Week 6 Pick 6 Preview

#5 Stanford (4-0) vs. #15 Washington (4-0)

Instant Analysis

Stanford-Washington gives us the first Pac-12 matchup with some serious implications, not only in the Pac-12 North but potentially, on a national scale.  Stanford is obviously a potential national title contender and was my pick to win the Pac-12.  Washington, who I’ve been high on all year has a chance on Saturday to make its mark on this early college football season and knock a contender down and insert itself in the Pac-12 conversation.  The Huskies beat Stanford in Seattle last year, breaking a four game losing streak.  A win for Stanford will put them one step closer to their goal of winning the North.  A win for Washington could propel this program from a good Pac-12 team to a legit contender and spring-board them into next week’s matchup with Oregon.

Key’s to Victory

Stanford
Stanford must win in the trenches and stopping Washington’s rushing attack will be critical.  The Cardinal showed how dominant they can be in the first half two weeks ago against ASU.  They’ll need to play that well for all four quarters against this Washington team to get out with a win.  In last year’s meeting, Stanford was out rushed 136-66 (4.0-2.4ypc).  That can’t happen this year.  The Cardinal must put the Huskies behind the sticks and pressure Keith Price.  Price has been well protected so far this year, but history shows that when pressured he can force passes. 

Offensively, Stanford needs to hit the Huskies in the mouth and move them off the line of scrimmage.  The better they can run the football, the easier it will be to keep Price and Sankey off the field and out of rhythm. 

Washington

I think it’s important for Washington to step right up to Stanford and out physical them.  The Huskies have one of the best rushing attacks in the nation (288.8ypg) led by Bishop Sankey (151.8 ypg & 5 TD’s) and they need to establish the run to keep Stanford’s front seven off balance.  Keeping Stanford honest will allow Keith Price the time to get the ball to his playmakers on the outside.

Prediction

Washington won this game last year but these teams are more evenly matched than they were a year age.  Washington has taken a big leap forward this year and has loads of talent and is extremely well coached.  The Huskies will keep it close and give Stanford everything they can handle but in the end, I believe Stanford will pull out the win.  They showed us what they were capable of in the first three quarters two weeks ago against ASU (39-7) and when they’re on, they’re one of the best in the nation.

Fun Facts

These teams have met 83 times.  Washington holds the series edge, 41-38-4.

These teams first played Dec. 29^th, 1893.  Stanford won 40-0.

Our Picks

Jeremy- Stanford, 27-24
Nick- Stanford, 31-30

 

#14 Miami (4-0) vs. Georgia Tech (3-1)

Instant Analysis

This is a big ACC Coastal division showdown that will go a long way toward determining who will represent the division in the ACC Championship game.  Both teams were expected to compete within the division but Georgia Tech’s lost to Virginia Tech last week gives them a little more urgency.  Miami is 4-0 but has yet to play a conference foe.  Miami has won four straight in this series and overcame a 36-19 third quarter deficit last season.

Key’s to Victory

Miami
Miami needs to come up at put GT down early.  Offensively, the ‘Canes need to pressure a stout Georgia Tech defense by spreading them out and letting their superior athletes make plays for them.  Though the Yellow Jackets are passing the ball better this year, they’ll still struggle to play from behind. 

Like any option team, Miami’s defense must put Georgia Tech behind the sticks on first down.  Miami’s defense has played well early this season and they’ll need to play disciplined, assignment football against the Yellow Jackets.

Georgia Tech

Get rolling on the ground.  Slow Miami’s offense and disrupt their tempo by keeping them on the sideline. 

The Yellow Jackets need to keep running back Duke Johnson bottled up and force Stephen Morris into obvious passing situations.  Morris will make questionable decisions when pressured and getting consistent pressure starts with stopping Johnson and the ‘Canes ground game.

Prediction

Georgia Tech’s offensive production has steadily declined over their first three games.  I think this game will be more of the same for the Yellow Jackets and while they’ll likely get some positive yards on the ground, Miami is too fast and too athletic.  The ‘Canes offense is just too good for Georgia Tech to keep up with. 

Fun Facts

These teams have only met 18 times, starting in 1955. 

