Reader Questions Segment

Reader Questions Week 10

 

    Happy Halloween! October has reached its end, and the important month of November is ready to go. November will seperate the last of the pretenders from the contenders, and for some conferences it will settle who plays for their conference championship.


    Do you have a question/comment? Send it in to: jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post it to our Facebook page. Each week I tackle your questions/comments on ANYTHING college football. Any team, any conference.....you decide.

    I have a couple of your questions that I will tackle today. Lets see what questions you came up with this past week.


Joshua writes: Out of the top 5 teams, who is most likely to fall, and how will it affect who goes to the BCS Championship?

    Well, I think that's fairly simple, and most people would agree.....LSU is the one team that sticks out in the latest Top 5. And they will most likely fall this week to Alabama. Outside of LSU? Oregon would be next. They haven't had any real tough games yet, but the toughest part of their schedule starts this Saturday with USC. Kansas State should win every game left on the schedule, and that could be what hurts them in the final rankings before the Bowl Games start. Their schedule may not impress many down the stretch, so they have very little room for error. Notre Dame is still on upset watch. I know I said I would never pick against them again the rest of the season, but they still look like a team that could slip up on any given week. They still have to play USC......yes, I know USC doesn't look as good as they were thought to be, but they can still create problems.
   
    That all being said, I think the game(s) that could have the biggest impact on the BCS Championship will be this weekend. LSU vs Bama, and maybe even USC vs Oregon. If Bama goes down, it will create a huge train wreck in the top 5. However, I think Bama will win the game, so we may not have to worry about that. Thanks for the question Joshua.


Javaris in Georgia writes: I cant wait for the playoff system to be put into place. This season would be perfect for it. My question is this, What needs to happen to make sure people, fans, and the media are all on board with this playoff system when it hits in 2014?

    I am not sure I fully understand the question, Javaris. Last I checked, EVERYONE is on board for the playoff system. Everybody wants to see that. In fact, I think most people would like to see an 8 team playoff instead of the 4 team playoff that was decided on.
    Let me take a shot at what I think you may be trying to ask.  Does there need to be a huge mess in the rankings going into Bowl Season? Like 4 undefeated teams and two getting left out of the championship game or 6 one loss teams and the controversy of who gets to go and who doesn't?  I don't think there needs to be a mess like that. I think the point has already been made. There are 4 undefeated teams left heading into November, and they all have a very good chance at staying undefeated. I think this year will prove on its own that the playoff system will be a good thing. Last year made fans, and even officials realize that the current system needed to be changed.

    On the flip side, There is a scenario that could cause a lot of controversy at the end of the regular season. Picture this, Alabama falls to LSU. Oregon falls, either in regular season play or PAC 12 championship game. Notre Dame gets upset down the stretch. Kansas State falls to Baylor, or TCU. That would leave LSU to play in the SEC Title game......but lets say they lose the SEC title game to Georgia. Now you have Bama with a loss to a team that would have two losses. Oregon with a loss to a team with multiple losses. Florida would then some how be back in the mix, but you can't be sure on that one because they still have Florida State. There isn't much room for error for any team. This is very confusing, but if half of what I wrote were to happen, it would be chaos in the Top 5.  If you asked what I would like to see happen, I would have to say I would love to see a huge mess in the top 5. Controversy in the rankings is funny to watch because 90% of the time the controversy was made by the very same people who try to avoid it. The BCS was put into place to avoid further controversy of who should be playing for the National Championship. Well, look at the BCS now. It creates more controversy with it in place than before it was started in 1998.

   Thanks for the question Javaris, I hope that is what you were trying to ask.


  Check back later this week for the key games to watch this weekend and my picks. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and give us a 'LIKE'. www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day
  Do you have a question/comment? Send it in to: jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post it to our Facebook page. Each week I tackle your questions/comments on ANYTHING college football. Any team, any conference.....you decide.

Week 9 Recap

 

 Pretenders and Contenders

 

 

    First, I need to apologize to Notre Dame. I have picked them every week except this past week. They proved me wrong. More importantly, they showed the entire country that they mean business. Their defense appears to be as good as advertised, and their offense is getting better every week. It's no longer the 'luck of the Irish' getting them through their schedule, it's the will to win. So Notre Dame, I am sorry and I will try to never be on the wrong side again.

 

    Moving on......

