I know that this is the first one, but starting today, I will spend Thursdays blogging about the Top 5 college football games for each week. My previews will include some pregame analysis and my predictions.
5. #15 Michigan @ Iowa (or any Big Ten game for that matter) - 12 PM EST, ESPN
With the exception of Penn State (bye this week), all of the Big Ten contenders are heavy favorites this Saturday. Nebraska hosts Northwestern, Michigan State hosts Minnesota, Wisconsin hosts Purdue, and Ohio State hosts Indiana. The Big Ten game that intrigues me the most is Michigan against Iowa. Michigan has looked solid this season behind the play of quarterback Denard Robinson and runningback Fitz Toussaint. However, the Wolverines have lost two times in a row to Iowa. Additionally, they should face an angry Hawkeyes team that lost 22-21 to lowly Minnesota last week. What will happen in this game (or any of these games), who knows? It is the Big Ten after all. Prediction: Michigan 24 Iowa 17
4. Texas A&M @ #6 Oklahoma - 3:30 PM EST, ABC/ESPN 2
Last year, Texas A&M pulled a stunning upset of Oklahoma 33-19. Many people think that they will do it again this year, but I am not one of those people. Last week, Texas A&M blew a second-half lead for the third time this season. If that wasn't bad enough, the Aggies' pass defense ranks dead last among FBS teams, allowing 318.3 yards per game. Oklahoma will be without leading rusher Dominique Whaley, but should focus on airing it out with quartback Landry Jones, who only threw for a school-record 505 yards and five touchdowns last week against a then undefeated Kansas State team. Prediction: Oklahoma 48 Texas A&M 24
3. #9 South Carolina @ #7 Arkansas - 7:15 PM EST, ESPN
Wait a second. There is another SEC Top 10 matchup this Saturday. I know that all of the media is focusing on the other big SEC game (don't worry I am getting there), but it's true. While South Carolina hasn't looked pretty in many wins this season (14-12 & 14-3 the past two weeks), on thing they've done a lot of this season is winning (only loss was by 3 to Auburn). Arkansas' only loss was a manhandling at Alabama. The Razorbacks have some solid wins (Texas A&M & Auburn), but haven't looked to strong the past two weeks having to come up with come-from- behind victories, after facing double-digits deficits. The storyline of the game might be the Hogs ability to protect quarterback Tyler Wilson, who has been sacked 15 times in eight games so far. Wilson is the SEC's leader in passing yards, but will need time to throw. South Carolina is No. 14 in the country in scoring defense (17.1 points per game).The Gamecocks' d-line will look to get after Wilson. Prediction: South Carolina 17 Arkansas 16
2. #14 Kansas State @ #3 Oklahoma State - 8PM EST, ABC/ESPN 2
Kansas State (who was then undefeated) was exposed in a 58-17 loss to Oklahoma last week. The Sooners exploded for 690 total yards of offense, including 505 passing yards and five touchdowns by quarterback Landry Jones. It won't get any easier for the Wildcats who head to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have the #2 scoring (49.9 ppg) and #4 passing (373.3 ypg) offense. Quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon have been been one of the best dynamic duos in all of college football. Additionally, running back Joseph Randle has ran for 290 yards in the past two games combined. Unless the Wildcats took some miracle drug this week, this game should look like a repeat of their last game. Prediction: Oklahoma State 48 Kansas State 28
1. #1 LSU @ #2 Alabama - 8PM EST, CBS
Could this game be any bigger? #1 against #2. The two SEC West rivals are nose-to-nose in almost every way. Both teams crushed their first eight opponents in double-digit wins. They both annihilated East Division foes Florida and Tennessee by a combined 61 (LSU) and 59 (Alabama) points. LSU has the #13 scoring offense and #2 scoring defense. Alabama has the #12 scoring offense and #1 scoring defense. The winner clearly has inside track to play for both the SEC Championship and National Title. If this kind of matchup doesn't make you want to watch college football, I don't know what kind will. Prediction: Alabama 45 LSU 43 (3OT)
