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.
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Saturday, September 17, 2011
Thursday, September 15, 2011
WEEK 2: REVIEW
Last weekend’s action was pretty good, and just about all the favorites won except a few. Let’s take a quick look back at the action from week 2.
Thursday Night was a showcase for Oklahoma State:
Oklahoma State put almost 600 total yards and destroyed an outmatched Arizona squad. Brandon Weeded passed for 387 yards and 2 TDs, and Justin Blackmon caught 12, for 128 yards and a pair of TDs. The balanced attack was complemented by Joseph Randle’s performance. He carried the ball 15 times for 121 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 8.1/carry. Arizona was without their deep threat star receiver, Juron Criner. Criner would have made a difference. He was the PAC-10’s top receiver last year. Without Criner, Arizona had no way to stretch the field, and this ballgame one was never really close. State was up 21-0 at the half and this one finished out Oklahoma State 37 - Arizona 14.
Friday Night was a test for Missouri:
Missouri hit the road and played Arizona State last Friday. An evenly matched game across the board, this one had to go to overtime. Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler passed for 353 yards, 3 TD and 0 picks. His primary target for the night was Aaron Pflugrad. The senior caught 8, for 180 yards and 2 TDs. The Missouri played a good game behind James Franklin. He kept his team in the ballgame, but a late 48 yard field to win the game in regulation sailed left. Arizona State wins a close one Arizona State 37 – Missouri 30 (OT).
Saturday produced some games that were closer than some predicted:
Oregon State – Wisconsin was a blood bath. Wisconsin laid the wood to yet another opponent, and it is apparent just how bad things have slid for Oregon State. Oregon State could not move the ball on the ground against the Wisconsin D, and it was really never much of a contest. Russell Wilson in just his second outing for The Badgers looked right at home. Wilson threw for 189 yards, 3 TDs, finishing with an 81% completion percentage. The ground game was in effect as well, Ball and White combined once again. This time they combined for 171 yards and 2 TDs. Wisconsin has some of the best tight ends in the country and they use them wisely. Jacob Pederson showcased what he’s about. He caught 6 for 80 yards, and a pair of TDs. This one was all Badgers. Wisconsin 35 – Oregon State 0.
Mississippi State traveled to The Plains to face Auburn, and this one did not disappoint. Almost everyone in the country had Miss. State, except the Auburn coaching staff. Yet again, they have proved that this squad will do whatever it takes to find a win. Auburn came out and put up 14 points in the first 5 minutes, but Miss. State answered right back with 21 unanswered. This one was close at the half: Miss State 24 – Auburn 31. The game stayed evenly matched and came down to the wire. A goal line stand by Auburn preserved the victory. With 10 seconds left Miss State chooses to keep it on the ground and run the option, Relf rolls left and chooses not to pitch the ball to Vick Ballard, who would have walked in the end zone. Crazy thing is many, including myself, think Miss State scored on the previous play. The SEC did not review, they even had a timeout to review it officially. The play ended up not being called correctly in my opinion, and a TD was not counted, which led to play where Relf was stopped short of the goal line. Auburn 41 – Mississippi State 34.
Alabama – Penn State was not as interesting as many would have hoped. AJ McCarron got the start and Alabama really had control of this one all day. They went 17-3 at the half as Trend Richardson punched in a late 2nd quarter TD. The ground game for Bama (Richardson and Lacy) combined for 37 carries, 196 yards, and 2 TDs. The vaunted Alabama D, took care of business on the road. They held Penn State to just 251 total yards, forcing 3 turnovers. Alabama 27 – Penn State 11.
Virginia Tech – East Carolina was a game played in Greenville, and if I’m the Virginia Tech coach staff – I’m not sure why. ECU is a pretty good squad that had a good shot at taking this one. VA Tech usually starts out slow, so this one was in jeopardy. An early TD by Dobson, and a pick in the end zone by ECU had The Pirates on top early with a 7-3 lead at the half. As the second half got rolling, poor tackling led to a 34 yard gain David Wilson, and the Hokies were back in it. They quickly scored and took the lead. It was closer than Coach Beamer would have liked, but it still counted for his 200th win. Virginia Tech 17 – East Carolina 10.
Cincinnati – Tennessee was all about Tyler Bray. I have been singing this guy’s praises for 2 years now, and he had a career best on Saturday against The Bearcats. He also broke a record held by Peyton Manning, where he threw for multiple TD passes in 8 games. Peyton Manning's record of 7 seven games was set back in 1997. Bray, passing to 2 of the best receivers in the country in Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers, put up 4 TDs and 405 passing yards. Tauren Poole got in the action with 101 yards on 21 carries and the rout was on. Cincinnati 18 – Tennessee 34.