 

    I finished 5-2 this weekend. Florida and Oklahoma were my two letdowns. Everyone else, it was business as usual. Bama exposed Mississippi State for what they really are, Kansas State continues to impress, Nebraska took care of Michigan, and South Carolina survived Tennessee. My season record is now 39-17 for those of you keeping track.

 

BCS Picture Clear? Not yet....

 

    Georgia upset Florida in Jacksonville. WOW. Florida had a chance to secure their spot in Atlanta for the SEC Championship and they flat out blew it. I have to give Georgia credit, though. Georgia found the recipe that so many other teams had been searching for this season. Force the Gators to depend on the throwing ability of Driskel......While it may seem simple, no other team was able to pull this off up to this point. Not only did Georgia force Florida to pass more, but they pressured Driskel when they needed it most. The game certainly wasn't pretty from either team's perspective. Turnovers and penalties dominated the game. Neither QB looked impressive, but Murray made the plays down the stretch. Big win for Georgia, and a very tough loss for Florida. The Bulldogs now control their own destiny in terms of getting to the SEC Championship.

 

   

 

   So what does the BCS picture look like now?

1. Alabama
2. Kansas State
3. Notre Dame
4. Oregon
5. LSU
6. Georgia
7. Florida
8. South Carolina
9. Florida State
10. Louisville

 

   Welcome back to the Top 10, Florida State. The scariest part about the way this looks is how much it could change in one week. Think of USC pulling the upset on Notre Dame, or Kansas State screwing up. There is a good argument out there that 4 of these teams still have shot at going to the BCS Title game......Granted, some have better shots than others. LSU is still in the mix.....and what if......no, it couldn't happen, could it? What if LSU beat Alabama, Notre Dame lost to USC, Kansas State loses one, and Oregon found a way to lose to USC or lost in their conference championship? You talk about a TRAIN WRECK?

 

   The BCS picture may seem pretty clear right now, but just wait until there is another upset. Just wait until three of the top 4 teams fall.... It will create one huge mess that will make us wish the Play Off system was already in place. You can count on at least one Top 5 team falling this week....Alabama or LSU? Then watch out for USC vs Oregon. It could be another week of huge upsets.

 

 

   Let me know what scenarios you think will play out. Send me your questions/comments for our Reader Question Segment coming up on Wednesday. jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day 

South Carolina vs Tennessee

South Carolina Survives Tennessee

 

     The Gamecocks got the win, but it came at the highest price. Marcus Lattimore went down with what looked like a very serious leg injury.

 

     Tyler Bray played great. Tennessee had their chances and couldn't get it done. Bray had been solid all game, and was hardly pressured by what some thought was the best defensive line in the SEC East. The Vols were driving late when Clowney finally got to Bray and forced a fumble just as he was trying to throw the ball. Have to give the Vols some credit. They could have just folded and got blown out in this game but they played hard to the end.

 

     For Spurrier and the Gamecocks, it might as well have gone down as a loss. Losing Lattimore hurt this team more than a loss would have.......Lattimore was tackled, and while his momentum was going one way another tackler hit him low and his leg clearly went the wrong direction. While Lattimore was down being taken care of by trainers, both teams came out on to field to show their support. These teams may have been fighting and hating eachother all game, but this goes to show the respect they have for eachother.

 

    It was a tough game, and South Carolina got the win.

 

 

 

Florida Upset by Georgia

 

   A game filled with penalties and turnovers turned into an upset in favor of Georgia. Florida started slow, much like they have all season. I know Gator fans weren't worried; Florida is a second half team. They truly have dominated teams in the second half.....and that would be the case in this game too, right?

 

    Georgia did what other teams who had the lead at halftime couldn't. They found a way to keep the lead from start to finish. They forced Florida into tough situations. They forced the Gators to pass more, which then allowed Georgia to turn up the pass rush. Driskel did not handle the pass rush well at all. He had some key plays but pressure proved to be his weakness. We all wondered if Driskel could win the game with his arm in a tight rivalry game, and that was put to rest on Saturday afternoon. While it wasn't his fault when Reed fumbled after catching a pass from him late in the game, he still had many mistakes earlier in the game that cost his team points. He still has a bright career ahead of him; he just needs to get his focus back.

 

     Florida needs Georgia to lose another game if they want to get to the SEC Title game. Georgia now controls their own destiny. Only two SEC games stand in the way of Georgia. It was a great win for Georgia, but a tough loss for Florida.  

