Thursday September 9th 2010
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| Tyler Russell had a huge game in his debut against Memphis. |
The Tigers got off to a good start putting points on the board against Arkansas State. Cameron Newton had a huge game passing for three touchdowns and rushing for two more. He nearly had the same amount of yardage both ways throwing for 186 and rushing for 171. Auburn had a total of 608 yards offensively. MSU destroyed Memphis at home 49-7 in week one. The Bulldogs used two quarterbacks, junior Chris Relf and freshman Tyler Russell who had a huge night through the air with 256 yards and 4 TD's. With two of his receivers getting 212 of those yards, Brandon Heavens with 112 and Chad Bumpis with 100. Auburn has won four straight in Starkville. The 2008 game ended 3-2. I see a tight matchup here. However there will be more than five points scored this time. In fact there could very well be more than a hundred points scored at Davis Wade Stadium. UPSET ALERT. Auburn gave up alot of yards and points to a so/so Sun Belt team last week. Although I'm a big fan of Cam Newton I'm not sure the Tigers defense can have enough time to prepare for MSU's balanced attack regardless what any body says about the two QB system. They had five players with at least six rushing attempts and each had at least 20 yards. Vick Ballard led with 60 yards on 7 carries and 2 touchdowns. This game could swing and if it ends up being Auburn's offense on the field for the last series, Newton has what it takes to get the victory. Having said that I like the Bulldogs at home. Two Thursday night upsets in a row. MSU 48 Auburn 40. Brandon: Aub. 28 MSU 17.
Friday September 10th 2010
#22 West Virginia Mountaineers 1-0 @ Marshall Thundering Herd 0-1
The Mountaineers look to build off of their 31-0 pounding of FCS opponent Coastal Carolina as they prepare for in state rival Marshall who got destroyed by Ohio State last week. Doc Holliday faces his former boss. They are at home this week but I don't see an upset here. Not even a close one. I know anything can happen in rivalry games but the Herd have no answer for Noel Devine. Their offense didn't even score against the buckeyes. They may find the endzone once or twice but it won't be close. WVU 31 Marshall 14. Brandon: WVU 30 Marsh. 16.
Saturday September 11th 2010
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide 1-0 vs. #14 Penn State Nittany Lions 1-0
This is probably the toughest matchup of the week. Bama's top three defense returns one starter and only allowed three points against San Jose State last week. They're likely still without Mark Ingram but the running game fared well with Eddie Lacy gaining 111 yards while Trent Richardson and Demetrius Goode getting 66 a piece. Penn State got off to a slow start against Youngstown State but still won by 30 with Robert Bolden winning the starting QB role. This game should be a good one but I'm giving the champs the home field advantage here. It won't be a comfortable win necessarily but it won't go down to a two minute offense. Bama 24 PSU 14. Brandon: Bama 27 PSU 20.
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| Terrelle Pryor will try to continue his Heisman run against the Hurricanes. |
GAME OF THE WEEK:
#2 Ohio State Buckeyes 1-0 vs. #12 Miami (FL) Hurricanes 1-0
The quarterback battle is the most intriguing of the week. Terelle Pryor was huge against Marshall and Jacory Harris was nearly perfect going 12-15, 210 yards and a touchdown through the air leading the 'Canes to a 45-0 shutout against Florida A&M. This is another solid matchup of the week and with all due respect to Harris and Miami, they aren't going to pull this one off on the road. Pryor is too powerful and the U is still on the up rise. Buckeyes take this one. OSU 26 Miami 17. Brandon: OSU 28 Miami 20.
