CFB 2011 Week 8 Preview: The Great 8

Oct 21, 2011

With October winding to a close, we get another mediocre slate of games this week. There are three matchups featuring a pair of ranked teams, but other than it looks like slim pickings as far as marquee matchups go.

Still, us CFB junkies gotta get our fix somewhere, so here’s my list of the eight games worth paying attention to in Week 8:

4Oklahoma State (6-0, 3-0) at Missouri (3-3, 1-2) noon, FX
This game could have been a lot more interesting if the underachieving Tigers (ranked 21 in the preseason) hadn’t suffered back-to-back losses to Oklahoma and K. State a couple of weeks ago. Still, Mizzou could give the high-flying Cowboys a decent game, but OSU’s explosive offense should end up being too much for the Tigers’ defense to handle.

11Kansas State (6-0, 3-0) at Kansas (2-4, 0-3) Noon, Regional
On paper the Battle for the Sunflower State looks like a lopsided affair; the Wildcats are undefeated and have won three straight Big 12 games, while the Jayhawks are struggling through yet another disappointing season under Turner Gill and have lost four in a row. In fact, the ‘Hawks are allowing an NCAA worst 49PPG. But Kansas had a decent showing against Oklahoma last week before getting blown out late, and you know they’ll be fired up in Lawrence to win this rivalry game and salvage something out of this lost season.

North Carolina (5-2, 1-2) at 7Clemson (7-0, 4-0) Noon, ESPN
Between the incredible comebacks and spectacular play of QB Tajh Boyd and freshman WR/KR Sammy Watkins, every Tiger game is now must-see TV.

20Auburn (5-2, 3-1) at 1LSU (7-0, 4-0) 3:30, CBS
If ever there was a time to knock the number one team off, this is it. LSU will be without top defender and darkhorse Heisman candidate CB Tyrann Mathieu and leading rusher Spencer Ware, as both players along with DB Therold Simon will be inactive for the contest due to a reported violation of the team’s drug policy. Sure the Tigers already survived the season-opening suspension to QB Jordan Jefferson, but that’s because they had an experienced Jarrett Lee waiting in the wings. Replacing the sticky “Honey Badger” and the powerful Ware will be a challenge, especially against an Auburn team that has already pulled off some miraculous wins this season (Utah State, hello!) No matter what happens, this should be THE marquee matchup of the day.

USC (5-1, 3-1) at Notre Dame (4-2) 7:30, NBC
We all know the luster has been of this bitter rivalry for a while now, due to USC’s dominance throughout the aughts and Notre Dame’s decade of mediocrity. Now the tables have turned a bit. The Irish won last year’s meeting in Pasadena, and the Trojans are still playing under the spectre of NCAA probation. Either way, this game is usually worth checking out, if only for the simple reason to smile at whichever “hallowed pigskin institution” is getting kicked in the teeth again.

Texas Tech (4-2, 1-2) at Oklahoma (6-0, 3-0) 8:00, ABC regional
The Sooners have been playing with fire this season despite their lofty ranking. At times they have looked unimpressive and uninspired, especially for 3/4 of the game against Kansas last week when they couldn’t – or wouldn’t - put the Jayhawks away. Oklahoma can’t afford to be lax with the always dangerous Red Raiders coming to Norman; Tech is averaging 44PPG, good for 9th in the nation.

6Wisconsin (6-0, 2-0) at 16Michigan State (5-1, 2-0) 8:00, ESPN
Is it just me or does it feel like the rankings could be reversed after this one? The Spartans are coming off a terrific double dip of defeating Ohio State and big brother Michigan the last two weeks, and they are allowing a measly 10PPG. Wisky, meanwhile, also sports a stingy D, but it has made its bones on the likes of Oregon State, UNLV and Indiana, teams with a combined record of 3-16. This a gut-check game for both teams. There should be plenty of hard hits and probably little scoring, a good old fashioned Big 10 bruiser. Plus it could be a preview of the first ever B10 title game.

25Washington (5-1, 3-0) at 8Stanford (6-0, 4-0) 8:00, ABC regional
Finally, Stanford plays a ranked team! After beating up on the dregs of the NCAA (Duke, UCLA, San Jose St…), the Cardinal get a bona-fide test to their number six ranking. Not that it will matter – Andrew Luck should continue his Heisman/No 1 draft pick march, and we’ll all wait for the real showdown with Oregon in three weeks.