Week 9 Key Games and Picks

Week 9 Key Games and Picks

 

     Week 9 already? We are in the final third of the season. Don't worry though, this is usually the most exciting part of the season, next to opening day.

 

 

     I am 34-15 this season. This week I am feeling like there will be a team in the top 5 that will lose. This could be one of the biggest weeks in college football, so lets see what games you should keep an eye on and what my picks look like.

 

    Tennessee at South Carolina. I only have this game circled because of South Carolina. Tennessee has nothing left to fight for and they may as well just pack it up. South Carolina is struggling to find that early season magic that they have suddenly lost. South Carolina fans had such high hopes this season, only to have their hopes dashed in the last two weeks. The only way this game stays close is if UT hasn't already called it quits. Tyler Bray will be on a shorter leash. UT fans may get a chance to see their backup QB if Bray struggles early. The Gamecocks will be very focused for this game, as they look to get back on track with a win at home. Gamecocks win, 30-13.

 

 

 

   

     Notre Dame at Oklahoma. HUGE game here. This could impact the rankings big time. With a win, the Irish could move up in the BCS. Same can be said for Oklahoma. Either way, this game will have an impact. If Oklahoma wins, it suddenly makes Kansas State's win over the Sooners that much more respectable. Notre Dame NEEDS this win more than some may think. This is their first matchup against a top 10 team. The only thing holding the Irish back in some polls is strength of schedule, and this will greatly help them......But can they win? Is Notre Dame everything they have been made out to be thus far? I have stuck with the Irish all season, but at the same time, I have said they fit the description of a pretender. They have blended in with the top teams in the country to this point, but I feel it ends this week. They have won the close games like a good team should, but can they go on the road into a very tough environment, and get a win against a top 10 opponent? BOOMER!!!! SOONER!!! Oklahoma gets the upset and win, and I think they win in convincing fashion, 28-14.

 

   

     So, if that's the top 5 team that falls, then the others are safe, right? In the words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friends!" It may not be that easy for the other top 4 teams.

 

 

 

     Florida vs Georgia. The Bulldogs have new life. They could control their own destiny with a win over Florida on Saturday. This is a great matchup because it will directly impact the SEC Championship game. Florida looks like they could take on anybody, anywhere, and anytime. They play such an interesting style right now. The Gators play boring to start the game, getting their opponents to drift off to sleep, and thats when they have you right where they want you. UF has destroyed teams in the second half. Their play is much like 'ICEMAN' (Top Gun reference, yes I went there). If Georgia hopes to have a chance at pulling the upset, they must find a way to get the lead early in the game, AND HOLD ON TO THE LEAD late in the game. So far, teams haven't found the right recipe to be able to do that. Georgia's defense will be tested. Their offense? Yes, that too will be tested against this suffocating defense. Even if Georgia plays lights out, I just can't see Florida losing in this one. Unless Georgia exposes something that hasn't been seen all season long from the Gators, it just doesn't look good for the Bulldogs. Gators win, 27-21.

 

 

 

 

     Mississippi State at Alabama. Well, this will give us a good idea of just how good Mississippi really is.......or how bad they are.....or something, right? We all think we know how good Alabama is, right? They haven't been tested, and here we are in week 9 and they still may not be tested. According to the rankings, this looks like a test, it acts likes a test, but I think it will be more like a 'practice test'. The toughest part about this game may be the outcome. Think about it.....If Alabama doesn't win convincingly, then you will start to hear the whispers about Bama being overrated......And if they win big? Then you will hear what we are hearing/reading right now, Mississippi State is overrated and isn't as good as their record says. No matter what happens (even with a loss) Alabama doesn't gain much credibility, if any, with this game. Just remember, if Bama stuggles just enough, and UF wins big over Georgia, that could cause a shuffle at #1 and #2 in the ranks. Bama will win, and it should be convincing, 37-17.

