NCAAF Week 3 Weekend Preview

They called last weekend Monster Saturday in reference to the number of big matchups being played around the country. Although no one has coined a name for this weekend, there are a lot of interesting games this weekend as well. Here is a list of my top five games to pay attention to this weekend, as well as some storylines that I'd like to address.

Top 5 Games to Pay Attention to This Weekend

#12 Arkansas at Georgia (Saturday, 12 PM ET)

Georgia has never started 0-2 in the SEC under Mark Richt, but they have a tough test this weekend if they want to keep it that way. I put Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett on my preseason Heisman watch for a reason; he has the ability to pick defenses apart, even in the most hostile atmosphere. Georgia has had trouble scoring the ball this season, putting just six points on the board in a loss to South Carolina last weekend, which is not a recipe for success against a Razorbacks team known for their offensive firepower. The Bulldogs are missing wideout A.J. Green more and more every week.

My Pick: 31-17 Arkansas


#10 Florida at Tennessee (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)

This is the most interesting matchup this weekend in my opinion. Tennessee looked good against Oregon last weekend for about a quarter and a half, and then went totally flat on offense for the rest of the game. Florida has not been overly impressive on offense this season either, so barring some sort of career day by John Brantley, Tennessee will probably not give up forty-five unanswered to the Gators like they did against Oregon. Florida is 5-0 against the Vols under Urban Meyer, but those wins were during the Chris Leak and Tim Tebow eras. Add the fact that Florida may be a little overrated, and that the game is being played in Knoxville, and we may be looking at the first Top 10 upset of the season.

My Pick: 27-24 Tennessee


Clemson at #16 Auburn (Saturday, 7 PM ET)

The ACC looked awful as a whole last weekend, so this is a game where they can attempt to regain some of the respect they lost. Clemson may be the class of the ACC, but then again, they may not be. Regardless, I think that Auburn is a little bit overrated, much like their SEC counterpart Florida. Cameron Newton is kind of like a poor man's Terrelle Pryor, but unlike Pryor, Newton routinely has to rely entirely on himself to make plays. Auburn will need to be more unpredictable against Clemson if they want to win this game, because Clemson has the playmakers on defense to contain Newton.

My Pick: 34-27 Clemson


#6 Texas at Texas Tech (Saturday, 8 PM ET)

Last time this game was played in Lubbock, Michael Crabtree was able to score a late touchdown to lead the Red Raiders over the Longhorns, which proved to be the only loss Texas would suffer that year. Crabtree is no longer there to help the Red Raiders out, and as usual, Texas Tech has a questionable defense. Currently, Texas Tech averages 43.5 PPG on offense, and they're definitely going to need to score a lot tomorrow night if they want to beat the Longhorns. Even then, it may not be enough. Texas has had some trouble offensively early on in games this year, so Texas Tech will need to hope that happens and take advantage of it. As for the Longhorns, playing catch up against a team like Texas Tech, who can score at will, is not recommended.

My Pick: 41-31 Texas


#9 Iowa at #24 Arizona (Saturday, 10:30 PM ET)

This is the only game this weekend featuring two ranked teams, so naturally it is one to watch. Iowa has cruised in their first two games, but their first real test will be against the Wildcats, who will test a Hawkeye defense that gives up a Big Ten best 216 yards per game. The Wildcats will need a balanced offensive attack, and cannot rely on Nick Foles to carry to offense. Arizona will need to find a way to contain Iowa's defensive line, or this game could have an end result similar to the 2009 Holiday Bowl, which the Wildcats lost 33-0 to Nebraska.

My Pick: 28-13 Iowa


5 More to Flip To

California at Nevada (Tonight, 10 PM ET)

Cal's defense should be too much for Nevada. Should...

Georgia Tech at North Carolina (Saturday, 12 PM ET)

Both teams are in dire need of this win, if only to instill some confidence, which both have lost a lot of.

East Carolina at Virginia Tech (Saturday, 1:30 PM ET)

Who would have guessed that the Hokies could start the season 0-3?

