Your weekend viewing guide - The best games of the weekend and why you should watch.
The Triple-Dub: November 4th-6th
Are you ready for LSU-Alabama?
College Football:
-Friday Nov. 4th
USC Trojans (6-2) @ Colorado Buffaloes (1-8) (Folsom Field – Boulder, CO) 9:00 PM ET – ESPN
On paper, this shouldn’t be a very competitive game but I’m interested to see how USC plays after the demoralizing triple overtime loss to Stanford. The Trojans played great on both sides of the ball and should crush theBuffaloes but I wouldn’t be surprised if they come out flat. Last week Lane Kiffin showed he knows how to coach but we’ll see if he can get his superior athletes up again and ready to play at Folsom Field on Friday night.
-Saturday Nov. 5th
#9 South Carolina Gamecocks (7-1) @ #7 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-1) (Razorback Stadium – Fayetteville, AR) 7:15 PM ET – ESPN
Arkansas’ only loss was to Alabama 38-14 but they required second half comebacks to narrowly defeat both Ole Miss and Vanderbilt the last two weeks. South Carolina lost to Auburn 16-13 and has really struggled on offense without Marcus Lattimore but fortunately for Spurrier the defense is only allowing 9.7 points per game in their last six games. Saturday night will give us a good chance to see just how talented, deep and physical the SEC really is this year outside of two national title contenders.
#1 LSU Tiger (8-0) @ #2 Alabama Crimson Tide (8-0) (Bryant-Denny Stadium – Tuscaloosa, AL) 8:00 PM ET – CBS
I don’t know about you but I’ve been looking forward to this game for about two months now. Both teams had an extra week to prepare so we might see a little rust early but they should be ready. I’m really extremely excited to watch both the defenses – LSU’s seems a little quicker and more opportunistic while Alabama’s seems a little bigger and more disciplined. The Tigers’ two quarterbacks – Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson – will give Alabama’s defense a variety of looks to prepare for. With the Tide’s offense you know exactly what you’re going to get – a whole bunch of Trent Richardson, some Eddie Lacy and about 25-30 throws from quarterback A.J. McCarron. I give the Crimson Tide a slight advantage because of Richardson and I think their defense is just a skosh better than the Tigers. That said, special teams is alway an underrated aspect of big games like this and if either team can make a big play it could be the difference in the game. If you aren’t excited enough perhaps this video will help – I can’t wait for Saturday night!
(HT KegsnEggs)
#8 Oregon Ducks (7-1) @ Washington Huskies (6-2) (Husky Stadium – Seattle, WA) 10:30 PM ET – Root Sports
After getting shutdown by LSU in the opener the Ducks have been rolling through the Pac-12 and are averaging 47.5 points per game despite missing LaMichael James for a couple games. With just one loss in the conference to Stanford, the Huskies are still alive in the North division but will have to pull the upset to stay in the race. Huskies quarterback Keith Prince and running back Chris Polk should put some points on the scoreboard but I’m not sure the defense will be able to slow down LMJ, Kenjon Barner and De’Anthony Thomas. If Nick Holt’s defense can pressure Darron Thomas and force him to turn the ball over, Washington might be able to pull off the upset. Although it hasn’t been much of a rivalry recently, this is historically one of the best in the Pac-12 – here are 14 reasons Ducks and Huskies can’t stand each other.
English Premier League:
None of this week’s fixtures jump of the page so I’m just listing all the games on TV this weekend so you can watch if you would like.
-Saturday Nov. 5th
Everton (3-1-5 – 10 pts) @ Newcastle (6-4-0 – 22 pts) – St James’ Park – 8:45 AM ET – ESPN2
Chelsea (6-1-3 – 19 pts) @ Blackburn (1-3-6 – 6 pts) – Ewood Park – 11:00 AM ET – FSC
Sunderland (2-4-4 – 10 pts) @ Manchester Untied (7-2-1 – 23 pts) – Old Trafford – 11:00 AM ET – Fox Soccer Plus
Manchester City (9-1-0 – 28 pts) @ QPR (3-3-4 – 12 pts) – Loftus Road – 1:30 PM ET – FSC
-Sunday Nov. 6th
Wigan (1-2-7 – 5 pts) @ Wolverhampton (2-2-6 – 8 pts) – Molineux Stadium – 8:30 AM ET – Fox Soccer Plus
Tottenham (6-1-2 – 19 pts) @ Fulham (2-4-4 – 10 pts) – Craven Cottage – 11:00 AM ET – FSC
Major League Soccer:
I can’t tell you a whole lot about the MLS – I watch the league occasionally – but the Eastern and Western Conference Finals are being played this weekend. So far the playoffs have been great to watch – hopefully it continues on Sunday.
-Sunday Nov. 6th
Houston @ Kansas City – Eastern Conference Finals – 5:30 PM ET – FSC
Real Salt Lake @ Los Angeles – Western Conference Finals – 9:00 PM ET – ESPN
What are you watching this weekend?
