WEEK 8
Record: 6-0
OREGON at ARIZONA STATE
Thursday, October 18th, 9:00, ESPN. AT Sun Devil Stadium
Oregon debuted at #3 in the initial BCS Standings and they are again at an elite level on offense (scoring 52 per game) led by the tri-fecta of dual-threat QB Marcus Mariota, workhorse RB Kenjon Barner, and playmaker RB/WR De’Anthony Thomas. The Ducks have yet to be challenged; they had two ranked matchups (Arizona and Washington) in which they sent home their opponents with scores of 49-0 and 52-21. That said, this Arizona State defense will be the best UO has faced yet, as they rank in the top 10 in scoring defense under new Head Coach Todd Graham. First-year starting QB Taylor Kelly has played surprisingly well (1600 yards, 68%, 14 TD to 2 INT) and the Sun Devils (5-1) are deserving of a top 25 ranking. Sun Devil Stadium will be electric on Thursday night, and this will be a solid tune-up for Oregon before heading into the Colusiem in 2 weeks to play USC. Keep in mind that Oregon and successful coach Chip Kelly had an extra week to prepare for ASU, as they had off last Saturday. Look for ASU to keep it close early, but the explosive Duck offense will start to reel off big play after big play. Oregon wins it, but it will be their closest game and hardest test yet. Oregon by 10
LSU at TEXAS A&M
Saturday, October 20th, Noon, ESPN. AT Kyle Field
For those of you NFL draft junkies, this matchup will not only feature one of the top DE vs. OT matchups in the nation, but two! Texas A&M LTs Luke Joeckel and James Matthews will be paired up against LSU edge rushers Barkevious Mingo and Sam Montgomery in a crucial strength vs. strength matchup as the Aggies look to protect their star freshman QB Johnny Manziel. Manziel is the reason why the Texas A&M has surprised people this year as he has thrown for 14 touchdowns and rushed for 10 more, putting his name in the Heisman discussion. He has only had one true test against the top-5 Florida Gators, but has had stellar performances against solid opponents such as Arkansas, Ole Miss, and Louisiana Tech. The Aggies rank fifth nationally in scoring offense while LSU comes in ranked eighth nationally in scoring defense. The Bayou Bengals are coming off a huge win against #3 South Carolina last Saturday night, proving to the nation that, while maybe a notch down from last year’s team, this squad is still a force and will still have a chance to make a national title run in the coming weeks. Kenny Hilliard and Michael Ford will pound the ball down on the ground, but will Zach Mettenberger be a liability again? Texas A&M has the home field advantage, the Tigers have the experience and the edge in overall talent, and both teams only have one loss—to the same school, Florida—making this matchup too close to call. However, I believe the Tigers are starting to find their groove. LSU by 6
VIRGINIA TECH at CLEMSON
Saturday, October 20th, Noon, ABC. AT Memorial Stadium
Virginia Tech has been one of the most disappointing teams this season and, for the first time perhaps ever, the Atlantic Division is the better half with Florida State and Clemson carrying the conference. Clemson is a difficult team to figure out because they have won every game they should have and lost a primetime game at Florida State, which is an understandable loss for any team. The Tigers have outscored Boston College and Georgia Tech—a matchup that is always tight—in the preceding two weeks and continue to put up monster numbers offensively. Replacing DLs Brandon Thompson and Andre Branch has proved to be a difficult task as Georgia Tech and Florida State have gashed the Tigers on the ground and Boston College through the air. The offense, led by Tajh Boyd, has bailed out the defense thus far with Andre Ellington and WRs Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins providing firepower at the skill positions. After Watkins’ freshman season for the ages, Hopkins is carrying the load this season and is on pace for about 100 catches for 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns! Most teams have difficulty accounting for all of these weapons on offense and Virginia Tech will have its hands full if it continues to produce head-scratching results on the defensive side of the ball. Last week was the first signs of life from Bud Foster’s unit, shutting out the underrated Duke Blue Devils after allowing the game’s first 20 points. However, Clemson is a different machine and will outscore the Hokies regardless of how hot Logan Thomas comes out. Not to mention, Clemson had Virginia Tech’s number last season…twice. Clemson by 10
SOUTH CAROLINA at FLORIDA
Saturday, October 20th, 3:30, CBS. AT Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
