SMU at #21 Memphis
This may not seem like the most interesting game to most, but these two American Conference West teams match up pretty well. The Tigers are coming off a BYE, and have yet to be challenged in a game since mid-October. The Mustangs are coming off two tough losses over the past two weeks, 31-24 to UCF and 43-40 to Navy. The big thing to note from these losses is how close SMU was in each game. Memphis was blown out by UCF 40-13, but did come away with a 3-point win against Navy. There's a 12.5 spread on this game, primarily because of Memphis QB Riley Ferguson. He's thrown for nearly 2,900 yards this year and has 27 TDs compared to just 7 picks. The Tigers' offense averages just over 500 yards per game and 42.3 points. Neither team has much to offer on defense as they both give up around 32 points per game and 450 yards, so I expect this to be a barn-burner. The Mustang offense is very similar, with a solid QB in Ben Hicks and a dynamic rushing attack lead by Xavier Jones. Hicks has also thrown for nearly 2,900 yards and has a 24:7 TD to INT ratio while Jones has 806 yards on the ground and 7 TDs. I've watched SMU over the past couple weeks, and this team can move the ball. Memphis will struggle to stop them in this game, and it's definitely going to be closer than the spread. I'm picking the upset on this one, just to cause some chaos in the American West Division! Besides, the third time is the charm if the Mustangs can hang close. There will be some highlights from this one, SMU 41, Memphis 40.
Arizona at Oregon
Both of these teams have been up and down this year, but I think Arizona has been playing very well. Since switching over to Khalil Tate at QB, their offense has been nearly unstoppable, especially on the ground. The Ducks are coming off a BYE, so they'll be rested, and their rush defense only gives up 129 yards per game on average. The spread is only 2.5 points, but I think Tate will look to change that. Oregon has struggled to find a lot of balance, especially when Justin Herbert doesn't play. He'll be back for today, so that gives the Ducks a great chance to compete, but I love watching Khalil Tate because he reminds me of a young T-Magic Martinez at Nebraska. High-scoring affair, but Tate will run away with the show. Wildcats win a big road game against the Ducks 45-33.
UCLA at #11 USC
We've got some rivalries starting up for us a week early as the Battle for Los Angeles takes place in the Coliseum. The Bruins only source of possible points is Josh Rosen. He does not have a ground game to lean on, and not much of an o-line either as he's been sacked 19 times so far this year. USC's defense has had ups and downs, but they are 2nd in the nation with 37 sacks so far this season. Rosen will be under constant pressure, and USC should run away with this one. Sam Darnold will have his offense cruising, and I think Ronald Jones II will have a huge game as the Bruins give up 302 average yards per game on the ground. Trojans roll in this rivalry game, 48-20.
Cal at #22 Stanford
The Game. Cal & Stanford meet yet again to continue one of the most storied rivalries in the PAC-12. The Golden Bears head up to the Farm to take on the 22nd ranked Cardinal who are coming off a huge upset of Washington last week. Cal is looking to get bowl eligible with a win today, and they've hung around with some solid teams this year, so a win is not completely out of the picture. However, Stanford has Love, and Love always prevails. Of course I'm talking about Bryce Love, the Cardinal RB with 1,622 yards and 15 TDs. As long as they feed him the rock, they will be fine. KJ Costello, the Stanford QB, played well last week, but against a weaker defense like Cal, he should have more room to make plays on his own. I've been watching Cal a lot this year, and they've improved drastically in their first year under HC Justin Wilcox, so this will definitely be a tricky team to play in the years upcoming. This is the 35th anniversary of "The Play" though, so craziness is always a possibility. I like Stanford to run away with this one though, Cardinal 30, Golden Bears 17.
Harvard at Yale
The battle of two of the most iconic Ivy League teams takes place yet again as the Bulldogs host the Crimson. Now I have not followed either of these teams this year, but this game has a lot riding on it as Yale can win the outright Ivy League title for the first time in 8 years. Statistics and records go out the window in a game like this, but with Harvard looking for revenge from last year, I'm going to side with the Crimson! Harvard upsets Yale and spoils their Ivy League title with a 28-22 win!
