|
Week One
One-USF Vs. SJSU- San Jose State was a bowl team last year, but South Florida just hired C. Strong. How will the Bulls do against a good G5 team under their new head coach?
2.Oregon State @ Colorado State- The Rams finished with a better record in 2016, but played in a weaker division. This should be an even matchup.
3.Hawaii @ Massachusetts- Not a marquee game by any stretch of the imagination. Still, Hawaii was a bowl team last year, and Massachusetts was surprisingly competitive against SEC teams. This will be a measuring stick game for the Minutemen.
4.Stanford Vs. Rice- This is a rematch of last year's season finale, which the Cardinal won by twenty-four. Expect nothing less than a blowout.
Port. St. Vs. Brigham Young- This is almost as bad as it gets. A losing FCS team taking on an established FBS program. Watchability levels here aren't very high. |
|
|
Week 2
1.Alabama Vs. Florida State- Two of the top programs in the country over the past decade or two go at it at a neutral site. FSU can make a statement with a win. The Tide continue their dominance if they get a 'W'.
2.LSU Vs. Brigham Young- Another neutral site game, this is quietly one of the better games early on. This is a measuring stick game for two programs who have been good, but not great as of late. A Tiger win without Fournette shows they're legit. A Cougar win probably gets them ranked.
3.Florida Vs. Michigan- Another neutral site game among top programs. A loss wouldn't doom either team, but a win would allow room for 1 loss for both teams later in the season. That said, this one could become a blowout if Florida plays like they did last year.
4.Temple @ Notre Dame- Another game that will quietly be a great match. Notre Dame has been up-and-down as of late. Expectations are always high, so the home crowd will be rockin' against one of the best G5 teams in the nation.
5.WVU Vs. Va. Tech- Another neutral site game here, this time between two teams who are geographically close. Despite finishing in the T25 last year, WVU lacked marquee wins. Both teams have NY6 hopes, and a win for either team would really build that resume. |
|
|
Week 3
1.Oklahoma @ Ohio State- The Sooners won out after losing to the Buckeyes last year. This is a game between tow Playoff favorites. The Sooners may not be able to afford a loss playing in the Big 12.
2.Auburn @ Clemson- Tigers Vs. Tigers. Auburn isn't expected to be a Playoff team, but they are annually ranked. An upset win here would put them in that conversation. A loss for Clemson would really shake up the national picture. Last year's game was decided by a touchdown.
3.Pittsburgh @ Penn State- This is another game between two T25 teams, and a budding rivalry. Pitt got the upset win last year, winning by a field goal. Penn State likely needs to win this to remain in Playoff contention, while Pitt could really use a win to help the NY6 resume.
4.Boise @ Wazzu- A lot is on the line for each team. The Broncos likely need a win to earn the G5 NY6 invitation. Wazzu can't afford a loss if they want to make the Playoffs. This is a match between two top 40, and quite possibly T25 teams.
5.Utah @ Brigham Young- Neither team is a favorite to make the Playoffs. That said, each team has a strong chance to make an NY6 game. This is a rivalry match between two very popular teams within the state of Utah. Last year's game was decided by a singular point. |
|
|
Week 4
1.Texas @ USC- Expectations are high for both teams in 2017. The Longhorns have struggled recently, but have darkhorse potential under new HC T. Herman. An upset win for the Longhorns enter them into Playoff contention. A win for USC certifies them as a top team in 2017. There are two programs looking to make the leap to perennial heavyweight.
2.Oklahoma State @ Pittsburgh- Two T25 opponents play in this one. Both teams have a lot to prove, and a win for either one could keep them in Playoff contention. The Cowboys, especially, could use a marquee OOC win. Last year's game was decided by 7.
3.Wisconsin @ Brigham Young- The Cougars have been on the list for every week so far. Brigham Young is an interesting team in that they play a very tough schedule early on, but an easy schedule down the road. Wisconsin will be their only Big 10 opponent this year. The Badgers likely need a win here to remain in Playoff contention.
4.Notre Dame @ Boston College- Neither team has been great over the past few years, but both have made a couple of bowl games. The "Holy War" has actually been an entertaining series, with 4 of the last 5 games being decided by 2 scores or less. A win for BC would be a marquee win for the program, while the Fighting Irish could reach the T25 with a good start.
