Yikes! Looking to get back on track after a disappointing 1-4 record last week. Lets get to it.
Alabama vs Texas A&M
Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide look to avenge last season's loss to the Aggies in what has been the most anticipated game for the past year. The Tide are coming off a bye week and have had plenty of time to draw up a game plan on how to stop Johnny Manziel and the Aggy offense. Arguably no QB has been better in big games than AJ McCarron and he will need to be sharp in this game if the tide expect to hang around in the hostile environment of Kyle Field.The defense will also need to play much better than it did in last year's match up as well.
The Aggies look to build upon the momentum they gained throughout last year and finish near the top of the SEC. The Aggies are coming off a 65-28 thrashing of Sam Houston St at home. Through the first two games of the year, the Aggies offense has been clicking on all cylinders averaging 58.5 point per game albeit against inferior competition. The defense has been a concern for the Aggies, however, as it has allowed Rice to hang around until the fourth quarter and Sam Houston until mid way through the third. If the defense plays like it has the first two games then it could be a long night for the Aggies.
Prediction: While the Aggies offense has been clicking on all cylinders, nobody is better at preparing for a team during a bye week than Nick Saban. The Tide will impose their will on the A&M front seven and hold Ben Molina in check causing Manziel to be a one man show. With a much lighter receiving corps than last year, that is not a recipe for success against Alabama.
Alabama 28 - Texas A&M 17
+Alabama Crimson Tide +Texas A&M University
UCLA vs Nebraska
Brett Hundley and the Bruins travel to Lincoln to take on the Cornhuskers in a much anticipated match up. The Bruins have had a tough week after the loss of teammate Nick Pasquale and will look to honor him with a win on Saturday. The Bruins are coming off a bye week after beating Nevada the week before 58-20. The Bruins feature a nice mix between Hundley's running and throwing ability to go along with RB Jordon James. Expect the Bruins to be physical and try to run the football against the Cornhuskers on a Saturday.
The Cornhuskers got back on track after a scary week 1 performance against Wyoming by defeating Southern Miss 56-13. The defense looked sharped causing four takeaways while Taylor Martinez threw three touchdowns and protected the ball well. Martinez, who has had trouble at times taking care of the football, will need to not turn the ball over against the Bruins if the Huskers are going to stay close in this one.
Prediction: While the Huskers looked better last week, the Bruins are the superior team. The Bruins will be dedicating this game to Nick Pasquale and expect them to come out hot early and look to force Nebraska to beat them through the air. This is not Nebraska's strong suit and it will cause Martinez to make a few costly mistakes.
UCLA 31 - Nebraska 20
+UCLA Bruins +Nebraska Huskers
Iowa vs Iowa St
The battle for the Cy-Hawk trophy will continue on Saturday between the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa St Cyclones. Neither teams seasons got off to good starts with Iowa losing to Northern Illinois and Iowa St losing to Northern Iowa. Iowa beat Missouri St last week 28-14 to try and gain some momentum heading into their annual rivalry with Iowa St. The Hawkeyes have ran the ball successfully in both games and will look to continue that success on Saturday. The Hawkeyes problem has been putting points on the board. This will need to improve if they expect to compete in the Big 10 this year.
The Cyclones are coming off a bye week and are hoping the extra preparation will serve them well against the Hawkeyes. The Cyclones moved the ball well against the Panthers gaining a total of 410 yards of offense. Like the Hawkeyes, the Cyclones problem was putting up points. With an inexperienced defense, the Cyclones will need to put up points this year to compete after the losses of AJ Klein and Jake Knott on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction: This will be a hard fought, grind it out kind of game. Iowa St will have trouble stopping the Hawkeyes running attack in the second half and won't be able to make up the deficit as Sam Richardson will throw a costly interception to end any chance at a comeback.
Iowa 21 - Iowa St 13
+Iowa Hawkeyes +Iowa State Athletics
Oregon St vs Utah
Oregon St travels to Salt Lake City to take on the Utah Utes in a game that should be very entertaining. After losing their season opener to Eastern Washington of the FCS Division, Oregon St rebounded beating Hawaii 33-14 last week. Oregon St has thrown the ball with precision this year averaging 436 yards a game allowing them to average 39.5 points per game. A concern, however, is the fact that the Beavers have had trouble running the ball. The Beavers will need to run the ball to keep Utah's spread offensive attack on the sidelines.
Utah begins a brutal four game stretch on Saturday against the Beavers at home. After beating in state rival Utah St in the opener, Utah beat Weber St 70-7 last week. The Utes have used a balanced attack on offense with the ability to run and throw on any down. The Utes rank 30th in pass offense and 32nd in run offense. The Utes defense will need to be on their A game against Sean Mannion or else they could find themselves in a big deficit early.
Prediction: While all eyes are on the Alabama Texas A&M game, this will be the most exciting game of the weekend. This is sure to be a high scoring back and forth affair with the game being decided late in the fourth quarter. Oregon St's trouble running the ball will bite them in this game as it will allow Utah to drive down the field and score the game winning touchdown with only a few seconds left.
Utah 34 - Oregon St 31
+University of Utah Football +Oregon State University
Upset Special
Wisconsin vs Arizona St
The Badgers travel to Tempe to take on the Sun Devils in what will be a rocking atmosphere. The Badgers have rolled over their first two opponents, both of whom are FCS teams, 45-0 and 48-0. The Badgers get their first real test under first year coach Gary Andersen. The Badgers have always been known for their running game and this year is no exception with the Badgers averaging 390 yards a game. The running game should be Wisconsin's best defense against Arizona State's high tempo spread offense.
Arizona St will look to keep their offensive momentum rolling against the Badgers after beating Sacramento St 55-0 last week. The Sun Devils will rely on the arm of Taylor Kelly against the Badgers on Saturday. The Sun Devils will need to run the ball between the tackles in the red zone to keep the Badgers honest on defense.
Prediction: The Badgers will jump out to an early lead and dominate time of possession in the first half. The Sun Devils will make some offensive adjustments to help keep their defense off the field and start wearing the Badgers defense down while also making up the early deficit. This game will come down to the last possession. The Sun Devils defense will come up strong and force a punt with a few minutes left in the game, putting everything on the arm of Taylor Kelly. Kelly will drive the Sun Devils down the field leading to a last second field goal and the upset victory for the Sun Devils.
Arizona St 34 - Wisconsin 31
+Arizona State University +Wisconsin Badgers
Last week: 1-4
Season: 4-6
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