 

 

    Duke at Florida State. Florida State returns home to face Duke. Oh, and DUKE IS BOWL ELIGIBLE!!! FSU will look to James Wilder Jr. and Devonta Freeman to replace leading rusher, Chris Thompson. CT had his senior campaign end last week with a torn ACL. I don't expect much drop-off. His leadership will be missed, but this will be a great chance for others to step up. Duke has some momentum and could hang with FSU early, especially if FSU continues to start slow. FSU hasn't had a complete game this season, and that certainly could hurt them this game. While many will overlook this game, FSU fans should be a little concerned. Jimbo Fisher doesn't have the greatest record against teams that he is favored by double digits. One good thing is that FSU is 17-0 against Duke. Florida State is the better team....much better, and they should win big, but I caution fans, it could be closer than expected. FSU wins, 35-17.

 

 

     Kansas State vs Texas Tech. The Wildcats are playing great football right now, and they are looking to stay undefeated. This will be the tale of two teams that both beat West Virginia. Which team has the edge? The Red Raiders will be playing spoiler again. Can they pull off another upset this season? Kansas State has a lot on the line. Heisman Trophy hopes, and possibly a shot at the National Championship fuels Kansas State. They have silenced many of their haters with wins over Oklahoma and West Virginia, and while this game may not look as big as the others, it will have as much of an impact as the others did. Kansas State needs this win to prove they can survive the trap games. Even though they are in the top 5 and have beaten some really good teams, they are still at a point where they have to prove themselves to everyone. I think that's what has been driving this team all season. They are playing with a chip on their shoulder. This game is at Kansas State and I think that gives them the edge they will need to win. Wildcats win, 34-24.

 

  

    Michigan at Nebraska. This game may fly under the radar for some fans out there. That may be due to the fact that the Big Ten isn't relevant in the big picture right now. However, this is a big game within the world of the Big Ten. Two of the most exciting (and not exciting, at times) QBs square off in Nebraska. The Cornhuskers are still trying to find their footing. They have had a very up and down season thus far. At times, their offense looks great......Then it's like they all forget who they are and how to play football. Don't get me wrong, Michigan looks the same way. Denard Robinson might be getting back to playing the way he did a year ago. And, as a reader pointed out last week (Thank you, Tim Shay) Michigan's defense is looking better and could be a major factor in this game. Both of these teams have ruined some picks for me in the past and I said I would never pick either of these teams again this season.......and here we are in Week 9. I have picked Michigan to win two (2) times this season, and I lost both of them. I have picked Nebraska to win three (3) times this season and I lost two of the three. It comes down to the home team for me. Nebraska at home is a tough team to play. Cornhuskers win, 28-24.

 

 

    Thanks for reading. Send your questions and/or comments to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com for my Reader Questions Segment each week.  Don't forget to check us out of Facebook and give us a 'LIKE'. www.collegefootball2day.blogspot.com

 

 AND DON'T FORGET:  Lets make things a little interesting. I want YOU (the reader) to email or post A WORD that you would want used in my posts. It can be totally random. Just a word that would seem out of place in a college football blog. Please keep it clean, but have fun with it. I will pick a word or two every week and force them into my posts. The more rediculous the word, the more it will stand out. Have fun with it.

 

 



Reader Questions Week 9

Reader Questions Segment

 

    Every week I take the time to answer your questions and respond to your comments. Send your questions or comments to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com. This week, I only received one question and I want to get right to it.

 

 

 

    Clint writes: "It seems that we will see another SEC vs SEC in the BCS Title game this season. If the Playoffs were in play this season, what teams do you think would make the cut? It's only four teams, but I think there are 6 or 7 teams that could make the argument. Your thoughts?

 

 

   Thanks for the question, Clint. First, I think you may be a little ahead of yourself by thinking it will be two SEC schools in the BCS Title Game. I'm not saying it won't happen, but if there are one or two other undefeated teams outside the SEC left, then there is no way a one loss SEC team gets in. There are so many ways this could play out. Think of what would happen to the rankings if Florida and Alabama both lost this upcoming weekend. OR, think of what it would be like if LSU beat Bama. In that case, does LSU deserve a shot? It's certainly too early to tell. The next few weeks will be very important, as it will bring the BCS matchups into focus.

