On Campus 9/24
5 Games to Watch
Arkansas v Alabama- To quote Mike Price, “It’s rollin’ baby!!” The Tide are flying high after dismantling South Carolina in their own backyard and look to continue there winning ways back home in Tuscaloosa. They face a Razorback team that is reeling after a home loss to Vanderbilt and an embarrassing performance at Southern Cal. But Houston Nutt’s Arkansas teams always have one or two upset inside of them every year. This could be just the game, with the Tide looking ahead to a showdown with the Gators next week. Nutt’s job is in serious jeopardy if he continues to lose, so look for an inspired performance from the Hogs.
Boston College v Clemson- This game is about three plays away from being a match-up of top 15 teams, instead neither team is ranked. Both schools lost close home games last weekend against powerful ACC teams from Florida. The Tigers seem to feel as if they have something to prove, even though they were a Charlie Whitehurst overthrow away from upsetting the Canes for the second straight year. This is a game between ACC Atlantic Division opponents so another conference loss here will crush the hopes of playing for the ACC title in Jacksonville. I think BC defense will be the key to this game, if they can slow down Clemson’s running attack they will win the game, but if the Clemson backs get off like they did in the first two games of the year they will show BC why it is called Death Valley.
Michigan v Wisconsin- Barry Alvare and the Badgers come in with a high powered running attack (6th in the country), led by Junior RB Brian Calhoun. Michigan is still feeling the effects of that loss to Notre Dame, even thought last week the rolled easily over Eastern Michigan. Against a tough Badger defense in Camp Randall and without Sophomore Tailback Mike Hart the Wolverine offense will be challeneged. Quarterback Chad Henne must come with his best stuff in order to score in this one. Michigan has a lot to prove in this game and the Badgers are flying under the radar which suites Coach Alvarez just fine. Look for the Badgers to control the ball on the ground and grind out a win.
Tennessee v LSU- What did Tennessee do to the SEC to deserve this? Back to back trips to the Swamp and Death Valley to face the Bayou Bengles. The Vols come off a tough road loss at Florida and now have to face a team that has fought through a lot more than football in the last few weeks. This is LSU’s first home game and playing in Baton Rogue is never a picnic. Coach Phillip Fulmer will find out real fats if either one of his Quarterbacks can get it done. With the hostile crowd and the lack of production from the Vols offense I see a big win for the Tigers, but new coach Les Myles will have to have his team ready, because Fulmer’s crowd could come in here on high gear after last weeks game. (Note: This Game has been moved to Monday he 26th because of Hurricane Rita)
Notre Dame v Washington- Can you believe it, Charlie Weis and Notre Dame actually lost a game last week! Who knew they were actually fallable? Now Weis takes his Fightin Irish all the way across the country to Puget Sound to take on the Washington Huskies. This game has one minor subplot, Tyrone Willingham (former ND coach) is now the coach for the Huskies. This guy was given the biggest kick in the ass by Notre Dame, being fired after three seasons. Basically, the rich white alumni didn’t like having the darkie around. But they of course will tell you that it was because his team failed expectations on the field. What about off the field? Where the graduation rate was rising, and no football players were getting in anymore trouble? Oh, that’s right schools don’t really care about that, they just say they do. So now Willingham has his time for revenge, and while I think his team is totally outmatched talent-wise I think they can and will pull of the upset for their coach. Willingham handled his firing from Notre Dame with class and has said that this game means no more or less and that he has nothing against Notre Dame. That is a man with class and I will root for that man any day, rather than a University who praises frauds like Lou Holtz.
4 Players to Watch
Dwayne Jarrett, USC- Perhaps the most underrated player in the country, and definitely the forgotten man on his own team. While Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush get all the hype, Jarett (a 6’5 220lb Junior WR) catches touchdowns. As a freshman last season, stepping in for departed Mike Williams, Jarett had 13 TD’s and this year may shatter that as he already has 5 through 2 games. This week USC looks to shoot it out with Oregon in Autzen Stadium. Look for Jarett to have a few more big catches as the Trojans remain undefeated.
