Games to Watch: Week 10

No matter the outcome of this week's football game in Columbus, there will be a lot of attention on two specific games on Saturday morning.  Yes, we still have 2 weeks till the Illini face the most important stretch of their schedule, but it's always good to get an early glimpse at the competition.

With that being said, here are some other games that will keep you warm during a chilly weekend...

(Hey Jim, Ho-ly Freaking Maddon!)

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Thursday 10/30:

#2 Florida State Seminoles @ #25 Louisville Cardinals ~ 6:30pm CT (ESPN)

Rarely do Thursday night games provide as exciting of a matchup as this.  The only other Thursday night game that I can think of that was this hyped was the Kansas St Auburn game a few weeks back.  Anyways, this one is going to be close depending on how well the Louisville defense holds up.  FSU finally played like the #2 best team in the nation against Notre Dame a few weeks ago, and it will be interesting to see how they play coming off a bye week against a good Cardinal team.

Friday 10/31:

It's Halloween.  Go out and have fun scaring people or party with friends or give candy to little kids (unless your last name is Silich), and if you happen to need a game to watch...the Cincinnati Bearcats and Tulane Green Wave are playing at 7:00pm CT on ESPN2

Saturday 11/1:

Northwestern Wildcats @ Iowa Hawkeyes ~ 11:00am CT (BTN)

Just like that, it's November! This will be a game we watch closely, as these two teams will be games that the Illini need to win in their quest for the post-season.  The game itself will be a fun one to watch as the Hawkeyes offense will face a good Northwestern defense.  Depending on what happens with Trevor Siemian and the offense, Fitzy and the Cats could be looking at a 3-5 record after this weekend.

Maryland Terrapins @ Penn State Nittany Lions ~ 11:00am CT (ESPN2)

We saw how well the Nittany Lion defense played against Ohio St last weekend, and we all are interested to see if they will continue to play that well through the rest of the season.  Christian Hackenberg led the offense to 24 points and the defense came up with multiple plays to keep the Buckeye offense at bay.  In comes Maryland who is licking their wounds after last week's beatdown by Wisconsin.  Can the Lions keep rolling?

#7 TCU Horned Frogs @ #20 West Virginia Mountaineers ~ 2:30pm CT (ABC/ESPN2)

82 points last week...82.  The highest powered offense of them all (and Heisman hopeful Trevone Boykin) will take on a tough West Virginia team in hopes of climbing the College Football Playoff standings.  The Frogs really look good (best one loss team I've watched this season mainly due to their offense) and there certainly is a chance for them to make up some ground in the next few games.

#3 Auburn Tigers @ #4 Ole Miss Rebels ~ 6:00pm CT (ESPN)

The good news for the Rebels is that they are once again playing a big game at home.  The bad news, is that they face the Auburn Tigers, and the Tigers honestly look like a team that will be in the CF Playoff at the end of the year.  Bo Wallace has been Jay Cutler-esque as of late with bad reads and questionable throws, and it will be crucial that "Good Bo" shows up this weekend.

#12 Arizona Wildcats @ #22 UCLA Bruins ~ 9:30pm CT (ESPN)

UPSET ALERT!!! At this point in the evening, the Illini may or may not be competing in their game against the Buckeyes, so keep this game in your rotation.  As much as I would LOVE to see a Rich Rod team take down the Bruins, I really like Brett Hundley and think he's going to be the x-factor in this game.  Can the Wildcats win a crucial game to keep their Pac-12 Championship hopes alive?

#17 Utah Utes @ #14 Arizona State Sun Devils ~ 10:00pm CT (FoxSports1)

If I'm not mistaken, Gus Johnson is calling this game so you should watch this game simply for that reason.  But it just so happens that Sparky and the Devils are playing a really solid Utah team that's coming off a last second win over USC.  The Pac-12 South is abundant with 6-1 teams and this game is going to help clear things up, but don't expect it to be a blowout.

(Couldn't leave this one out)