 

       Now for your Playoff question. If the Playoff System was in place for this season there very well could be two SEC schools in the mix. At this point of the season, Bama, UF, Kansas State, and Oregon would all be in. However, those teams would change after conference championships were played. UF or Bama would be out, and that opens the door for an undefeated Notre Dame. Oddly enough, both Bama and UF could be out if Bama lost to LSU and UF lost two games including the SEC Title game. Let me give you my picks as if the regular season and conference championships were done.  Bama, Oregon, Kansas State, and Notre Dame. Again, it's early to be throwing these picks out there, but I believe these are the best four teams in the country and deserve a shot in the playoffs. I don't see any other teams that are deserving. With those picks, that assumes that LSU will have two losses, USC will have at least two losses, Oklahoma will have lost to Notre Dame and K State, and Oregon State will have lost at least one game. I hope it will be that easy when the Playoff System is put into place. With our luck, there will be five undefeated teams to pick from, and maybe even a strong one loss SEC school in the mix just to make things worse. It will be very exciting, no doubt, when this finally gets going.

 

    Thanks again, Clint. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and give us a 'LIKE' (www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day) Post your questions and/or comments there too....or send to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com. Check back for my key games and picks for Week 9.

 

  

 

 

      

Week 8 Recap

Week 8; BCS Picture Coming into Focus

 

     The BCS is finally coming into focus, but there is still plenty of football left that could cloud it all up again. For starters, does Florida deserve to be #1 in the rankings? Even if they don't end the season at #1, they certainly deserve that spot at this point of the season. Alabama continues to play inferior teams, but at least they have what appears to be their first test in the SEC this season. They host Mississippi State.

  

     My picks for the weekend didn't end up perfect but it was still a solid week for my picks. I went 5-2. Moving my record to 34-15 for the season.

 

     South Carolina will be licking their wounds for the next few weeks. The Gators never gave them a chance to find their footing, and that was key in this blow-out. Driskel threw 4 TD's. Granted, Florida never had to sustain long drives for their TD's, but that means their defense did their job. Great win for the Gators. Terrible loss for Spurrier and the Gamecocks.

 

 

 

    Michigan edged out Michigan State. Well, at least we know which team is the worst in the state of Michigan. The Spartans had plenty of chances to win this game and they just couldn't get it done. The Wolverines now have a legit shot at salvaging their season. They have some important games ahead, and if they can pull those games out, they are in business.

 

    What about the games I picked right?

 

     Alabama over Tennessee. Yeah, this was a no-brainer. I had to include it in my picks though. Tennessee looked like they were going to hang around for awhile, but as we thought, Bama took control of the game and never took their foot off the gas. I said 35-17, and it ended up 44-13. Alabama still has yet to be tested. They have played 'Mickey Mouse' teams thus far, but that schedule should get a little tougher down the stretch. LSU may still prove to have what it takes to take down the Tide. That game is just around the corner, and LSU is getting better every week.

 

 

 

     Kansas State destroys West Virginia. Welcome to the Big 12, West Virginia. The formula that teams can use to beat West Virginia seems to be: Have an average or better offense, and have an average defense. Don't get me wrong, Kansas State is better than average on both sides of the ball. However, I think there are plenty of teams out there that could slow down Geno Smith. That's a surprise. Who thought West Virginia's offense could be stopped?.......Sure, we knew they could be slowed down, but stopped? They have been stopped dead in their tracks 2 weeks in a row. It wasn't the shoot-out I thought it would be (42-28). It ended up 55-14. Shocking to see Geno Smith struggle as much as he has the last two weeks. No more Heisman for Geno?

 

    Florida State holds off Miami. Not as impressive as some may have expected. Rivalry games rarely go as predicted, but I came close. I called for 38-21, and the game ended 33-20. The Noles got the win, but it came at a very high price. Senior RB Chris Thompson is out for the rest of the season. He suffered a torn ACL Saturday night.

 

     Such a tough way for Thompson to end his career at FSU. Big loss for FSU. He was closing in on 1,000 yards rushing for the season and ending the curse at FSU. There hasn't been a 1,000 yard rusher at FSU since Warrick Dunn. Yes, that would have been a great way for Chris to be remembered at Florida State, but now he will be remembered for other things instead of his stats. His character, mental toughness, and his will to fight through adversity will be what defines him. For those of you who didn't know, Thompson broke his back against Wake Forest in 2011. He went through a long recovery process that, at times, he questioned whether he would ever be able to play again. Entering week 8 of the season, Thompson was on pace to eclipse the 1,000 yard mark by the end of the regular season. He has had a great season. Pound for pound, he is the best running-back FSU has had in years.

