Non SEC Week Five Preview

Contrary to Langston's thoughts on the matter, there are actually some other games, outside the SEC, worth paying attention to this weekend. While the only game between ranked teams already ended with UCLA kicking the shit out of an Arizona State team that managed to throw for approximately 5,000,000 yards and still lose by 35 at home on Thursday night, here are some other games worth checking out:

Stanford at Washington
Washington has started 4-0 with former Boise State wizard Chris Petersen at the helm, and still have managed to underwhelm and fall out of the top 25. They've only beaten one "power" conference team (Illinois) who has maybe the worst coach in all of the FBS. They've run the ball decently with freshman RB Lavon Coleman averaging 4.4 YPC. Cyler Miles- he of the suspension for beating up Seahawk fans after the Super Bowl- has not been great however.  They have some studs on defense in Shaq Thompson and Danny Shelton, but Stanford gonna Stanford. They'll grind out a win here with their defense shutting things down, and Barry Sanders Jr. continuing to emerge as the next great Stanford RB. Stanford 28, Washington 10. 

Oregon St-USC
I thought USC had a chance to be 10-0 heading into their last two games against UCLA and Notre Dame after they beat Stanford, but then they turned around and lost to BC. Even without Brandin Cooks, Sean Mannion has thrown for 903 yards in three games. It won't matter here, however, as someone will have to pay for the meltdown in Massachusetts. Look for Su'a Cravens, Hayes Pullard, and two-way freshman Adoree' Jackson to pull an Ish Adams and get a pick 6 or two, with Leonard Williams having a week to get healthy and wreck things on the pass rushing side.    USC 42, Oregon St. 28.

Duke-Miami (Fla)
I can honestly say I've never watched Duke play more than a quarter of football in my whole life. I know they have a really good WR (Jamison Crowder) and that Miami kind of blows. So much so, that Al Golden and his sweaty shirt and tie combo are in trouble. Duke hasn't played anybody, but Miami lost to a not that great Louisville team by 18, and then lost to Nebraska last week. I think Duke takes this one, but barely.
Duke 33, Miami 30.    

UNC-Clemson
I'm so glad I don't have any affinity for the Carolina football team, unlike their hardwood counterparts. Otherwise, I would have had a meltdown watching them give up 70 points to ECU. I don't think Clemson is necessarily bad (losses to Georgia and FSU), but they are young. Give Deshaun Watson and some of his weaponry some seasoning and this will be a much better offensive team as they go. On the other side, their defense is still pretty stingy (10 sacks and 29 TFL's in three games), and Marquise Williams has been pretty terrible. Look for Vic Beasley and Stephone Anthony et al to crush the Tar Heels early.  Clemson 38, UNC 21 . 

Notre Dame-Syracuse
How in the hell is this only a 10 point line? Granted, this is a "road" game for the Irish, but last time I checked, people in New Jersey like ND quite a bit. Every time I go to visit my brother who lives there we end up going to some restaurant that has a shit ton of Notre Dame memorabilia on the walls. Syracuse lost to Maryland by 14, yet they're only going to lose to an undefeated team by 10 because it's a "home game" in East Rutherford. Take the Irish, and take them quickly. And thanks Syracuse for giving us another opportunity to steal recruits from the Tri-State Area.   Notre Dame 42, Syracuse 13.