It's that time of the week again football fans... here are my (sad) Week 9 Reflections for the Huskers and College Football. Throughout the day there were a number of great games and a couple of big upsets, so there's a lot to hit on this week. This post will have a full break down for you, read on and enjoy!
Nebraska fell short at home against the Indiana Hoosiers this last weekend 38-31. The Huskers were once again without starting QB Adrian Martinez, but didn't have too many issues on offense, scoring the most points since dropping 42 at Illinois. Defense was the primary concern as the Husker football team attempted to embrace the "Blackshirts" tradition by wearing alternate jerseys. They may have looked the part, but after giving up 351 passing yards to the Hoosiers second string quarterback, you have to wonder if the Blackshirts were actually present in Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Even with the offense back on a productive track after disappearing for a month, the defense was not able to slow down Peyton Ramsey and star wideout Whop Philyor. This post has my break down of the game with the GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories.
GOOD- The Husker offense (especially with Noah Vedral). Nebraska came out hot on offense, surprising not only the Hoosier defense, but myself as well. Vedral commanded the offense well, pushing the tempo and moving the ball downfield with a beautiful deep ball to JD Spielman on the opening drive. Coach Frost and crew even mixed in some creativity with direct snaps to the running backs and a pass to Vedral down the sideline. This is what Husker fans (and especially me) have been waiting for. Frost is known for the high-octane, creative play calling, take some shots offense. The team is still on a learning curve, but this was one of the better games on offense I've seen over the last couple seasons with Frost in charge. I do believe they got a bit conservative when Luke came into the game, which is completely understandable. I would've liked to see a couple more throws down the field, but overall the offense was a bright spot in this game, and it's been a while since I've been able to say that. Keep watching for those flashes to grow brighter and brighter. Also, keep giving Wandale Robinson the ball, my goodness that kid can play.
EXPECTED- The success of Peyton Ramsey. The Hoosiers may have been playing with their second string QB as well, but Ramsey is not inexperienced. The former starter hasn't been stellar throughout his career, but he's been accurate and consistent. His career completion percentage is just a hair under 67% and he's thrown 37 TDs. The experience helped Ramsey tremendously in this game, allowing him to easily pick apart the Blackshirts for 351 and 2 TDs through the air with another 42 and TD on the ground. Ramsey isn't the most talented QB Nebraska has faced this season, not by a long shot. However I knew he'd be difficult to stop, and with help from 14 catches for 178 yards from WR Whop Philyor, Ramsey looked like a superstar against the Huskers. Tip of the cap to the Hoosier QB, he played a great game.
BAD- The "Blackshirts". The quotation marks may be harsh, but after the last couple performances, they're more than necessary. What looked to be one of the few strong points of this 2019 Husker unit has quickly diminished into a pitiful mess over the last few weeks. Other than a lucky bounce or missed PI call (Sorry Northwestern QB), the defense has failed to force any turnovers since their win at Illinois. A couple weeks ago, the Gophers ran for 322 yards, and this past week, the Hoosiers threw the ball for 351. There's no reasoning to why the defense gets torched in all different directions, but concern is starting to rise rapidly for this group. Most of the team's experience is with the defense, and key players like Mohammad Barry are making atrocious mistakes time and time again. There are two decently "win-able" games left this season, the Blackshirts better show up for them if they want to go Bowling.
I have to say, I was impressed with Indiana's game plan for this game. They wanted to let Ramsey sling it and open up against the Husker secondary. He was very rarely under pressure and their offense wouldn't quit. Whop Philyor was phenomenal to watch, catching nearly everything thrown his way and creating great separation from the Husker DBs. Rough game to lose for Nebraska, especially after the offense played so well, even with backup QBs in. Like I've said a thousand times, I did expect this team to be a bit better than what they're showing, but they're still young and have a long way to go before they're consistently beating opponents and rolling like we all want them to be. Don't chalk up Purdue as an easy win. They may be banged up, but West Lafayette in November is not a fun place to be. Best of luck Huskers.
Now for some updates on other happenings around CFB:
- #5 Oklahoma was upset on the road by K-State in Manhattan. I didn't think the Power Cats would quite pull the upset, but I alluded to the possibility of this being a tight game in my predictions. Never underestimate the Cats at home.
- As my colleague Brandon Nutting once told me: "Texas Tech always finds the sh***est way to lose". The Red Raiders did this once again as they fumbled a blocked kick attempt to give the Jayhawks a repeat chance for the game winning field goal, one they gladly executed. Rock Chalk.
- Tennessee won against South Carolina, and the receivers on both sides balled out! I may be biased as a former wideout myself, but when you see crazy one handed catches and 170+ yard performances from that position, it's a good day.
- North Carolina defeated Duke, tying Mac Brown as the winningest coach in Tar Heel history with Dick Crum. It also causes more chaos in the ACC Coastal Divison, which is always exciting!
- Speaking of the ACC, Louisville beat Virginia and Florida State beat Syracuse... so more chaos!
- The Gophers are rolling and have a BYE to prepare for their home stand against Penn State. The Nittany Lions will be a real test for Minnesota, but PJ Fleck has them playing some good football up North. Plus, with Wisconsin and Iowa sitting with two losses in the BIG 10 thus far, they're in the driver seat to win the West Division.
- Speaking of Wisconsin, they were DEMOLISHED by Chase Young and the Buckeyes. Did I not tell you that this was going to happen to everyone on Ohio State's schedule? They are hands down one of the best teams in the nation, and I'm excited to watch them with an almost inevitable playoff bid (barring any dumb losses).
- Texas lost, that's always nice.
- Utah and Oregon are still taking care of their respective businesses out West.
- Notre Dame and Michigan? This is the last time we'll see the rivalry for a while, and man was it a good one. Harbaugh somehow got his offense going in this one, and the Wolverines took it to the Irish with a 45-14 beat down in the Big House. They're undefeated at home thus far, but still host Michigan State and Ohio State in November. We'll see how they finish out.
- As for Notre Dame, they're done. No Playoffs for them, but a fairly easy schedule remains.
- Colorado had a chance to beat USC for the first time in program history as they were up 10 in the 4th quarter. They lost and I was happy. Then I was sad, how the hell did Nebraska lose to them?! Ugh.
- LSU survives a tight one against the Auburn defense and now we're just one BYE week away from the Bama-LSU showdown. It's going to be a crazy game.
Thanks for reading my Week 9 Reflection post and be sure to watch for my predictions coming later this week. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Wednesday, October 30, 2019
Saturday, October 26, 2019
Week 9 Predictions
Welcome to Week 9 of College Football my friends and readers. With the weather getting cooler, you can just wake up and feel football in the air! The Huskers are back in action this week, but there's a number of other games with playoff implications. This post has all of my breakdowns and predictions of the big games this week. Enjoy!
Week 8 Prediction Results: 6-4
Overall Prediction Results: 68-30
North Dakota State at South Dakota State
A powerhouse battle in the FCS is set to take place in Brookings, SD, which has drawn the attention of College Gameday! The Gameday Crew is in my home state of South Dakota for this one and they couldn't have picked a better matchup. These two teams are always battling for the top spot not only in the conference, but often times in the playoffs for the National Championship. The Bison are known for their success, and prove it yet again by bringing in a 7-0 record and averaging just under 40 points per game. Redshirt Freshman QB, Trey Lance, has thrown for more than 1,250 yards with 15 TDs and no interceptions so far this season. He leads a stellar rushing attack that features four players with at least 350 yards or more on the season thus far. Their opponents are averaging just 10 points per game and the Bison have 8 interceptions through seven games. They'll square off against the Jackrabbit attack, led by their own Redshirt Freshman QB, J'Bore Gibbs. Gibbs has 10 TD passes on the season and another 4 on the ground. He's supported by RB Pierre Strong and the Jacks rushing attack. Strong averages 8.3 yards per carry and is not easy to bring down. This has become quite the rivalry in recent years, and there's no way we don't get a show in this year's game. There's state pride on the line in this game, so y'all know where I'm going. SDSU wins a big one at home in a wild game, 31-30. GO JACKS!
#5 Oklahoma at Kansas State
Oklahoma hasn't been tested much other than Texas this season, and this is only their third road game of the year. The first two were at UCLA and Kansas, so it's not like they've been very worried. Overall, the statistics are heavily in their favor, but never underestimate those pesky Wildcats. Bill Snyder may be retired, but K-State is always capable of pulling off some Tomfoolery. The Power Cats are giving up just 18.7 points per game and rank 5th in the nation in Time of Possession. Their best chance of beating Lincoln Riley's offense is to keep them off the field, so expect a grinder in this one. Oklahoma loves to put up points on the scoreboard, but they may have fewer possessions to work with in this one. Still a comfortable win, but I'm not sure they'll quite cover the 24 point spread. Sooners win in Manhattan 35-14.
#13 Wisconsin at #3 Ohio State
Before the Illini upset the Badgers last week, this was shaping up to be the game of the year in the BIG 10. However, the Badgers stumbled and now we must question how much Ohio State will win by. Wisconsin should be competitive in this one, and I'm sure their defense will cause the Buckeyes some headaches, but Justin Fields and crew have been nearly impossible to stop. They're averaging just under 50 points per game and operate with tremendous balance on offense. Their defense is one of the best in the nation, giving up just 230 yards per game on average. Wisconsin relies heavily on their run game, with Jonathan Taylor leading the charge. Taylor has nearly 1,000 yards on the ground this season, with 15 TDs and a 6 yard per carry average. He'll need Jack Coan to step up, because the Buckeye run defense is for real. I think Justin Fields and Ohio State will prove why they are the best team in the nation with this game. Buckeyes 34, Wisconsin 17.
#15 Texas at TCU
The Horns survived a major scare from Kansas last week, but now travel to Fort Worth to take on Gary Patterson and the Frogs. TCU has not been as deadly as recent years so far in 2019, but never doubt his creativity. The Longhorns defense has been torched on numerous occasions this year, so look for TCU to go all out. They'll hang around for a while and could make this game interesting. However, in the end, Sam Ehlinger will be too much. This kid is a gamer and he won't go down easy. Ehlinger makes some key plays late and Texas wins this one 38-31.
#6 Penn State at Michigan State
This is the point in the season where Penn State traditionally flops and loses a couple of games after a very strong start. Their remaining road schedule starts in East Lansing, with Minnesota (surprising all sorts of people) and Ohio State looming in November. However, Penn State is looking to keep pace in the East this year, so this is a game they will need to win. Sparty's defense has been decent, but Lewerke and the offense has not panned out. They average less than 24 points per game, only 117 rushing yards per game, and 72nd in the nation for third down conversions. The Nittany Lions rank 16th in opponent third down conversion rate, which I think will be the telling story. If Sean Clifford can get in rhythm early, Penn State could put get to 30, but I would expect this game to be a grinder. Not a lot of action but gritty defense for sure. Penn State wins an important game on the road because of their third down defense 23-13.
Oklahoma State at #23 Iowa State
A couple of middle of the road Big XII teams square off in Ames as the Cowboys travel to the land of the Cyclones. Oklahoma State fell apart late against Baylor last week, and now have to deal with an Iowa State offense that averages 320 yards per game with their air raid and nearly 40 points per game. Brock Purdy is completing 70% of his passes this season and has 14 TDs and 4 interceptions. He's the key to the Cyclone offense, so look for Oklahoma State to bring pressure and keep him off balance. On the other side, I look back to OSU running back, Chuba Hubbard. The Sophomore standout has more than 1,200 yards with 15 TDs and a 6.5 yard per carry average. Once Mike Gundy figures out this kid needs the ball as much as possible, the Pokes will start winning some games. Iowa State defends their home turf with a 41-27 victory.
#9 Auburn at #2 LSU
The Tigers of the SEC West travel to Death Valley to take on the Tigers of the SEC West. Auburn and LSU clash as battle for the division crown starts to get heated. All eyes are on the Alabama-LSU game in two weeks, but don't forget about Auburn. Their defense is still tough, ranking 23rd in the nation in total defense and giving up just 17 points per game. They'll be up against the spectacular Joe Burrow and the LSU offense. They have been the biggest surprise of 2019, and with good reason. Joe Burrow has led this offense to average well over 500 yards and 50 points per game. Auburn's weakness on defense is their secondary, giving up 225 yards per game on average. I expect Burrow and crew to take full advantage of that. On the other side, we're expecting true freshman Bo Nix to keep pace with a high powered offense in Death Valley? I don't think so. LSU proves why they're a major playoff contender. The HOME Tigers win 46-21.
#8 Notre Dame at #19 Michigan
The Irish and the Wolverines are set to add another chapter in their historic rivalry under the lights in Ann Arbor. Michigan has not looked impressive this season, and Notre Dame is looking for some statement wins as they move into the second half of the season. Both teams play great defense, so I wouldn't expect any flashy scores at the end of this one. Michigan battled back against Penn State last week, so look for them to keep things close again. I think Notre Dame has the edge because of the QB play. Shae Patterson has not lived up to the hype, but Ian Book has been steady all year. He's completing nearly 64% of his passes and has only thrown two picks all season. He'll have to watch out for #44, Sophomore Linebacker Cameron McGrone, but I think Notre Dame should edge this out. Harbaugh never does well against rivals anyway. Irish 26, Wolverines 21.
