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SALT LAKE CITY — Every week the college landscape changes. Louisville last week completely embarrassed Florida State, launching themselves into the third spot in the rankings and Lamar Jackson into Heisman talks. This week has another lineup of big games that could change everything.
USC Trojans (1-2) at No. 24 Utah Utes (3-0)
The Utes have quietly been one of the best defenses in the Pac-12, winning their first three games and finally getting ranked nationally. Utah now looks like the favorite in the Pac-12 South, despite inconsistency on offense. Its first Pac-12 test comes against USC, a team that has a history of giving the Utes problems. USC is 1-2 but earlier this week announced a change at quarterback. Utah is the better team, but USC seems to have Utah’s number.
No. 13 Florida State (2-1) at South Florida (3-0)
This is a trap game for Florida State. Coming off of a hard loss against ACC opponent Louisville, Florida State hits the road for a second week in a row and visits South Florida. South Florida is an in-state rival who would love nothing more than to kick Florida State while they’re down. The Bulls are also a solid squad this season, starting the year undefeated with their closest score being a 45-20 rolling of Syracuse. Florida State has no business losing this game, but it just might.
No. 19 Florida Gators (3-0) at No. 14 Tennessee Volunteers (3-0)
During the preseason lots of analysts fell in love with Tennessee; now they all seem to have dropped off the bandwagon. Tennessee hasn’t impressed anyone, barely beating clearly inferior teams, Appalachian State and Ohio (not the Ohio State Buckeyes, the Ohio Bobcats) with the only impressive win on its resume a 45-24 stomping of Virginia Tech. The Gators haven’t had a real challenge either, but at least they’re putting teams away. This game has huge SEC East implications.
No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (3-0) at No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies (3-0)
Alabama may have just mounted their greatest comeback since Nick Saban took the reigns, but they can’t take a breath of fresh air quite yet. Texas A&M and Arkansas are also in the SEC West and they’re looking like tough opponents. Texas A&M seems like a serious team after handling Auburn with no problems in their home stadium. After scraping by Louisiana Tech in the first week, Arkansas followed up by traveling to TCU and beating thei Horned Frogs at their home. Now before either of them can catch Alabama, they face each other.
No. 11 Wisconsin (3-0) at No. 8 Michigan State (3-0)
Wisconsin started the season unranked but that changed quickly when it beat LSU, who started the season ranked No. 5. Wisconsin has slowly climbed since then, surviving a scare last week against the winless Georgia State Panthers. Michigan State was a playoff team last season and it made a statement by beating Notre Dame in South Bend last week. Wisconsin, like USC, announced a change at quarterback earlier this week. Both of these teams are in the Big Ten but are in different divisions. This shapes the Big Ten and the college playoff picture.
