Last Friday was possibly the worst day of the year for me. Well, actually, it was the worst day of the year. Starting with Alabama's complete meltdown against Auburn, and ending with Boise State's similar meltdown against Nevada, I realized that a dream had died. The outside chance that Boise State would meet TCU in the national championship, and thus become a catalyst for the progression of a playoff for college football, dissolved as quickly as Alabama's lead in the second half. While it is unlikely that there will be mass chaos in college football this year, my hope was renewed on Tuesday morning when TCU announced their intentions to leave the Mountain West Conference for the Big East starting in 2012. While this weekend may prove to be nothing more than going through the motions of conference championship games, let it be known that the dream has not completely, and never will, die.
5 Games to Pay Attention To
#1 Oregon at Oregon State (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
Before the beginning of the season when I gave my predictions for every college football team, I predicted that Oregon would end the season at 9-3. While that prediction was obviously off-base, one of the games I felt Oregon would lose was the annual Civil War battle against in-state rival Oregon State. After an entire season of observation of both teams, I no longer feel that is going to be the case. Oregon is only going to be beat by a team that can stop their high octane offense. In some of my previous Weekend Previews, I have felt confident about a few teams' chances against the Ducks (California, Stanford, Arizona, and Arizona State). Those teams have the best defenses in the Pac-10, and were the only teams in that conference, in my opinion, capable of bringing down the Ducks. Unfortunately, Oregon State has a defense that gives up a little over 400 yards per game, and ranks behind all the aforementioned teams in that category. With that being said, the only thing that supporters of chaos in the BCS can hope for is that the intensity of an in-state rivalry will motivate a sub-par Beavers defense to play far better than they have all season. While I'm in that category of fans, I wouldn't hold my breath on that happening.
My Pick: Oregon 49-35
#2 Auburn vs. #18 South Carolina (Saturday, 4 PM EST)
To start, let it be known that is it much tougher to beat a team the second time around. This game may not be as much about South Carolina being able to stop Auburn as it may be about them being able to exploit Auburn's defense. When Auburn has been in trouble this season, it has been because teams have picked on Auburn's weak defensive secondary. Alabama did it with Julio Jones, Georgia did it with A.J. Green, and South Carolina has already done it once this season with Alshon Jeffery. If Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia can hook up with Jeffery early and often, we may see something similar to last Friday to start the game. That will open up the running game, and could put Auburn in a precarious position in the second half. Alabama had the game against Auburn won; they just beat themselves. If South Carolina can start off similarly, it will be up to them not to self-destruct.
My Pick: 37-34 South Carolina
#20 Florida State vs. #12 Virginia Tech (Saturday, 7:45 PM EST)
Talk about a game featuring a couple of programs that have turned it around. Jimbo Fisher, in just his first season as head coach of Florida State, has led the Seminoles back to where fans in Tallahassee feel they should be every year. Virginia Tech, on the other hand, has quietly reeled off ten straight wins since dropping their first two games of the year, which included a loss against FCS opponent James Madison. While this game has no implications other than a trip to the Orange Bowl, it is still an interesting matchup. Virginia Tech is still a team that relies heavily on the run, even though quarterback Tyrod Taylor is a duel threat that can beat you through the air. Florida State's chances of success will likely hinge on how senior quarterback and leader Christian Ponder plays. He has the ability to play like an All-American, but is unpredictable. If we get to see Ponder at his best, then this will be a great game.
My Pick: 28-20 Virginia Tech
#13 Nebraska vs. #10 Oklahoma (Saturday, 8 PM EST)
Like the ACC championship game, this matchup has no real implications other than a trip to a BCS bowl for the winner. For Nebraska, it would be a storybook ending to their time in the Big 12; a win against rival Oklahoma that would give them their first overall Big 12 title since 1999, just as they head off for the Big Ten next season. For Oklahoma, this game could be somewhat of a redemption game. After reaching number one in the BCS rankings late in October, the Sooners promptly fell from the top spot after a loss to Missouri. Then, Oklahoma was largely forgotten after a loss against Texas A&M two weeks later left them in danger of not even qualifying to play for the Big 12 Championship. If Oklahoma can get a win against the Cornhuskers, some of the sentiment that they are inconsistent against quality teams this season could go away. Nebraska, on the other hand, would like to prove that they do in fact bring an offense with them to games against quality opponents. Expect this to be a close one.