Indiana at Nebraska
I'm going to be honest, I really don't know what to expect in this game. Indiana has won the games they were supposed to, but haven't been anything flashy. Nebraska is coming off their BYE week, so hopefully they'll be healthy and be ready to roll. The offense has been abysmal over the past few games. I believe the youth and lack of experience is really starting to weigh on this team, but the play calling has not been stellar in my opinion either. The Hoosiers rely heavily on their passing game, averaging over 300 yards per game. The QB-WR Duo of Michael Penix Jr. and Whop Philyor have accounted for 559 yards together. The Blackshirts will have their hands full, but they'll be wearing the alternative Blackshirt jerseys! Nebraska needs to win two more games to become bowl eligible and this one at home is one of their best chances. I'm not quite sure what we'll see tomorrow, but I think Nebraska will come out reset enough to win this game. It won't be pretty at times, but I think the defense steps up big and makes some key plays to swing the game. Huskers top the Hoosiers 27-23.
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games:
UCF at Temple- The Owls will have faced three of the best teams in the American Conference in the past few weeks after this one. They beat Memphis, but couldn't hang with SMU. UCF's offense is getting back on track, and I think they'll have a good performance. Knights 36, Owls 21.
Virginia at Louisville- The Cardinals average as many points as they give up... not necessarily the best strategy. Their offense can move, and they'll put up some points because UVA's defense isn't as good as advertised. Virginia should handle this one without too many headaches. Cavaliers beat the Cardinals 31-24.
Arizona State at UCLA- This is an odd game in the PAC-12, but should be entertaining. The Sun Devils continue to let me down, and UCLA is starting to get things figured out. Bruins won't be able to slow down Eno Benjamin though, and ASU needs to bounce back to keep have a rebound shot in the South Division. Sun Devils win a pesky game 24-13.
Washington State at #11 Oregon- The Ducks defense has been dominant on defense this season, and are coming off a big win against rival Washington. They'll need to focus up quick with Anthony Gordon and the Wazzu Air Raid coming to town, because they've lost the last four to the Cougars. Don't sleep on this one, but Oregon should pull it out. Ducks 36, Cougars 28.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 9 Predictions and GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Week 8 Prediction Results: 6-4
Overall Prediction Results: 68-30
North Dakota State at South Dakota State
A powerhouse battle in the FCS is set to take place in Brookings, SD, which has drawn the attention of College Gameday! The Gameday Crew is in my home state of South Dakota for this one and they couldn't have picked a better matchup. These two teams are always battling for the top spot not only in the conference, but often times in the playoffs for the National Championship. The Bison are known for their success, and prove it yet again by bringing in a 7-0 record and averaging just under 40 points per game. Redshirt Freshman QB, Trey Lance, has thrown for more than 1,250 yards with 15 TDs and no interceptions so far this season. He leads a stellar rushing attack that features four players with at least 350 yards or more on the season thus far. Their opponents are averaging just 10 points per game and the Bison have 8 interceptions through seven games. They'll square off against the Jackrabbit attack, led by their own Redshirt Freshman QB, J'Bore Gibbs. Gibbs has 10 TD passes on the season and another 4 on the ground. He's supported by RB Pierre Strong and the Jacks rushing attack. Strong averages 8.3 yards per carry and is not easy to bring down. This has become quite the rivalry in recent years, and there's no way we don't get a show in this year's game. There's state pride on the line in this game, so y'all know where I'm going. SDSU wins a big one at home in a wild game, 31-30. GO JACKS!
#5 Oklahoma at Kansas State
Oklahoma hasn't been tested much other than Texas this season, and this is only their third road game of the year. The first two were at UCLA and Kansas, so it's not like they've been very worried. Overall, the statistics are heavily in their favor, but never underestimate those pesky Wildcats. Bill Snyder may be retired, but K-State is always capable of pulling off some Tomfoolery. The Power Cats are giving up just 18.7 points per game and rank 5th in the nation in Time of Possession. Their best chance of beating Lincoln Riley's offense is to keep them off the field, so expect a grinder in this one. Oklahoma loves to put up points on the scoreboard, but they may have fewer possessions to work with in this one. Still a comfortable win, but I'm not sure they'll quite cover the 24 point spread. Sooners win in Manhattan 35-14.
#13 Wisconsin at #3 Ohio State
Before the Illini upset the Badgers last week, this was shaping up to be the game of the year in the BIG 10. However, the Badgers stumbled and now we must question how much Ohio State will win by. Wisconsin should be competitive in this one, and I'm sure their defense will cause the Buckeyes some headaches, but Justin Fields and crew have been nearly impossible to stop. They're averaging just under 50 points per game and operate with tremendous balance on offense. Their defense is one of the best in the nation, giving up just 230 yards per game on average. Wisconsin relies heavily on their run game, with Jonathan Taylor leading the charge. Taylor has nearly 1,000 yards on the ground this season, with 15 TDs and a 6 yard per carry average. He'll need Jack Coan to step up, because the Buckeye run defense is for real. I think Justin Fields and Ohio State will prove why they are the best team in the nation with this game. Buckeyes 34, Wisconsin 17.
#15 Texas at TCU
The Horns survived a major scare from Kansas last week, but now travel to Fort Worth to take on Gary Patterson and the Frogs. TCU has not been as deadly as recent years so far in 2019, but never doubt his creativity. The Longhorns defense has been torched on numerous occasions this year, so look for TCU to go all out. They'll hang around for a while and could make this game interesting. However, in the end, Sam Ehlinger will be too much. This kid is a gamer and he won't go down easy. Ehlinger makes some key plays late and Texas wins this one 38-31.
#6 Penn State at Michigan State
This is the point in the season where Penn State traditionally flops and loses a couple of games after a very strong start. Their remaining road schedule starts in East Lansing, with Minnesota (surprising all sorts of people) and Ohio State looming in November. However, Penn State is looking to keep pace in the East this year, so this is a game they will need to win. Sparty's defense has been decent, but Lewerke and the offense has not panned out. They average less than 24 points per game, only 117 rushing yards per game, and 72nd in the nation for third down conversions. The Nittany Lions rank 16th in opponent third down conversion rate, which I think will be the telling story. If Sean Clifford can get in rhythm early, Penn State could put get to 30, but I would expect this game to be a grinder. Not a lot of action but gritty defense for sure. Penn State wins an important game on the road because of their third down defense 23-13.
Oklahoma State at #23 Iowa State
A couple of middle of the road Big XII teams square off in Ames as the Cowboys travel to the land of the Cyclones. Oklahoma State fell apart late against Baylor last week, and now have to deal with an Iowa State offense that averages 320 yards per game with their air raid and nearly 40 points per game. Brock Purdy is completing 70% of his passes this season and has 14 TDs and 4 interceptions. He's the key to the Cyclone offense, so look for Oklahoma State to bring pressure and keep him off balance. On the other side, I look back to OSU running back, Chuba Hubbard. The Sophomore standout has more than 1,200 yards with 15 TDs and a 6.5 yard per carry average. Once Mike Gundy figures out this kid needs the ball as much as possible, the Pokes will start winning some games. Iowa State defends their home turf with a 41-27 victory.
#9 Auburn at #2 LSU
The Tigers of the SEC West travel to Death Valley to take on the Tigers of the SEC West. Auburn and LSU clash as battle for the division crown starts to get heated. All eyes are on the Alabama-LSU game in two weeks, but don't forget about Auburn. Their defense is still tough, ranking 23rd in the nation in total defense and giving up just 17 points per game. They'll be up against the spectacular Joe Burrow and the LSU offense. They have been the biggest surprise of 2019, and with good reason. Joe Burrow has led this offense to average well over 500 yards and 50 points per game. Auburn's weakness on defense is their secondary, giving up 225 yards per game on average. I expect Burrow and crew to take full advantage of that. On the other side, we're expecting true freshman Bo Nix to keep pace with a high powered offense in Death Valley? I don't think so. LSU proves why they're a major playoff contender. The HOME Tigers win 46-21.
#8 Notre Dame at #19 Michigan
The Irish and the Wolverines are set to add another chapter in their historic rivalry under the lights in Ann Arbor. Michigan has not looked impressive this season, and Notre Dame is looking for some statement wins as they move into the second half of the season. Both teams play great defense, so I wouldn't expect any flashy scores at the end of this one. Michigan battled back against Penn State last week, so look for them to keep things close again. I think Notre Dame has the edge because of the QB play. Shae Patterson has not lived up to the hype, but Ian Book has been steady all year. He's completing nearly 64% of his passes and has only thrown two picks all season. He'll have to watch out for #44, Sophomore Linebacker Cameron McGrone, but I think Notre Dame should edge this out. Harbaugh never does well against rivals anyway. Irish 26, Wolverines 21.
Indiana at Nebraska
I'm going to be honest, I really don't know what to expect in this game. Indiana has won the games they were supposed to, but haven't been anything flashy. Nebraska is coming off their BYE week, so hopefully they'll be healthy and be ready to roll. The offense has been abysmal over the past few games. I believe the youth and lack of experience is really starting to weigh on this team, but the play calling has not been stellar in my opinion either. The Hoosiers rely heavily on their passing game, averaging over 300 yards per game. The QB-WR Duo of Michael Penix Jr. and Whop Philyor have accounted for 559 yards together. The Blackshirts will have their hands full, but they'll be wearing the alternative Blackshirt jerseys! Nebraska needs to win two more games to become bowl eligible and this one at home is one of their best chances. I'm not quite sure what we'll see tomorrow, but I think Nebraska will come out reset enough to win this game. It won't be pretty at times, but I think the defense steps up big and makes some key plays to swing the game. Huskers top the Hoosiers 27-23.
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games:
UCF at Temple- The Owls will have faced three of the best teams in the American Conference in the past few weeks after this one. They beat Memphis, but couldn't hang with SMU. UCF's offense is getting back on track, and I think they'll have a good performance. Knights 36, Owls 21.
Virginia at Louisville- The Cardinals average as many points as they give up... not necessarily the best strategy. Their offense can move, and they'll put up some points because UVA's defense isn't as good as advertised. Virginia should handle this one without too many headaches. Cavaliers beat the Cardinals 31-24.
Arizona State at UCLA- This is an odd game in the PAC-12, but should be entertaining. The Sun Devils continue to let me down, and UCLA is starting to get things figured out. Bruins won't be able to slow down Eno Benjamin though, and ASU needs to bounce back to keep have a rebound shot in the South Division. Sun Devils win a pesky game 24-13.
Washington State at #11 Oregon- The Ducks defense has been dominant on defense this season, and are coming off a big win against rival Washington. They'll need to focus up quick with Anthony Gordon and the Wazzu Air Raid coming to town, because they've lost the last four to the Cougars. Don't sleep on this one, but Oregon should pull it out. Ducks 36, Cougars 28.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 9 Predictions and GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Friday, October 18, 2019
Week 8 Predictions
Welcome to week 8 my football loving friends! There's a bit of a lull in the nation's schedule this week, but that doesn't mean chaos is bound from happening. The Huskers are on BYE this week, which is much needed. However, I'm ready to make some predictions and I know you're ready to read. Here are my Week 8 CFB predictions, enjoy!
Week 7 Prediction Results: 14-2
Overall Prediction Results: 62-26
#9 Florida at South Carolina
The Gamecocks pulled off a big upset down in Athens last week against the Bulldogs, but now have to come home to face the ninth ranked Gators. Muschamp and crew will be looking to get back into the SEC East title picture as they put their battered offense against the teeth of the Florida defense. The Gators are reeling a bit after being ravaged by the LSU Tigers for 511 yards of offense and 42 points last week. They may have more success against South Carolina as they've struggled with injuries this year on offense. The Gamecocks did play impressive defense last weekend against Georgia, but it'd be hard pressed to expect that performance two weeks in a row. I think Florida bounces back as they get a BYE before squaring off against Georgia. South Carolina had a big win last week, but this one won't be as much fun. Gators chomp the Gamecocks 30-20.
Temple at #19 SMU
Another big game in the American Conference pits the second rated offense (SMU) in the conference against the second rated defense (Temple). The Owls are used to playing as the underdog, and often times cause headaches when in that spot. SMU however has been on a tear this season under second year head coach Sonny Dykes. The Mustangs average just under 500 yards per game and 44 points. They're led by Texas transfer, Shane Buechele, at QB, who's thrown for nearly 1,700 yards with 12 TDs and 5 picks. Statistically, these teams match up extremely well, and both are fighting for control in their respective divisions. Temple helped SMU last week by beating Memphis, but there's still a lot of season left. I think the ground game is going to determine this game, to make third down as manageable as possible. Both backs are good, but Xavier Jones has 12 TDs on the ground so far this season and averages nearly 6 yards per carry. He gives SMU the edge in this one, and I think the Mustangs continue their unblemished season with a hard fought victory over the Owls. SMU wins an important game at home 27-21.
