by Chris Asbrock

After a big first week, the college football season continues with a handful of big games and some with some big storylines. After the first week of the season, there is always going to be some overreactions so this is the week that a few of the teams that surprised, come back to earth. With the handful of big games this weeks, those will come with some questions. These are just some of the questions that will be answered before the end of the day. 

1. Can Cincinnati pull off the upset over Ohio State at the Shoe?

This game is one to watch for all fans in the state of Ohio. The Cincinnati Bearcats are heading up Interstate 71 to Columbus to face the Ohio State Buckeyes and they are going to have a lot of motivation. Former Buckeye and current Cincinnati Head Coach Luke Fickell will be making his first trip to Ohio State since he left in 2016. After playing at Ohio State, Fickell was on the coaching staff for 16 years before taking the job at Cincinnati. The Bearcats haven’t knocked off the Buckeyes since 1897. A lot of these UC players were either overlooked or never given a thought by Ohio State so they will be eager to prove coach Ryan Day and the rest of the staff that they can play some football too. Fickell has taken this UC program and put them on a rocket. Look for the Bearcats to make things difficult for Ohio State today. 

2. Can Tennessee rebound after being upset at home?


Things in Knoxville haven’t been too pleasant since Butch Jones was fired in 2017. Even during the final season under Jones, Tennessee wasn’t the same. Jeremy Puritt was brought in to take over for Jones and last season went 5-7. The Volunteers have lost their last three games, dating back to last season. This season, they started where they left off last season, with a brutal loss to Georgia State, 38-30. Next up is BYU. The Cougars head to Knoxville after taking a whooping at the hands of their rivals, Utah. Both teams are looking to rebound with a victory. If BYU can pull off the upset today, Jeremy Pruitt will be in serious danger of possibly losing his job if it doesn’t get better.


3. Who comes away with the win in the big LSU/Texas matchup?
This is the premier matchup on this weekends slate of games. The 6th ranked LSU Tigers make the trip to Austin to face the 9th ranked Texas Longhorns. Texas spent a few years trying to get back to national prominence. Now, the Longhorns will have the biggest game at home in years. A victory for either team in this premier non-conference matchup will already have a leg up on a playoff spot. Longhorns quarterback Sam Ehlinger claimed “We’re back” after their big win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. If the Longhorns make a statement and knock off the Tigers, they will certainly be back. Texas has always been a national power and their rise back could be a great story. This is a can’t miss matchup and one that will set the winner up for a great season.

College Football Playoff Pairings:

1. Alabama vs 4. Texas
2. Clemson vs 3. Ohio State

Top 10 Power Rankings:
1. Clemson
2. Alabama
3. Georgia
4. Oklahoma
5. Ohio State
6. LSU
7. Michigan
8. Notre Dame
9. Texas
10. Auburn

The top 10 doesn’t change with the exception of Auburn making an appearance after their victory over Oregon last week. Expect some movement in the rankings after this weekend.

Heisman Trophy Watch:

1. Trevor Lawrence
2. Tua Tagovailoa
3. Jonathan Taylor
4. Rondale Moore
5. Justin Herbert

Game picks (7-2 overall, 0-1 upset)
Ohio State over Cincinnati
Clemson over Texas A&M
Colorado over Nebraska
LSU over Texas
Michigan State over Western Michigan
Kentucky over Eastern Michigan
Washington over Cal
Stanford over USC
Hawai’i over Oregon St
Upset: Ohio over Pittsburgh

Chris Asbrock is a staff writer and analyst for Impact Sports Cincinnati and can be followed on Twitter Â