November 25, 2010
Rivalry week is here again. That also brings us closer to Jimmy V Week in college basketball. But it's not time to focus on college basketball yet, college football is still here and this is the biggest weekend of the season. Conference titles are on the line, pure-blood rivalry bragging rights are on the line, bowl eligibility is on the line, but most importantly, this weekend has huge national championship implications before we get to next week's Championship Weekend.
This is the last week of the regular season for most of these schools, some of these seniors may never wear a college uniform again. Some marquee programs like Texas and Georgia look to become bowl eligible while other seniors like Willie Geter of Bowling Green will be playing his last game in a college uniform.
This is what it all comes down to.
Conference Titles on the Line
Thursday
No. 17 Texas A&M at Texas 8:00pm on ESPN
Every rivalry game is big, but it has come to the point this season that none is bigger than Texas A&M.
Texas is a miserable 2-4 at home this year including that losing streak, and this is the last hoorah for the seniors playing in DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium. It could be the last hoorah for their college careers unless they pull out a win in this game.
Texas is an underdog at home for the second time in three weeks, and believe me Texas A&M is tougher to beat than Oklahoma State was.
Not many people are paying attention to this but if A&M wins this game and Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State (which I expect) then there will be a three-way in the Big 12 South division again.
Ever since Texas A&M benched Jerrod Johnson and replaced him with Ryan Tannehill at quarterback, the Aggies have been one of the hottest teams in the country. I expect them to keep on rolling offensively and score against Texas. This is also a very much improved A&M defense under new defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter. Texas will have to score to keep pace with the Aggies and the Texas offense has been dismal this season.
The Lone Star Showdown will be a shootout, and Texas won’t be able to keep pace against a very balanced A&M attack.
Garrett Gilbert will have to play exceptionally well after Texas needed Colt McCoy's late heroics to win this one in College Station last year. The offensive line which has gotten better with some changes upfront will have to protect Gilbert from DeRuyter's blitz schemes and watch out for Von Miller. The improvement in this Aggie defense is significant because it's pretty much the same personnel on the unit that was so bad last year.
The receivers will have to help Gilbert, which they haven't all year. Texas finally found some big passing plays last week against Florida Atlantic. Malcolm Williams needs to get separation downfield and James Kirkendoll and Mike Davis need to show up, and no matter who the tight end is, Gilbert shouldn't throw it to him.
Normally, I would pick this Texas defense to shut down Texas A&M, but in a year like this, when this Texas secondary got torched by Oklahoma State, I can't see them stopping A&M anymore. Ryan Swope is a very similar receiver to Oklahoma State's Josh Cooper and Bo Bowling who created some problems for Texas. They also have to matchup against Uzoma Nwachuku and Jeff Fuller, and be wary of the A&M running game with Cyrus Gray.
Texas A&M is coming off a big upset against Nebraska. If there was going to be an emotional letdown game, it would be this one. Texas has what it takes to win this game, but for Thanksgiving dinner I will be swallowing this Texas loss to seal the first losing season since 1997, and I will say goodbye to the Texas seniors leaving without a bowl game this year.
Matchup to Watch: Texas A&M receivers vs. Texas secondary
X-Factor: Texas A&M RB Cyrus Gray; Texas WR Malcolm Williams
Matchup Advantage
Quarterback: Texas A&M
Running game: Texas A&M
Receivers: Texas A&M
Offensive Line: Texas A&M
Defensive Line: Texas A&M
Linebackers: Texas
Secondary: Texas
Special Teams: Texas A&M
Prediction: Texas A&M 35, Texas 21
That said, I will have never rooted so hard for my pick to be wrong.
Result: Texas A&M 24, Texas 17
Friday
West Virginia at Pittsburgh Noon on ABC
The Backyard Brawl is coming to you at noon this year. Perhaps this might not be an all-out brawl in broad daylight.
Pittsburgh needs a win to clinch the Big East’s automatic BCS-berth. A West Virginia win would result in Connecticut winning the Big East Conference in a three-way tie. The Huskies beat both Pittsburgh and West Virginia.