#4 Texas Longhorns 1-0 vs. Wyoming Cowboys 1-0
Football really is just a game sometimes. The Cowboys are seeing that as they've lost a member of their team to a tragic accident. Several freshman on the football team were traveling back from visiting friends in Fort Collins, CO while the driver fell asleep at the wheel and freshman linebacker Ruben Narcisse life was taken in the accident. The other's were admitted to a hospital, one needing surgery but survived. It may be hard to cope for Wyoming as they travel to Austin to play the Longhorns this week. None of the players participated in UW's 28-20 victory over Southern Utah on Saturday. I'm sure Mack Brown's Longhorns will welcome them with open arms as they visit. As far as football goes, Texas clobbered the Cowboys when they visited Laramie in September last season. This Texas team is much different from last year. They do have a McCoy at QB still but he's not the starter. Garrett Gilbert had an alright game against Rice. Threw for 172 yards completing 14 of 23 passes. The running game was spread out between Tre' Newton and Cody Johnson. Newton had 61 yards and 3 touchdowns while Johnson had 59 yards. For a team still trying to reload after the Colt McCoy era, this is a good game for them to get the feel. Austyn Carta-Samuels can be dangerous for the Cowboys. He had a huge game against Southern Utah going 26-32 with 319 yards and 3 touchdowns but they only won 28-20. I don't see them having enough to pull the upset here. Texas 43 Wyoming 20. Brandon: Texas 45 Wyoming 18.
#5 TCU Horned Frogs 1-0 vs. Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles 0-1
The Golden Eagles jumped to a 3-0 lead after the first quarter against Arkansas last week and that's about all the good that happened for them. They lost 44-3 and I don't see why the TCU game should be any different. Andy Dalton made his statement against Oregon State passing for 175 yards and a TD while running for 2 TD's. Yes RUNNING. Dalton doesn't do that. Oh yeah Ed Wesley still had 134 rushing yards and a TD himself. Look out TTU. The Horned Frogs are better than the Razorbacks. TCU 58 TTU 0. Brandon: TCU 48 TTU 6.
#6 Florida Gators 1-0 vs. South Florida Bulls 1-0
Both the Gators and Bulls got off to rough starts but ended up winning big. USF used two quarterbacks against Stony Brook and both had solid performances. Running game was decent too. Florida's D kept Miami (OH) out of the endzone and had a pick six in the second quarter. It's the offense that I question. It was 21-12 in the fourth quarter and if it weren't for a bad throw that led to a pick the Redhawks could have knocked on the door. After the pick Jeff Demps erupted for 72 yard touchdown run. The PAT failed. This game took me the longest to pick. I like BJ Daniels and have always been fond of the Bulls. But UF's defense will win this game. As far as offensively, Jeff Demps will bail out Jeff Brantley and the rest of the crew again. Although if USF pulls it off, I wouldn't be surprised. Florida 21 USF 17. Brandon: Florida 40 USF 20.
#7 Nebraska Cornhuskers 1-0 vs. Idaho Vandals 1-0
The Vandals had a solid season last year going 8-5 with a bowl victory against Bowling Green. They upset two MWC opponents and finished 4-4 in WAC play. Did anyone know there was a city named Moscow in the United States? I'm sure that's a first for many. But this week they're playing in Lincoln. I'm sure that's enough said. Blowout alert people. The Huskers are the favorites to win the Big XII in this their finale season. I'm one of those who pick them to do that. Big day for the entire Nebraska offense as they play game two of their four non conference games that should be cake. NU 52 Idaho 10. Brandon: NU 30 Idaho 3.
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| Kenjon Barner looks to build off of his huge game in week one. |
Oregon looked like they were playing an FCS school last week. Although I bet Appalachian State and Montana would take offense to that. New Mexico got shutout 72-0. The Ducks played two QB's as well but Darron Thomas made the highlight reel over Nate Costa. The man of the day was Kenjon Barner with his four rushing TD's. The Vol's have another Simms at quarterback and they shutout UT-Martin. But beware rockytop, the Pac-10 champs (minus Masoli) are in town. Nearly the entire Ducks team from last year returns. I believe I stated that last week. Yeah, the Ducks win this one but the question is, what uniform are they going to wear? Oregon 34 Tennessee 20. Brandon: Oregon 40 Tennessee 21.
#9 Iowa Hawkeyes 1-0 vs. Iowa State Cyclones 1-0
The Cyclones actually had a good year last year. And they were bad statistically. Their wins were North Dakota State, Kent State, Army, Baylor, Colorado, Minnesota with a surprising win over Nebraska. Minus the Huskers, that's not a very good resume. I can't even remember the last time they beat their rival the Hawkeyes. It wasn't even close last year and the game was played in Aimes. Iowa's D is too good to allow a loss to ISU. Don't be surprised to see a shutout. Boring matchup here. Unless you're an Iowa fan. Iowa 45 ISU 9. Brandon: Iowa 30 ISU 20.
