Football Games To Watch This Weekend [Opinion]

The weekend is here…and that means FOOTBALL! Here are the games that I think will be the ones to watch:

College

(4) LSU AT (10) FLORIDA 1:30pm CBS

Fourth-ranked LSU (5-0, 1-0 SEC) travels to ‘The Swamp’ to face No. 10 Florida (4-0, 3-0 SEC) in a Southeastern Conference showdown of Top 10 teams. The Gators hope to use running back Mike Gillislee to help neutralize Tiger defensive ends Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery and a defense ranked fourth in the nation.

(8) WEST VIRGINIA AT (11) TEXAS 5pm FOX

After beating Baylor, 70-63, last week, No. 8 West Virginia (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) is prepared for another shootout with No. 11 Texas (4-0, 1-0 Big 12). Quarterback Geno Smith had eight touchdown passes for the Mountaineers last week and could do more damage against the Longhorns suspect pass defense. Texas quarterback David Ash faces a West Virginia defense that gave up more than 700 yards in last week’s victory.

(5) GEORGIA AT (6) SOUTH CAROLINA 5pm ESPN

Two top 10 teams from the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference duel when No. 5 Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) visits No. 6 South Carolina (5-0, 3-0 SEC) on Saturday. Georgia will be without leading wide receiver Michael Bennett, who is out for the season after tearing the ACL in his right knee during practice this week. Tailback Todd Gurley will have to pick up some of the Bulldogs’ offensive load in Bennett’s absence. Gamecocks running back Marcus Lattimore spearheads the South Carolina offense.

 (21) NEBRASKA AT (12) OHIO ST. 6pm ABC

12th-ranked Ohio State (5-0, 1-0 Big 10) welcomes No. 23 Nebraska (4-1, 1-0 Big 10) with the intent of making up for squandering a 21-point lead to the Cornhuskers in 2011. Quarterback Braxton Miller leads the Buckeye attack, while Taylor Martinez directs the Nebraska offense.

NFL 

ATLANTA FALCONS (4-0) AT WASHINGTON REDSKINS (2-2)  11am FOX

Led by top-rated quarterback Matt Ryan, undefeated Atlanta has the NFC’s highest-scoring offense at 31 points per game. The Redskins’ 30th-ranked pass defense has allowed 326.3 yards per contest. Running back Alfred Morris and quarterback Robert Griffin III give Washington the NFL’s best rushing attack at 175.5 yards per game. They’ll need to protect the football against a Falcons defense that is second in the league with 12 takeaways.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-1) AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS (1-2)  11am FOX

Philadelphia relied on running back LeSean McCoy, the NFL’s third-leading rusher, to help pound away at the Giants last week. The Eagles may choose to do more of the same against the well-rested and blitz-happy Steelers defense. Pittsburgh emerges from the bye week with the possibility of safety Troy Polamalu and running back Rashard Mendenhall returning from injury. Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the league’s second-rated passer, but he could see extra pressure from the talented Philadelphia defensive front line if Pittsburgh’s 31st-ranked running game doesn’t provide some threat.

DENVER BRONCOS (2-2) AT NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (2-2) 2:25 pm CBS

This is the Game of the Week. The Peyton Manning-Tom Brady rivalry enters a new phase as Denver heads east to face New England. Brady has already thrown for 1,227 yards, fourth best in the NFL. He’ll face a Broncos defense that ranks seventh in the league in yards allowed per game with 308. Manning has been efficient in running the Denver offense, with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. The Patriots’ defense is tied for fourth in the league with six pick-offs.

HOUSTON TEXANS (4-0) AT N.Y. JETS (2-2) 6:30 pm NBC

Led by the NFL’s best defense, which allows just 14.0 points and 273.0 yards per game, Houston is among the league’s best teams. The Texans defensive front will be a challenge for a Jets’ team that ranks 28th in yards gained and may have lost receiver Santonio Holmes for the season with a foot injury. Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez could be pulled for backup Tim Tebow if his struggles continue. New York must stop the NFL’s ninth-ranked rushing attack, which is led by Arian Foster and Ben Tate. The Jets defense yielded 245 yards on the ground to San Francisco in last week’s 34-0 loss.

Enjoy the Games!