Pittsburgh’s season has been up and down but three of its four losses have come on the road, and except for a trudging by Miami earlier in the year, Pitt is a very good team at home on Heinz Field.
These are two great defensive teams, West Virginia hasn’t allowed its opponent to go over 21 points all year. Pitt has outstanding playmakers on offense with Jon Baldwin who had eight catches for 127 yards in last year’s game and Dion Lewis and Ray Graham running the ball. West Virginia relies on smaller, quicker playmakers on offense with Tavon Austin, Jock Sanders, and Noel Devine.
West Virginia won this game on a field goal last year, it always seems like it comes down to the final play for these two teams. The Jon Baldwin vs. Brandon Hogan matchup will be one to watch, but everything hinges on two things, what kind of pressure the team applies on the opposing quarterback and how the two quarterbacks, Geno Smith and Tino Sunseri perform.
I don’t think West Virginia has an answer for Jabaal Sheard while I’m not sure how prepared Pitt is for blitz pickups coming out of West Virginia’s 3-3-5.
Pittsburgh can seal the Big East, or West Virginia can make things interesting.
Matchup to Watch: Jon Baldwin vs. Brandon Hogan
X-Factor: West Virginia K Tyler Bitancourt; Pittsburgh K Dan Hutchins
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: West Virginia
Running game: Pittsburgh
Receivers: Even
Offensive Line: Pittsburgh
Defensive Line: Pittsburgh
Linebackers: Pittsburgh
Secondary: West Virginia
Special Teams: West Virginia
Prediction: Pittsburgh 23, West Virginia 20
Result: West Virginia 35, Pittsburgh 10
No. 2 Auburn at No. 11 Alabama 2:30pm on CBS
The Iron Bowl this year is set up to be a classic. Last year Auburn was the two-loss team while Alabama was in the national championship race. The roles have reversed but the line has not. Alabama is still listed as the favorite in this game despite Auburn’s 11-0 record and No. 2 ranking.
I remember watching this game last year in an Alabama 26-21 win, but watching how close Auburn was to winning that game and how they jumped on top early. Gus Malzahn is one of the most innovative offensive coordinators in the country and I have to believe that he has something prepared for Alabama again. The difference this time is that Auburn hopes once it gets a lead, that it can maintain it with some kind of running game. Alabama cannot shut down Cam Newton completely, but can slow him down. If they can’t prevent Newton from making plays and picking up first downs, then Auburn might be able to maintain whatever lead it’s able to get.
Alabama is the SEC’s best scoring defense while Auburn is the SEC’s best scoring offense. The Crimson Tide are home and Cam Newton and his Tigers haven’t played in an environment like Bryant-Denney Stadium yet. Alabama has only allowed two offensive touchdowns while playing at home. With that said, this isn’t the same Alabama defense of last year. This Alabama defense is much more vulnerable to big passing plays.
And again, the Cam Newton factor. Newton has won everywhere he’s been. In losses to LSU and South Carolina, Alabama could not get their defense off of the field on key third downs. Auburn is converting 53% of its third downs this year. If they keep that up, they win this game.
So every week it seems like I talk about a single game that just sticks in your head no matter what I’m doing or going, my mind focuses on one thing only—that game. This has been that game for me. Everywhere I go, everything I do I’m fluctuating Alabama or Auburn, Alabama or Auburn, Alabama or Auburn.
The vast majority including Las Vegas likes Alabama. All year I’ve liked Alabama. If I was right about anything it was when I said back in August that Auburn would be undefeated when it gets to the Alabama game, but all year I have shied away from making an official pick for this game. Now that time has come.
Auburn holds the 100th ranked pass defense in the country. Alabama has a talented group of receivers led by Julio Jones and complemented by Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks. Last year, Jones was the only one that did damage to Auburn with nine catches. Last year, neither Auburn nor Alabama was able to run the ball. Ben Tate had 45 yards on 18 carries while Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram had a combined 31 carries for 81 yards.
