Looks like I forgot to pick one top 10 game. I would have been wrong anyways.
After an opening week loss to Bowling Green, it looked like Pitt was doomed and the mustache was fighting for a job. Funny how one game can change it all. For the second time in 2 years, Pitt has taken down a top ten team. For those who don't recall, they ended number 2 West Virginia's titles hope last year in the backyard brawl.
Looks like the stache is safe for now thanks to LeSean McCoy and his 142 yards last night, but with upcoming dates at Navy and Notre Dame as well as at home with Rutgers, who knows how long this will last.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Week 6
This week started last night with a powerful performance by Boise State over a young Louisiana Tech team. Freshman quarterback Kellen Moore led the Broncos with his second straight 300+ passing yard game. This year's Bronco team may even be better than the squad that shocked Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl. Look for them in the BCS mix this year along with Utah and BYU.
This weekend is full of top 10's playing unranked teams, which means its an exciting week for the underdogs. Here are my top ten picks:
(1) Oklahoma vs Baylor. OU has way too much talent and Bob Stoops is always a great fall coach. Look for them to be undefeated going into the Red River Rivalry. Sam Bradford will have another big game. OU 42-10
(2) Alabama vs Kentucky. Last year Kentucky pulled off the win over number 1 LSU, but with the inexperience at QB, I don't see them getting many yards on Nick Saban's defense. Kentucky's defense, which leads the nation in scoring, may keep it close, but I see Alabama winning easily. Alabama 31-14
(4) Missouri at Nebraska. History is against them, but Chase Daniel's team won't let that hold them back. Look for the winless streak at Nebraska to be broken Saturday. Mizzou 35-17
(5) Texas at Colorado. I expect this to be a close game. All Texas needs to do is ask Bob Stoops' team how good Colorado is. I don't see the upset happening here because of Colt McCoy's season so far. If he continues to play oustanding football, Texas wins easily. Texas 45-24
(6) Penn State at Purdue. Coming off a loss to Notre Dame, Purdue is excited at the oppourtunity to knock off a seemingly unbeatable Nittany Lions team. Expect Jo Pa's squad to put up the same numbers they have all season thus far under the new Spread HD Offense. Penn State 49-17
(7) Texas Tech at Kansas State. After struggling on defense with ULL last week, Kansas State hosts the most electrifying QB-WR tandem in the nation. I foresee some Heisman stat padding in this game for Crabtree and Harrell. Red Raiders 55-10.
(9) USC vs 23 Oregon. Coming off a humiliating performance at Oregon State, the Trojans play host to the more talented team from Oregon. The Ducks have dominated Pac-10 opponents so far and their lone loss came from the BCS hopefulls Boise State. If Oregon can block as well as Oregon State did, they will be able to run wild on the Trojan's D; however, I see USC boucing back from embarrassment to try to get back in the title hunt. Trojans 35-24
And the rest of the top 25:
(12) Florida 42 Arkansas 7
(19) Vanderbilt 21 (13)Auburn 10 (Struggles at QB will doom the Tigers yet again)
(18) Wisconsin 35 (14) Ohio State 21
(16) Kansas 31 Iowa State 10
(20) Virginia Tech 44 Western Kentucky 14
(21) Oklahoma State 45 Texas A&M 17
(22) Fresno State 35 Hawaii 14
North Carolina 21 (24) Connecticut 14
Offensive Player of the week: Mizzou's Chase Daniels
Defensive Player of the week: Alabama's Dont'a Hightower
This weekend is full of top 10's playing unranked teams, which means its an exciting week for the underdogs. Here are my top ten picks:
(1) Oklahoma vs Baylor. OU has way too much talent and Bob Stoops is always a great fall coach. Look for them to be undefeated going into the Red River Rivalry. Sam Bradford will have another big game. OU 42-10
(2) Alabama vs Kentucky. Last year Kentucky pulled off the win over number 1 LSU, but with the inexperience at QB, I don't see them getting many yards on Nick Saban's defense. Kentucky's defense, which leads the nation in scoring, may keep it close, but I see Alabama winning easily. Alabama 31-14
(4) Missouri at Nebraska. History is against them, but Chase Daniel's team won't let that hold them back. Look for the winless streak at Nebraska to be broken Saturday. Mizzou 35-17
(5) Texas at Colorado. I expect this to be a close game. All Texas needs to do is ask Bob Stoops' team how good Colorado is. I don't see the upset happening here because of Colt McCoy's season so far. If he continues to play oustanding football, Texas wins easily. Texas 45-24
(6) Penn State at Purdue. Coming off a loss to Notre Dame, Purdue is excited at the oppourtunity to knock off a seemingly unbeatable Nittany Lions team. Expect Jo Pa's squad to put up the same numbers they have all season thus far under the new Spread HD Offense. Penn State 49-17
(7) Texas Tech at Kansas State. After struggling on defense with ULL last week, Kansas State hosts the most electrifying QB-WR tandem in the nation. I foresee some Heisman stat padding in this game for Crabtree and Harrell. Red Raiders 55-10.