Marques Hagans, Virginia- It seems as if Hagans has been there forever, and this Wahoo team is now all his. Hagans is a duel threat ran for over 100 yards last week at Syracuse. However, he is still shaky throwing the ball having tossed 5 int’s and only 2 TD’s through the first two games. Hagans must begin to show improvement as UVA opens it’s ACC slate with perennial cellar dweller Duke. Hagans is the key to the Wahoo’s making any noise in the deep and talented ACC.
Muhammad Abdullah, Kentucky- Abdullah is a little known player by most, even in the southeast. He is a two time all conference performer at safety and has the unenviable task of marking Chris Leak this week. Leak has lost on of his receiving weapons for the season, so he may be looking over the middle for the TE which is right were Abdullah will be all afternoon. Abdullah is an excellent run stopper and has the cover skills of a corner (his original position). Abdullah’s ability to control the middle of the field may help Kentucky keep this game within arms length.
Laurence Maroney, Minnesota- Maroney is the powerful tailback leading the charge of the Golden Gophers. Through three games he has racked up a staggering 481 yard (7.1 a carry) and 6 TD’s. This week Maroney goes up against a new and improved Boilermaker defense. Minnesota will try to keep the Purdue offense off the field so look for Maroney to get his share of carries.
3 Lines to take
Penn State is favored by 7.5 points at Northwestern. Though the Wildcats have gotten off to a relatively good start, I would still take Joe Pa’s boys to cover that one easily.
Virginia Tech may get tested at home this week by Georgia Tech. However, G-Tech’s tarting QB, Reggie Ball, may miss the game. I say take V-Tech laying the 11.5 points.
And in the surprise pick of the week, take Colorado to cover the 14 at Miami. Every instinct in my body tells me to take Miami in a route, so that is why I say take Colorado.
Arkansas v Alabama- To quote Mike Price, “It’s rollin’ baby!!” The Tide are flying high after dismantling South Carolina in their own backyard and look to continue there winning ways back home in Tuscaloosa. They face a Razorback team that is reeling after a home loss to Vanderbilt and an embarrassing performance at Southern Cal. But Houston Nutt’s Arkansas teams always have one or two upset inside of them every year. This could be just the game, with the Tide looking ahead to a showdown with the Gators next week. Nutt’s job is in serious jeopardy if he continues to lose, so look for an inspired performance from the Hogs.
Boston College v Clemson- This game is about three plays away from being a match-up of top 15 teams, instead neither team is ranked. Both schools lost close home games last weekend against powerful ACC teams from Florida. The Tigers seem to feel as if they have something to prove, even though they were a Charlie Whitehurst overthrow away from upsetting the Canes for the second straight year. This is a game between ACC Atlantic Division opponents so another conference loss here will crush the hopes of playing for the ACC title in Jacksonville. I think BC defense will be the key to this game, if they can slow down Clemson’s running attack they will win the game, but if the Clemson backs get off like they did in the first two games of the year they will show BC why it is called Death Valley.
Michigan v Wisconsin- Barry Alvare and the Badgers come in with a high powered running attack (6th in the country), led by Junior RB Brian Calhoun. Michigan is still feeling the effects of that loss to Notre Dame, even thought last week the rolled easily over Eastern Michigan. Against a tough Badger defense in Camp Randall and without Sophomore Tailback Mike Hart the Wolverine offense will be challeneged. Quarterback Chad Henne must come with his best stuff in order to score in this one. Michigan has a lot to prove in this game and the Badgers are flying under the radar which suites Coach Alvarez just fine. Look for the Badgers to control the ball on the ground and grind out a win.
