Previewing Thursday's college football TV games
Paste BN Sports' Eddie Timanus examines Thursday's TV game slate.
Arizona (4-0) at No. 4 Oregon (4-0)
Time/TV: 10:30 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.
Line: Oregon by 23. Sagarin difference: Oregon by 18.54.
Synopsis: Once again the Thursday night lineup features three FBS contests with the nightcap serving as the headliner. Though both these Pac-12 squads come into Autzen Stadium undefeated, there's still a major 'prove it' factor with the Wildcats, who needed a huge fourth-quarter rally to squeak by California. Of course, the ability to score in bunches is a feature of the Rich Rodriguez offense. The spread attack this season is in the capable hands of QB Anu Solomon, with TB Nick Wilson starring as the featured back.
WRs Cayleb Jones and Austin Hill are capable of producing explosive plays at any time, but they'll have to contend with the Ducks' veteran secondary led by CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu and FS Erick Dargan. Oregon, however, is not without its own issues. The most pressing concern is its patchwork offensive line that has struggled to protect QB Marcus Mariota. Leading the rush for Arizona will be LB Scooby Wright. The good news for the Ducks is Mariota's ability to make plays with his feet even when the pocket collapses. When Mariota has time to deliver, WR Devon Allen and RB Byron Marshall can also make things happen in space.
Central Florida (1-2) at Houston (2-2)
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET/ESPN. Surface: Artificial.
Line: Houston by 3. Sagarin difference: UCF by 0.93.
Synopsis: These two American Athletic Conference holdovers didn't make as big a September splash as league newcomer East Carolina in terms of non-conference results. There is, therefore, a lot on the line for the Cougars and Knights with the national spotlight as they begin AAC competition. With Blake Bortles now earning game checks in the NFL, the UCF offense is still in search of an identity. QB Justin Holman is learning on the job, with the steady help of TB William Stanback. Houston entered the campaign with an incumbent signal caller, but QB John O'Korn has as many picks (six) as TD passes thus far. When he's on target, WRs Deontay Greenberry and Daniel Spencer are the primary beneficiaries.
Florida Atlantic (2-3) at Florida International (2-3)
Time/TV: 7 p.m. ET/FSN. Surface: Artificial.
Line: Florida Atlantic by 6½. Sagarin difference: FAU by 4.47.
Synopsis: Both these Sunshine rivals in Conference USA's East Division managed to get off on the right foot in league play and look to improve to 2-0. The Owls had the more rigorous slate early, having honed their skills against Nebraska and Alabama. QB Jaquez Johnson is the main catalyst with 10 total TDs to his credit, including three by land. Remarkably, given FAU's level of competition, he has yet to throw a pick. His main weapon in the passing game is all-name team candidate WR Lucky Whitehead. The Panthers' season began with a far less auspicious loss to Bethune-Cookman, but they've improved considerably and picked up their first league win against UAB last weekend. FIU QB Alex McGough still needs to be more consistent, but WRs Jonnu Smith and Glenn Coleman have flashed big-play ability.
Lines furnished by Glantz-Culver.
Jeff Sagarin's power ratings show the relative strength of teams; 3.47 points were added to the home team's rating to calculate the difference.