(9) USC vs 23 Oregon. Coming off a humiliating performance at Oregon State, the Trojans play host to the more talented team from Oregon. The Ducks have dominated Pac-10 opponents so far and their lone loss came from the BCS hopefulls Boise State. If Oregon can block as well as Oregon State did, they will be able to run wild on the Trojan's D; however, I see USC boucing back from embarrassment to try to get back in the title hunt. Trojans 35-24
And the rest of the top 25:
(12) Florida 42 Arkansas 7
(19) Vanderbilt 21 (13)Auburn 10 (Struggles at QB will doom the Tigers yet again)
(18) Wisconsin 35 (14) Ohio State 21
(16) Kansas 31 Iowa State 10
(20) Virginia Tech 44 Western Kentucky 14
(21) Oklahoma State 45 Texas A&M 17
(22) Fresno State 35 Hawaii 14
North Carolina 21 (24) Connecticut 14
Offensive Player of the week: Mizzou's Chase Daniels
Defensive Player of the week: Alabama's Dont'a Hightower
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Week 5 Recap and a glimpse into Week 6
Well, if you learned anything from the 2007 season, no ranked team is safe. Thursday night's game between USC and Oregon State was a fitting beginning to another crazy week in the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Oregon State dominated in the trenches en route to a 27-21 win that looks closer than it actually was. Jacquizz Rodgers at 5' 6" 180, ran wild against a USC defense that limited mighty Ohio State to 207 yards of total offense and a mere field goal. The Oregon State offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage against a defensive line stocked with future NFL players and coaches effectively motioned in wide recievers for additional blockers to lead the way for Rodgers' 186 yards.
In SEC news, Houston Nutt was able to pull off a win in the Swamp while the team that didn't want him anymore got thoroughly demolished for the second week in a row. Ole Miss' win sends shockwaves through the conference. A perinial bottom feeder in recent years, Ole Miss has always had the talent, but couldn't turn the corner with Ed Orgeron. Jevon Snead played with poise and Houston Nutt gambled late and it payed off as they won 31-30. I admit, it was not Tim Tebow's best performance, but Ole Miss was able to play with the same high level of intensity and emotion from the first quarter to the fourth. In the fourth quarter, Ole Miss scored on an 86 yard pass from Snead to Shay Hodge, who was absolutely wide open, blocked the tying extra point after giving up a score to the Gators, and solidified the win by stuffing Tebow on a 4th and 1 play up the middle. This is a monumental win for the Rebels. This is the win they needed to help rebuild a dying program. As an LSU fan, I congradulate all Rebel fans, and look forward to the revival of the great LSU-Ole Miss rivalry.
For Florida, on the other hand, this is a disasterous loss. They must go undefeated the rest of the season to get a chance at the title, which means beating number 3 LSU in Gainesville, number 11 Georgia in Jacksonville, number 19 Vanderbilt in Nashville, and either LSU or number 2 Alabama in the title game. Its possible, but very brutal and I predict at least one more loss for Florida.
Another "upset" in the SEC was not a surprise to me. As I had predicted, Alabama defeated Georgia 41-30. I did not know they would be as dominant as they were in this game; however, I knew they had the talent and potential to win this game. Nick Saban has a great talent for not only recruiting the top players, but preparing them to play immediately. Julio Jones is already among the best recievers in the SEC and was a thorn in Georgia's side all night, finishing with five catches for 94 yards and a great touchdown reception. All eyes point to November 8th when Bama goes to Baton Rouge for maybe the last test remaining on their schedule. If LSU is still undefeated, this has the possibility to be a 1 vs. 2 showdown for not only the SEC West, but also a spot in the BCS Championship Game.
But enough looking that far ahead.
