2014 Week 8 Game Previews

Week 8 Game Previews

BRETT CIANCIA and MIKE NOWOSWIAT
October 16th, 2014

Simply put, this is what we do best. As evidenced by our "Most Accurate BCS Predictions" title, we take pride in our season previews and weekly game picks. As we have done each week since we launched the site, the two of us will analyze, preview, and predict the results of the best SIX games each week.
New this season: if your team's game didn't make the cut here, our conference experts have you covered. Find the links (on the RIGHT) for further analysis for every conference game not shown on this page, along with Heisman discussion and our weekly Deion Sanders Award for the Best Pick Six of the Week.

Enjoy your Football Weekend!

KANSAS STATE AT OKLAHOMA
2 years ago, Kansas State came to Norman and shocked the college football world by knocking off the #6 Sooners and in the process dealt Bob Stoops just his 4th home loss (87-5 at home). Legendary coach Bill Snyder has developed another tough squad, one that is continually overlooked by the national media. Under center, he has a former JUCO record-breaker and currently developing star in Jake Waters. Not only is his passing game efficient, this season we have seen the return of the KSU-specific “QB delay-draw” in which the quarterback gets the shotgun snap, and then ever so patiently waits for blocks to develop up the middle. Collin Klein mastered this in his Heisman-finalist season 2 years ago, and Waters seems comfortable with a similar role here in 2014 (he is the team’s leading rusher in yards AND carries). His counterpart, Trevor Knight, seems to be trending in the other direction. His breakout performance in the Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, the game where he could simply do no wrong, unfortunately set wild expectations at unattainable heights. Knight has been adequate, but a shell of that Saban-killer we saw in January. But behind an offensive line so hefty that it would rate as the #2 biggest line in the NFL, the Sooners identity is based on its ground attack. A stable of weapons have shared the rock, surely helping Knight open up the play-action game.
Can the Wildcats do it again here in Norman? Are we due for another dose of the Snyder Magic? I say yes. Despite what the scoreboard read (20-14 Auburn), KSU played their hearts out and should have knocked off the Top-5 visitors from the SEC. KSU threw away at least 12-16 points, 3 missed field goals, and a dropped pass turned interception in the endzone. I saw a team that played with fire, intensity, and no fear or intimidation of its higher-ranked opponent. The bye week heading into this showdown also bodes well for the ‘Cats. Meanwhile, Oklahoma is coming off an emotional and physical two-week stretch that started with a road upset loss in Fort Worth, followed by a rivalry win over Texas at the State Fair. OU looked underwhelming despite the victory; lowly Texas gained 482 yards on the Sooner D, while Knight’s unit only amassed 232! Kansas State starts its season-defining 4 game stretch with a road upset win.
Kansas State 31 Oklahoma 30

VIRGINIA AT DUKE
Duke is coming off a huge 2013 season and a huge win against Georgia Tech. The Yellow Jackets had won ten straight in the series, so chalk up another milestone achievement for David Cutcliffe as his program continues to climb to new heights. Duke gained its form after its bye week, much needed after a drubbing in Miami the week prior. In that game, Anthony Boone looked terrible and Cutcliffe continued to put him in a position to fail. It got to the point where you just knew Boone was going to throw and you knew it was going to hit the turf. Against Georgia Tech, Duke rushed for 242 yards and three touchdowns while Boone completed 61.5% of his passes for a touchdown and no interceptions. He hit on a number of crucial passes and looked very good operating the offense. Unfortunately for Duke, this Virginia defense resembles nothing of Georgia Tech. UVA’s defense is one of the best units in the country, let alone the ACC, and it’s going to continue to get better. Henry Coley and Eli Harold are among the nation’s sack leaders while true freshman Quin Blanding is among the nation’s tackle leaders. This defense is why I have the Cavaliers as my favorite to win the ACC Coastal even though the offense is a work in progress. Matt Johns has been average at best, but the running game has improved in the last three weeks. Against Pitt, Kevin Parks wore the Panthers down on 29 carries for 169 yards and a score. This Blue Devil defense is solid, but not markedly better than Pittsburgh’s unit. Look for Virginia to run the ball a lot and out-muscle Duke.
Virginia 24 Duke 16