I see some of the Alabama offensive struggles continuing, especially with the recent struggles they’ve had. I think if Auburn watched the LSU film of its win over Alabama, that they can do some of the same things defensively, and then of course Auburn is much more offensively talented than LSU to put up points.
For the longest time I thought deep down Alabama is going to win this game, but now while putting this together I have determined your real winner will be the Auburn Tigers. I like the Cam Newton factor and I like Nick Fairley on the defensive line for Auburn. Greg McElroy will have his hands full if the Tide can’t (and won’t be able to) run the ball.
Teams like Boise State and TCU that are waiting in the wings of the BCS Standings are going to be rooting hard for Auburn to go down, but I still think that this is a very unique season with the stars aligned, so now that I’m going with Auburn in this one, I still like Auburn to lose to South Carolina in the SEC Championship game.
Matchup to Watch: Cam Newton vs. Alabama Defense
X-Factor: Auburn QB Cam Newton; Alabama FS Robert Lester
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Auburn
Running game: Alabama
Receivers: Alabama
Offensive Line: Alabama
Defensive Line: Even
Linebackers: Alabama
Secondary: Alabama
Special Teams: Auburn
Prediction: Auburn 27, Alabama 20
Result: Auburn 28, Alabama 27
No. 21 Arizona at No. 1 Oregon 7:00pm on ESPN
Does anyone remember this dandy of a game last year? This double overtime thriller went down the same night as Colt McCoy winning his 45th career game for Texas last year. That’s how I remember it, ha.
Arizona gave Oregon all it could handle last year before the Ducks pulled it out in double overtime. The Arizona defense is a lot better this year, but personnel-wise this is the same Oregon offense for the most part, but so much more explosive. They seem so much faster than they ever were.
California was able to slow down Oregon in its last game and hold the Ducks to 15 points. That was very impressive by Cal. Arizona and Oregon are both coming off bye’s so there’s no advantage there.
In 2007, Oregon was in position to play for the national championship and Arizona ruined it. Could we have something of the same in 2010?
Arizona was supposed to contend for the Pac-10 title this year; this game was supposed to decide the Rose Bowl. Who would’ve thought it would have national championship implications attached to it, too. But Arizona is holding a 4-3 record in conference and is coming off of back-to-back losses. All it can do now is play spoiler.
Arizona was turned into a one-dimensional team in this game last year and Nick Foles threw the ball close to 50 times and just had a big day through the air. It’s going to have be the same story, Arizona won’t be able to run against Oregon. As good as that Keola Antolin and Nic Grigsby backfield has been in the past, I’ve never been a believer in Arizona’s ability to run the ball. I’m not sure Oregon has answer for Juron Criner in Arizona’s passing game. They didn’t last year. Expect big plays. One or two from Arizona, and a whole lot more from Oregon.
Oregon is at home in Autzen Stadium. Nobody wins in Autzen Stadium, except Oregon.
Matchup to Watch: Arizona Defense vs. Oregon offense
X-Factor: Arizona CB Trevin Wade; Oregon RB Kenjon Barner
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterbacks: Arizona
Running game: Oregon
Receivers: Arizona
Offensive Line: Oregon
Defensive Line: Oregon
Linebackers: Oregon
Secondary: Arizona
Special Teams: Oregon
Prediction: Oregon 42, Arizona 21
No. 4 Boise State at No. 19 Nevada 10:15pm on ESPN
Friday night is going to be a late one. Boise State and Nevada have a 10:15 eastern time kickoff and you would have to be stupid or extremely tired or just plain disinterested not to have a close eye on this one. My only gripe is that the voters won’t watch. If you’re a casual fan and you’re tired, go to bed; but, if you’re an AP Poll voter or a Harris Poll voter, stay up and watch this game. Your ballot hinges upon it. The voters that wake up in the morning and vote based on boxscores get me so irritated.
Anyway, the debate has been all week now whether Boise State will win or not, but how impressive do they have to be? I’m sure that’s provided a little bit of bulletin board material for Nevada.