#18 Baylor at Oklahoma State
The Bears survived a scare last week, but now travel to Stillwater to take on the Pokes of Oklahoma State. With both teams averaging nearly 40 points per game, I would expect a lot of offense in this one. Baylor's defense hasn't been tested with much offensive talent, so this will be a great indicator to what kind of test they're up for. We'll learn a lot about Baylor in this game, and I'm not sure they'll walk out of this road game unbeaten. Their rush defense hasn't faced the likes of Sophomore RB Chuba Hubbard, and he's averaging nearly 7 yards per carry with 1,094 rushing yards and 13 TDs. Pokes by 3 and the Cowboys win 34-31.
#12 Oregon at #25 Washington
In a game that will likely decide the PAC-12 North division, the Ducks and Huskies meet again in Seattle for their annual rivalry. Oregon edged out an overtime victory last year, but will look for a statement win on their schedule, which is quickly losing its luster due to the chaotic PAC-12 games. Justin Herbert has been impressive, but very few people are paying much attention since they lost their opening game to Auburn. This could be a chance for the Ducks to jump back into the nation's eyes. Washington's defense has not been what it was in recent years, while the Ducks have one of their best defenses in history. Giving up just 8.7 points per game and fewer than 270 yards per game, Oregon has earned a top ten (8th) defense ranking. Washington has been extremely hot and cold this year, primarily due to the performance of Jacob Eason. He'll need a stellar performance to pull off this victory, but Oregon's secondary has 12 picks on the season and won't make it easy. I don't think it'll be anything too flashy, but the Ducks will win this game and win it well. Somewhat tight, but never in doubt. Oregon 30, Washington 21.
#17 Arizona State at #13 Utah
Moving down South in the PAC-12, we find Arizona State and Utah in another game that could likely determine the division winner. The Sun Devils have held their own this season, and apart from a slip up in Boulder, have looked pretty impressive, especially on defense. They're giving up an average of just 17.7 points per game, which is down 8 from a year ago. They're also holding teams to under 100 yards rushing per game, which will be tested quickly by Zack Moss and the Utes offense in this one. Tyler Huntley has yet to throw an interception on the season and Utah's offense is almost perfectly balanced statistically. Their defense isn't to shabby either, giving up just 13.2 points per game. My keys for victory in this one lie with the running backs. Zack Moss for Utah has the advantage with 7.6 yards per carry, but Eno Benjamin is always a threat out of the backfield with the passing game. This feels like a game Utah could break out in, but something is holding me back. ASU has competed well against stiff competition so far this season and I just feel an upset coming. Sun Devils win in Salt Lake City over the Utes 26-21.
#16 Michigan at #7 Penn State
The game of the week will have White Out conditions for the Wolverines to deal with in Happy Valley. This is somewhat of a battle for who gets to be in second place behind Ohio State at the end of the year, but for now it's an important game for these teams. Michigan has not looked impressive so far this season, particularly on offense. The defense has kept the Wolverines in games and allowed them to come away with victories, but Penn State brings a new challenge. The Nittany Lions have a lot of speed, primarily with star wideout KJ Hamler. The speedy Sophomore averages 17.5 yards per catch and has 5 TDs so far this season. He'll give the Michigan secondary headaches all night. On the other side, Penn State has a defense of their own that ranks 4th in the nation currently. Opposing teams average just over 50 yards per game rushing against the Nittany Lions, and Michigan's offense has been very mediocre this season. This one will be a tight defensive battle, but I like Penn State to come away with the win. I said Michigan would have at least 3 regular season losses this year, and I stand by it. Nittany Lions win in the White Out 20-10.
Now for some quick hit predictions on a few other games:
Iowa State at Texas Tech- Two middle of the road Big XII teams look to keep pace in the conference race as the Cyclones take on the Red Raiders. Texas Tech is banged up in a number of key positions, but have still put up some good points. Unfortunately for them, Iowa State's defense is not as banged up, and they'll lead the Cyclones to victory. ISU 35, TTU 23.
TCU at Kansas State- Both of the purple teams in the Big XII envisioned a much better start to the season, but here we are. This one could go either way to be honest, but Gary Patterson is never good to go against. I'll take the Frogs in this one. TCU wins one on the road 31-26.
Arizona at USC- For this battle in the PAC-12 South, I would expect a lot of points. Both defenses have struggled as of late, but the offenses can pile on the points. Khalil Tate will need to cut back on the turnovers in order to win this game, but you never really know with these teams. Arizona let me down last week, so I'm believing in the Trojans at home. USC 37, Arizona 21. Fight On!
North Carolina at Virginia Tech- As I've said multiple times this season, the ACC is absolutely crazy. Virginia Tech and North Carolina are two teams no one in should put bets on, but if you are for this one, I'd go with Mac Brown. The Hokies have struggled against good QB play and Sam Howell has been solid this season. Heels win in Blacksburg 38-33.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 8 Predictions and be sure to kick back and relax on Saturday. Nebraska can't lose this week and there's always potential for chaos! GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Week 7 Prediction Results: 14-2
Overall Prediction Results: 62-26
#9 Florida at South Carolina
The Gamecocks pulled off a big upset down in Athens last week against the Bulldogs, but now have to come home to face the ninth ranked Gators. Muschamp and crew will be looking to get back into the SEC East title picture as they put their battered offense against the teeth of the Florida defense. The Gators are reeling a bit after being ravaged by the LSU Tigers for 511 yards of offense and 42 points last week. They may have more success against South Carolina as they've struggled with injuries this year on offense. The Gamecocks did play impressive defense last weekend against Georgia, but it'd be hard pressed to expect that performance two weeks in a row. I think Florida bounces back as they get a BYE before squaring off against Georgia. South Carolina had a big win last week, but this one won't be as much fun. Gators chomp the Gamecocks 30-20.
Temple at #19 SMU
Another big game in the American Conference pits the second rated offense (SMU) in the conference against the second rated defense (Temple). The Owls are used to playing as the underdog, and often times cause headaches when in that spot. SMU however has been on a tear this season under second year head coach Sonny Dykes. The Mustangs average just under 500 yards per game and 44 points. They're led by Texas transfer, Shane Buechele, at QB, who's thrown for nearly 1,700 yards with 12 TDs and 5 picks. Statistically, these teams match up extremely well, and both are fighting for control in their respective divisions. Temple helped SMU last week by beating Memphis, but there's still a lot of season left. I think the ground game is going to determine this game, to make third down as manageable as possible. Both backs are good, but Xavier Jones has 12 TDs on the ground so far this season and averages nearly 6 yards per carry. He gives SMU the edge in this one, and I think the Mustangs continue their unblemished season with a hard fought victory over the Owls. SMU wins an important game at home 27-21.
#18 Baylor at Oklahoma State
The Bears survived a scare last week, but now travel to Stillwater to take on the Pokes of Oklahoma State. With both teams averaging nearly 40 points per game, I would expect a lot of offense in this one. Baylor's defense hasn't been tested with much offensive talent, so this will be a great indicator to what kind of test they're up for. We'll learn a lot about Baylor in this game, and I'm not sure they'll walk out of this road game unbeaten. Their rush defense hasn't faced the likes of Sophomore RB Chuba Hubbard, and he's averaging nearly 7 yards per carry with 1,094 rushing yards and 13 TDs. Pokes by 3 and the Cowboys win 34-31.
#12 Oregon at #25 Washington
In a game that will likely decide the PAC-12 North division, the Ducks and Huskies meet again in Seattle for their annual rivalry. Oregon edged out an overtime victory last year, but will look for a statement win on their schedule, which is quickly losing its luster due to the chaotic PAC-12 games. Justin Herbert has been impressive, but very few people are paying much attention since they lost their opening game to Auburn. This could be a chance for the Ducks to jump back into the nation's eyes. Washington's defense has not been what it was in recent years, while the Ducks have one of their best defenses in history. Giving up just 8.7 points per game and fewer than 270 yards per game, Oregon has earned a top ten (8th) defense ranking. Washington has been extremely hot and cold this year, primarily due to the performance of Jacob Eason. He'll need a stellar performance to pull off this victory, but Oregon's secondary has 12 picks on the season and won't make it easy. I don't think it'll be anything too flashy, but the Ducks will win this game and win it well. Somewhat tight, but never in doubt. Oregon 30, Washington 21.
#17 Arizona State at #13 Utah
Moving down South in the PAC-12, we find Arizona State and Utah in another game that could likely determine the division winner. The Sun Devils have held their own this season, and apart from a slip up in Boulder, have looked pretty impressive, especially on defense. They're giving up an average of just 17.7 points per game, which is down 8 from a year ago. They're also holding teams to under 100 yards rushing per game, which will be tested quickly by Zack Moss and the Utes offense in this one. Tyler Huntley has yet to throw an interception on the season and Utah's offense is almost perfectly balanced statistically. Their defense isn't to shabby either, giving up just 13.2 points per game. My keys for victory in this one lie with the running backs. Zack Moss for Utah has the advantage with 7.6 yards per carry, but Eno Benjamin is always a threat out of the backfield with the passing game. This feels like a game Utah could break out in, but something is holding me back. ASU has competed well against stiff competition so far this season and I just feel an upset coming. Sun Devils win in Salt Lake City over the Utes 26-21.
#16 Michigan at #7 Penn State
The game of the week will have White Out conditions for the Wolverines to deal with in Happy Valley. This is somewhat of a battle for who gets to be in second place behind Ohio State at the end of the year, but for now it's an important game for these teams. Michigan has not looked impressive so far this season, particularly on offense. The defense has kept the Wolverines in games and allowed them to come away with victories, but Penn State brings a new challenge. The Nittany Lions have a lot of speed, primarily with star wideout KJ Hamler. The speedy Sophomore averages 17.5 yards per catch and has 5 TDs so far this season. He'll give the Michigan secondary headaches all night. On the other side, Penn State has a defense of their own that ranks 4th in the nation currently. Opposing teams average just over 50 yards per game rushing against the Nittany Lions, and Michigan's offense has been very mediocre this season. This one will be a tight defensive battle, but I like Penn State to come away with the win. I said Michigan would have at least 3 regular season losses this year, and I stand by it. Nittany Lions win in the White Out 20-10.
Now for some quick hit predictions on a few other games:
Iowa State at Texas Tech- Two middle of the road Big XII teams look to keep pace in the conference race as the Cyclones take on the Red Raiders. Texas Tech is banged up in a number of key positions, but have still put up some good points. Unfortunately for them, Iowa State's defense is not as banged up, and they'll lead the Cyclones to victory. ISU 35, TTU 23.
TCU at Kansas State- Both of the purple teams in the Big XII envisioned a much better start to the season, but here we are. This one could go either way to be honest, but Gary Patterson is never good to go against. I'll take the Frogs in this one. TCU wins one on the road 31-26.
Arizona at USC- For this battle in the PAC-12 South, I would expect a lot of points. Both defenses have struggled as of late, but the offenses can pile on the points. Khalil Tate will need to cut back on the turnovers in order to win this game, but you never really know with these teams. Arizona let me down last week, so I'm believing in the Trojans at home. USC 37, Arizona 21. Fight On!
North Carolina at Virginia Tech- As I've said multiple times this season, the ACC is absolutely crazy. Virginia Tech and North Carolina are two teams no one in should put bets on, but if you are for this one, I'd go with Mac Brown. The Hokies have struggled against good QB play and Sam Howell has been solid this season. Heels win in Blacksburg 38-33.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 8 Predictions and be sure to kick back and relax on Saturday. Nebraska can't lose this week and there's always potential for chaos! GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Week 7 Reflections
We're halfway through the College Football season and we finally have some major chaos! Husker fans have been in chaos for a while, but regardless, there were some great games this past weekend and I'm ready to break them all down for you. This post has all of my reflections and analysis of this weekend's games *sigh* including the Huskers. If there's anything you'd like me to do a deeper dive on, just leave a comment below. Otherwise, here are my Week 7 Reflections for Husker and College Football, enjoy!
After a wild weekend in College Football, we have one of our first big shakeups along with some key victories for teams fighting for those mouthwatering playoff spots. Before I give my thoughts on football as a whole though, I must suffer the ongoing grief put upon us all by my beloved Huskers. Nebraska traveled North this past weekend to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the battle for the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy. Unfortunately for the team (and Husker fans alike) they forgot to bring with them any concept of football talent they were expected to have. I may be a bit dramatic here, but saying that was one of the worst football performances I've ever witnessed is not much of an exaggeration, if at all. Nebraska looked completely unprepared as the Gophers racked up 322 rushing yards in the game, 220 of which came in the first half. Minnesota's three-headed rushing monster of Smith, Brooks and Ibrahim had no issue gashing the Blackshirts as they ran through holes large enough for Goldie himself to run through. Ibrahim had the lowest yard per carry average at 5.6, but finished the game with 3 TDs. Smith and Brooks finished with 7.7 and 7.6 yard per carry averages respectively. Nebraska's offense was led by backup QB Noah Vedral, who started in for the injured Martinez. Vedral's performance was nothing special, but it's not like the redshirt sophomore had much help to begin with. Heading into the matchup with the Gophers, I stated that Vedral could not be the leading rusher for Nebraska if they wanted a chance to win this game, and that statement was proven correct. I'll break down my thoughts on this game in my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories.
