GAME PREVIEW: MICHIGAN STATE AT IOWA (10/30/2010)

Being undefeated and at the top of the polls this year has truly been a scary spot to be in. Just ask Bama, Ohio State, and Oklahoma, where all three were undefeated, holding onto the lead spot and ended up losing. With Halloween weekend approaching, the casualties are piling up, and I don't see this weekend being any different. 

Michigan State is currently undefeated and 5 in the nation, but they got into a back alley fist fight last week against Northwestern. They barely got out alive. It took some late stops and completely turning things around with an unbelievable 4th Quarter where they ended up putting 21 points to win. This week they face Iowa in Iowa City.

Let's take a closer look:


MICHIGAN STATE (8-0) AT IOWA (5-2)
3:30 PM - ESPN/ABC

It has been said that it is better to be lucky than good. MSU is both. They showed some serious resolve this past weekend as they stayed calm and collected on the road against Northwestern. They trailed all game, but MSU put up 21 points in the 4th Quarter and rallied to win. Some might look at it and say Northwestern choked, but anyone watching the game would clearly say that Michigan State rose up and took it.

The fake punt, dubbed "The Mouse Trap" by Coach Dantonio was another thing of beauty. With just over 14 minutes to go in the game, MSU was down by 10 points, on Northwestern's 31 yard line and facing a 4th and 6, Coach Dantonio sends out the punt team, takes the delay of game to push it back 5 yards and give their punter a better angle to punt...or so we thought. After they mark off the 5 yards, the ball is now at the NW 36 yard line, the punter gets the snap, takes a step and rears up to complete the 4th and 11 to #13 Bennie Fowler. Northwestern never saw it coming. No one did, and the very next play was a touchdown. The come back was alive and Northwestern could not get it together. The Spartans remained undefeated for another week, but this week coming up is a tough road game in Iowa.

MSU has been living on the edge. They have also been playing a hard fought but somewhat charmed season. They just left the state of Michigan for the first time this season last week. I think another road game does them in. I think the luck runs out in Iowa City. That front 4 for Iowa is going to shutdown MSU's run game and make them 1 dimensional. Iowa was given the blue print on how to slow down MSU by Northwestern -- excluding the 4th Quarter of course. This week I think Iowa closes the deal and recovers from last week's heartbreaking loss to Wisconsin. This game will be close the whole way, but Iowa wins by a late field goal.

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WEEK 8: BIG GAMES OF THE WEEK

As Week 8 approaches there are a couple of really important and standout games. Let's take a look at the best of Saturday.

LSU (7-0) AT AUBURN (7-0)
3:30 PM - CBS
The prime time game of the day features one of the luckiest men in college football, Les Miles going up against the current best player in the country, Cam Newton. Cam has 13 TDs in the passing game and 12 rushing TDs this year. Those are some stout numbers as we enter Week 8.



Auburn's defense has been shaky, but they are still very capable of stepping up when needed. Auburn's Offense can score so quick that their defense is back on the field before they have time to sit down.



As for LSU, they have one of the very best players in the country in Patrick Peterson (CB). He could have a very big day if Newton puts it in the air too often. So far he has 8 career interceptions at LSU. I think Chizik will have a run-heavy attack planned with a couple tricks to keep LSU on its heels.


When it comes to stats, look no further than these:

1. Auburn leads the SEC in points per game with 40.7 (LSU is near the bottom of the SEC with 26.7)

2. Auburn is 3rd in the SEC on 3rd Downs with almost 50% (LSU is middle of the pack with 40%)

3. LSU's defense is allowing just 14.4 a game which is 2nd best in the SEC (Auburn is allowing 24.4)

4. Auburn has 1986 yards on the ground versus LSU's 1318.


Coach Chizik has it going in the right direction on The Plains, and the success Auburn is seeing is directly attributed to Cameron Newton coming to town. He's a winner, and I think Les Miles' luck runs out this Saturday. Look for Auburn by 7.

(Auburn photo courtesy of Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(LSU photo courtesy of Michael DeMocker/The Times-Picayune)


WISCONSIN (6-1) AT IOWA (5-1)
3:30 PM - ABC
Wisconsin is coming off a big time win as they knocked #1 Ohio State off its perch. That #1 spot is really tough to hold this year, as Bama fell from that spot the previous week.

