Three Games to Get the Weekend Started
Friday night gives us three very different games with three very different sets of stakes.
Miami travels to Wake Forest attempting to strengthen its position as a national championship contender. Houston and Texas Tech meet in a ranked Big 12 showdown that could eventually influence the conference championship race. Oregon closes the night against Portland State in a game that should be decided early—but still carries importance for a Ducks team with championship expectations.
Here is what I’ll be watching.
MIAMI AT WAKE FOREST
7:30 p.m. ET | ESPN
Miami has looked like one of the most complete teams in the country through two games, but now the Hurricanes take their show on the road for an ACC game against an undefeated Wake Forest team.
The Hurricanes have scored 122 points in two games, including a 77-point explosion against Florida A&M. Darian Mensah has been outstanding at quarterback, and Malachi Toney continues to establish himself as one of the most dangerous offensive weapons in college football.
However, this game represents Miami’s first opportunity to prove that its early dominance will travel.
Wake Forest may not have Miami’s overall talent, but the Demon Deacons are 2-0, playing at home and have an experienced quarterback in Gio Lopez. Wake will try to shorten the game, create manageable third downs and prevent Miami from turning the night into another track meet.
WHY THIS GAME MATTERS
Miami is no longer merely trying to win games. The Hurricanes are trying to establish themselves as a legitimate national championship contender.
A comfortable road victory would reinforce the idea that Miami belongs among the country’s elite. A sloppy performance—or an outright upset—would immediately revive questions about whether the Hurricanes can consistently handle expectations.
For Wake Forest, this is an opportunity to completely change the perception of its season. Beating a top-five Miami team would become one of the biggest victories in program history and place the Demon Deacons directly in the ACC conversation.
KEY PLAYERS
Miami QB Darian Mensah
Mensah has been one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country. His decision-making and accuracy have allowed Miami to overwhelm opponents without forcing the football.
Miami WR Malachi Toney
Toney can beat a defense as a receiver, runner or gadget quarterback. Wake Forest must identify where he is before every snap.
Miami RB Mark Fletcher Jr.
Wake cannot devote all its attention to Mensah and Toney. If Fletcher establishes the ground game, Miami’s entire playbook becomes available.
Wake Forest QB Gio Lopez
Wake’s chances begin with Lopez protecting the football and keeping the offense on schedule. The Demon Deacons cannot afford empty possessions.
Wake Forest LB Vincent Firenze
Wake needs someone to disrupt Miami’s rhythm, create negative plays and prevent short completions from becoming explosive gains.
WHAT WILL DECIDE IT
Wake Forest must survive the opening quarter. Miami has enough speed to score in bunches, and the game could get away from the Demon Deacons quickly if they surrender early explosive plays or turn the football over.
Wake must control possession, finish drives with touchdowns and force Miami to remain patient. Even then, the Hurricanes simply have more ways to win.
JB’S PICK: Miami 41, Wake Forest 20
NO. 22 HOUSTON AT NO. 13 TEXAS TECH
8 p.m. ET | FOX
This is the best game on Friday’s schedule.
Both teams enter 2-0, both are nationally ranked and both believe they can contend for the Big 12 championship. This is not a tune-up or a made-for-television mismatch. It is an early conference game carrying consequences that could last throughout the season.
Houston has opened the year with an explosive offense led by quarterback Conner Weigman, running back Makhi Hughes and receiver Amare Thomas. The Cougars are experienced, physical and capable of attacking Texas Tech through the air or on the ground.
Texas Tech escaped Oregon State with a 35-24 victory, but the Red Raiders were outgained 417-197. That performance should concern anyone expecting Tech to cruise through Houston.
The Red Raiders remain dangerous, particularly at home, but they must play much cleaner football.
WHY THIS GAME MATTERS
Texas Tech is the defending Big 12 champion and entered the season expecting to make another run at the College Football Playoff. Losing its conference opener at home would immediately change the direction of the season and place enormous pressure on the Red Raiders moving forward.
Houston sees this as a statement game.
