Hey everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you're all stuffed and ready for the best weekend of the year in College Football... and overall in my book! Rivalry weekend is upon us, and although it marks the end of the regular season for football, it also means that the bowl games are right around the corner. There is a great set of games this weekend, many of them having big implications on the playoff picture. I wish I could make a pick on all of the great rivalry games, but there are just too many. I will do quite a few this week though, so be prepared. Always remember that anything is possible in College Football, especially during Rivalry Week! Records go out the window, and teams play on an entirely different level when they play against their rivals. This is the weekend where chaos gets its name from, so here we go!
1. 15 Navy at Houston
Since this is Navy's first season as a member of the American Conference, this is a new rivalry. I think that over the next few years, these two teams will continue to be atop the American Conference, and this rivalry will have a bigger impact. Houston is coming off a big upset at the hands of UConn last week, while Navy just continues to run over, around, and through teams. UConn ran very well against Houston last week, blasting them for a few big runs throughout the game. I believe that Navy is too tough to stop with the Triple Option attack, and I still have them winning the American Conference this year. Midshipmen win this one 40-24.
2. 20 Washington State at Washington
The Apple Cup: Wazzu against the Huskies of Washington. This is always a classic game up in the Pacific Northwest, and it has some extra implications this year. Washington is fighting for a bowl game while Wazzu is tying to turn the tide in a series in which the Huskies have won 5 out of the last 6. Luke Falk has taken the PAC-12 by storm this year, passing for 4266 yards and 36 TDs. If he is not able to play tomorrow, I believe it will be a much closer game. Washington's defense has been very tough for opponents to score on, giving up an average of 18.5 points per game this season. The biggest issues are on offense for Chris Petersen's squad. I have the Cougars winning with or without Luke Falk, but if he's not able to go, look for Washington's defense to cause more havoc. Wazzu 35, Huskies 28.
3. 7 Baylor at 19 TCU
Earlier this season, this looked to be the game that would decide which Big XII team jumped into the playoff. TCU has fallen off the past couple of weeks, and the injuries to Boykin and Doctson have not helped. Baylor is still in prime position to win the Big XII and find their way into the Final Four. Backup QB Jarrett Stidham is the second Bears QB to lose the end of his season to injury, but third-string QB Chris Johnson tore apart OSU's defense when he came in off the bench last Saturday. TCU fought admirably against the Sooners, but couldn't quite pull the upset. This will be another big shootout, and the rivalry only feeds the fire. Last year the Bears came back from a 21 point deficit to win a 61-58 thriller in Waco. Traveling to Ft. Worth is never an easy task, but I think that the Bears will handle this one. Chris Johnson leads the Bears to victory and a spot in the playoffs. Bears 52, Horned Frogs 40.
4. 8 Ohio State at 10 Michigan
The first of many meetings between Urban Meyer and Jim Harbaugh. This one should be a great game up in the Big House. Ohio State is coming off of their first loss of the season as the Spartans upset them with a walk-off field goal in the Horseshoe last week. Two tough defenses face off in what should be another low scoring, hard-nosed game. Michigan will try to shut down JT Barrett and the deadly Buckeye offense that has struggled to get off to a fast start in games. It will be interesting to see what kind of leadership is shown by the Buckeyes as RB Ezekiel Elliot and QB Cardale Jones both said they would not return for their Senior campaigns after the MSU game. Elliot was especially upset with the number of times he touched the ball and the coaching decisions that were made. I think that the off-field issues will hurt the Buckeyes in this game. Michigan has played very good football this year, and I think that they will beat their arch rival at home this weekend. Harbaugh gets a leg up on the rivalry and Michigan wins it 28-23. The winner of this game is hoping for a Penn State victory so that they can claim the East Division Title.
5. 1 Clemson at South Carolina
The Gamecocks have more or less fallen off of the face of the Earth this season. Favored as one of the best candidates to win the SEC East Division, they find themselves walking into this rivalry game at 3-8 with nothing special to play for besides bragging rights and upset capability. That's all the motivation you need in a rivalry game though. Records don't matter this weekend, and I think that South Carolina will try as hard as they can to prove that. There's nothing better than to have the number one team walk into your house thinking they've already won it. However, I don't believe that South Carolina has any team chemistry this season, and that's a big factor in their losses. Clemson's defense should be able to take care of the Gamecocks, and I think that Deshaun Watson will tear apart their defense. Clemson is out to prove they're number one, and they'll do that with a convincing 45-14 victory. Sorry Cocky, no upsets this year.
6. Penn State at 5 Michigan State
The Nittany Lions walk into East Lancing looking to upset the 5th ranked Spartans. They have climbed back up in the polls after falling to my Huskers a few weeks ago, and look to book a trip to Indianapolis if they can get a win on Senior Day. The Nittany Lions are looking to claw their way back into becoming one of the Powerhouses in the East. Their defense is very tough to score on and keeps them in games, but their offense still struggles to find their groove. Sparty's defense stepped up last game, as well as backup QB Tyler O'Connor. Connor Cook looks to be back for Senior day, and one can only imagine what kind of damage he's looking to do. An East Division title will put Michigan State back into title talk. I think that this one will be a tough, low scoring game, but Sparty will come out on top. Penn State just doesn't have the offensive firepower to match the Spartans. Michigan State 28, Penn State 17.
7. Wisconsin at Minnesota
The Gophers are looking to end an emotional season with a victory over the Badgers and a trip to a Bowl game. The Badgers are coming off a close loss on Senior day to the Wildcats of Northwestern. This game won't be anything flashy, just a tough, hard fought battle between two bitter rivals. The Battle for Paul Bunyan's Ax has not been very close the past few seasons, and Minnesota is looking for their first win since 2003! I think that Mitch Leidner and the Gophers will get it done in this one and win a close one 23-20.
8. 2 Alabama at Auburn
The Iron Bowl, another great rivalry in College Football. Two years out from the incredible "Kick-Six", Bama looks to walk into Jordan Hare Stadium and pummel a struggling Tiger squad that is looking for another upset. Over the season, Auburn has not given up a whole lot of points, but they have not scored many either. Their struggles on offense have lead them to a 6-5 record. This game has big implications nationally because not only would it probably knock Bama out of playoff contention, but it would put Ole Miss into the SEC title game if they can win the Egg Bowl. Sadly, I don't think that Bama will fall in this one. Derrick Henry will run through his 6ft wide holes and Bama should cruise to victory. If Auburn is within striking distance in the 4th Quarter, it could get interesting, but I have the Tide rolling in this one 38-21.
9. 22 UCLA at USC
The classic LA showdown of Southern California. Cross town rivals with everything on the line. The winner of this game books their trip to the PAC-12 Title game in Santa Clara against the Stanford Cardinal. Both have fallen to Stanford already this season, so they would love nothing more for another shot. The Trojans came into the year favored to win the PAC-12 and be selected into the playoffs. Those dreams faded throughout the year as off the field issues caught up with head coach Steve Sarkisian forcing him to step down. Play on the field has been up and down all season for both teams. UCLA got off to a great start, but struggled mightily throughout conference play. Both teams have shown that they can play with the best, but have also shown terrible outings. I picked USC to win the South division earlier this season, and they have the perfect chance to do it against their rivals. Josh Rosen has had an impressive freshman campaign, but I think USC's defense will get the best of him. Trojans force too many turnovers and win this game 35-21.
10. 18 Ole Miss at 21 Mississippi State
The Egg Bowl, another great rivalry in the SEC. Both teams have great leadership at the QB position, especially the Bulldogs in Dak Prescott. He has been one of my favorite players to watch over the past few years in College Football. I would love to see him have a great day on Senior Day, and send Ole Miss packing. The Rebels have been so hot and cold this season, and with the talent level that they have, they really shouldn't be struggling with teams. They're hoping for an Auburn upset, but they still need to get by Dak Prescott. The Rebel's defense have struggled against balanced offenses, so look for a shootout in this one. Chad Kelly and Lequon Treadwell will be going deep quite often against the Bulldogs struggling pass defense that gives up an average of 215 yards per game passing. I think that Dak Prescott will shine in his final home game as a Bulldog, and Hail State will win the shootout 45-42.
11. 13 Florida State at 12 Florida
The Gators and the Seminoles square off in the classic Florida Rivalry. The Gators have already locked up their trip to Atlanta, and are looking to finish the season 11-1. They seemed to have overlooked Florida Atlantic last week as it took Overtime for the Gators to hold off the Owls. Hopefully they aren't looking at the SEC Title game already, because they have a great opportunity to fight their way back into the playoff picture with a solid win this weekend. Neither team's offense has been stellar this season, so I think that this one will be a low scoring affair. Dalvin Cook should be a big factor as FSU's QB situation has been in question the past few games. I think that the Gators have enough offense to get around Florida State, and they're looking to stop FSU's streak of two straight wins in the series. Gators 24, Seminoles 20.
12. 6 Notre Dame at 9 Stanford
This game is one of my top games to watch this weekend. Both Notre Dame and Stanford are trying to fight their way into the Playoff picture. The Irish are coming off of a sub-par game against Boston College in which they turned the ball over 5 times. The Cardinal are a much tougher opponent and are not going to let you win if you commit 5 turnovers. Notre Dame's defense may be young, but they are well experienced due to injures over the past couple years. Offensively, the duo of Kizer and Fuller causes headaches for every defense they face. I see this game being a little more high scoring than others, so look for more offense. Christian McCaffrey is still my top Heisman choice so far this season, and I think that he will have another monster game. I know my Uncle won't be very happy with me, but I have to go with the Cardinal on this one. McCaffery is going to be too much for the Irish. Stanford 38, Notre Dame 33.
