Tag: Houston Cougars

Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 3.

As Week 3 of the college football season, typically has the non-conference games being wrapped up, unless you’re SEC, it’s hard to determine which games are worth your time.

I’m an Ohio State Buckeyes fan, but the truth is, that I’m not going to be watching a lot of their against Kent State (Noon on FOX) on my 4-way split screen TV.

I’m not picking #7 LSU Tigers at #8 Ole Miss Rebels, (7:00 PM (EST) on ABC), because it’s too easy, and we all, already know it’s a big game.

You gotta get through the muck, of the schedule, and that’s what I’m here for.

Here are the Top 3 games that I’ll be paying attention to the most.

1) #22 Houston Cougars 2-0 at Texas Tech Red Raiders (2-0).

Gametime is Friday Night, at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX.

The Cougars are led by 5th year Senior QB Casey Weigman. He likes to spread the ball around, with 3 WRs already over 100 yards receiving. Against Texas Tech, they’ll need HBs Makhi Hughes and Re’Shaun Sanford to keep averaging over 5 YPC, to alleviate the pressure. On defense, they have active DBs, that get involved in pass rush, as DB Javion White leads the team with 2 sacks. That has to change. That front four needs to start getting pressure.

The Red Raiders are led by QB Will Hammond. He’s a pure pocket passer, completing 76% of his passes. He’s also taken 4 sacks. Junior HB J’Koby Williams leads the team in rushing with 187 yards and 2 TD, and receptions, with 10 catches. Texas Tech always has smart linebackers, and that continues. Senior Jamond Mathis leads the team with 2.5 sacks. LBs Ben Roberts (15) and Austin Romaine (12) are tackling machines.

Prediction – Everytime I picked against the Cougars last season, they won. I’d like to say that I learned my lesson, but NOPE!!! Give me Texas Tech at home 34-30.

2) #16 SMU Mustangs (2-0) at #23 Louisville Cardinals (1-1).

Gametime is Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN2.

The Mustangs are led by one of the best and most fun QBs in college football in Senior Kevin Jennings. He is must see TV. Jennings is completing over 76% of his passes, for 767 yards, with 8 TDs and 2 INTs. The entire offense runs through him. On defense, they’re led by Senior S Jimmy Wyrick. He leads the team in tackles (11) and sacks (2).

The Cardinals are led by Ohio State transfer Junior QB Lincoln Kienholz. He’s completely 68% of his passes for 639 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. He also leads the team in rushing with 20 carries for 111 yards, and 3 TDs. Can he keep this pace up for an entire season? On defense, their top 3 tacklers are all DBs, in Koen Entringer, Kaleb Beasley, and DJ Waller Jr. They only have 1 sack through 2 games. That’s not good enough.

Prediction – It’s always hard to count out Louisville. They’re a scrappy team. Kevin Jennings is the better QB and they have the better defense. Mustangs win 42-27.

3) Virginia Tech Hokies (2-0) at Maryland Terrapins (2-0).

Gametime is Saturday night at 7:30 PM (EST) on FS1.

Hokies QB Ethan Grunkmeyer followed head coach James Franklin to the Hokies, from Penn State. He’s completing 77% of his passes for 551 yards, with 4 TDs and 0 INTs. HBs Jeffrey Overton and Marcellous Hawkins Jr, have rushed for over 263 yards and 6 TDs, through 2 games. On defense, they have 12 sacks through 2 games, led by DL Mylachi Williams and Cortez Harris, with 3 each. Both are also tied for the team lead in tackles (7).

The Terrapins are led by Sophomore Malik Washington. He’s completing 73% of his passes, for 533 yards, with 3 TDs and 0 INTs. On defense, LBs Trey Reddick (12) and Carlton Smith (10) lead the team in tackles. Overall, they have 10 sacks and 3 INTs.

The underwriting storyline of this game, is that Virginia Tech, paid Maryland $600,000 to cancel games in 2027 and 2028. This originally was supposed to be a 4 game home and home series, to renew a regional rivalry game. They will play this game, and the final game will be played in 2029.

Prediction – Both of these defenses are off to hot starts. It simply comes down to which HC I trust more…..James Franklin or Mike Locksley??? I’ll take Franklin and Virginia Tech 21-14, in a defensive game.

What game are you excited to watch???
Drop a comment.

– by Sean McKenzie

Stats courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and ESPN.

September 17, 2026
2026-27 College Football Predictions.

After what has seemed like a long, long, spring and summer, us college football fans, can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

We are all still in a sense of disbelief, that the historically worst team in college football, the Indiana Hoosiers, won the College Football National Championship.

While “recruiting battles” and keeping up with the all the coaching changes kept our appetites wet, there is nothing like seeing them clash on the field.