Two great quarterbacks with Nevada’s Colin Kaepernick and Boise State’s Kellen Moore, of course polar opposites. Kaepernick is the 6-foot-6 lanky runner while Moore barely makes 6-feet and is a pure pocket passer.
Boise State leads the nation in rush defense; Nevada is fourth in the nation in rushing offense. Boise State has shut down some great running backs in Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams who was held to 40 yards on 20 carries. Boise State’s defense last week shut out Fresno State, that same Fresno State offense that had scored 34 in a one-point loss to Nevada the week before.
I love Boise State’s receivers, I don’t love Nevada’s. I love Boise State’s defense, I don’t love Nevada’s. This defense has been the key to Boise State this year. Say what you want about who they’ve played, but this is a team that went 14-0 last year and brought back 21 of the 22 starters from that team. If it’s any other program not named Boise State, then they would have been ranked preseason No. 1. Instead, they were No. 3 preseason and have continuously dropped and been jumped by other teams.
What Boise State should be ranked is another deal, but if they somehow lost this game there would be a three-way tie in the WAC. Just worth pointing out.
Everything is on the line for the Broncos, and in my mind a three point victory over Nevada is not enough to impress the voters. Boise State will score against this Nevada defense, it’s just about how can Boise State stop Nevada’s offense. Any more than three touchdowns allowed won’t look good on a resume and the Broncos are playing without middle linebacker Byron Hout.
Matchup to Watch: Colin Kaepernick vs. Boise defense
X-Factor: Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick; Boise State QB Kellen Moore
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Boise
Running game: Nevada
Receivers: Boise
Offensive Line: Boise
Defensive Line: Boise
Linebackers: Boise
Secondary: Boise
Special Teams: Boise
Prediction: Boise State 42, Nevada 21
Saturday
No. 10 Michigan State at Penn State Noon on ESPN
The three-way tie in the Big Ten conference between Michigan State, Wisconsin, and Ohio State could take a hit in this one. In fact, Wisconsin who lose to Michigan State is Penn State’s biggest fan. A Penn State victory sends Wisconsin to the Rose Bowl. But then again, if Michigan State wins, then Wisconsin must become an Ohio State fan because the Buckeyes will have to win to maintain the three-way tie in which Wisconsin also goes to the Rose Bowl. Two ways to win for the Badgers while Ohio State and Michigan State need help.
Penn State has won eight of the last ten against Michigan State and has not lost to the Spartans at home since 1965. Joe Paterno has announced that he will return next year and if that doesn’t give you an energy boost I don’t know what will. Just listening to the man speak is pure motivation.
The team is staying in Happy Valley for the holidays to get ready for this one and they have to be hungry. A win here puts them in a better bowl position than Iowa, who has become a recent nemesis. The Penn State season started much too slow, but they have a chance to finish 8-4 which is exactly what I predicted in August.
The offense has been clicking ever since Matt McGloin took over at quarterback. It’s clear that Derek Moye is McGloin’s favorite target which is good news to get him involved in the offense and the Nittany Lions have been spreading the wealth of carries to true freshman Silas Redd who seems to explode for big yardage every time he touches the ball.
What Penn State can do against Michigan State defensively will be the story. They have to apply pressure like they did to Terrelle Pryor in the first half. The defensive line has been playing better, but Michigan State has a wealth of playmakers on offense from Keshawn Martin to Edwin Baker orchestrated by Kirk Cousins, maybe the best pure quarterback in the Big Ten behind Ricky Stanzi.
There’s a special vibe about this game going around though. I like Penn State to pull a big upset.