Air Force at #7 Oklahoma (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)

The Falcons are probably a little too undersized to beat the Sooners, but they looked really good in a win over BYU. This one could be interesting.

Notre Dame at Michigan State (Saturday, 8 PM ET)

Notre Dame has had trouble in East Lansing as of late. Could the Irish go 0-2 against Michigan teams yet again?


Storylines for the Weekend

Georgia's Mark Richt is NOT on the hot seat

I was listening to the Paul Finebaum Radio Network yesterday, and a lot of people were calling in speculating on whether or not Georgia head coach Mark Richt is on the hot seat if he loses to Arkansas this weekend. The answer, quite simply, is no. The Bulldogs have a redshirt freshman starting at quarterback, and are without their star wideout until the fifth game. Once A.J. Green returns and Aaron Murray gets some game experience under his belt, the Bulldogs will turn it around, and probably finish the season on a high note. There are clear reasons why the Bulldogs offense has been bad so far, and Richt isn't one of them.


Don't Stop Living In The Red

You think Boise State's field is bad? If you do, you're really going to get a kick out of this. There's no editing or Photoshop work there. No, that's actually the University of Eastern Washington's field, which will be played on for the first time this weekend. I like Boise's field, but I think that the red could quickly become an eyesore. Also, you won't be able to make the joke that birds dive into it thinking it is water like you can with Boise's field. I wouldn't expect any big name programs to try this any time soon.


Time for the Pac-10 to make a statement

Last weekend, the ACC made a statement, but in a bad way. The Pac-10 has a chance to look really good on the national stage. As far as underdogs are concerned, Arizona is at home against Iowa, Washington is at home against Nebraska, and UCLA is at home against Houston. These are all games that the Pac-10 can realistically win and use as ammunition against critics who believe that the conference is weak. If the Pac-10 doesn't want to become an afterthought as the ACC may have become after last weekend, then they need a big weekend from not only the top of their conference, but from the middle as well.


Thanks to my dad, I now have an easier way for you all to get to the blog. By typing in www.aroundthecorn.com, you will now be directed to the page. It should be much easier for you all to tell people how to get to the blog. I am aware that saying around the corn sports blog dot blogspot dot com is a mouthful, and even harder to remember. As always, thanks to everyone that has ever taken the time to read my work.



- K. Becks

NCAAF: Pac-10 Preview

Overview

The Pac-10 would like to be considered as one of the best conferences in the nation with the likes of the SEC and the Big 10. Some years, it can be argued that the Pac-10 is as good as those other conferences, but it may be hard to make that argument this year. Other than a couple of teams, the Pac-10 seems to be made up of a collection of teams that may routinely have trouble beating teams from the likes of conferences such as the Mountain West, both in the regular and post-season. Thanks to NCAA sanctions, transfers of key players, and as mentioned before, trouble with teams from so-called "lesser" conferences such as the Mountain West, the Pac-10 may be largely overlooked. They'll have to rely on their top tier teams to keep the buzz about the Pac-10 alive. If the top teams fall, then this conference will be lumped into the category with conferences like the Big East, ACC, and Mountain West. For the Pac-10, that is devastating.

Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship
Oregon

Due to their favorable schedule and the fact that they are ranked so highly in the preseason poll, the Ducks should be able to hang around in the national championship picture for most of the season. Losing quarterback Jeremiah Masoli to Ole Miss is a disappointment for Oregon, but not necessarily a major one. They still have a senior leader in quarterback Nate Costa, and one can argue that running back LaMichael James would've actually been more instrumental in Oregon's success this season had Masoli still been around. If Oregon can keep the ship upright during their last five games (their hardest stretch of games this season), they have a shot at playing for the national title.

Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Stanford

I was debating putting Stanford into the "Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid", but for now I'll hold off on the bolder of predictions and just say that they could surprise people. Last season, I think that Toby Gerhart gave the impression that he was the Stanford Cardinal. While he was one of the best players in the nation, that just isn't true. Thanks to sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck and fifteen other returning starters, the Cardinal could be just as good as or better than last year if they improve their defense.

Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Oregon State vs. Boise State (September 25th)

The truth is, if Boise State wins their opener against Virginia Tech, the focus will be on them in this game. However, if Oregon State also comes into this game undefeated (they have to play TCU in Arlington, TX and Louisville), then they have a chance to be thrust into the Top 15 or higher with a win against the Broncos. The Rodgers brothers are upperclassmen, so if there is going to be a season that the Beavers ride them into a BCS bowl, this is it. A win against the Broncos would surely put them on track to do just that.

In-Conference Game To Watch
Oregon vs. Stanford (October 2nd)

Since USC doesn't matter this year, this game should be the marquee matchup of the year. Last season, this game was an offensive shootout that ended in a 51-42 upset win for Stanford. Considering Stanford's shaky defense, it could be a high scoring affair again, with the winner being the favorite to capture the Pac-10 championship. A lot can go wrong leading up to this game, but chances are this one will still have the nation's attention.

Conference Predictions

1. Stanford (10-2, [7-2])
2. USC (11-2, [7-2])
3. Oregon (9-3, [6-3])
4. Oregon State (8-4, [6-3])
5. California (8-4, [5-4])
6. Arizona (5-7, [3-6])
7. Washington (4-8, [3-6])
8. UCLA (3-9, [3-6])
9. Arizona State (3-9, [1-8])
10. Washington State (1-11, [0-9])



- K. Becks

Go Big, Or Go Home

This Thursday, an annual summer event that brings almost every kid out on the skate park inside will begin for the sixteenth time. That event of course is the Summer X Games. Personally, I am more a fan of the Winter X Games, due to the fact that they take place at a time where there isn't much else to do but stay inside and find something to watch on TV. However, the Summer X Games bring with it a sense of excitement that almost no other sporting event on earth can provide. That sense of excitement can also be the most obvious downside of extreme sports; the chance for serious bodily injury, or even death. Think about it for a moment; football has improved equipment in order to minimize the risk of injury to players. NASCAR has instituted numerous safety precautions in order to avoid another tragedy that took the life of one of their most iconic drivers. Extreme sports has gone the opposite direction, trying to go "bigger" and "more insane", even after the death of motocross rider Jeremy Lusk and paralysis of BMX rider Stephen Murray. In no other sport will you see athletes doing things more dangerous than before, so soon after a tragedy. One of the things that make these sports so interesting is that there is no ceiling for the possibilities. Cuts, bruises, broken bones, lacerated internal body parts; these athletes will stop at nothing to take their sport to the next level. Some critics call it stupid, but you know what? I dig it. Taking things to the next level is what these sports were built on, and until they reach a point where they can't go any bigger or higher, these sports will continue to grow in popularity. These men and women are true warriors, and even if you don't have very much interest in their respective sport, you have to admire their unwillingness to back down from a challenge, even one that presents clear dangers. MMA and UFC be damned. If you want to see athletes who truly show no fear, tune into ESPN's network of channels Thursday through Sunday to watch X Games 16, and you'll see no fear.

What every sports media type in the country wanted to see happen became a reality today. Terrell Owens has signed with the Cincinnati Bengals, and the media could not be happier. "Batman and Robin," Chad Ochocinco calls it. I wonder if Ochocinco has been told that while someone does get to be Batman, the other must settle for the role of Robin, which I'm sure neither of them want to do. There will have to be a clear number one and two receiver on this team. If there isn't by around Week 4, then one of the receiver's isn't doing their job, and it will be reflected in Cincinnati's record. Cincinnati's potential headaches don't end there, though. Fellow receiver Antonio Bryant, running back Cedric Benson, and receiver Matt Jones have all had their issues as well. After reading all five of those names again, it's clear to see that with all the potential problems, Cincinnati does have a lot of talent. If the Bengals organization is able to successfully manage the egos of T.O. and Ochocinco, and the rest of the team can stay out of off-the-field trouble, then the Circus in Cincinnati could be a good thing after all.