I could hem and haw about all the new changes in the offseason, but, I’m going to get right to the meat of the matter (go back and read my articles).

So, without further ado, here are my college football season predictions.

1) Who will win the ACC, B12, B10 and SEC?

NIL (name, image, and likeness), has stopped the SEC from cheating (which a lot of former players openly admit now) and has now leveled the playing field. Hence, we have Indiana winning the Natty.

It makes the conferences deeper than ever before. We no longer just have Alabama and Georgia in the SEC. Ohio State and Michigan and the B10.

I’ll start with the ACC, and let’s be honest here. It’s the Miami Hurricanes. They avoid the other Top 2 contenders (SMU and Louisville) in the regular season. Unless something catastrophic happens, I expect them to finish conference play undefeated.

The most fun conference to watch every season, is by far the Big-12. Why you ask? Because they’ve had 5 different conference champions in the last 5 season. You never know who is going to win, and that makes it fun.

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All the “experts” on ESPN, or as us fans call them, E(SEC)PN, are picking the Texas Tech Red Raiders to win back-to-back conference titles. While it’s possible, it’s certainly NOT a given. They do miss out on having to play BYU, and they do get Houston at home (Sept 18th at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX). They lost a lot of production at quarterback and on defense. Projected QB starter Will Hammond is coming off an ACL, that he suffered in October last year.

The BYU Cougars and Houston Cougars, are returning their starting QBs, in Bear Bachmeier and Conner Weigman. Both the Cougar teams are returning the majority of their defensive starters from last season as well.

Ultimately, I think Texas Tech makes it back-to-back, but I wouldn’t be shocked if they don’t.

It’s an absolute crapshoot in the Big-10. Almost everyone is picking the Ohio State Buckeyes, Oregon Ducks, or the Indiana Hoosiers. However, do not count out the USC Trojans.

They return starting QB Jordan Maiava, HB King Miller, and all five starters along their offensive line. Five players return on defense as well. They schedule did them no favors though. They have Oregon (Sept 28th) and Ohio State (Oct 31st) at home, and travel to Indiana (Nov 14th). Do not be shocked if USC wins 2 of these games and make it to Indianapolis.

At the end of it all, I think it’ll come down to the Buckeyes and Ducks. I think Ohio State beats Oregon on November 7th in Columbus, but the Ducks clip them in the Big-10 Championship Game, to win conference title.

Down in the SEC, the most talented team is the Texas Longhorns. They avoid Georgia and Alabama in the regular season. They get Ole Miss at home (Oct 24th) and ARE going to get revenge, and just clobber Florida at home (Oct 17th). They do have to travel to Texas A&M to finish the regular season (Nov 27th). I think if they can avoid injuries, they’ll win the conference.

However, you can never count out the Georgia Bulldogs, and do not sleep on Mike Elko and Texas A&M. The Aggies return starting QB Marcel Reed. If her can cut down on his 12 INTs, they’ll give Alabama (Oct 24th) and Texas (Nov 27th) a very serious scare.

2) Notre Dame will finish inside the Top 4.

Yes, I know that Notre Dame lost their top 2 running backs from last season in Jeremiyah Love (3rd overall pick) and Jadarian Price (32nd overall), but, CJ Carr returning at quarterback, after an impressive freshman season (2,741 yards, with 24 TDs and 6 INTs).

The Irish went out and got former Ohio State WRs Quincy Porter and Myles Graham in the transfer portal to give him weapons on the perimeter and offset the loss of the running game. Three offensive lineman return, and Notre Dame always has good tight ends.

They return 7 starters on defense, including quite possibly the best CB tandem in all of college football (Leonard Moore and Christian Gray), and All-American S Tae Johnson. It’s going to be a nightmare throw against them.

They also used the portal to get better along the defensive line, pairing newcomers DE Keon Keeley (Alabama), DT Francis Brewu (Pitt), and DT Tione Gray (Oregon), with returning starters DE Boubacar Traore and DT Jason Onye.

They two toughest games are at home, against the Miami Hurricanes (Now 7th) and SMU (Nov 21st). They do travel to play the always sneaky tough BYU (Oct 17th). Other than that, their schedule is easy.

I fully expect them to be 11-1 or even 12-0 at the end of the season.

3) Boise State will be the lone Group of 6 school in the College Football Playoffs.

Last year the College Football Playoff Committee put 2 Group of Five schools in the playoff, and it went absolutely terrible with blowout losses, with Oregon beating James Madison 51-34, and Ole Miss beating Tulane 41-10.

They’ve learned their lesson. It won’t happen again.

Boise State is the best team in the newly reformed Pac-12 and all the Group of 6 schools (Pac-12, Mountain West, Conference USA, MAC, American Athletic, and Sun Belt).