South Carolina at Georgia had all the drama you could for in a 4:30 kick in Athens. Garcia started out shaky, but when Georgia got in scoring position 3 times early in the game settling for 3 field goals, and coming away with just 6 points, I knew this one looked good for Carolina. Spurrier dug deep in pocket and pulled out a gem right before the half where he didn’t like the previous call on 3rd down by the refs and elected to go with a fake punt that rumbled for a Melvin Ingram 68 yard TD. Amazing call, that everyone in the house saw coming, except the Georgia coaching staff. This game was back and forth but ultimately a pick 6 by Murray, and late scoop and score by Clowney/Ingram sealed the deal. Couple things to note: (1) as the game wears on Marcus Lattimore gets better and better. This is the true sign of a great tailback in our midst. With all that wear and tear, will he hold up for the entire season? (2) Late in the game just before one of Georgia’s onside kick, you had two opposing coaching styles on display. On the Carolina side you had Spurrier, no headset, in the middle of huddle surrounded by Gamecock players. He was yapping away with his players nodding in unison. On the Georgia side you had Mark Richt with his headset on, mozying around on the sideline by himself. Just before the bullets fly Spurrier does not need a headset. None of his coaches are really going to tell him something he does not already know. The same cannot be said for Richt at this point. South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram recovered that onside kick, and USC sealed the victory with Lattimore and the victory formation. Game balls go to Melvin Ingram and Marcus Lattimore. They had great performances on the road in hostile territory. South Carolina 45 – Georgia 42.
Notre Dame - Michigan was the first night game in The Big House and it was a gem. Notre Dame got up early with a good lead and took 17-7 lead into halftime. Dennard Robinson played a marvelous game and late in the game the defenses really slipped to poor fundamentals. It took 28 Michigan points in the 4th quarter, which could down as one of the most dramatic in college football history, and The Wolverines pull out the W. It is almost incomprehensible how Dennard Robinson in the past two meetings against Notre Dame has literally shredded them: 562 passing yards (5 TDs) and 366 rushing yards (3 TDs). Michigan wins late last Saturday night and none of the fans went home. Amazing stuff. Michigan 35 - Notre Dame 31.
Thursday Night was a showcase for Oklahoma State:
Oklahoma State put almost 600 total yards and destroyed an outmatched Arizona squad. Brandon Weeded passed for 387 yards and 2 TDs, and Justin Blackmon caught 12, for 128 yards and a pair of TDs. The balanced attack was complemented by Joseph Randle’s performance. He carried the ball 15 times for 121 yards and 2 TDs, averaging 8.1/carry. Arizona was without their deep threat star receiver, Juron Criner. Criner would have made a difference. He was the PAC-10’s top receiver last year. Without Criner, Arizona had no way to stretch the field, and this ballgame one was never really close. State was up 21-0 at the half and this one finished out Oklahoma State 37 - Arizona 14.
Friday Night was a test for Missouri:
Missouri hit the road and played Arizona State last Friday. An evenly matched game across the board, this one had to go to overtime. Arizona State’s Brock Osweiler passed for 353 yards, 3 TD and 0 picks. His primary target for the night was Aaron Pflugrad. The senior caught 8, for 180 yards and 2 TDs. The Missouri played a good game behind James Franklin. He kept his team in the ballgame, but a late 48 yard field to win the game in regulation sailed left. Arizona State wins a close one Arizona State 37 – Missouri 30 (OT).
Saturday produced some games that were closer than some predicted:
Oregon State – Wisconsin was a blood bath. Wisconsin laid the wood to yet another opponent, and it is apparent just how bad things have slid for Oregon State. Oregon State could not move the ball on the ground against the Wisconsin D, and it was really never much of a contest. Russell Wilson in just his second outing for The Badgers looked right at home. Wilson threw for 189 yards, 3 TDs, finishing with an 81% completion percentage. The ground game was in effect as well, Ball and White combined once again. This time they combined for 171 yards and 2 TDs. Wisconsin has some of the best tight ends in the country and they use them wisely. Jacob Pederson showcased what he’s about. He caught 6 for 80 yards, and a pair of TDs. This one was all Badgers. Wisconsin 35 – Oregon State 0.