 

 

 

    LSU survives Texas A&M. The rest of the SEC better watch out for A&M in years to come. They have proven that they can play with the likes of some of the best SEC teams. They may not have the record to show it, but they are in these games down to the closing minutes. LSU is getting better, but still has some work to do if they are going to take down Bama. I called for it to be a close game, 24-17......and LSU did their part and won 24-19. I may not have been close in my score picks for most of the season, but this week? I have been pretty close with my picks this past weekend.

 

 

   

   Clemson beats Virginia Tech. The ACC needed Clemson to keep winning, and they did with a 38-17 victory over the Hokies. This was the third victory over the Hokies in two seasons for Clemson. I know what Virginia Tech feels like......The hate between these two teams is growing in every game they play. This could turn into a pretty big rivalry within the conference. The Hokies continue to spiral downward. They have one pretty big game left that could salvage the season for them. Yes, there are other games left on the schedule, but Hokie fans have a Thursday night game in Blacksburg against Florida State circled. That game is still a few weeks away.

 

  

   Okay, lets make things a little interesting. I want YOU (the reader)  to email or post A WORD that you would want used in my posts. It can be totally random. Just a word that would seem out of place in a college football blog. Please keep it clean, but have fun with it. I will pick a word or two every week and force them into my posts. This week's word came from Starnes Kelley. The more rediculous the word, the more it will stand out. Have fun with it.

 

   Don't forget to check us out on Facebook and give us a 'LIKE'  (www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day)

 

   Reader questions, comments, and/or reactions to this past week are on tap for Wednesday.

 

   Send your questions to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com or post them to our Facebook page.

 

 

 

   

 

   



Week 8 Key Games and Picks

Week 8 Key Games and Picks

 

 

     Hard to believe it is already week 8 in college football. The season seems to be going way too fast. With the BCS picture still a little cloudy and teams fighting for position within their conference, here are my key games and picks in this weekend's action.

 

 

     First off, my record through week 7 is 29 wins and 13 losses. I'm still looking for a perfect week. I've come close, but maybe this will be the week.

 

 

    South Carolina at Florida.

 

    Tough game to pick. South Carolina has a great defense, and is looking for complete control in the SEC East. However, that won't be easy this week. Spurrier announced that Marcus Lattimore is questionable for this week's game with a hip injury. Florida has a pretty good defense of their own, or so it appears seven weeks into the season. The interesting part about this game may be what happens in the second half. Florida has been lights out in the second half of their last several games. If Florida can keep it close in the first half, then we have a real battle to watch in the second half. When was the last time Florida gave up a second half touchdown? Better yet, the Gators held LSU to 0 (ZERO) touchdowns the entire game. That is better than what the Gamecocks were able to do against the Tigers. However, if South Carolina can get up by 17 or 20 points in the first half, I doubt that Florida can come back from that deficit. South Carolina's defense will be the best they have faced up to this point of the season. Driskel will have to throw for more than 77 yards to win this game. I don't see South Carolina letting the Gators have their way in the ground game. As much as I want to pick the home team, I just don't feel they have it. Florida is on the right track to being great again, but they aren't there yet. South Carolina survives in the second half and wins 20-17.

 

 

     Kansas State at West Virginia.
 

 

     Wow. Did anybody see Texas Tech destroy West Virginia last week? Shocked is about the only thing I can say about that game. This week doesn't get any easier for Geno Smith and West Virginia. Kansas State is looking really good so far. Klein is working on a Heisman campaign. Geno will be looking to bounce back after a tough loss. You know, he still hasn't thrown an interception. Great stat. This could turn into a shoot out if Kansas State doesn't slow down the Mountaineers' offense. Kansas State should have no trouble scoring on this terrible defense, that much is certain. West Virginia may have the homefield advantage, but I like Kansas State. Any team with an average offense and an average defense has a pretty good chance against West Virginia......lets be honest with ourselves, and Kansas State is a little more than average on both sides of the ball. Kansas State wins, 42-28.

 
    LSU at Texas A&M.

 
    Has LSU turned the corner? Was last week's win against South Carolina luck? Is this team really better than what they showed against Towson? This game will be electric. If you thought that the Florida vs Texas A&M was huge, wait until this game kicks off. The Aggies know that if they win this game, it will save most of what they have lost up to this point of the season. They have improved a lot since the game against Florida, and it will show in this game. LSU's offense will still be shaky, but the defense should have another strong showing. Les Miles understands the importance of keeping his team focused in situations like this, but will his team respond? I have picked the away team in my other two picks, and why stop here? LSU wins, in a closer game than some may think, 24-17. 