Starting the game off with a kickoff return for a touchdown really set the tone. Then holding off Ohio State in the 4th Quarter and putting them away really sealed the deal. That win was no fluke.

Bret Bielema has a really solid team this year, in my opinion led by John Clay at running back. He epitomizes what this team is all about: Big, Physical, and Tough.

This match up is so good because Iowa's defense matches up pound for pound. They are big and physical too. Iowa's front 4 on Defense is probably the best D Line in the country. They get it done. With leaders like Broderick Binns, Adrian Clayborn, Christian Ballard and Karl Klug clogging things up and making life miserable for opposing offenses, it is easy to understand why.

Currently the Iowa defense is 6th overall allowing their opponent to just 13.2 points a game. Make no mistake, this Defense can shut it down.



But let's be honest: Who has Iowa really played this year? Arizona? I guess, but in a close one they ended up losing that game.

I'm taking Wisconsin and John Clay in a punishing ball controlled game plan. I like the Badgers by a field goal.





(Wisconsin photo courtesy of Morry Gash/AP)
(Iowa photo courtesy of Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) 

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GAMES OF THE WEEK: SEC EDITION

Week 7 is upon us, and we've got some really good games this weekend. With BCS getting ready to release its initial numbers Week 7 is no time to take your eye off the prize. There are some teams that really have to keep it together. A key clash on The Plains, UGA VIII joins the team, and Alabama returns to the field after being shown the door last week in Gamecock country. Let's take a closer look at the SEC games this week.





VANDERBILT (2-3) AT GEORGIA (2-4)
NOON - SEC NETWORK/ESPN
Georgia introduces a new UGA today, UGA VIII.The collar will be passed, and a new chapter beings in Athens. Watching Georgia last weekend, I was overwhelmed with how fast Aaron Murray actually is. He really does not the get the "running-spotlight", as Georgia runs more of pro set, but I think Richt & Bobo will find more and more ways to get him out in space with roll outs and moving the pocket. The Georgia tailback tandem is up to their usual tricks, and Caleb King will not be playing this one due to a failure to show up in court. Calling all college interns - I have a job for you. Drive the Georgia football players around and keep them out of trouble. I guarantee it will be a full time job. Way to stay focused, Dawgs. Regardless, this Georgia team should have a good day at home. Murray has been getting better and better each week, and that will continue today. I see A.J. Green lighting up Vandy, just as he did last year on the road in Nashville. Keep an eye out for Freshman Ken Malcome, especially if Ealey puts the ball on the turf. There has been discussion about red shirting him, but he might get in today as the Dawgs are really thin at tailback these days. UGA VII gets his first W. Look for UGA by 17.


ARKANSAS (4-1) AT AUBURN (6-0)
3:30 PM - CBS
Looks like this will be an instant classic on The Plains as two highly ranked teams square off in this SEC West showdown. When you look at it we're talking about two Heisman hopefuls leading their teams as Cam Newton leads the 8th ranked rushing offense in the land against Ryan Mallett's 3rd ranked passing offense. Should be some fireworks in this one for sure. The two key match ups for me are (#1) How Auburn's secondary holds up against Ryan Mallett's attack, and (#2) How does Arkansas' defense even begin to stop Cam Newton. Auburn has been rolling this year. They are unbeaten, and they put down Ark State, Miss State, Clemson, South Carolina, Louisiana-Monroe, and Kentucky. They are tried and tested in my book. Arkansas on the other hand has beaten Tenn Tech, Louisiana-Monroe, Georgia, and Texas A&M, but they most noticeably let a big one get away, as the lost to Bama at home. If they can't beat Bama at home, I don't think they'll be able to beat Auburn in Jordan-Hare. Look for the Tigers in this one by 7.


SOUTH CAROLINA (4-1) AT KENTUCKY (3-3)
6:00 PM - ESPN2
In what looks like a trap game for Carolina, Coach Spurrier is going to have his hands full up in Lexington. Kentucky in some circles has The Gamecocks right where they want them. The Gamecocks are coming off such a big game in Columbia against Bama, and Carolina will have to quickly refocus and stay on target here if they want to continue their trek to Atlanta. If Derrick Locke is out, then I really like Carolina's chances, but Kentucky is tough. From a statistical standpoint Kentucky has a lot of the edges: (Passing Yards, Rushing Yards, Points Scored), but Carolina has the edge in two key stats Points Against and overall record. The stats don't amount to whole lot if you have 3 losses. Look for Lattimore to continue having a great season. He'll have a 100+ yards and a couple TDs, and Carolina wins this one by 10.


