Husker Football: The Nebraska Fan’s TV Guide for Week Four

I know it was a late night for Husker Football fans last weekend, but with a Nebraska victory in the early hours of the morning secured, it was worth it. This weekend’s late games may not prove to be quite as good, but we’ll give them a chance anyway.

Grill up some burgers, grab your beverage of choice and let this be your optimized guide to prime college football viewing this weekend, with a Husker twist.

(All times are CDT)

Thursday, September 18

6:30 p.m. – No. 5 Auburn at No. 20 Kansas State (ESPN)

The Tigers and Wildcats will likely play what is the week’s best matchup right off the bat. ESPN’s Thursday evening game will emanate from Manhattan, KS in front of a sold out crowd and features two Top 25 teams, one of just two games that can boast that.

Auburn head coach and resident offensive guru Gus Malzahn will take a team that is ranked No. 7 in the country in rushing offense to battle against KSU’s No. 20-ranked rush defense.

Personally, my money is on the Tigers. They’re more athletic, they have a better offense and I just don’t think Kansas State will be able to keep up with them.

SEC speed, ya know?

Friday, September 19

7:00 p.m. – UCONN at South Florida (ESPN)

Have you ever heard of the phrase “It’s like putting lipstick on a pig”? I’ll try to doll this game up for you as best I can, but honestly, at this point my argument for watching is “Well, it’s football!”

The two schools are a combined 2-4 on the short season with both victories coming against FCS opponents.

In the four total losses, UCONN and USF have on average lost by a margin of about 39 to 16. The good news is someone has to win this game.

I know I’m doing a terrible job of selling this contest to you, but hey, it’s football (and it’s the only game nationally broadcast on Friday)!

Saturday, September 20

11:00 a.m. – Bowling Green at No. 17 Wisconsin (ESPN2)

At first glance, this may seem like a curious selection to open the day’s college football viewing, but Bowling Green just knocked off the top rushing team in the Big Ten conference (Indiana).

The Falcons now take aim at a possibly gimpy Melvin Gordon and his Wisconsin Badger teammates who rank No. 4 in the league.

Keep an eye on Bowling Green running back Travis Greene who is averaging 114.3 yards per game. This tilt isn’t getting an upset alert placed on it, but I don’t necessarily think the Badgers run away with it, either.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

11:00 a.m. – Iowa at Pittsburgh (ESPNU)

Don’t blow all of your timeouts too early in this one. Iowa dropped one to Iowa State after Kirk Ferentz attempted to ice the Cyclone kicker, only to see the young man miss during the nullified boot before drilling the second, giving the Cyclones the victory.

Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is undefeated after winning back-to-back road games plus a home game against FCS opponent Delaware.

Interestingly enough, Pittsburgh sits at No. 16 nationally in both scoring offense (44.7 points per game) and scoring defense (15.0 points per game). Iowa is only averaging 21.7 points per game on offense while giving up 18.7.

The Hawkeyes will obviously be mentally fragile after dropping the game against ISU. Can Iowa find the offense to keep up with the Panthers? It’ll be interesting to watch, at the very least.

2:30 p.m. – Utah at Michigan (ABC/ESPN2)

The Utes are undefeated coming off of a bye week and are squarely focused on the Wolverines. Michigan was absolutely smoked by Notre Dame two weeks ago before “getting right” against Miami of Ohio. How will this one go?

Consider that Michigan is around a four-point favorite at most sports books, which is coming in from an opening line of seven. What does the trend mean? It means we have our !upset alert! for week four.

How can the Wolverines avoid the upset-minded Utes? The simple answer is to avoid turning the ball over. Michigan is -7 in turnover margin already, good for No. 124 in the country. On the season, Utah is even in turnover margin.

2:30 p.m. – Rutgers at Navy (CBS Sports Network)

Rutgers’ senior starting quarterback Gary Nova has had some major ups and down this season, even through three games. Can he be consistent enough against a Navy team that will run the triple option and try to grind out a victory?

The Midshipmen are averaging 403 rush yards per game while the Scarlet Knights only surrender 109.67 yards per game.

Stylistically, Navy provides problems for any team (just ask Ohio State, whom they had reeling for a good portion of their game). Can Rutgers answer the challenge that the Middies offer?

Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

7:00 p.m. – No. 24 Clemson at No. 1 Florida State (ABC)

The other matchup between two Top 25 teams features the top ranked team in the land and their Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston going up against the Tigers of Clemson.

While it doesn’t really affect the Husker football team, I would recommend this one if you have multiple televisions handy.

FSU hasn’t particularly lit the world on fire through their first two games, and I don’t believe Clemson is as bad as the thumping Georgia put on them in week one.

The Seminoles are a 20-point favorite. If this one is close late, I wouldn’t be surprised.

7:00 p.m. – Miami at No. 22 Nebraska (ESPN2)

A prime-time between two college football powers/rivals under the lights in front of a crowd of 90,000-plus people. Does it get any better?

I’ve detailed the history and the top matchups in these two teams’ 10 game series which is currently tied at five wins a piece. Can game number 11 add to the list of classics?

The 2014 Hurricanes aren’t world-beaters, having been smacked by Louisville in the season opener. Nebraska hasn’t been without their blemishes either on their way to a 3-0 record.

However, the key to this game will likely come down to who can control the line of scrimmage. Ameer Abdullah, the Huskers’ senior I-Back sits at No. 13 nationally in rushing yardage per game while Duke Johnson, Miami’s talented tailback is No. 41.

Other notable games:

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (11:00 a.m., ESPN)
Florida at Alabama (2:30 p.m., CBS)
Virginia at BYU (2:30 p.m., ESPN)
Indiana at Missouri (3:00 p.m., SEC Network)
Mississippi State at LSU (6:00 p.m., ESPN)
Oklahoma at West Virginia (6:30 p.m., FOX)
South Carolina at Vanderbilt (6:30 p.m., SEC Network)
Oregon at Washington State (9:30 p.m., ESPN)

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