Arizona St vs Stanford
Arizona State opens Pac 12 play with a trip to Palo Alto to take on the Stanford Cardinal. The Sun Devils are coming off a controversial win over Wisconsin and look to continue their early season success. The Sun Devils' up tempo offense led by QB Taylor Kelly has been very proficient to start the year. Currently, the Sun Devils are averaging 43.5 points per game and 496 yards per game. RB Marion Grice has helped balance the offensive attack and has already accounted for five rushing touchdowns in two games. He will need to play well if the Sun Devils are going to challenge the Cardinal on Saturday.
Stanford is coming off a not so impressive win over Army last week. It took until the fourth quarter for the Cardinal to pull away from the Black Knights, so expect the Cardinal to try and come out and impose their will early against the Sun Devils. Stanford's pro style offense led by QB Kevin Hogan and RB Tyler Gaffney, while not flashy, is very difficult to stop with the physicality of the offensive line. The key for Stanford in this game is to run the ball and keep the Arizona State offense on the sidelines. As they say, sometimes your best defense is keeping the opposing offense on the sidelines.
Prediction: While Arizona State's offense will put some points on the board early, Stanford will slowly and methodically drive the ball down field throughout the first half, wearing down the Arizona State defense. Arizona State's defense is improved from last year, however, it doesn't have the necessary depth to handle multiple 12 play, 7 minute drives. In the end Stanford's run game will take its toll on the Sun Devil defense and the Cardinal will pull away at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
+Stanford University 31 - +Arizona State University 17
Michigan St vs Notre Dame
The Spartans take on the Irish in what should be a physical, smash mouth kind of game. The Spartans are flying under the radar a bit after the loss of RB Le'veon Bell to the NFL and some low scoring games in their first two outings. Michigan State will rely on its running game and defense against the Irish on Saturday. RB's Jeremy Langford and Nick Hill have rushed for 379 yards and 5 touchdowns through the first three games of the year but will have their hands full with Louis Nix and the Irish front seven.
The Irish got back on track last week beating Purdue 31-24 after losing to Arch Rival Michigan the week before. QB Tommy Rees threw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns against the Boilermakers in a game that the Irish trailed going into the fourth quarter. Rees will need to mirror those results against a defense that is only allowing 12 points per game. The Irish will also need to run the ball better than they have the past two weeks in order to keep the Spartan defense honest and respect the play action.
Prediction: This will be a low scoring game that will come down to who will have the ball last. The Spartans run game will be held in check throughout the game and QB Connor Cook will need to throw the ball to try and free up the run game. The Irish will come up with a defensive stop and Rees will drive his team down the field for a late field goal to take the lead. On the ensuing possession, Cook will have to take chances down field and will throw the game ending interception securing the Irish victory.
+University of Notre Dame 17 - +Michigan State University 14
Utah vs BYU
Outside of Fresno vs Boise, this will be the most exciting offensive game of the weekend. Both teams bring in high powered spread offensive attacks that can put up points in a hurry. Utah will look to get back on track after losing late last week to Oregon St in overtime 51-48. QB Travis Wilson has been sensational to start the year, accounting for 1089 yards and 12 touchdowns through the air and on the ground. RB James Poole and WR Drez Anderson have also been huge for this Utes offensive attack that averages 49 points per game. They will need every bit of their play making ability against the tough front seven of the Cougars.
After a week to prepare for this game, BYU will look to get beat the Utes for the first time since 2009. QB Taysom and RB Jamaal Williams lead the Cougars ground and pound offensive attack. The pair have combined for 607 rushing yards and four touchdowns through two games. The Cougars passing attack will need to improve, however, as Hill has only completed 33.3% of his passes this season. The Utes will stack the box early if the passing attack hasn't improved over the bye week to stop the run.