My Pick: 31-27 Nebraska
Connecticut at South Florida (Saturday, 8 PM EST)
You may be wondering why this is a top five game to pay attention to this weekend. Well, believe it or not, one of these teams is playing for an outright Big East crown. If Connecticut can win this weekend against the Bulls, they will be the Big East champions. At 7-4. With an automatic bid to a BCS bowl. While Michigan State, at number seven and 11-1, will likely not play in a BCS bowl. As unfair as it may seem, it isn't a sure thing that UConn will even win this game. South Florida has been competitive in all but one game this season, and even made their case as arguably the third best team in Florida by beating Miami last weekend. If the Bulls do happen to beat the Huskies, then they have the slim chance of being tied atop the Big East standings with four other teams. And you thought the BCS formula was a mess...
My Pick: 28-24 Connecticut
5 More to Flip To
#24 Northern Illinois vs. Miami (OH) (Friday, 7 PM EST)
The RedHawks have been the turnaround story of the season, after going 1-11 in 2009. Northern Illinois isn't your average MAC team, though...
SMU vs. UCF (Saturday, 12 PM EST)
See what kind of looks people give you if you tell them you're going to watch the SMU vs. UCF game. Seriously, try it...
Utah State at #9 Boise State (Saturday, 3 PM EST)
You thought Wisconsin ran up the score? I wouldn't want to be the team that has to play Boise State after the loss they endured last Friday.
Washington at Washington State (Saturday, 7 PM EST)
The Huskies can become bowl eligible for the first time in Jake Locker's career if they can beat rival Washington State for the Apple Cup. That would make a whopping four Pac-10 teams bowl eligible.
USC vs. UCLA (Saturday, 10:30 PM EST)
I honestly just ran out of games I thought were interesting.
Storylines for the Weekend
The Cam Newton Rule
The general feeling from people associated with college football is that the ruling on Cam Newton's eligibility sets a bad precedent. Assuming that college football does not realize this would be ignorant. If the NCAA were to rule Newton ineligible, then you can bet that there would be lawsuits filed by both the Newton family and the University of Auburn. Rather than deal with that mess, the NCAA just decided that it would be better to let Newton play, then institute a rule (which we'll dub "Cam's Rule" for now) that prevents such actions from occurring in the future. So, to all you fathers out there making calls to your "agent buddy" to discuss how much your son is worth this very moment, sorry. It's not going to be allowed next season.
My Conference Re-Alignment Predictions, Part II
My prediction as to what the college football landscape will look like in the near future in order to accommodate a playoff will be posted soon. Check back tomorrow, as I will hopefully have it posted by then. If you haven't seen my original prediction, you can read it here. However, be warned that my original predictions are pretty off-base with TCU's recent announcement to join the Big East.
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label south carolina. Show all posts
Showing posts with label south carolina. Show all posts
Friday, December 3, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
NCAAF Week 11 Weekend Preview
Thank you, Cam Newton. For weeks, I have been getting blasted for calling you a "poor man's Terrelle Pryor". Well, it seems that I was wrong after all. You're actually a rich man's Terrelle Pryor. Although, I can't say that I'm too surprised that people are coming out of the woodwork now about your situation. Sure, with Auburn fighting for a national championship bid, it seems natural. But you also have to figure that Kenny Rogers felt a little neglected. I mean, come on; how many of you are thinking "Kenny Rogers' Jackass" when you hear that name? I know I do. In all seriousness though, when the FBI gets involved in things, you're usually in trouble, and there is usually truth to the statements being made. Auburn fans, you may want to familiarize yourselves with the name Barrett Trotter.
After two weeks away, I'm back to give you a run-down of the top five games to watch this weekend.
5 Games to Pay Attention To
Georgia at #2 Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
If you have been reading my Weekend Preview's throughout this season, then you know that I am a big fan of Georgia's A.J. Green, and not such a big fan of Cam Newton. As I kept saying, Georgia, with Green, is a completely different team. That has been proven correct, as Georgia has done almost a complete 180 from where they were at five games into the season. Granted, they haven't played any outstanding opponents, but their improvement is as clear as day. Auburn will be dealing with the Cam Newton saga, as well as the pressure that comes with being an undefeated team this late into the season. Call me crazy, but this game could be the one that sends college football fans and voters alike into a tizzy.
