College Football - Week 3 Games to Watch
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by Kwinger 00
Games to Watch
- My pick in bold
Non-Conference Games
- #1 USC at #14 Nebraska
- This is a tough one. USC didn't look particularly good in Week 1; Nebraska didn't look great in Week 2. Both came away with wins, which leads us to this great showdown between these undefeateds. Something's gotta give. I've been a diehard Husker fan since I was in the fetus, so it's always hard to pick against them. However, I have my reasons. One of them is that USC has had two full weeks to prepare for this game (bye week last week). I'm sure they've gotten enough crap from the coaches in those two weeks about their performance against Idaho in Week 1. Another reason I'm picking USC? Sam Keller. I'm not completely sold on this guy. He makes costly mistakes at key points in the game. Sure he has a rocket arm, but I don't know if he's suited for this type of West Coast offense. Maybe they'd be better off with Joe Ganz back there. He's been in the system for four years, as opposed to Sam being in it for two, and is a better playmaker with his feet. I'll be the first to admit jumping on the bandwagon as soon as Keller came to Nebraska, but this offense isn't suited for him. Don't be surprised to see Ganz on the field soon and a quarterback controversy to ensue. USC wins handily in this one.
- Kentucky at Louisville
- Offense, offense, offense. Both teams have unbelievable top-notch athletes on offense. Both teams are unbelievably mediocre on defense. Which means one thing: fireworks. Kentucky is lead by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation - Andre' Woodson. He's having a great year so far, completing 69% of his passes, 468 yards, 5 TD and 0 INT. Louisville is lead by one of the best quarterbacks in the nation - Brian Brohm. His stats for one game are similar to Woodson's season totals. For the season, he's completing 68% for 776 yards, 9 TD, 0 INT. You'll see both of these guys going high in next year's NFL Draft. Rick Pitino would be happy with the points they're putting up. They've scored 73 and 58 in their first two games. Besides the quarterbacks, both teams have other weapons - on offense of course. Kentucky has RB Rafael Little and WR Keenan Burton, both tremendous playmakers who are electric on special teams. Louisville has RB Anthony Allen, and WRs Harry Douglas and Mario Urrutia, as well as TE Gary Barnidge. Louisville has won the last four in this rivalry, demolishing Kentucky in the first game of the year last year at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium, 59-28. Expect another high scoring affair in this shootout.
- #4 West Virginia at Maryland (*Thursday Night)
- Here's a trap game for West Virginia. Maryland has played a couple cupcakes in their first two and will be waiting for West Virginia. West Virginia has put up big numbers on offense, but given up big numbers on defense against Western Michigan and Marshall. I expect a close one here. I was tempted to call for an upset, but I'll stick with West Virginia.
- #10 Ohio St. at Washington
- Washington is riding high after their win against Boise St. Huskie nation is going to be ready for the Buckeyes. But in the words of Lee Corso, "NOT so fast my friend." Ohio St. is a little more physical than Boise St. and Syracuse (Washington's first two games) and are coming off two relatively easy games against Youngstown St. and Akron. They're fresh and will be ready for this battle.
- Fresno St. at #19 Oregon
- Watch out Oregon. The Ducks are probably feeling pretty good about themselves after killing the most disappointing team in the nation. Fresno St. on the other hand lost a tough one in triple-overtime to Texas A&M on the road. Unlike Michigan, this team can put up points. The last seven games of this series have been decided by a touchdown or less. Oregon has won the last five of this series, but only by a combined 20 points. They scored on a fake field goal late in the fourth quarter to win 31-24 last year. This one could be wild. I wanted to go with Fresno St., but I like Oregon's offense too much.
- Florida St. at Colorado
- Bobby Bowden needs to go. He's done; the game has passed him by. So much for the overhaul on the staff. Again no results. Drew Weatherford is not the answer at quarterback, they haven't had a big time running back in awhile. They're struggling defensively... After all this, they are still only 1-1, and it is the third game of the season. It's a big game for Seminole Nation. Their first trip to Boulder could be rocky. Dan Hawkins had a rough start at Colorado and probably wishes he would've stayed at Boise St. to achieve his dream of knocking off the big dog in a major bowl. Unfortunately, Chris Petersen did it with the team Hawkins built. Now he's trying to bring Colorado back to greatness. Give it a few years, and they'll be contending for Big 12 titles. This year, his son, Cody, has taken over at quarterback, and has looked really good at times. Unfortunately, he's looked like a freshmen for the most part. Coming off a loss at Arizona St., Colorado is happy to be playing at Folsom Field again. The key to this game is whether Colorado RB Demetrius Sumler can get anything going on the ground and help out his young quarterback. If not, it's going to be a long day for the Buffaloes.
