Week 3 - Games to Keep an Eye On

What a great Week 2. Arkansas goes down in flames to ULM,  Nebraska gets man-handled by UCLA. I don't think anyone had both those upsets on the radar.

Arkansas is a full blown grease fire right now, and Nebraska is another loss away from one. Who had UCLA putting up an astonishing 648 yards against Nebraska? With Burkhead on the bench injured, and with starting defensive tackle Chase Rome leaving the team, some might wonder if the wheels are starting to come off a bit.

Anyone catch the end of the Notre Dame game? I've watched the last 2 minutes Notre Dame marching down the field a couple times now, and I am convinced the Irish got some favorable calls to edge out the win. Take the 1:45 marker where the officials missed 2 egregious calls (1) Tommy calls a timeout when they had none. The penalty, which again did not get called, should have resulted in a loss of down. Plus (2) They let the play run as the center snaps the ball with 0 left on the play clock. The play utlimately resulted in a first down, and kept the ball moving toward the go ahead score. The officials also missed a definitive offensive pass interference call that could have been a Purdue interception. Just something to keep an eye on.

With that said let's jump into Week 3's Games to Keep an Eye On:

Wake Forest at Florida State (Noon)

• Much has been made of recent history where Wake Forest has won in recent history
• Wake won 35 - 30 in 2011
• Wake lost 31 - 0 in 2010
• Wake lost 41-28 in 2009
• Wake won 12-3 in 2008
• I think FSU's is going to rise up and shut it down against the Deacs this year.
• Brandon Jenkins is out for the season and just how big of deal will that be
• Look for FSU to win by 4 TDs after FSU makes them 1 dimensional

(Photo courtesy of Reid Compton)

Alabama at Arkansas (3:30 PM)

• I hate to say it Razorback fans, but you guys are a grease fire right now.
• Petrino once again has left a program better than he found but seemingly in shambles
• Its a complex problem and John L. Smith is not the man for the job - plain and simple
• Saban and his squad will lay waste to Arkansas
• Look for The Tide to win this one going away
• Alabama's defense is once again too good. Keep an eye on #54 Jesse Williams.
• I like the Tide by 2+ TDs

(Photo courtesy of www.texarkanagazette.com)

North Carolina at Louisville (3:30 PM)

• Now this has the makings for an overtime game, if I ever saw one
• UNC in Week 1 lit it up against Elon, then losses to Wake Forest in a close one
• Louisville lapped Kentucky in Week 1, then beat Missouri State soundly
• Bryn Renner is a pretty efficient QB for UNC
• I like UNC to pull this one out by a field goal in overtime

(Photo courtesy of Keith Coward)

Virginia at Georgia Tech (3:30 PM)

• This is a stark contrast in ground games
• Georgia Tech's running attack is pretty good
• Virginia's not so much
• Tech's defense is better too
• Georgia Tech will be riding high, especially after everyone gets revved up after seeing the newly unveiled Bobby Dodd statue this weekend
• Georgia Tech wins this one by 2 TDs

(Photo courtesy of www.fromtherumbleseat.com)

Florida at Tennessee (6:00 PM)

• I'm really surprised CBS didn't pull and SEC double header on this one
• None the less ESPN has it and Game Day will be there
• Lee Corso shenanigans aside this should be a doosie
• Florida won a big road test last weekend in College Station with no relevant game footage to go on
• They essentially shutdown A&M in the second half and that's where Florida's defense came into their own this year
• Tennessee is looking much better this year, with essentially a new coach staff around Coach Dooley
• But let's be honest NC State is middle of the pack ACC and Georgia State? C'mon
• Edge goes the Gator Defense behind: Shariff Floyd, Dominique Easley, Jon Bostic, and Jelani Jenkins
• If you don't know these guys, you will after Saturday
• Tyler Bray is a heck of QB and I think he'll have a good day - if not a tough one, but a timely interception will prove to be the difference
• Gators series winning streak is at 7
• Gators win this one by 7 and move it to 8 in a row on the Vols

(Photo courtesy of Kim Klement)

Southern Cal at Stanford (7:30 PM)

• This is the west coast game of the day
• Both teams have played a little cat and mouse in preparations for this one
• Its a tight balancing act, showcasing your stuff on a national stage, but keeping some the finer details hidden from an upcoming in-conference opponent
• Another game that on paper looks like it could go to overtime, but I like Matt Barkley in this one
• He's a 5th year senior who is taking 1 class this year, so he's got all day- check that all week to study film and practice for the upcoming opponent
• In contrast Stanford's Junior QB, Josh Nunes is nothing to scoff at, but taking 1 class at USC versus a full load at Stanford...you do the math
• Too many weapons for Stanford to deal with this year: Silas Redd (RB), Robert Woods (WR), and Marqise Lee (WR) will be too much to handle minus Coach Harbaugh and Andrew Luck (both are in the NFL now)
• Southern Cal wins this one by 7

