It's been two weeks since I have done a weekend preview for college football. I come back at a crucial time in the season; we're close to the first BCS rankings being revealed, and we already have some surprises. Alabama has gone down, Auburn is the highest ranked team in the SEC, Florida and Texas are both on two game losing streaks, and it has been rumored that had the BCS rankings come out this week, Boise State (gasp!) would hold the top spot in the rankings. Depending on how this weekend plays out, we could have even more parody in season that, like previous years, looks headed to make the BCS system look completely flawed.
5 Games to Pay Attention to This Weekend
Illinois at #13 Michigan State (Saturday, 12 PM EST)
I picked Michigan State to be a team that could surprise in the Big Ten, but I didn't expect them to be doing as well as they are. They don't have either an outstanding offense or defense, but have played very well under pressure, and have the guts that a team needs to have a special season. This weekend's game may be the toughest test for the Spartans thus far, though. Illinois, evident in their close game with Ohio State and then their beatdown of Penn State in Happy Valley, is not that bad. At least, not on defense. They rank next to last in total yards per game on offense, ahead of only Penn State. For the Illini to win, they will need to shut down Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins and hope they can muster enough points on offense to squeak out a close one. For the Spartans, a balanced offensive attack, and just not giving up any easy points on defense will be key if they want to keep their undefeated season intact.
My Pick: 24-17 Illinois
#21 Missouri at Texas A&M (Saturday, 12 PM EST)
If you wanted to truly evaluate how good the 2010 Missouri Tigers really are, their next three games would be a good thing to keep an eye on. After facing Texas A&M this weekend, the Tigers get to play Oklahoma at home, and then travel to Lincoln to play Nebraska the following week. Not only are these three games important to Missouri, but they are important to determining the entire Big 12 race. If Texas A&M has anything to say about it, Missouri will be an afterthought by this time next weekend. The Aggies have suffered tough losses in consecutive weekends to Oklahoma State and Arkansas, teams that are now both ranked, and also teams that Texas A&M had legitimate shots at beating. The season is slowly starting to slip away for the Aggies, so quarterback Jerrod Johnson needs to step up big in this game and re-start the success train. Starting 0-2 in the Big 12 South usually doesn't garner approval from fans, especially if you're a team from Texas.
My Pick: 38-31 Texas A&M
Texas at #5 Nebraska (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
Texas has to be angry. After being easy handled by UCLA, the Longhorns were unable to pull a big upset over rival Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout. After the loss to the Sooners, Texas dropped out of the top 25 for the first time in ten years. Now, after having an off week to think about all this, Texas gets to face yet another Big 12 power, Nebraska, in Lincoln. Mack Brown has the ability to get his players ready for big games such as this one, and all the other factors mentioned before should just add fuel to the fire for the Longhorns. However, they are going to have to play very well in a hostile Lincoln environment in order to pull off the upset. Many people are not aware of just how good Nebraska's defense is, and emotions alone are not going to win the game for Texas. It should be interesting to see how Texas responds in this one.
My Pick: 28-24 Nebraska
#12 Arkansas at #7 Auburn (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
Arkansas probably should have beaten Alabama two weeks ago. Unfortunately for Arkansas, Ryan Mallett made some key mistakes late in the game, and now the Razorbacks may be left wondering what could have been if they make it through the rest of the season with just that one loss. In this high profile matchup between two highly ranked SEC teams, it should be a battle of the quarterbacks, so Mallett will get his chance for redemption. On the other side, Auburn's Cam Newtown continues to play well and make my analysis that he is a "poor man's Terrelle Pryor" sound foolish. However, Newton will be going up against a defense much better than anything he's faced this season thus far. Of the defenses he has faced so far, Mississippi State ranks the best in yards per game allowed, giving up 328, good for 36th best in the nation. Arkansas gives up 302, good for 19th best. I highly doubt Arkansas will let Newton run for almost 200 yards and four touchdowns, but we'll have to see.
My Pick: 35-24 Arkansas
#1 Ohio State at #18 Wisconsin (Saturday, 7 PM EST)
Of their last 44 home games, Wisconsin had managed to win 40 of them. In other words, Camp Randall Stadium is where teams' winning streaks go to die. The Buckeyes are hoping to keep their winning streak intact when they travel to Madison to play the Badgers in a night game, which only adds to the hostility already present at Camp Randall during football games. If Wisconsin wants to win this game, they will need to be less predictable on offense. Two weeks ago, Michigan State found that containing the Badger running attack (as well as going for it on fourth down three times) was a recipe for success. Although it is highly unlikely that Jim Tressel will go for it on fourth down that many times (if at all) on the road, he will definitely be aiming to stop Wisconsin running backs John Clay and James White. If Wisconsin can't find a balance between the run and passing attack, they will have a hard time not losing their fifth game in 45 tries at home.
