Undefeated Patriots vs. what should have been a Manning-led Broncos. Brady vs. Manning appears to be over, but this will be a better contest than people think. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Brock Osweiler might be better than people think.
You could easily switch on FSU@Florida or Oklahoma@Okie State, but I chose this game because I think it has the best conditions for an upset. Notre Dame is banged up and flying out to the west coast to play one of the most physical teams in football. Hell, the Irish won last week and somehow dropped out of the College Football Playoff top 4! To Iowa!
The Bears looked well on their way to becoming a newly solidified team with a rejuvenated Jay Cutler … until they dropped a home loss last week to the Brock Osweiler-led Broncos. Forget what I said earlier about Ossie. The Bears should have won that game at home … Meanwhile, the Packers have had their own offensive issues as well: lethargic Eddie Lacy, Jordy Nelson out for the year … a weird Randall Cobb/Aaron Rodgers relationship. While the Packers will likely win at Lambeau, it will be interesting to see who rebounds better in this bitter rivalry game.
Although many question if the Panthers are for real, the short answer is — they are. Even if Cam Newton is carrying the team. The other question is just how much Tony Romo means to the Cowboys? Although America’s team is lousy and dropped every game Romo was out, Dallas is in a weak division and still has a shot at the playoffs if they can win out. Romo led them to a win in his first game back in Miami last week, now comes the much bigger test at home. Plus, who doesn’t want to see what atrocious decision Greg Hardy makes against his old team? You know it’s coming.
Urban Meyer’s first taste of Jim Harbaugh is finally here. Mr. Wal-Mart dad khakis has predictably turned around the Wolverines in the blink of an eye and Ohio State is coming off a crushing loss to Michigan State that not only knocked them out of the College Football Playoff, but led to star running back Ezekiel Elliott saying he’s not returning to play next year. This is the other best rivalry in college football. And don’t be shocked if a more motivated Michigan squad wins a thriller in the Big House.
The Iron Bowl. The best rivalry game in college football over the past decade returns to Auburn for the first time since the kick-return heard ’round the world, AKA, the most pivotal, shocking play in the history of college football. It doesn’t matter the Tigers only have six wins. In the Iron Bowl, ANYTHING can happen. Plus, Derrick Henry, who I like to call ‘FreakBeast,’ will try to protect is lead for the Heisman. Full disclosure: this is a homer pick.
Josh Helmuth is the editor of CraveOnline Sports.
Photo: Getty