The Pac-10 has announced that it will change the name of the conference to the Pac-12 when new members Colorado and Utah join in 2011. Is it just me, or does this name changing thing seem a little premature? I've said this numerous times, and in an interview yesterday on Mike and Mike in the Morning, I heard Texas football coach Mack Brown say it as well; the Pac-10 (or whatever it wants to call itself) will likely become a sixteen team super-conference in the near future. The Big 10 hasn't announced any plans to change the name of the conference, and I could be mistaken, but I don't think that the Big 12 is going to demote itself to the "Big 10 West" any time soon, either. I know this isn't that big of a deal, but it doesn't seem like it's necessary to change the name of the conference in a time of such uncertainty in college football. Don't even tell me that this isn't a marketing ploy, and that it isn't in the back of Commissioner Larry Scott's mind that they will likely have to change the name yet again when the conference expands a second time.



- K. Becks

Okay, I Guess I Understand, But...

Utah leaving the Mountain West Conference on Thursday for the Pac-10 makes me scratch my head a little bit. They are leaving a conference where they and Boise State would have been the class of a very respectable football lineup, which also features TCU and BYU. I understand that the Pac-10 has the automatic bid to the Rose Bowl, but with all the conference swapping and uncertainty, things could change quickly. I still believe that this conference swapping will lead to the institution of a college football playoff, which would make having an automatic bid to a BCS bowl meaningless. Also, with the lineup that the Mountain West would have had, I think that they would have been given an automatic bid in a playoff. Also, the top of the Mountain West is much more stable and predictable year in and year out than the Pac-10. Every year, you can count on Boise State, TCU, and BYU to put together a competitive team. In the Pac-10, USC and Oregon are really the only teams that have been good most years during the past decade. In fact, here is a stat that backs up this claim: the Mountain West Conference's record against the Pac-10 in bowl games in the last ten years? Try 6-5. What I'm saying is that I understand why Utah moved to the Pac-10. The automatic bid is there, and the Pac-10 gets more respect from the media than the Mountain West. However, it's instant gratification, because in a few years, there won't be any more automatic bids to BCS bowl games. With Utah, the Mountain West would have been better than the Pac-10, and might have even secured an automatic bid to a BCS bowl game while automatic bids are still around. Now, all we have are two conferences that both need another good team to legitimize their claim as a true elite football conference.

I think that Boston's Glen Davis needs to give up the nickname "Big Baby" so that the man who truly deserves the name can have it. That man would be Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. Haynesworth, who signed the biggest contract ever by a defensive player last year, decided not to show up to the team's mandatory minicamp this week because he is unhappy with the Redskins instituting a 3-4 defense. His teammates are right; he is being completely selfish here. Not only has he decided not to show up to practice, but he has also reportedly demanded a trade out of Washington. Well, Albert, your ticket out of Washington would be giving back the one-hundred million dollar contract that you signed last year. Considering his selfishness, he won't do it, and will likely come back to the Redskins stomping his feet like a little kid whose mom didn't buy him a candy bar at the store. Albert, while you're making a stink about the defense you'll have to play in, consider this: Mike Shanahan has a Super Bowl Ring, and you don't. Maybe you should just do what he says, and you'll have a chance of getting one too.

Today at the U.S. Open, both Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson failed to make even one birdie. That's not exactly a way to attract the attention of the casual golf fan, but on the bright side, Tiger is only five shots off the lead. Considering the difficulty of the course, and the fact that Tiger had a very mediocre first round, I wouldn't be surprised if Tiger is right in the thick of things as we head into the weekend. Maybe, just maybe, he can save the U.S. Open after all.

Tomorrow morning's soccer match between the United States and Slovenia will determine whether or not the majority of the United States will continue to follow the World Cup. A tie is not enough, and the U.S. already received their gift. Hopefully Clint Dempsey & Co. can pull through, because I don't want to be the only person left still wanting to talk about the World Cup.