My Pick: 35-31 Ohio State
5 More to Flip To
N.C. State at East Carolina (Saturday, 12 PM EST)
N.C. State has been a major surprise this year. East Carolina is always tough at home, though.
#15 Iowa at Michigan (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
If Michigan can't win this game either, then you have to start to wonder if people were too quickly proclaiming the Wolverines as being "back".
#20 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech (Saturday, 3:30 PM EST)
There will undoubtedly be a lot of scoring in this game. When is the Tommy Tuberville we all came to know and love at Auburn going to show up at Texas Tech?
Mississippi State at #22 Florida (Saturday, 7 PM EST)
Urban Meyer would probably have to take off a few weeks for chest pains if the Gators were to drop this game too...
#19 Nevada at Hawaii (Saturday, 11:30 PM EST)
How good is Nevada? Well, better than Cal, that's for sure.
The next portion of this post features my predictions for the MLB's ALCS and NLCS. If you have actually read this entire post up to this point, I thank you.
ALCS (New York Yankees vs. Texas Rangers
The Rangers have home field advantage, which I'm sure that the Yankees would like to have. The Rangers also have Cliff Lee, which I know the Yankees would like to have. Of the two, one seems to be more important than the other, and Cliff Lee may end up being one of the most important parts of this series. Home field advantage hasn't meant much to the Yankees, as they were able to beat Minnesota twice at Target Field en route to sweeping the Twins in the ALDS. In the Texas vs. Tampa Bay ALDS, neither team won a single game at home. However, Cliff Lee did manage to win two games for the Rangers, and in order to beat the Yankees, will likely have to do so again in this series. Remember that two game series back in early August between the Rangers and the Yankees? The Rangers showed true tenacity in those games, winning in ten innings in the first and only losing by one run in the second. After that series, I thought "if this team gets a chance against the Yankees in the playoffs, they may be able to surprise some people". With Cliff Lee as their trump card, I still think they can.
Prediction: Rangers in seven
NLCS (Philadelphia Phillies vs. San Francisco Giants)
Unfortunately, the National League's Championship Series isn't as intriguing as the American League's, which isn't something I thought I'd hear myself saying about a month ago. Both teams have extremely good starting pitching, but the Giants have very little offensive firepower. I am one to preach the quote "defense wins championships", but at some point, you also need to acknowledge that to win games, you need to put runs up on the board. With the Giants averaging just three runs per game so far in the playoffs, I don't see how they can stay with the Phillies, even with their great pitching. Remember, not only does San Francisco have offensive issues, but they will have to face the trio of Roy Halladay, Roy Oswalt, and Cole Hamels. A threesome like that can shut down even the best offenses in the game.
Prediction: Phillies in six
- K. Becks
Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label texas. Show all posts
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Friday, October 1, 2010
NCAAF Week 5 Weekend Preview
It seems as if the slate of games from week to week just keeps getting better. If last week wasn't good enough for you, then you're in luck: four of the Big 6 conferences feature games in which two top 25 teams will square off against one another. In two of those four games, both teams are in the top ten. Also, the Boise State debate truly begins, now that the supposed "tough part" of their schedule is behind them, perfect record still intact. This is a bigger weekend than "Monster Saturday" in my opinion, just because of the stakes of certain games. Some of these matchups could ultimately decide who wins a conference.
Top 5 Games to Pay Attention to This Weekend
#11 Wisconsin at #24 Michigan State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Both of these teams rely on the running game to carry the offensive load. The question is, which defense will do a better job of containing the run? Wisconsin running back John Clay ran for over 100 yards last year in a win over the Spartans, and will likely be a factor in tomorrow's game. While the Spartans biggest task may be stopping Clay, they cannot forget about Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien. Tolzien was key in Wisconsin's win last year by throwing four touchdown passes, and could very well be the x-factor in this game as well. Michigan State has the tools to win this game, but they are going to need to play exceptionally well on both sides of the ball in order to do it.