South Carolina ends its 3 week gauntlet this Saturday against the #3 Florida Gators in Gainesville, a daunting challenge. But the first 2 battles have started to take a toll on SC, as star RB Marcus Lattimore may not play (bruised hip) Saturday, along with up to 3 other defensive line starters. These injuries will not make this road trip to the Swamp to play the undefeated Gators any easier. LSU lost to Florida and South Carolina lost to LSU, but you only need to look at the game settings to account for these results: LSU had to play at Florida and South Carolina had to take a trip to Death Valley…at night, probably the toughest venue in sports. Both teams are alive in the BCS National Championship race, but this game will probably serve as the deciding game in the SEC East, and for the ensuing matchup with Alabama for the SEC title. Connor Shaw has the clear edge in the QB department and South Carolina’s offense seems to be coming around, but will it be able to account for Lattimore's injury? If the Gators have an edge on defense, it is a very slight edge. Florida has not played any true offensive juggernauts yet and South Carolina limited Heisman candidate Aaron Murray and the Georgia Bulldogs to 7 points. Florida QB Jeff Driskel may struggle through the air and the running attack led by Mike Gillislee will need to compensate for this. Still, Florida should be able to muster up enough offense in this one, as SC will become a bit one-dimensional with the possible loss of Lattimore. If SC is really as banged up as local reporters say they are, it will be tough to win this key SEC East battle in the Swamp…Florida by 3
MICHIGAN STATE at MICHIGAN
Saturday, October 20th, 3:30, BTN. AT Michigan Stadium
November 3rd, 2007…it’s been 4+ seasons that the state of Michigan has been painted green, belonging to the Spartans of MSU. In that span the Wolverines have gone through 2 coaching changes and 2 losing seasons, while MSU has seen some of its finest football in school history. Many expected the 2012 matchup to be the determining game in the Big Ten Legends division, but that is far from the case. After an opening win over Boise State, the Spartans have struggled significantly, mostly due to a stagnant offense that is ranked 104th nation-wide. The few bright spots include workhorse RB Le’Veon Bell (916 rush yards, 8 TD) and a defense only allowing 15 points a game. Not including the Alabama beatdown, this Michigan Wolverine defense has also been a force, and should have no trouble shutting down their in-state rivals. With the defenses about even, it is Michigan’s explosive offense that should be the difference. Even if Dantonio’s defense can contain QB Denard Robinson on most plays, all it takes is a missed tackle or two and he’s gone. Notre Dame forced Robinson into multiple turnovers, and even if he starts throwing a few picks, I just don’t see Sparty putting up enough points to win. This is what happens when you lose your school’s all-time passer and all-time receiver in the same graduating class. Look for Michigan to reclaim the ‘State Title’ and for Denard Robinson to finally hoist the Paul Bunyan Trophy…Michigan by 10
KANSAS STATE at WEST VIRGINIA
Saturday, October 20th, 7:00, FOX. AT Milan-Puskar Stadium
We have a battle of opposites in Morgantown Saturday night as the Kansas State Wildcats and WV Mountaineers square off in a pivotal Big12 matchup. KSU is known for its power running attack, efficient and strategic QB play, and tough defense. Meanwhile, West Virginia has been characterized by a wide-open explosive passing offense, and their inability to stop anyone on defense. The common link between these two squads has been Heisman-caliber play by their Quarterbacks: Collin Klein of Kansas State and Geno Smith of West Virginia. This season, both have been flawless in their own sense: Smith is yet to throw an interception, and Klein is yet to lose a game. Similar to how KSU shut down Oklahoma’s elite offense, I see them making enough stops early to gain a lead on West Virginia. Once Klein gets a sufficient lead, it’s almost game-over, as he has been extremely efficient in key situations. His patience and vision on QB run plays is uncanny; he always makes the defense wrong. Not only is West Virginia allowing 37.5 points a game, and 52 a game in Big12 play, but also they will have to play Saturday without two starters due to injury. Further, the Mountaineer offense is also a little banged up, as WR Stedman Bailey, RB Shawne Alston, and OL Jeff Braun are all ‘day-to-day.’ I simply can’t trust a defense this poor; however, I can trust that Grandpa Snyder will have his Wildcats and Klein ready to defend their undefeated record…KSU by 7