- Pitt at Michigan St.
- Coach Dave Wannstedt is in his third year at Pitt, so he should have his own recruits playing and starting to improve as a team. Michigan St. has a new head coach, former Cincinnati head coach Mark Dantonio. Both teams are 2-0, so this is a huge game for each team. Im going with Pitt in a tight one.
- Wyoming at Boise St.
- Wyoming has been solid, beating Virginia and Utah St...at home. Boise St. had a disappointing game last week against Washington...on the road. Boise St. has won 52 of their last 54 games at home. Don't expect another tally in the loss column.
- Iowa at Iowa St.
- Iowa is a legitimate contender in the Big 10, especially if Michigan can't turn their season around. Iowa St. is looking like one of the worst teams in the nation. They have lost to Kent St. and I-AA Northern Iowa so far this season. New coach Gene Chizik must be regretting his decision to leave Texas. I'd like to see the Cyclones keep this one close, but I don't think they will. Iowa in a blowout.
- TCU at Air Force (*Thursday Night)
- Air Force, picked dead last in the Mountain West in Phil Steele's preview magazine, is 2-0, including a big upset against one of the conference favorites Utah. TCU was picked by many to go undefeated and be this year's Boise St. However, they couldn't pull the big upset against Texas last week. Now their goals have shifted to winning the conference. Their first test is against new head coach Troy Calhoun and the new look Falcons, who are at home. Beware Horned Frogs. I'm still going with TCU in this one.
- Hawaii at UNLV
- Hawaii isn't quite as good on the road as at home. Actually, they're not good at all. Since 2000, Hawaii is 41-15 at home, and 13-20 on the road. Louisiana Tech put up a fight at home last week, but lost to Hawaii in overtime, 45-44. So far this year, Hawaii quarterback Colt Brennan is 77-101 for 964 yards, 10 TD, 1 INT. His projected stats for the year, 5784 yards, 60 TD, surpass his amazing year last year when he threw for 5549 yards and 58 touchdowns. Hawaii has 14 carries this year in two games for non-quarterbacks. 14 carries! UNLV put up a fight against Wisconsin last week, losing a tough one in the end, 13-20. Now they get the tough passing attack of Hawaii, but it's at home. Another close one for Hawaii?
"The Toilet Bowl"
- Notre Dame at Michigan
- Who would've thought? A match-up of two of the greatest programs in the history of the game, and it's between 0-2 Notre Dame and 0-2 Michigan. Notre Dame comes into the game with an astounding rushing attack, going for negative eight yards in their first two games. Michigan is just flat out embarrased after losing to Appalachian St. and getting blown out by Oregon - both games at home. Both teams are playing with true freshman quarterbacks. However, Michigan has Michael Hart... and Mario Manningham... and Adrian Arrington... You will see why I think the #2 quarterback in the class of 2007, Ryan Mallett (6'6" 250), is better than the #1 quarterback in the class of 2007 Jimmy Clausen.
Conference Games
- 21 Boston College at #15 Georgia Tech
- Boston College is now 2-0 in the ACC. I have them winning only one more conference game - at Maryland. Georgia Tech doesn't miss quarterback Reggie Baul (graduation), or Calvin Johnson for that matter. They have yet to throw a passing touchdown, but have outscored their opponents 102-17. RB Tashard Choice is the real deal. Imagine if he was still at Oklahoma...
UPSET SPECIALS
- #22 Tennessee at #5 Florida
- Florida is getting hit with the injury bug already. WR Andre Caldwell is out with MCL injury, Tackle Paul Trautwein is out with a stress fracture, and return specialist Brandon James has a sprained ankle, but is expected to play. They are at home, but haven't been tested yet this year, beating Western Kentucky and Troy. Tennessee's defense got killed against the speed of Cal, but their offense can play with anybody. It's a road game, the defense is sketchy, but I'm going out on a limb here. I like Tennesseee this year.
- 16 Arkansas at Alabama
- Here comes Saban's boys! Watch out Arkansas. Although Arkansas has had 2 weeks to prepare, Alabama was busy beating conference foe Vanderbilt 24-10. These two teams played a thriller last year with Arkansas winning 24-23 in double overtime. I guarentee Bryant-Denny Stadium will be full and loud, and they'll make QB Casey Dick's life hell this Saturday.