GOOD- I honestly don't have anything good or positive that I saw from the Huskers in this game. Kade Warner back in action late in the game and Cam Jurgens having decent snaps was about it. My good for this game is that more than $12,000 has been raised between the two schools for research on pediatric cancer through the Team Jack Foundation and the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. Regardless of the outcome of the game, this organic rivalry helps two very important organizations in the fight against pediatric cancer and it's always a good time when you have a broken chair!
EXPECTED- The lack of a Husker rushing attack. I said that Nebraska needed to find a way to help out backup QB Noah Vedral in this game, but that did not happen. The Huskers' rushing attack has been a big disappointment this year, and really causes the offense to struggle more than other issues in my opinion. Nebraska (somehow) ranks 45th in the nation for rush offense, but the lack of a run game has plagued this team over the first half of the season. There is very little push from the offensive line and without being able to run the ball effectively, Nebraska often finds themselves in 3rd and long situations. The other factor is the QB runs. Coach Frost's system is built for a dual threat QB, but does not want that QB to be the leading rusher. If Nebraska cannot figure out how to move the ball on the ground soon, the second half the season will be very tricky as three out of their final five opponents rank in the top 15 in Time of Possession in the nation (Indiana (#13), Wisconsin (#1) and Iowa (#9)). The offense cannot execute without a running game to set the pace and get them into rhythm. Runs up the middle are definitely not the solution either.
BAD- Everything. Honestly, I truly mean it when I say this was one of the most terrible football performances I've ever watched. The Huskers were beaten off the ball on every snap and the Blackshirts, which were supposed to be one of the few bright spots of 2019, were no where to be found. Minnesota did not have a single negative play in the first half of Saturday's game, and Husker linebackers were completely confused by one of the simplest run block strategies I've seen in a while. The Linebackers did not fill gaps correctly and would not hold the edge for anything. Missed tackles and poor communication helped the Gopher offense look like they could rack up points on anyone. The Husker offense was a dumpster fire and more injuries didn't help the cause. Let's hope they can figure it out during the BYE week, because this team has not looked prepared to play a full football game in a very long time.
This is the kind of loss you just need to get over and move on quickly with. So that's what I'm going to do. We can't lose this week, and I'm looking forward to that!
Now for some other highlight points from around College Football:
- South Carolina nearly lost their chance at the upset, but were able to knock off #3 Georgia, in Athens, in double overtime. They were without their best receiver or QB, but the Gamecocks could make a challenge in the SEC East if they knock off Florida this week. Watch out for this defense, they're gaining confidence and have some stellar playmakers.
- Oklahoma fends off Texas (for the first time at least) 34-27. The Red River Rivalry is always a fun one to watch, and when Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb are on the same page, it's absolutely insane. Go look up the Jalen Hurts behind the back move he put on the defender. These two could be the best QB-WR duo in College Football right now.
- Temple pulled a big upset over #23 ranked Memphis in the American Conference, keeping them on pace with Cincy for the top spot in the American Athletic Conference East division.
- Texas Tech & Baylor had quite the game. Double OT win for the Bears, and they remain unbeaten so far this season.
- LSU's offense is completely legit as they just destroyed a very good Gator defense. Keep your eye on those Bengals from the Bayou.
- Iowa couldn't quite get their Kinnick Stadium magic to work against the Nittany Lions, but are starting to show their true colors and how much their tight ends from a year ago did.
- Miami upset #20 Virginia down in South Beach, proving once again how crazy the ACC is outside of Clemson.
- USC put up a fight in South Bend, but Notre Dame survives with a 30-27 victory. The Irish will need to start pounding some opponents if they want to fight back into the playoff picture however.
- Wisconsin is TERRIFYING. The Badgers have shut out 4 opponents this year, and their most recent victory came against a very capable Michigan State Team. Wisconsin travels to Ohio State in a couple weeks, but I imagine we'll see a rematch of that game in the BIG 10 Championship as well.
- Arizona State struggled early on, but after a big day from RB Eno Benjamin, they've remained a major contender in the PAC-12 South. They have a date with the Utes in Salt Lake City this week.
- Louisville caught fire and upset #19 Wake Forrest 62-59.
- The wave of Washington football success is back in the good after a big win down in the desert. They host the Ducks next, so I imagine a dip is coming.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 7 Reflections and be sure to check out all the hot takes from our most recent podcast episode on The 2nd String. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
After a wild weekend in College Football, we have one of our first big shakeups along with some key victories for teams fighting for those mouthwatering playoff spots. Before I give my thoughts on football as a whole though, I must suffer the ongoing grief put upon us all by my beloved Huskers. Nebraska traveled North this past weekend to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in the battle for the $5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy. Unfortunately for the team (and Husker fans alike) they forgot to bring with them any concept of football talent they were expected to have. I may be a bit dramatic here, but saying that was one of the worst football performances I've ever witnessed is not much of an exaggeration, if at all. Nebraska looked completely unprepared as the Gophers racked up 322 rushing yards in the game, 220 of which came in the first half. Minnesota's three-headed rushing monster of Smith, Brooks and Ibrahim had no issue gashing the Blackshirts as they ran through holes large enough for Goldie himself to run through. Ibrahim had the lowest yard per carry average at 5.6, but finished the game with 3 TDs. Smith and Brooks finished with 7.7 and 7.6 yard per carry averages respectively. Nebraska's offense was led by backup QB Noah Vedral, who started in for the injured Martinez. Vedral's performance was nothing special, but it's not like the redshirt sophomore had much help to begin with. Heading into the matchup with the Gophers, I stated that Vedral could not be the leading rusher for Nebraska if they wanted a chance to win this game, and that statement was proven correct. I'll break down my thoughts on this game in my GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD categories.
GOOD- I honestly don't have anything good or positive that I saw from the Huskers in this game. Kade Warner back in action late in the game and Cam Jurgens having decent snaps was about it. My good for this game is that more than $12,000 has been raised between the two schools for research on pediatric cancer through the Team Jack Foundation and the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital. Regardless of the outcome of the game, this organic rivalry helps two very important organizations in the fight against pediatric cancer and it's always a good time when you have a broken chair!
EXPECTED- The lack of a Husker rushing attack. I said that Nebraska needed to find a way to help out backup QB Noah Vedral in this game, but that did not happen. The Huskers' rushing attack has been a big disappointment this year, and really causes the offense to struggle more than other issues in my opinion. Nebraska (somehow) ranks 45th in the nation for rush offense, but the lack of a run game has plagued this team over the first half of the season. There is very little push from the offensive line and without being able to run the ball effectively, Nebraska often finds themselves in 3rd and long situations. The other factor is the QB runs. Coach Frost's system is built for a dual threat QB, but does not want that QB to be the leading rusher. If Nebraska cannot figure out how to move the ball on the ground soon, the second half the season will be very tricky as three out of their final five opponents rank in the top 15 in Time of Possession in the nation (Indiana (#13), Wisconsin (#1) and Iowa (#9)). The offense cannot execute without a running game to set the pace and get them into rhythm. Runs up the middle are definitely not the solution either.
BAD- Everything. Honestly, I truly mean it when I say this was one of the most terrible football performances I've ever watched. The Huskers were beaten off the ball on every snap and the Blackshirts, which were supposed to be one of the few bright spots of 2019, were no where to be found. Minnesota did not have a single negative play in the first half of Saturday's game, and Husker linebackers were completely confused by one of the simplest run block strategies I've seen in a while. The Linebackers did not fill gaps correctly and would not hold the edge for anything. Missed tackles and poor communication helped the Gopher offense look like they could rack up points on anyone. The Husker offense was a dumpster fire and more injuries didn't help the cause. Let's hope they can figure it out during the BYE week, because this team has not looked prepared to play a full football game in a very long time.
This is the kind of loss you just need to get over and move on quickly with. So that's what I'm going to do. We can't lose this week, and I'm looking forward to that!
Now for some other highlight points from around College Football:
- South Carolina nearly lost their chance at the upset, but were able to knock off #3 Georgia, in Athens, in double overtime. They were without their best receiver or QB, but the Gamecocks could make a challenge in the SEC East if they knock off Florida this week. Watch out for this defense, they're gaining confidence and have some stellar playmakers.
- Oklahoma fends off Texas (for the first time at least) 34-27. The Red River Rivalry is always a fun one to watch, and when Jalen Hurts and CeeDee Lamb are on the same page, it's absolutely insane. Go look up the Jalen Hurts behind the back move he put on the defender. These two could be the best QB-WR duo in College Football right now.
- Temple pulled a big upset over #23 ranked Memphis in the American Conference, keeping them on pace with Cincy for the top spot in the American Athletic Conference East division.
- Texas Tech & Baylor had quite the game. Double OT win for the Bears, and they remain unbeaten so far this season.
- LSU's offense is completely legit as they just destroyed a very good Gator defense. Keep your eye on those Bengals from the Bayou.
- Iowa couldn't quite get their Kinnick Stadium magic to work against the Nittany Lions, but are starting to show their true colors and how much their tight ends from a year ago did.
- Miami upset #20 Virginia down in South Beach, proving once again how crazy the ACC is outside of Clemson.
- USC put up a fight in South Bend, but Notre Dame survives with a 30-27 victory. The Irish will need to start pounding some opponents if they want to fight back into the playoff picture however.
- Wisconsin is TERRIFYING. The Badgers have shut out 4 opponents this year, and their most recent victory came against a very capable Michigan State Team. Wisconsin travels to Ohio State in a couple weeks, but I imagine we'll see a rematch of that game in the BIG 10 Championship as well.
- Arizona State struggled early on, but after a big day from RB Eno Benjamin, they've remained a major contender in the PAC-12 South. They have a date with the Utes in Salt Lake City this week.
- Louisville caught fire and upset #19 Wake Forrest 62-59.
- The wave of Washington football success is back in the good after a big win down in the desert. They host the Ducks next, so I imagine a dip is coming.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 7 Reflections and be sure to check out all the hot takes from our most recent podcast episode on The 2nd String. GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Friday, October 11, 2019
Week 7 Predictions
We're halfway through the 2019 College Football season and things are starting to heat up. This weekend has some major matchups that could easily derail a team's playoff hopes, or boost them all the same. I won't bore you with any nonsense this week, it's strictly football and strictly business. Here are my games to watch in Week 7 along with all of my predictions, enjoy!
Week 6 Prediction Results: 7-2
Overall Prediction Results: 48-24
#23 Memphis at Temple
This is a big game in the American Athletic Conference. Both schools are looking to notch a key conference win as they prepare to take on the heart of their schedules. Temple wants to keep pace with Cincy, who came away with a big win against UCF last week, while Memphis tails SMU and the Mustangs unbeaten record. Statistically, these teams match up quite well, both averaging around 450 yards per game on offense and holding teams to fewer than 20 points per game. Memphis has the more dynamic offense, but the Owls stout defense will be ready for the test. They key players to watch in this one will be the running backs, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) and Re'Mahn Davis (Temple). Gainwell leads the Tigers rushing attack with 620 yards and 6 TDs. He's had 6 rushes this season go for more than 30 yards and averages over 8 yards per carry. For the Owls, Davis has been a tremendous boost to the offense in his freshman campaign, rushing for 503 yards and 4 TDs so far this season. This is a tricky game for sure, but you always have to be careful with a home underdog. I like Temple in this game and I think the Owls will put Memphis' 93rd ranked run defense on display. Temple wins a big conference game 26-23.
USC at #9 Notre Dame
We haven't seen the Trojans since they lost to Washington a couple weeks ago, but even with a BYE week I think they're going to struggle against the Irish. Notre Dame has been very consistent this year, and even with the loss to Georgia, they're looking to make a playoff run. Ian Book has thrown for more than 1,250 yards with 13 TDs and just 2 picks. The Trojans have been gashed in the passing game time and time again this season, so that alone spells trouble. On the other side of the ball for the Irish, they're giving up just 14.8 points per game on average, and they're always looking for turnovers. USC is -7 in the turnover battle so far this season, and this one could get ugly. Notre Dame pounds their rival for a satisfying 38-13 victory.
#1 Alabama at #24 Texas A&M
Yes, the Tide have been rolling this season, but we finally get to see how they fare against some competition with a pulse. The Aggies did not play well against the previous #1 ranked team, Clemson, but have another shot at the team on top with the Tide rolling into Kyle Field on Saturday. Tua Tagovailoa has been tremendous this season, throwing for over 1,700 yards with 23 TDs. Surprisingly enough, the run game has been the "struggle point" of Alabama's offense. This is where I believe the Aggies have a big opportunity as their rush defense gives up just over 100 yards per game on average. Their secondary will have to cover well, but if they can keep Tua throwing and under pressure, mistakes could be made. On the flip side, Aggie QB Kellen Mond will have to play his best game yet. Bama has been vulnerable at times on defense, giving up nearly 500 yards and 31 points to Ole Miss a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure A&M will cause headaches, but I'm also sure Bama will roll out in the end with a W. The Aggies hang for a bit, but Bama wins this game 36-21.