Georgia Tech holds a 10-8 series lead but Miami has won the last four meetings by an average of 16 points.

Our Picks

Jeremy- Miami, 38-31
Nick- Miami, 31-24

 

#22 Arizona State (3-1) @ Notre Dame (3-2)

Instant Analysis

Both teams come into this game with something to prove.  The Irish are off to a rocky start and coming off a bad loss at home against Oklahoma last week.  Notre Dame’s defense has really struggled this season and a once solid passing game has come screeching to a halt.  The Irish could really use a win to get them on the right track going into a manageable stretch in their schedule.  Arizona State has been up and down as well.  Though they’re 3-1, the Wisconsin game raised a lot of questions and the Sun Devils followed that performance up by getting dismantled by Stanford.  They recovered last week with a 62-41 win over USC but I have major questions about a defense that’s given up 718 rushing yards and 113 point in their last three games. 

Key’s to Victory

Arizona State
Stop the run.  ASU’s run defense has been really bad so far this season and Notre Dame will look to exploit that.  Keeping the Irish ground game in check puts the ball in the hand of Tommy Rees, who will make questionable throws when pressured.

Offensively, Taylor Kelly is the key.  Notre Dame struggled against Michigan and running quarterback Devin Gardner and Kelly can do the same damage.  Kelly is a good passer with weapons on the outside but keeping Notre Dame’s defense off balance with some qb runs will be important. 

Notre Dame

The Irish have to protect the football.  That means Tommy Rees.  In Notre Dame’s two losses, Rees has five INT’s.  In their three wins… 0. 

Notre Dame ran the ball well last week (220 rushing yards) and the Sun Devils have been giving up yards on the ground like crazy.  Controlling the pace and tempo of the game will be key for the Irish.  George Atkinson had 148 yards last week and will need another solid performance to keep the ASU defense off Rees.

Finally, the Irish are going to need their best defensive effort of the season.  Notre Dame was supposed to be among the best in the nation coming into the season and they certainly have the talent.  It’s time to put it all together if the Irish intent to turn this season around.

Prediction

ASU has scored 90 points in their last six quarters.  Notre Dame’s defense has been a shell of what it was a year ago.  That said, I think the Irish will give an inspired effort Saturday and slow down the Sun Devils just enough to pull out a much needed win.

Fun Facts

Notre Dame is 9-3 in games in the greater Dallas area.

Despite their struggles, the Irish have only allowed three rushing touchdowns this season.  ASU running back leads the nation with eight rushing touchdowns.

Notre Dame has won the last two meetings against ASU.

Our Picks

Jeremy- Notre Dame, 35-33
Nick- Notre Dame, 31-28

 

No. 8 Florida State vs. No. 25 Maryland, Noon ET, ESPN

Instant Analysis
Florida State’s early season success is no surprise, except for freshman quarterback Jameis Winston putting up huge numbers. Maryland’s early season success has been a huge surprise for the Terps and their quarterback CJ Brown is having as big a year as Winston.

Keys to victory

The Noles are led by quarterback Jameis Winston who is completing 73 percent of his passes for just more than 1000 yards and 12 scores. What is really helping the Noles offense and Winston humm along is its running game nearly 240 yards per game. If the Florida State offense can get moving quickly in this game, which it should the Noles should be able to score plenty of points to win this.

Terps quarterback CJ Brown is having a great season himself completing 66 percent of his passes for more than 1000 yards and seven touchdowns. The Terps offense is also rushing for more than 200 yards so this game could become a shootout.

I think both offenses will be able to move the ball with relative ease in this game and we are going to see a high scoring matchup. Although both defenses are allowing less than 15 points per game, I think the offenses are going to steal the show in this one.

I think the Noles should be able to come away with a shootout win in this game pulling away to win by two touchdowns at the end.

Fun Facts

Florida State leads the all-time series 21-2 and has won six straight games in this series.

Maryland has never won in Tallahassee.

Our Picks

Nick- Florida State, 41-28
Jeremy- Florida State, 41-24

 

#4 Ohio State @ Northwestern, 8 PM ET, ABC

Instant Analysis

What a great matchup and huge game for Northwestern to prove itself as ready to compete with the big boys in the B1G. Evanston will be rocking for this Saturday Night Primetime game and should be a fun one to watch.