My Pick: 27-21 Wisconsin
#21 Texas at #8 Oklahoma (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
It's not often that the Red River Rivalry isn't regarded as the biggest game of the weekend, but thanks to UCLA's drubbing of the Longhorns last Saturday, it definitely lost some significance in the public eye. However, counting Texas out in this game would be a grave mistake. The Longhorns' loss last weekend can be attributed to two factors: inexperience, and the fact that they had five turnovers. If they can take care of the football better, they should have a much better chance of winning this weekend. I had said at the beginning of this season that I thought Oklahoma was underrated; after the Cincinnati game, I started to wonder if I was wrong. Redemption for last week, as well as the added intensity of a rivalry game should make this one worth watching.
My Pick: 34-24 Oklahoma
#9 Stanford at #4 Oregon (Saturday, 8 PM ET)
This is quite possibly the best game in the Pac-10 this year. These two teams are arguably the best in the conference, and both have been very solid offensively and defensively. Oregon looked almost unstoppable in their first three games, but then struggled a bit against an Arizona State team who has been surprisingly tough this season. Like UCLA, they showed how much turnovers (they forced seven against Arizona State) can be a difference maker. However, the Ducks probably won't be able to rely on turnovers against the Cardinal. Andrew Luck is an extremely talented quarterback who makes good reads and decisions in the pocket. Disrupting Luck will be the task at hand for the Ducks. As for the Cardinal defense, keeping the game close is about all you can do. Oregon will score, but limiting the scoring so that Luck has a chance will be the key. This one is a toss-up, but considering I picked Stanford to win the conference, I'm looking for the upset.
My Pick: 44-41 Stanford
#7 Florida at #1 Alabama (Saturday, 8 PM ET)
Other than the loyal Crimson Tide fan base, hearts around the country sank when Ryan Mallet's pass, which was intended to be thrown away, was intercepted by Dre Kirkpatrick, thus sealing the game for Alabama. Maybe next week, right? Well, maybe not. Like Texas was, Florida is probably a little higher in the rankings than they ought to be. Other than last week against Kentucky, the Gators have not looked particularly impressive, and have shown sloppiness on the offensive side of the ball. Tailback Jeff Demps, who has been one of the more productive players for Florida this year, has been wearing a protective boot on his left foot all week. While he should play, his possible diminished impact could be devastating for the Gators. Even with Demps, I don't know how confident I would be in picking Florida to win this game. Still, no one thought Alabama was going to beat Florida last year, either. It could be a shocker, in which case I'll have to eat my words about Florida being overrated.
My Pick: 30-17 Alabama
#22 Penn State at #17 Iowa (Saturday, 8:05 PM ET)
This has been a very intriguing series over the last couple of years. In both 2008 and 2009, Penn State came in as the heavy favorites over the Hawkeyes, but the Hawkeyes managed to win both times. This year, the tables have been turned, as Iowa is the favorite against a Penn State team that has been struggling. The Nittany Lions have had trouble on the offensive end, which is understandable after losing quarterback and team leader Daryll Clark to graduation. Although the rankings wouldn't suggest it, a Penn State win would be about as monumental an upset as when Iowa beat the Nittany Lions in 2008 (when Penn State was ranked #3) considering the way their season has been going so far. Joe Pa's team needs to be more productive on offense if they want that to happen, though.
My Pick: 24-17 Iowa
5 More to Flip To
#16 Miami (Fla.) at Clemson (Saturday, 12 PM ET)
This could be an indicator of who the best team in the entire ACC is.
#2 Ohio State at Illinois (Saturday, 12 PM ET)
Illinois can be a tricky team to play on the road. Also, Ron Zook may be on his way out after this season, so he may try to pull out all the stops to get a "job-saver" win.
Virginia Tech at #23 N.C. State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
One of the surprises of the season, N.C. State looks to stay atop the ACC Atlantic division standings.
Tennessee at #12 LSU (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
I'll probably put Tennessee on this list every week from here on out. They always seem to have a shot, and I don't think this week will be any different.
Arizona State at Oregon State (Saturday, 6:30 PM ET)
Oregon State didn't get through their non-conference schedule how they would have liked, but they can start off the Pac-10 season on a positive note by beating a Sun Devils team that has been surprisingly tough this year.
Storylines for the Weekend
How will Georgia respond?
Two weeks ago, I said that Mark Richt was not going to lose his job after this season. Now, he has the tools back to prove me right. After serving his four game suspension, All-SEC wide receiver A.J. Green will be back to help the Bulldogs take on Colorado. How big of a deal is this for Georgia? Well, I picked Green as one of my preseason Heisman hopefuls, and the 6'4 receiver is a huge target who can go up and pick balls out of the air, which should help out redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray tremendously. Georgia still has a chance to turn this season around, and if they do, Green will likely be instrumental in their success.
