Wake Up! Bye Week College Football schedule, viewing guide, and open thread

Happy (second) Bye Week — The majority of ‘Bama’s heaviest living has concluded, though Auburn and Oklahoma are tough, they’re not insurmountable. We all know what the season rests upon though: a week from now, the Crimson Tide at Baton Rouge. As has become practically expected the last two decades, the fate of both teams rests upon sixty minutes against one another.

But we have plenty of time for anxiety next week. This week, we can sit back and laugh at the misfortunes of others, root for chaos, and be content in the knowledge that Alabama wakes up tomorrow with the same record they entered the day with. But that doesn’t mean we don’t have rooting interests. We do, and this is why.

So, here’s what we’re watching at why:

No. 3 Ohio State at No. 4 Penn State — The Buckeyes have played a bit softer schedule, have fewer decent wins, have notched a loss already, and yet are still ranked above the Nittany Lions — indeed, are favorites today. Don’t tell me Pretty Privilege isn’t real. Huge game today. You have to figure that there are only about three spots open for the B1G to claim and four teams vying for them. Buckeyes have to have this one to stay in the hunt for the BIGCG and likely the playoffs. The Lions just have to have it period. Noon whiteout in Happy Valley; Alabama could probably stand for James Franklin to finally win a big game.

No. 10 Texas A&M at South Carolina — First team the Aggies have played in two months that will actually punch them in the mouth, force them to pass, and challenge their rushing defense. Columbia is such a tough road venue when it’s rocking at night, and this marks just the second time Aggie has also been on the road. Can Beamer pull some more home magic, as he has so many times the last few seasons? Alabama fans probably need an Aggie loss here, operating under the assumption that they drop one more down the road. That would make them 1-3 against quality teams, a few losses, and almost no quality wins.

Texas Tech at No. 11 Iowa State — The Red Raiders comms have apparently been getting hacked this year. And, come to find out, all the helmets were using unencrypted transmissions. Iowa State has been preternaturally good against their schedule, and some suspicion has fallen on them because they frankly shouldn’t be as good as they have looked. TTU is a quality team, perhaps the first the Clones have played that will test their secondary. The Raiders aren’t a great road club, but they have the talent and the scheme to throw a spanner in the B1G playoff fortunes. You expect there to be, at most, two spots. And you have three Top 15 teams all jockeying for them. If ISU wants to be one of those teams, it has to win this game with some conviction. The Tide could stand an upset here; we need to reduce the B12 to a one-bid league.

No. 25 Vanderbilt at Auburn — Hard to believe this Auburn team is giving away almost a full TD to Vandy, huh? Can the ‘Dores hyper efficient efficient offense and opportunistic defense steal an upset on the Plains? This is the best team Auburn has played in about a month, so it will be interesting to see how far they’ve come, and if the explosive offense is truly as-advertised. The Numbers like the ‘Dores, but public sentiment is riding the ‘Barn. It would be very helpful to ‘Bama’s cause if the nerds can get this one on the road.

No. 18 Pitt at No. 19 SMU — The ACC’s two-best non-Clemson defenses, who also sit astride the plus/minus, and are getting practically zero love from anyone, seeing as these were last name brands about 35 years ago. But, alongside the Clemson/Luhvl and Duke/Miami game, this is going to shape the entirety of the ACC picture. In many ways, it’s every bit as important as Penn State – Ohio State. Loser is eliminated from the playoff picture.

Keeping an Eye On:

• Duke at No. 5 Miami — The Blue Devils ferocious defense is the best that the ‘Canes have played all year with a schedule that has turned out to be softer than anyone expected. Can Dook beat the Canes (and the ACC) on the road?
• No. 1 Oregon at Michigan — Don’t actually watch this terrible game, but if the Wolverines can dominate the line of scrimmage, and make it really ugly, could they upend this week’s No. 1 team?
• Louisville at No. 11 Clemson — This is the second team that the Tigers have faced with a winning record, and the first one with an offense and defense both in the top half of efficiency standings. That’s how soft Clemmy’s schedule has been. Outside of a roadie to Pitt, it’s also the biggest threat to CU’s title chances. The Tigers have to win out in a baby-smooth ACC to get into the dance.
• Wisconsin at Iowa — Two very limited 5-3 teams, and while ‘Bama could use a Sconnie win here, so many signs (and a weak UW running defense) point to the Hawkeyes keeping the Heartland Trophy (another livestock statue).
• Kentucky at No. 7 Tennessee — The heart wants the Vols to dick-trip over one of their most hated rivals; the cruel reality is that ‘Bama probably wants UT to either win out or lose two or three more. And it hurts to find yourself pulling for Vols wins, I know.
• No. 13 Ole Miss at Arkansas — Sleepy early kickoff for the Rebels, already staring down two losses, needing to win out and get some help along the way. And we know how the Hogs play at home…and it’s not like Kiffin’s teams have been great on the road as it is. Ole Miss needs to take care of their business, but that’s often easier said than done for this team. It’s probably better for ‘Bama if the Rebs just go ahead and lose and knock out one competitor for a playoff spot. Call the Hawgs, fellas.

Schedule below from CFBGrid, as always, and in God’s Right and Proper Central Time Zone

So, have a cold one or seven, watch the day unfold, and chime in below.

Have a great day and a safe weekend. We’ll be back tomorrow with the Blog Poll (I took two weeks off for everyone to get at least four conference games for a more robust, accurate ranking).

Roll Tide