Good morning College Football fans! I hope you're ready for a big slate of game predictions because Week 3 is LOADED with big games. This post will focus on all the key games this weekend, and break down what the Huskers need to do in order to upset Oklahoma in the renewed rivalry. Don't get your hopes too high Husker fans, but anything can happen on a wild college football Saturday!
Week 2 Record: 7 - 4
Overall Record: 24 - 12
#8 Cincy at Indiana
The Bearcats travel to Bloomington for an interesting matchup. The Hoosiers fell flat in the season opener against Iowa, but have a great opportunity to make a statement with a win at home over a top 10 team. Michael Penix Jr. has not thrown the ball well, completing just barely over 50 percent of his passes and has 3 picks on the season thus far. Cincy has yet to be tested this season, but their defense is always tough to move the ball against. Desmond Ridder and Jerome Ford have that offense humming, so we'll see if the Hoosier defense can wake up and keep this one close. I was very big on Indiana early in the year, but Cincy is hard to go against. I like the Bearcats on the road 27-23.
#15 Virginia Tech at West Virginia (Battle for the Black Diamond Trophy)
The other historic rivalry being renewed on Saturday is the battle for the Black Diamond Trophy between the Hokies and the Mountaineers. West Virginia leads the series all time, but Virginia Tech has held the trophy since 2004, winning the last three meetings. The Hokies are coming off of a big upset against North Carolina, and are now ranked #15 in the country. West Virginia lost their opener in another rivalry game with Maryland, and really want to get that Black Diamond Trophy. They're going to be up against a very tough defense as the Hokies give up just an average of 350 yards per game. I think the Black Diamond Trophy is going to stay in Blacksburg, VA for a while longer. Virginia Tech wins it 24-14.
Michigan State at #24 Miami
Sparty has looked really good so far this season, but now they travel to South Beach for a showdown with the Canes. Miami is in need of a higher profile win to make up for the beat down from Bama and the close victory against Appalachian State. D'Eriq King and the Hurricane offense have not been very productive, averaging just 19 points per game and 320 yards. Michigan State has been rolling on offense however, averaging 550+ yards per game. Kenneth Walker III has been a beast at running back, averaging 10.7 yards per carry and he's already racked up 5 TDs this season. The Canes have been holding the run game in check, but I like Sparty to win a big one on the road. Michigan State 34, Miami 21.
Minnesota at Colorado
The BIG 10 and PAC-12 clash again as the Golden Gophers travel to Boulder to take on the Buffs. Colorado nearly knocked off Texas A&M last week, but gave up a late touchdown and lost the game 10-7. They showed some tremendous toughness though, holding the Aggies to under 100 yards rushing and recording 5 tackles for loss. Minnesota is steading the boat after Mohamed Ibrahim got injured in the opening week against Ohio State. Treyson Potts has stepped into the RB roll and done quite well thus far. Tanner Morgan has yet to throw a pick, so hopefully they can keep that trend as the Gophers win a big one on the road 31-20.
Nevada at K-State
Easily one of the sneakiest games on the schedule, you won't want to forget checking into this game. Now the surface says it's just K-State and a non-conference opponent, but this game features one of dthe best players in the nation. Wolfpack QB Carson Strong is already turning some heads and could quickly become one of the top pics in the draft. He's thrown for nearly 700 yards in two games this season and already has 6 TDs to his 2021 resume. Manhattan, KS is always a tricky place to play however, and the Wildcats do have a very solid defense. This will be put to the test early and often with Nevada tossing the ball around. The Wolfpack are my dark horse team, so I'm sticking with them. Carson Strong is going to light this one up an Nevada wins it on the road 28-24.
Purdue at #12 Notre Dame
The Boilermakers are looking to finish the job when they travel to South Bend, IN looking to upset Notre Dame. Florida State and Toledo have given the Irish just about everything, but now Purdue takes their shot. Their air raid is led by Junior QB Jack Plummer, who is completing nearly 74 percent of his passes with over 550 yards, 6 TDs and 0 interceptions. He'll have a tougher task against the Irish's defense, but they've been giving up nearly 400 yards per game on defense. Offensively Notre Dame has really struggled to run the ball, and that trend could continue as the Boilermakers have been quite stout in that department. Jack Coan has helped keep this offense moving though, and they always seem to edge these games out. Irish win this fight 38-31.
#1 Alabama at #11 Florida
The SEC Championship rematch is set and the Gators are looking to avenge their 52-46 loss from last December against the Tide. It'll be nice for Florida to have the home turf in this game, but that's about all that's going to be nice for them. The Crimson Tide are practically on stoppable on offense, and the Gators still have a lot of rebuilding on that side of the ball before they can keep pace with the likes of Bama. Emory Jones is still getting used to the QB1 spot in Gainesville, and this will be the first real test of the season. Bryce Young has had no issues throwing to all the talent in Tuscaloosa, racking up nearly 600 yards and 7 TDs through the air in two games. The Bama run game is still developing, but I like the Tide to Roll in the Swamp 45-21.
