The week 5 Recap, in a series one sentences statements: (I was camping much of the weekend, so didn’t watch much, there really wasn’t much to talk about anyways, and the week 6 preview is too damn exciting with seven big games on the schedule, so I’m spending my time there)
1) Florida State was challenged early as predicted.
2) South Carolina still isn’t very good.
3) The SEC-West still is.
4) Case in point, Arkansas is the best two loss team in the country.
5) Georgia might be the most overrated one loss team in the country.
6) Baylor continues to roll.
7) Yet another Stanford game decided by seven or less.
8) Nebraska is the only undefeated team left in the B1G.
9) UofSuck is one of three undefeateds left in the PAC-12 (though that’ll change Thursday).
10) UCLA just scored; again.
The Top-10
#1. Florida State (4-0) – Forget about October 18 v. Notre Dame. Thursday, October 30th @ Louisville will be interesting.
#2. Oklahoma (4-0) – We’ll finally know more after this weekend @ TCU.
#3. Alabama (4-0) – Four out of your next five away from Tuscaloosa, including @ Ole Miss, @ Arkansas, @ LSU, and that one “Third Saturday in October” thing (which the game is actually the 4th Saturday in October this year, and most of the last 20 years, but whatever).
#4. Oregon (4-0) – Don’t be peaking ahead to UCLA, now!
#5. Auburn (4-0) – Your remaining schedule makes Alabama’s look like cake: eight games, six of whom are ranked in the Top-15 right now.
#6. Texas A&M (5-0) – Six of your last seven are against teams ranked in the Top-24. Safe to say, the polls are going to start shaking soon!
#7. UCLA (4-0) – Finally got their offense figured out (sure, it was against the Arizona JuCo coalition) but now you have to find your defense against before Oregon comes to town on October 11th. But, don’t overlook Utah this weekend – this on screams TRAP!
#8. Baylor (4-0) – No love for the Bears, probably because they STILL haven’t played anyone.
#9. Michigan State (3-1) – The way the SEC and PAC-12 are going to beat themselves up, and the way FSU has looked vulnerable, you may just find yourself in the playoff. But, gotta take care of Nebraska first.
#10. Ole Miss (4-0) – The obligatory “I really don’t think you’re the #10 team in the country, but neither is Notre Dame, so I’ll keep you here until you lose to Alabama” ranking. I should just start doing a Top-9.
Heisman Watch:
Marcus Mariota, Oregon – The best part about Oregon’s bye is that Mariota didn’t get sacked another seven times this past weekend. And now he has Thursday night to lay the wood to UofSuck.
College Football Playoff Prediction:
#1 Florida State v. #4 Oregon
#2 Oklahoma v. #3 Alabama
Championship: Florida State over Alabama – Again, which one of these Top-4 teams will lose? The upsets are a comin’, and it’s not a matter of it, or even when these teams lose; it’s how many times and who’s left standing – not only after the season but after the conference championships and semi-finals.
Week 6 Big Games:
Arizona @ Oregon – UofSuck is 4-0 and sixth in the nation with nearly 600 yards of total offense a game. Oregon’s defense still needs to improve, as they’re 10th in the PAC-12 in total defense, giving up nearly 450/game. And, UofSuck beat Oregon 42-16 last year. But let’s remember what happened the last time the Wildcats travelled to Eugene – they got obliterated 49-0. And Oregon hasn’t lost at home to unranked teams since they lost to Boise back in 2008. Make no mistake, UofSuck will score, but it won’t be enough since their defense is probably worse than Oregon’s. First to 60 wins: Oregon 65 UofSuck 38
Oklahoma @ TCU – Whether in the Big 12 or previously in the Mountain West, TCU has given Stoops and Company fits, either winning outright, or pushing Oklahoma down to the wire. TCU’s got the top ranked defense in the Big 12, and are at home; but OU is coming off of a bye and are ranked #1 overall in ESPN’s Power Poll Index, but this is one of those games that if Oklahoma loses, you aren’t necessarily shocked. On the road, against a great defense, and a much improved offense. Let’s go ahead and call the upset and get things shaking this year: TCU 38 Oklahoma 34.