Who wants to step up?
The ACC is doing it again. It's impossible to peg a team in the conference as the best for more than a week. Rankings wise, Miami is still the best team. However, upstart N.C. State is the only team in the conference that is still unbeaten. Virginia Tech, which got off to the worst start possible, now has the chance to take the lead in the Coastal division with a win against N.C. State. In other words, this conference is a mess. Again. If someone wants to step up as the frontrunner in this division, then now would be the time to do it.
- K. Becks
Top 5 Games to Pay Attention to This Weekend
#11 Wisconsin at #24 Michigan State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
Both of these teams rely on the running game to carry the offensive load. The question is, which defense will do a better job of containing the run? Wisconsin running back John Clay ran for over 100 yards last year in a win over the Spartans, and will likely be a factor in tomorrow's game. While the Spartans biggest task may be stopping Clay, they cannot forget about Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien. Tolzien was key in Wisconsin's win last year by throwing four touchdown passes, and could very well be the x-factor in this game as well. Michigan State has the tools to win this game, but they are going to need to play exceptionally well on both sides of the ball in order to do it.
My Pick: 27-21 Wisconsin
#21 Texas at #8 Oklahoma (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
It's not often that the Red River Rivalry isn't regarded as the biggest game of the weekend, but thanks to UCLA's drubbing of the Longhorns last Saturday, it definitely lost some significance in the public eye. However, counting Texas out in this game would be a grave mistake. The Longhorns' loss last weekend can be attributed to two factors: inexperience, and the fact that they had five turnovers. If they can take care of the football better, they should have a much better chance of winning this weekend. I had said at the beginning of this season that I thought Oklahoma was underrated; after the Cincinnati game, I started to wonder if I was wrong. Redemption for last week, as well as the added intensity of a rivalry game should make this one worth watching.
My Pick: 34-24 Oklahoma
#9 Stanford at #4 Oregon (Saturday, 8 PM ET)
This is quite possibly the best game in the Pac-10 this year. These two teams are arguably the best in the conference, and both have been very solid offensively and defensively. Oregon looked almost unstoppable in their first three games, but then struggled a bit against an Arizona State team who has been surprisingly tough this season. Like UCLA, they showed how much turnovers (they forced seven against Arizona State) can be a difference maker. However, the Ducks probably won't be able to rely on turnovers against the Cardinal. Andrew Luck is an extremely talented quarterback who makes good reads and decisions in the pocket. Disrupting Luck will be the task at hand for the Ducks. As for the Cardinal defense, keeping the game close is about all you can do. Oregon will score, but limiting the scoring so that Luck has a chance will be the key. This one is a toss-up, but considering I picked Stanford to win the conference, I'm looking for the upset.
My Pick: 44-41 Stanford
#7 Florida at #1 Alabama (Saturday, 8 PM ET)
Other than the loyal Crimson Tide fan base, hearts around the country sank when Ryan Mallet's pass, which was intended to be thrown away, was intercepted by Dre Kirkpatrick, thus sealing the game for Alabama. Maybe next week, right? Well, maybe not. Like Texas was, Florida is probably a little higher in the rankings than they ought to be. Other than last week against Kentucky, the Gators have not looked particularly impressive, and have shown sloppiness on the offensive side of the ball. Tailback Jeff Demps, who has been one of the more productive players for Florida this year, has been wearing a protective boot on his left foot all week. While he should play, his possible diminished impact could be devastating for the Gators. Even with Demps, I don't know how confident I would be in picking Florida to win this game. Still, no one thought Alabama was going to beat Florida last year, either. It could be a shocker, in which case I'll have to eat my words about Florida being overrated.
My Pick: 30-17 Alabama
#22 Penn State at #17 Iowa (Saturday, 8:05 PM ET)
This has been a very intriguing series over the last couple of years. In both 2008 and 2009, Penn State came in as the heavy favorites over the Hawkeyes, but the Hawkeyes managed to win both times. This year, the tables have been turned, as Iowa is the favorite against a Penn State team that has been struggling. The Nittany Lions have had trouble on the offensive end, which is understandable after losing quarterback and team leader Daryll Clark to graduation. Although the rankings wouldn't suggest it, a Penn State win would be about as monumental an upset as when Iowa beat the Nittany Lions in 2008 (when Penn State was ranked #3) considering the way their season has been going so far. Joe Pa's team needs to be more productive on offense if they want that to happen, though.
