The Weekend That Will Be: The Curse Of A Weak Schedule

This weekend's slate of games is starving like someone on the week before their high school reunion, thinking that not eating for the six days prior will magically take those ten pounds away.

Heck, College Gameday is going to North Dakota.

For some of you, Saturday will give you some time to do some things on fall Saturdays you may not be used to, such as going outside or talking to your significant other. For the rest of us we will enjoy Saturday for what it is: another glorious weekend of college football.  Which leaves me to wonder why couldn't the wedding I had to--er, got to--attend last weekend couldn't have been scheduled a week later.

Noon

North Carolina at Georgia Tech, ESPN (-3 Tech) and Wake Forest at Army, CBS Sports (-4.5 WFU)- Didn't believe me this schedule was bad?. The one positive to watching Tech and Army is that they both run the triple-option, and their games will be over in plenty should you need to run to the store to grab a few cold beverages before the Arkansas game.

Georgia Tech has a car mascot that drives on the field. There's that so I'll go with them.

Army is fun because of the pageantry that precedes the game, but then you have to watch Wake Forest, which lost to UL-Monroe last week. That's soooo last season.

Afternoon

Arkansas at Rutgers, 3:30 p.m., ESPN (Pick 'em)- There's no way to know what to expect out of this game with both starting quarterbacks looking like they'll miss the game. But being that it is a "pick 'em" game, and I am a Razorback fan, this one is easy. Woo pig up in Yankee territory.

Tennessee at No. 19 Florida, 3:30 p.m., CBS (-14.5 UF)- A terrible defense hosts an even more horrendous offense. This seems to be the motif for most of the Gators thus far.  With absolutely no conviction, I like the Gators because they are at home.

Michigan State at No. 22 Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m. NBC (-4.5 ND)- Notre Dame, in typical Fighting Irish fashion, kept it close against Purdue a week ago and escaped with the win. Against FBS proponents, the Spartans' defense has scored more points than the offense, a stat that never gets old. I like the Irish here in yet another close game.

Louisiana-Monroe at No. 20 Baylor, 4 p.m., Fox Sports 1 (-30 BU)- If you happen to be in Waco and need something to do, tickets are selling for one whole dollar right now on StubHub. If you are as lucky to not be in Waco, watch the Bears offense which is AVERAGING 70 points per game. Thirty points is a lot to cover for any team, but with that offense, Baylor will have a hard time not doing so.

Night

No. 23 Arizona State at No. 5 Stanford, 7 p.m., FOX (-6.5 Stan)- The Cardinal aren't going to have too many games where the score reflects the beating their opponents take, hence the low spread. The Sun Devils weren't able to stop the run game last week hosting Wisconsin, giving up nearly eight yards per carry. I told you last week I like the nerds to win it all. This is not the game, nor the spread, to get in their way.

Auburn at No. 7 LSU, 7:45 p.m., ESPN (-14 LSU)- If the Tigers in purple and gold come out like they have this whole season--and there's no reason to think they won't against the War Eagles defense--they could take the top spot in my all-important weekly SEC Power Rankings. What LSU's offensive coordinator is doing with quaterback Zach Mettenberger is impressive. Throw in the pounding running game and it makes for a long night for Gus Malzahn's boys in Baton Rouge.

Kansas State at Texas, 8 p.m., ABC (-9 UT)- To quote PTI's Tony Kornheiser, "Mack Brown's seat isn't hot, it's an ejection seat." This is why ABC is covering a matchup between two unranked foes for its primetime coverage. One of the things I find hard to believe is that Brown has only won two conference championships while at Texas. That and the fact he still has a job. Surely the Longhorns can finally win again. And by nine, please?

Late Night

At this point, we are better off watching College Football Final on ESPN in hopes of another Lou Holtz meltdown.

Notice Mark May kissing his pinky ring. He's awesome.

Embrace debate!

New Mexico State at No. 13 UCLA, 10:30 p.m., Pac-12 Network (-38 UCLA)- On second thought, you should probably go ahead and get a good night's sleep. You've got a fantasy game tomorrow to prep for.

Last Week: 8-3

Season: 18-10

-----

A native of Arkansas now calling the Hogs from yonder in Georgia, you can follow Graham on Twitter @grahamreaves or read his blog, On My Mind In Georgia.