13. 3 Oklahoma at 11 Oklahoma State
Bedlam, the Big XII depends on this game. Oklahoma wins the conference title with a win and a Baylor loss in either of their next two games. Oklahoma State looks to knock OU out of the playoffs, and try to climb back into the talk of them. The Cowboys were embarrassed last week at home by a Baylor offense that torched them for 700 yards of offense. They will look to bounce back against a Sooner squad that escaped the upset against TCU last week, but has otherwise been on a roll since their Texas loss. The Sooners are sitting at number 3 right now, and are trying to keep their playoff hopes alive. This one will be another great Big XII shootout, and I think the Cowboys will show up ready to win. Oklahoma might still be wondering how they let TCU's freshman QB nearly upset them, and I think that the deep threat of OSU's passing game will hurt the Sooners over and over again. We'll see which QB starts for the Sooners and if it's Trevor Knight, look for OU to start slow on offense. Cowboys win Bedlam 45-38.
14. 4 Iowa at Nebraska
Boarder War, Farmageddon, or The Heroes Game. What ever you want to call it, this rivalry is finally getting some national attention. The 4th ranked Hawkeyes are 11-0, have locked up a trip to Indianapolis, and are looking for a spot in the playoffs. They don't blow teams out, but they always find a way to win games. They have yet to trail in the 4th Quarter this season, and their 3-Headed rushing attack is nothing to overlook. Defensively, they have one of the most consistent squads in the nation. They tend to run a lot of zone coverage with good push from their front four and outside blitzes. The have struggled with fully putting teams away through out the year, so look for this to be another game that comes down to the wire. Nebraska is looking to upset their rivals, finish this regular season with 3 straight victories, and make a Bowl game at 6-6. The Huskers have already upset a top ten team at home this year, and Husker Nation would love nothing more for Coach Riley's first Heroes Game. The Huskers are coming off of a bye week which has allowed them to get healthy. That will be a key factor in this game. The defense has gotten a lot of players back this week, and the linebacker corps is nearly as healthy as it was against BYU. This game will be a hard-nosed, ground and pound battle between two tough teams. The Huskers have one of the better run defenses in the country, but still struggle against the pass. They have done much better the past couple games, but the Blackshirts will have to play their best game yet if they want to pull the upset. Offensively, Tommy needs to play like he did in the first quarter against Rutgers. The Huskers need to keep drives alive and hold onto the ball in this one. Look for RBs Imani Cross and Terrell Newby be used a lot in this one. My big keys to victory in this game are Time of Possession and which team can capitalize on turnovers. Whoever can score off of the other team's turnovers, they will win this game. Last year, special teams was the deciding factor as DPE returned two big punts in the fourth quarter, the second for a TD. Sadly, DPE won't be out their for this game, so mistakes on special teams must be avoided. The team that minimizes their mistakes has the best chance to win this game. I know both teams are very motivated, and it's going to be a great game to watch. I'm very excited to meet the recruits tomorrow, but it's going to be a cold one. I've got another upset for the Huskers in this one, 28-24. The Sea of Red is going to be electric tomorrow, and there's nothing better than a rivalry game in Lincoln!
I hope you all enjoyed my picks and had a great Thanksgiving. Now let's all just sit back, relax, and watch the chaos of Rivalry weekend start. Thanks for reading and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Saturday, November 21, 2015
Week 12 Predictions
I hope everyone is ready for an action-packed Saturday of football! I'll be spending my Saturday with my family down in Jacksonville, FL as my Uncle is getting married today. However, there are still a ton of big games this weekend and I'm still going to make my picks for the week, so here we go!
1. 21 Memphis at Temple
Memphis is coming off of two straight losses, the most recent one to an undefeated Houston team that is looking to crash their way into a New Year's Six Bowl game. The Owls have dropped two out of their last three, coming off of a major upset at the hands of South Florida last week. Both teams are looking to find their footing after struggling the past few weeks. Temple still has a strong defense, but they have had some very rough few weeks. I'm giving Memphis might have the edge in this one. Their offense is coming off of two sub-par performances, and they are ready to explode. I think that Paxton Lynch will be too much for the Owls to handle today and Memphis gets the win 38-20.
2. 12 Michigan at Penn State
The Nittany Lions have played very well this season, and have one of the better defenses in the nation giving up just 17.7 points per game. Michigan has a much stronger offense than PSU, but their defense is nothing to forget about. The Wolverines are giving up an average of just 14.8 points per game. Both teams will come out tough, but I think the Wolverines want a chance at the BIG 10 Title, and they'll hold off Hackenberg winning this one close 21-16.
3. 15 LSU at 22 Ole Miss
Another classic rivalry takes place down in the SEC this weekend. The Tigers have lost two straight and now travel to Ole Miss to take on a confused Rebels squad. Everyone and their dog still has to be wondering how Ole Miss let Arkansas upset them two weeks ago with that insane 4th & 25 conversion. The Rebels are still playing for a spot in the SEC title game however. If they win today, and Auburn upsets Alabama next week, the Rebels can reach the SEC title game with another win in the Egg bowl. Leonard Fournette has more or less dropped out of the Heisman race as LSU has dropped their last two games. Even though the Rebel's defense is loaded with 4 and 5 star talent, they haven't quite lived up to the hype. Let's see how they handle Fournette. I think Ole Miss takes care of business though and wins this one 34-21.
4. 24 USC at 23 Oregon
At the beginning of the season, this looked like the preview match-up of the PAC-12 Title Game, but times have changed. USC still has a very good shot at winning the South Division, but Oregon is never an easy hurdle to jump. Especially since they are coming off of a major upset on Stanford just last week in Palo Alto. Both teams have explosive offenses and defenses that aren't bad, but don't always live up to their hype. Two of the Duck's losses have come at home this year, but USC has not traveled the best this season. I think that the Ducks are on the rise again, and I still see Utah getting into the PAC-12 Title game. Ducks win it 40-30.
5. UCLA at 13 Utah
The Utes are still very much in contention for not only a PAC-12 Title, but possibly a New Year's Six Bowl! They get a struggling UCLA team at home this week, and are looking to bounce back from that Arizona loss. UCLA has all the talent and potential to win the South Division, but they have dropped key games in horrible fashion. They can still reach the PAC-12 Title game if they win out, but I don't think that they'll be able to get it done in Salt Lake City. Devontae Booker is going to run over, around, and through the Bruins defense leading the Utes to a 35-17 victory.
6. 20 Northwestern at 25 Wisconsin
This is an interesting match-up over in the BIG 10 West. Both the Wildcats and the Badgers have had somewhat tough stumbles throughout the year, but they have both also won a lot of close games. I think that this line should be a little closer than the 10 point margin the experts are saying. I'm not really sure how to peg this one. Neither team has very much offense, but both defenses are two of the best in the conference. Look for a low scoring affair in this one with the Badgers edging out Northwestern at home 18-13.
7. 9 Michigan State at 3 Ohio State
This is the big showdown in the BIG 10 this week. A game that gives the winner a big advantage in winning the East Division. Both of these teams have been near the top of the rankings all season long despite their lackluster performances on the field. I personally don't think that either one of these teams is the real deal this year, but the winner definitely puts themselves in a good position for the playoff. Connor Cook better get back on his game quick, because he'll have Joey Bosa and a very fast Buckeye D-line coming after him all game. If the Spartans can control the clock, they may be able to stay close and possibly pull the upset. The score will be pretty tight until mid-late third quarter. By then, J.T. Barrett will figure out how to hurt Sparty, and he'll start going off. Look for Braxton Miller to be a HUGE factor against MSU's struggling secondary. I have the Buckeyes winning this one 38-24.
8. Mississippi State at Arkansas
I chose this game because it looks like a very interesting match-up to me. If you have not watched either of these teams much this season, both are playing very good football, especially as of late. Arkansas is coming off of two massive upsets on Ole Miss and LSU. They'll be looking to continue their power rushing attack and control the clock all game long. The Bulldogs are lead by star QB Dak Prescott, who has been putting up insane numbers all season long. He has over 2600 passing yards, 18 TDs and only 2 picks. I love watching Dak play, and I think he'll play great against a vulnerable Razorback defense, but I don't see a victory for him. Arkansas QB, Brandon Allen has had quite an impressive season too. He holds at 22:6 TD:INT ratio, and a very impressive 7:1 ratio for the month of November so far! I think that this will be a good game, but the Razorbacks win it 38-24.
9. 10 Baylor at 6 Oklahoma State
The Bears took a stumble last week as they fell to the Sooners at home. They have another tough challenge this week as they travel to take on an undefeated Oklahoma State. They Cowboys tore apart the Horned Frogs of TCU a couple weeks ago, and look primed for a big showdown next week in Bedlam. Their defense has looked good, but they have yet to play an offense like Baylor. I think that Stidham will bounce back and upset the Cowboys today. Look for another big shootout, but the Bears take this one 56-45.
10. 18 TCU at 7 Oklahoma
TCU has fallen off the past few weeks, and overall hasn't played the best football all season. Today they walk into Norman, OK looking to upset Big-Game Bobby without their Heisman-caliber QB or WR. They are going to start their Freshman QB Foster Sawyer who has only thrown 8 passes in his career. Without a go-to target like Doctson, the Sooner defense should have a feast. Baker Mayfield will tear apart a struggling TCU defense as well. I have the Sooners big in this one. OU wins 45- 21.