My Pick: 24-17 Iowa
5 More to Flip To
#16 Miami (Fla.) at Clemson (Saturday, 12 PM ET)
This could be an indicator of who the best team in the entire ACC is.
#2 Ohio State at Illinois (Saturday, 12 PM ET)
Illinois can be a tricky team to play on the road. Also, Ron Zook may be on his way out after this season, so he may try to pull out all the stops to get a "job-saver" win.
Virginia Tech at #23 N.C. State (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
One of the surprises of the season, N.C. State looks to stay atop the ACC Atlantic division standings.
Tennessee at #12 LSU (Saturday, 3:30 PM ET)
I'll probably put Tennessee on this list every week from here on out. They always seem to have a shot, and I don't think this week will be any different.
Arizona State at Oregon State (Saturday, 6:30 PM ET)
Oregon State didn't get through their non-conference schedule how they would have liked, but they can start off the Pac-10 season on a positive note by beating a Sun Devils team that has been surprisingly tough this year.
Storylines for the Weekend
How will Georgia respond?
Two weeks ago, I said that Mark Richt was not going to lose his job after this season. Now, he has the tools back to prove me right. After serving his four game suspension, All-SEC wide receiver A.J. Green will be back to help the Bulldogs take on Colorado. How big of a deal is this for Georgia? Well, I picked Green as one of my preseason Heisman hopefuls, and the 6'4 receiver is a huge target who can go up and pick balls out of the air, which should help out redshirt freshman quarterback Aaron Murray tremendously. Georgia still has a chance to turn this season around, and if they do, Green will likely be instrumental in their success.
Who wants to step up?
The ACC is doing it again. It's impossible to peg a team in the conference as the best for more than a week. Rankings wise, Miami is still the best team. However, upstart N.C. State is the only team in the conference that is still unbeaten. Virginia Tech, which got off to the worst start possible, now has the chance to take the lead in the Coastal division with a win against N.C. State. In other words, this conference is a mess. Again. If someone wants to step up as the frontrunner in this division, then now would be the time to do it.
- K. Becks
Friday, September 17, 2010
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
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
Saturday, August 21, 2010
NCAAF: Big 12 Preview
Overview
The Big 12 should be a very interesting conference to watch this year. They were the talk of the off-season, with Colorado and Nebraska going public with their intentions to bolt for the Pac-10 and Big 10 conferences next year, and that's just the beginning. Multiple teams, including Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma, will start the season with high hopes of going undefeated and possibly receiving a bid to play for the national championship. However, the question will be whether or not those teams have the answer at quarterback. Texas must replace Colt McCoy, but his successor Garrett Gilbert showed promise when he stepped into the national championship game last season and played surprisingly well. Oklahoma must replace Sam Bradford, but will do so with Landry Jones, who played most of the season last year for the Sooners after Bradford went down with an injury against BYU. Nebraska is also high in the preseason rankings, but had real problems last year at the quarterback position, and unless someone in that camp got much better over the off-season, will likely encounter those problems again. With all this being said, it could be a rollercoaster ride in the Big 12 this season. However, the conference has been on a rollercoaster ride for the last four months, so that isn't saying much.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
Nebraska
Even without defensive standout Ndamukong Suh, the Cornhusker defense should be strong under Bo Pelini. However, you can't always have the defense bail you out. Nebraska should easily win the Big 12 North, but if they want to be serious contenders for the national title, then they will need better play on offense, especially at quarterback. If Nebraska drops a game they shouldn't this season, the blame will likely be put on the offense. The bottom line is, if they have good quarterback play, then they are a national title caliber team. If they don't have it, then they aren't.
Texas
I think I'm more obligated out of recent success than anything to include Texas in this list. Not only do they lose Colt McCoy, but they also lose wide receiver Jordan Shipley, as well as some key proponents on the defensive side. Texas will probably drop a few games due to the inexperience of Gilbert and Co., but you never know. Mack Brown knows how to coach young players into confident leaders quickly, so I'll keep them on this list just in case.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Oklahoma
Yes, I think that Oklahoma will be the team out of the Big 12 that could surprise people. I don't know if people are giving enough credit to Landry Jones, who is a good quarterback. Oklahoma is flying under the radar somewhat, which may sound kind of weird, considering they're a preseason Top 10 team. After an 8-5 season, people seem to forget that they have possibly the best team in the Big 12, with an experienced quarterback. Don't be surprised if they win the Big 12 South and are still in the national title conversation heading into the Big 12 championship game.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Oklahoma vs. Florida State (September 11th)
This game features two teams that I picked to "surprise people" this year. If Florida State has a better defense than they did last year, then this game may surprise people as well. It's still early enough in the season that Florida State could rattle Landry Jones, who although talented, is still only a sophomore. A win for Florida State would definitely catch the nation's attention, and a win for Oklahoma is solid as well.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Nebraska vs. Texas (October 16th)
Oklahoma is not on the schedule for Nebraska, so this game is no doubt the biggest of the year for them. As for Texas, this game could be a chance to either prove they're for real, or to take out their frustrations if they happen to lose to Oklahoma, whom they play the week before. In addition, this game is a chance for the quarterbacks to have a breakout performance in front of a national audience. A lot should be at stake in this final meeting as Big 12 rivals.