    Alabama at Tennessee.

 

    Nick Saban has said some strange things in the last few weeks. From complaining about the 'No Huddle Hurry Up Offense', to defending coach Dooley and saying he is doing a fine job. Wait, what? Of course Saban thinks Dooley is doing a good job......Dooley can't beat Saban. Why would a coach come out and say he is doing a terrible job? Any coach that is beating another would love for that coach to stick around a little longer.
    So how is this game going to go? Well, for any of you who play golf and shoot in the high 80's,90's, or higher; it's not a great score but you always have that one shot......that one putt for an eagle or birdie that if you make it, it saves the day and you suddenly don't feel like you played terrible.........This is that shot for Dooley and the Vols. This is Dooley's eagle putt. If he sinks it, then he will be around a little longer. If he misses it, well.....he is still right where he was before. Alabama hasn't been tested seven weeks into the season. This will be the best and worse offense they have faced up to this point. If Tyler Bray plays a solid game, then the Vols have a shot to stay in it for a half. Yes, just for a half. If Bray plays bad for much of the game, then UT fans can head home early and catch another game on TV that may be a little more interesting. Yet another game I am giving to the away team, but is it a real surprise? Bama wins 35-17.


    Florida State at Miami.

    A great rivalry game. Even though this is being played in Miami, it will feel much like a home game for FSU. I am willing to say that the fan spread will be 60-40 in favor of FSU. Miami's home games have been terrible as far as how many fans have shown up for the games. There will be plenty of Nole fans that make the trip for this one. Florida State enters the game with a very stingy defense and an offense that appears to be back on track. Miami's troubles will begin on their defense. They are giving up some of the worst numbers they have ever given up since the 1980's....right before they went on their rampage. They can't stop the run, which is something that the Noles are doing particularly well right now. The Canes' secondary has given up the deep ball many times this season, which is another thing FSU has proved they can do as well. What about Miami's strengths? Miami has run the ball pretty well in some games, and then it has been pretty bad in others. Not to put that spark out before it turns into a fire, but FSU has done great against the run. Even though Florida State should dominate this game, it is still a heated rivalry game. Anything can happen in a rivalry game. I still think the road team wins this game, but it could be closer than the experts predict. FSU wins, 38-21.


     Michigan State at Michigan.

 

     Instead of 'who is the better team?', it is 'who is the worse team?' Both teams are struggling to find their footing this season. Michigan has improved a little bit since their first two weeks of the season. Michigan State has had their fair share of problems. It's a rivalry game that has much more meaning than recent years. This game may turn out to be about 'who isn't as bad as the other.' Denard Robinson has been like a roller-coaster. Up and down from the start of the season to where we are now. The Wolverines may be the more inspired team heading into this game, but will it be enough? The Spartan's defense has played fairly well and could create problems for the Wolverines. This is one of those games that you could call a toss up. I like Michigan State's defense, but I don't like their offense. I like the Wolverines' offense, but I don't like their defense. I will stick with the road team. It's a rivalry game and anything could happen......Spartans win in a sloppy game filled with mistakes, 23-17.

     Virginia Tech at Clemson.

 
     This is one of those games that could salvage a season for the Hokies. Frank Beamer and Virginia Tech are clearly having a down season. With all the questions and concerns coming into the season, many of us thought "oh well, it's Virginia Tech and they always get things together when they have to". It certainly hasn't looked that way so far. And Clemson? Sure, they only have one loss, but their defense has been pretty up and down thus far. This will be a good battle to watch, but the ACC needs Clemson to win this game.

       The ACC is on life-support in terms of its image. As a whole, the conference is terrible, but there are a couple of solid teams within the ACC. FSU, Clemson, and Virginia Tech are traditionally solid teams. While Va-Tech may be having a down year, it is time that others rise up. FSU and Clemson need to win the rest of their conference games to at least save some kind of credit for the ACC. While it's hard to ever picture Miami being back, it will happen. Some of you need to think back to the late 70's to early 80's when they weren't a great team and people didn't care about the Hurricanes. That's what changed football for the 'U'. This could be the same scenario recycling itself. Now that I chased that rabbit for a bit......The away team is not my pick in this game. I saved the home pick for the last of my picks. Clemson wins, 31-20.


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