My Pick: 44-41 Auburn
#23 Texas A&M at Baylor (Saturday, 7 PM EST)
Baylor apparently did not want to be in the top 25, surrendering to Oklahoma State 55-28 less than a week after cracking the Top 25 for the first time since 1993. However, now that they have fallen out of the rankings, I'm sure that they feel it is okay to resume playing like a team capable of winning the Big 12 South. Robert Griffin has been everything that was advertised when he came to the program two years ago. Now, if he can lead the Bears to a win over a Texas A&M team that has been streaky all season (but who also has a capable quarterback in Jerrod Johnson), Baylor can stay in the hunt for a Big 12 Championship game berth. Who would have predicted that three years ago?
My Pick: 38-31 Baylor
#22 South Carolina at #24 Florida (Saturday, 7:15 PM EST)
At first glance, this doesn't look like a particularly intriguing matchup. South Carolina, while knocking off Alabama earlier this season and receiving kudos from fans across the country, has been streaky all season. Florida, while being slightly overrated to start the season, is just a couple of games removed from a three game losing streak in which everyone was wondering (and not all that jokingly) if Urban Meyer would collapse. However, the winner of this game controls their destiny in the SEC East. South Carolina has never been to the SEC championship game, but the confidence in Florida isn't really there for me. I think this game is a toss-up, with the winner still at risk of losing control of the SEC East lead considering how inconsistent both teams have been this season.
My Pick: 30-20 Florida
#17 Mississippi State at #11 Alabama (Saturday, 7:15 PM EST)
"We could have been a contender. We could have been somebody." Maybe that's what Mississippi State is saying after everything that has been revealed about Cam Newton and his father. I'm sure that the Bulldogs are happy with Chris Relf, though. Relf and the rest of the Mississippi team have been a pleasant surprise in the SEC this year, even though they are only 5th in the stacked SEC West. However, even as improved as they've looked this season, beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa will be a tall task for the Bulldogs. Coming off of a loss that squashed any chance of Alabama returning to the national title game, it is unlikely that the Crimson Tide will be caught off guard. However, if the Mississippi State defense can make Greg McElroy commit errors similar to ones that LSU forced last weekend, then they have a fighting chance against the Tide.
My Pick: 34-21 Alabama
#1 Oregon at California (Saturday, 7:30 PM EST)
So, it is a known fact that Cal is never for real in football. Often times they may fool us by starting off well, but then losing many games down the stretch that you couldn't have possibly seen them losing when they were ranked number two earlier in the season. This season, however, Cal did not try to fool college football fans into thinking they were a top team. That is what makes them so dangerous this weekend, in my opinion. At certain times this year, Cal has shown the ability to be strong on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Of course, they have yet to put both together in one game, but the potential is definitely there. With nothing to lose, and becoming bowl eligible if they win, Cal may give Oregon a scare. Since I think we're still in the dark as to whether Oregon is truly the top team in the nation, any team has the potential to give them a scare, and Cal at home is as good as any.
My Pick: 48-38 Oregon
5 More to Flip To
#13 Iowa at Northwestern (Saturday, 12 PM EST)
If Iowa plays like they did last weekend, then Northwestern won't let a win slip through their hands like Indiana did...
#16 Virginia Tech at North Carolina (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
At the beginning of the season, these teams were a mess. Just another example of the parody in the ACC...
Penn State at #8 Ohio State (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
I'm not exactly sure why College GameDay is in Columbus this weekend. I guess this game could be interesting...
#12 Oklahoma State at Texas (Saturday, 8 PM EST)
Texas will be competitive in this game. Anyone who thinks that Mack Brown is on the hot seat is crazy.
#21 Nevada at Fresno State (Saturday, 10:30 PM EST)
A couple of WAC teams who, along with Boise State, would be able to hold their own in a bigger conference. One of the more hyped games in the WAC.
The storylines of the weekend have really been played out on SportsCenter the past couple of days. This weekend has the potential to be huge. I'll try get back into my regular schedule of posting once per week; however, if I am unable to, remember that you can still interact by joining the conversation on the "Around The Corn Sports Blog" Facebook fan page. Thanks everyone.
- K. Becks
After two weeks away, I'm back to give you a run-down of the top five games to watch this weekend.
5 Games to Pay Attention To
Georgia at #2 Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
If you have been reading my Weekend Preview's throughout this season, then you know that I am a big fan of Georgia's A.J. Green, and not such a big fan of Cam Newton. As I kept saying, Georgia, with Green, is a completely different team. That has been proven correct, as Georgia has done almost a complete 180 from where they were at five games into the season. Granted, they haven't played any outstanding opponents, but their improvement is as clear as day. Auburn will be dealing with the Cam Newton saga, as well as the pressure that comes with being an undefeated team this late into the season. Call me crazy, but this game could be the one that sends college football fans and voters alike into a tizzy.