11. Cal at 11 Stanford
Another great rivalry in College Football, often called "The Game". Cal looked promising earlier this season, but have not found their groove since that loss to Utah. Stanford is trying to lock up the PAC-12 North Division with a win today since they were upset last week by the Ducks at home. Look for McCaffrey to be a big factor in this one. I don't think that Cal will be able to stop him, and Stanford will run to a victory. Probably no crazy finishes in this one, I have the Cardinal winning 35-17.
I hope you all enjoyed my picks, and hopefully we can get back on track this season! Let's have a great day of football today! Thank you, and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
1. 21 Memphis at Temple
Memphis is coming off of two straight losses, the most recent one to an undefeated Houston team that is looking to crash their way into a New Year's Six Bowl game. The Owls have dropped two out of their last three, coming off of a major upset at the hands of South Florida last week. Both teams are looking to find their footing after struggling the past few weeks. Temple still has a strong defense, but they have had some very rough few weeks. I'm giving Memphis might have the edge in this one. Their offense is coming off of two sub-par performances, and they are ready to explode. I think that Paxton Lynch will be too much for the Owls to handle today and Memphis gets the win 38-20.
2. 12 Michigan at Penn State
The Nittany Lions have played very well this season, and have one of the better defenses in the nation giving up just 17.7 points per game. Michigan has a much stronger offense than PSU, but their defense is nothing to forget about. The Wolverines are giving up an average of just 14.8 points per game. Both teams will come out tough, but I think the Wolverines want a chance at the BIG 10 Title, and they'll hold off Hackenberg winning this one close 21-16.
3. 15 LSU at 22 Ole Miss
Another classic rivalry takes place down in the SEC this weekend. The Tigers have lost two straight and now travel to Ole Miss to take on a confused Rebels squad. Everyone and their dog still has to be wondering how Ole Miss let Arkansas upset them two weeks ago with that insane 4th & 25 conversion. The Rebels are still playing for a spot in the SEC title game however. If they win today, and Auburn upsets Alabama next week, the Rebels can reach the SEC title game with another win in the Egg bowl. Leonard Fournette has more or less dropped out of the Heisman race as LSU has dropped their last two games. Even though the Rebel's defense is loaded with 4 and 5 star talent, they haven't quite lived up to the hype. Let's see how they handle Fournette. I think Ole Miss takes care of business though and wins this one 34-21.
4. 24 USC at 23 Oregon
At the beginning of the season, this looked like the preview match-up of the PAC-12 Title Game, but times have changed. USC still has a very good shot at winning the South Division, but Oregon is never an easy hurdle to jump. Especially since they are coming off of a major upset on Stanford just last week in Palo Alto. Both teams have explosive offenses and defenses that aren't bad, but don't always live up to their hype. Two of the Duck's losses have come at home this year, but USC has not traveled the best this season. I think that the Ducks are on the rise again, and I still see Utah getting into the PAC-12 Title game. Ducks win it 40-30.
5. UCLA at 13 Utah
The Utes are still very much in contention for not only a PAC-12 Title, but possibly a New Year's Six Bowl! They get a struggling UCLA team at home this week, and are looking to bounce back from that Arizona loss. UCLA has all the talent and potential to win the South Division, but they have dropped key games in horrible fashion. They can still reach the PAC-12 Title game if they win out, but I don't think that they'll be able to get it done in Salt Lake City. Devontae Booker is going to run over, around, and through the Bruins defense leading the Utes to a 35-17 victory.
6. 20 Northwestern at 25 Wisconsin
This is an interesting match-up over in the BIG 10 West. Both the Wildcats and the Badgers have had somewhat tough stumbles throughout the year, but they have both also won a lot of close games. I think that this line should be a little closer than the 10 point margin the experts are saying. I'm not really sure how to peg this one. Neither team has very much offense, but both defenses are two of the best in the conference. Look for a low scoring affair in this one with the Badgers edging out Northwestern at home 18-13.
7. 9 Michigan State at 3 Ohio State
This is the big showdown in the BIG 10 this week. A game that gives the winner a big advantage in winning the East Division. Both of these teams have been near the top of the rankings all season long despite their lackluster performances on the field. I personally don't think that either one of these teams is the real deal this year, but the winner definitely puts themselves in a good position for the playoff. Connor Cook better get back on his game quick, because he'll have Joey Bosa and a very fast Buckeye D-line coming after him all game. If the Spartans can control the clock, they may be able to stay close and possibly pull the upset. The score will be pretty tight until mid-late third quarter. By then, J.T. Barrett will figure out how to hurt Sparty, and he'll start going off. Look for Braxton Miller to be a HUGE factor against MSU's struggling secondary. I have the Buckeyes winning this one 38-24.
8. Mississippi State at Arkansas
I chose this game because it looks like a very interesting match-up to me. If you have not watched either of these teams much this season, both are playing very good football, especially as of late. Arkansas is coming off of two massive upsets on Ole Miss and LSU. They'll be looking to continue their power rushing attack and control the clock all game long. The Bulldogs are lead by star QB Dak Prescott, who has been putting up insane numbers all season long. He has over 2600 passing yards, 18 TDs and only 2 picks. I love watching Dak play, and I think he'll play great against a vulnerable Razorback defense, but I don't see a victory for him. Arkansas QB, Brandon Allen has had quite an impressive season too. He holds at 22:6 TD:INT ratio, and a very impressive 7:1 ratio for the month of November so far! I think that this will be a good game, but the Razorbacks win it 38-24.
9. 10 Baylor at 6 Oklahoma State
The Bears took a stumble last week as they fell to the Sooners at home. They have another tough challenge this week as they travel to take on an undefeated Oklahoma State. They Cowboys tore apart the Horned Frogs of TCU a couple weeks ago, and look primed for a big showdown next week in Bedlam. Their defense has looked good, but they have yet to play an offense like Baylor. I think that Stidham will bounce back and upset the Cowboys today. Look for another big shootout, but the Bears take this one 56-45.
10. 18 TCU at 7 Oklahoma
TCU has fallen off the past few weeks, and overall hasn't played the best football all season. Today they walk into Norman, OK looking to upset Big-Game Bobby without their Heisman-caliber QB or WR. They are going to start their Freshman QB Foster Sawyer who has only thrown 8 passes in his career. Without a go-to target like Doctson, the Sooner defense should have a feast. Baker Mayfield will tear apart a struggling TCU defense as well. I have the Sooners big in this one. OU wins 45- 21.
11. Cal at 11 Stanford
Another great rivalry in College Football, often called "The Game". Cal looked promising earlier this season, but have not found their groove since that loss to Utah. Stanford is trying to lock up the PAC-12 North Division with a win today since they were upset last week by the Ducks at home. Look for McCaffrey to be a big factor in this one. I don't think that Cal will be able to stop him, and Stanford will run to a victory. Probably no crazy finishes in this one, I have the Cardinal winning 35-17.
I hope you all enjoyed my picks, and hopefully we can get back on track this season! Let's have a great day of football today! Thank you, and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Friday, November 20, 2015
Week 11 Reflection
Hey everyone, sorry for my late post, I've had a very busy week with tours and two tests! Going all the way back to last weekend, I'm going to give my thoughts on the Husker's sold win over Rutgers. I was very happy to see that Rutgers Center Derrick Nelson was released from the hospital the day after the game. Hopefully he can get healthy and back onto the field soon. Now onto my reflection.
On the offensive side of the ball, the first quarter and a half were incredible. The offense was doing whatever they wanted and had the Scarlet Knights' heads spinning. The Huskers were running the ball, and spreading it around. Around the middle of the second quarter, they started to trip up as Tommy threw two bad interceptions. The first coming when he over threw a wide open Lane Hovey in the middle of the field, and the second one on a high floater that was ten yards short of intended target Stanley Morgan Jr. Tommy's fantastic day came to a bit of a screeching halt with those two INTs before halftime. In the second half, he threw another TD, and another bad INT on a horrible screen play. I have never been a big fan of the screen game, although I will admit they are deadly when run correctly, but I feel like Langsdorf & Riley rely on them a little too much. Tommy made some great plays throughout the day, but the interceptions definitely hurt his performance. Nebraska can afford that against a lackluster Rutgers squad, but when Iowa comes to town, that is not going to be good. Iowa takes advantages of mistakes like those too easily. As for the run game, Nebraska totaled 174 yards rushing. I believe that it easily could've been more, but definitely not the worst outing we have seen this season. Imani Cross lead the way again with 90 yards, but Cethan Carter stole the show with his 32 yard end around for a TD. Carter had a career day against Rutgers with 57 yards receiving and 2 TDs. The Huskers will have a much tougher test against Iowa's run defense. Hopefully the bye week will give them some time to come up with a plan to get through Iowa's defense. The run game will be a big factor against Iowa. I think it will be a close scoring game, and TOP will make a big difference.
On the defensive side of the ball, that was by far the Huskers' best performance all season. The defense had a lot of help with some tough field position provided by Sam Foltz. The Blackshirts held Rutgers to only 89 rushing yards. They also had a solid performance on pass defense finishing with 2 INTs and holding Laviano to only 170 yards. Both interceptions were fantastic plays on the ball as Chris Jones and Nate Gerry went up high to snatch the ball away before any receiver had a chance for it. The defensive line played an amazing game as well. The Blackshirts recorded 6 sacks through out the game, and held Rutgers to only 3 out of 14 3rd Down Conversions. It definitely helped that Leonte Caroo wasn't quite 100%, but this performance will still give the Husker's defense confidence heading into their showdown with the Hawkeyes. I was very impressed by the way the Blackshirts last week, and I cannot wait until the Iowa game. I know the team will be vamped up and ready to play.
