WEEK 3
Record: 3-3
September 11th, 2012
RUTGERS at SOUTH FLORIDA
Thursday, September 13th, 7:30, ESPN. At Raymond James Stadium
After narrowly escaping Nevada, South Florida returns home to face Rutgers in a pivotal Big East matchup on Thursday night. Rutgers is undergoing a transition with new Head Coach Kyle Flood taking control of a program that has been slowly ascending dating back to the early 2000s. The Scarlet Knights are coming off of a shutout victory against Howard, and while South Florida will offer a greater challenge, it will be the Rutgers defense that will carry this team on Thursday and in future games. Howard only gained 149 yards on the ground, but the Scarlet Knights also struggled with only 321 yards of total offense. QB Gary Nova must play better this week if he wants to out-duel his counterpart BJ Daniels, who passed for 363 yards and three touchdowns in a shootout with Nevada. The USF wide receiver corp is very deep, which will pose matchup problems for a Rutgers defense that isn’t particularly deep. However, the starting 11 on Rutgers’ defense is a very stout unit and will be the difference in this game. Scarlet Nation will flex its muscles in front of a national audience on Thursday. Rutgers by 6
ALABAMA at ARKANSAS
Saturday, September 15th, 3:30, CBS. War Memorial Stadium
What a disappointing offseason it was for Razorback fans. Head Coach Bobby Petrino’s affair was exposed and he was subsequently fired for having his mistress on the payroll. Still, fans remained optimistic for the season as key players returned including Tyler Wilson and Knile Davis. Then the unthinkable happened. Arkansas lost to Louisiana Monroe, not Louisiana State, in overtime. The Razorback’s fell from number eight in the AP rankings to unranked and now they welcome defending champions and top-ranked Alabama for a game that once had national championship implications. Arkansas is still a very talented team and will be fighting for their lives on Saturday; Bama has rolled over Michigan and Western Kentucky and could be taking Arkansas lightly after their loss. Regardless of last weekend’s outcome, this game was the easiest to pick simply because of the machine the Crimson Tide have become. It is never easy to replace an all-time great defense, but Alabama has somehow managed to do that. Arkansas will have a hard time getting the offense going without its run game and NT Jesse Williams has been dominant as has the rest of the Alabama front seven. Nick Saban will not allow a let-down game, but look for Arkansas to compete this game, but ultimately lose handily. Alabama by 14
NORTH CAROLINA at LOUISVILLE
Saturday, September 15th, 3:30, ABC. Cardinal Stadium
Louisville is gaining serious momentum under Head Coach Charlie Strong and true sophomore QB Teddy Bridgewater as they are 2-0 heading into this week’s matchup with a talented North Carolina team. The Tar Heels are coming off of a disappointing performance against Wake Forest that resulted in a surprising loss. Still, UNC is a talented squad; Phil Steele picked the Tar Heels to finish atop the ACC Coastal Division. The Tar Heels may not be that good, but last week’s performance was an anomaly losing to a team like Wake Forest. While North Carolina is talented up front, they struggled to defend the pass and a matchup with one of the top QBs in the country is not what the doctor ordered as they try to solve this issue. Louisville has not really been challenged through two weeks, but did defeat a BCS school, in-state rival Kentucky. The Cardinals have outgained their opponents 941-622 and have been dominant. North Carolina will pose the greatest challenge to date, but Louisville has the advantage in the key matchups of this game. UNC has a stout offensive line and should be able to move the ball on the ground, but QB Bryn Renner must be more consistent under center. Renner is streaky and will have to come out on fire for the Tar Heels to steal this one, but the home team has the advantage and Teddy Bridgewater will continue to argue his case for the Heisman trophy while the Cardinals soar. Louisville by 7
USC at STANFORD
Saturday, September 15th, 7:30, FOX. Stanford Stadium
Last year’s 56-48 triple overtime Stanford win was one of the best games of the entire 2011 college football season. This cross-division matchup again has high stakes, as both teams enter ranked and 2-0. The only thing missing is #12, Andrew Luck. Stanford barely survived an opening week scare from lowly San Jose State (20-17), but seemed to right the ship against Duke. Josh Nunes has done a decent job replacing the legend, but this will be his first true test as a starter. For Stanford to compete, Nunes will have to match or outperform Matt Barkley; an almost impossible task. USC’s offense looks elite despite its underachieving defense. Look for the Trojan offense to outlast the Cardinal unit. The Robert Woods – Marqise Lee wide receiver duo is incredible- and that’s not even mentioning USC’s strong rushing attack led by PSu transfer Silas Redd. I think eventually Kiffin’s defense will crack, but not this week. Sad day for the Stanford Tree. USC by 10
NOTRE DAME at MICHIGAN STATE
Saturday, September 15th, 8:00, ABC. Spartan Stadium
Often overshadowed by Notre Dame’s rivalry with the Wolverines is its fierce series with the Spartans of Michigan State. The teams meet annually for the “Megaphone” and this rivalry never disappoints. The 1966 matchup is known (along with several others) as the Game of the Century, and who could forget Dantonio’s Fake FG call in overtime to secure the 2010 Spartan victory?