My Pick: 44-41 Auburn
#23 Texas A&M at Baylor (Saturday, 7 PM EST)
Baylor apparently did not want to be in the top 25, surrendering to Oklahoma State 55-28 less than a week after cracking the Top 25 for the first time since 1993. However, now that they have fallen out of the rankings, I'm sure that they feel it is okay to resume playing like a team capable of winning the Big 12 South. Robert Griffin has been everything that was advertised when he came to the program two years ago. Now, if he can lead the Bears to a win over a Texas A&M team that has been streaky all season (but who also has a capable quarterback in Jerrod Johnson), Baylor can stay in the hunt for a Big 12 Championship game berth. Who would have predicted that three years ago?
My Pick: 38-31 Baylor
#22 South Carolina at #24 Florida (Saturday, 7:15 PM EST)
At first glance, this doesn't look like a particularly intriguing matchup. South Carolina, while knocking off Alabama earlier this season and receiving kudos from fans across the country, has been streaky all season. Florida, while being slightly overrated to start the season, is just a couple of games removed from a three game losing streak in which everyone was wondering (and not all that jokingly) if Urban Meyer would collapse. However, the winner of this game controls their destiny in the SEC East. South Carolina has never been to the SEC championship game, but the confidence in Florida isn't really there for me. I think this game is a toss-up, with the winner still at risk of losing control of the SEC East lead considering how inconsistent both teams have been this season.
My Pick: 30-20 Florida
#17 Mississippi State at #11 Alabama (Saturday, 7:15 PM EST)
"We could have been a contender. We could have been somebody." Maybe that's what Mississippi State is saying after everything that has been revealed about Cam Newton and his father. I'm sure that the Bulldogs are happy with Chris Relf, though. Relf and the rest of the Mississippi team have been a pleasant surprise in the SEC this year, even though they are only 5th in the stacked SEC West. However, even as improved as they've looked this season, beating Alabama in Tuscaloosa will be a tall task for the Bulldogs. Coming off of a loss that squashed any chance of Alabama returning to the national title game, it is unlikely that the Crimson Tide will be caught off guard. However, if the Mississippi State defense can make Greg McElroy commit errors similar to ones that LSU forced last weekend, then they have a fighting chance against the Tide.
My Pick: 34-21 Alabama
#1 Oregon at California (Saturday, 7:30 PM EST)
So, it is a known fact that Cal is never for real in football. Often times they may fool us by starting off well, but then losing many games down the stretch that you couldn't have possibly seen them losing when they were ranked number two earlier in the season. This season, however, Cal did not try to fool college football fans into thinking they were a top team. That is what makes them so dangerous this weekend, in my opinion. At certain times this year, Cal has shown the ability to be strong on the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Of course, they have yet to put both together in one game, but the potential is definitely there. With nothing to lose, and becoming bowl eligible if they win, Cal may give Oregon a scare. Since I think we're still in the dark as to whether Oregon is truly the top team in the nation, any team has the potential to give them a scare, and Cal at home is as good as any.
My Pick: 48-38 Oregon
5 More to Flip To
#13 Iowa at Northwestern (Saturday, 12 PM EST)
If Iowa plays like they did last weekend, then Northwestern won't let a win slip through their hands like Indiana did...
#16 Virginia Tech at North Carolina (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
At the beginning of the season, these teams were a mess. Just another example of the parody in the ACC...
Penn State at #8 Ohio State (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
I'm not exactly sure why College GameDay is in Columbus this weekend. I guess this game could be interesting...
#12 Oklahoma State at Texas (Saturday, 8 PM EST)
Texas will be competitive in this game. Anyone who thinks that Mack Brown is on the hot seat is crazy.
#21 Nevada at Fresno State (Saturday, 10:30 PM EST)
A couple of WAC teams who, along with Boise State, would be able to hold their own in a bigger conference. One of the more hyped games in the WAC.
The storylines of the weekend have really been played out on SportsCenter the past couple of days. This weekend has the potential to be huge. I'll try get back into my regular schedule of posting once per week; however, if I am unable to, remember that you can still interact by joining the conversation on the "Around The Corn Sports Blog" Facebook fan page. Thanks everyone.