Tomorrow: Week 6 predictions and impact players.
Enjoy.
Oregon State dominated in the trenches en route to a 27-21 win that looks closer than it actually was. Jacquizz Rodgers at 5' 6" 180, ran wild against a USC defense that limited mighty Ohio State to 207 yards of total offense and a mere field goal. The Oregon State offensive line dominated the line of scrimmage against a defensive line stocked with future NFL players and coaches effectively motioned in wide recievers for additional blockers to lead the way for Rodgers' 186 yards.
In SEC news, Houston Nutt was able to pull off a win in the Swamp while the team that didn't want him anymore got thoroughly demolished for the second week in a row. Ole Miss' win sends shockwaves through the conference. A perinial bottom feeder in recent years, Ole Miss has always had the talent, but couldn't turn the corner with Ed Orgeron. Jevon Snead played with poise and Houston Nutt gambled late and it payed off as they won 31-30. I admit, it was not Tim Tebow's best performance, but Ole Miss was able to play with the same high level of intensity and emotion from the first quarter to the fourth. In the fourth quarter, Ole Miss scored on an 86 yard pass from Snead to Shay Hodge, who was absolutely wide open, blocked the tying extra point after giving up a score to the Gators, and solidified the win by stuffing Tebow on a 4th and 1 play up the middle. This is a monumental win for the Rebels. This is the win they needed to help rebuild a dying program. As an LSU fan, I congradulate all Rebel fans, and look forward to the revival of the great LSU-Ole Miss rivalry.
For Florida, on the other hand, this is a disasterous loss. They must go undefeated the rest of the season to get a chance at the title, which means beating number 3 LSU in Gainesville, number 11 Georgia in Jacksonville, number 19 Vanderbilt in Nashville, and either LSU or number 2 Alabama in the title game. Its possible, but very brutal and I predict at least one more loss for Florida.
Another "upset" in the SEC was not a surprise to me. As I had predicted, Alabama defeated Georgia 41-30. I did not know they would be as dominant as they were in this game; however, I knew they had the talent and potential to win this game. Nick Saban has a great talent for not only recruiting the top players, but preparing them to play immediately. Julio Jones is already among the best recievers in the SEC and was a thorn in Georgia's side all night, finishing with five catches for 94 yards and a great touchdown reception. All eyes point to November 8th when Bama goes to Baton Rouge for maybe the last test remaining on their schedule. If LSU is still undefeated, this has the possibility to be a 1 vs. 2 showdown for not only the SEC West, but also a spot in the BCS Championship Game.
But enough looking that far ahead.
Tomorrow: Week 6 predictions and impact players.
Enjoy.
Hello to all and welcome!
As my love and passion for college football grows every Saturday, so does my passion for discussing the game. Now I have finally decided to have this blog as a way to voice my opinions and observations of each Saturday's games as well as previews and predictions. I will try to be as unbiased as possible, but I will admit the following:
1) I am an LSU fan, born and raised.
2) Whether I'm an LSU fan or not, the SEC is the best conference without a doubt.
3) I do not respect a team that has the best talent in the nation and repeatedly stumbles against inferior opponents. i.e. USC.
4) Ohio State is outdated and until they catch up to the parity and speed present in the SEC as well as the spread offense, they should not be in the National Title discussion. Although I do believe Terrelle Pryor is a major improvement for their offense.
With these in mind, my intention is to have a completely unbiased source of information on college football. My predictions will be based on the factors that affect the game such as talent, coaches, etc, not simply picking a team will win because of their name or tradition. The game is played by the players with emotion, determination, and talent and accordingly, one should not pick a team to win just because they have won more games in the history of their program.
Enjoy
1) I am an LSU fan, born and raised.
2) Whether I'm an LSU fan or not, the SEC is the best conference without a doubt.
3) I do not respect a team that has the best talent in the nation and repeatedly stumbles against inferior opponents. i.e. USC.
4) Ohio State is outdated and until they catch up to the parity and speed present in the SEC as well as the spread offense, they should not be in the National Title discussion. Although I do believe Terrelle Pryor is a major improvement for their offense.
With these in mind, my intention is to have a completely unbiased source of information on college football. My predictions will be based on the factors that affect the game such as talent, coaches, etc, not simply picking a team will win because of their name or tradition. The game is played by the players with emotion, determination, and talent and accordingly, one should not pick a team to win just because they have won more games in the history of their program.
Enjoy
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