Starting quarterback Maddux Madsen returns after throwing for 2,334 yards with 18 TDs and 9 INTs. HB Duke Riley is also returning after turning down multiple offers from P4 teams. He ran for 1,125 yards and 10 TDs. They return 3 starters along the offensive line (C, RG, RT).

They return 3 of 4 starters on the defensive line, for a defense that finished ranked 39th best overall in the country last season. They are going to rely heavily on them, as the “back 7” only returns 2 starters, in LB Boen Phelps and CB Jaden Mickey.

The Broncos have an incredibly tough game to open the season, against the Oregon Ducks (Sept 9th, at 3:30 PM (EST) on CBS).

Their toughest conference games, are all at home (Utah State on Oct 3rd, Texas State on Oct 31st, and San Diego State on Nov 21st) as well.

4) The 1st Head Coach to be fired will be…..

With all the off the field distractions going on with Head Coach Bill Belichicks’ personal life, now GM Mike Lombardi and DC Steve Belichick have been suspended, with an external investigations ongoing, he’s already on the hot seat.

They open their schedule against 5 teams that made a bowl game appearance, in their first 6 games.

I am predicting the Tar Heels only win will be against East Tennessee State (Sept 12th), and he’ll be fired before Oct 24th game at home against Syracuse.

OC Bobby Petrino will take over and lead them to wins over Syracuse, UConn, and an upset win over Virigina.

5) Who will make the College Football Playoffs.

First Round Byes

Oregon Ducks
Texas Longhorns
Miami Hurricanes
Norte Dame Fighting Irish

First Round Games

#12 Boise State at #5 Ohio State.
#11 Indiana at #6 Texas Tech.
#10 Ole Miss at #7 Georgia.
#9 USC at #8 Texas A&M.

Quarter-final Games

#5 Ohio State vs #4 Notre Dame.
#9 USC vs #1 Oregon.
#11 Indiana vs #3 Miami.
#7 Georgia vs #2 Texas.

Semi-Final Games

#5 Ohio State vs #1 Oregon.
#3 Miami vs #2 Texas.

National Championship Game

#5 Ohio State vs #2 Texas.

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National Champion

Ohio State wins their 2nd national championship in 3 years, when they go on a similar run, as they did in 2024.

What are your predictions for the upcoming college football season?

– by Sean McKenzie

Stats and information courtesy of….. ESPN, NCAA, and Lindy’s.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and SI.

August 15, 2026
College Football Week 9 Recap and Helmet Stickers.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t start this article, without mentioning that LSU fired head football coach Brian Kelly, late Sunday night, after their 49-25 loss at home, to #3 Texas A&M. Kelly had a 34-14 record over his four seasons at LSU.

Personal opinion – It was a bad hire from the start. I said so at the time, and caught a lot of crap for it. I think that LSU thinks it’s a better job than it really is. IF I were Interim President Matt Lee, I would immediately go get Memphis Tigers head coach Ryan Silverfield.

Onto other business, it was a solid week of college football. We had 3 Top 25 upsets.

Aforementioned Memphis Tigers defeated #18 USF 34-31, in a banger of a game. The Washington Huskies beat #23 Illinois, 42-25, and the Houston Cougars defeated #24 Arizona State 24-16, in one of the worst officiated games, that I’ve even seen. Absolutely disgraceful by that Big-12 crew.

We had some close calls, as well. #4 Alabama squeaked by South Carolina 29-22. #6 Oregon eked out a 21-7 win over Wisconsin. #16 Virginia survived a scare from North Carolina, 17-16 in OT, and #22 Texas held off Mississippi State 45-38 in overtime.

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Indiana, Georgia Tech, Ole Miss, Miami, Vanderbilt, BYU, Texas Tech, Tennessee, Louisville, Cincinnati, and Michigan, all held serve as Top 25 teams and got the win.

Time for your favorite part, it’s Helmet Sticker time. I thank you readers for the messages, telling me that you like this segment.

(Team) North Dakota State Bison.

The defending FCS National Champions and #1 ranked Bison, absolutely MOLLYWHOPPED their rival (then ranked #2) South Dakota State Jackrabbits 38-7 on Saturday. HB Cole Payton had 4 rushing touchdowns.

(Offense) Drew Mestemaker, QB, North Texas Mean Green.

This was the easiest choice so far this season.

The freshman QB went 37 of 49, for a massive 608 yards, and 4 TDs, as he led the Mean Green to a 54-20 win over Charlotte. North Texas is 7-1 on the season, and still in the hunt, for that G5 college football playoff spot.

(Defense) Cade Uluave, LB, California Golden Bears.

Cal is #0.

The junior linebacker was all over the field, and causing havoc, as he did everything, he could in a double overtime loss to Virginia Tech.

Cal finished the game 19 total tackles and 2 sacks.