Conference Predictions
North Division
1. Nebraska (11-1, [7-1])
2. Colorado (6-6, [4-4])
3. Iowa State (5-7, [3-5])
4. Missouri (7-5, [3-5])
5. Kansas (3-9, [1-7])
6. Kansas State (2-10, [0-8])
South Division
1. Oklahoma (11-1, [7-1])
2. Texas A&M (9-3, [5-3])
3. Texas (9-3, [5-3])
4. Texas Tech (8-4, [4-4])
5. Baylor (6-6, [3-5])
6. Oklahoma State (6-6, [2-6])
Championship Game (Nebraska vs. Oklahoma)
Winner: Nebraska
- K. Becks
The Big 12 should be a very interesting conference to watch this year. They were the talk of the off-season, with Colorado and Nebraska going public with their intentions to bolt for the Pac-10 and Big 10 conferences next year, and that's just the beginning. Multiple teams, including Nebraska, Texas, and Oklahoma, will start the season with high hopes of going undefeated and possibly receiving a bid to play for the national championship. However, the question will be whether or not those teams have the answer at quarterback. Texas must replace Colt McCoy, but his successor Garrett Gilbert showed promise when he stepped into the national championship game last season and played surprisingly well. Oklahoma must replace Sam Bradford, but will do so with Landry Jones, who played most of the season last year for the Sooners after Bradford went down with an injury against BYU. Nebraska is also high in the preseason rankings, but had real problems last year at the quarterback position, and unless someone in that camp got much better over the off-season, will likely encounter those problems again. With all this being said, it could be a rollercoaster ride in the Big 12 this season. However, the conference has been on a rollercoaster ride for the last four months, so that isn't saying much.
Team(s) With the Best Shot at a National Championship Bid
Nebraska
Even without defensive standout Ndamukong Suh, the Cornhusker defense should be strong under Bo Pelini. However, you can't always have the defense bail you out. Nebraska should easily win the Big 12 North, but if they want to be serious contenders for the national title, then they will need better play on offense, especially at quarterback. If Nebraska drops a game they shouldn't this season, the blame will likely be put on the offense. The bottom line is, if they have good quarterback play, then they are a national title caliber team. If they don't have it, then they aren't.
Texas
I think I'm more obligated out of recent success than anything to include Texas in this list. Not only do they lose Colt McCoy, but they also lose wide receiver Jordan Shipley, as well as some key proponents on the defensive side. Texas will probably drop a few games due to the inexperience of Gilbert and Co., but you never know. Mack Brown knows how to coach young players into confident leaders quickly, so I'll keep them on this list just in case.
Watch Out! (Team That Could Surprise)
Oklahoma
Yes, I think that Oklahoma will be the team out of the Big 12 that could surprise people. I don't know if people are giving enough credit to Landry Jones, who is a good quarterback. Oklahoma is flying under the radar somewhat, which may sound kind of weird, considering they're a preseason Top 10 team. After an 8-5 season, people seem to forget that they have possibly the best team in the Big 12, with an experienced quarterback. Don't be surprised if they win the Big 12 South and are still in the national title conversation heading into the Big 12 championship game.
Out-Of-Conference Game To Watch
Oklahoma vs. Florida State (September 11th)
This game features two teams that I picked to "surprise people" this year. If Florida State has a better defense than they did last year, then this game may surprise people as well. It's still early enough in the season that Florida State could rattle Landry Jones, who although talented, is still only a sophomore. A win for Florida State would definitely catch the nation's attention, and a win for Oklahoma is solid as well.