LSU @ Auburn – Nearly identical teams when you look at offensive and defensive stats so far to start the season. Auburn’s at home, which should help, and LSU’s already shown they can be beat. But also remember, LSU was the only team to beat Auburn last year (well, until the National Championship Game). A win by LSU would throw some chaos into the SEC-West, but don’t worry; that’s going to come regardless of what happens here on Saturday night with the way the schedules are going to play out. Vegas likes Auburn by more than a TD, but I think it’ll be closer than that, even though LSU is starting a freshman QB. Special teams and turnovers will decide this one. Let’s give the nod to Auburn: 31-27.
Texas A&M @ Mississippi State – I’d normally like A&M in this one as they’re the better team, but we’ve often talked about let down games. Mississippi State is at home and off a bye, and A&M is coming off of an emotional O.T. win against Arkansas and is travelling to Mississippi for an early start time. That spells a slow start for A&M (just like we saw last week when FSU went to N.C. State). And similar to that game, the question is can Mississippi State hold off the late rally from A&M, which is going to happen, the same way they were able to against LSU? The answer is no. A&M is used to the spotlight now, and once they start scoring in the 2nd half, MSU won’t be able to respond. I like A&M 45 Mississippi St. 34.
Stanford @ Notre Dame – Notre Dame is ranked 9th in the country, despite their four opponents so far this year having zero wins against Power 5 conference. This is still Notre Dame, I guess. But, Stanford has owned Notre Dame lately, beating the Irish four out of the last five times they’ve played; the exception being in South Bend two years ago when Notre Dame stuffed Stanford on four straight runs inside the one yard line to win it 20-13 in O.T. Notre Dame has played sloppy at times this year (five turnovers last week against Syracuse), and they haven’t been tested all year, only trailing for a couple of minutes. Stanford brings the best defense in the nation, and a battle tested team that constantly plays close games and finds a way to win most of them. Unless Golson has a huge game and the Irish win the turnover margin by three or more, I don’t see a way Notre Dame prevails in this one, but as usual with most games Stanford plays, it’ll be close: Stanford 23 Notre Dame 17.
Nebraska @ Michigan State – In a likely preview of the Big 10 Championship Game, the main matchup to watch will be Abdullah (167 yards/game) and the Husker’s run game (355/game) against the Michigan State defense that is only giving up around 80/yards a game on the ground. Nebraska is 5-0 and only ranked #19 in the country which tells you something about where their program stands, especially since after this week they only have one ranked opponent on the schedule. Maybe it’s the fact that Pelini has never started 6-0 at Nebraska, or maybe it’s because Michigan State (in addition to a great defense) is putting up more than 50 a game and was well in command @ Eugene before the wheels fell off in the 2nd half? Regardless, Nebraska hasn’t played well in big road games since joining the B1G, and I still can’t forget how Nebraska needed a miracle to get by McNeese State at home a couple weeks ago. With two good offenses, but only one great defense in this one, you gotta go with Sparty: Michigan State 31 Nebraska 24.
Week 6 Game of the Week:
Alabama @ Ole Miss – Ole Miss hasn’t beaten Alabama since Eli Manning was playing QB, but this year, it’s Ole Miss that comes into the game with the #1 defense in the SEC (right now, at least). Also, Bo Wallace has more yards and TD’s than Blake Sims, despite all of the hype being given to Alabama’s offense so far this year. The biggest problem is that ‘Bama’s defense is solid, as always, and Wallace has been prone to making mental mistakes and throwing too many picks (six already this year). The lead up to this game has a big upset brewing as many think Alabama is overrated this year. But, when the dust settles, it’ll just be another step in Saban’s “process” and we’ll all say “oh yeah, Alabama is good this year.” Alabama in a squeaker: 20 to 17.
Until next time…
No comments:
Post a Comment