Week 6 Recap and Week 7 Preview

Short update this week, as I didn’t get to watch much football. Why? Well, I met up with the family in South Bend and took in the Notre Dame game live and in person. Rudy’s dad was right – that stadium is the most beautiful thing these eyes have ever seen. Well, second only to seeing the usher point to the field and say “you’re down on the field – probably easiest to walk on the field to get to your seats!”

I was 4-0 in big games (19-5 overall) this weekend, and it’s now starting to get to that time of year when more and more upsets happen. In fact, I’ve two predicted for this weekend…

Now here’s the Autumn Wind’s week 6 Top-5 recap:

1. Nine of the 10 top played this weekend and all scored at least 34, and the closest margin of victory was 22. Alabama was the low scorer, but they didn’t give up a single point to Vandy. These teams are all good, and let’s not forget the 48 that Wisconsin (on a bye this week) hung on Nebraska last weekend!

2. What’s your excuse now UofSuck? All year it was “we have a brutal schedule.” Okay, that’s fine when you’re playing Stanford, Oklahoma State, and Oregon. But you do know Oregon State had not won a game all year, and had even lost to Sacramento State? Bye, bye Stoops.

3. Arizona State got a rare road win; this time at Utah. Utah was pretty much in control, but a series of turnovers and 25 points in a matter of seven minutes sealed the deal for the Devils. ASU looks like a lock for the PAC-12 South. And yes, we know. Osweiler is 6’8”. You don’t need to say it 30 times every game.

4. The first Big-10 game ever in Memorial Stadium happened the same night as the largest Nebraska comeback ever, capping the comeback with four straight second half touchdowns. However, the struggling BlackShirts got some really bad news today: due to a torn muscle, outstanding d-lineman Jared Crick’s career is over.

5. Watching Notre Dame pound Air Force from literally less than 10 feet from the South End Zone was amazing. As was seeing the B2 Stealth Bomber do the pre-game flyover. Special thanks to the kid who sold me those two tickets for $85!

Now on to the Top-10 in the standings:

Top-10:

#1 Alabama (6-0) – 3-0 versus ranked teams, and only giving up 7/game on the year.

#2 LSU (6-0) – 4-0 against ranked teams, and only giving up 12.5/game on the year.

#3 Oklahoma (5-0) – Somehow I don’t think the wins against Florida State and Texas will look that great at the end of the year.

#4 Stanford (5-0) – Stanford’s rolling along, but they haven’t really played anyone. Their toughest game so far was probably @ Duke.

#5 Boise State (5-0) – Six weeks in and you still haven’t played a conference game?

#6 Oklahoma State (5-0) – Gonna need to keep scoring 52/game because your defense is bad. Heck, you gave up 14 to UofSuck!

#7 Wisconsin (5-0) – You’ll be tough to beat if you keep up the 3^rd scoring offense and 3^rd scoring defense rankings.

#8 Clemson (6-0) – 3-0 versus ranked teams; didn’t see this one coming in the pre-season.

#9 Oregon (4-1) – Other than LSU, you really haven’t played anyone. That changes this weekend.

#10 Arkansas (5-1) – Back-to-back wins against ranked teams after getting blown out by ‘Bama.

Rising Fast:

Illinois – The Illini are 6-0 for the first time in 60 year (let’s just ignore that they needed FGs to beat ASU, Western Michigan, and Northwestern).

Falling Faster:

Arizona – 1-5 overall, and 0-5 against D1. The sole win for the Wildsucks is against lowly Northern Arizona.

Heisman Watch:

Andrew Luck, Stanford – Another 80% completion, 300+ yards, and 3 TD day. This one is about Lucked, I mean locked, up.

BCS Title Game Prediction:

Alabama v. Oklahoma – I’m really against repeat match-ups in the Title Game, otherwise I’d have Alabama/LSU here, as they’re clearly to top-2 teams in the country. At least right now.

Week 7 Big Games:

Michigan @ Michigan State – Sparty’s at home and favored by a FG; but Michigan is faster and deeper. And, Michigan State has an eye on next weekend when Wisconsin rolls in. Michigan keeps climbing up the polls with a big road win here: 34 to 17

Baylor @ Texas A&M – On paper, A&M should have no trouble in this game. But, A&M has been the victim of several epic second half collapses this year. This bodes well for Griffin III and the boys from Baylor. Another upset here: Baylor 45 A&M 28

Oklahoma State @ Texas – How will Texas respond after getting blown out in the Red River Shootout? I’m guessing by losing to Oklahoma State 65 to 17.

Week 7 Game of the Week:

Arizona State @ Oregon – LaMichael James is probably out, Arizona State tends to play to their opponents level, so this is a great chance for the Sun Devils to pull off the upset, right? Wrong – unless ASU can completely control the pace, Oregon’s style is such that it will cause chaos and a lack of composure (two of ASU’s big weaknesses) which will lead to lots of turnovers. Oregon 51 ASU 31

Until next time…