- K. Becks
Friday, September 24, 2010
NCAAF Week 4 Weekend Preview
The common belief is that the teams in the SEC are always beating each other up, thus knocking each other out of contention for a national championship. This weekend is the start of the beatings that will likely ensue for the rest of the season in that conference. High profile SEC matchups (Alabama vs. Arkansas and South Carolina vs. Auburn, to name a couple) will result in at least two of the SEC's seven currently undefeated teams to suffer their first loss of the season. At least one Top 15 team will go down. Thanks to the top teams in the conference beating on each other this weekend, there will likely be a major shakeup in the rankings come Sunday. They branded two weekends ago Monster Saturday, but this weekend could be as monstrous as any in the SEC. After tomorrow, we will have a much clearer picture of who are the contenders and who are the pretenders down South.
Top 5 Games to Pay Attention to This Weekend
#1 Alabama at #10 Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Last year, the Alabama defense shut down Ryan Mallett on their way to a 35-7 drubbing. This year the Razorbacks should be in a much better position to challenge the Tide. For Arkansas, it all starts with the turnaround on defense. A team that ranked last in total yards per game given up last year now ranks second in the SEC, behind only Alabama. Alabama is still very strong on defense, which should make it hard for Ryan Mallett to do a whole lot more than he was able to last year. If the defense for Arkansas is as improved on defense as the statistics suggest, they should keep this game close enough for Mallett to give them a shot at winning.
My Pick: 27-17 Alabama
#12 South Carolina at #12 Auburn (Saturday, 7:45 PM ET)
I was pretty sure that Clemson was going to be able to knock off Auburn last weekend, and if it hadn't been for Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker being injured the entire second half, they may have won that game. That is why am very confident that South Carolina will be able to do what their rivals could not last Saturday night. I don't think it was Clemson's defense that lost them the game. They just couldn't find a way to score points in the second half when they needed to. South Carolina has the tendency to have the same problem, but I believe that they won't even need to score that much in order to beat the Tigers.
My Pick: 24-13 South Carolina
#24 Oregon State at #3 Boise State (Saturday, 8 PM ET
Oregon State was able to keep the game against TCU close thanks to a couple of interceptions thrown by Andy Dalton. If the Beavers want to upset the number three team in the nation, they are going to have to force turnovers yet again. Boise's Kellen Moore was able to lead Boise over Virginia Tech thanks in part to the fact that he took good care of the football. If he is able to do that again, then the talent on the Broncos roster will probably be the difference in this game. Oregon State has gone as far as to practice on a blue field this week in preparation for the Smurf Turf, so if that doesn't say anything about the impact of playing in Boise for opposing teams, I don't know what does.
My Pick: 44-28 Boise State
#22 West Virginia at #15 LSU (Saturday, 9 PM ET)
Although they are 3-0, LSU doesn't really look like one of the best teams in the SEC this season. Even though they average over 28 points per game scoring, their passing game hasn't been all that productive. West Virginia, on the other hand, has had a surprisingly good passing game so far. This game will likely be a battle between LSU's defense (which has been solid) and West Virginia's offense, in particular the passing game. If this game were in Morgantown, I may go the other way with my pick. However, at home, LSU is going to need a collapse similar to the one they had against North Carolina in the second half in order to lose this game.
My Pick: 30-17 LSU
#5 Oregon at Arizona State (Saturday, 10:30 PM ET)
Arizona State did a nice job in Madison last weekend, coming within a blocked extra point of overtime with Wisconsin. This weekend the Sun Devils face an entirely different offensive attack. Oregon has been putting the pedal to the metal offensively in all three of their games this season, scoring an average of sixty-three points per game. It would be one of the shockers of the entire season if the Sun Devils were able to beat Oregon, and I'm not saying that it's going to happen. Just keep an eye on this game if Arizona State is still hanging around in the second half.
My Pick: Oregon 44-17
5 More to Flip To
#16 Stanford at Notre Dame (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
I think Charlie Weis could have started 1-3 with this schedule too...
Temple at #23 Penn State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Temple looks to be the class of the MAC. They have the capability of making this one interesting.
UCLA at #7 Texas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
UCLA handled a Texas team last week. Can they make it two in a row?
Kentucky at #9 Florida (Saturday, 7 PM ET)
If this game wasn't being played at The Swamp, I would give Kentucky a much better chance of winning this game. Still, I think they at least have as much of a chance as Tennessee did last week.
California at #14 Arizona (Saturday, 10 PM ET)
The Pac-10 is weird. Arizona looked great last weekend, and Cal looked terrible. It could be the exact opposite this weekend, and I wouldn't even be all that surprised.