In-Conference Game To Watch
Nebraska vs. Texas (October 16th)
Oklahoma is not on the schedule for Nebraska, so this game is no doubt the biggest of the year for them. As for Texas, this game could be a chance to either prove they're for real, or to take out their frustrations if they happen to lose to Oklahoma, whom they play the week before. In addition, this game is a chance for the quarterbacks to have a breakout performance in front of a national audience. A lot should be at stake in this final meeting as Big 12 rivals.
Conference Predictions
North Division
1. Nebraska (11-1, [7-1])
2. Colorado (6-6, [4-4])
3. Iowa State (5-7, [3-5])
4. Missouri (7-5, [3-5])
5. Kansas (3-9, [1-7])
6. Kansas State (2-10, [0-8])
South Division
1. Oklahoma (11-1, [7-1])
2. Texas A&M (9-3, [5-3])
3. Texas (9-3, [5-3])
4. Texas Tech (8-4, [4-4])
5. Baylor (6-6, [3-5])
6. Oklahoma State (6-6, [2-6])
Championship Game (Nebraska vs. Oklahoma)
Winner: Nebraska
- K. Becks
Monday, June 14, 2010
Actually, We're Going To Stay
Apparently, Texas did not think that it would be a good idea to move to the Pac-10, set off what would have been a chain of events that would have led to the creation of a collection of "super" conferences, and invoke talk of a college football playoff. Instead, now we essentially have what we started with; a twelve team conference and a ten team conference. The only thing left to do now is switch the names of the conferences to avoid confusion. I still believe that in a few years, Texas will bolt for another conference. As I have said before, it is all about the money. Texas is the Big 12, and therefore is content to stay in it and rack in all the benefits. However, when it becomes clear to all the college presidents that a college playoff is on its way, Texas will realize that they can make even more money by helping create a super conference. It may be a few years, but Texas will eventually be a member of the Pac-10, and the Big 12 will become defunct.
While on the subject of conference expansion, let me correct a mistake from my last post that was brought to my attention by a few of my readers. I had said that the Big 10 would end up with thirteen teams by adding Nebraska, Missouri, and Notre Dame, when the total should actually be fourteen. Thank you to those who pointed that out to me. With that being said, it would be even more logical for the Big 10 to do something like this if the conference swapping were to take place, because having fourteen teams would allow for two seven-team divisions.
The World Cup is now well underway, and thanks to a certain musical instrument, the fans in South Africa are making sure that the world is paying attention. Personally, I kind of like the vuvuzelas; after about five minutes, you almost forget that the noise is there. It has apparently been a tradition in South Africa to blow the horns during games for a long time, and telling a country that they cannot partake in their traditions is unfair. Regardless of what some players say, it's not hurting anyone. That is why I am glad that FIFA will not ban the horn. As for the U.S. team, they should be feeling confident about their chances of moving on if they stay focused. They got a gift in the game against England, but they have the talent edge over both Slovenia and Algeria. Slovenia did not look impressive in their win over Algeria on Sunday (they also received a gift from Algerian goalkeeper Farouzi Chaouchi), and assuming that the U.S. attacks and does not sit back and defend, they will beat Slovenia. As for Algeria, again; it comes down to staying focused. If the U.S. goes into the Algeria game with a good mindset, then they will end the group stage with seven points, and will move on to the knockout round. Anything less will be a disappointment.
Once again, Stephen Strasburg did not fail to impress, striking out eight and getting his second win in as many starts against Cleveland on Sunday. Many people have been wondering if Strasburg will cool off once he faces a team that has a winning percentage over .410. I believe the answer to that question is no. It would be one thing if Strasburg had just one pitch. But he doesn't. He doesn't have just two, either. He has three dominating pitches. In the major leagues, batters study pitchers enough to have at least somewhat of an idea what the pitcher may throw depending on the count. However, because of Strasburg's control with multiple types of pitches, the hitters are almost guessing at what he may throw next. There shouldn't be too much of a drop-off from that kind of command, even in a few months when hitters have had time to figure Strasburg out. The bottom line is this guy is just that good.
- K. Becks
While on the subject of conference expansion, let me correct a mistake from my last post that was brought to my attention by a few of my readers. I had said that the Big 10 would end up with thirteen teams by adding Nebraska, Missouri, and Notre Dame, when the total should actually be fourteen. Thank you to those who pointed that out to me. With that being said, it would be even more logical for the Big 10 to do something like this if the conference swapping were to take place, because having fourteen teams would allow for two seven-team divisions.
