee with 4 ball carriers between 278 and 379 yards rushing. Defensively, Missouri hasn’t been as strong, but they’re going up against a depleted Georgia squad at the perfect time. Georgia lost top WR Malcolm Mitchell for the year in the opener against Clemson, against Tennessee last week WR Justin Scott-Wesley joined Mitchell in being out for the year and WR Michael Bennett also went down with a knee injury. In the backfield, Todd Gurley missed the Tennessee game with an injured ankle and then Keith Marshall went down with an ACL tear that will have him out for the remainder of the year. Thankfully for Bulldog fans, UGA at least still has Aaron Murray under center. Without much supporting cast right now, though, this could be a game to watch for an upset.
#10 Oklahoma at Texas – Saturday, 10/12 12:00 pm EST, ABC
The Red River Rivalry takes center stage this year, but for a different reason. Texas has limped its way to a 3-2 record and 2-0 in the Big12, but has been embarrassingly bad in a couple losses and not exactly good in a couple wins. Most eyes will be on this game to see if embattled coach Mack Brown can pull out a job saving victory, or continue down a road to certain firing. The Texas offense has been average this year, putting up 32 points per game with a decently balanced attack. The defense, however, has been dreadful giving up a 110th best 465.4 yards per game. A poor rushing defense has been the root cause allowing 248.4 yards per game and 5.11 yards per carry, both numbers among the worst in the nation. They will get little repreive this week from Oklahoma. The Sooners boast the 17th best rushing attack in the nation with 246.00 yards per game and average 5.32 yards per carry. The previous two matchups in this historic rivalry have been laughers with Oklahoma winning 63-21 in 2012 and 55-17 in 2011.
Boston College at #4 Clemson – Saturday, 10/12 3:30 pm EST, ABC
While all signs point to this being a runaway for the Tigers, it is the last game before what is becoming a huge Top 5 or 6 matchup between ACC division foes Clemson and Florida State. Clemson has continued their offensive fireworks in 2013, though they have missed the explosiveness and reliability of WR DeAndre Hopkins and RB Andre Ellington. Clemson ranks in the Top 15 in scoring offense and total yards, though they sit at 34 in yards per play. The Tigers have struggled running the ball some, averaging just 3.94 yards per carry – 88th in the nation. Big play potential abounds, though as Heisman hopeful Tajh Boyd has star receiver Sammy Watkins at 2011 form this season after struggling with injuries in 2012. Boston College has had a hard time defensively this year, particularly against capable offenses. BC’s best hope is to get in a high scoring affair like they did with Florida State two weeks ago. The Eagles have a good power running game with the ACC leading rusher Andre Williams, who is averaging 153.6 yards per game. That could pose a problem for a Clemson defense that is giving up 171 yards per game on the ground and 4.24 yards per carry, which is 71st in the country.
#17 Florida at #11 LSU – Saturday, 10/12 3:30 pm EST, CBS
Florida travels to LSU to take on the Tigers and their first real test without starting quarterback Jeff Driskel. The Florida offense was anemic to begin the season and has arguably performed better after Tyler Murphy took over for the injured Driskel. Murphy has a higher completion percentage, yards per attempt average, touchdown to interception ratio, and passer rating. However, the environment and the opponent gets tougher this week in Death Valley against LSU. The Florida defense is one of the best in the nation, though, and will make sure to keep the Gators in every game. Florida ranks in the Top 5 in nearly every defensive statistical category and will be sure to give LSU a fight. The LSU offense is improved this year with better balance provided by quarterback Zach Mettenberger. In fact, the LSU passing game is averaging much more than rushing game for the first time in years.
#2 Oregon at #19 Washington – Saturday, 10/12 4:00 pm EST, Fox Sports 1
After a valiant upset attempt against Stanford last week, Washington is rewarded for their efforts by welcoming the Oregon Ducks into Seattle. The Ducks offense has been full throttle this season scoring 55+ points in all 5 games thus far and has won each game by at least 5 touchdowns. Oregon is among tops in the nation in most offensive categories and quarterback Marcus Mariota is an early Heisman contender. Though he is completeing just over 56% of his passes, Mariota is throwing for 276 yards per game and has 14 touchdowns to 0 interceptions on the season. He also adds 67 yards on the ground per game. Combined with the lethal running duo of Byron Marshall and De’Anthony Thomas, the Oregon ground game is nearly unstoppable at 335 yards per game. Washington will be far and away the top defense the Ducks have faced this season. The Huskies are giving up just 3.94 yards per play, 3rd best in the nation. Washington’s run defense has been only average, though, and they will need to play well against the explosive Oregon attack to have a chance. Washington is also a good offensive team, ranking among the Top 20 in most offensive categories. While this will be the best team on both sides of the ball that Oregon has faced, it would take a monumental effort to score the upset for Washington.