The season is closing in on a landmark photo finish. Despite all the talk, LSU and Oklahoma State are out in front and in the driver seat. Everyone seems to be playing out doomsday what-if scenarios, but with a couple weeks to play and the Thanksgiving weekend just around the corner, it looks like we’re coming down the stretch in style.
#1 LSU has to get past Ole Miss in The Magnolia Bowl. Fans and alums in Oxford are ready to rid themselves of the grease fire in Oxford. Houston Nutt’s squad has gone nowhere fast this year, and Nutt will not be back. While Ole Miss opponents want him stay, it’s the right move. It is astounding just how much money Houston has accumulated with people paying him to leave. Next Friday the much anticipated SEC West Showdown between Arkansas and LSU, and this game looms big for LSU. With their eye on the prize, LSU will try to stay focused and handle the task at hand. This week’s game should a good primer game, where the backups will see some good playing time.
#2 Oklahoma State has jumped out to the best record in school history. At 10-0, many are clamoring for Brandon Weeden for the Heisman and for good reasons. He’s thrown for over 3600 yards, with a 73.1% completion ratio, 31 TDs and just 9 picks. Justin Blackmon has been sensational. He’s currently #6 in the country in receiving yards (1142) and tied for 1st in receiving touchdowns (14). I have him going #2 in the upcoming NFL draft. They travel to Ames, Iowa for a Saturday night matchup against Iowa State. And don’t forget about Randle. At RB he’s currently #3 in the nation in rushing touchdowns (21). To say Oklahoma State is all revved up and hitting on all cylinders, would be the understatement of the year.
#3 Alabama hosts Georgia Southern this weekend. Holding teams to very few points and yards is the name of the Crimson Tide’s game this year. Bama has been holding opponents to just over 7 points per game and just over 181 yards per game. Georgia Southern is currently 9-1, but Saturday should be a bad day at the office for them as Alabama is hoping to win this one and have a couple chips fall their way in the coming days at the top of the BCS rankings discussion.
#4 Oregon is coming off a big-time win last weekend against Stanford. The defense was primed and ready for then-Heisman-frontrunner, Andrew Luck. Getting 2 interceptions on Luck helped keep the Cardinals at bay and secure the big conference win. As for this weekend, Southern Cal is coming to town, and despite the spread this game is shaping up to be one of the best of the weekend. The Matt Barkley to Robert Woods show will be interesting to watch against an Oregon D that Nick Aliotti has pointed in the right direction.
#5 Oklahoma has never lost to Baylor (#22) in the series history. The Sooners have won all 20 previous matchups against The Bears. Recently losing OU All-American receiver, Ryan Broyles, was a huge loss for the Sooners. Oklahoma has plenty of players, but being stopped just yards short of the Oklahoma all-time record books in reception yards is a tough pill to swallow. With that being said Robert Griffin III has never looked better. To get an idea about just how good Robert Griffin III is…74.2 completion percentage, 3093 pass yards, 29 TDs, and just 5 interceptions. Oklahoma is in the same boat as Alabama down, they have to have something happen at the top go their way.
#6 Arkansas aside from a loss to Alabama has been quietly whipping up on people this year. At 9-1 many know The Razorbacks can play with anyone. Just ask Tyler Wilson. He’s leading the SEC in passing yards (2850). He’s second in the SEC in touchdowns (18) behind Aaron Murray (27). They have a team playing sound defense and a Bobby Petrino style offense that many in the league know that is hard to stop, with very few teams out there qualified to stop them. Bama was up to the task, but many are wondering if LSU is up to it. LSU has yet to see a passing game as dynamic as the Razorbacks. Miss State has struggled this year and at .500 (for the moment), all eyes are on next week’s Arkansas-LSU annual regular season finale in The Battle for the Golden Boot. Through the years this has been one of the most interesting endings to the regular season in all the country and this year looks no different.
#7 Clemson hits to road with a game in Raleigh against NC State. Sammy Watkins is still questionable, but Clemson has its eyes on the ACC Championship game. NC State is very similar to Miss State currently at 5-5, but they are in serious jeopardy of falling below the .500 mark. Coach Swinney has this Clemson heading the right direction and all signs point to a rematch between VA Tech and Clemson. Tajh Boyd is leading the ACC in passing yards (3017) and passing touchdowns (27). Ellington and Watkins have been wonderful in moving the ball, racking up the yards and balancing the attack.
#8 VA Tech took care of business Thursday night by beating up North Carolina in a close one. UNC pulled within 3, but could not convert the onside kick. Frank Beamer holds on for his 250th win, with his 6th win in a row. David Wilson is leading the ACC in rushing yards (1442), and with this kind of production the Hokies might give Clemson a run for their money in the rematch in Charlotte.
#9 Stanford hosts Cal in “The Big Game”. I was in doubt of this Stanford team minus Coach Harbaugh for the 2011 season, and last week proved to be the tipping point. Look for Stanford at home to bounce back. Cal’s defense is…just not that good. The problem with this Stanford team is the receiving crew is…just not that good.
#10 Boise State has to be reeling from another installment of their own version of the twilight zone. With another field goal kick missed, so go their hopes at a national championship. The kick again proves costly because they will get knocked down to a less than stellar bowl game (and expect a much less glitzy bowl payout – we are talking millions of dollars difference). They should bounce back against San Diego State and dismantle the outmatched opponent.
Other notables:
#11 Houston has been scorching opponents all year and they look to set more records this weekend as they host SMU. If you like points tune into this one. The total in this one is 75.5 and look for this one to hit. Houston can drop 50 in half easy, and Houston is currently “making their case”. Case Keenum is has been blistering defenses all year. He’s currently the national leader in passing yards (3951) and passing touchdowns (37).
#14 Georgia is playing some of the best ball this squad has seen in years. The offensive and defensive lines have really come into their own, and the defense in its 2nd year in Coach Grantham’s 3-4 is getting downright stingy. Jarvis Jones is leading the SEC in sacks (10), and Bacarri Rambo is leading the SEC in interceptions (7). Highly touted freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell is the front runner for SEC Freshman of the year, and he’s had a very positive impact on the offensive balancing act. One of the greatest surprises to come out of Athens is the post-AJ Green wide receiving corps that has stepped up in a big way. They have to beat Kentucky to secure a return visit to Atlanta for the SEC Championship. The last time they were in ATL under the bright SEC lights was back in 2005, so this one has been a long time coming for Coach Mark Richt.
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