Three Games. Three Different Stories.
College football gets an early start to the weekend with an intriguing three-game Friday night slate. We have an undefeated ACC collision, a Conference USA battle and a Big Ten program walking directly into an upset alert.
PITTSBURGH AT VIRGINIA TECH
7:00 PM | ESPN
This is the headliner.
Pitt and Virginia Tech both enter the night undefeated at 4-0, but somebody is leaving Lane Stadium with the first scar on their record.
The quarterback matchup between Pitt’s Mason Heintschel and Virginia Tech’s Ethan Grunkemeyer should determine this one. Both quarterbacks have protected the football and avoided the kind of mistakes that get teams beaten in close games.
Then there is the coaching rivalry.
James Franklin and Pat Narduzzi have history, and neither man will need help understanding the importance of this game. Add a packed Lane Stadium under the lights, and this should feel like a heavyweight fight from the opening kick.
My Take: Virginia Tech protects its home turf in a tight one.
Virginia Tech 27, Pittsburgh 24
LIBERTY AT DELAWARE
7:00 PM | CBS SPORTS NETWORK
Don’t overlook this one.
Liberty has recovered from a shaky beginning and enters Conference USA play riding some real momentum. The Flames have become more balanced offensively, with quarterback Deshawn Purdie spreading the ball around while running back Kam Davis gives them muscle on the ground.
Delaware is coming off a rough loss to Virginia and may be dealing with uncertainty at quarterback. That is not the position you want to be in against a Liberty defense that has been getting stronger each week.
The Blue Hens will need to shorten the game, establish the run and create a couple of turnovers. If Liberty gets comfortable and begins producing explosive plays, Delaware could have a long night.
My Take: Liberty has too much balance and pulls away in the second half.
Liberty 31, Delaware 17
PENN STATE AT NORTHWESTERN
8:00 PM | FOX
Penn State had better be careful.
The Nittany Lions enter this game trying to recover from an ugly loss to Wisconsin. The offense struggled, quarterback Rocco Becht never found a rhythm and the running game failed to give him enough support.
Now Penn State walks into the debut of the new Ryan Field, where Northwestern will have emotion, energy and a national television audience waiting for it.
Aidan Chiles has played efficient football for the Wildcats, throwing six touchdown passes without an interception. However, he will be facing a Penn State defense that has been outstanding against the pass.
The key is Northwestern’s run defense. The Wildcats were gashed for 271 rushing yards against Indiana. If Penn State cannot take advantage of that weakness, the problems in Happy Valley are much bigger than one bad Saturday.
My Take: Penn State is the more talented team, but Northwestern has all the emotional advantages. This one has upset written all over it.
Northwestern 23, Penn State 20
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS GAME OF THE NIGHT
Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech.
Two undefeated teams. Two talented quarterbacks. Two head coaches who don’t particularly care for one another. And one of the best nighttime environments in college football.
That is how you start a football weekend.
