WEEK 7
Record: 4-2
TEXAS vs OKLAHOMA
Saturday, October 13th, NOON, ABC. at Dallas
The Red River Rivalry in Dallas is one of the most iconic traditions of the fall, and always a competitive game with conference title implications. Both teams have struggled at times this year: Oklahoma failed to produce offensively against Kansas State, while the highly touted Texas defense has been unable to stop anybody. QB Landry Jones and the Sooner offense has failed to meet the high expectations so far, only averaging 28 points per game against Division 1 opponents. However, OU did take a step forward last week in its 41-20 beatdown of Texas Tech. The rushing attack, while efficient, has still yet to put it all together in a big game; the deep stable of running backs (Williams, Whaley, Finch, Clay) sure have the potential to do it this week against a underachieving Longhorn defense. Despite having several NFL prospects, Mack Brown’s defense has been torched week in and week out and has relied heavily on its offense to win shoot-outs. While QB David Ash has UT at a level of offense unseen since the Colt McCoy era, this OU defense will be the toughest he has faced so far this fall. Look for the Longhorn offense to struggle a little bit early on, as it will take a few series to adjust to the elite level of defense they are facing. I think Landry Jones will build off of last week’s success, wear the Golden Hat for a third straight year, and return OU to the top 10. Oklahoma by 7
SYRACUSE vs RUTGERS
Saturday, October 13th, NOON, ESPN3. at Rutgers Stadium
Syracuse QB Ryan Nassib took the nation by storm throwing for 470 yards in a week one loss against Northwestern. Aside from Nassib’s great play, there hasn’t been much to write home about the Orange’s season. However, a 14-13 victory against a solid Pittsburgh team has given the Orange optimism heading into the heart of its Big East season. They could have benefited from a few more victories before taking on a Rutgers team that has absolutely smothered opponents thus far, including South Florida and Arkansas. Mike Flood has conducted a seamless transition after the departure of Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano, leading the Scarlet Knights to a 5-0 record and a top 5 defense allowing only 10.8 points per game. Rutgers has grander plans this season than simply winning the Big East, including going to a BCS bowl for the first time and competing for the National Championship. While the Big East Title and a BCS bowl are very well within the realm of possibility, National Title talks may be a bit much. But looking at the schedule, there are only two more ranked teams on the schedule—Cincinnati and South Florida—and the possibility of going undefeated is not outrageous. Still, Rutgers has a lot to prove before it can begin to discuss this as a possibility and a win against Syracuse should be clockwork for a team of this caliber. While I do not believe Rutgers has the talent to win a National Championship, my bold prediction is that the Scarlet Knights stay undefeated and enter National Title talks by the end of the season, regardless of how ridiculous that may be. Rutgers by 10
FRESNO STATE at BOISE STATE
Saturday, October 13th, 3:30, NBC Sports. at Bronco Stadium
This matchup usually was the deciding game in the WAC before both teams joined the Mountain West. The battle for the “Milk Can” has significant conference title implications yet again as both are undefeated in the MWC so far. Boise State has dominated this west coast rivalry, winning the last 10 of 11 matchups! However, this Bronco team is different than their BCS busters of the past, they lack a dominant offense. With very-average QB Joe Southwick at the helm, BSU has only averaged 26 points a game (77th in NCAA). The defense has been the sole reason for the 5-1 record, and scored the teams only points in the 7-6 win over BYU. The Boise offense can’t afford to disappear in the spotlight like it did against Michigan State and BYU, because Fresno State has an elite unit that sure can put up points. Quarterback Derek Carr has put up crazy stats (1816 yards, 18 TD) so far; the Bulldog attack is far from one-dimensional though, with star RB Robbie Rouse averaging 118 yards per game. As for the Bulldog defense, it has struggled at times, ‘held’ Oregon to 42 points, but this BSU offense is a far cry from the point-a-minute machine from Eugene. I think Boise State has glaring issues on offense, and is currently riding its name and past success into the top 25 rankings. This will be a matchup of strengths when FSU has the ball, but look for Carr and Rouse to do enough to win this key MWC battle. This is the year (finally) that the Milk Can returns to the ‘Valley’…Fresno by 3