Matchup to Watch: Penn State secondary vs. Michigan State receivers
X-Factor: Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins; Penn State RB Silas Redd
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Michigan State
Running game: Michigan State
Receivers: Michigan State
Offensive Line: Michigan State
Defensive Line: Penn State
Linebackers: Michigan State
Secondary: Michigan State
Special Teams: Penn State
Prediction: Penn State 27, Michigan State 20
No. 5 LSU at No. 12 Arkansas 3:30pm on CBS
All this talk about LSU being the highest ranked one-loss team and whether they’re worthy of jumping Boise State and TCU in the BCS Standings and blah blah blah. Les Miles appeared today on SportsCenter and said he didn’t want to talk about any of the one-loss stuff until after the Arkansas game. Well Les, you should have taken the chance to talk about the one-loss stuff today because after Arkansas you’re going to be a two-loss team.
Arkansas’ running game with Kniles Davis has been coming along in recent weeks which makes that offense more balanced and more dangerous against LSU.
Each of the last five years, this game has been decided by five points or less including LSU’s 33-30 win last year. Both of these teams are coming off of close wins last week to inferior teams.
Arkansas is still without top receiver Greg Childs who tore his ACL, but Joe Adams is back from his toe injury and Jairus Wright is stepping up for the big play threat that Childs was. Arkansas is all about a vertical passing game that can expose LSU. Patrick Peterson is LSU’s lockdown corner and we all know I love him and give him a lot of credit, but on the other side whether it’s Morris Claiborne or Ronnie Vinson, those guys get beat deep a lot. Knowing Ryan Mallett, he is going to challenge Peterson a few more times than he should, but he will also capitalize on the coverage breakdowns on the other side of the field.
LSU has so much talent on offense, but hasn’t put it all together. Jordan Jefferson is playing better at quarterback, not throwing interception after interception anymore so Les Miles has started to keep him in there more and use less of the two quarterback gameplan with Jarrett Lee.
Matchup to Watch: Arkansas linebackers vs. Stevan Ridley
X-Factors: LSU WR Russell Sheppard; Arkansas RB Kniles Davis
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Arkansas
Running game: Arkansas
Receivers: Arkansas
Offensive Line: LSU
Defensive Line: LSU
Linebackers: LSU
Secondary: LSU
Special Teams: LSU
Prediction: Arkansas 30, LSU 23
No. 23 North Carolina State at Maryland 3:30pm on ESPN2
The Florida State Seminoles who beat Maryland last Saturday are now the Terps’ biggest fans. A Maryland win will put Florida State in the ACC Championship Game while an NC State win will clinch the Atlantic Division in favor of the Wolf Pack.
I’m interested to see what kind of heart Maryland comes out with now knowing that they have nothing to play for after losing to the Seminoles last week. If Maryland plays up to its capabilities at home and Danny O’Brien does a good job of managing the game, then NC State is squarely on upset alert.
What Maryland got away from was its running game against Florida State. Davin Meggett and Da’Rel Scott had three touches in the third quarter. Maryland has to rely less on the passing game and more on the running game to be successful when they have Meggett and Scott in the backfield.
Defensively, Maryland was pretty impressive against Florida State. I only went to that game to see Christian Ponder have a big game, but Maryland instead got a lot of pressure on him and forced him into mistakes. Next step: do the same to Russell Wilson.
Matchup to watch: Maryland defensive line vs. NC State offensive line
X-Factor: Maryland WR Torrey Smith; NC State RB Mustafa Greene
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: NC State
Running game: Maryland
Receivers: NC State
Offensive Line: NC State
Defensive Line: Maryland
Linebackers: Even
Secondary: Maryland
Special Teams: Maryland
Prediction: Maryland 28, NC State 24
No. 13 Oklahoma at No. 9 Oklahoma State 8:00pm on ABC
Pure Bedlam. This is only the fourth time in series history that Oklahoma State is the higher ranked team. Surprisingly, they’re the favorite in this game, too unlike the Auburn-Alabama matchup where undefeated Auburn is the underdog. This game has always been big for Oklahoma as a stepping stone towards a huge bowl game, but this time it’s a little bit of role reversal with Oklahoma State being the one in prime position to win the Big 12 conference. However, winner of this game gets the big piece of cake.
If Oklahoma wins this game they most likely win the South Division over a potential three-way tie with Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, if A&M beats Texas in Austin on Thursday night.