The World Cup is now well underway, and thanks to a certain musical instrument, the fans in South Africa are making sure that the world is paying attention. Personally, I kind of like the vuvuzelas; after about five minutes, you almost forget that the noise is there. It has apparently been a tradition in South Africa to blow the horns during games for a long time, and telling a country that they cannot partake in their traditions is unfair. Regardless of what some players say, it's not hurting anyone. That is why I am glad that FIFA will not ban the horn. As for the U.S. team, they should be feeling confident about their chances of moving on if they stay focused. They got a gift in the game against England, but they have the talent edge over both Slovenia and Algeria. Slovenia did not look impressive in their win over Algeria on Sunday (they also received a gift from Algerian goalkeeper Farouzi Chaouchi), and assuming that the U.S. attacks and does not sit back and defend, they will beat Slovenia. As for Algeria, again; it comes down to staying focused. If the U.S. goes into the Algeria game with a good mindset, then they will end the group stage with seven points, and will move on to the knockout round. Anything less will be a disappointment.
Once again, Stephen Strasburg did not fail to impress, striking out eight and getting his second win in as many starts against Cleveland on Sunday. Many people have been wondering if Strasburg will cool off once he faces a team that has a winning percentage over .410. I believe the answer to that question is no. It would be one thing if Strasburg had just one pitch. But he doesn't. He doesn't have just two, either. He has three dominating pitches. In the major leagues, batters study pitchers enough to have at least somewhat of an idea what the pitcher may throw depending on the count. However, because of Strasburg's control with multiple types of pitches, the hitters are almost guessing at what he may throw next. There shouldn't be too much of a drop-off from that kind of command, even in a few months when hitters have had time to figure Strasburg out. The bottom line is this guy is just that good.
- K. Becks
Thursday, January 7, 2010
The Big One
After two and a half weeks of bowl games, we have finally come down to the season finale. It's a bittersweet day for me; I love the college bowl season, and seeing it come to an end is always a little depressing.
I won't forget to mention last night's game. It ended up being very entertaining. Not only was it a shootout, but it took a comeback in the 4th quarter and two overtimes to decide it. Central Michigan ended up winning, and not only did it cap off a great college career for Dan LeFevour, but it also sealed my win in my College Bowl Mania group. Needless to say, I was pretty happy with the Chippewas last night.
Now, without further ado, my pick for tonight's game.
BCS National Championship presented by Citi
Alabama vs. Texas
This is the game everyone has been waiting for. Both teams feature extremely talented defenses, with many future NFL stars for each team. Texas has the best rush defense in the nation, and Alabama gives up just 11 PPG and 242 total yards. This will probably come down to the quarterbacks. Whoever can avoid the pass rush better and find open receivers will have the advantage in this game. I think that Alabama QB Greg McElroy will be the difference in a very tight game, but don't count out Colt McCoy and the Longhorns. If Texas can shut down McElroy and limit the big plays by Mark Ingram, they can win. Last time Texas played in Pasadena, they were the underdogs. We will likely see some magic from one of these quarterbacks tonight, just as we did back in 2005.
Final Score: 27-24 Alabama
I have Alabama for 15 points in the College Bowl Mania game, but it no longer matters. I will be watching this one purely for the love of the game. It's been a great season; hopefully, we can cap it off with a great National Championship.
- K. Becks
I won't forget to mention last night's game. It ended up being very entertaining. Not only was it a shootout, but it took a comeback in the 4th quarter and two overtimes to decide it. Central Michigan ended up winning, and not only did it cap off a great college career for Dan LeFevour, but it also sealed my win in my College Bowl Mania group. Needless to say, I was pretty happy with the Chippewas last night.
Now, without further ado, my pick for tonight's game.
BCS National Championship presented by Citi
Alabama vs. Texas
This is the game everyone has been waiting for. Both teams feature extremely talented defenses, with many future NFL stars for each team. Texas has the best rush defense in the nation, and Alabama gives up just 11 PPG and 242 total yards. This will probably come down to the quarterbacks. Whoever can avoid the pass rush better and find open receivers will have the advantage in this game. I think that Alabama QB Greg McElroy will be the difference in a very tight game, but don't count out Colt McCoy and the Longhorns. If Texas can shut down McElroy and limit the big plays by Mark Ingram, they can win. Last time Texas played in Pasadena, they were the underdogs. We will likely see some magic from one of these quarterbacks tonight, just as we did back in 2005.
Final Score: 27-24 Alabama
I have Alabama for 15 points in the College Bowl Mania game, but it no longer matters. I will be watching this one purely for the love of the game. It's been a great season; hopefully, we can cap it off with a great National Championship.
- K. Becks
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