MISSISSIPPI STATE (4-2) AT FLORIDA (4-2)
7:00 PM - ESPNU
Who would have predicted back in the summer that these two teams would be squaring off, both at 4-2. The loser of this one, goes home with their 3rd SEC loss on the year. Dan Mullen has things revving up, and Florida's fans are piling on Offensive Coordinator, Steve Addazio. By my take, if Addazio looses this one and loses ugly, then he might be looking for another job. Welcome to life after Tebow. Statistically Miss State is a better team in a lot of areas. Florida is in the middle of an identity crisis and really beginning to feel the departure of its intellectual property (Charlie Strong, former D Coordinator, and former O Coordinator, Dan Mullen). On that note, look for Dan Mullen's squad to play tough, but their lack of a big time set of receivers really hurts them in a game like this. Florida by 7.



OLE MISS (3-2) AT ALABAMA (5-1)
9:00 PM - ESPNU
Talk about walking into a bad situation. Ole Miss has the unlucky fortune of going up against Bama this week in their house. Bama got roughed up a bit after they got it handed to them in Columbia, SC. Massoli could be running for his life today. Bama is going to throw the kitchen sink at Ole Miss this weekend and control the running game. With Julio Jones not playing this looks like a cloud of dust game. Look for Ingram and Richardson to carry the load today. Bama by 17.

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GAME PREVIEW: ILLINOIS AT MICHIGAN STATE

There are a couple of unbeaten teams playing in early games this coming Saturday (10/16). Most notably the 6-0 Michigan State Spartans host The Fighting Illini. MSU, led by Coach Dantonio, has been playing some inspired ball this year. Illinois is coming off a a close game with Ohio State which they ended up losing and a big time win in Happy Valley over Penn State.

Let's take a closer look.

Illinois (3-2) @ Michigan State (6-0)
Noon - Big Ten Network

Michigan State is undefeated. They have taken down Notre Dame, Wisconsin, and Michigan. This team has some big wins under their belt, but are they due for an emotional let down? QB Kirk Cousins has been playing lights out this year. He's completing almost 70% of his passes, and he's been putting up the yards: 1416 with 10 TDs so far in 2010.


Cousins has been getting some great support from the O Line, and his young running back duo: Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell. Combined the pair has put up 1232 yards and 14 TDs. They will continue to put up great yards on Saturday, as the Illinois defense is improved from last year, but still not all the way there. This Michigan State team has seen their share of excitement both good and bad, as they beat Notre Dame in a thriller back in Week 3 on a fake field goal. The play called, "Little Giants" is definitely in the running for Play of the Year, but later that night, Coach Dantonio had a mild heart attack. He's been easing back, but that is some serious stuff, and The Spartans have answered the call by ralling around their coach. They are playing inspired football this year.

Illinois lost to Missouri in the season opener. They did not have enough to beat Missouri, who is currently undefeated at 5-0. Illinois' plan of attack will center around their Junior, Mikel Leshoure. He's been having a good year. He came up big against Penn State, where he rushed for 116 yards on 27 carries, and he caught a big time play that ended up going for 32 yards. He was instrumental in Illinois' first win in Happy Valley. Illinois' receivers will have to continue to play hard. Jenkins and Fayson will have to be ready for one of the tougher more inspired defenses they have seen all year. But let's be honest, no one is scared of Illinois' passing attack which currently ranks 114th in the country. It's all about the ground game which ranks 19th nationally. Be sure keep an eye on Michigan State's star linebacker, Greg Jones (#53). He's the real deal. As for Illinois, they have a star in cornerback Terry Hawthorne (#12).

Coach Ron Zook has been teetering on the hot seat, but he has a way of quieting the masses. I like Michigan State at home on this one. MSU will move to 7-0 and Illinois moves to 3-3. Look for the Spartans to win by 10.



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