5.UCLA @ Memphis- Nether team has Playoff aspirations. That's OK. UCLA is looking to rebound from a bad season, and a road win against a good AAC team would help. For Memphis, this is a game that would keep them in NY6 talks. This should be competitive. |
|
|
Week 5
1.Texas Tech @ Houston- This is a huge game, not just for each team, but for each program. Major Applewhite is the new HC in Houston, and he'll look to keep the ball rolling for a program that was seemingly on the rise, but is now in jeopardy. Meanwhile, Kliff Kingsbury is coaching for his job at TTU. Recruiting territory is also at stake in Texas. There are two teams with T25 aspirations.
2.Notre Dame @ Michigan State- These are two premier programs that missed the postseason last year. This is a very important game for both teams in terms of re-establishing themselves as good teams. Expect a sellout in East Lansing. MSU won last year's game by eight.
3.odelet (backwards) (MAC team called the Rockets) @ Miami- This should quietly be a competitive game. The Rockets made a bowl game for the their straight season out of the MAC last year. Meanwhile, Miami is trying to establish themselves as a T25 program. Both teams went 9-4 last year.
4.UCF @ Maryland- This will be a measuring stick game for the AAC and the lower half of the Big 10. Both teams went 6-6 last year before losing in bowl games. Both teams could really use a win in this one in order to reach the postseason again. This should be an even match, as Maryland won last year's game in double overtime.
5.Virginia @ Boise State- Bronco Mendenhall disappointed in his first season at UVA, going 2-10. Nothing would win favor among fans and staff like a marquee road win. For Boise, this is an opportunity to beat a P5 team and strengthen the NY6 resume. |
|
|
Week 6
1.Marshall @ Cincinatti- This is an interesting game between teams trying to rebound from poor seasons. Luke Fickell, a man with national title rings, takes over the reigns for the Bearcats. Despite a losing season last year, the Marshall has made 4 bowl games since 2011. This will be a good measuring stick game for each team, as Cincinnati tries to defend their home turf.
2.Northern Illinois @ San Diego State- This is a game that will fly under the radar, but a game that will also definitely have an impact on bowl scheduling. Both teams are among the better G5 programs in the nation. Despite narrowly missing the postseason last year, the Huskies had been to 8 straight bowls beforehand, with 6 division titles and 3 conference titles in the past 10 years. The Aztecs, meanwhile, have appeared in 7 straight bowl games, and have won 2 consecutive conference titles.
3.yort (Spelled backwards) @ LSU- While not many people expect a win from the Trojans, they could make things close here. Troy is coming off of a 10-3 season in which they only lost to Clemson by 3. LSU has lost Fournette, so upset alert potential exists in this one.
4.Central Michigan @ Boston College- Each team has made 3 bowl games since 2013. The Chippewas haven't been excellent recently, but they have been competitive. Beating a P5 team will be challenging, but doable. Steve Addazio, meanwhile, likely can't afford to lose this one.
5.Ohio @ Massachusetts- While neither team is very relevant, both would like to be. The Minutemen were a weird team last year, hanging tight with teams like Florida and Mississippi State, while being blown out by G5 teams. Ohio is a perennial bowl team that never finds their way into NY6 discussion. Blowout potential exists here in favor of the Bobcats, but a consistent Minutemen team would mean a competitive game.
|
|
|
EDIT, insert Brigham Young @ Utah State in front of the LSU game, which knocks each game behind that back
The Aggies won 6 consecutive bowl games before going 4-8 last year. They'll look to get back to the postseason in this campaign. Brigham Young, meanwhile, can't afford a 'bad' loss on their resume. This is an intrastate rivalry series that engages fans. Brigham Young has won the past two games in blowout fashion, however.
|
|
|
Week 7
1.UTSU (Aggies from Utah) @ Brigham Young- The Cougars find their way on this list yet again. This is an annual rivalry game for both teams, and last year's game was decided by a singular point, in the favor of the Cougs. Boise State helps their NY6 case with a win, while Brigham Young helps their T25 case tremendously with a win.
2.Notre Dame @ North Carolina- North Carolina was ranked for the first time in seemingly forever in 2015, but failed to finish ranked in 2016. Notre Dame, conversely, finished under .500 for the first time in seemingly forever last year. Each program wants to establish itself as a T25 team. In that sense, this could be a huge game for both teams. The pair last played in 2014, in a game that was decided by 7.
3.Army @ Rice- This has been a competitive series over the past 3 seasons, with Rice winning in 2014 and 2015, but losing last year. The Owls will look to build a bowl resume this year, and a win over one of last season's bowl participants would help. Army, meanwhile, will probably hover around .500 on the year, so every game is big for the Black Knights.
