Week 10 Previews
*Rankings reflect College Football Playoff
Rankings
Top 25 vs. Top 25
No. 2 Florida State 42, No. 25 Louisville
31
Despite a
slow start (FSU was down 24-7), the Seminoles showed yet again that they can
turn it on when they need to. The ‘Noles
gained over 370 yards and scored 35 points in the second half to come away with
another hard-fought, come from behind win.
No. 3 Auburn (6-1) @ No. 4 Ole Miss (7-1), 7pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN
Line: MISS -1.5, O/U: 49
You can
consider this round 1 of the college football playoff. Auburn and Ole Miss come into this game
ranked 3 and 4, respectively in the College Football Playoff rankings and each
team has a loss. There is a chance that
the committee will allow a two-loss SEC team in, but with what each team has
remaining on their schedules, a loss here will effectively end their playoff
hunt.
These teams seem to be opposites of each other. Auburn is an offensive juggernaut with a struggling defense and Ole Miss has a dominant defense and an offense that’s been a liability at times this season. With the injuries piling up on defense and “Bad Bo” starting to rear its ugly head, I think the season is slipping away for the Rebels.
Auburn might
start slow but I expect them to run away with this one late in the second half.
Jeremy- Auburn 38, Ole Miss 21
Nick- Ole Miss 17, Auburn 13Line: TCU -3.5, O/U: 70
There are
few places in college football more challenging to travel to and win than
Morgantown, West Virginia. TCU won here
two years ago in a 39-38 overtime, thriller.
This year, both teams are significantly improved on both side of the
ball and each team seems to be playing their best football of the season. The Mountaineers have found balance on
offense and their defense has played pretty well this season. They’re going to need an efficient,
mistake-free game from quarterback Clint Trickett and continue to run the ball
just enough to keep TCU off balance defensively.
The Horned Frogs have found an offense for the first time since joining the Big 12 and it’s been among the most explosive in the nation (2nd in total offense averaging 573ypg and 1st in scoring offense at 50.4ppg). If quarterback, Trevone Boykin gets hot, look for them to get into the 40’s or 50’s and turn this into a shootout.
Jeremy- TCU 37, WVU 31
Nick- TCU 56, WVU 30
No. 12 Arizona (6-1) @ No. 22 UCLA (6-2),
10:30pm ET, ESPN/WatchESPN
Line: UCLA -6.5, O/U: 70.5
We are going
to learn a lot about both of these teams in this game. Arizona is still riding
high off the Oregon win and UCLA is badly in need of a statement win. With the
Cats coming to the Rose Bowl here is the Bruins chance. The problem is there is
not much to like about UCLA and how it has played this season. I think
Arizona’s offense is going to be too much for UCLA and I think the ‘Zona wins a
close one but wins outright.
Nick- Arizona 48, UCLA 41
Jeremy- Arizona 40, UCLA 34Line: ASU -6.5, O/U: 58.5
I am not
really sure which way to go in this game. Both teams have equal number of flaws
and have been up and down all season. Utah has an excellent running game as
Devontae Booker has rushed for nearly 850 yards and eight scores. Arizona State
does get Taylor Kelly back for this game which could be good and bad as Mike
Bercovici has been very serviceable in his absence. I think that Utah should be
able to control the ball and that combined with its solid offense should earn
the Utes a good home victory.
Nick- Utah 45, Arizona State 35
Jeremy- Arizona State 31, Utah 24
Upset Alert
Line: UO -7, O/U: 54.5
Stanford has
had Oregon’s number the past few seasons.
The difference has been the Cardinal’s ability to own the line of
scrimmage and run the ball right over the Oregon defense. The offense hasn’t been the same this season,
however, and they really haven’t been able to rely on the ground and pound the way
they have in the past. Oregon’s defense
isn’t great and I think if Stanford can get Ty Montgomery involved early and
often, they’ll have a shot to put up enough points to help their defense.
Defensively,
Stanford has been very solid, if not great this season, despite the inept
offense. Oregon quarterback, Marcus
Mariota has struggled against this defense and he’s going to need his offensive
line and running backs to step up big and play their best game of the
season. As much as I want to take
Stanford here, this just isn’t the same team and Mariota seems poised to have a
big game.
Jeremy-
Oregon 27, Stanford 23
Nick- Oregon 35, Stanford 17Line: ECU -7, O/U: 58.5
This is an
interesting matchup and has a lot of people screaming upset. The Pirates seem to have lost some of the
steam they had early in the season and have struggled now for a few weeks on
offense. Temple has a solid pass defense
(ranked 22nd in the nation) and could give Shane Carden and his
receivers some trouble. The Owls haven’t
faced a passing attack of this caliber but will get some help from the home
crowd.
