There’s a saying in college football that you don’t want a team to beat you two weeks in a row, meaning you have to keep your players from thinking about what went wrong in the previous game as they prepare for the next one.
Witness Penn State, which may have brought the baggage of a double-overtime loss to ranked Oregon out west on their way to losing at previously winless UCLA last weekend.
Maryland has to deal with the sting of last Saturday’s come-from-ahead 24-20 defeat to Washington, although head coach Mike Locksley is not leaving any of the leftovers from the loss remain in his team’s metaphorical fridge, telling WTOP on Tuesday that there would be no “haunting hangover” (my words, not his).
“We’ll be defined by what we do now. Once the game is over, we (quality control) it, we figure out what we did well and what we didn’t,” said Locksley. “Last week’s game should not and will not have any impact on this week’s game and how we prepare because of the way we prepare.”
Easier said than done when you’re dealing with 18 to 23-year-olds.
And while Saturday’s best matchup features No. 3 Oregon hosting No. 7 Indiana, all eyes are on Dallas this week. But not on No. 6 Oklahoma’s game with unranked Texas, because it’s all about the Texas State Fair, where Vegan Vibrationz becomes the first vendor in the 139 years of the fair to serve dishes that are 100% plant-based.
Who’s ready for a healthy “Crunch Wrap Supreme OG?”
Here’s some more traditional fare, courtesy of the State Fair of Texas’ Big Tex Choice Awards:
We begin with Wagyu Bacon Cheeseburger Deviled Egg Sliders: Start with a Cajun-seasoned Wagyu patty, topped with aged cheddar and crispy Applewood bacon. The twist? Instead of a bun, it’s sandwiched between two deep fried, panko-crusted deviled egg halves.
Homesick for the banks of the Chesapeake? The Crab & Mozzarella Arancini are “handcrafted with an irresistible blend of premium Maryland Blue Crab meat, white rice, mozzarella cheese, spring onion, red bell pepper, lemon, and black pepper. Each rice ball is dipped in a crunchy breadcrumb coating, then deep fried to a golden, crispy finish.”
Finally, for those looking for something “healthy,” there’s the Chill & Thrill Delight. This Texas-sized (but not Texas-shaped, because that would be too impressive) cup is “packed with juicy, diced mango, pineapple, watermelon, grapes, cantaloupe, and strawberries, all soaked in fresh watermelon juice with a splash of lime.” Topped with shaved mango sorbet, this almost sounds, what is the word … healthy? Must be an accounting error.
No. 19 Virginia (5-1, 3-0 ACC) does not play this weekend, so that means Kippy & Buffy shutter up the cottage in the Outer Banks while enjoying some sparkling wine. And even though they may disagree on some matters (Kippy prefers his bubbly in a coupe glass while Buffy is all about the flute), they agree on enjoying Vollereaux Champagne Brut Reserve.
“Vibrant straw with light golden reflections and consistent fine bubbles. Aromas of white fruits and honey followed by notes of apricot,” according to the winemaker. “Creamy and supple with beautiful weight and perfect harmony with the wine’s preceding aromas.”
Saturday’s games:
James Madison (4-1, 2-0 Sun Belt) vs. Louisiana (2-3, 1-0), noon, ESPN2.
The Dukes’ streak of being favored in every home conference game since moving to FBS continues as they face the Ragin’ Cajuns for the first time in program history. Brace yourself for a ground and pound afternoon, as JMU’s 242 yards rushing per game is the second highest total in the Sun Belt Conference while Louisiana ranks fourth.
To say the Cajuns do not have a strong passing game would be an understatement, as redshirt freshman Daniel Beale has completed under 50% of his passes with one touchdown and six interceptions over eight career games.
The Dukes’ defense is licking its chops as it leads the SBC in most categories: rushing, passing, passing efficiency and third down efficiency. Their pass rush has to settle for being in a three-way tie for first with 15 sacks.
Presto’s Pick: Dukes crush the Cajuns, 37-13.
Maryland (4-1, 1-1 Big Ten) vs. Nebraska (4-1, 1-1), 3:30 p.m., BTN.
Coaching trees and connections sometimes have a “Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon” feel to it, and this one is more intriguing than most. The Terps’ Mike Locksley met the Cornhuskers’ Matt Rhule not on the sidelines or on the recruiting trail, but … at a wedding?
Locksley was a teammate of Rhule’s cousin, Craig, at Towson and was in Craig’s wedding, where a then-14-year-old Matt was a guest and tried to persuade Locksley to get him a beer. To no avail, for the record.
The Terps’ young roster, maturity will be tested one week after blowing a 20-point, second half lead against Washington. Running the ball remains an Achilles’ heel (Maryland ranks last in the conference with 93.2 yards per game and was held to 55 by the Huskies), but the Cornhuskers might be a sight for sore eyes as they give up the second most rushing yards per game in the conference.
These are not your father’s Huskers, as this year’s offense averages over 300 yards per game passing behind Dylan Raiola. But that’s where the Terps’ pass rush comes into play, and right now, they lead the Big Ten with 3.75 sacks per game) while Nebraska allows three sacks per game (third most in the conference).
Presto’s Pick: Terrapins deny service to Rhule and the Cornhuskers, posting a 21-14 win.
Virginia Tech (2-4, 1-1 ACC) at No. 13 Georgia Tech (5-0, 2-0), 3:30 p.m., ACCN.
The Hokies have won three of the last four meetings while taking the last two games in Atlanta. The Yellow Jackets shocked the league’s natural order when they upset Clemson last month and have had two weeks to stew in almost losing at Wake Forest (they won by one in overtime after trailing by 17 in the second half).
The Hokies are coming off a loss at home to the Demon Deacons where they settled for three field goals in the second half. And, while Kyron Drones and the offense’s shortcomings (14th in the ACC in scoring and yards, 16th in passing yards and passing efficiency) have been well-documented, the defense’s Achilles’ heel has been allowing 40.5% third down conversions (fourth highest in the conference).
On Saturday, they’ll have their hands full with quarterback Haynes King, who has three 100-yard games on the ground this fall against Power Four schools.
Presto’s Pick: Hokies get the runaround in a 32-17 loss.
Navy (5-0, 3-0 American) at Temple (3-2, 1-0), 4 p.m., ESPN2.
We’re only five games into the season, but Midshipman quarterback Blake Horvath is having the kind of special season that merits All-American and even Heisman consideration as he pilots an offense that leads the conference in rushing, passing efficiency and total offense.
One week after posting a school-record 469 total yards of offense against Air Force, he’ll be tested by an Owl defense that ranks second in the conference against the pass and is third best at denying foes on third down. The last time the Mids visited the Owls, they were carved up by E.J. Warner (402 yards and four touchdowns) in a 32-18 loss.
Warner’s now at his second school since that day, and instead Navy gets to deal with Evan Simon who has thrown 12 touchdowns to zero interceptions this fall. Can the Mids D finally earn an A?
Presto’s Pick: Midshipmen after the customary hiccups find a way to win, 38-27.
Howard slips at Sacred Heart, Richmond beats Colgate, Morgan State tops Virginia Lynchburg and Towson tumbles to Monmouth.
Last Week: 6-3
Overall: 40-15
Get breaking news and daily headlines delivered to your email inbox by signing up here.
© 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