#10 Penn State at #17 Iowa
The Hawkeyes ran into a wall last week when facing the Wolverine defense, and now come home to face the that of the Nittany Lions', who rank 4th in the nation. Luckily for Iowa, they're right behind Penn State in total defense, ranking 5th in the nation. Neither team has been tested much on this side of the ball however, so we'll see what these offenses can cook up for their show down under the lights in Kinnick. This is one of those games where Penn State has better talent, but Iowa is Iowa, and they'll some how go wild and put up 40+ in this game. The Hawkeyes always have a big victory at home, and this would be the game. I want to see Penn State challenge Ohio State in the East, but I just don't know exactly what to expect from them in this game. Kinnick is a difficult place to win, and they'll prove that on Saturday night. I don't think I'll ever understand why, but Iowa wins this game 37-20. Screw defense, there's going to be a lot of random offense in this one, because why not.
Michigan State at #8 Wisconsin
The Badgers have not gotten much respect in the polls yet, even though they've only given up 29 points all season long. Sparty is coming off a tough loss in the Horseshoe to the red hot Buckeyes, but now have to travel to Camp Randle to deal with Johnathan Taylor and his Heisman campaign. Taylor has been unstoppable, averaging over 7 yards per carry and boasting 16 total TDs so far this season. If JK Dobbins can rack up 172 on the ground against MSU, I'm terrified to see what Jonathan Taylor's stat sheet will look like. For the Spartan offense, it all runs through Senior QB Brian Lewerke. He's thrown for over 1,500 yards thus far in 2019, with 11 TDs and just 2 picks. He will need to really control this game and make good use of his possessions, because Wisconsin loves to limit those. The Badgers rank 1st in the nation for time of possession, holding the rock for over 37 minutes per game on average. This will be a grinder, but I think the Badgers are a top team this year, and they're ready to prove it. Jonathan Taylor leads the way and the Bucky beats Sparty 30-10. On Wisconsin!
Washington at Arizona
A very interesting game out West may make you want to stay up late to watch the PAC-12 after dark. Washington travels down to the desert just a week after losing to Stanford on the Farm. The Huskies were a favored team to win the conference this year, but have not played well to start the season, looking very unprepared on offense. Arizona's defense shouldn't provide too much of a disturbance, but their offense is a different story. Led by Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate at QB, the Wildcats' offense averages nearly 550 yards per game and 37 points. The Washington defense will look to slow him down, but that's easier said than done. Arizona is a home underdog, and it's PAC-12 after dark... something crazy is bound to happen. BEAR DOWN! Wildcats pull the upset and remain perfect in conference play with a 31-27 victory.
#6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas (The Red River Rivalry)
I refuse to call this game "the Red River Showdown" until I am paid to do so, so it's still rivalry for now! The Sooners and the Longhorns square off at the Texas State Fair in a battle for a step up in the Big XII Conference. Statistically, Oklahoma has the edge, but we all know that this game can get wild. I would expect some fireworks in this game, as these teams have battled tough the last couple times they've met. The key players to watch are the QBs of course, Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) and Sam Ehlinger (Texas). Both have right around 1,500 passing yards and can use their legs well too. Hurts leads OU in rushing with 499 and 7 TDs, but don't forget about Sam. The Longhorn native has a 4.6 average yard per carry and 3 TDs on the ground to his name. Both defenses are going to struggle, but I've been hyping up the Sooners defense under new coordinator, Alex Grinch, all year. I'm going with the Sooners in a big statement win. However, they'll need to be careful, because they could see Texas again in the Big XII Championship, and you NEVER want to play a team twice. Oklahoma wins the golden hat 48-37.
#7 Florida at #5 LSU
We've got quite the battle on the bayou this week as the upset minded Gators head into Death Valley to take on the Tigers of LSU. Traditionally, this would be a defensive slugfest (and still very well could be), but the big story to watch is the Tiger offense. LSU's offense has been one of the biggest surprises in 2019, and they're led by Hesiman hopeful, Joe Burrow, at QB. Burrow has over 1,850 passing yards with 22 TDs and just 3 picks on the season thus far. He's shattered a number of LSU school records in that area and doesn't look to slow down any time soon. The Gator defense made Auburn Freshman Bo Nix look his age with 3 interceptions and a couple of sacks. I doubt they'll have as much success against Burrow, who's completing 78.4% of his passes and has thrown at least 4 TDs in four out of five games for the Tigers. Florida should have some success on offense as LSU's defense has not looked the best at times this year, but Kyle Trask has never dealt with Death Valley at night before. LSU has looked like one of the best teams in the nation thus far, and I think they'll prove that against the Gators. We'll see if Florida proves me wrong again, but these Tigers from the SEC East should fare better. LSU 34, Florida 20.
Nebraska at Minnesota ($5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy)
IT'S CHAIR WEEK!!! Nebraska and Minnesota will battle it out Saturday night in South Canada for the greatest trophy in sports history. The $5 Bits of Broken Chair is on the line as the Huskers and Gophers fight in the cold. This was originally the game I opted for with the Huskers winning, and then losing on the road at Purdue. I honestly might flip that preseason prediction now, because this will be a difficult game for the Huskers to win. Nebraska's production on offense has been atrocious this season, as they rank 127th in the nation with 14 turnovers lost so far this season. Bad snaps, no rhythm in the play calls and poor execution have plagued this offense all season. They will need to play well in this one as the Gophers have scored 35+ in four out of five games this season. Minnesota is undefeated, but haven't faced much competition thus far. They've been winning tight games, and their offense has been difficult to stop. Wideouts Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson provide big targets for Sophomore QB Tanner Morgan, and the two receivers have combined for 9 TDs so far this season. The Husker secondary will have to be ready for a lot of deep balls, as Bateman averages 23.3 yards per catch. On the ground, Nebraska will have to deal with Rodney Smith and is 5.4 yards per carry. The Blackshirts have done well to keep Nebraska ahead in most games this year, but if the offense struggles, I'm not sure how long they'll be able to hold on. Injury updates on Adrian Martinez and JD Spielman have been scarce, so I imagine it will be a game time decision on who plays. I'm confident Vedral can run the offense for the Huskers, but he'll need the ground attack to step up. The weather is going to be nasty, and TCF Bank Stadium hasn't always been kind to the Huskers, who've lost 2 out of the last 3 in the Twin Cities. The talent on the Gophers offense worries me and Nebraska's struggles on offense are only the beginning of their issues. They would need a clean game to get this victory, but I think the Gophers might take the chair. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm predicting the Golden Gophers to beat the Huskers 28-20.
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games around the nation:
#20 Virginia at Miami- The Cavaliers are ranked and have only lost to Notre Dame so far this season, yet are still not favored against 2-3 Miami. The Hurricanes lost a crazy one to VA Tech last week but won't lost to two teams from Virginia this year. Big game from the U and Miami knocks off Virginia 34-21. The ACC Coastal Division is just a jumbled mess.
Hawai'i at #14 Boise State- The Broncos are leading the way for G5 teams bidding for the New Year's Six Bowl bid, and host the high powered Rainbow Warriors on the "smurf turf" this weekend. They have one of the best win percentages at home over the last decade, and with Hawai'i turning the ball over more than Nebraska (15 times so far this season), I think the Broncos win this one comfortably. Boise State 42, Hawai'i 23.
Washington State at #18 Arizona State- The Cougars ran off the rails quick at the end of September with back to back conference losses, but will look to right the ship down in the dessert. Unfortunately, they will be up against a stout defense from the Sun Devils. I could really see this one going either way, but if ASU running back Eno Benjamin gets on a roll, look out. Big day from Benjamin and the Sun Devils take this one at home 33-24.
Colorado at #13 Oregon- The PAC-12's last hope at a playoff birth likely stands with the Ducks. They host the the Buffaloes in Autzen for the first time since 2016, when a redshirt freshman Steven Montez made his first start in place of the injured Sefo Liufau. Montez went off in that game and upset Oregon 41-38. That won't happen this time around, Oregon wins big. Ducks 48, Buffs 17.
Texas Tech at #22 Baylor- The Red Raiders are banged up, but still love taking down ranked teams. After upsetting the Pokes last weekend, they now set their sights on the unbeaten Bears. Baylor hasn't played much competition yet this season, but Matt Ruhle has this team primed for a Big XII push. Baylor makes a statement with a 46-21 victory at home. Sic 'em!
Thank you for reading all of my Week 7 game predictions and be sure to listen to the latest episode of my podcast with my roommate Nate Muhlbach, The 2nd String, if you haven't already. Enjoy your weekend of football and be sure to root for Nebraska as they battle for The Chair! GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Week 6 Prediction Results: 7-2
Overall Prediction Results: 48-24
#23 Memphis at Temple
This is a big game in the American Athletic Conference. Both schools are looking to notch a key conference win as they prepare to take on the heart of their schedules. Temple wants to keep pace with Cincy, who came away with a big win against UCF last week, while Memphis tails SMU and the Mustangs unbeaten record. Statistically, these teams match up quite well, both averaging around 450 yards per game on offense and holding teams to fewer than 20 points per game. Memphis has the more dynamic offense, but the Owls stout defense will be ready for the test. They key players to watch in this one will be the running backs, Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) and Re'Mahn Davis (Temple). Gainwell leads the Tigers rushing attack with 620 yards and 6 TDs. He's had 6 rushes this season go for more than 30 yards and averages over 8 yards per carry. For the Owls, Davis has been a tremendous boost to the offense in his freshman campaign, rushing for 503 yards and 4 TDs so far this season. This is a tricky game for sure, but you always have to be careful with a home underdog. I like Temple in this game and I think the Owls will put Memphis' 93rd ranked run defense on display. Temple wins a big conference game 26-23.
USC at #9 Notre Dame
We haven't seen the Trojans since they lost to Washington a couple weeks ago, but even with a BYE week I think they're going to struggle against the Irish. Notre Dame has been very consistent this year, and even with the loss to Georgia, they're looking to make a playoff run. Ian Book has thrown for more than 1,250 yards with 13 TDs and just 2 picks. The Trojans have been gashed in the passing game time and time again this season, so that alone spells trouble. On the other side of the ball for the Irish, they're giving up just 14.8 points per game on average, and they're always looking for turnovers. USC is -7 in the turnover battle so far this season, and this one could get ugly. Notre Dame pounds their rival for a satisfying 38-13 victory.
#1 Alabama at #24 Texas A&M
Yes, the Tide have been rolling this season, but we finally get to see how they fare against some competition with a pulse. The Aggies did not play well against the previous #1 ranked team, Clemson, but have another shot at the team on top with the Tide rolling into Kyle Field on Saturday. Tua Tagovailoa has been tremendous this season, throwing for over 1,700 yards with 23 TDs. Surprisingly enough, the run game has been the "struggle point" of Alabama's offense. This is where I believe the Aggies have a big opportunity as their rush defense gives up just over 100 yards per game on average. Their secondary will have to cover well, but if they can keep Tua throwing and under pressure, mistakes could be made. On the flip side, Aggie QB Kellen Mond will have to play his best game yet. Bama has been vulnerable at times on defense, giving up nearly 500 yards and 31 points to Ole Miss a couple of weeks ago. I'm sure A&M will cause headaches, but I'm also sure Bama will roll out in the end with a W. The Aggies hang for a bit, but Bama wins this game 36-21.
#10 Penn State at #17 Iowa
The Hawkeyes ran into a wall last week when facing the Wolverine defense, and now come home to face the that of the Nittany Lions', who rank 4th in the nation. Luckily for Iowa, they're right behind Penn State in total defense, ranking 5th in the nation. Neither team has been tested much on this side of the ball however, so we'll see what these offenses can cook up for their show down under the lights in Kinnick. This is one of those games where Penn State has better talent, but Iowa is Iowa, and they'll some how go wild and put up 40+ in this game. The Hawkeyes always have a big victory at home, and this would be the game. I want to see Penn State challenge Ohio State in the East, but I just don't know exactly what to expect from them in this game. Kinnick is a difficult place to win, and they'll prove that on Saturday night. I don't think I'll ever understand why, but Iowa wins this game 37-20. Screw defense, there's going to be a lot of random offense in this one, because why not.
Michigan State at #8 Wisconsin
The Badgers have not gotten much respect in the polls yet, even though they've only given up 29 points all season long. Sparty is coming off a tough loss in the Horseshoe to the red hot Buckeyes, but now have to travel to Camp Randle to deal with Johnathan Taylor and his Heisman campaign. Taylor has been unstoppable, averaging over 7 yards per carry and boasting 16 total TDs so far this season. If JK Dobbins can rack up 172 on the ground against MSU, I'm terrified to see what Jonathan Taylor's stat sheet will look like. For the Spartan offense, it all runs through Senior QB Brian Lewerke. He's thrown for over 1,500 yards thus far in 2019, with 11 TDs and just 2 picks. He will need to really control this game and make good use of his possessions, because Wisconsin loves to limit those. The Badgers rank 1st in the nation for time of possession, holding the rock for over 37 minutes per game on average. This will be a grinder, but I think the Badgers are a top team this year, and they're ready to prove it. Jonathan Taylor leads the way and the Bucky beats Sparty 30-10. On Wisconsin!