Storylines for the Weekend
North Carolina is cooked
Oh, how the tables have turned on the Tar Heels. Three weeks ago, they were getting ready for a game with the LSU Tigers, hoping that a win would be a proving point that they were one of the better teams in college football this season. Now, thanks to multiple suspensions handed out by the NCAA, the Tar Heels may just want to make it a goal to finish with a winning season. If North Carolina loses this weekend at Rutgers (which I believe they will), they will have a hard time not thinking of the 2010 campaign as a lost season. This is a sad but good example of what can happen when players receive improper benefits and are caught.
The Heisman race will begin to take shape
Right now, the Heisman bubble is still very fluid. After this weekend, we should have a better sense of who is really competing for college football's top individual prize. Ryan Mallett and Mark Ingram face off, which will undoubtedly result in one gaining a leg up on the other. Kellen Moore will get his second (and possibly last) shot to perform in front of a national audience to make his case as a Heisman contender. Terrelle Pryor has a chance to pad his stats against an Eastern Michigan team that is just plain bad. We're still weeks away from really knowing who is fighting for the bronze bust, but the conversation is becoming more relevant.
- K. Becks
Top 5 Games to Pay Attention to This Weekend
#1 Alabama at #10 Arkansas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Last year, the Alabama defense shut down Ryan Mallett on their way to a 35-7 drubbing. This year the Razorbacks should be in a much better position to challenge the Tide. For Arkansas, it all starts with the turnaround on defense. A team that ranked last in total yards per game given up last year now ranks second in the SEC, behind only Alabama. Alabama is still very strong on defense, which should make it hard for Ryan Mallett to do a whole lot more than he was able to last year. If the defense for Arkansas is as improved on defense as the statistics suggest, they should keep this game close enough for Mallett to give them a shot at winning.
My Pick: 27-17 Alabama
#12 South Carolina at #12 Auburn (Saturday, 7:45 PM ET)
I was pretty sure that Clemson was going to be able to knock off Auburn last weekend, and if it hadn't been for Clemson quarterback Kyle Parker being injured the entire second half, they may have won that game. That is why am very confident that South Carolina will be able to do what their rivals could not last Saturday night. I don't think it was Clemson's defense that lost them the game. They just couldn't find a way to score points in the second half when they needed to. South Carolina has the tendency to have the same problem, but I believe that they won't even need to score that much in order to beat the Tigers.
My Pick: 24-13 South Carolina
#24 Oregon State at #3 Boise State (Saturday, 8 PM ET
Oregon State was able to keep the game against TCU close thanks to a couple of interceptions thrown by Andy Dalton. If the Beavers want to upset the number three team in the nation, they are going to have to force turnovers yet again. Boise's Kellen Moore was able to lead Boise over Virginia Tech thanks in part to the fact that he took good care of the football. If he is able to do that again, then the talent on the Broncos roster will probably be the difference in this game. Oregon State has gone as far as to practice on a blue field this week in preparation for the Smurf Turf, so if that doesn't say anything about the impact of playing in Boise for opposing teams, I don't know what does.
My Pick: 44-28 Boise State
#22 West Virginia at #15 LSU (Saturday, 9 PM ET)
Although they are 3-0, LSU doesn't really look like one of the best teams in the SEC this season. Even though they average over 28 points per game scoring, their passing game hasn't been all that productive. West Virginia, on the other hand, has had a surprisingly good passing game so far. This game will likely be a battle between LSU's defense (which has been solid) and West Virginia's offense, in particular the passing game. If this game were in Morgantown, I may go the other way with my pick. However, at home, LSU is going to need a collapse similar to the one they had against North Carolina in the second half in order to lose this game.
My Pick: 30-17 LSU
#5 Oregon at Arizona State (Saturday, 10:30 PM ET)
Arizona State did a nice job in Madison last weekend, coming within a blocked extra point of overtime with Wisconsin. This weekend the Sun Devils face an entirely different offensive attack. Oregon has been putting the pedal to the metal offensively in all three of their games this season, scoring an average of sixty-three points per game. It would be one of the shockers of the entire season if the Sun Devils were able to beat Oregon, and I'm not saying that it's going to happen. Just keep an eye on this game if Arizona State is still hanging around in the second half.
My Pick: Oregon 44-17
5 More to Flip To
#16 Stanford at Notre Dame (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
I think Charlie Weis could have started 1-3 with this schedule too...
Temple at #23 Penn State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Temple looks to be the class of the MAC. They have the capability of making this one interesting.