This past week I went 5-4 with my predictions. Not quite where I wanted to be, but I was definitely surprised by some of the games. It looks to be a crazy finish to this College Football Season, and we still have a couple weeks left! One of my favorite weekends of the year is almost upon us too. Next week, not only because of Thanksgiving, but because it's Rivalry Week! By far the best week in CFB, and I cannot wait to see all the big games being played! First let's get through this week, let me know if you have any teams you'd like me to reflect on or special picks for this week! Thank you, and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
On the offensive side of the ball, the first quarter and a half were incredible. The offense was doing whatever they wanted and had the Scarlet Knights' heads spinning. The Huskers were running the ball, and spreading it around. Around the middle of the second quarter, they started to trip up as Tommy threw two bad interceptions. The first coming when he over threw a wide open Lane Hovey in the middle of the field, and the second one on a high floater that was ten yards short of intended target Stanley Morgan Jr. Tommy's fantastic day came to a bit of a screeching halt with those two INTs before halftime. In the second half, he threw another TD, and another bad INT on a horrible screen play. I have never been a big fan of the screen game, although I will admit they are deadly when run correctly, but I feel like Langsdorf & Riley rely on them a little too much. Tommy made some great plays throughout the day, but the interceptions definitely hurt his performance. Nebraska can afford that against a lackluster Rutgers squad, but when Iowa comes to town, that is not going to be good. Iowa takes advantages of mistakes like those too easily. As for the run game, Nebraska totaled 174 yards rushing. I believe that it easily could've been more, but definitely not the worst outing we have seen this season. Imani Cross lead the way again with 90 yards, but Cethan Carter stole the show with his 32 yard end around for a TD. Carter had a career day against Rutgers with 57 yards receiving and 2 TDs. The Huskers will have a much tougher test against Iowa's run defense. Hopefully the bye week will give them some time to come up with a plan to get through Iowa's defense. The run game will be a big factor against Iowa. I think it will be a close scoring game, and TOP will make a big difference.
On the defensive side of the ball, that was by far the Huskers' best performance all season. The defense had a lot of help with some tough field position provided by Sam Foltz. The Blackshirts held Rutgers to only 89 rushing yards. They also had a solid performance on pass defense finishing with 2 INTs and holding Laviano to only 170 yards. Both interceptions were fantastic plays on the ball as Chris Jones and Nate Gerry went up high to snatch the ball away before any receiver had a chance for it. The defensive line played an amazing game as well. The Blackshirts recorded 6 sacks through out the game, and held Rutgers to only 3 out of 14 3rd Down Conversions. It definitely helped that Leonte Caroo wasn't quite 100%, but this performance will still give the Husker's defense confidence heading into their showdown with the Hawkeyes. I was very impressed by the way the Blackshirts last week, and I cannot wait until the Iowa game. I know the team will be vamped up and ready to play.
This past week I went 5-4 with my predictions. Not quite where I wanted to be, but I was definitely surprised by some of the games. It looks to be a crazy finish to this College Football Season, and we still have a couple weeks left! One of my favorite weekends of the year is almost upon us too. Next week, not only because of Thanksgiving, but because it's Rivalry Week! By far the best week in CFB, and I cannot wait to see all the big games being played! First let's get through this week, let me know if you have any teams you'd like me to reflect on or special picks for this week! Thank you, and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Saturday, November 14, 2015
Week 11 Predictions
Good morning everyone, I hope you're all ready for another gameday packed full of big games! I went 4-4 last week, so we're going to try and better that record this week. If you have any games that you'd like me to make a pick on, please leave a comment. Also, please share this blog with any friends or family who might want to read it, I would greatly appreciate it! Now onto my picks for week 11.
1. Miami at 23 North Carolina
I doubted North Carolina's legitimacy last week, but they have proven to be one of the better teams in the ACC and the nation this year. I think everyone is still wondering how they lost to South Carolina in the season opener. UNC has been running wild since that opening loss, and QB Marquise Williams has been playing very well passing for over 2100 yards and has 15 TDs. Their run game is lead by both Williams and then star RB Elijah Hood. Hood is only a sophomore but runs hard, he has over 800 yards this season and 11 TDs. Miami has struggled greatly against teams with high-powered offenses, and I don't believe that will change today. The Tar Heels will spread them out with Marquise's ability to throw on the run, and then grind out yards with Hood. North Carolina likes to throw the ball deep, so look for their receivers to burn Miami's struggling defense all day. Tar Heels win this one 45-20.
2. 2 Alabama at 17 Mississippi State
This game is going to be a big test for the Tide. They're coming off of a big win against LSU, and heading into next week, they face Charleston Southern. Alabama doesn't overlook teams very often, so they should be ready to play today, because the Bulldogs have upset on their minds. Dak Prescott has been playing some of the best football in his life this year, throwing for over 2300 yards so far this season along with an incredible 18:1 TD to INT ratio. Prescott also has nearly 500 yards rushing and 7 TDs. The Bulldogs defense is ranked 11th in the nation in scoring so far this season, but they have yet to face Derrick Henry of the Tide. Henry has over 1200 yards rushing and 17 TDs. I think that Mississippi State will be able to keep it close, but Bama will roll with the win in the end. I would love to see an upset, but I think that Bama handles this one 28-21.
3. 21 Memphis at 24 Houston
The Tigers got blown out last week when they faced the Midshipmen. Houston has one of the best offenses in the nation scoring an average 44 points per game. Memphis is tied with that exact stat as their high-powered offense is lead by star QB Paxton Lynch. It will be an air attack today as these two defenses will struggle to shut down the opposing offenses. I think that this one could easily turn into a Big XII like shoot out, but the Tigers come out on top. Memphis wins this one 42-38.
4. Arkansas at 9 LSU
A classic rivalry down in the SEC as the Hogs and the Tigers facing off for the Golden Boot. The Razorbacks have had a few big wins this season, the craziest coming last week as they beat Ole Miss in overtime after converting a 4th & 25 on an incredible play (look it up on YouTube and be amazed). LSU is coming off of a big loss at Alabama while the Hogs have won 3 straight. These two teams have a couple of the best rushing attacks in the nation, so we'll see how these defenses handle this one. If Arkansas keeps it close, look for the upset, but I think Fournette will have the edge in this one. Tigers win it 30-20.
5. Oregon at 7 Stanford
The Ducks are headed to the Farm to take on the Trees. Always a big game in the PAC-12 North, especially when Stanford can win the division today. Not your typical Oregon season for the Ducks, but they're still a deadly team that can score a lot of points. The Vernon Adams & Royce Freeman duo can burn any defense in the nation at the flick of a switch. However, I'm all on board with the McCaffrey-Heisman train. I'm not sure if he'll win it, but I believe that he is one of the best players in the nation. If you get a chance to watch this game, watch number 5 for the Cardinal, this boy is one heck of a football player. He's extremely versatile too, Stanford will use him in the passing game quite a bit. I think that McCaffrey takes over this game and runs wild against a weaker Oregon defense. Stanford wins this one on the back of #5 by a score of 35-24.
6. Minnesota at 5 Iowa
Minnesota is headed into their third straight week facing a top 15 team. They had a close one against Michigan, and caused the Buckeyes headaches for a while last week. The Iowa rivalry is always a good one, and you never really know with a game like this. Like every other Iowa game, I think the Gophers will keep it close, but CJ Bethard and Iowa pull out another win. Bethard, even though banged up, has played very well for the Hawkeyes this season. The Hawkeyes will keep it on the ground with their tough running game and stuff the Gophers offense. Iowa 30, Minnesota 27.
7. 12 Oklahoma at 6 Baylor
The Bears are my team to beat in the Big XII this year. Even with losing starting QB Seth Russel, they are still one of the best teams in the nation. Baker Mayfield and the Sooners have blown out their last 4 opponents, but K-State, KU, TTU, & ISU don't compare to Baylor. Stud WR Corey Coleman has 20 receiving TDs so far this season, and has burned every opposing defense he faces. Look for the Oklahoma defense to be on it's heels most of the game. The key to this game will be turnovers and stops on defense. Both of these teams have high-scoring offenses, so expect another Big XII shootout. OU's defensive line will get pressure, but if QB Jarrett Stidham can get rid of the ball quickly and make his reads, Baylor will score like they have been all season. Let's not forget about the run game either, Shock Linwood and Samaje Perine are two of the best backs in the Big XII and arguably the nation. Baylor's offense isn't just pass it deep, they are also one of the best rushing teams in the nation. I like the Bears in this one, and I think that they will make it to the CFB Playoff this year. Their defense isn't the best, but they make key stops. That will be the difference in this game. Baylor puts up 52 and wins 52-38 over the Sooners. SIC 'EM!
8. Washington State at 19 UCLA
This is going to be my upset pick of the week. Wazzu has been playing upset all season and would love nothing more than to continue that trend. They are even still in the running for the PAC-12 North title if they get a little help from the Ducks. Josh Rosen has had an incredible freshman campaign, but I like the Cougars in this one. They air it out more than any other team in the nation averaging 417 yards passing per game. UCLA's pass defense has struggled against the pass, and today will prove that. I've got Wazzu winning this one 38-30.