4/5. N/A
|
|
|
Week 8
1.Massachusetts @ South Florida- The Bulls will be the favorite in this one, but the Minutemen have potential after putting some scares into SEC teams last season. Coach Strong has a tough schedule to open the season. If he struggles there, this game become a must-win if the Bulls want to make a bowl game. The same can be said for Massachusetts.
2-5. N/A |
|
|
Week 9
1.USC @ Notre Dame- This game takes the cake for OOC game of the week in week 9. Two of the country's most historic programs go at it during prime time. USC needs to win this one to remain alive in Playoff contention. Notre Dame Stadium will be rocking, and this win could really solidify the Irish as a top program once again. There's a solid chance that both teams are ranked coming into this oe.
2.Temple @ Army- This is a game between two teams that reached bowl games last season. Quietly, this could be a very entertaining game. Both teams have tough, physical identities. This is a marquee game for both teams.
3.Brigham Young @ East Carolina- At this point of the season, Brigham Young's season is softening. Their resume for big-time bowl games will have been set. That said, East Carolina could be a tricky team on the road. The Pirates have missed the postseason in two straight seasons, but were a quality team hitherto that. This game won't decide a whole lot, but it could be very close.
4.Georgia Southern @ Massachusetts- Georgia Southern has a tough schedule to enter the season, and may not be able to afford a loss here if they want to make a bowl game. As for the Minutemen, they will know if they're competitive or bad by this point in the season. If they're competitive, this game could be close and meaningful for each team's bowl hopes.
5.Idaho @ Missouri- This game could be a blowout, or it could be strangely close. Idaho has been a terrible program lately, but did win a bowl game last season. Missouri, on the other hand, plays in the most dominant conference college football has soon over the past decade, but has missed the postseason in each of the past 2 seasons. Most likely, however, Missouri will send the Vandals home miserable. |
|
|
|
Week Ten
1.No. Carolina State @ Notre Dame- Here are two teams that have been mediocre over the past few seasons. While this game won't decide the Playoff field, it will help decide bowl games. Both teams figure to be competitive against ACC competition. The two teams played last year, and the Wolfpack won by only 7.
2.San Jose State @ Brigham Young- San Jose State missed the postseason after going 6-7 the previous year. The Spartans probably won't be great this year. however, if they''re decent, they may go into Utah and be competitive against the Cougars, as both teams play for better bowl games.
3.Missouri @ UConn- This is another Missouri game that could be close, but also could be a blowout. The Huskies only won 3 games last year, and probably won't be great this year. That said, the Huskies only lost by 3 on the road to Mizzou 2 years ago. That doesn't mean this will be close, but there is potential for a close one among two teams that missed the postseason last year.
4.Appalachian State @ Massachusetts- The Minutemen look to win in their last game at Gillette in 2017. Other than that, there's not much excitement here. Massachusetts will likely be out of bowl contention at this point. As for Appalachian State, they're probably not in NY6 contention by this point, but if they are, they can't lose this.
5.N/A |
|
|
Week 11
1.Army @ Air Force- Games between the service academies are usually close in score and played with great edge. Both teams look to make bowl games this year, and both teams look to sweep their service academy games. To each team, this game is a big deal, and considering it will almost have postseason implications, it becomes an even bigger deal, as the Falcons are a sleeper NY6 candidate.
2.Wake @ Notre Dame- This game could be competitive. The Demon Deacons made a bowl game last season with an unimpressive resume. Notre Dame finished under .500 for the first time in the decade. Both teams figure to be bowl contenders, but not too much more this year. With the Fighting Irish mandated to play 5 ACC opponents a year, familiarity may begin to breed contempt.
3.Southern Mississippi @ Tennessee- Surprisingly, this isn't the most unappealing OOC game of the week. Tennessee probably can't afford to lose to this C-USA team if they want to be in the top 25 after this week. The Golden eagles have made 2 straight bowl games, so perhaps they can hang around on the road.
4.Massachusetts @ Mississippi State- This game has surprising potential to be close. The two teams played last year, and the Bulldogs only won by 12. Mississippi State should be better against the Minutemen this year, but you never know.