OKLAHOMA STATE AT TCU
After taking #1 Florida State to the wire on opening day, Oklahoma State has quietly reeled off 5 straight wins and is easily the least talked about Top 15 team in the nation. Their opponent, TCU, is very much in the national spotlight after upsetting #4 Oklahoma and blowing a 21-point 4th quarter lead to #5 Baylor. This top-15 battle will go a long way in shaping the league standings as both teams have different 2nd halves of their season. Oklahoma State has taken care of business against the Big12 basement dwellers so far, but clearly lacks the offensive flash that Gundy’s Cowboy teams have become known for. Filling in for starter JW Walsh, Daxx Garman has been adequate under center (55% completion, 10-5 TD-INT) but still the offense is not up to its usual high standards. The 6 hardest teams in the league still remain on the schedule, 4 of which are ranked. OSU’s young secondary will need to step up for this upcoming gauntlet, especially considering the Big12’s passing tendency.
For TCU, the offensive firepower is surely there, and quarterback Trevone Boykin is expected to start despite rumors of a wrist injury earlier this week. I expected Patterson’s defense to slow down Baylor’s vaunted attack, and for 3.5 quarters, it did enough to put TCU in a position to win. Then the 24 straight points happened in the final 8 minutes. Big 12 showdown aside, I still have some faith in the Frog Defense, and expect a bounce back this Saturday. Oklahoma State has coasted by and somehow fell into the top 15 for beating NO ONE. This ends here, and there is a chance that OSU drops 5 of its next 6 games. I would pick TCU to win by a bigger margin but they are coming off of two incredibly physical and emotional games with no bye week.
TCU 38 Oklahoma State 30

TEXAS A&M AT ALABAMA
Alabama is coming off of a hard fought 14-13 victory over a respectable opponent in Arkansas, while A&M is looking to recover after a 35-20 loss to Ole Miss. Unfortunately for the Aggies, they will not be able to rely on the magic of Johnny Football to go into Bryant-Denny and pull out a victory as they did two years prior. Indeed, Kenny Hill started the season with extraordinary numbers, but recently in the face of pressure, he has not been able to perform at the level that the Aggies need in order to win. Expect a similar story this week against the Crimson Tide. With Alabama’s impressive front line, the Crimson Tide should be able to limit both Hill and running back Trey Williams, who have collectively scored 28 touchdowns for A&M. Offensively, Alabama has struggled as of late, scoring 17 points against Ole Miss and a mere 14 points last week. However, I expect Alabama’s running game to come alive this week and put up big numbers. Alabama will look to control the clock to limit A&M’s up-tempo offense, and as a result both Yeldon and Henry should have impressive games. In the end, it is looking like it will be a good night for the Crimson Tide fans in Tuscaloosa.
Alabama 24 Texas A&M 17

NOTRE DAME AT FLORIDA STATE
There are three guarantees in life: death, taxes, and a weekly Jameis Winston scandal. This week, Winston has been accused of signing autographs for money, providing the ‘Noles with yet another unneeded distraction as they prepare to face a top 5 opponent in Notre Dame. While Winston has brought unwanted attention to the Seminole program this fall, he still remains the reigning Heisman trophy winner and is a huge contributor to their 6-0 start. In this match-up, look for a shootout as both offenses are explosive and capable of putting up big numbers. Just last week, Florida State put up 38 points and the Fighting Irish put up a staggering 50. Defensive end Mario Edwards Jr. will wreak havoc for the Seminoles, but I expect Notre Dame to respond with big performances from Everett Golson and WR WIlliam Fuller. That said, I believe Winston and Rashad Greene will torch Notre Dame’s defense and out-duel the Fighting Irish in a high-scoring affair.
Florida State 41 Notre Dame 40

STANFORD AT ARIZONA STATE
2013 was a success for the Arizona State Sun Devils, as they finished the regular season 10-2 and won the South Division title. But two losses, including the Pac-12 Championship Game, were to defending champs Stanford. The Cardinal was the lone hurdle the Devils couldn’t pass. A year later, those same physical, tough, disciplined guys from Stanford are coming to the desert to attempt to quench ASU’s latest triumph – a Hail Mary victory over USC. Arizona State backup QB Mike Bercovici passed for over 500 yards in the win, and has been an efficient replacement for star Taylor Kelly, who Coach Graham claims “will return” Saturday. The extent of his return – 5 plays or 50 plays – remains unseen. Without a fully capable Kelly, ASU loses a threat of mobility from the QB spot, as Bercovici is more a pocket passer. In either case, the ASU offense has lived up to its high-octane praise, and is again ranked in the top 10 in passing and top 15 in scoring. The Irresistible Force meets the Immovable Object when ASU faces the nasty Stanford defense – no unit in America allows fewer points.
In addition to its star-studded group, another form of defense will be the ball-control offense keeping the ball away from ASU. Stanford slows the game down, and when it determines tempo, they are hard to beat. While this isn’t the Stanford rushing juggernaut of past years, the ASU defense has more than its share of weaknesses. Look for Stanford to “win first down,” often gaining 6 or 7 yards on 1st down carries, as they methodically drive on ASU. Ty Montgomery is a weapon every time he touches the ball, and I expect him to deliver impact plays both on offense and in the return game. In PAC-12 league games this fall, the road team is an amazing 14-4 …. Look for the trend to continue.
Stanford 30 Arizona State 20

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