All Oklahoma State has to do is something they haven’t been able to under Mike Gundy in eight tries—that is beat Oklahoma. In Gundy’s tenure as head coach of the Cowboys he had never beaten Oklahoma or Texas and that’s what teams need to do to get over the hump in the Big 12—beat those two teams. This year, Gundy took care of Texas. Can he check off Oklahoma in this same year?
Oklahoma State was in a similar position last year as they were widely considered for an at-large BCS berth, until going into Norman and laying an egg in this Bedlam game.
Two years ago, on Oklahoma’s way to a national championship appearance, they routed the Cowboys in Stillwater. No matter where the game is played, Oklahoma has dominated.
Oklahoma State boasts the nation’s No. 2 offense this year with new coordinator Dana Holgersen who is on the shortlist for the Broyles Award (nation’s best assistant coach). With Kendall Hunter running at full speed and strength again and Brandon Weedon commanding a high-octane passing attack with Biletnikoff finalist Justin Blackmon on the receiving end, Oklahoma State’s offense seems tough to slow down.
Texas couldn’t do it. Texas A&M did it for a half. But not many teams have been completely successful.
Oklahoma doesn’t get enough credit for how good of a defensive football team they are. With Jeremy Beal along the defensive line and Tom Wort, Travis Lewis and Ronnell Lewis at linebacker and true freshman Tony Jefferson already becoming a lockdown guy, this defense is something. It hasn’t always played up to its ability, but it will here. Oklahoma can still win the Big 12, it’s not like they have nothing to play for, and you’ve heard me saying all year that Oklahoma State’s defense is not as good as it has looked. Oklahoma will put up points, that’s a given. Can the Cowboys keep up?
Matchup to Watch: Justin Blackmon vs. Tony Jefferson
X-Factor: Oklahoma RB DeMarco Murray; Oklahoma State WR Justin Blackmon
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Oklahoma State
Running game: Even
Receivers: Even
Offensive Line: Oklahoma State
Defensive Line: Oklahoma State
Linebackers: Oklahoma
Secondary: Oklahoma
Special Teams: Oklahoma State
Prediction: Oklahoma 37, Oklahoma State 28
Other great matchups
Michigan at Ohio State
Ohio State will contain Denard Robinson and win big again this rivalry game.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Ohio State
Running game: Ohio State
Receivers: Ohio State
Offensive Line: Michigan
Defensive Line: Ohio State
Linebackers: Ohio State
Secondary: Ohio State
Special Teams: Ohio State
Prediction: Ohio State 45, Michigan 20
South Florida at Miami
South Florida is on the rise both on and off the field and are starting to steal recruits from Miami. This is a huge game for recruiting purposes.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: South Florida
Running game: Miami
Receivers: Miami
Offensive Line: Miami
Defensive Line: Miami
Linebackers: South Florida
Secondary: South Florida
Special Teams: Miami
Prediction: Miami 20, South Florida 17
Boston College at Syracuse
No Montel Harris for Boston College so look for Syracuse to pull an upset.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Syracuse
Running game: Syracuse (BC w/o Montel Harris)
Receivers: Syracuse
Offensive Line: Boston College
Defensive Line: Syracuse
Linebackers: Boston College
Secondary: Boston College
Special Teams: Boston College
Prediction: Syracuse 23, Boston College 13
Kentucky at Tennessee
Tennessee needs a win to be 6-6 and become bowl eligible but at home against a tough Kentucky squad.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Tennessee
Running game: Kentucky
Receivers: Tennessee
Offensive Line: Tennessee
Defensive Line: Tennessee
Linebackers: Kentucky
Secondary: Tennessee
Special Teams: Tennessee
Prediction: Kentucky 27, Tennessee 21
Kansas at Missouri