Mississippi State traveled to The Plains to face Auburn, and this one did not disappoint. Almost everyone in the country had Miss. State, except the Auburn coaching staff. Yet again, they have proved that this squad will do whatever it takes to find a win. Auburn came out and put up 14 points in the first 5 minutes, but Miss. State answered right back with 21 unanswered. This one was close at the half: Miss State 24 – Auburn 31. The game stayed evenly matched and came down to the wire. A goal line stand by Auburn preserved the victory. With 10 seconds left Miss State chooses to keep it on the ground and run the option, Relf rolls left and chooses not to pitch the ball to Vick Ballard, who would have walked in the end zone. Crazy thing is many, including myself, think Miss State scored on the previous play. The SEC did not review, they even had a timeout to review it officially. The play ended up not being called correctly in my opinion, and a TD was not counted, which led to play where Relf was stopped short of the goal line. Auburn 41 – Mississippi State 34.
Alabama – Penn State was not as interesting as many would have hoped. AJ McCarron got the start and Alabama really had control of this one all day. They went 17-3 at the half as Trend Richardson punched in a late 2nd quarter TD. The ground game for Bama (Richardson and Lacy) combined for 37 carries, 196 yards, and 2 TDs. The vaunted Alabama D, took care of business on the road. They held Penn State to just 251 total yards, forcing 3 turnovers. Alabama 27 – Penn State 11.
Virginia Tech – East Carolina was a game played in Greenville, and if I’m the Virginia Tech coach staff – I’m not sure why. ECU is a pretty good squad that had a good shot at taking this one. VA Tech usually starts out slow, so this one was in jeopardy. An early TD by Dobson, and a pick in the end zone by ECU had The Pirates on top early with a 7-3 lead at the half. As the second half got rolling, poor tackling led to a 34 yard gain David Wilson, and the Hokies were back in it. They quickly scored and took the lead. It was closer than Coach Beamer would have liked, but it still counted for his 200th win. Virginia Tech 17 – East Carolina 10.
Cincinnati – Tennessee was all about Tyler Bray. I have been singing this guy’s praises for 2 years now, and he had a career best on Saturday against The Bearcats. He also broke a record held by Peyton Manning, where he threw for multiple TD passes in 8 games. Peyton Manning's record of 7 seven games was set back in 1997. Bray, passing to 2 of the best receivers in the country in Justin Hunter and Da’Rick Rogers, put up 4 TDs and 405 passing yards. Tauren Poole got in the action with 101 yards on 21 carries and the rout was on. Cincinnati 18 – Tennessee 34.
South Carolina at Georgia had all the drama you could for in a 4:30 kick in Athens. Garcia started out shaky, but when Georgia got in scoring position 3 times early in the game settling for 3 field goals, and coming away with just 6 points, I knew this one looked good for Carolina. Spurrier dug deep in pocket and pulled out a gem right before the half where he didn’t like the previous call on 3rd down by the refs and elected to go with a fake punt that rumbled for a Melvin Ingram 68 yard TD. Amazing call, that everyone in the house saw coming, except the Georgia coaching staff. This game was back and forth but ultimately a pick 6 by Murray, and late scoop and score by Clowney/Ingram sealed the deal. Couple things to note: (1) as the game wears on Marcus Lattimore gets better and better. This is the true sign of a great tailback in our midst. With all that wear and tear, will he hold up for the entire season? (2) Late in the game just before one of Georgia’s onside kick, you had two opposing coaching styles on display. On the Carolina side you had Spurrier, no headset, in the middle of huddle surrounded by Gamecock players. He was yapping away with his players nodding in unison. On the Georgia side you had Mark Richt with his headset on, mozying around on the sideline by himself. Just before the bullets fly Spurrier does not need a headset. None of his coaches are really going to tell him something he does not already know. The same cannot be said for Richt at this point. South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram recovered that onside kick, and USC sealed the victory with Lattimore and the victory formation. Game balls go to Melvin Ingram and Marcus Lattimore. They had great performances on the road in hostile territory. South Carolina 45 – Georgia 42.
Notre Dame - Michigan was the first night game in The Big House and it was a gem. Notre Dame got up early with a good lead and took 17-7 lead into halftime. Dennard Robinson played a marvelous game and late in the game the defenses really slipped to poor fundamentals. It took 28 Michigan points in the 4th quarter, which could down as one of the most dramatic in college football history, and The Wolverines pull out the W. It is almost incomprehensible how Dennard Robinson in the past two meetings against Notre Dame has literally shredded them: 562 passing yards (5 TDs) and 366 rushing yards (3 TDs). Michigan wins late last Saturday night and none of the fans went home. Amazing stuff. Michigan 35 - Notre Dame 31.
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