9. Nebraska at Rutgers
The Huskers are coming off of a massive upset against Michigan State down in Lincoln last week. They have yet to put together back to back wins this season, but I think that will be changed today. Rutgers has a very deadly offense, and are looking to win out to be bowl eligible. Leonte Carroo, will be the player to watch for the Scarlet Knights on offense. He constantly burns defenses, so look for QB Laviano to go deep against Nebraska's weak secondary. Rutgers rushing attack isn't anything to worry about for the Huskers in my opinion. The Blackshirts have proven to be on of the better rushing defenses in the nation this season, so look for lots of 3rd & long throws to Carroo for Rutgers. On the other side of the ball, the Huskers need to score. Hopefully the budding new run game will give the o-line confidence walking into this one. The Scarlet Knights are not a defense that a talented offense should fear. They'll get a few stops, but the only reason Nebraska loses this game is by shooting themselves. We'll see if Nebraska can break their terrible trend of being horribly inconsistent between games. Tommy and the receiving corps are ready for today, and they're not going to accept a loss. Huskers win it 38-21.
Thanks for reading my picks, and please comment if you have any other games to pick or topics you'd like me to cover. Enjoy your Saturday and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
1. Miami at 23 North Carolina
I doubted North Carolina's legitimacy last week, but they have proven to be one of the better teams in the ACC and the nation this year. I think everyone is still wondering how they lost to South Carolina in the season opener. UNC has been running wild since that opening loss, and QB Marquise Williams has been playing very well passing for over 2100 yards and has 15 TDs. Their run game is lead by both Williams and then star RB Elijah Hood. Hood is only a sophomore but runs hard, he has over 800 yards this season and 11 TDs. Miami has struggled greatly against teams with high-powered offenses, and I don't believe that will change today. The Tar Heels will spread them out with Marquise's ability to throw on the run, and then grind out yards with Hood. North Carolina likes to throw the ball deep, so look for their receivers to burn Miami's struggling defense all day. Tar Heels win this one 45-20.
2. 2 Alabama at 17 Mississippi State
This game is going to be a big test for the Tide. They're coming off of a big win against LSU, and heading into next week, they face Charleston Southern. Alabama doesn't overlook teams very often, so they should be ready to play today, because the Bulldogs have upset on their minds. Dak Prescott has been playing some of the best football in his life this year, throwing for over 2300 yards so far this season along with an incredible 18:1 TD to INT ratio. Prescott also has nearly 500 yards rushing and 7 TDs. The Bulldogs defense is ranked 11th in the nation in scoring so far this season, but they have yet to face Derrick Henry of the Tide. Henry has over 1200 yards rushing and 17 TDs. I think that Mississippi State will be able to keep it close, but Bama will roll with the win in the end. I would love to see an upset, but I think that Bama handles this one 28-21.
3. 21 Memphis at 24 Houston
The Tigers got blown out last week when they faced the Midshipmen. Houston has one of the best offenses in the nation scoring an average 44 points per game. Memphis is tied with that exact stat as their high-powered offense is lead by star QB Paxton Lynch. It will be an air attack today as these two defenses will struggle to shut down the opposing offenses. I think that this one could easily turn into a Big XII like shoot out, but the Tigers come out on top. Memphis wins this one 42-38.
4. Arkansas at 9 LSU
A classic rivalry down in the SEC as the Hogs and the Tigers facing off for the Golden Boot. The Razorbacks have had a few big wins this season, the craziest coming last week as they beat Ole Miss in overtime after converting a 4th & 25 on an incredible play (look it up on YouTube and be amazed). LSU is coming off of a big loss at Alabama while the Hogs have won 3 straight. These two teams have a couple of the best rushing attacks in the nation, so we'll see how these defenses handle this one. If Arkansas keeps it close, look for the upset, but I think Fournette will have the edge in this one. Tigers win it 30-20.
5. Oregon at 7 Stanford
The Ducks are headed to the Farm to take on the Trees. Always a big game in the PAC-12 North, especially when Stanford can win the division today. Not your typical Oregon season for the Ducks, but they're still a deadly team that can score a lot of points. The Vernon Adams & Royce Freeman duo can burn any defense in the nation at the flick of a switch. However, I'm all on board with the McCaffrey-Heisman train. I'm not sure if he'll win it, but I believe that he is one of the best players in the nation. If you get a chance to watch this game, watch number 5 for the Cardinal, this boy is one heck of a football player. He's extremely versatile too, Stanford will use him in the passing game quite a bit. I think that McCaffrey takes over this game and runs wild against a weaker Oregon defense. Stanford wins this one on the back of #5 by a score of 35-24.
6. Minnesota at 5 Iowa
Minnesota is headed into their third straight week facing a top 15 team. They had a close one against Michigan, and caused the Buckeyes headaches for a while last week. The Iowa rivalry is always a good one, and you never really know with a game like this. Like every other Iowa game, I think the Gophers will keep it close, but CJ Bethard and Iowa pull out another win. Bethard, even though banged up, has played very well for the Hawkeyes this season. The Hawkeyes will keep it on the ground with their tough running game and stuff the Gophers offense. Iowa 30, Minnesota 27.
7. 12 Oklahoma at 6 Baylor
The Bears are my team to beat in the Big XII this year. Even with losing starting QB Seth Russel, they are still one of the best teams in the nation. Baker Mayfield and the Sooners have blown out their last 4 opponents, but K-State, KU, TTU, & ISU don't compare to Baylor. Stud WR Corey Coleman has 20 receiving TDs so far this season, and has burned every opposing defense he faces. Look for the Oklahoma defense to be on it's heels most of the game. The key to this game will be turnovers and stops on defense. Both of these teams have high-scoring offenses, so expect another Big XII shootout. OU's defensive line will get pressure, but if QB Jarrett Stidham can get rid of the ball quickly and make his reads, Baylor will score like they have been all season. Let's not forget about the run game either, Shock Linwood and Samaje Perine are two of the best backs in the Big XII and arguably the nation. Baylor's offense isn't just pass it deep, they are also one of the best rushing teams in the nation. I like the Bears in this one, and I think that they will make it to the CFB Playoff this year. Their defense isn't the best, but they make key stops. That will be the difference in this game. Baylor puts up 52 and wins 52-38 over the Sooners. SIC 'EM!
8. Washington State at 19 UCLA
This is going to be my upset pick of the week. Wazzu has been playing upset all season and would love nothing more than to continue that trend. They are even still in the running for the PAC-12 North title if they get a little help from the Ducks. Josh Rosen has had an incredible freshman campaign, but I like the Cougars in this one. They air it out more than any other team in the nation averaging 417 yards passing per game. UCLA's pass defense has struggled against the pass, and today will prove that. I've got Wazzu winning this one 38-30.
9. Nebraska at Rutgers
The Huskers are coming off of a massive upset against Michigan State down in Lincoln last week. They have yet to put together back to back wins this season, but I think that will be changed today. Rutgers has a very deadly offense, and are looking to win out to be bowl eligible. Leonte Carroo, will be the player to watch for the Scarlet Knights on offense. He constantly burns defenses, so look for QB Laviano to go deep against Nebraska's weak secondary. Rutgers rushing attack isn't anything to worry about for the Huskers in my opinion. The Blackshirts have proven to be on of the better rushing defenses in the nation this season, so look for lots of 3rd & long throws to Carroo for Rutgers. On the other side of the ball, the Huskers need to score. Hopefully the budding new run game will give the o-line confidence walking into this one. The Scarlet Knights are not a defense that a talented offense should fear. They'll get a few stops, but the only reason Nebraska loses this game is by shooting themselves. We'll see if Nebraska can break their terrible trend of being horribly inconsistent between games. Tommy and the receiving corps are ready for today, and they're not going to accept a loss. Huskers win it 38-21.
Thanks for reading my picks, and please comment if you have any other games to pick or topics you'd like me to cover. Enjoy your Saturday and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Tuesday, November 10, 2015
Week 10 Reflection
What a big week in College Football and what a great game for the Huskers! Four undefeated teams have now fallen from the ranks of the unbeaten, but the sweetest has to be the fall of Sparta. Nebraska finally gets a storybook ending to fall their way this season, and knock off the 7th ranked Spartans. That game was absolutely insane and the stadium was rocking like never before. I was at Memorial Stadium for Alex Henery's field goal and for Westerkamp's Hail Mary catch, but I have never seen the stadium that pumped up. That was definitely a game for the ages.
Nebraska finally won a close game this year, and have now accomplished something that has not been done in over a decade in Lincoln, beat a top ten team. A lot of controversy has come up on the game-winning touchdown catch by Brandon Reilly. I personally do not see an issue with the call on the field. They have had numerous referees and other officials comment on the play, and all have said that the correct call on the field was made. Sparty fans might still be upset, but they need to remember that Michigan State did not lose on that play alone, they could've put that game away by getting a first down on their drive before Nebraska took the lead. There were plenty of opportunities for each team to win the game, and Nebraska made the most of them. Tommy Armstrong played a fantastic game, and was lights out in the 4th Quarter. He made some very clutch plays, especially with his two touchdown runs. My personal favorite is when he ran over the Michigan State defender and knocked him back into the endzone. Nebraska's wideouts played a great game as well. Westerkamp took shot after shot while still holding onto the ball, and Reilly had some amazing catches throughout the night. One of the most impressive catches was that 50/50 grab where he wrestled the ball away from the Michigan State defender, giving the Huskers a first and goal at the 4. Sadly the Huskers squandered that opportunity by throwing two straight passes, the second one getting intercepted. Overall, the Huskers were fairly balanced on offense rushing the ball 36 times and throwing it 33 times. Hopefully they can keep this balanced attack into the future and execute well in their upcoming games.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Blackshirts played well, especially in the first half. Connor Cook was able to make adjustments and burn the secondary for 335 yards and 4 TDs. The Blackshirts did come away with 1 interception, and held the Spartans to a total of 143 rushing yards. Although they struggled in the second half, they did make a few key stops throughout the game that helped the Huskers to victory. I really wish they could've gotten some pressure on Cook, but I'll take the win regardless.