(Photo courtesy of Tom Melton)

Notre Dame at Michigan State (8:00 PM)

• A perfectly timed we're kind of in the ACC press conference and oh yeah Notre Dame is on during prime time this Saturday night on ABC = Ratings Bonanza
• You saw my notes at the top, I think the officials propped Notre Dame up a little during the 2 minute drill. 
• Not saying they would not have won, but you go pop in the tape and tell me something does not smell a little fishy
• That aside both coaches are steering their teams in the right direction for sure
• MSU's defense is stout but so is ND's
• I think this one comes down to QB play + RB
• I give the edge to MSU and this is by virtue of one man - Le'Veon Bell. He's on my watch list this year. As a Junior he's approaching 2000 yards. 
• If anyone is up to the task is Manti Te'o
• Looks like an epic showdown and worthy of a primetime slot
• Take the phone off the hook for this one, because if history serves us right this one is coming down the  wire
• Could easily go either way, but Coach Dantonio, one of the best in the biz, pulls out another against The Irish
• MSU by a field goal

(Photo courtesy of Gregory Shamus)

Texas at Ole Miss (9:15 PM)

• I'm bucking the system and still calling them The Rebels
• The nation will be flipping back between this and Notre Dame and this will hold the audience for sure
• Can Coach Mack Brown get his act together?  Doubtful but he's got Manny Diaz running his Defense and he's no slouch
• Does Texas have enough to stop the Ole Miss ground game which has been electric?
• Probably
• If you were paying attention, you noticed that a Rebel defensive back, Trae Elston, was suspended for this game for a nasty goal line play to stop a touch down. I use the word nasty loosely here, as it was a potential scoring play for the opponent. People will reply with defenseless play, but I honestly thought in the heat of the moment that it was a helluva play, and he should be playing in this game. Just my 2 cents
• Decide for yourself: VIDEO
• Bo Wallace could have one helluva coming out party if they can pull this one out in Oxford
• Texas wins by 10

(Photo courtesy of www.clarionledger.com)

Week 2 - Games to Keep an Eye On

We've got one week in the bag. Michigan was destroyed by Alabama. Southern Cal, Clemson, Tennessee all put on good shows. I was extremely impressed by Le'Veon Bell (Michigan State), Andre Ellington (Clemson), Matt Barkley (Southern Cal), Tyler Bray (Tenn.), Todd Gurley (Georgia), Marcus Mariota (Oregon) and T.J. Yeldon (Alabama). They all had monster week 1 games, and it will be fun to keep an eye on them as the year progresses.

With Week 2 upon us, let's dive into the key matchups.


Miami at Kansas State (Saturday Noon)

• Miami is coming off a pretty good road win to start the season. They beat up Boston College, but the game was a little sloppy and lackluster for my taste.
• Duke Johnson is the real deal for Miami. He blew it up last week (7 carries, 135 yards & 2 TDs).
• This weekend's matchup versus K-State is a much different animal. Remember K-State beat Miami last year, and they play much better ball the Boston College
• K-State has not been shutout in over 190 games (longest streak in BIG-12)
• Look for Kansas State to have their hands full, but to win this one by a field goal with solid D and a great running attack

(Photo courtesy Al Diaz)

Auburn at Mississippi State (Saturday Noon)

• These two programs really hate each other. Last year's matchup or the year before for that matter.
• Bottom line these games are always exciting and close
• Keep both eyes on this one
• Auburn got a little roughed up against a solid and not yet 100% Clemson squad last week in the Dome. Tackling was poor and the offense was pretty vanilla.
• Miss. State is fired up for this one and Dan is looking for Win #2 and with a solid QB in Tyler Russel at the helm, I can understand why
• I see Auburn going 0-2 and loosing this one by 7

(Photo courtesy of Vince Ferrara)

 

East Carolina at South Carolina (Saturday 12:30 PM)

• Scary news out of last week's game. Conner Shaw with a deep bruise on throwing arm. Look for more of the same as he really likes to run
• Lattimore is back and after a 1st touch fumbe he reeled of 2 TDs and 110 yards
• And boy did DJ Swearinger get away with a pass interference late in the game. Vandy would have had the ball late in the game on the other side of the 50 with less than 2 minutes to play down by 4. Deep sigh of relief USC fans the SEC officials had your back.
• South Carolina should be concerned in the big picture - I don't see anyone on the edge that scares me. Maybe a WR will step up in Alshon's absence...either way they've got Lattimore and a stingy defense up front
• South Carolina will pull away around halftime and never look back

