Thursday, October 4, 2012

Week 6 Key Matchups



Week 6 Picks and Key Games

 
        Finally! There are some matchups in the SEC worth watching. No more South Carolina vs Kentucky. No more Arkansas getting thumped by another SEC foe (or UL-Monroe). These games will seperate the contenders from the pretenders. The SEC isn't the only conference with big games to watch. Lots of great games and many of them will have an impact on the conference race.
 
 
        West Virginia at Texas.
 

Big time game for both teams. Texas is trying to get back to being the Texas of old. West Virginia is trying to find its place in a new conference and possibly in the national title picture. Geno Smith looks incredible. Texas has a solid QB in David Ash. Oddly enough, Texas was boasting to have a great defense coming into the season, and it has been the offense stealing the spotlight. That being said; I believe this will be a high scoring, but close, game. The 'X-Factor' will be Geno Smith against a better defense. I have to go with West Virginia. I feel like Geno Smith will make the plays he has to down the stretch. WVU wins 41-34.
 
 
      Miami Hurricanes vs Notre Dame.
 
 
 
This game will be played at Soldier Field in Chicago. This is another step for Notre Dame. Are they pretending? While Miami isn't the best measuring stick for the Irish, it will show us if the defense is as advertised. Notre Dame has yet to play a solid team. Michigan and Michigan State have shown they aren't what they used to be, and neither one of those teams have an explosive offense like Miami. However, on the other side of the ball, Miami appears to be pretty bad. That could really help Notre Dame's offense and young QB. Notre Dame better not look over this game. Miami has just as much, if not more, to prove in this game, and the Canes will be playing like it. I will stick with Notre Dame. Miami's strength plays right into Notre Dame's strength. Notre Dame wins in a close game. 24-20.
 
 
      Nebraska at Ohio State.
 
 
These two teams might be the best in the Big10. Ohio State is getting by week to week. Nebraska is coming off a crazy game against Wisconsin that came down to the final minutes. The key for both teams will be their offenses. Nebraska's offense has been like a rollercoaster. Ohio State's offense does just enough to get by. It will be a good game and I think Urban Meyer gets his first loss in the Big10. Nebraska wins, 28-17.
 
 
      Taking a break here in the middle for our poll question. Who will be ranked #1 in the first BCS Rankings of the year? Poll question is on our Facebook page.
 
 
      Georgia at South Carolina.
 
 
This is it for both teams. Both teams want to play in the SEC Championship and this is the game standing in their way. A loss would mean that one team would be hoping for the other to lose, and you never want to be in that position. Georgia clearly has the offense. I question their defense, though. Giving up 44 points to the Vols is a tough stat to get away from. However, Tyler Bray is a better passer than Connor Shaw, and that may have played a key role into how Georgia played defense. With South Carolina, Georgia will be playing to shut down the run first. Connor Shaw has not proven to be a great passer. If Georgia can contain Lattimore and Connor Shaw's ability to run the ball, then Georgia has a great shot at winning this game. South Carolina has a great defense and it will be tested in this game. Both teams' strengths play right into eachother. A great offense meets a great defense, and an okay defense meets an okay offense. I like Georgia. It will be tough but I think Georgia's offense can only be contained for so long. They have a great passing attack. The run game has been solid, thus far. Georgia wins, 31-24.
 
 
     Florida State at N.C. State.
 
 
FSU is coming off an okay performance against South Florida. N.C. State is fresh off a terrible loss to Miami in the closing minutes of the game. That game came at a high price, as more and more players for the Wolf Pack have gone down with injuries. The offensive line is a train wreck, and that doesn't go well when going up against one of the best defensive lines in the country. FSU will attack Mike Glennon to get him off his game. There very well could be double digit sacks in this game. The Noles' offensive line will be looking to get back to where they were just a couple weeks ago. They struggled against South Florida. Florida State has N.C. State outmatched at nearly every position. The only way the Wolf Pack can stay in this game is if FSU overlooks this game like they tried to last week. I just don't see FSU playing bad two weeks in a row. FSU wins, 42-13.
 
     LSU at Florida.
 
 
This could be the game of the day. I know its a close matchup between this game and UGA vs S. Carolina, but this game could be the coming out party for the Gators. Which one of these teams is a pretender? Both teams have had their bad games but are still unbeaten. Florida's defense has looked stellar in some key games. LSU is still looking for the offense to get it going. Now, a struggling offense has to go into a hostile environment and play against a very confident defense. If Florida gets a two score lead early in this game, I don't see them giving it up. On the other side; LSU could be the same way. So far they have played down to their opponents. The question now for LSU; Will they play up to their opponent in this game? LSU hasn't shown me anything this season. Some how, they are 2 or 3 point favorites over the Gators. That is just crazy to me. I could see that if it was at LSU, but it's not. Florida gets the upset over LSU in an instant classic SEC game. UF wins, 20-17. 
 
 
     Other teams that need to be on upset alert:
 
Georgia Tech at Clemson. The Tigers better be ready.
 
Oklahoma at Texas Tech. The Sooners can't afford another loss.
 
Washington at Oregon. Anything could happen. Washington has done it before. Keep an eye on this one (unless of course, you see Oregon up by 20+ in the first qtr).
 
     Reader questions and comments can be posted to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/collegefootball2day) or sent to jeremy.cf2d@yahoo.com Don't forget to check out our Poll Question. Thanks for reading.

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