#22 Auburn at #10 Penn State
The White Out crowd returns to Penn State as the Nittany Lions host an SEC foe in the Tigers of Auburn. I'm going to warn everyone, this could be a very similar game to the Week 1 Wisconsin-Penn State matchup, a defensive battle. Both teams are traditionally stout on that side of the ball, and this year is no exception. Auburn has yet to be challenged this season, but Penn State has given up a total of 23 points in two games and will be looking to slow down the Tiger offense. Auburn's defense has already racked up 9 sacks this season, so Sean Clifford will need to get the ball out of his hands quickly. This is a tricky prediction has Auburn hasn't played anyone relevant yet, and they're traveling into one of the most hostile environments in all of college football. This would be a major win for both teams, but I'm taking the Nittany Lions at home, you just can't go against them in a white out! Nittany Lions 26, Auburn 24.
#19 Arizona State at #23 BYU
The Cougars are coming off a big upset against rival Utah and are looking to knock off another PAC-12 Opponent. Jaren Hall has jumped in at QB and done very well, throwing 5 TDs so far this season without a pick. The defense is playing well, and should give the Sun Devils their first real test of 2021. ASU quarterback Jayden Daniels has a great chance to lead his team to the PAC-12 championship, but they need to see how their offense stacks up against some more talented opponents. They've played well on defense this far, but traveling to Provo is not easy. I like to Cougars at home to win this one 30-20.
Fresno State at #13 UCLA
The Bruins are my new pick to win the PAC-12 South. Chip Kelley's squad is playing very well this season, I'm all phases. They had an early bye week last Saturday, but host another tough opponent with the Bulldogs from Fresno. They play teams close and nearly knocked off Oregon in the opening week. The Bruins can't overlook this game and need to be sharp. Dorian Thompson-Robinson and the offense could put on a show, and I expect to see one. Bruins 31, Bulldogs 21.
Nebraska at #3 Oklahoma
The 50th anniversary of the Game of the Century is here as my beloved Huskers travel down Norman to spark up one of the best rivalries in all of college football. Unfortunately, I don't anticipate this game going very well for my Huskers, but here's what they need to do to win... EXECUTE ON OFFENSE! Oklahoma's defense is very vulnerable and will give Nebraska plenty of chances for points. However, with the lack of blocking and creative playcalling, I fear the Huskers will make the Sooner defense look like All-Americans. Adrian Martinez is playing well this season, but he needs help from his run game and needs to throw the ball quicker. Defensively the Huskers have been solid, but OU is another monster. Spencer Rattler has a lot of weapons at his disposal, and the high-tempo will make it difficult for the Huskers to rotate backers and linemen. The blackshirts need to get pressure on him in order to help their secondary. Last but not least, special teams cannot be an issue. The Huskers have given up too many points, turnovers and field position because of special teams and that will cripple any chances of beating Oklahoma. My prediction for this game isn't great and I'm not sure if Nebraska will even be in the same area code when it comes to the scoreboard staying close. Oklahoma 55, Nebraska 21.
Quick Hit Predictions:
USC at Washington State - The Tojans no longer have Clay Helton running the show, so they'll be out to prove something big here. Wazzu is still rebuilding and can move the ball, but don't play well on defense. I like USC to win 36-24 on the road.
Northwestern at Duke - Both teams fell flat on opening weekend and are looking to right the ship. They demolished D-II opponents last week, so there's a lot to find out. I'll stick with my BIG 10 squad in the Wildcats as Pat Fitzgerald is too good of a coach to let his team slip in this one. Northwestern 28, Duke 20.
South Carolina at #2 Georgia - This one should be well taken care of, but the Gamecocks are always a good opponent for a trap game. They're playing Beamer ball with some sneaky special teams and could cause headaches for Georgia early on. The Bulldogs defense will rise up though and hopefully Georgia can figure out their offense. They win it at home between the hedges 34-14.
Utah at San Diego State - The Utes lost to the Cougars last week and now have to travel to San Diego for a showdown with the Aztecs. Charlie Brewer will need to be sharp in this game as SDSU has a very stingy defense. I like the home team on the upset here. San Diego State beats Utah 23-17.
Virginia at #21 North Carolina - The Tar Heels fell fast in the ranks after their loss to Virginia Tech, and now they take on the other Virginia team. The Cavaliers have dominated opponents, including a 42-14 beat down on Illinois last week. UNC will look to bounce back and need better play from their offensive line to allow Sam Howell to make plays. I think they'll get it done and win at home 37-28.
Oklahoma State at Boise State - An interesting late night game sets up as the Pokes travel to Boise to take on the Broncos. The Cowboys haven't looked great this year, really struggling to put up points. Defensively, they will have a tough time with this Bronco offense. Boise is always tough to beat on the Smurf Turf, so I'm taking them at home. Broncos buck off the Cowboys 41-23.
Thanks for reading my Gameday Predictions and GO BIG RED!
#CFBKnowItAll
Alex Fernando
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