STANFORD at NOTRE DAME
Saturday, October 13th, 3:30, NBC. at Notre Dame Stadium
Notre Dame has started this season very…un-Notre Dame like. Usually we can tell by a coach’s third year at a school if it will work out long-term, and it seems like the Irish have finally found there man in Brian Kelly. It is not the offense—Kelly’s supposed expertise—that is carrying this football team, but rather the defense that has absolutely smothered opponents through this gauntlet of a schedule that now has the 17th ranked Stanford Cardinal coming to town. We have undervalued Notre Dame throughout this season in favor of flashy, sexy teams like Oklahoma and USC. USC, while still a very good team, was knocked off by Stanford earlier this season. Stanford has been inconsistent against solid opponents, beating Southern Cal, and Arizona, while losing to Washington. Similarly, while Notre Dame has not had an easy game, with the exception of Navy, it has not played any elite teams, but rather very solid teams such as Michigan, Michigan State, and Miami. Look for Notre Dame to shut down the Stanford rushing attack with All-American candidates Stephon Tuitt and Manti Te’o anchoring a dominant front seven. The question will be if Josh Nunes can be effective without the usual output on the ground; Notre Dame has not allowed a touchdown in its last three games and is looking like an elite unit—Nunes should struggle. Look for a very low scoring game with the home team coming out on top, and reclaiming the Legends Trophy. Notre Dame by 6
OREGON STATE at BYU
Saturday, October 13th, 3:30, ABC. at LaVell Edwards Stadium
After being picked last in the Pac-12 North by the media, Coach Mike Riley has his Oregon State Beavers back in the rankings- entering this week as a top 10 team! I personally am not sure quite how they earned their #10 ranking, considering both of their ‘big wins’ (Wisconsin and UCLA) are losing luster by the week. Much of OSU’s success is due to the efficient play and leadership from quarterback Sean Mannion; however, he is OUT this Saturday with a knee injury. OSU will attempt to replace the nation’s 6th leading passer (and 74% of total yard production), but will have to do so against one of the nation’s top defenses. Coach Bronco Mendenhall again has his BYU Cougar defense playing at an elite level (3rd in nation for scoring), each and every snap is played with full effort and sheer emotion. In spite of a struggling offense, this squad could very well be undefeated (missed FG at Utah, failed 2 point-conversion at Boise). Riley Nelson will step back in as BYU’s starting QB after a back injury sidelined him the past two weeks- he hopes to return to his high level of play pre-injury. Look for the spirited BYU defense to confuse OSU backup QB Cody Vaz early on, and create a few turnovers to set up short fields for BYU. With a decent lead, the Cougar rushing attack will have decent success and control the clock, with the defense ultimately securing the Top-10 upset on Homecoming in Provo. BYU by 4
SOUTH CAROLINA at LSU
Saturday, October 13th, 8:00, ESPN. at Tiger Stadium
South Carolina has improved every single week ending with last week’s stomping of top-5 ranked Georgia. Jadeveon Clowney, the former top high school recruit, has finally become the dominant pass rusher he was hyped up to be and the rest of the defense is starting to look dominant. Georgia came in to last week’s match scoring 40+ points in every game of the season, but was limited to just seven points by the 4th ranked defense in the land. Connor Shaw has looked like the first great QB under Spurrier in Columbia and Marcus Lattimore is one of the top running backs in the land. The only question mark on this team is the offensive line, which looked solid against Georgia’s defensive front, but LSU will provide a much more formidable front. Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery provide perhaps the best bookend duo in the country off the edge, which will be the Tiger’s best chance to stop Heisman hopeful Shaw. Both defenses are elite and LSU should not be written off for poor performances against lesser competition and an away loss against top-5 ranked Florida. The difference in this game may perhaps be at the quarterback position with Connor Shaw lighting up scoreboards and the hyped up Zach Mettenberger continuing to struggle. However, Death Valley at nighttime is perhaps the most difficult venue for visiting teams in the nation…LSU in an upset--Tigers by 7