Of note here, of the two Hesiman Bet Contenders only Darren McFadden remains in the race. = )
However, count me in the Dennis Dixon For Heisman Camp!
The SEC Games-
How is this for conference strength of schedule- every single matchup of SEC teams this week features at least one Top 25 ranked team. The SEC is clearly the most dominant conference in college football right now, hands down.
And another thing to consider- the SEC could have 11 bowl eligible teams. ELEVEN!!. That story, here.
Without further ado, the games:
La Tech v (2) LSU- Is this a joke? Seriously, this is cruel and mean-spirited if it is. If La Tech cannot handle BSU, what chance do they have against a far superior defensive team? Whatever, La Tech can use this game to get quality experience for players in the depth chart in hopes of building the program in the right direction. Let us hope they don’t think they have a real chance…
(18) Auburn v (10) Georgia- this will be the 111th meeting between these two rivals. Tradition and timelessness- yet another reason to love SEC football. Georgia pounds the ball with Moreno whom has 1003 yards on 173 carries with 9 TD’s. Auburn gives up about 170 rushing yards game. That should be all the Bulldogs need to make Ugga happy. On CBS.
(15) Florida v South Carolina- Yummy, Spurrier versus Meyer. Yet another reason to love college football- stat coaches with superior talent and leadership. Spurrier should be nothing but happy with what he has accomplished as SC for far, the biggest test for the gamecocks has been its dual-QB and RB tantrums. Until the depth chart gets figured out, struggles may come against teams like Florida.
(22) Alabama v Mississippi State- The Bulldogs ARE 5-4, but just do not have enough offensive firepower to compete against an established system like `Bama. The Bulldogs could still finish the season bowl-eligible and finding some way to win this week would guarantee that.
Arkansas v (24) Tennessee- The Volunteers, lead my one of my favorite college football QB’s Erik Ainge are 5-0 at home this year. The toughest test yet for the Vols comes into town this week. Tennessee struggles to stop the run, giving up and average of 171 rushing yards a game (70th in Div I). With Heisman super-candidate Darren McFadden coming into town the Vols with need all they can get from Ainge to stay in the game after the second half. Take Arkansas in an upset win as the Volunteers will continue to find a lack of momentum to carry the season.
(25) Kentucky v Vanderbilt- The Wildcats will blow Vanderbilt out of the water. I am impressed with what they have put together this year.
The PAC-10 Games-
Oregon has a bye week this week, couldn’t come at a better time after two emotional must-win games behind them.
(9) Arizona State v UCLA- UCLA should not be this bad, there is no excuse being located in one of America’s premier football recruiting hotspots. But whatever, it is what it is. ASU moves on to hopes of at least a BCS game. On ABC.
(17) USC v Cal- What USC has in depth, Cal has in starters, but defensive talent gives an edge to USC whom only allows 80 rushing yards a game. That just happen to be Cal’s brightest spot. Pete Carroll game plans for weakness, look for Cal to be forced into a secondary attack mode with their passing game. On ABC.
The ACC Games-
(8) Boston College v Maryland- So they have a loss. They still have one of the best QB’s in the game with Matt Ryan at the helm, oh and a damn fine run game too. Add in the fact that BC only gives up about 50 rushing yards and about 14 points during an average game and things look woeful. Take BC for the win. On ABC.
Florida State v (11) Virginia Tech- Remember this about Florida State- they are still only 6-3. A record like that is not to shabby in a fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants conference ACC. To be bowl-eligible in a parity era is a good milestone. However, their just doesn’t seem to be the leadership on FSU to overcome the fact can score a ton of points in a hurry. And considering that VT leads the nation is yards allowed a game, FSU might just be left wondering how they DID pull of an upset win over a #2 ranked team. On ABC.
(19) Virginia v Miami (FL)- whomever scores last in this game will win. Stats are almost exactly even line by line. Toss up call game.
Wake Forest v (21) Clemson- Clemson has depth and comfortability at every position, including having the nations 5th ranked defense unit. A down year for Wake Forest won’t get any easier this week.
The Big 12 Games-
(4) Kansas v Oklahoma State- Kansas finds a new believer in me after hammering Nebraska last week for a win. Here is another team with a solid starter and depth at nearly every position. Oh, and defensively they are not so bad- giving up only 77 rushing and 200 yards passing to have the nations 7th rated defensive unit. Believe this years Cinderella story, the possibility of going undefeated is very real if they can gain momentum going into the match up with (6) Missouri to end the year. On ABC.
Baylor v (5) Oklahoma- Baylor has no chance. Oklahoma wins.
Texas A&M v (6) Missouri- see my above comment.
Texas Tech v (14) Texas- WHOOO DOGGIES! Or some Texas statement like that. This matchup plays right into Texas’s weakness and Texas Tech strength- the passing game. Texas is 107 of 119 teams as far as passing yards allowed, While Tech comes in with the nations top offensive unit. Tech will win this game if, and only if, it can stop the `Horns Jamall Charles who comes into this game with 1192 yards from 192 carries and 14 touches. And considering Tech gives up an average 166 rushing yards a game you have to wonder if that will be just enough to give Texas the advantage. On ABC.
The Big 10 Games-
Illini v (1) Ohio State- Another unconvincing win coming for Ohio State. On ABC.
(12) Michigan v Wisconsin- Michigan should not be ranked. Period, end of story. But whatever, it is what it is. ESPN notes that Wisconsin, “is decimated by injuries, so expect Michigan to take full advantage this weekend.” That about covers it.
(22) Penn State v Temple- Temple isn’t very good. While Joe Pa doesn’t do anything for me, his team this year is fantastic. They roll on.
The Big East-
Louisville v (7) West Virginia- Big East football is just great. This game is a quality passing (LOU) game game versus a quality run game (WV). West Virginia has the upper hand, who leads the nation in passing yards allowed, which is what the Cardinals will depend on to compete in this game. Take WV for the win.
(13) Connecticut v Cincinnati- Cinnci doesn’t give up much on rush defense, which is a huge element of the Huskies game. Connecticut should be able to slow Cinci from taking over the game with it’s 22nd ranked pass defense. However, Conn needs the rush game to balance out its attack. Take the upset, Cinnci should win handily.
The WAC Game-
Fresno State v (16) Hawaii- Colt Brennan off the island is a bit sluggish. Fresno is no easy win, but look for Hawaii to take over after halftime adjustments.
And finally my Boise State Broncos…….
(20) Boise State v Utah State- BSU fans are affectionately referring to this game as a ‘bye week’. Honestly, that about sums it up. There is a very good chance that Utah State could finish this season without a win on the books. And the problem is, the WAC is full of teams that could very easily go 0-12. It’s too bad the conditions aren’t ripe for BSU to make a move to the PAC-10.
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