Under-the-Radar Games: Week 4

Another week, another batch of games. What a great time of year! As always, below are five games that might not be as high-profile, yet could impact the season in some interesting ways.

Maryland at Syracuse
Maryland returns to the ACC...or at least an ACC venue, though the game is on the syndicated ACC Network. A week ago, I would have had this as a lock for the Terps, given the Orange's horrid performance against Villanova. Now, a week later, this game becomes a bit more interesting. After a heart-breaking loss to West Virginia, who Maryland considers a rival of sorts, can the Terps avoid a hangover...and a loss to a much-improved Syracuse team that now seems to be clicking?  The other two "ACC-Big Ten Challenge" games should also be interesting (Iowa at Pitt, and Miami at Nebraska) given the early-season results.

　

Utah at Michigan
Even though Utah has been mediocre-at-best in the PAC-12 since joining, the Utes have done remarkably well out of conference. Similarly, Michigan has done pretty well out of conference under Brady Hoke - only losing to the two National Championship teams in 2012 (and what looks to be an impressive Irish team this year). The Wolverines have yet to really impress this season and could be ripe for the upset. A loss to Utah, especially a mediocre Utah, could really set a downward spiral into motion for Brady Hoke and the Wolverines.

　

Virginia at BYU
Honestly, this one's probably not far off the radar. UVA has already beaten a ranked team and nearly beat another. BYU smashed Texas two weeks ago and is now firmly in the talk for a "New Year's Six" at-large or even a CFP dark horse. This reminds me of 2009: the Cougars get a huge win early against Oklahoma and vault all the way into the Top 10. Then comes Florida State into Provo - a Florida State team that was fighting for Bobby Bowden's job and would eventually finish 6-6.  That meeting turned into a Seminole slaughter. Can BYU avoid the same fate against another ACC team hungry for a respectable road win and with a huge chip on its shoulder?


Northern Illinois at Arkansas

Out of all the BCS-busters, Northern Illinois may have been the most "sneaky" by getting into the Orange Bowl despite a regular-season loss. They got so close to makng another one last year, coming up short in the MAC Championship Game. Now, we're in a new era, and a "New Year's Six" bowl is a definite possibility for the Huskies. But in order to do so, can NIU get past Arkansas? The Razorbacks may have just turned the corner by pulling off a pretty cool win on the road against Texas Tech, and another win - this time over a quality "group of 5" team - could further help their cause.


San Diego State at Oregon State
The Aztecs came mighy close to beating UNC two weeks ago, and many believe SDSU should have won it. Oregon State, meanwhile, always seems to be a wild card under Mike Riley - capable of beating nearly anyone yet losing to anyone. Just like East Carolina is doing in the American, a close loss against one Power 5 team, coupled with a nice win, could keep the Aztecs right in the thick of the "New Year's Six" race. And as I discussed with Arkansas, a win over a quality opponent could really set a spark for the Beavers to perform well.