Washington at Arizona
A very interesting game out West may make you want to stay up late to watch the PAC-12 after dark. Washington travels down to the desert just a week after losing to Stanford on the Farm. The Huskies were a favored team to win the conference this year, but have not played well to start the season, looking very unprepared on offense. Arizona's defense shouldn't provide too much of a disturbance, but their offense is a different story. Led by Heisman hopeful Khalil Tate at QB, the Wildcats' offense averages nearly 550 yards per game and 37 points. The Washington defense will look to slow him down, but that's easier said than done. Arizona is a home underdog, and it's PAC-12 after dark... something crazy is bound to happen. BEAR DOWN! Wildcats pull the upset and remain perfect in conference play with a 31-27 victory.
#6 Oklahoma vs. #11 Texas (The Red River Rivalry)
I refuse to call this game "the Red River Showdown" until I am paid to do so, so it's still rivalry for now! The Sooners and the Longhorns square off at the Texas State Fair in a battle for a step up in the Big XII Conference. Statistically, Oklahoma has the edge, but we all know that this game can get wild. I would expect some fireworks in this game, as these teams have battled tough the last couple times they've met. The key players to watch are the QBs of course, Jalen Hurts (Oklahoma) and Sam Ehlinger (Texas). Both have right around 1,500 passing yards and can use their legs well too. Hurts leads OU in rushing with 499 and 7 TDs, but don't forget about Sam. The Longhorn native has a 4.6 average yard per carry and 3 TDs on the ground to his name. Both defenses are going to struggle, but I've been hyping up the Sooners defense under new coordinator, Alex Grinch, all year. I'm going with the Sooners in a big statement win. However, they'll need to be careful, because they could see Texas again in the Big XII Championship, and you NEVER want to play a team twice. Oklahoma wins the golden hat 48-37.
#7 Florida at #5 LSU
We've got quite the battle on the bayou this week as the upset minded Gators head into Death Valley to take on the Tigers of LSU. Traditionally, this would be a defensive slugfest (and still very well could be), but the big story to watch is the Tiger offense. LSU's offense has been one of the biggest surprises in 2019, and they're led by Hesiman hopeful, Joe Burrow, at QB. Burrow has over 1,850 passing yards with 22 TDs and just 3 picks on the season thus far. He's shattered a number of LSU school records in that area and doesn't look to slow down any time soon. The Gator defense made Auburn Freshman Bo Nix look his age with 3 interceptions and a couple of sacks. I doubt they'll have as much success against Burrow, who's completing 78.4% of his passes and has thrown at least 4 TDs in four out of five games for the Tigers. Florida should have some success on offense as LSU's defense has not looked the best at times this year, but Kyle Trask has never dealt with Death Valley at night before. LSU has looked like one of the best teams in the nation thus far, and I think they'll prove that against the Gators. We'll see if Florida proves me wrong again, but these Tigers from the SEC East should fare better. LSU 34, Florida 20.
Nebraska at Minnesota ($5 Bits of Broken Chair Trophy)
IT'S CHAIR WEEK!!! Nebraska and Minnesota will battle it out Saturday night in South Canada for the greatest trophy in sports history. The $5 Bits of Broken Chair is on the line as the Huskers and Gophers fight in the cold. This was originally the game I opted for with the Huskers winning, and then losing on the road at Purdue. I honestly might flip that preseason prediction now, because this will be a difficult game for the Huskers to win. Nebraska's production on offense has been atrocious this season, as they rank 127th in the nation with 14 turnovers lost so far this season. Bad snaps, no rhythm in the play calls and poor execution have plagued this offense all season. They will need to play well in this one as the Gophers have scored 35+ in four out of five games this season. Minnesota is undefeated, but haven't faced much competition thus far. They've been winning tight games, and their offense has been difficult to stop. Wideouts Rashod Bateman and Tyler Johnson provide big targets for Sophomore QB Tanner Morgan, and the two receivers have combined for 9 TDs so far this season. The Husker secondary will have to be ready for a lot of deep balls, as Bateman averages 23.3 yards per catch. On the ground, Nebraska will have to deal with Rodney Smith and is 5.4 yards per carry. The Blackshirts have done well to keep Nebraska ahead in most games this year, but if the offense struggles, I'm not sure how long they'll be able to hold on. Injury updates on Adrian Martinez and JD Spielman have been scarce, so I imagine it will be a game time decision on who plays. I'm confident Vedral can run the offense for the Huskers, but he'll need the ground attack to step up. The weather is going to be nasty, and TCF Bank Stadium hasn't always been kind to the Huskers, who've lost 2 out of the last 3 in the Twin Cities. The talent on the Gophers offense worries me and Nebraska's struggles on offense are only the beginning of their issues. They would need a clean game to get this victory, but I think the Gophers might take the chair. I'm hoping for the best, but I'm predicting the Golden Gophers to beat the Huskers 28-20.
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games around the nation:
#20 Virginia at Miami- The Cavaliers are ranked and have only lost to Notre Dame so far this season, yet are still not favored against 2-3 Miami. The Hurricanes lost a crazy one to VA Tech last week but won't lost to two teams from Virginia this year. Big game from the U and Miami knocks off Virginia 34-21. The ACC Coastal Division is just a jumbled mess.
Hawai'i at #14 Boise State- The Broncos are leading the way for G5 teams bidding for the New Year's Six Bowl bid, and host the high powered Rainbow Warriors on the "smurf turf" this weekend. They have one of the best win percentages at home over the last decade, and with Hawai'i turning the ball over more than Nebraska (15 times so far this season), I think the Broncos win this one comfortably. Boise State 42, Hawai'i 23.
Washington State at #18 Arizona State- The Cougars ran off the rails quick at the end of September with back to back conference losses, but will look to right the ship down in the dessert. Unfortunately, they will be up against a stout defense from the Sun Devils. I could really see this one going either way, but if ASU running back Eno Benjamin gets on a roll, look out. Big day from Benjamin and the Sun Devils take this one at home 33-24.
Colorado at #13 Oregon- The PAC-12's last hope at a playoff birth likely stands with the Ducks. They host the the Buffaloes in Autzen for the first time since 2016, when a redshirt freshman Steven Montez made his first start in place of the injured Sefo Liufau. Montez went off in that game and upset Oregon 41-38. That won't happen this time around, Oregon wins big. Ducks 48, Buffs 17.
Texas Tech at #22 Baylor- The Red Raiders are banged up, but still love taking down ranked teams. After upsetting the Pokes last weekend, they now set their sights on the unbeaten Bears. Baylor hasn't played much competition yet this season, but Matt Ruhle has this team primed for a Big XII push. Baylor makes a statement with a 46-21 victory at home. Sic 'em!
Thank you for reading all of my Week 7 game predictions and be sure to listen to the latest episode of my podcast with my roommate Nate Muhlbach, The 2nd String, if you haven't already. Enjoy your weekend of football and be sure to root for Nebraska as they battle for The Chair! GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Thursday, October 10, 2019
Week 6 Reflections
Week 6 of the College Football season has come and gone and we're already moving into the heart of October. Conference play is in full swing and I have some great breakdowns and analysis for you all from the games this past weekend. Nebraska pulled off a home victory against Northwestern, while some top teams tumbled on the road. This post will have it all for you, and be sure to check out the newest episode of my College Football Podcast with my roommate Nate Muhlbach called The 2nd String! We have a great episode prepared for you all this week. Don't forget to share with all your football loving friends and family, enjoy!
Nebraska edged out Northwestern 13-10 with a last second field goal kicked by Lane McCallum for their second ever victory against the Wildcats in Lincoln since joining the BIG 10. The only other victory at home for the Huskers in this series was the Hail Mary to Jordan Westerkamp in 2013. This game was quite the grinder, with a number of players suffering injuries, including Adrian Martinez and JD Spielman, two of the Huskers most important on offense. The defense was tight in this game, and points were tough to come by. Northwestern-Nebraska games are always a coin toss on who will win, so I wasn't the least bit surprised to see this one come down to the wire. My breakdown and analysis of this victory will be laid out in three categories: GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD.
GOOD- The progress of the Husker Football team. Now, based on how the Huskers have looked this season, most fans would say this team has not progressed from last season, and in some ways possibly regressed from 2018. However, at this point last year, Nebraska was 0-6, now they're 4-2 and have matched their win total from a year ago. No, this team has not looked like a team that will be competing for a BIG 10 title or more, but this is a team that is moving forward. In 2018, the Huskers lost to Troy at home, while they beat both of their G5 opponents this year. Yes, there have been slip ups (Colorado) and games no one wanted to see (Ohio State), but this team is starting to win the games they're expected to win. This is one of the first steps in building a program (back) into one that will be seen as a dominant force in College Football. Yes, immediate results are nice, but it takes teams a while to develop their game enough to be able to run it seamlessly week in and week out. The next step for this team will be to win some more road games and games they're not favored in. It's a slow process to build a dynasty. Frost is in this position for the long haul, and I've mentioned before how I've seen flashes from this team. Four victories in six games is an important indicator to the progress being made in that locker room. There's still a lot to be done, but this team is on the right track. It's not going to look pretty for a while, but sit back Husker fans, and cheer loud. This team is going to take everyone on quite the ride over the next couple seasons.
EXPECTED- The game coming down to the wire. The Nebraska-Northwestern rivalry has brought us yet another thriller. As a Husker fan, this game is always a tough one to watch, but as a football fan, these are always one of my favorite games of the season. This game keeps the fans on edge for every minute, but most importantly, it's a grinder for the players. This is the type of game that will teach these athletes how to finish close games. The BIG 10 is a conference full of talented teams, and winning tough games like this against quality opponents is a step in the right direction for the Huskers. Not only is Northwestern a key divisional win, but this team challenges everyone they face in different ways. Their defense is tough to move the ball on, and they racked up 10 tackles for loss against the Huskers. But Nebraska was persistent, and were able to come away with a much needed victory. This was destined to be a battle, and that's exactly what we got.
BAD- Missed Pass Interference Call and offensive execution by the Huskers. First and foremost, I wholeheartedly believe that Nebraska won this game because of a completely blown pass interference call by the referees. During Northwestern's final drive, on the interception thrown by QB Aidan Smith, Nebraska Linebacker Will Honas absolutely laid out the Wildcats' wide receiver as he came across the middle to get the ball, thus letting it fly directly to Lamar Jackson for the pick. Short of the Rams-Saints pass interference call from the NFL playoffs last year, this was one of the worst missed calls I've seen in recent history. It really looked like Northwestern had the momentum and was ready to go down the field and win the game had that PI been called properly. However, I'm not too upset being the beneficiary of a call like that, but for the integrity of the game of football, I completely hate how that penalty was missed.
Now moving onto the Husker offense, it's horrible. The bad snaps are only getting worse, and they contribute to the already struggling execution level of this unit. The ground game has not developed at all, only regressed, and receivers are not able to catch the passes thrown over their heads. Worst of all, there is very little protection for Husker quarterbacks, leaving them no time to look down the field and make a read. There's a lot wrong with the Husker offense right now, but one of the key missing elements is tempo. This is primarily due to the lack of execution on first and second down, but even when the Huskers do have positive plays, it seems as though Frost and OC Troy Walters keeps the pace slow. The snaps are taken late in the play clock and players are always looking to the sidelines for more signals. Last year's offense ran with much more tempo, and I think that really boosted this team. This will be something to watch during the second half of the season, but the snaps need to be fixed immediately.
Overall, this was not a pretty game by any means. There were plenty of mistakes on both sides, but the Huskers came out victorious and have equaled their win total from 2018. The second half the season will be difficult, and a road game to Minnesota this weekend is no small task, especially if Martinez and Spielman are not 100%. It's a slow growing process for this Husker team, but they're growing nonetheless. Keep watching for those sparks in between the chaos, they'll catch light soon enough.
Now for some other thoughts and reactions from around Week 6 in College Football:
- The Cincy Bearcats won a very important divisional game against UCF to take hold of first place in the American Athletic Conference East. Still a long season ahead, but they're going to push for best Group of 5 team in 2019.
- Speaking of teams pushing for that best G5 spot, keep your eyes on the SMU Mustangs. Texas QB transfer Shane Buechele has this offense ranked 13th in the nation and averaging more than 44 points per game. There's still a long road ahead in the American West division, especially with a road trip to Memphis, but SMU is playing some good football... minus giving up a touchdown on a kickoff they were supposed to receive.
- Tennessee looked really good in the opening quarter against Georgia... and that was about it. The Vols, much like my Huskers, have a long way to go in this rebuild. Freshman QB Brian Maurer played pretty well in his debut though. Look for him to torment more SEC secondaries over the next couple of years.
- Like I said last week and on the podcast, Ohio State is going to have a lot of lopsided scores on their schedule by the end of the season... all in their favor.
- Other than the road game to Texas for the Tigers, LSU has had a very manageable schedule. They host the Gators this week and have Auburn, Bama and Texas A&M all in the second half of the season. Welcome to the SEC West, we're really going to see what this team is made of.