(Photo courtesy of Streeter Lecka)

Florida at Texas A&M (Saturday 3:30 PM)

• Welcome to the 2012 season and to the SEC
• A&M did not play last week, so it's a blessing and a curse
• They have plenty of time to prepare for Florida, who really has nothing to game plan against since there is no relevant game footage of them, but they could come out a little rusty due to no live reps
• Florida looked rough against Bowling Green. For a second there, I thought we were going to have an upset. Florida is very bland on offense and lacking in confidence
• Driskel is the QB but I'm not so sure if it will not take him until mid-season to hit stride behind that shaky Offensive Line. Defense is pretty good, but there are holes.
• I'm looking for A&M to make a splash and pull an upset

(Photo courtesy of Sam Greenwood)

Washington at LSU (Saturday 7:00 PM)

• LSU trotted out ex-UGA quarterback Zach Mettenberger and he looked as UGA predicted pretty darn good.
• LSU's ground game and defense picked up right where they were last year and they played and all around solid game
• Washington will have their hands full in this
• Look for LSU to win by 4 TDs

(Photo courtesy of Richard Reddman)

Nebraska at UCLA (Saturday 7:30 PM)

• Taylor Martinez lit it up against Southern Miss. You might say well its Southern Miss. 354 yards passing and 5 TDs is stout whatever you're measuring against.
• Coach Pellini has Nebraska charting towards the top in almost every statistical category and I expect them to keep it up with solid play again on Saturday and lace up UCLA
• Nebraska has a solid ground game that balances everything out with Ameer Abdullah and Rex Burkhead in the backfield
• Look for Nebraska to win by 10

Georgia at Missouri (Saturday 7:45 PM)

• This weekend's marquee game of the day as Missouri is formally introduced with an in-conference matchup against Georgia.
• This is the 5 star take the phone off the hook game of the day
• Expect a lot of UGA fans to be in attendance (with the Falcons in KC on Sunday, many are making a big football weekend out of it)
• Missouri will be pumped and Franklin is an amazing dual threat QB
• Missouri also has a stud freshman in Dorial Green-Beckham, but don't get caught looking because WR Jimmie Hunt can get it done too
• If UGA's defense is up to the task they should handle business and come home with a W
• Aaron Murray is veteran at this point, Todd Gurley made a big Freshman splash last weekend
• UGA will have to play sound defense where they keep their lanes to mitigate Franklin's running out of the pocket
• Latest from the program is Alec Ogletree, Bacarri Rambo, Chase Vasser, & Sanders Commings will not play in Saturday night's game (all starters)
• All that aside, I like GA by 10+ in this one

Week 1 - Games to Keep an Eye On

So the new season is almost here. It has been some time since we saw Bama vs LSU in the rematch game. Glad to put that one behind us. SEC vs SEC is not the way it was intended. Diminished the regular season and proves that its harder to win SEC Championship than National Championship. All that aside, we've got a new season in front of us, and we have some tasty match ups for Week 1.



South Carolina at Vandy (Thursday 7:00 PM)

• This is the Thursday night ESPN College Football season opener
• I've been really impressed with the changes going on at Vanderbilt, expect them to continue to get better and steal recruits from the competition. Coach Franklin is the real deal, and I like his fire.
• In the end South Carolina has good QB and one of the best, if not the best tailback in the country with Marcus Lattimore.
• Gamecocks win this one but its a little closer than they like.
• And be sure to catch Coach Spurrier as he heads into the locker room, its just about the best part the game.

(Photo courtesy of ESPN)

Tennessee vs NC State (Friday 7:30 PM)

• This one is in the Georgia Dome
• Tennessee dropped Da'Rick Rogers this week and lost some offensive firepower, but also cut off some of the drama & distractions - hurts up front, but probably best in the long run
• I am not overly impressed with NC State. The running backs need to step up. 
•  I expect this one to be tight, but I like Tenn to pull away late and win by 7

Boise State at Michigan State (Friday 8:00 PM)

• Michigan State at home coming off a really good season last year, combined with Boise State loosing everyone essentially of consequence this year, has me going with The Spartans in this one
• Coach Dantonio is a class act.
• Sparty by 14

Notre Dame vs Navy (Saturday 9:00 AM)

• This is being played in Dublin, Ireland and you have to give them credit, as this is a pretty cool locale for a season opener
• East Coasters get to live like West Coasters and get some College Football for breakfast - finally!
• Coach Kelly is getting The Fighting Irish pointed in the right direction.
• Look for Notre Dame to run it up, respectfully. I like The Irish by 21.