In the preseason I was skeptical of how MSU could replace its career passing AND receiving leaders, but they have proved themselves thus far with a solid win over Boise State, and a beatdown of Central Michigan. Dantonio has his Spartans playing at an elite level and they are looking like the most complete team in the BigTen. Meanwhile Notre Dame also enters 2-0, but the annual Brian Kelly QB rotation is back in full force. Everett Golson started Week 1 as Tommy Rees was serving a suspension, and played well in the Irish beatdown of Navy. However, late in the close game with Purdue, Golson was pulled out in favor of Rees, who led the Irish down the field to win in the closing minute. Who will Kelly start? And will they continue to split snaps? The answers to these questions may be irrelevant considering how dominant this Spartan defense is, led by DE William Gholston and CB Johnny Adams. They are yet to allow a TD on defense (both scores have been INT-TD’s thrown by MSU QB Andrew Maxwell) and will suffocate the Irish offense. MSU’s steady run-game will wear down the ND front, and should be enough to win a hard-fought, low-scoring, rivalry game. The home team has won the last 4 matchups in the Megaphone Series…make it 5. Spartans by 7
In the preseason I was skeptical of how MSU could replace its career passing AND receiving leaders, but they have proved themselves thus far with a solid win over Boise State, and a beatdown of Central Michigan. Dantonio has his Spartans playing at an elite level and they are looking like the most complete team in the BigTen. Meanwhile Notre Dame also enters 2-0, but the annual Brian Kelly QB rotation is back in full force. Everett Golson started Week 1 as Tommy Rees was serving a suspension, and played well in the Irish beatdown of Navy. However, late in the close game with Purdue, Golson was pulled out in favor of Rees, who led the Irish down the field to win in the closing minute. Who will Kelly start? And will they continue to split snaps? The answers to these questions may be irrelevant considering how dominant this Spartan defense is, led by DE William Gholston and CB Johnny Adams. They are yet to allow a TD on defense (both scores have been INT-TD’s thrown by MSU QB Andrew Maxwell) and will suffocate the Irish offense. MSU’s steady run-game will wear down the ND front, and should be enough to win a hard-fought, low-scoring, rivalry game. The home team has won the last 4 matchups in the Megaphone Series…make it 5. Spartans by 7
BYU at UTAH
Saturday, September 15th, 10:00, ESPN2. Rice-Eccles Stadium
BYU and Utah meet annually in the “Holy War” with state bragging rights on the line. Just two weeks into the 2012 season, the status of both teams are polar opposite. BYU comes into the matchup surging and ranked in the polls for the first time since 2009, after a dominate win over Mike Leach’s WSU on opening night, and a demolition of lowly Weber State. Meanwhile, Utah limps into this Saturday after losing to Utah State (first time since 1997), and losing starting QB Jordan Wynn to injury. Utah’s replacement, Jon Hays is very capable and experienced, but faces a tough Cougar defense. The energy level and emotion displayed by Mendenhall’s defense is extremely high; they are playing inspired football, and expect nothing less in this rivalry game. BYU QB Riley Nelson has been effective, but the run game is what separates them. The deep stable of running backs will collide with All-American DT Star Lotulelei, but he can’t single-handedly stop them. BYU simply has more playmakers and offensive firepower and will take down the hometown Utes. BYU by 10
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