#10 Oklahoma Sooners 1-0 vs. #18 Florida State Seminoles 1-0
The Sooners had a surprising game against Utah State. They almost lost at home. WHAT? With all due respect to the Aggies, that's just unacceptable. I'm surprised they're a top ten team after that. Diondre Borel threw for just under 350 yards against this "solid" OU defense. Well guess what Bob Stoops, Christian Ponder is coming to town. It was Borel's three picks and DeMarco Murray that won the game for OU. I don't think Ponder will be throwing three picks. FSU D wasn't great last year so that could be their downfall. Ponder got taken out early against Samford and his backup E.J. Manuel still had 129 yards. Ty Jones had a big game on the ground. Perhaps the game last week against USU was a fluke for OU. First game jitters maybe? Or Utah State is good? If not, the Sooners could find themselves on upset alert. I doubt Stoops will let the scare get mental with his players, but I do think his defense was exposed. I'm calling upset for the Seminoles. This one's going down to the wire. It's Ponder versus Murray. Both with significant games for their respective teams but the Seminoles coming away with the victory. FSU 27 OU 23. Brandon: OU 30 FSU 24.
#11 Wisconsin Badgers 1-0 vs. San Jose State Spartans 0-1
Not sure what to say about the Spartans. Lost by 45 to the defending champs last week. I don't see anything much different this week. The Badgers allowed three touchdowns against UNLV but still doubled their score. Their opponent isn't any better and their at home. Big win for Tolzein and the Badgers. Wisconsin 45 SJSU 8. Brandon: Wisc. 35 SJSU 7.
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| Tyrod Taylor will be hungry for a victory after the loss to Boise State. |
#13 Viriginia Tech Hokies 0-1 vs. James Madison Dukes 1-0
The Hokies lost a tough one in DC to the Broncos of Boise State. They got off to a slow and sloppy start, rebounded yet still fell short 33-30. It's okay Hokies. You can get over it. Boise is an elite no matter what anyone tells you. And you're still a top 15 team. Should be a long night for the Dukes. Tyrod Taylor and Ryan Williams will have a blast as they light up the stat sheet and score board. VT 55 JMU 6. Brandon: VT 36 JMU 6.
#15 Arkansas Razorbacks 1-0 vs. Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks 0-0 (Neutral Field)
ULM had the week off. That gave them some extra time to prepare for the Razorbacks. Yeah right. Ryan Mallett will pour it on in Little Rock. Does the neutral site even make that much of a difference? Arkansas 37 ULM 7. Brandon: Ark. 41 ULM 9.
#16 LSU Tigers 1-0 @ Vanderbilt Commodores 0-1
I'm still mad at LSU for pulling off the victory against the Tar Heels. I won't be doing anything crazy like predicting an upset for it though. The Commodores are horrible. Conference play starts so look for Les Miles to be focused. Jordan Jefferson will show his veteran abilities on the road. LSU 38 Vandy 16. Brandon: LSU 31 Vandy 10.
#17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 1-0 @ Kansas Jayhawks 0-1
SCSU scored more points against the Yellow Jackets last week than the entire outcome of the Kansas vs. North Dakota State game. That wasn't a bag on Tech either. They won the game by 31 points. Oh yeah and Josh Nesbitt threw the ball six times. SCSU's QB had better passing numbers. Why pass the ball when your quarterback runs for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. GT had at least six players with 30 rushing yards. 6-3 Kansas? Really? NDSU? Really? Well don't look for the Jayhawks to be much more of a presence this week as they were last. Don't look for them to be a presence at all in the Big XII this season period. GT 48 KU 9. Brandon: GT 38 KU 14.
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| Steve Spurrier looks to start off 2-0 in 2010. |
#19 Georgia Bulldogs 1-0 @ #25 South Carolina Gamecocks 1-0
Both the Bulldogs and Gamecocks had big wins last week. The Cocks had spread out numbers across the offense besides Alshon Jeffery who found over 100 yards of receiving against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles. The running game looks to be pretty deep this season. The Bulldogs numbers against Louisiana-Lafayette were very similar to South Carolina's. Look for an exciting matchup here. I give the Cocks home field advantage as they pull the upset in a close game. Perhaps Spurrier wasn't a mistake in Columbia. S. Car. 24 UGA 21. Brandon: S. Car. 29 UGA 27.
