Saturday is here and so with it comes week 3 of the 2011 College Football season. Let’s roll through the action you should be keeping an eye on today.
West Virginia (#18) at Maryland – This one should be a great noon game. Look for great head coaches to go at it. Coach Randy Edsall is on record stating that Maryland is his dream job, and Coach Holgorsen is revving up the WVU attack. Maryland, led by Quarterback Danny O’Brian, took care of a less than 100% Miami team on week 1 then had a bye week. Coach Edsall is not great against WVU though, he was 1-6 against The Mountaineers while coaching a UCONN. Maryland will look to continue the balanced attack, and keep an eye on David Meggett’s son, Davin. Look for WVU’s offense to spread it around. In 2 weeks against lesser foes, Geno Smith has thrown for 6 TDs and 620 yards. The Terrapin D will be much more disciplined. This one should come down to the wire. This line has now dropped to a pick ‘em. WVU is one dimensional. Take Maryland at home.
Auburn (#21) at Clemson – Death Valley will showcase some of the newest, brightest minds in college football. Guz Malzahn vs Chad Morris looks to be the Offensive Coordinator matchup everyone should be watching during the early round of games. Auburn currently has the midas touch, and it is hard to pick against a team that has not lost in some time. Since this one is at noon and not 8 PM, I like Auburn to win a close one on the road with the combination of RB Michael Dyer, TD Philip Lutzenkirchen, and WR Emory Blake.
Michigan State (#15) at Notre Dame – The Golden Domers return home from a disappointing loss in The Big House. State is well coached under Dantonio, and Notre Dame will have their hands full trying to stop Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell. I see this one being another tough match up for Notre Dame, but they will be at home and their weakness (pass defense) will not be stress tested against the Spartan ground game. Look for a close one. Vegas has Notre Dame giving 3, but I like The Spartans and their program in this one.
Tennessee at Florida (#16) – This is going to be a great game today at 3:30 PM. Derek Dooley and Will Muschamp square off in a really interesting matchup. On one hand you have Tennessee, who has been lights out with a potent passing attack. The Tyler Bray- Justin Hunter- Da’Rick Rogers Show is worth the price of admission. And on the other hand you have Florida who has had the whip cracked on them this off season. Gone is Janoris Jenkins from a talented Florida secondary. I’m also loving the Tauren Poole vs Jeffery Demps matchup. Look for The Swamp and their 12th man to be the difference. I like Florida at home to inch closer back into the Top 10 discussion.
Navy at South Carolina (#10) – The Gamecocks are #10 in the country folks, and don’t look now but the Old Ball Coach has Columbia’s amps turned up to 11. Gamecocks will be dominant. Navy can’t handle the multiple threats from Carolina’s potent attack. Look for Garcia to come out strong and crisp (reference last year’s Bama game), and Lattimore will have a good day, but the starters will get some rest late in the game. Spurrier has to monitor the wear and tear on his players. He can’t have Lattimore going down, not to mention against a non-SEC school. USC’s weakness is pass defense, and Navy rarely throws it. I like South Carolina and the points.
Ohio State (#17) at Miami – Ah the Inelegibowl. Both teams are border line disgraces with rich storied pasts. Ohio State under Head Coach Luke Fickell has this team in the right direction, but he has yet to face a heavy weight opponent. Al Golden will be at home with a 7:30 PM kickoff, so the crowd will be behind him somewhat. It is hard to take Miami, especially if they are starting the Interception Machine (Jacory Harris), but I saw something that really caught my eye in the Labor Day game. Miami has two really talented tailbacks in Lamar Miller and Mike James. I have to think the brilliance of Al Golden will limit Jacory’s freelancing and have him hand off more to the tailbacks. We’ll see, but I like Miami at home with the upset, and the Luke Fickell debate begins in full force Sunday morning.
Oklahoma (#1) at Florida State (#5) – Alright this is it. The crown jewel of the Week 3 action. Primetime in Tallahassee. FSU is back on the rise, but taking on a Bobby Stoops squad is no short order. Look for Oklahoma’s defense to disrupt the FSU offense and get to E.J. Manuel. Oklahoma offensively should expect another stellar performance behind Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles. Oklahoma had last week off to rest up and prepare. I like Oklahoma on the road.
Follow us on Twitter
No comments:
Post a Comment