5. #15 Michigan @ Iowa (or any Big Ten game for that matter) - 12 PM EST, ESPN
With the exception of Penn State (bye this week), all of the Big Ten contenders are heavy favorites this Saturday. Nebraska hosts Northwestern, Michigan State hosts Minnesota, Wisconsin hosts Purdue, and Ohio State hosts Indiana. The Big Ten game that intrigues me the most is Michigan against Iowa. Michigan has looked solid this season behind the play of quarterback Denard Robinson and runningback Fitz Toussaint. However, the Wolverines have lost two times in a row to Iowa. Additionally, they should face an angry Hawkeyes team that lost 22-21 to lowly Minnesota last week. What will happen in this game (or any of these games), who knows? It is the Big Ten after all. Prediction: Michigan 24 Iowa 17
4. Texas A&M @ #6 Oklahoma - 3:30 PM EST, ABC/ESPN 2
Last year, Texas A&M pulled a stunning upset of Oklahoma 33-19. Many people think that they will do it again this year, but I am not one of those people. Last week, Texas A&M blew a second-half lead for the third time this season. If that wasn't bad enough, the Aggies' pass defense ranks dead last among FBS teams, allowing 318.3 yards per game. Oklahoma will be without leading rusher Dominique Whaley, but should focus on airing it out with quartback Landry Jones, who only threw for a school-record 505 yards and five touchdowns last week against a then undefeated Kansas State team. Prediction: Oklahoma 48 Texas A&M 24
3. #9 South Carolina @ #7 Arkansas - 7:15 PM EST, ESPN
Wait a second. There is another SEC Top 10 matchup this Saturday. I know that all of the media is focusing on the other big SEC game (don't worry I am getting there), but it's true. While South Carolina hasn't looked pretty in many wins this season (14-12 & 14-3 the past two weeks), on thing they've done a lot of this season is winning (only loss was by 3 to Auburn). Arkansas' only loss was a manhandling at Alabama. The Razorbacks have some solid wins (Texas A&M & Auburn), but haven't looked to strong the past two weeks having to come up with come-from- behind victories, after facing double-digits deficits. The storyline of the game might be the Hogs ability to protect quarterback Tyler Wilson, who has been sacked 15 times in eight games so far. Wilson is the SEC's leader in passing yards, but will need time to throw. South Carolina is No. 14 in the country in scoring defense (17.1 points per game).The Gamecocks' d-line will look to get after Wilson. Prediction: South Carolina 17 Arkansas 16
2. #14 Kansas State @ #3 Oklahoma State - 8PM EST, ABC/ESPN 2
Kansas State (who was then undefeated) was exposed in a 58-17 loss to Oklahoma last week. The Sooners exploded for 690 total yards of offense, including 505 passing yards and five touchdowns by quarterback Landry Jones. It won't get any easier for the Wildcats who head to Stillwater to take on Oklahoma State. The Cowboys have the #2 scoring (49.9 ppg) and #4 passing (373.3 ypg) offense. Quarterback Brandon Weeden and wide receiver Justin Blackmon have been been one of the best dynamic duos in all of college football. Additionally, running back Joseph Randle has ran for 290 yards in the past two games combined. Unless the Wildcats took some miracle drug this week, this game should look like a repeat of their last game. Prediction: Oklahoma State 48 Kansas State 28
1. #1 LSU @ #2 Alabama - 8PM EST, CBS
Could this game be any bigger? #1 against #2. The two SEC West rivals are nose-to-nose in almost every way. Both teams crushed their first eight opponents in double-digit wins. They both annihilated East Division foes Florida and Tennessee by a combined 61 (LSU) and 59 (Alabama) points. LSU has the #13 scoring offense and #2 scoring defense. Alabama has the #12 scoring offense and #1 scoring defense. The winner clearly has inside track to play for both the SEC Championship and National Title. If this kind of matchup doesn't make you want to watch college football, I don't know what kind will. Prediction: Alabama 45 LSU 43 (3OT)
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