#24 Michigan at #5 Wisconsin
The only ranked match-up of the weekend takes place up in Madison as the Badgers take on the Wolverines. Michigan disappeared from everybody's radar since getting blown out in Prime Time against Penn State. However, they've changed QBs, and the Wolverines have won 3 straight games, scoring 30+ in all of them. Sophomore Brandon Peters has started each of those last 3 games, and hasn't been amazing, but has definitely been an upgrade for Michigan at QB. He has a 60.9% completion rating with 329 yards 4 TDs and 0 picks. However, he's played some really lackluster defenses thus far... and the Badgers are no slacker on that side of the ball. Wisconsin ranks 3rd in scoring defense, 7th in passing defense and 1st in both rushing and total defense. They have forced 22 turnovers so far this season, and I expect more to come today. This will be a classic BIG 10, grinder kind of game as Michigan has a tough defense as well. They're down just a couple pegs at 3rd in total defense, so I don't expect many points in this one. However, the Badgers are just too consistent for me to go against. Having watched them live, and seeing firsthand how dominant they can be late in the game running the ball, I can't pick the Wolverines. Look for Troy Fumagali to make some big 3rd down catches to seal the game for Wisconsin. Badgers finish strong and win 30-14.
Nebraska at #10 Penn State
I really don't want to talk about this game. I'm the most optimistic person ever, but even before the season started, I called this game a loss for my Huskers. Penn State is far too dominant of a team, and Mike Riley just does not have the team or they system to compete with them this year. Nebraska has all but rolled over for the rest of the season, and this will not go well. Tanner Lee is cleared to play, which helps the Cornhuskers tremendously, but it still won't be enough. I'm very hopeful for the upset, and again, anything is possible on any given Saturday! Look for JD Spielman to have another big game and that's about it. He's our only bright spot this year, because the Huskers are going to get demolished today. I'm tired of being wrong, so I'm picking the Nittany Lions. Hopefully it's not this bad, but I've got Penn State 60-20. #Praying4theUpset
Here are some Quick Hits on other interesting games to watch today:
Kentucky at #7 Georgia: The Bulldogs are looking to bounce back after getting THUMPED last week against Auburn. They've already clinched the SEC East division crown, so they'll still get to Atlanta regardless. However, if they want to get back into the Playoff picture, no mess-ups are allowed. The Wildcats are much improved, but on the road against an angry Bulldog team doesn't look fun. I think they'll break into the 21.5 point spread, but the DAWGS win it 40-24.
Virginia at #3 Miami: The Cavaliers are much improved from recent years, but the 'Canes still have that Turnover Chain. If there was a let down game possibility, it would be this one. Miami is coming off two major wins against Virginia Tech and Notre Dame, but now has to play an 11 am game against a weaker team. I don't think they'll fall asleep in this one, but they'll be drowsy. Cavs keep it closer than the spread, but the U wins it 34-21.
Minnesota at #23 Northwestern: The Gophers ran all over Nebraska last week, but I doubt they'll be able to do that against Pat Fitzgerald's squad. The Wildcats rank 7th in rush defense, so Minnesota will have a difficult time moving the ball. Feed Justin Jackson, and the Wildcats should win this one easy. Northwestern 37, Minnesota 23.
Air Force at #25 Boise State: The Broncos are looking for their 7th straight win against the Falcons tonight on the "Smurf Turf". The Falcons have really struggled against the run game, but with both teams scoring around 32 points this could be a close one. I'll stick with the Bronco's though, I've been to the Blue Turf, and it just gets to your head. Broncos 38, Falcons 23.
Last year there were lots of major upsets on this day with all the big schools playing cupcakes, so be sure to watch for the chaos! Thanks for reading and GO BIG RED!
#CollegeFootballKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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