Jeremy- ECU 30, Temple 24
Nick- ECU 48, Temple 35
Top 25
Line: MSST -11, O/U: 60
Arkansas has
been pretty competitive against SEC opponents so far this season, taking Texas
A&M to overtime and a missed field goal was the difference against
Alabama. This game pits strength versus
strength, with the Razorbacks 16th ranked rushing offense (258.9ypg)
against Mississippi State’s 23rd ranked run defense (118ypg and
3.39ypa).
I want to
take Arkansas in the upset here (Arkansas did take them into OT last year), but
I just don’t see it happening. Arkansas
can keep it close if they can control the line of scrimmage but I like
Mississippi State at home.
Jeremy- Miss
St 38, Arkansas 28
Nick- MSU
35, Arkansas 17Next game- Sat, Nov. 8 @ LSU
No. 10 Notre Dame (6-1) @ Navy (4-4),
8pm ET, CBS
Line: ND -14.5, O/U: 54.5
Notre Dame
is still trying to make its case as a playoff contender so it is going to need
to easily cruise past Navy. The academy is pretty average but its running game
as always is tough to handle. Jeremy, the other KinneyBroz Benji and KinneyBroz
Dad saw Notre Dame and Navy play last year in person and the Irish had trouble
handling the run. Something to look for, but I see Notre Dame running away with
this one.
Nick-Notre Dame 38, Navy 17
Jeremy- Notre Dame 35, Navy 20Next game- Sat, Nov. 8 vs. Ohio State
Line: UGA -10.5, O/U: 47
These teams
come into this game going in completely opposite directions. The Bulldogs seem to be hitting their stride
and seem to look better and better each week.
Florida has pretty much spiraled out of control, losing back to back
home games against LSU and Missouri. For
that reason, it seems totally plausible that the Gators would turn in an
inspired performance and shock Georgia in the “Cocktail Party.” I know that sounds crazy and it is, but
Georgia has won three straight and if the Gators are going to turn in one
inspired, rise-above-it performance this year, it’s going to happen on
Saturday. Or they’ll continue their
tail-spin and get drilled by 30.
Jeremy-
Georgia 27, Florida 17
Nick- UGA 42, UF 14Line: KSU -12.5, O/U: 50.5
The Wildcats
have been rolling the past few weeks and while they’re not dominant, they’re
well coached, don’t make mistakes and are simply the better team here.
Jeremy-
Kansas State 31, OK St 21
Nick- Kansas St 35, OK St 21Line: Baylor -35.5, O/U: 60
Stay healthy
Baylor, you travel to Norman next weekend.
Jeremy- Baylor 55, Kansas 17
Nick- Baylor 70, Kansas 27Line: OSU -28.5, O/U: 65
The Buckeyes
seem to be surging at this point in the season and J.T. Barrett is starting to
come into his own at quarterback. Illinois did just upset Minnesota, but no way
the Illini have a chance against the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium.
Jeremy- Ohio State 48, Illinois 17
Nick- OSU 45, Illinois 17Next game- Sat, Nov 8 vs. Alabama
Line: Neb -23.5, O/U: 61.5
Purdue has
been scrappy this year and played hard against teams as good as or better than
the Huskers. The 23.5-point spread seems
like a lot considering the Boilermakers only lost to Notre Dame by 16, Iowa by
14, Michigan State by 14 and Minnesota by 1. Purdue’s not going to win this game but
they’ll make Nebraska work.
Nick- Nebraska 38, Purdue 14
Line: OU -15.5, O/U: 61
The Sooners
need to get back on track after losing two of their last three and a trip to
Ames should be what the doctor ordered. Iowa State is pesky, but OU seems like
it has backed itself into a wall and is ready to come out and destroy someone.
This looks like that game to me. If the Sooners can limit the turnovers they
should have no problem scoring early and often in this one.
Nick- OU 50, Iowa State 28
Jeremy- OU 41, ISU 24
No. 21 Clemson (6-2), IDLE
Next game-
Thursday, Nov. 6 @ Wake Forest
No. 24 Duke (6-1) @ Pittsburg (4-4),
12pm ET, ESPNU/WatchESPN
Line: Pitt -3, O/U: 48.5
I honestly
have not had a chance to see much of either one of these teams yet this season.