- Since I mentioned the Gators, I should also mention how they shut down the other Tigers of the SEC West this past weekend in the Swamp. Kyle Trask has this offense playing well enough to win games, but the defense is what really surprises me with this team. CHOMP CHOMP!
- Oklahoma has not been challenged much either. We'll see how they handle Sam Ehlinger and the Longhorns this week as we have the Red River Rivalry (I refuse to say showdown until I am paid to do so, and even then it will be a stretch). This game is going to be a shootout for sure!
- Cal played great defense to shut down the Ducks, but without Garbers at QB their team won't be able to pull as many upsets as I had hoped. Don't sleep to hard on the Bears though.
- Sticking with the PAC-12, Stanford just cannot be beat on the farm, no matter how many backup QBs you make them play. Luckily they had RB Cameron Scarlett to carry the rock, and the team on his shoulders with nearly 5 yards per carry. Big win for the Cardinal, big loss for the Huskies.
- Also in the PAC-12, Khalil Tate from Arizona is still very much a Heisman Candidate from way out West. He threw for 404 yards with 3 TDs and 1 pick as the Wildcats beat Colorado on the road. They're a force to be reckoned with in the South division.
- Miami and Virginia Tech was somehow one of the craziest and best games of the day... the ACC is wack people, straight up wack I tell you!
- My favorite stat of the week: Iowa had four times as many turnovers as rushing yards against Michigan. Four Turnovers for the Hawkeyes and just one rush yard against the Wolverines. I'm still not sold on Michigan, but this was definitely a telling game about Iowa.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 6 CFB reflections and be sure to listen to our latest podcast episode! My predictions for this weekend's games will be up soon, so keep an eye out, share with your friends and GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Nebraska edged out Northwestern 13-10 with a last second field goal kicked by Lane McCallum for their second ever victory against the Wildcats in Lincoln since joining the BIG 10. The only other victory at home for the Huskers in this series was the Hail Mary to Jordan Westerkamp in 2013. This game was quite the grinder, with a number of players suffering injuries, including Adrian Martinez and JD Spielman, two of the Huskers most important on offense. The defense was tight in this game, and points were tough to come by. Northwestern-Nebraska games are always a coin toss on who will win, so I wasn't the least bit surprised to see this one come down to the wire. My breakdown and analysis of this victory will be laid out in three categories: GOOD, EXPECTED and BAD.
GOOD- The progress of the Husker Football team. Now, based on how the Huskers have looked this season, most fans would say this team has not progressed from last season, and in some ways possibly regressed from 2018. However, at this point last year, Nebraska was 0-6, now they're 4-2 and have matched their win total from a year ago. No, this team has not looked like a team that will be competing for a BIG 10 title or more, but this is a team that is moving forward. In 2018, the Huskers lost to Troy at home, while they beat both of their G5 opponents this year. Yes, there have been slip ups (Colorado) and games no one wanted to see (Ohio State), but this team is starting to win the games they're expected to win. This is one of the first steps in building a program (back) into one that will be seen as a dominant force in College Football. Yes, immediate results are nice, but it takes teams a while to develop their game enough to be able to run it seamlessly week in and week out. The next step for this team will be to win some more road games and games they're not favored in. It's a slow process to build a dynasty. Frost is in this position for the long haul, and I've mentioned before how I've seen flashes from this team. Four victories in six games is an important indicator to the progress being made in that locker room. There's still a lot to be done, but this team is on the right track. It's not going to look pretty for a while, but sit back Husker fans, and cheer loud. This team is going to take everyone on quite the ride over the next couple seasons.
EXPECTED- The game coming down to the wire. The Nebraska-Northwestern rivalry has brought us yet another thriller. As a Husker fan, this game is always a tough one to watch, but as a football fan, these are always one of my favorite games of the season. This game keeps the fans on edge for every minute, but most importantly, it's a grinder for the players. This is the type of game that will teach these athletes how to finish close games. The BIG 10 is a conference full of talented teams, and winning tough games like this against quality opponents is a step in the right direction for the Huskers. Not only is Northwestern a key divisional win, but this team challenges everyone they face in different ways. Their defense is tough to move the ball on, and they racked up 10 tackles for loss against the Huskers. But Nebraska was persistent, and were able to come away with a much needed victory. This was destined to be a battle, and that's exactly what we got.
BAD- Missed Pass Interference Call and offensive execution by the Huskers. First and foremost, I wholeheartedly believe that Nebraska won this game because of a completely blown pass interference call by the referees. During Northwestern's final drive, on the interception thrown by QB Aidan Smith, Nebraska Linebacker Will Honas absolutely laid out the Wildcats' wide receiver as he came across the middle to get the ball, thus letting it fly directly to Lamar Jackson for the pick. Short of the Rams-Saints pass interference call from the NFL playoffs last year, this was one of the worst missed calls I've seen in recent history. It really looked like Northwestern had the momentum and was ready to go down the field and win the game had that PI been called properly. However, I'm not too upset being the beneficiary of a call like that, but for the integrity of the game of football, I completely hate how that penalty was missed.
Now moving onto the Husker offense, it's horrible. The bad snaps are only getting worse, and they contribute to the already struggling execution level of this unit. The ground game has not developed at all, only regressed, and receivers are not able to catch the passes thrown over their heads. Worst of all, there is very little protection for Husker quarterbacks, leaving them no time to look down the field and make a read. There's a lot wrong with the Husker offense right now, but one of the key missing elements is tempo. This is primarily due to the lack of execution on first and second down, but even when the Huskers do have positive plays, it seems as though Frost and OC Troy Walters keeps the pace slow. The snaps are taken late in the play clock and players are always looking to the sidelines for more signals. Last year's offense ran with much more tempo, and I think that really boosted this team. This will be something to watch during the second half of the season, but the snaps need to be fixed immediately.
Overall, this was not a pretty game by any means. There were plenty of mistakes on both sides, but the Huskers came out victorious and have equaled their win total from 2018. The second half the season will be difficult, and a road game to Minnesota this weekend is no small task, especially if Martinez and Spielman are not 100%. It's a slow growing process for this Husker team, but they're growing nonetheless. Keep watching for those sparks in between the chaos, they'll catch light soon enough.
Now for some other thoughts and reactions from around Week 6 in College Football:
- The Cincy Bearcats won a very important divisional game against UCF to take hold of first place in the American Athletic Conference East. Still a long season ahead, but they're going to push for best Group of 5 team in 2019.
- Speaking of teams pushing for that best G5 spot, keep your eyes on the SMU Mustangs. Texas QB transfer Shane Buechele has this offense ranked 13th in the nation and averaging more than 44 points per game. There's still a long road ahead in the American West division, especially with a road trip to Memphis, but SMU is playing some good football... minus giving up a touchdown on a kickoff they were supposed to receive.
- Tennessee looked really good in the opening quarter against Georgia... and that was about it. The Vols, much like my Huskers, have a long way to go in this rebuild. Freshman QB Brian Maurer played pretty well in his debut though. Look for him to torment more SEC secondaries over the next couple of years.
- Like I said last week and on the podcast, Ohio State is going to have a lot of lopsided scores on their schedule by the end of the season... all in their favor.
- Other than the road game to Texas for the Tigers, LSU has had a very manageable schedule. They host the Gators this week and have Auburn, Bama and Texas A&M all in the second half of the season. Welcome to the SEC West, we're really going to see what this team is made of.
- Since I mentioned the Gators, I should also mention how they shut down the other Tigers of the SEC West this past weekend in the Swamp. Kyle Trask has this offense playing well enough to win games, but the defense is what really surprises me with this team. CHOMP CHOMP!
- Oklahoma has not been challenged much either. We'll see how they handle Sam Ehlinger and the Longhorns this week as we have the Red River Rivalry (I refuse to say showdown until I am paid to do so, and even then it will be a stretch). This game is going to be a shootout for sure!
- Cal played great defense to shut down the Ducks, but without Garbers at QB their team won't be able to pull as many upsets as I had hoped. Don't sleep to hard on the Bears though.
- Sticking with the PAC-12, Stanford just cannot be beat on the farm, no matter how many backup QBs you make them play. Luckily they had RB Cameron Scarlett to carry the rock, and the team on his shoulders with nearly 5 yards per carry. Big win for the Cardinal, big loss for the Huskies.
- Also in the PAC-12, Khalil Tate from Arizona is still very much a Heisman Candidate from way out West. He threw for 404 yards with 3 TDs and 1 pick as the Wildcats beat Colorado on the road. They're a force to be reckoned with in the South division.
- Miami and Virginia Tech was somehow one of the craziest and best games of the day... the ACC is wack people, straight up wack I tell you!
- My favorite stat of the week: Iowa had four times as many turnovers as rushing yards against Michigan. Four Turnovers for the Hawkeyes and just one rush yard against the Wolverines. I'm still not sold on Michigan, but this was definitely a telling game about Iowa.
Thank you for reading all of my Week 6 CFB reflections and be sure to listen to our latest podcast episode! My predictions for this weekend's games will be up soon, so keep an eye out, share with your friends and GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Friday, October 4, 2019
Week 6 Predictions
Hello football friends and welcome to October! The weather has cooled off and it's time for some hardcore football. October brings the thick of conference play, and this is when teams will begin to separate themselves from each other. This post will break down my predictions on all the big games this week, including Nebraska's homecoming game against Northwestern, which always ends up being entertaining. It's football season ladies and gentlemen, enjoy!
Week 5 Prediction Results: 8-4
Overall Prediction Results: 41-22
#14 Iowa at #19 Michigan
A BIG 10 showdown in Ann Arbor will take place as the Hawkeyes and the Wolverines square off. Michigan has not been impressive this season, but a win over Iowa would boost them back into the BIG 10 talks. They will be tested, as Iowa doesn't make many mistakes and are a difficult team to beat. Michigan will need some help with their home field advantage. As for the Hawks, we really haven't seen much of them this season. They had the tough fought win against Iowa State, but otherwise the competition has been extremely lackluster. This will be the first real test as they move into conference play. Nate Stanley will face a stout defense and the Wolverines will be looking to shut down the rushing attack. This game is hard to predict because it could really go either way. I'll go with the home team in this game. Michigan wins a grinder 24-20.
#11 Texas at West Virginia
Morgantown is never an easy place to win, but this is the chance Texas needs to put the hammer down. The Longhorns are going to need statement wins along with total beat down games as they move through their schedule. This is a great opportunity for one of those beat downs, as the Mountaineers are giving up as many points as they score (25) and Sam Ehlinger is ready to keep on his Heisman campaign. Texas rolls West Virginia 47-17.
#25 Michigan State at #4 Ohio State
The Spartans of Michigan State march into Columbus, Ohio to take on the Buckeyes. Ohio State is obviously coming off of a big win in Lincoln, but will face a stout defense this weekend. MSU is only giving up 15 points per game on average, and less than 60 rush yards per game. Their offense is still a work in progress at time, but QB Brian Lewerke has thrown for more than 1,300 yards with 10 TDs and just 1 interception. He will have to face the wrath of Chase Young, who leads the nation in sacks with 8. The Spartans could have a difficult time moving the ball. On the other side, I doubt the Buckeyes will have many hiccups on offense. Justin Fields is unstoppable and they have too many weapons on offense to cover. The Spartans are always a potential for an upset, but I don't think Ohio State is slowing down any time soon. Buckeyes win 36-17.
California at #13 Oregon
Without QB Chase Garbers, this will be a very difficult upset for Cal to pull on the Ducks. However, their defense gives them a chance, as they will be coming after Justin Herbert. Herbert by the way, has yet to throw an interception this season, but does have 14 TDs on the year. He'll have to navigate around a defense that gives up just 18.6 points per game. However, that's been a big chance on the Oregon side as well. The Ducks defense has given up an average of 10.5 points per game and just 262 yards. I think they'll make a statement in this game as they gear up for Washington in a couple weeks. Oregon wins a good one in Autzen, 30-13.
#7 Auburn at #10 Florida
The biggest game of the week takes place down in the swamp as the Tigers take on the Gators. This is the first of big SEC match-ups we have coming up, and this will really set the tone for the next few weeks. Auburn has looked like one of the more dominant teams in the nation, with a suffocating defense that allows less than 100 rush yards per game. Their offense is led by Freshman QB, Bo Nix and averages 38 points per game. The Gators are relying on backup QB Kyle Trask after the starter Felipe Franks was injured a couple of weeks ago. Florida's defense has looked tough, but has not played much competition yet. They'll hang around in the swamp for a while, but I think Auburn walks out with the victory here. WAR EAGLE and the Tigers win 28-20.
Northwestern at Nebraska
This is always one of the most difficult games of the year to pick for me. Northwestern is always a team Nebraska looks like they could beat, but the games are always tight, keeping everyone on edge. Plus, the road team usually wins, and the Wildcats have taken the last two in Lincoln. However, their offense ranks 126th in the nation and averages just 15.5 points per game. The Blackshirts should have a great opportunity for a bounce back game in this one. The other side of the ball brings more concern, as the Huskers looked absolutely inept on offense last week and for a good amount of the season. The Wildcats have a tough defense too, as they held Wisconsin to just 17 points (on offense) and love to shut down the run. Nebraska needs to establish the ground game then start with easy throws to get Martinez into a rhythm. This will be a tough game, but I've switched my pick from the beginning of the season. Nebraska bounces back at home with a 26-24 victory!