Who would you give a helmet sticker to?

– by Sean McKenzie

Subscribe, follow, like, and drop a comment below.

Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, meangreensports, and SI.

October 27, 2025
Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 9.

It’s been an exciting start to Week 9 already, as 2 games have gone into overtime and exciting finishes.

Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech 28-27, and Missouri State beat New Mexico State 24-17.

Some sad news, as the Auburn Tigers have lost starting center Conner Lew for the season with a torn ACL. Lew is going to be a Day 1 starting center in the NFL next season. Good luck to him, as we all wish him a speedy and full recovery.

That news actually bumped their game with Arkansas off my list. It’s still one of the more under-rated game and isn’t being talked about enough, IMO.

I went 2-2 in my picks last week.

I am 12-7 for the season.

So, without further ado, HERE are the Top 3 games you should watch (in no particular order).

1) #18 South Florida Bulls (6-1) at Memphis Tigers (6-1).
Game starts at 12:00 PM (Noon) (EST) on ESPN2.

That’s right. One of the best games this week, is from the AAC (American Athletic Conference). The Bulls are ranked and in the driver’s seat for the G5 spot in the college football playoffs. Memphis is coming off an absolutely embarrassing loss to UAB last week. Both teams are highly motivated.

The USF Bulls are simply put, “The Byrum Brown Show”. They go as he goes. He’s thrown for 1,695 yards, with 16 TDs and 5 INTs. He’s added 99 carries, for 475 yards, with 6 TDs. He leads the team in passing and rushing. On defense, they’re led by LB Mac Harris. He’s 2nd on the team in tackles (56) and 1st in sacks (5.5). He’s also has 3 forced fumbles and an INT.

Memphis has a dual-threat QB of their own. Brendon Lewis has thrown for 1,337 yards, with 8 TDs and 4 INTs. He’s added 86 carries, for 440 yards, with 7 TDs. I know, it’s weird seeing Memphis not have gaudy passing yards, but this is a running team. HBs Sutton Smith and Greg Desrosiers Jr have a combined 869 yards rushing, and 11 TDs between them. The defense forces mistakes and turnovers, as they have 10 INTs, 7 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.

Prediction – The loss to UAB will have the Tigers playing of their toes. USF is battle tested. I’m going to go with the better quarterback. Give me the USF Bulls to win 35-31.

2) Houston Cougars (6-1) at #24 Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2).
Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on ESPN2.

The winner of this game could end up tied for 2nd place in the Big-12 or in 2nd all alone. While it was expected that ASU would be competing for the conference title again, nobody saw the Cougars being here, at this point in the season.

Cougars transfer QB Conner Weigman has managed to stay healthy this season. He’s thrown for 1,380 yards, with 11 TDs to only 2 INTs. They balance it out with HB Dean Connors. He has 115 carries, for 538 yards, and 4 TDs. It’s a feisty defense that has 17 team sacks, 6 INTs, and 11 forced fumbles.

The talk of the Sun Devils offense is about the Leavitt-Tyson connection. QB Sam Leavitt has thrown for 1,358 yards, with 9 TDs and 3 INTs. WR Jordyn Tyson has 57 catches, for 628 yards, and 8 TDs. What’s not talked about is HB Raleek Brown, and the balance he brings. 110 carries, for 642 yards, with 3 TDs. The defense has 21 team sacks, with 14 coming from the defensive line. They get to the QB quick and often.

Prediction – It’s been fun watching the Cougars go on this run. I think they simply run into a better team on Saturday. Give me the Sun Devils to win 27-21.

3) #15 Missouri Tigers (6-1) at #10 Vanderbilt Commodores (6-1).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.

It’s been a wonderful season for both teams so far, but somebody’s run is about to end here. The loser of this game is officially out of the SEC conference title picture.

Yes, QB Beau Pribula has thrown for 1,617 yards, however, he has 7 INTs to his 11 TDs. This is a running, ball control offense. HB Ahmad Hardy has 139 carries, for 840 yards (3rd in the nation), with 11 TDs (2nd in the nation). DE’s Damon Wilson and Zion Young, have a combined 10.5 sacks, and get pressure off the edges.

Vanderbilt is led by QB Diego Pavia (my Heisman Trophy frontrunner). He’s thrown for 1,569 yards, with 15 TDs to 4 INTs. He also has 77 carries, for 438 yards, with 4 TDs. He’s the heart and soul of this team. This is a gap sound defense, that gets pressure from multiple positions, as they have 20 teams sacks.

Prediction – I think this is going to be a close football game. Somehow, someway, I believe Pavia will make just enough plays to give the Commodores the win. I’m taking Vandy 24-21.

– by Sean McKenzie.

Subscribe, follow, and like.

Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, nytimes, and ESPN.

October 23, 2025