The Border War. Rivalry games are also good to keep an eye on, but I don’t see any kind of upset brewing here with the Tigers at home.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Missouri
Running game: Missouri
Receivers: Missouri
Offensive Line: Missouri
Defensive Line: Missouri
Linebackers: Missouri
Secondary: Missouri
Special Teams: Missouri
Prediction: Missouri 38, Kansas 17
Florida at Florida State
Florida State needs to end this drought against Florida and to do so here in the beginning of the Jimbo Fisher era will be big. Florida still not playing well this year, the Seminoles add to the misery.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Florida State
Running game: Florida
Receivers: Even
Offensive Line: Florida State
Defensive Line: Florida State
Linebackers: Florida State
Secondary: Florida
Special Teams: Florida
Prediction: Florida State 28, Florida 24
BYU at Utah
The Holy War. BYU won a thriller last year. This year, put Utah on upset alert, BYU’s running game vs. Utah’s defense. Last time these two teams will end the season with this game. BYU going independent and Utah joining the Pac-10 next year.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: BYU
Running game: Utah
Receivers: Even
Offensive Line: BYU
Defensive Line: Utah
Linebackers: Utah
Secondary: BYU
Special Teams: Utah
Prediction: BYU 31, Utah 28
South Carolina at Clemson
This annual rivalry game doesn’t have much on the line except for bowl positioning. Clemson still looking for respect. Two great defenses in this one. Marcus Lattimore vs. Clemson defense.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Even
Running game: South Carolina
Receivers: South Carolina
Offensive Line: South Carolina
Defensive Line: Clemson
Linebackers: South Carolina
Secondary: Even
Special Teams: South Carolina
Prediction: South Carolina 24, Clemson 14
Georgia Tech at Georgia
Both teams need a win to become bowl eligible.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Georgia
Running game: Georgia Tech
Receivers: Georgia
Offensive Line: Georgia
Defensive Line: Georgia
Linebackers: Georgia
Secondary: Georgia
Special Teams: Georgia Tech
Prediction: Georgia 37, Georgia Tech 20
Notre Dame at USC
This rivalry game has lost some of its luster in previous years but now that both teams are down and trying to rebuild, keep an eye on a great ballgame.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: USC
Running game: USC
Receivers: USC
Offensive Line: USC
Defensive Line: USC
Linebackers: Notre Dame
Secondary: USC
Special Teams: Notre Dame
Prediction: USC 23, Notre Dame 17
Houston at Texas Tech
Houston has been with its fourth quarterback, David Piland, for most of the year. The Cougars need a win in Lubbock to be bowl eligible. Don’t see it happening.
Matchup Advantage:
Quarterback: Texas Tech
Running game: Texas Tech
Receivers: Even
Offensive Line: Texas Tech
Defensive Line: Texas Tech
Linebackers: Houston
Secondary: Houston
Special Teams: Houston
Prediction: Texas Tech 35, Houston 24
UPSET PICKS
SMU over East Carolina
Penn State over Michigan State
Maryland over NC State
Florida State over Florida
Auburn over Alabama
Oklahoma over Oklahoma State
Arkansas over LSU
BYU over Utah
Ole Miss over Mississippi State
Syracuse over Boston College
Predictions for My Top 25
#1 Boise State 42, #23 Nevada 21
#2 Oregon 42, #20 Arizona 21
#3 Auburn 27, #9 Alabama 20
Result: AUB 28, ALA 27
#4 TCU 52, New Mexico 0
#5 Wisconsin 37, Northwestern 20
#6 Stanford 38, Oregon State 24
#7 Ohio State 45, Michigan 20
#8 LSU 23, #11 Arkansas 30
#10 Oklahoma 37, #13 Oklahoma State 28
#12 Michigan State 21, Penn State 27
#14 Nebraska 31, Colorado 17
#15 South Carolina 24, Clemson 14
#16 Missouri 35, Kansas 17
#17 Texas A&M 35, Texas 21
Result: TAMU 24, TEX 17
#18 Virginia Tech 42, Virginia 13
#19 Florida State 28, Florida 24
#21 Iowa 38, Minnesota 20
#22 North Carolina State 24, Maryland 28
#24 Utah 28, BYU 31
#25 Northern Illinois 55, Eastern Michigan 17
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