Week 5
#7 Florida @ #1 Alabama
Alabama goes from facing one of the best passing attacks in the country to facing one of the best defensive teams in the country. However, this dominant defensive team is hampered by an offense that hasn’t been the same since Tim Tebow left. It’s very doubtful that Florida will be able to keep pace and overcome the Crimson Tide defense. Roll Tide.
#2 Ohio State @ Illinois
No Reshard Mendenhall, No Juice Williams. Sorry Illinois, you’re just not ready for this kind of win.
#3 Boise State @ New Mexico State
Boise State should beware a letdown after a tough battle against Oregon State, especially with their next game on the road. They were lucky to get New Mexico State as that opponent. This shouldn’t be a difficult opponent, but you never know after a game like they had last week.
#9 Stanford @ #4 Oregon *Game of the Week*
This is going to be a very interesting game to watch. For most it would seem like Oregon’s first legitimate opponent this season. Also while Stanford has been winning most games through the air, Oregon has stuck to their outside running game to bring them success. Ultimately I think this game comes down to the defenses, and I have more faith in Oregon’s defense than in the defense of Stanford, so I’m calling for Oregon to win.
#5 TCU @ Colorado State
Colorado State hasn’t looked very good this season, while TCU is getting the typical flack for not being a BCS team. Honestly TCU should be higher than Oregon and probably Ohio State, though not Boise State. But that is beside the point, TCU wins.
#6 Nebraska: Bye
#21 Texas @ #8 Oklahoma
The Red River Rivalry. One of the greatest rivalries in college football. Sadly it will be far more boring than has been in previous years. Garrett Gilbert and this younger Texas team are still growing into their new starting lineup and Landry Jones has slid seamlessly into the role that Sam Bradford filled when he was the starter. Oklahoma wins.
Louisiana-Monroe @ #10 Auburn
Auburn greatly surprised me when they pulled that victory out against South Carolina. They are definitely not a team to be underestimated. They win handily.
#11 Wisconsin @ #24 Michigan State
I almost pick this one for game of the week. Michigan State has been putting together a very good season almost in spite of themselves. Wisconsin has been dominant in the majority of their games this season. I think this is where Michigan State’s winning end. Badgers win.
Tennessee @ #12 LSU
Tennessee simple hasn’t looked like an SEC team this season. I’m not saying they couldn’t pull the upset, but I’m not calling for it this time. LSU wins.
#13 Utah: Bye
#14 Arizona: Bye
#15 Arkansas: Bye
#16 Miami (Fl.) @ Clemson
Miami has recovered nicely from their embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Ohio State. Clemson will be a difficult opponent, however, I am still of the belief that Miami should be able to win this game.
#22 Penn State @ #17 Iowa
Another tough battle in the Big Ten, but with Penn State riding an inexperienced quarterback, I think Iowa has the advantage.
Washington @ #18 USC
This will be the proving ground for Jake Locker. I was amazed when Washington pulled out the victory a year ago and I will be amazed if they do it again. USC did impress me last week, albeit very mildly. They should win this one.
#19 Michigan @ Indiana
I’ll say the same thing about Indiana that I said about Illinois. They’re just not ready to win this kind of game. Michigan wins.
#20 South Carolina: Bye
Virginia Tech @ #23 North Carolina State
Earlier in the year I doubt anyone would have even given this game a second glance. Now, with Virginia Tech looking like they took a giant step back and North Carolina State shocking many, myself included. With their victory against Georgia Tech, I am going to have a hard time picking against NC State, so that’s who I am picking to win this game.
#25 Nevada @ UNLV
Nevada wins. I don’t think I need to explain why.
Other Games of Note
Texas A&M @ Oklahoma State
Tonight’s battle of undefeated Big Twelve teams that are surprisingly not among the AP’s top25 best teams should be a fun one to watch. Both teams rank in the Top 10 in the country in yards per game and have roughly equal rushing attacks. So this game will likely come down to which team is able to contain the opponent’s passing game. In that regard, I’m going with Texas A&M. I just think they’ll get the kind of pressure that’s needed to disrupt that passing game of Oklahoma State.
Florida State @ Virginia
Much like North Carolina State, I am surprised to see that Virginia is playing so competently. I don’t think that’ll beat Florida State, however, I am putting Florida State on upset alert.
Temple @ Army
This is a bit of a weird game. Army has been playing very well, surprising many including myself, while Temple has maintained the kind of excellence they established last year. While Temple had a rough go against Penn State, I think it would be foolish to pick against them in this game. I got Temple for the outright win.
Navy @ Air Force
The first of three battles between the military academies, the winner of this battle will probably be the best of those academies. Normally, Navy would have the major advantage with their dominant running game. However, this year, Air force is actually leading the country in rushing. Due to this fact, I have to select Air Force to win this game.
Georgia Tech @ Wake Forest
While both teams lost last week, I have to say that this is still a pivotal battle in the race for the ACC crown. There is an interesting contract in offensive styles here, with Georgia Tech using the run heavy triple option and Wake Forest focusing on the pass heavy spread offense. I’m going with Georgia Tech, mostly because I believe in Paul Johnson.
1. Kellen Moore – As Moore continues to roll, so do the Boise State Broncos.
2. Terrelle Pryor – No matter how good he was last week, he was playing Eastern Michigan; he’s not earning points in my eyes against them.
3. Colin Kaepernick – He didn’t have his best game last week, but he didn’t have a bad game.
4. John Clay – He played well, but he was outshined by his backup.
5. Andrew Luck – Not the best performance, but his team won the game strongly.
6. Matt Barkley – He stepped up, but still should’ve been better against the lowly Washington State.
7. Ryan Mallett – He threw the ball well and without him, Arkansas wouldn’t have been able to even hang with Alabama. He also cost his team the game by forcing two passes into coverage. It will be hard to regain lost ground with their toughest opponent behind them.
8. Denard Robinson – His rushing performance was strong enough to keep him here, but he’ll have to play through his injury to stay here.
9. Nick Foles – Performed well in the clutch, not moving in my mind.
10. Daniel Thomas – Another subpar performance will drop him from this list, but being second in the country in rushing will keep him here at least one more week.
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