A look at the schools that are overlooked by the ESPNs of the world.


Thursday, September 21, 2017

College Football Outpost's Guide To Week Four


Hey, the shitty Alabama/Fresno State games are mostly out of the way and we get that odd week of random G5/G5 matchups along with many teams starting conference play. This is a week that could see some of the most competitive games of the season, but I do not see a replay of Toledo/Tulsa this week.

We need some music.


Five Upset Opportunities:
  • Central Florida at Maryland (-4)
  • Toledo at Miami (-13.5)
  • Wake Forest (-4) at Appalachian State
  • Louisiana Tech at South Carolina (-9.5)
  • Arkansas State at SMU (-5.5)
Biggest Line:
  • Kent State (+44) at Louisville

Five Closest Lines:
  • Florida International at Rice (-2)
  • Utah State (-1.5) at San Jose State
  • Ohio at Eastern Michigan (-2.5)
  • Miami at Central Michigan (-1)
  • Georgia State (-1) at Charlotte
Biggest G5 Over P5 Favorite:
  • Virginia at Boise State (-13)
Week Two Schedule:

9/21:
  • Temple at #21 South Florida, ESPN, 6:30 PM
9/22:
  • Virginia at Boise State, ESPN2, 7:00 PM
Can we finally find out what kind of team we have in Boise State? The defense is among the best I have seen this season, but they look like a mess on offense. It all starts in the trenches and the Broncos have struggled quite a bit in the battles of the big uglies. Everyone expects them to roll, but I see this game staying a bit closer with the Cavaliers looking better in year two of the Mendenhall era.

9/23:
Morning:
  • UNLV at #10 Ohio State, 11:00 AM, BTN
  • Kent State at #19 Louisville, 11:00 AM, ACC Network
  • Texas Tech at Houston, 11:00 AM, ABC
  • Army at Tulane, 11:00 AM, CBSSN
  • UMass at Tennessee, 11:00 AM, SEC Network
  • New Mexico at Tulsa, 12:30 PM, ESPN3
  • ULM at #10 Florida State, 11:00 AM, ACC Network
Compared to previous weeks, this series of morning games is pretty stacked. Army/Tulane is a low-key great game with two wildly different option attacks on display. Houston gets another chance to play early versus a P5 program. The last time that happened was the dominant win over Oklahoma to start last season. New Mexico/Tulsa is worth watching to see if either team bothers with the passing game.

Afternoon:
  • Old Dominion at #13 Virginia Tech, 1:00 PM, ACC Network
  • Idaho at South Alabama, 1:00 PM, ESPN3
  • Ohio at EMU, 1:00 PM, ESPN3
  • UCF at Maryland, 2:00 PM, FS1
  • Toledo at #14 Miami, 2:30 PM, ACC Network
  • Georgia Southern at Indiana, 2:30 PM, BTN
  • Wake Forest at Appalachian State, 2:30 PM, ESPN3
  • Louisiana Tech at South Carolina, 2:30 PM, SEC Network
  • Miami at CMU, 2:30 PM, ESPN3
  • Cincinnati at Navy, 2:30 PM, CBSSN
This early slot is a bit more barren than in previous weeks but does make up a lack of quantity with several quality games. Upset specials UCF/Maryland, Toledo/Miami, Wake Forest/Appalachian State, and Louisiana Tech/South Carolina all play in this window. Don’t forget Ohio/EMU in a game that the Eagles are actually favored. Just do not watch Georgia Southern/Indiana.

Late Afternoon:
  • ULM at ULL, 4:00 PM, ESPN3
  • Nevada at #18 Washington State, 5:00 PM, Pac12 Network
  • Akron at Troy, 5:00 PM, ESPN3
  • Georgia State at Charlotte, 5:00 PM
  • UAB at North Texas, 5:30 PM
The battle of Louisiana will also be underway. Let’s see if the Ragin’ Cajuns can hold anyone below 40 points. Go get a quick dinner unless you are a UAB or North Texas fan.

Primetime:
  • #22 San Diego State at Air Force, 6:00 PM, CBSSN
  • Ball State at Western Kentucky, 6:00PM
  • FAU at Buffalo, 6:00 PM, ESPN3
  • BGSU at MTSU, 6:00 PM, ESPN3
  • Arkansas State at SMU, 6:00 PM, ESPN3
  • Wagner at Western Michigan, 6:00 PM, ESPN3
  • FIU at Rice, 6:30 PM
  • Utah State at San Jose State, 6:30 PM
  • UTEP at NMSU, 7:00 PM, ESPN3
  • Southern Illinois at Memphis, 7:00 PM, ESPN3
Tune to CBSSN to watch what should be a very competitive game between the Aztecs and Air Force. SDSU has a habit of spitting out an early season dud and this game screams trap game.

A game that could be quite a bit of fun is a Sun Belt/AAC matchup with Arkansas State heading to SMU. Expect lots of points to be scored. UTSA should roll Texas State in a “rivalry” game.

Late Night:
  • Hawaii at Wyoming, 9:15 PM, ESPN2
We finally get to find out just how good or bad Wyoming is after a brutal start to the season. Hawaii is no slouch and will score points, but I think Josh Allen and company will finally get back in the groove. Watch this game with an adult beverage and drink every time the announcers mention Allen and the NFL Draft. Actually, don’t. I would prefer for you not to die of alcohol poisoning.

Sunday Action:

  • East Carolina at Connecticut, 11:00 AM, ESPNU

Don't like the NFL? You can watch what could pass for football between these two teams. I am a degenerate, so you better bet I will be watching.

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