The Cougars have already shown improvement, but beating Texas Tech in Lubbock would establish them as a legitimate Big 12 championship contender. Houston has not won in Lubbock since 1990, making this an opportunity to end a long drought while announcing its arrival in the conference race.
KEY PLAYERS
Houston QB Conner Weigman
Weigman has the experience, arm talent and toughness to challenge Texas Tech’s secondary. If Houston protects him, he can create serious problems for the Red Raiders.
Houston RB Makhi Hughes
Houston needs Hughes to keep the offense balanced and prevent Texas Tech from attacking Weigman with pressure packages.
Houston WR Amare Thomas
Thomas against Texas Tech cornerback Brice Pollock could be the individual matchup that decides the game.
Texas Tech QB Will Hammond
Hammond does not have to carry the entire offense, but he must avoid mistakes and take advantage of a Houston defense that has shown some vulnerability against the pass.
Texas Tech RBs J’Koby Williams and Cameron Dickey
The Red Raiders need their running backs to establish control and keep Houston’s explosive offense on the sideline.
WHAT WILL DECIDE IT
Houston wants to run the football, control the line of scrimmage and create opportunities for Weigman downfield. Texas Tech must prevent the Cougars from dictating the tempo while producing more consistency from its own offense.
The biggest question is whether Texas Tech’s secondary can hold up against Weigman and Houston’s receivers. Oregon State threw for more than 400 yards against the Red Raiders. If those problems continue, Houston can absolutely win this game.
Texas Tech has the home-field advantage, but Houston may be the more complete team right now.
JB’S PICK: Houston 30, Texas Tech 27
PORTLAND STATE AT OREGON
10:30 p.m. ET | Big Ten Network
There is no mystery surrounding which team should win this game.
Oregon is favored by more than 50 points, Portland State is 0-3 and the difference in talent is enormous. The question is not whether Oregon wins. The question is what the Ducks accomplish while doing it.
Oregon did not look like a championship team against Boise State. Dante Moore was solid, but the Ducks were forced to work much harder than expected. Friday night gives Oregon an opportunity to clean up its execution, establish its identity and develop depth before the schedule becomes more demanding.
WHY THIS GAME MATTERS
Oregon cannot gain much by winning, but it could create additional concerns by looking sloppy.
The Ducks need to dominate from the opening kick, avoid injuries and get their starters off the field early. This is also an opportunity for the offensive line to establish some confidence and for Oregon’s younger players to receive meaningful snaps.
For Portland State, the game provides a major stage, a significant financial guarantee and an opportunity for its players to compete against one of the most talented rosters in the country.
KEY PLAYERS
Oregon QB Dante Moore
This should be a short night for Moore. Oregon needs him to operate efficiently, deliver the football on time and lead several clean scoring drives before turning the offense over to the backups.
Oregon WR Dakorien Moore
The Moore-to-Moore connection should create explosive plays against an overmatched Portland State secondary.
Oregon RBs Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr.
The Ducks should be able to control the line of scrimmage and establish the running game immediately.
Portland State QB Gabe Downing
Downing must handle Oregon’s pressure, protect the football and find a way to generate enough first downs to keep the Vikings’ defense from spending the entire night on the field.
WHAT WILL DECIDE IT
Oregon’s focus.
If the Ducks approach Portland State with intensity, this game should be finished by halftime. If they begin slowly, commit penalties or turn the football over, the final score may still be lopsided—but the concerns surrounding Oregon will remain.
This should be an opportunity for Dan Lanning to play nearly everyone on the travel roster and begin preparing for the more difficult games ahead.
JB’S PICK: Oregon 59, Portland State 7
FINAL THOUGHT
Friday night offers one potential upset, one important road test and one expected blowout.
Miami must prove its dominance travels. Texas Tech and Houston will begin shaping the Big 12 championship race. Oregon must demonstrate that it can play to its own standard regardless of the opponent.
The weekend may officially belong to Saturday, but the most competitive game of the opening act could come Friday night in Lubbock.