Buffalo at Georgia (Saturday Noon)

• Aaron Murray has a lot to prove in many Dawg Fans' eyes. Can he win the tight games again highly ranked opponents?
• Luckily today is not the day he has to worry about that.
• Dawgs will get to showcase the new offensive line and trot out all the tailbacks to further define the RB rotation
• Dawgs Defense should be exemplary. Coach Gratham has been the man behind the Dawgs resurgence.
• I like Georgia in this to win by 5 TDs

(Photo courtesy of Danny Bishop)

Marshall at West Virginia (Saturday Noon)

• Marshall puts a lot of importance on this game. WVU not so much, but that's because they win these games.
• Expect the trend to continue here. Coming off the bowl thrashing against Clemson the last time we saw them, I highly expect West Virginia to make a statement game.
• I like WVU by 35

Southern Miss at Nebraska (Saturday 3:30 PM)

• Coach Pelini has Nebraska heading in the right direction
• Southern Miss has the ability to sneak up on people
• I don't think they'll beat Nebraska, but I do like them to cover
• I see Nebraska winning by 14 or so

Clemson vs Auburn (Saturday 7:00 PM)

• This is one of the better southern cross-conference rivalries out there
• No love is lost between these two programs and from Dabo's crying episode the last time they met (when Clemson won), I'm sure Chizik & company have not forget and hope to make Dabo cry with a different outcome this year.
• Look for Auburn to come out gunning and Clemson will struggle to keep up minus Sammy
• Auburn by 7

Michigan vs Alabama (Saturday 8:00 PM)

• This one is being played in Cowboy Stadium
• Many wonder if Alabama is overrated this year. They did lose a lot of talent to the NFL, but that seems like every year.
• Coach Saban is stacking up talent like no other
• I'm going with the Tide until I see different on the field
• Take The Crimson Tide. I like them winning by 17

Kentucky vs Louisville (Sunday 3:30 PM)

• As far as in-state rivalries go in college football, this one is pretty tame
• It is however the best game of the Sunday College Football action
• Can Joker turn this thing around? He is experiencing a post-Coach Brooks dip
• Look for Louisville to hold serve at home this year, but not cover
• I like Louisville by 10

Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (Monday 8:00 PM)

• Ahh the Labor Day ACC closer.
• You have to give props to Coach Beamer and Coach Foster. Those guys have held it together like no other.
• They face a good test on Monday night, but I like VA Tech in this one by a field goal

Week 13: Friday's Games to Keep an Eye On

I hope everyone is having a great Thanksgiving holiday weekend. I caught the Texas @ A&M game last night, and I thought the personal foul call late in the game was ludicrous. This was a great opportunity for a no-call, and not allow the game to be determine by an unnecessary penalty. But Big XII officials have a reputation for propping up Texas and stepping in to lend them a hand. Last night was no different and it seemed like another moment in a long line of head scratchers that have benefited The Longhorns.

Hopefully the Big XII egos can be set aside and this rivalry can be salvaged. The SEC handles rivalries a bit different. No one said the teams liked each other, but we never let that get in the way of good rivalry.


ARKANSAS (#3) at LSU (#1)
A lot, rightfully so, has been made of this game. The line has LSU -12, and I think Arkansas' lack of a true road win has many skeptics of Arkansas that might catch up with them today. The last time Arkansas saw a great defense (Alabama back on Sept 24th), they got shutdown when it counted most. LSU seemes to be on a path of destiny, but The Razorbacks will have their shot today in a similar fashion to '07 game. LSU had the better squad on paper, but a motivated Arkansas team walked away with the win. Petrino's offense is the 10th best passing attack in the country, and that will account for something. Matching up against LSU and finding a crease in that defense will be tough going. They'll have to use LSU's aggressiveness against them. Expect a lot of crossing routes, pick plays, and screens. I like LSU in this one. Their defense and run game are too strong, and I seem them getting more 3rd downs converted, controlling the clock and controlling the line of scrimmage.


HOUSTON (#8) AT TULSA (#27)
This game does have some extra juice on it as the CUSA West claim is at stake. This one might be closer than many think as Tulsa has been playing tough opponents throughout the year (Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Boise), but failing to win one. Tulsa has reeled off 7 wins in a row, and Houston has not lost a game November 27th of last year. Today just might be there day, but its highly unlikely as Case Keenum continues to astound and beat up on lesser foes.