UCLA at #7 Texas (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
UCLA handled a Texas team last week. Can they make it two in a row?
Kentucky at #9 Florida (Saturday, 7 PM ET)
If this game wasn't being played at The Swamp, I would give Kentucky a much better chance of winning this game. Still, I think they at least have as much of a chance as Tennessee did last week.
California at #14 Arizona (Saturday, 10 PM ET)
The Pac-10 is weird. Arizona looked great last weekend, and Cal looked terrible. It could be the exact opposite this weekend, and I wouldn't even be all that surprised.
Storylines for the Weekend
North Carolina is cooked
Oh, how the tables have turned on the Tar Heels. Three weeks ago, they were getting ready for a game with the LSU Tigers, hoping that a win would be a proving point that they were one of the better teams in college football this season. Now, thanks to multiple suspensions handed out by the NCAA, the Tar Heels may just want to make it a goal to finish with a winning season. If North Carolina loses this weekend at Rutgers (which I believe they will), they will have a hard time not thinking of the 2010 campaign as a lost season. This is a sad but good example of what can happen when players receive improper benefits and are caught.
The Heisman race will begin to take shape
Right now, the Heisman bubble is still very fluid. After this weekend, we should have a better sense of who is really competing for college football's top individual prize. Ryan Mallett and Mark Ingram face off, which will undoubtedly result in one gaining a leg up on the other. Kellen Moore will get his second (and possibly last) shot to perform in front of a national audience to make his case as a Heisman contender. Terrelle Pryor has a chance to pad his stats against an Eastern Michigan team that is just plain bad. We're still weeks away from really knowing who is fighting for the bronze bust, but the conversation is becoming more relevant.
- K. Becks
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
NCAAF: SEC Preview
The college football preview is underway again, after a little weekend break. For those of you that were waiting for the next preview to be on Monday (I said in my Thursday post that Monday would be the next day that I did a preview post), sorry for the delay. However, I did a post about my weekend at the Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio, and I would really appreciate it if you gave that a read as well. It's the post right under this one, if you're wondering.
Overview
Arguments aside, the SEC has been more or less the conference to beat throughout the past decade. The conference has had five BCS national championships, twelve BCS bowl game wins, and the best winning percentage in BCS bowl games during that time span. This year, the debate over which conference is the strongest will re-surface, and this time people may not be blowing hot air. The Southeastern Conference has the reigning National Champions in Alabama, who also boast the reigning Heisman winner in tailback Mark Ingram. However, conferences such as the Big 10 may have closed the gap that has seemed to separate the SEC from the rest of the pack throughout the last ten years. Like always, this year's Southeastern Conference will have powerhouse teams, All-American players, and primetime matchups. Only time will tell if anyone else can keep up with them.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
Alabama
No surprise here. The best team with the best player from last year is probably a favorite to make it back to the national title game yet again. Quite honestly, the only team that can beat the Alabama Crimson Tide this year is the Alabama Crimson Tide. They have a potential trap game versus Penn State early in the year, and as always Florida and LSU (who the Tide have to play at Death Valley) will not be give-me games. However, with almost all of the essential pieces from last year's title winning team returning on offense and a promising defense, only a lapse in concentration or poor execution can bring the Tide down.
Florida
I'm not completely sold on the Gators, but you can't really ever count out an Urban Meyer coached team these days. Obviously, the biggest hole that the Gators will have to fill is the one left by quarterback Tim Tebow. Although John Brantley is touted as a great replacement, he will have to fill the shoes of Tebow rather quickly, as the Gators have to travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee on September 18th. I'll be surprised if Florida remains undefeated by the middle of October, but you never know.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Georgia
They may not look all that impressive the first few weeks of the season as redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray adjusts during his first few games, but the good news is that he doesn't have to go up against any extremely tough defenses in those games. The Bulldogs schedule is favorable (no game against LSU, at home against Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech), and the defense should be much better than last year. After several years of disappointment, this could be the year that Georgia finally exceeds expectations.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (October 9th)
There aren't really any national title implications here, but the star power is definitely there. Ryan Mallet (Arkansas) and Jerrod Johnson (Texas A&M) are two of the best quarterbacks in college football, and both could be strong Heisman candidates by the end of the season. Both of these gunslingers should have a field day against questionable defenses, so the game should be a fun one to watch from an offensive standpoint. This game could end up being one, big highlight reel.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Alabama vs. Florida (October 2nd)
Chances are, both of these teams will be undefeated and probably in the Top 5 when this game is played. Might this be only Part I of II in the Alabama/Florida saga of 2010? Although one team's national title hopes will take a serious hit after the conclusion of this game, the SEC title game may be a chance for the loser to exact their revenge.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Florida (11-1, [7-1])
2. Georgia (10-2, [6-2])
3. Tennessee (7-5, [4-4])
4. South Carolina (6-6, [3-5])
5. Kentucky (6-6, [3-5])
6. Vanderbilt (1-11, [0-8])
West Division
1. Alabama (12-0, [8-0])
2. Arkansas (10-2, [6-2])
3. LSU (9-3, [5-3])
4. Auburn (6-6, [3-5])
5. Mississippi (5-7, [2-6])
6. Mississippi State (2-10, [0-8])
Championship Game (Alabama vs. Florida)
Winner: Alabama
Considering that most of my readers are from the Midwest, you'll be happy to know that the next college football preview is the Big Ten Conference.