Just a couple quick notes from the game:
1. This was a much needed win for the Huskers, the players, fans, and staff.
2. Michigan State had one of the most impressive drives I have ever seen in football when they took 8 minutes off of the clock on their lone touchdown drive of the 4th Quarter.
3. The final kickoff for the Huskers was not thought out well. I'm positive that Coach Reed had Drew kick it short, and I am still trying to understand why. You know for sure that you can put their offense has far back as the 25 yard line. There is no reason to give them the extra 15-20 yards. I'm still scratching my head on that call.
I ended up with a 4-4 record on my picks this week. My losses were pretty lopsided, so I'll have to straighten those up in the final few weeks of the season. Memphis proved that they are not the real deal, and I probably shouldn't have switched horses off of Navy so quickly. I definitely believe that they will win the American Conference after that beat down of the Tigers. As for the recent CFB Playoff rankings, I think that they got them right. I still have Baylor ahead of Iowa, and I think that as we move through November, that will be the case as Baylor has 3 top 15 teams over the next 3 weeks. We're in for an exciting finish to the College Football Season, and it's coming fast! If you would like my analysis on any of the other big games or how teams have played this season, please comment! Thank you, and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Nebraska finally won a close game this year, and have now accomplished something that has not been done in over a decade in Lincoln, beat a top ten team. A lot of controversy has come up on the game-winning touchdown catch by Brandon Reilly. I personally do not see an issue with the call on the field. They have had numerous referees and other officials comment on the play, and all have said that the correct call on the field was made. Sparty fans might still be upset, but they need to remember that Michigan State did not lose on that play alone, they could've put that game away by getting a first down on their drive before Nebraska took the lead. There were plenty of opportunities for each team to win the game, and Nebraska made the most of them. Tommy Armstrong played a fantastic game, and was lights out in the 4th Quarter. He made some very clutch plays, especially with his two touchdown runs. My personal favorite is when he ran over the Michigan State defender and knocked him back into the endzone. Nebraska's wideouts played a great game as well. Westerkamp took shot after shot while still holding onto the ball, and Reilly had some amazing catches throughout the night. One of the most impressive catches was that 50/50 grab where he wrestled the ball away from the Michigan State defender, giving the Huskers a first and goal at the 4. Sadly the Huskers squandered that opportunity by throwing two straight passes, the second one getting intercepted. Overall, the Huskers were fairly balanced on offense rushing the ball 36 times and throwing it 33 times. Hopefully they can keep this balanced attack into the future and execute well in their upcoming games.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Blackshirts played well, especially in the first half. Connor Cook was able to make adjustments and burn the secondary for 335 yards and 4 TDs. The Blackshirts did come away with 1 interception, and held the Spartans to a total of 143 rushing yards. Although they struggled in the second half, they did make a few key stops throughout the game that helped the Huskers to victory. I really wish they could've gotten some pressure on Cook, but I'll take the win regardless.
Just a couple quick notes from the game:
1. This was a much needed win for the Huskers, the players, fans, and staff.
2. Michigan State had one of the most impressive drives I have ever seen in football when they took 8 minutes off of the clock on their lone touchdown drive of the 4th Quarter.
3. The final kickoff for the Huskers was not thought out well. I'm positive that Coach Reed had Drew kick it short, and I am still trying to understand why. You know for sure that you can put their offense has far back as the 25 yard line. There is no reason to give them the extra 15-20 yards. I'm still scratching my head on that call.
I ended up with a 4-4 record on my picks this week. My losses were pretty lopsided, so I'll have to straighten those up in the final few weeks of the season. Memphis proved that they are not the real deal, and I probably shouldn't have switched horses off of Navy so quickly. I definitely believe that they will win the American Conference after that beat down of the Tigers. As for the recent CFB Playoff rankings, I think that they got them right. I still have Baylor ahead of Iowa, and I think that as we move through November, that will be the case as Baylor has 3 top 15 teams over the next 3 weeks. We're in for an exciting finish to the College Football Season, and it's coming fast! If you would like my analysis on any of the other big games or how teams have played this season, please comment! Thank you, and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Saturday, November 7, 2015
Week 10 Predictions
Good morning readers! I hope you're all ready for a jam packed Saturday of football! I'm very excited for Nebraska's game against Michigan State tonight. Night games are always fun, and I know Memorial Stadium will be rocking tonight as we try to upset Sparty! I'm very excited to meet some of the recruits that will be attending today, especially my friend Dicaprio Bootle. I know Dicaprio and some of the other recruits have been looking forward to this game for a long time, so I'm pumped to chat with them all today before the game. We've got a lot of big games to pick this week, so let's get started!
1. Duke at North Carolina
This is a big game over in the ACC Coastal Division. The Tar Heels are undefeated in conference play, and Duke is coming off of that crazy, last second loss to Miami. The winner of this puts themselves into the drivers seat for the Coastal Division and will likely face Clemson in the ACC Championship. Pitt is still in the mix, but these are the top two teams in the Division. Duke has become a very balanced team on offense while holding teams to 16 points per game with a top ten defense. The Heels aren't far behind them, they're giving up only 17 points per game. North Carolina has looked good this year, and I think that this will be a close game. Duke will have a lot of fire in them after last week, and dual-threat QB Thomas Sirk will cause all sorts of headaches in this one. Close games are almost always decided by turnovers, so look for the defenses to step up and change this game. I think the Blue Devils are still the best team in the Coastal Division, and they'll get back on track today. Duke wins it 30-24.
2. 5 Notre Dame at Pitt
Pitt has only two losses on the season, and they have been in close games all year. Notre Dame is coming off of a hard fought win in Philadelphia last week. Pat Narduzzi has brought Pitt to an entirely new level from last season, and they have been a headache for any offensive coordinator taking them on. Notre Dame had a scare last week as they let Temple hang around, and were nearly upset by the Owls. Pitt can do just that if you let them hang around. They're not a flashy team on offense, and they win their games by grinding it out and keeping it close. I think that Notre Dame has learned their lesson from last week and will try to jump out to an early lead. If they can score quickly, they can win this game. I don't think that they can win two close games in a row, so I have the Irish taking care of Pitt 42-24 in this one.
3. 16 Florida State at 1 Clemson
The Atlantic Division of the ACC has a big game as well. The Seminoles come into Death Valley in attempt to knock off the top ranked Tigers. The big story of this game is FSU Running Back Dalvin Cook against that tough Clemson Defense that is ranked 10th against the run. Both teams have played some close games all year, and I think that this will be another one. I was skeptical about Clemson earlier this year, but I think that their defense has proven to be the real deal. FSU's backup QB Sean Maguire played well last week in their big bounce back win against Syracuse, but this Orange team is a little tougher this week. He has taken care of Clemson before, but I think that Clemson at home in Death Valley is too strong. The Seminoles need to rely on their ground game to win this one. Tigers win in a close one 34-30.
4. 9 Iowa at Indiana
I'm still not 100% bought into Iowa. I know that upsets my good friend Ean, but I can't quite put them in my top 10 just yet. If they can get a solid win on the road against a dangerous Indiana team, my opinion may change. The Hoosiers have proven that they are capable of staying with top teams, they just need to complete the upset. They hung with both Ohio State and Michigan State, so I don't see any problem with them staying with Iowa. Stud RB Jordan Howard is healthy again after a rough month of October, and will provide another necessary weapon against Iowa's stout defense. Indiana loves to spread teams out, and Iowa likes to stuff opposing offenses into the ground. It will be interesting to see which team can get their feet running against the other one first. I would love to see Indiana pull the upset, but I'd also love to see my Huskers be the one to ruin Iowa's season. Plus, Iowa always pulls out a win in their games. The Hawkeyes will pull this one out and keep their undefeated season going with a 31-21 win.
5. 8 TCU at 14 Oklahoma State
Two of the three undefeated teams in the Big XII have a showdown in Stillwater today. Both teams have had big blowouts and a couple of close games this season. The Big XII is known for their offense, and this game won't be any different. Trevone Boykin is by far one of the most dynamic players in College Football, and is a nightmare for every defensive coordinator he faces. Last week during the West Virginia game, WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen was seen giving Boykin a high-five after he broke multiple ankles on just a simple scramble. That just shows you how unreal his level of play can be. TCU would not be undefeated without him, and they will remain undefeated with him today. The Cowboys have played well all season, but they do not have to offensive fire power to keep up with the Superfrogs. TCU wins this shootout 59-45.