5.Brigham Young @ Fresno State- There's no way to sugarcoat it, this isn't a very appealing game. Brigham Young will likely make a bowl game even if they somehow manage to lose this, and Fresno State likely will miss postseason play even if they somehow win this one. If the Bulldogs build off of a couple of close games last year, maybe they'll be competitive in this one.
|
|
|
Week 12
1.Notre Dame @ Miami- This is without a doubt the top OOC game of the week. These are two storied programs who are trying to resurrect their image. Expect both to be decent but not great at this time of year. With some luck, Miami may be competing for a division title at this time of year, and should they somehow win the ACC, this game will affect their NY6 hopes. The two teams met last year, when the Irish won by 3.
2.Duke @ Army- While neither team figures to be elite, this could be a very fun game. Both teams figure to hover around .500, and they'll both be fighting for a spot in the postseason. Army home games are always a big deal on campus, so expect a quality atmosphere. Duke won last year's match by 7.
3.Maine @ Massachusetts- Maine is an FCS team, and Massachusetts is one of the worst teams in the FBS. This game does have a big appeal though- These are two New England-based teams that will be playing at Fenway Park. This game should have a good crowd, and draw the attention of locals. Plus, it should be competitive.
4.Brigham Young @ UNLV- At first glance this game may not appear be too competitive. Again, this is Brigham Young's 'easy' part of the schedule. That said, both teams could be chasing bowl hopes at this point in the season. Perhaps the Rebels can deliver an upset.
5.New Mexico @ Texas A&M- This game probably won't be too competitive. Even though the Aggies aren't elite, they're still on a whole different level than the Lobos. That said, New Mexico went 9-4 with a bowl win last year playing in the Mountain West. Maybe we'll see them hang around. |
|
|
Week 13
1.Navy @ Notre Dame- In a week filled with FBS Vs. FCS games, this unsung annual rivalry easily takes the cake for best OOC game of the week. This game will have a definite impact on the postseason field. Both programs figure to be competitive this yea, and both have a ton of pride and history. Navy won last years installment of the rivalry series by one.
2.Army @ North Texas- These two teams played each other last year - twice. Army lost the first game by 3 scores, but one the second time - in a bowl game - in OT. These teams seem to be well-matched, and familiarity breeds contempt. Plus, each team figures to be in bowl contention this season. While the Mean Green don't have the prestige of Notre Dame, this should be a quality match up.
3.Wofford @ South Carolina- Sadly, this isn't even a bottom 5 game for this week, and that's because the most of the SEC scheduled a bunch of FCS opponents in this week. For what it's worth, SC wasn't that good last year, and only beat FCS Western Carolina by 2 possessions.
4.Boston College @ UConn- The two teams played last year, and Boston College won in a blowout. There probably won't be too much of a shift in momentum this year. Still, this is a potential budding regional rivalry. BC's bowl hopes may well be affected by this game.
5.Massachusetts @ Brigham Young- There's very little appeal to this game. Brigham Young won last year's competition by 42. While it is possible that Massachusetts is more competitive this time around because they know what to expect, that's doubtful. This game could affect Brigham Young's bowl selection, although even that is unlikely. |
|
|
Week 14
1.Georgia @ Georgia Tech-This game likely won't have NY6 implications, but that possibility does exist on either end. Either way, this game will impact each team's bowl slate, in all likelihood. This intrastate rivalry has seen each of the past 4 games be decided by 1 possession, with 2 of those going to overtime.
2.Louisville @ Kentucky- This rivalry series began in 2014 and has quietly been great ever since. Louisville has had the more successful seasons, but Kentucky has taken the past two games. All three games have been decided by one possession. Another intrastate rivalry match with bowl implications, and possibly NY6/Playoff implications on Louisville's end.
3.Florida State @ Florida- This game has not lived up to the hype in the past 2 seasons, with 2 blowouts as the results. Still, the potential for a great game exists. Both teams will likely be playing for a shot at a NY6 bowl. Both teams despise each other. It's an intrastate rivalry, and the atmosphere will be great between 2 storied programs.
4.Notre Dame @ Stanford- 4 of the last 5 games between these 2 rivals have been decided by one possession. Last year's installment was the lone blowout, with Stanford winning. If Notre Dame is able to put together an 8 or 9 win season, this game should be very competitive. If the Irish have a repeat of last year, it likely won't be. Either way, this game will affect the postseason picture, and there's a lot of bad blood here.
5.Brigham Young @ Hawaii- This is the lone unappealing OOC game in this week. That said, Hawaii surprised last year, winning 7 games and reaching a bowl game. It's not that this game is bad, it's just that others are better. These are two teams that figure to be postseason contenders this year. If the Rainbow Warriors improve a bit from last year, we could see a close one on Hawaii's turf. |
|