- K. Becks
Overview
Arguments aside, the SEC has been more or less the conference to beat throughout the past decade. The conference has had five BCS national championships, twelve BCS bowl game wins, and the best winning percentage in BCS bowl games during that time span. This year, the debate over which conference is the strongest will re-surface, and this time people may not be blowing hot air. The Southeastern Conference has the reigning National Champions in Alabama, who also boast the reigning Heisman winner in tailback Mark Ingram. However, conferences such as the Big 10 may have closed the gap that has seemed to separate the SEC from the rest of the pack throughout the last ten years. Like always, this year's Southeastern Conference will have powerhouse teams, All-American players, and primetime matchups. Only time will tell if anyone else can keep up with them.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
Alabama
No surprise here. The best team with the best player from last year is probably a favorite to make it back to the national title game yet again. Quite honestly, the only team that can beat the Alabama Crimson Tide this year is the Alabama Crimson Tide. They have a potential trap game versus Penn State early in the year, and as always Florida and LSU (who the Tide have to play at Death Valley) will not be give-me games. However, with almost all of the essential pieces from last year's title winning team returning on offense and a promising defense, only a lapse in concentration or poor execution can bring the Tide down.
Florida
I'm not completely sold on the Gators, but you can't really ever count out an Urban Meyer coached team these days. Obviously, the biggest hole that the Gators will have to fill is the one left by quarterback Tim Tebow. Although John Brantley is touted as a great replacement, he will have to fill the shoes of Tebow rather quickly, as the Gators have to travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee on September 18th. I'll be surprised if Florida remains undefeated by the middle of October, but you never know.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Georgia
They may not look all that impressive the first few weeks of the season as redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray adjusts during his first few games, but the good news is that he doesn't have to go up against any extremely tough defenses in those games. The Bulldogs schedule is favorable (no game against LSU, at home against Arkansas, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech), and the defense should be much better than last year. After several years of disappointment, this could be the year that Georgia finally exceeds expectations.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (October 9th)
There aren't really any national title implications here, but the star power is definitely there. Ryan Mallet (Arkansas) and Jerrod Johnson (Texas A&M) are two of the best quarterbacks in college football, and both could be strong Heisman candidates by the end of the season. Both of these gunslingers should have a field day against questionable defenses, so the game should be a fun one to watch from an offensive standpoint. This game could end up being one, big highlight reel.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Alabama vs. Florida (October 2nd)
Chances are, both of these teams will be undefeated and probably in the Top 5 when this game is played. Might this be only Part I of II in the Alabama/Florida saga of 2010? Although one team's national title hopes will take a serious hit after the conclusion of this game, the SEC title game may be a chance for the loser to exact their revenge.
Conference Predictions
East Division
1. Florida (11-1, [7-1])
2. Georgia (10-2, [6-2])
3. Tennessee (7-5, [4-4])
4. South Carolina (6-6, [3-5])
5. Kentucky (6-6, [3-5])
6. Vanderbilt (1-11, [0-8])
West Division
1. Alabama (12-0, [8-0])
2. Arkansas (10-2, [6-2])
3. LSU (9-3, [5-3])
4. Auburn (6-6, [3-5])
5. Mississippi (5-7, [2-6])
6. Mississippi State (2-10, [0-8])
Championship Game (Alabama vs. Florida)
Winner: Alabama
Considering that most of my readers are from the Midwest, you'll be happy to know that the next college football preview is the Big Ten Conference.
- K. Becks
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