There was a time when Michigan and Ohio State was just another game to those outside the Rust Belt, when the Iron Bowl didn’t regularly impact the SEC title race, when pride was all that was at stake in the Red River Rivalry (Texas-Oklahoma).
It was during that time that no game regularly mattered more than Miami vs. Florida State, a matchup that featured at least one Top 5 team on 19 occasions from 1984 to 2004, including 12 meetings when both schools were ranked in the Top 10.
For the first time since then, the No. 4 Hurricanes (4-0) are national title contenders again. For the first time in 11 years, the No. 19 Seminoles (3-1) could reach the College Football Playoff. For the first time since 2016, the rivals face off as ranked opponents.
The magnitude of this matchup isn’t what it could have been — following Florida State’s double-overtime loss at Virginia — but the stunning upset could bring the best out of the home dog at Doak Campbell Stadium.
“I think we needed [the loss],” Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos said. “I think guys were riding high, kind of feeling ourselves a little bit. But I think we’ll respond and bounce back. We have to. This will push us and make us work harder.”
Miami is more well-rounded, featuring perhaps the nation’s best fronts on both sides of the ball, but will be traveling for the first time this season to face Gus Malzahn’s top-ranked offense, which humiliated Alabama at home in the season opener.
If the Hurricanes are going to keep up, Carson Beck will need to be aggressive, increasing the odds that last year’s SEC co-leader in interceptions — ranking 95th in interception rate this season, following three picks in the past two games — keeps Florida State close in the final minutes.
Then, the Seminoles (+4.5) will line up for the game-deciding kick, looking to shed the ghosts of so many wide rights, and the occasional wide left.
A classic is overdue.
BYU (-18.5) over West Virginia
Bear Bachmeier is exceeding expectations, producing 10 total touchdowns without committing a turnover in his first four career games. If the true freshman doesn’t make a mistake, the Cougars should cruise, riding running back LJ Martin — who averages 7.3 yards per carry — and a defense that has limited opponents to an average of less than 10 points per game.
Illinois (-9.5) over PURDUE
I don’t love this sandwich spot — coming off a dramatic win over USC, with a trip to Ohio State a week away — but the Illini’s drubbing against Indiana should prevent a letdown in this mismatch.
Kentucky (+20.5) over GEORGIA
The Bulldogs have won 15 straight games against the Wildcats, but only one of their past seven meetings has been decided by more than 21 points. Don’t expect Georgia — less than a month removed from a 22-point home win over Austin Peay — to break out the full playbook with Auburn and Ole Miss looming.
CINCINNATI (-1.5) over Iowa State
The Bearcats have been quietly unleashing one of the most well-rounded offenses in America — top 10 in yards per play (6.9) — led by junior dual threat QB Brendan Sorsby, who ran for 96 yards and two touchdowns at Nebraska, then led Cincy to a comeback victory at Kansas while throwing for 388 yards.
Wisconsin (+17.5) over MICHIGAN
The Badgers will struggle to put up points, but their second-ranked run defense gives them a chance to drag the run-first Wolverines into a low-scoring brawl. True freshman Bryce Underwood isn’t ready to take advantage of a Wisconsin defense ranked 111th in yards allowed per completion (13.0), having thrown for a total of 247 yards in two starts against power conference teams.
Clemson (-14) over NORTH CAROLINA
Bill Belichick’s first two games against power conference teams (TCU, UCF) resulted in losses by a combined 59 points. Dabo Swinney’s underachievers have no excuse to no-show again.
Penn State (-25.5) over UCLA
The Nittany Lions head west to face the only winless power conference team in the nation. This is right up James Franklin’s alley.
Texas (-7) over FLORIDA
A battle between two of the most talented and underachieving young quarterbacks in the nation (Arch Manning, DJ Lagway) is destined to be a rock fight. Free points are tempting, but the Longhorns defense is among the nation’s best, showing it travels while limiting top-ranked Ohio State to 14 points in Columbus.
Vanderbilt (+10.5) over ALABAMA
I will ride Diego Pavia as an underdog (15-4-1 since 2023) to my grave. The Commodores — 5-0 for the second time in 80 years and coming off back-to-back 50-point efforts for the first time in 110 years — have reason to believe after last year’s upset of the Crimson Tide. Vanderbilt also catches Alabama off its high from last week’s win at Georgia, and brings the nation’s third-best ground game (6.7 yards per carry) to face a run defense that allowed 457 rushing yards against Florida State and Georgia.
Boise State (+20.5) over NOTRE DAME
The Over (62.5) is the best bet. Taking the Irish to win the national championship (25/1) could be the most fun bet. But college football’s most-established mid-major doesn’t get many invitations from the nation’s top programs and will relish the opportunity at a sold-out Notre Dame Stadium — the Broncos’ largest crowd in 15 years — bringing an offense that has scored at least 47 points in three straight games.
Kent State (+45.5) over OKLAHOMA
John Mateer is out after undergoing surgery on his throwing hand. So why are the Sooners being priced like they’re still being led by the Heisman contender, rather than Michael Hawkins Jr., who was last seen losing to Navy in the Armed Forces Bowl?
HOUSTON (+11.5) over Texas Tech
The Red Raiders’ impressive win at Utah made them the clear favorite in the Big 12. Sentences like that have been filling the heads of Joey McGuire’s relatively unproven roster for two weeks.
OHIO STATE (-24) over Minnesota
Redshirt freshman Drake Lindsey led the Gophers to just 14 points at Cal in his only road start. It could get ugly in Columbus, as one of the nation’s worst red-zone offenses attempts to break through Matt Patricia’s defense, allowing an average of 5.5 points per game.
Get the lowdown on the Best USA Sports Betting Sites and Apps
Mississippi State (+14) over TEXAS A&M
The Aggies play better with a chip on their shoulder, having covered just three of 14 games as a favorite on Mike Elko’s watch. Don’t jump off the Bulldogs bandwagon — 5-0 against the spread this season, including an upset of Arizona State and an overtime loss to Tennessee — until it crashes.
BEST BETS: Vanderbilt, Penn State, Ohio State.
SEASON: 31-44 (5-10).
2014-24 RECORD: 1,392-1,309-31.
