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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