Keys to victory

Northwestern is going to have to relay on a stout running game in this game to have a chance to win. The Cats are averaging nearly 250 yards on the ground with  Treyvon Green rushing for more than 400 yards and five scores. The Cats are also scoring nearly 42 points a game. I think Northwestern will be able to move the ball on the Ohio State defense. I am just not sure if the Cat offense can score with the Ohio State offense.

Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller came out last weekend and showed that he did not miss a step after sitting out due to injury. The Buckeye offense is super fast and dangerous with Miller at quarterback. The Buckeyes are averaging 48 points a game and more than 500 yards of total offense. Ohio State should be able to move the ball pretty easily on the Wildcat defense and I think will be the key to this game.

This game should be another of the offensive show case of the weekend so I think both defenses are going to struggle stopping the opposing offense. With both schools allowing 17 points or more a game the opposing offenses should be able run all over the field.

Northwestern is going to feed off of the crowd at Ryan Field early in this game and is going to keep this game interesting late into the fourth quarter. That being said the Buckeyes should be able to squeak away with a win.

Fun Facts

Northwestern has not started 5-0 since the 1904-05 season. Ohio State has won the last four games in this series.

Our Picks

Nick- Ohio State, 45-38
Jeremy- Ohio State, 38-35

 

Tennessee vs. No. 6 Georgia, 3:30 PM ET, CBS

Instant Analysis

Georgia is coming off a huge statement victory over LSU and Tennessee is looking to get back on track after losing two of its last three. Georgia needs to avoid a letdown in a strengthening atmosphere of Neyland Stadium, while Tennessee needs to use that crowd of 100,000 plus at the game.

Keys to victory

Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray has had a great start to his senior campaign with two huge, career-defining victories. Murray is the real deal and with sophomore tail back Todd Gurley is as good as there gets in the country. The Georgia offense is averaging more than 550 yards a game and 41 points. The Dawgs offense will strike early and often in this game and should be able to put up another 40 points in this game. The running backs for UGA will be key in this game as Keith Marshall and Gurley combined for 294 yards and five TDs in this game last year.

Tennessee is a quickly improving team, but does not have the offense to hang with Georgia. It is 94^th in the country in total offense and is scoring 31 points per game. However, Vol running back Rajion Neal is a stud with 468 yards and five scores already this season. If Neal can run down hill and get some good runs early to knock the young UGA defense around the Vols could have a chance.

There is no doubt that coach Butch Jones and his Vols are looking for a statement win to show that things are turning around in Knoxville, but I don’t see it happening in this one. The Dawgs are just too good on offense and I see Georgia by three touchdowns in this one.

Fun Facts

The Bulldogs have won three-consecutive games over Tennessee with last year as a shootout 51-44.

Georgia has played 14 true freshmen this season that is tied for third nationally.

Our Pick

Nick- Georgia, 42-21
Jeremy- Georgia, 38-31

 

Other Games To Watch:

Air Force @ Navy, 11:30 AM ET, CBS

Air Force is struggling this season and Navy is looking for another bowl berth. This is a game that almost didn’t happen with the government shutdown.
Nick’s Pick: Navy, 35-24
Jeremy’s pick- Navy, 31-28

Illinois @ Nebraska, Noon ET, CBS

Both teams are 3-1 and in need of wins to keep the B1G championship races going. Nebraska’s defense is bad, but Taylor Martinez and the offense can still score with about anyone.
Nick’s Pick: Nebraska, 48-34
Jeremy’s pick- Illinois, 38-35

Michigan State @ Iowa, Noon ET, ESPN2

Another game that surprisingly has some B1G championship aspirations. Michigan State has a great defense and no offense and Iowa has played pretty well on both sides so far.
Nick’s pick- Michigan State, 24-21
Jeremy’s pick- Iowa, 20-17

Missouri @ Vanderbilt, 7:30 PM ET, GamePlan/ESPN3

This is an interesting one in two teams trying to become relevant in the SEC. Mizzou is undefeated and the Commodores are attempting to keep their season on track.
Nick’s Pick: Missouri, 35-32
Jeremy’s pick- Vanderbilt, 31-28

 

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