Tennessee v LSU- What did Tennessee do to the SEC to deserve this? Back to back trips to the Swamp and Death Valley to face the Bayou Bengles. The Vols come off a tough road loss at Florida and now have to face a team that has fought through a lot more than football in the last few weeks. This is LSU’s first home game and playing in Baton Rogue is never a picnic. Coach Phillip Fulmer will find out real fats if either one of his Quarterbacks can get it done. With the hostile crowd and the lack of production from the Vols offense I see a big win for the Tigers, but new coach Les Myles will have to have his team ready, because Fulmer’s crowd could come in here on high gear after last weeks game. (Note: This Game has been moved to Monday he 26th because of Hurricane Rita)
Notre Dame v Washington- Can you believe it, Charlie Weis and Notre Dame actually lost a game last week! Who knew they were actually fallable? Now Weis takes his Fightin Irish all the way across the country to Puget Sound to take on the Washington Huskies. This game has one minor subplot, Tyrone Willingham (former ND coach) is now the coach for the Huskies. This guy was given the biggest kick in the ass by Notre Dame, being fired after three seasons. Basically, the rich white alumni didn’t like having the darkie around. But they of course will tell you that it was because his team failed expectations on the field. What about off the field? Where the graduation rate was rising, and no football players were getting in anymore trouble? Oh, that’s right schools don’t really care about that, they just say they do. So now Willingham has his time for revenge, and while I think his team is totally outmatched talent-wise I think they can and will pull of the upset for their coach. Willingham handled his firing from Notre Dame with class and has said that this game means no more or less and that he has nothing against Notre Dame. That is a man with class and I will root for that man any day, rather than a University who praises frauds like Lou Holtz.
4 Players to Watch
Dwayne Jarrett, USC- Perhaps the most underrated player in the country, and definitely the forgotten man on his own team. While Matt Leinart and Reggie Bush get all the hype, Jarett (a 6’5 220lb Junior WR) catches touchdowns. As a freshman last season, stepping in for departed Mike Williams, Jarett had 13 TD’s and this year may shatter that as he already has 5 through 2 games. This week USC looks to shoot it out with Oregon in Autzen Stadium. Look for Jarett to have a few more big catches as the Trojans remain undefeated.
Marques Hagans, Virginia- It seems as if Hagans has been there forever, and this Wahoo team is now all his. Hagans is a duel threat ran for over 100 yards last week at Syracuse. However, he is still shaky throwing the ball having tossed 5 int’s and only 2 TD’s through the first two games. Hagans must begin to show improvement as UVA opens it’s ACC slate with perennial cellar dweller Duke. Hagans is the key to the Wahoo’s making any noise in the deep and talented ACC.
Muhammad Abdullah, Kentucky- Abdullah is a little known player by most, even in the southeast. He is a two time all conference performer at safety and has the unenviable task of marking Chris Leak this week. Leak has lost on of his receiving weapons for the season, so he may be looking over the middle for the TE which is right were Abdullah will be all afternoon. Abdullah is an excellent run stopper and has the cover skills of a corner (his original position). Abdullah’s ability to control the middle of the field may help Kentucky keep this game within arms length.
Laurence Maroney, Minnesota- Maroney is the powerful tailback leading the charge of the Golden Gophers. Through three games he has racked up a staggering 481 yard (7.1 a carry) and 6 TD’s. This week Maroney goes up against a new and improved Boilermaker defense. Minnesota will try to keep the Purdue offense off the field so look for Maroney to get his share of carries.
3 Lines to take
Penn State is favored by 7.5 points at Northwestern. Though the Wildcats have gotten off to a relatively good start, I would still take Joe Pa’s boys to cover that one easily.
Virginia Tech may get tested at home this week by Georgia Tech. However, G-Tech’s tarting QB, Reggie Ball, may miss the game. I say take V-Tech laying the 11.5 points.
And in the surprise pick of the week, take Colorado to cover the 14 at Miami. Every instinct in my body tells me to take Miami in a route, so that is why I say take Colorado.
1 Comments:
Hey how about a little love for Reggie McNeal. In 3 games with Texas A&M he has 776 yards passing, 286 yards rushing, 9 TD's, and a 132.6 passer rating.
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