#20 Utah Utes 1-0 vs UNLV Rebels 0-1
The Utes had an exciting overtime victory over the Pitt Panthers and put them out of the top 25. DeVonte Christopher had 155 of Jordan Wynn's 283 passing yards. Wynn sprained his thumb in the game however and is day-to-day for the Utes. If he's unable to go then backup senior Terrence Cain will call the signals. Cain started the first few games last season before Wynn was named the starter. Utah's defense kept Dion Lewis quiet and he honestly didn't look like a Heisman winner. Didn't have much of an impact. The last time UNLV beat the Utes was in 2007 in Vegas when they shut them out 27-0. Since then the last two meetings haven't been close and I'm not seeing this one being that way either. Omar Clayton threw 16 times but completed just 6 of those passes last week and was the leading rusher for the Rebels in week one against Wisconsin. He does have a talented receiving core and that could get them into the endzone once or twice. No upset here. Utah 38 UNLV 17. Brandon: Utah 32 UNLV 17.
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| Mike Stoops Wildcats looked solid in week one. Can they contend in the Pac-10? |
#23 Arizona Wildcats 1-0 vs. Citadel Bulldogs 1-0
Arizona looked great at Toledo. Their defense shutout the Rockets offense who normally throws for hundreds of yards. The only imperfection on the scoreboard being a safety that Arizona gave to them with a penalty in the endzone. The Wildcats won 41-2 scoring all 43 points on their own. Nick Foles was solid and nearly perfect through the air. 32-37 360 yards and 2 touchdowns. Don't look for anything different this week against The Citadel. Freshman Matt Thompson had a huge game against the Chowan Braves. Who??? Is that a high school? Thompson threw three touchdowns but only threw six passes total. This is the most unlikely upset of the week. AZ wins big. Arizona 51 Citadel 7.
#24 BYU Cougars 1-0 @ Air Force Falcons 1-0
The Falcons started their season with the annual whipping of an FCS school. They downed Northwestern State 65-21. Last year they shutout Nicholls State 72-0 at home to start the season off. Week two sees an unlikely opponent in Colorado Springs. Just two games ago Air Force lost to BYU 38-21 in Provo. Air Force hasn't beaten the Cougars in six years. They're hoping the early season matchup can be victorious. Troy Calhoun had good things to say in the Denver Post about BYU's freshman QB Jake Heaps saying he's a future first rounder and they will be preparing for him as they have in the past with Max Hall. Heaps and junior Riley Nelson each had 131 passing yards against UW last week with Nelson gaining 45 yards on the ground as well and they will both be switching every possession again. BYU's defense kept Jake Locker out of the endzone the entire second half and came up huge with late stops. Air Force rarely throws the ball and BYU usually has their number. I don't see a change in recent history with this one. Although, the nay sayers don't think the Cougars will win. As they shouldn't have last week either. BYU 34 Air Force 20. Brandon: BYU 28 Air Force 24.
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| Can Denard Robinson repeat his performance from week one in South Bend? |
Michigan Wolverines 1-0 @ Notre Dame Fighting Irish 1-0
The Wolverines had the surprisingly surprising victory over UCONN last week. (If you struggled with that, repeat the sentence slowly until you understand). They beat the Huskies by three touchdowns. Denard Robinson had the best offensive performance of the week with 186 yards through the air and 197 on the ground with a touchdown each. Those are disgusting numbers against a fellow AQ school. Notre Dame beat Purdue by 11 at home. Hosting the Wolverines may not be an easy task. Malcolm Floyd had a good game for the Irish in Brian Kelly's debut. He's reloading an offense that just lost Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate. Malcom Floyd is still in South Bend though and he could be the next Tate. This matchup will go down to the wire and I give Rich Rod's Michigan crew the edge. Kelly is still rebuilding this team and lets face it, Purdue isn't any good. Tough home loss for the Irish. Michigan 28 ND 23. Brandon: Mich 24 ND 21.
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