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games around the nation:
Arizona at Colorado- The Wildcats of the desert continue to outfox me and my predictions, but now they travel to Boulder to take on Steven Montez and the Buffs. Arizona gives up more than 330 yards per game through the air, and I know Laviska Shenault Jr. is drooling over that. Buffalo win 37-25.
Baylor at Kansas State- More Wildcats that let me down, ugh. K-State couldn't pull of the win against Oklahoma State last week, but get a chance to knock Baylor from the ranks of the unbeaten this week at home. Statistically these teams line up perfectly, but I'll give the edge to the Bears in this one. I think Matt Ruhle is doing a phenomenal job down in Waco. Bears 33, Wildcats 21.
Air Force at Navy- This is a tricky one, and you never really know what comes in these rivalry games. The Midshipmen have played very well at home though, so I'll give them the edge. Navy beats Air Force 27-23.
Thanks for reading all of my Week 6 Predictions and enjoy all of the games this weekend.
GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Week 5 Prediction Results: 8-4
Overall Prediction Results: 41-22
#14 Iowa at #19 Michigan
A BIG 10 showdown in Ann Arbor will take place as the Hawkeyes and the Wolverines square off. Michigan has not been impressive this season, but a win over Iowa would boost them back into the BIG 10 talks. They will be tested, as Iowa doesn't make many mistakes and are a difficult team to beat. Michigan will need some help with their home field advantage. As for the Hawks, we really haven't seen much of them this season. They had the tough fought win against Iowa State, but otherwise the competition has been extremely lackluster. This will be the first real test as they move into conference play. Nate Stanley will face a stout defense and the Wolverines will be looking to shut down the rushing attack. This game is hard to predict because it could really go either way. I'll go with the home team in this game. Michigan wins a grinder 24-20.
#11 Texas at West Virginia
Morgantown is never an easy place to win, but this is the chance Texas needs to put the hammer down. The Longhorns are going to need statement wins along with total beat down games as they move through their schedule. This is a great opportunity for one of those beat downs, as the Mountaineers are giving up as many points as they score (25) and Sam Ehlinger is ready to keep on his Heisman campaign. Texas rolls West Virginia 47-17.
#25 Michigan State at #4 Ohio State
The Spartans of Michigan State march into Columbus, Ohio to take on the Buckeyes. Ohio State is obviously coming off of a big win in Lincoln, but will face a stout defense this weekend. MSU is only giving up 15 points per game on average, and less than 60 rush yards per game. Their offense is still a work in progress at time, but QB Brian Lewerke has thrown for more than 1,300 yards with 10 TDs and just 1 interception. He will have to face the wrath of Chase Young, who leads the nation in sacks with 8. The Spartans could have a difficult time moving the ball. On the other side, I doubt the Buckeyes will have many hiccups on offense. Justin Fields is unstoppable and they have too many weapons on offense to cover. The Spartans are always a potential for an upset, but I don't think Ohio State is slowing down any time soon. Buckeyes win 36-17.
California at #13 Oregon
Without QB Chase Garbers, this will be a very difficult upset for Cal to pull on the Ducks. However, their defense gives them a chance, as they will be coming after Justin Herbert. Herbert by the way, has yet to throw an interception this season, but does have 14 TDs on the year. He'll have to navigate around a defense that gives up just 18.6 points per game. However, that's been a big chance on the Oregon side as well. The Ducks defense has given up an average of 10.5 points per game and just 262 yards. I think they'll make a statement in this game as they gear up for Washington in a couple weeks. Oregon wins a good one in Autzen, 30-13.
#7 Auburn at #10 Florida
The biggest game of the week takes place down in the swamp as the Tigers take on the Gators. This is the first of big SEC match-ups we have coming up, and this will really set the tone for the next few weeks. Auburn has looked like one of the more dominant teams in the nation, with a suffocating defense that allows less than 100 rush yards per game. Their offense is led by Freshman QB, Bo Nix and averages 38 points per game. The Gators are relying on backup QB Kyle Trask after the starter Felipe Franks was injured a couple of weeks ago. Florida's defense has looked tough, but has not played much competition yet. They'll hang around in the swamp for a while, but I think Auburn walks out with the victory here. WAR EAGLE and the Tigers win 28-20.
Northwestern at Nebraska
This is always one of the most difficult games of the year to pick for me. Northwestern is always a team Nebraska looks like they could beat, but the games are always tight, keeping everyone on edge. Plus, the road team usually wins, and the Wildcats have taken the last two in Lincoln. However, their offense ranks 126th in the nation and averages just 15.5 points per game. The Blackshirts should have a great opportunity for a bounce back game in this one. The other side of the ball brings more concern, as the Huskers looked absolutely inept on offense last week and for a good amount of the season. The Wildcats have a tough defense too, as they held Wisconsin to just 17 points (on offense) and love to shut down the run. Nebraska needs to establish the ground game then start with easy throws to get Martinez into a rhythm. This will be a tough game, but I've switched my pick from the beginning of the season. Nebraska bounces back at home with a 26-24 victory!
Now for some quick hit predictions on other interesting games around the nation:
Arizona at Colorado- The Wildcats of the desert continue to outfox me and my predictions, but now they travel to Boulder to take on Steven Montez and the Buffs. Arizona gives up more than 330 yards per game through the air, and I know Laviska Shenault Jr. is drooling over that. Buffalo win 37-25.
Baylor at Kansas State- More Wildcats that let me down, ugh. K-State couldn't pull of the win against Oklahoma State last week, but get a chance to knock Baylor from the ranks of the unbeaten this week at home. Statistically these teams line up perfectly, but I'll give the edge to the Bears in this one. I think Matt Ruhle is doing a phenomenal job down in Waco. Bears 33, Wildcats 21.
Air Force at Navy- This is a tricky one, and you never really know what comes in these rivalry games. The Midshipmen have played very well at home though, so I'll give them the edge. Navy beats Air Force 27-23.
Thanks for reading all of my Week 6 Predictions and enjoy all of the games this weekend.
GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Week 5 Reflections
Alright football fans, it's time for my Week 5 reflection. Husker fans, we're going to rip this off like a band-aid and get through the pain quick. Nebraska was completely dominated by Ohio State on Saturday and there's nothing good you can say about that performance. As for elsewhere around College Football, most everyone else took care of business like they were supposed to, but Clemson did have a scare from Mac Brown and North Carolina. This post will break down all the news from Week 5 of College Football, enjoy!
Originally, I was extremely upset with my cousin Henry for putting his wedding on the same day as the Ohio State game, but it actually turned out to be a good thing. While still brutal, I was lucky enough to suffer the pain of Nebraska's 48-7 beat down loss from afar rather than in person. The Buckeyes absolutely demolished the Huskers in every phase of the game, After putting up 38 in the first half, the Buckeyes let off the gas in the second, but all hope was lost for the Huskers at that point. This post could honestly just be all BAD categories, but I did find some GOOD and EXPECTED chunks in there as well. Enjoy as much as you can...
GOOD- Husker fans' unrealistic expectations are quelled. I think one of the few good take-away points from this game would be the pressure that is no longer on this team. The crazy notion that this team would challenge Ohio State for four quarters and even square off against them again in the BIG 10 Championship was plaguing this team. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the Huskers through everything, and I want them to dominate every team in their path, but we all have to be realistic at some point. This is a young team, with a new coaching staff and a lot of growing to do. The BIG 10 is a loaded conference and while the schedule does favor the Huskers, this team just doesn't have enough to tip that scale yet. However, I do believe a loss like this will take some pressure off. It will let these kids play more free and work to get better week by week. There's still a lot out there for this team, and I expect them to improve tremendously by the end of the season. But this is still year two of a new coach with sophomore QB and a lot of young and inexperienced talent. Give this team time to grow, then these blowouts won't happen so much. Culture and success take years to build.
EXPECTED- Justin Fields being amazing. Honestly, I expected the entire Ohio State football team to be amazing, and they lived up to it. This is one of the best teams in the nation, and I picked them for the CFB Playoffs for a reason. This beat down was not pretty, but at the end of the year, I think Nebraska will just be one of many to be destroyed by the Buckeyes. Look for this team to challenge for the title this year, they're a force to be reckoned with.
BAD- Basically everything the Huskers did on Saturday, but especially Adrian Martinez. I don't want to go too far down this rabbit hole, but Martinez played easily the worst game of his career against Ohio State, and the rest of the team followed suit. The Buckeyes are clearly a more talented team, but when I saw Martinez overthrow a four yard screen, I lost it. Now I do think he's a fine athlete and a great football player, but he's going to struggle for a while longer. He's young, and this team is young. The overthrown passes are a big issue, but will be addressed and fixed down the road. As of right now, I think the ground game is the best option for Nebraska.
This game is over, this reflection is over, let's move on for the Huskers' sake... and our own.
Other highlights from around College Football:
- Clemson survives a scare from Mac Brown and the Tar Heels, winning 21-20 after stopping a two-point conversion. The Tigers have not looked to be in top form yet this year, but their schedule gives plenty of leeway to practice.
- Purdue's struggles continue as starting QB Elijah Sindelar will be out 6-8 weeks after breaking his clavicle.
- Penn State absolutely demolished Maryland and will definitely be a challenger in the BIG 10 East.
- Texas A&M and Arkansas yet again proves to be one of the toughest fought rivalries in CFB.
- Watch out for Wake Forrest and SMU. Two high powered offensive attacks have helped these teams remain unbeaten in the early part of the season.
Thank you for reading my Week 5 Reflection post and be sure to watch for my Week 6 Predictions coming up next! GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
Originally, I was extremely upset with my cousin Henry for putting his wedding on the same day as the Ohio State game, but it actually turned out to be a good thing. While still brutal, I was lucky enough to suffer the pain of Nebraska's 48-7 beat down loss from afar rather than in person. The Buckeyes absolutely demolished the Huskers in every phase of the game, After putting up 38 in the first half, the Buckeyes let off the gas in the second, but all hope was lost for the Huskers at that point. This post could honestly just be all BAD categories, but I did find some GOOD and EXPECTED chunks in there as well. Enjoy as much as you can...
GOOD- Husker fans' unrealistic expectations are quelled. I think one of the few good take-away points from this game would be the pressure that is no longer on this team. The crazy notion that this team would challenge Ohio State for four quarters and even square off against them again in the BIG 10 Championship was plaguing this team. Don't get me wrong, I believe in the Huskers through everything, and I want them to dominate every team in their path, but we all have to be realistic at some point. This is a young team, with a new coaching staff and a lot of growing to do. The BIG 10 is a loaded conference and while the schedule does favor the Huskers, this team just doesn't have enough to tip that scale yet. However, I do believe a loss like this will take some pressure off. It will let these kids play more free and work to get better week by week. There's still a lot out there for this team, and I expect them to improve tremendously by the end of the season. But this is still year two of a new coach with sophomore QB and a lot of young and inexperienced talent. Give this team time to grow, then these blowouts won't happen so much. Culture and success take years to build.
EXPECTED- Justin Fields being amazing. Honestly, I expected the entire Ohio State football team to be amazing, and they lived up to it. This is one of the best teams in the nation, and I picked them for the CFB Playoffs for a reason. This beat down was not pretty, but at the end of the year, I think Nebraska will just be one of many to be destroyed by the Buckeyes. Look for this team to challenge for the title this year, they're a force to be reckoned with.
BAD- Basically everything the Huskers did on Saturday, but especially Adrian Martinez. I don't want to go too far down this rabbit hole, but Martinez played easily the worst game of his career against Ohio State, and the rest of the team followed suit. The Buckeyes are clearly a more talented team, but when I saw Martinez overthrow a four yard screen, I lost it. Now I do think he's a fine athlete and a great football player, but he's going to struggle for a while longer. He's young, and this team is young. The overthrown passes are a big issue, but will be addressed and fixed down the road. As of right now, I think the ground game is the best option for Nebraska.
This game is over, this reflection is over, let's move on for the Huskers' sake... and our own.
Other highlights from around College Football:
- Clemson survives a scare from Mac Brown and the Tar Heels, winning 21-20 after stopping a two-point conversion. The Tigers have not looked to be in top form yet this year, but their schedule gives plenty of leeway to practice.
- Purdue's struggles continue as starting QB Elijah Sindelar will be out 6-8 weeks after breaking his clavicle.
- Penn State absolutely demolished Maryland and will definitely be a challenger in the BIG 10 East.
- Texas A&M and Arkansas yet again proves to be one of the toughest fought rivalries in CFB.
- Watch out for Wake Forrest and SMU. Two high powered offensive attacks have helped these teams remain unbeaten in the early part of the season.
Thank you for reading my Week 5 Reflection post and be sure to watch for my Week 6 Predictions coming up next! GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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