- K. Becks

It's A Techtonic Shift

We are amidst a major change in the landscape of college athletics; namely, college football. With Colorado bolting for the Pac-10, Boise State moving to the Mountain West, and Nebraska moving to the Big 10, the domino effect has been triggered. When all is said and done, I predict that we will have a collection of "super" conferences that will dominate the politics in college football. By politics, I mean the steps that will go in place to institute some type of playoff that, believe it or not, the college presidents have wanted for a long time.

Here is what I think will happen (and obviously, by the middle of next week we will know if I am correct or not, as many more changes are on their way in the near future). Joining Nebraska in the Big 10 will be Missouri. Not only does this make sense geographically, but Missouri already has a longstanding rivalry in place with Illinois, and it would compliment their schedule to become a part of the Big 10. Next, Texas will leave the Big 12 high and dry, as they, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Oklahoma State will join the Pac-10. This will give the Pac-10 a total of 16 teams, completing what will be our first "super" conference. This also leaves the Big 12 limping to the barn with four teams, obviously not enough to be a full conference. This will prompt the remaining teams (Kansas, Iowa State, Baylor, and Kansas State) to combine with the Mountain West Conference, who are actually a very respectable conference with BYU, Utah, TCU, and Boise State. The Big 10 will still be at twelve teams by the end of next week, but will be hungry to expand their conference to sixteen as the Pac-10 will have done.

That is what I believe will happen by the end of next week. The next section is pure speculation; or rather, what I think will be done to ensure that a playoff can be achieved.

Since the Pac-10 has sixteen teams, the other "power" football conferences, the Big 10 and SEC, will try to follow suit. It makes sense for the SEC to take Florida State, Miami, Virginia Tech, and Georgia Tech. This will complete our second "super" conference. The third "super" conference will come as a result of a mass merger between the remaining eight teams in the ACC and the eight teams in the Big East. For those clever readers out there, I know what you're thinking: "What about basketball? You can't have a 24 team conference." Number one, basketball isn't the major revenue generator for a university. Number two, yes you can. Make two divisions. Eight teams from each division qualify for the conference tournament, and BOOM, you have the same setup you had before the merger.

Now that just leaves one more conference. The Big 10, having run out of opportunities to further expand, only have one possible team left that they can attempt to add. That would be Notre Dame. Notre Dame, seeing the "super" conference picture almost complete, will realize that without joining a conference, it will be close to impossible to get into the playoff system that will soon be devised. The Fighting Irish let go of their beloved independence and their NBC contract, and join the Big 10. This gives the Big 10 thirteen teams, three short of the sixteen that all the other "super" conferences have. However, it won't matter, because now the power is in the college presidents' hands to institute a playoff.

Let's take a look at what we have so far.

Pac-10- 16 teams
SEC- 16 teams
Mountain West- 16 teams
ACC/Big East (which name is kept is unimportant)- 16 teams
Big 10- 13 teams

Now, you can have an eight team playoff by doing the following. Take the conference champion from each of the aforementioned "super" conferences, as well as one team from one of the smaller conferences (MAC, Conference USA, Sun Belt, WAC) or an independent team that is the highest ranked. The final two spots will go to the highest ranked teams that have not already qualified for the playoff.

What will this do? Well, not only will it solve the problem of not having a college football playoff, but it is a goldmine (no pun intended) from a money making perspective, which is what the college presidents are most interested in. Not only that, but every bowl game can be preserved. The two teams in the playoff finals will play for the national championship, and the six remaining teams will go to the other three BCS bowl games. Notice that I called them BCS bowl games. Yes, for ranking purposes, the BCS will still be around. However, since it will no longer choose the two teams that play for the national championship, it won't be hated. As for the rest of the smaller bowl games, they will be played as usual.

As I said, only the second paragraph is what will likely happen. The rest of the post is pure speculation. However, this should generate a lot of conversation, and I'm excited to hear all your thoughts on the topic. Post a comment in the comments section, or send me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com. I'd really like to hear what you guys think about this issue. Thanks everyone, and be sure to check out the new World Cup scoreboard on the left side of the page.



- K. Becks