6. Navy at 13 Memphis
I was skeptical about Memphis at the beginning of the year and I actually picked Navy to make a splash and win the American Conference. These next three weeks will prove how good Memphis actually is as they have Navy, and then two away games at Houston and Temple. The West Division of the American Conference is up for grabs between Navy, Memphis and Houston. I did pick Navy at the beginning of the year, and their only loss this year is against a very good Notre Dame team. However, Memphis has won me over and I think that they are honestly one of the best teams in the nation. I truly believe that they can hang with almost anyone, and that they will win this game. Navy will stay competitive for a while, but Memphis pulls away at the end and wins 45-27.
7. 2 LSU at 4 Alabama
I get extremely tired of Bama always finding their way into the top of the rankings, but nonetheless, this is always one of the best games to watch in College Football. Every year this showdown is one for the ages, and often produces the SEC West Division Champion. This year puts arguably the two best Running Backs in the nation against each other. Derrick Henry and Leonard Fournette have run over, around and through all opposing defenses so far this season. However, I think that this game will be decided by the Quarterback play. Jake Coker has separated himself as QB1 for the tide, and has been playing very well the past few games. LSU's Brandon Harris holds a surprising 9:0 TD to INT ratio. The Tigers don't air it out much (and don't need to with Leonard Fournette in the backfield) but Harris has proven that it's not an issue if necessary. Both teams will need to pass in this game because everyone knows what to expect with the run games. Each defense will be looking to stop the run, so play action will be a big factor. In my opinion, I think that Harris is the better QB in this match up. He's facing one of the best defenses in the nation, but he has managed his games well so far this season, and I think that he will shine tonight on the road. The Tigers will need him to step up as Fournette will be the focus of Bama's defense. I have the Tigers in a close one 24-20, but I'm never one to say no to Bama shaking up the top 4.
8. 7 Michigan State at Nebraska
My Huskers have a big showdown with Sparty tonight in Lincoln. Many people have already counted us out, but my optimism will never cease! This game has had an upset feeling to it all week, and I don't see any reason why it's not possible. The Spartans have played in close games all year, and have had to rely on last minute stops to hold onto a few victories. The Sea of Red is always a tough place to play, and I promise you that the stadium will be rocking tonight! The Blackshirts have struggled this year, but are itching to give Connor Cook a true Husker beat down. Cook can easily tear apart the struggling pass defense of the Huskers, but I think the Huskers' front four will get a lot of pressure tonight. Watch for Freedom to be a big factor in causing havoc for that O-line. On offense, Nebraska's starting QB Tommy Armstrong returns after missing last week with a foot injury. The team has had a good week of practice and are ready to play today. One of my friends, Redshirt Freshman Mikale Wilbon told me he will get some carries today, so watch out for #21! The Huskers are consistently inconsistent, so you never know what team you will get. I think that the team is really hungry for a statement win to prove that Nebraska is still the place to be in College Football. I will never pick against my Huskers, and I love upsets. I think that the Huskers come out with a chip on their shoulder and finish this season out right! Huskers upset Sparty with a 35-31 victory!
I hope you all enjoyed my picks and please remember to sign up with your email to receive updates about my posts! Have a great Saturday and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
1. Duke at North Carolina
This is a big game over in the ACC Coastal Division. The Tar Heels are undefeated in conference play, and Duke is coming off of that crazy, last second loss to Miami. The winner of this puts themselves into the drivers seat for the Coastal Division and will likely face Clemson in the ACC Championship. Pitt is still in the mix, but these are the top two teams in the Division. Duke has become a very balanced team on offense while holding teams to 16 points per game with a top ten defense. The Heels aren't far behind them, they're giving up only 17 points per game. North Carolina has looked good this year, and I think that this will be a close game. Duke will have a lot of fire in them after last week, and dual-threat QB Thomas Sirk will cause all sorts of headaches in this one. Close games are almost always decided by turnovers, so look for the defenses to step up and change this game. I think the Blue Devils are still the best team in the Coastal Division, and they'll get back on track today. Duke wins it 30-24.
2. 5 Notre Dame at Pitt
Pitt has only two losses on the season, and they have been in close games all year. Notre Dame is coming off of a hard fought win in Philadelphia last week. Pat Narduzzi has brought Pitt to an entirely new level from last season, and they have been a headache for any offensive coordinator taking them on. Notre Dame had a scare last week as they let Temple hang around, and were nearly upset by the Owls. Pitt can do just that if you let them hang around. They're not a flashy team on offense, and they win their games by grinding it out and keeping it close. I think that Notre Dame has learned their lesson from last week and will try to jump out to an early lead. If they can score quickly, they can win this game. I don't think that they can win two close games in a row, so I have the Irish taking care of Pitt 42-24 in this one.
3. 16 Florida State at 1 Clemson
The Atlantic Division of the ACC has a big game as well. The Seminoles come into Death Valley in attempt to knock off the top ranked Tigers. The big story of this game is FSU Running Back Dalvin Cook against that tough Clemson Defense that is ranked 10th against the run. Both teams have played some close games all year, and I think that this will be another one. I was skeptical about Clemson earlier this year, but I think that their defense has proven to be the real deal. FSU's backup QB Sean Maguire played well last week in their big bounce back win against Syracuse, but this Orange team is a little tougher this week. He has taken care of Clemson before, but I think that Clemson at home in Death Valley is too strong. The Seminoles need to rely on their ground game to win this one. Tigers win in a close one 34-30.
4. 9 Iowa at Indiana
I'm still not 100% bought into Iowa. I know that upsets my good friend Ean, but I can't quite put them in my top 10 just yet. If they can get a solid win on the road against a dangerous Indiana team, my opinion may change. The Hoosiers have proven that they are capable of staying with top teams, they just need to complete the upset. They hung with both Ohio State and Michigan State, so I don't see any problem with them staying with Iowa. Stud RB Jordan Howard is healthy again after a rough month of October, and will provide another necessary weapon against Iowa's stout defense. Indiana loves to spread teams out, and Iowa likes to stuff opposing offenses into the ground. It will be interesting to see which team can get their feet running against the other one first. I would love to see Indiana pull the upset, but I'd also love to see my Huskers be the one to ruin Iowa's season. Plus, Iowa always pulls out a win in their games. The Hawkeyes will pull this one out and keep their undefeated season going with a 31-21 win.
5. 8 TCU at 14 Oklahoma State
Two of the three undefeated teams in the Big XII have a showdown in Stillwater today. Both teams have had big blowouts and a couple of close games this season. The Big XII is known for their offense, and this game won't be any different. Trevone Boykin is by far one of the most dynamic players in College Football, and is a nightmare for every defensive coordinator he faces. Last week during the West Virginia game, WVU Head Coach Dana Holgorsen was seen giving Boykin a high-five after he broke multiple ankles on just a simple scramble. That just shows you how unreal his level of play can be. TCU would not be undefeated without him, and they will remain undefeated with him today. The Cowboys have played well all season, but they do not have to offensive fire power to keep up with the Superfrogs. TCU wins this shootout 59-45.
6. Navy at 13 Memphis
I was skeptical about Memphis at the beginning of the year and I actually picked Navy to make a splash and win the American Conference. These next three weeks will prove how good Memphis actually is as they have Navy, and then two away games at Houston and Temple. The West Division of the American Conference is up for grabs between Navy, Memphis and Houston. I did pick Navy at the beginning of the year, and their only loss this year is against a very good Notre Dame team. However, Memphis has won me over and I think that they are honestly one of the best teams in the nation. I truly believe that they can hang with almost anyone, and that they will win this game. Navy will stay competitive for a while, but Memphis pulls away at the end and wins 45-27.
7. 2 LSU at 4 Alabama
I get extremely tired of Bama always finding their way into the top of the rankings, but nonetheless, this is always one of the best games to watch in College Football. Every year this showdown is one for the ages, and often produces the SEC West Division Champion. This year puts arguably the two best Running Backs in the nation against each other. Derrick Henry and Leonard Fournette have run over, around and through all opposing defenses so far this season. However, I think that this game will be decided by the Quarterback play. Jake Coker has separated himself as QB1 for the tide, and has been playing very well the past few games. LSU's Brandon Harris holds a surprising 9:0 TD to INT ratio. The Tigers don't air it out much (and don't need to with Leonard Fournette in the backfield) but Harris has proven that it's not an issue if necessary. Both teams will need to pass in this game because everyone knows what to expect with the run games. Each defense will be looking to stop the run, so play action will be a big factor. In my opinion, I think that Harris is the better QB in this match up. He's facing one of the best defenses in the nation, but he has managed his games well so far this season, and I think that he will shine tonight on the road. The Tigers will need him to step up as Fournette will be the focus of Bama's defense. I have the Tigers in a close one 24-20, but I'm never one to say no to Bama shaking up the top 4.
8. 7 Michigan State at Nebraska
My Huskers have a big showdown with Sparty tonight in Lincoln. Many people have already counted us out, but my optimism will never cease! This game has had an upset feeling to it all week, and I don't see any reason why it's not possible. The Spartans have played in close games all year, and have had to rely on last minute stops to hold onto a few victories. The Sea of Red is always a tough place to play, and I promise you that the stadium will be rocking tonight! The Blackshirts have struggled this year, but are itching to give Connor Cook a true Husker beat down. Cook can easily tear apart the struggling pass defense of the Huskers, but I think the Huskers' front four will get a lot of pressure tonight. Watch for Freedom to be a big factor in causing havoc for that O-line. On offense, Nebraska's starting QB Tommy Armstrong returns after missing last week with a foot injury. The team has had a good week of practice and are ready to play today. One of my friends, Redshirt Freshman Mikale Wilbon told me he will get some carries today, so watch out for #21! The Huskers are consistently inconsistent, so you never know what team you will get. I think that the team is really hungry for a statement win to prove that Nebraska is still the place to be in College Football. I will never pick against my Huskers, and I love upsets. I think that the Huskers come out with a chip on their shoulder and finish this season out right! Huskers upset Sparty with a 35-31 victory!
