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
Friday, October 18, 2019
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
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