From The Bird’s Nest: Five Intriguing Games This Weekend

The Spartans are actually a slight favorite against Michigan, perhaps the most ignored (along with Kansas State) undefeated team in the country. Michigan State’s only loss was to Notre Dame, a team that seems to be finding itself after a slow start. There are three unbeaten teams in the Big Ten. This is a big hurdle for Michigan as they try to make Brady Hoke’s first season a memorable one.

Ron Zook was said to be on the hot seat at the start of the season. But the Fighting Illini has navigated a favorable schedule into a Top-25 ranking and a zero in the loss column. This week they host an Ohio State team in disarray. Yet, the Buckeyes have a chance to be right in this one, if they can find a way to get the offense untracked.

The big story here is the opening of FAU Stadium, the new, on-campus home for the Owls. My understanding is they have fewer than 5,000 tickets remaining for the game and that’s awfully good for FAU. It’s their first home game after five straight on the road and they’ll go into the game with backup quarterback David Kooi as their starter. WKU is still flying high after their win over Middle Tennessee. This isn’t for first place, or even the first division. But it’s interesting nonetheless.

The Aggies finally rebounded from two losses with a close win over Texas Tech on the road. Now they host Baylor, a team that lost some of its luster when they lost at Kansas State. The Aggies defense didn’t do a very good job against Oklahoma State, Arkansas or Texas Tech. Will they be able to corral Robert Griffin III?

The Cowboys lost a tough one at home last week to Texas State, but McNeese, despite two losses, is still unbeaten in the Southland. They’ll have to be pretty good to stay that way this weekend against a Central Arkansas team that can score points in bushels. The winner of this game has a leg up in the conference race.