Duke’s only loss comes to an average Miami team, but even an average Miami team
is across the board more talented than the Blue Devils. Pittsburgh looked good
to start the season but has fallen back significantly. I like the Blue Devils
quarterback Anthony Boone to lead them to victory in this one and take control
of the ACC Coastal.
Nick-Duke 24, Pitt 17
Jeremy- Duke 34, Pitt 20
Best of the Rest
Line: PSU -3.5, O/U: 47.5
Two teams
that desperately need a win. Penn State
is coming in off three straight losses and the Terps have lost two of their
last three. I think Penn State has the
defense and quarterback play to get off the schnide this weekend and win a
close one against Maryland.
Jeremy- Penn State 27, Maryland 23
Nick- Penn State 24, Maryland 17Line: MIA -17, O/U: 70
This game is
much more intriguing this week than it looked like it would be a few weeks
ago. Both teams are 2-2 in the
conference and both teams have been playing much better the past few
weeks. Given that Miami is a home, you’d
think that would be an advantage but…
Jeremy-
Miami 37, UNC 31
Nick- Miami
27, UNC 24
Boston College (5-3) @ Virginia Tech (4-4),
12:30pm ET, GamePlan/ESPN3
Line: VT -3, O/U: 40.5
Until
Virginia Tech fields something that resembles and offense, I just can’t bring
myself to pick them… even at home.
Jeremy- Boston College 24, Virginia Tech 17
Nick- VaTech 27, BC 17
Line: GT -3.5, O/U: 54.5
Virginia
needs to stop a two game skid and with the schedule they have remaining, they
need this if they have hopes of going bowling.
They play solid defense and given the way the Coastal seems to play out,
the Hoos will win.
Jeremy- UVA 27, GT 24
Nick- Georgia Tech 31, UVA 21
Indiana (3-4) @ Michigan (3-5), 3:30pm
ET, BTN
Line: Mich -7, O/U: 53.5
This line
seems to hold on to some old B1G nostalgia from a time Michigan used to destroy
teams like Indiana. Times have changed
and the Big House doesn’t scare anyone.
Jeremy- Indiana 37, Michigan 30
Nick- Michigan 37, Indiana 30Line: MIZZOU -6.5, O/U: 47.5
Kentucky
gets bowl eligible with a win. Mizzou
stays alive in race for the West.
Jeremy- Kentucky 35, Mizzou 31
Nick- Kentucky 34, Mizzou 33Line: SCAR -6, O/U: 56
Neither team
is in the mix for the conference but both teams still have bowl
aspirations. There’s a good chance that
whoever loses Saturday, will be home in December. Tennessee shocked the Gamecocks in Knoxville
last year, can they do it against in Columbia?
Jeremy- Tennessee 31, South Carolina 30
Nick- Tennessee 28, S Car 27Line: OSU -2.5, O/U: 67.5
Cal has
shown significant improvement this season and a bowl berth is likely on the
line here. I like Cal and that explosive
offense.
Jeremy- Cal 54, OSU 34
Nick- Cal 45, OSU 21Line: Fres -12
This is
going to be a tough one for the Cowboys. They have been hit with the injury bug
this season losing their starting safety, linebacker and offensive leader Shaun
Wick at running back. Fresno has not looked great this season either as both
teams are struggling on offense so this should be a low scoring game. I think
this one will come down to the defense that can make a big stop down the stretch
of the game and I think that is the Pokes (did you expect and different).
Nick- Wyoming 24, Fresno 17
Jeremy- Wyo 23, Fresno 20
Players to Watch
Kevin Hogan, QB, Stanford
How the
Stanford offense performs this week will be very key if it has a chance at
upsetting Oregon in Eugene. The Cardinal defense can stop the Ducks that has
been proven, but Hogan and the offense need to find a way to move the ball
consistently. Hogan has ok numbers this year but the offense is 65th
or higher in nearly every offensive category. He needs to help change that
quickly if they are going to keep pace with the Ducks. Hundley has looked very underwhelming this season and I understand he hasn’t had much line help, but he was built up as a Heisman contender and he has looked pretty average all season. This week against Arizona could be an excellent national stage for him to show that he wasn’t hype.
Orchard is No. 2 in the country in sacks with 11 so far this season and he is the leader of the Utah defense. If Orchard and the Utes play well they could find themselves in control of the Pac 12 South.
The Ducks offensive line has been dominated by Stanford’s d-line the past few years. This year, the line has been banged up and really cost them the game against Arizona. If Mariota and the Ducks have a chance to beat the Cardinal today, it’s going to require this line to step up and own the line of scrimmage.
No comments:
Post a Comment