I hope you all enjoyed my picks and please remember to sign up with your email to receive updates about my posts! Have a great Saturday and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Week 9 Reflection and CFB Playoff Update
I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween weekend filled with lots of football! Husker fans, I'm going to put it plain and simple for us; this season sucks. This season has not been what we expected or wanted at all. HOWEVER, this is not the end of Husker football. I have seen countless Facebook posts, tweets, and articles on why Nebraska should fire Mike Riley on the spot right now. We cannot afford to do that, both financially and ethically. If we fire a coach after one disappointing year after firing a coach who won at least 9 games consistently, we will mark this University with a terrible skull and crossbones. Not the famous Blackshirt logo, but the true symbol of death. No coach would ever want to come to a school where you get canned if you don't win a conference title (or better) in your first year. Fans need to give this coaching staff time. Are they getting the job done right now? Hell no, but they can if given time. Changes need to be made for sure, my first one would be looking at new ideas within the offensive and defensive playbooks. Fans need to be patient, Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither were national title teams. Recruiting is heavily affected by the fans. When I meet these kids and talk to them, one of the big points is how great Husker fans are. We are the main support system for our team, there's no reason to bash on them. That only hurts us in the long run, so keep going to games, keep cheering, and keep being proud to be a Husker! The players on this team are some of my friends and my peers. They're just college kids who love to play football. They should never be hated on for not playing a perfect game. Improvements can always be made, but these kids have a lot on their plate. Supporting them is a big help, because with College Football, you're either with them, or against them. GO BIG RED!
As for the Purdue game, that was bad. That was worse than bad, that was straight up horrible. I honestly don't know what the game plan was going into that game, but I hope that it is crumpled up and burned. When you go on the road with your backup Quarterback who is a former walk-on and has only thrown 18 passes in his career, WHY WOULD YOU EVER LET HIM THROW 48 PASSES IN A SINGLE GAME?! Nebraska only ran the ball 29 times, which includes two sacks by the Purdue defense. Combine that with a few scrambles by Fyfe because of pressure, we're looking at under 25 legitimate rushes over the entire game. Under 25? I honestly could not believe my eyes when I read those stats after the game. The BIG 10 conference is built on balanced offenses based out of the run game. Throwing it over 50 times a game will get you stomped on unless you're Baylor or TCU. Nebraska can not afford to pass that many times in a single game. We have enough active running backs to run four-back sets, use them! If I could make a suggestion to Coach Riley and his staff, it would be to find a run game, soon. The Huskers honestly weren't doing bad in the run game against Purdue, but then we stopped. Yes, Newby went down, but we still have Cross, Ozigbo, Wilbon (who still hasn't seen a carry since BYU for God knows why) and Stevenson. I really didn't see the point in burning Stevenson's red-shirt, but if you're going to burn it, use the poor kid! We obviously have a lot of injuries at wideout with Alonzo out and DPE getting injured, so I say they should use the extra running backs on those jet sweeps. It has just baffled me to watch our offense with so much talent perform so poorly this season. Coach Riley is known for playing to the strength of his play-makers on offense, but he hasn't quite done that here. It's not all on the coaches though, at some point, the players have to make plays. The wideouts have been so hot and cold this season it's ridiculous. If you have your backup QB starting on the road, you better help him out and catch everything that hits your hands, no matter what kind of throw it is. Most of all, the line needs to protect. Fyfe was under pressure all game from a very weak pass rushing Purdue squad. Coaching only goes so far, the players need to start playing if this system is going to work.
Defensively, I really don't know what to fix first. You could spend all day coming up with a list to work on, and it still wouldn't be enough. The line needs more pressure, defensive backs need to play the ball and stick to their coverage, and everyone needs to work on their tackling. I know they were put into some tough spots with turnovers, but when you're playing a Purdue team that has won 5 games in the past 3 seasons, you should never allow 55 points.
The first College Football Playoff Rankings came out tonight, and their rankings are 1. Clemson, 2. LSU, 3. Ohio State, and 4. Alabama. Their first two teams out are Notre Dame and Baylor at 5 and 6 respectively. I'm a little annoyed that Bama has found their way back into the top four so quickly, but at least it'll only be for a week as they clash with LSU this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Michigan State has been knocked down all the way to number 7 in the CFB Playoff poll, and I thought that was a little odd. In my opinion, they have played much better than the Buckeyes all season. Although neither has been the completely dominant teams anyone expected, I believe that if Michigan State was left out, then Ohio State should be as well. My top four would be Clemson, LSU, Baylor and Michigan State. Bama and TCU would be my first two teams out at 5 and 6. Yes, Baylor has yet to play a very strong opponent, but they have dominated everyone on their schedule. The back half of their schedule is loaded, and they'll have to walk through that gauntlet with their backup QB Jarrett Stidham, as Seth Russell is out for the remainder of the season with a neck injury. If there is one thing that I have seen with Art Briles and his system, is that there is only a sliver of a gap between his Quarterbacks running the show. He has his system set up so that anyone from the second string can step up and perform at a first string level when needed to. I think that we'll see something similar to last year with Ohio State where the backup QB leads the Bears through the rest of their season and into the Final Four.
If you have any comments or would like to discuss your own top four teams, please feel free to comment! Don't forget to sign up with your email to receive updates about my posts too. Thank you, and GO BIG RED! The Spartans better watch out this weekend, because Lincoln will be rockin'!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
As for the Purdue game, that was bad. That was worse than bad, that was straight up horrible. I honestly don't know what the game plan was going into that game, but I hope that it is crumpled up and burned. When you go on the road with your backup Quarterback who is a former walk-on and has only thrown 18 passes in his career, WHY WOULD YOU EVER LET HIM THROW 48 PASSES IN A SINGLE GAME?! Nebraska only ran the ball 29 times, which includes two sacks by the Purdue defense. Combine that with a few scrambles by Fyfe because of pressure, we're looking at under 25 legitimate rushes over the entire game. Under 25? I honestly could not believe my eyes when I read those stats after the game. The BIG 10 conference is built on balanced offenses based out of the run game. Throwing it over 50 times a game will get you stomped on unless you're Baylor or TCU. Nebraska can not afford to pass that many times in a single game. We have enough active running backs to run four-back sets, use them! If I could make a suggestion to Coach Riley and his staff, it would be to find a run game, soon. The Huskers honestly weren't doing bad in the run game against Purdue, but then we stopped. Yes, Newby went down, but we still have Cross, Ozigbo, Wilbon (who still hasn't seen a carry since BYU for God knows why) and Stevenson. I really didn't see the point in burning Stevenson's red-shirt, but if you're going to burn it, use the poor kid! We obviously have a lot of injuries at wideout with Alonzo out and DPE getting injured, so I say they should use the extra running backs on those jet sweeps. It has just baffled me to watch our offense with so much talent perform so poorly this season. Coach Riley is known for playing to the strength of his play-makers on offense, but he hasn't quite done that here. It's not all on the coaches though, at some point, the players have to make plays. The wideouts have been so hot and cold this season it's ridiculous. If you have your backup QB starting on the road, you better help him out and catch everything that hits your hands, no matter what kind of throw it is. Most of all, the line needs to protect. Fyfe was under pressure all game from a very weak pass rushing Purdue squad. Coaching only goes so far, the players need to start playing if this system is going to work.
Defensively, I really don't know what to fix first. You could spend all day coming up with a list to work on, and it still wouldn't be enough. The line needs more pressure, defensive backs need to play the ball and stick to their coverage, and everyone needs to work on their tackling. I know they were put into some tough spots with turnovers, but when you're playing a Purdue team that has won 5 games in the past 3 seasons, you should never allow 55 points.
The first College Football Playoff Rankings came out tonight, and their rankings are 1. Clemson, 2. LSU, 3. Ohio State, and 4. Alabama. Their first two teams out are Notre Dame and Baylor at 5 and 6 respectively. I'm a little annoyed that Bama has found their way back into the top four so quickly, but at least it'll only be for a week as they clash with LSU this Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Michigan State has been knocked down all the way to number 7 in the CFB Playoff poll, and I thought that was a little odd. In my opinion, they have played much better than the Buckeyes all season. Although neither has been the completely dominant teams anyone expected, I believe that if Michigan State was left out, then Ohio State should be as well. My top four would be Clemson, LSU, Baylor and Michigan State. Bama and TCU would be my first two teams out at 5 and 6. Yes, Baylor has yet to play a very strong opponent, but they have dominated everyone on their schedule. The back half of their schedule is loaded, and they'll have to walk through that gauntlet with their backup QB Jarrett Stidham, as Seth Russell is out for the remainder of the season with a neck injury. If there is one thing that I have seen with Art Briles and his system, is that there is only a sliver of a gap between his Quarterbacks running the show. He has his system set up so that anyone from the second string can step up and perform at a first string level when needed to. I think that we'll see something similar to last year with Ohio State where the backup QB leads the Bears through the rest of their season and into the Final Four.
If you have any comments or would like to discuss your own top four teams, please feel free to comment! Don't forget to sign up with your email to receive updates about my posts too. Thank you, and GO BIG RED! The Spartans better watch out this weekend, because Lincoln will be rockin'!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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