Prediction: This should be a back and forth game from start to finish. BYU will get the first score of the game with a Jamaal Williams touchdown run. The Utes offense will struggle at the start and will have to adjust to Bronco Mendenhall's scheme that he put together during the bye week. After falling behind 10-0, the Utes offense strikes with a Drez Anderson touchdown reception. After a three and out, the Utes strike again before half with a Travis Wilson touchdown run. Both teams will exchange field goals in the third quarter and the Utes will take the lead into the fourth quarter 17-13. After another Utes field goal, the Cougars down seven, will string together a 10+ play drive resulting in a Taysom Hill touchdown run tying the game up with a little over five minutes remaining in the game. The Utes will get the ball back and after a few plays from Travis Wilson legs, set themselves up in field goal position with less than two minutes left. Rather than playing it safe and relying on their kicker, the Utes take a shot deep and convert resulting in a 30 yard touchdown to Sean Fitzgerald. With little time and no timeouts, the Cougars have to put the ball in Hill's arm rather than his feet and on the second play of the final drive, he throws an interception completing a wild game.
+University of Utah 27 - +BYU 20
Arkansas vs Rutgers
The Razorbacks look to continue their success under first year Head Coach Bret Bielema in their first true road test against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Bielema has brought his power running attack with him to Fayetteville as the Razorbacks are averaging 294 yards rushing a game. The defense has also been tough, only allowing 12.7 points per game albeit against low level competition. Expect a heavy dose of Alex Collins and Jonathan Williams in this game.
The Scarlet Knights will look to beat the Razorbacks for the second year in a row on Saturday. QB Gary Nova will look to manage the game while not forcing any throws into tight windows. Nova has thrown for 542 yards and six touchdowns and two interceptions. The Knights will also look to RB Paul James to continue his early season outburst and keep the Razorback offense on the sidelines. James has accumulated 500 rushing yards and six touchdowns in only three games this year. The Knights will need a balanced attack if they plan on beating the Razorbacks on Saturday.
Prediction: This will be a competitive game throughout the first half with both teams having success on offense. The Razorbacks, however, will take control of the game midway through the third quarter after forcing a turnover and scoring a few plays later. With Rutgers down 13 headed into the fourth quarter, the Knights will become one dimensional and try and beat the Razorbacks through the air which will play right into the Razorbacks hands. After forcing a punt, the Razorbacks will seal the game with a long touchdown run on a tired Scarlet Knight defense.
+Arkansas Razorbacks 34 - +Rutgers University, Newark 17
Upset Special
Tennessee vs Florida
Both teams look to get back on track after less than stellar performances their last time out. Tennessee looks to rebound after a 59-14 trouncing at Oregon. The Vols rushing attack has carried them this year averaging 244 yards a game. RB's Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane have racked up 455 yards and seven touchdowns in three games this year. The Vols will look to continue to lean on their running attack against the Gators on Saturday allowing QB Justin Worley to manage the game and not make any mistakes.
The Gators are coming off their own stinker, losing to Miami two weeks ago 21-16 in a game where their offense was abysmal at times. QB Jeff Driskel will need to improve his decision making as his two costly interceptions and clock management killed the Gators chances at beating the Hurricanes. RB Mack Brown is the Gators play maker on offense and will need to step up against a team that struggled to stop the run, albeit against a more mobile quarterback.
Prediction: Tennessee will get punched in the mouth early in this game with Mack Brown giving the Gators the early lead. The Vols will return the favor with their own rushing attack and even the game near the end of the first quarter. The Vols will take the lead before halftime after packing the box to stop the Gators running game and forcing Driskel to beat them through the air forcing a punt. Worley will come out of halftime and throw a play action bomb down the sideline putting the Vols up 21-10, causing Gator fans to worry. After getting a field goal before the fourth quarter, the Gators will look to pack the box in an attempt to stop the Vols offensive attack and get the ball back to tie it up. This will prove to be costly as the Vols surprise the Gators with a screen that takes them into the red zone. A few plays later the Vols punch it into the endzone and increasing their lead to 28-13 with roughly seven minutes to go in the game. On the ensuing possession, Driskel will force a throw into a tight window and all but seal the fate of the game, much to the dismay of Gator fans.
+Tennessee Volunteers 31 - +Florida Gators 13
Last week: 4-1
Season: 8-7
you nailed the Irish and Sparty. You were way off on your upset special, but no guts no glory. Love your site, i think its great.
ReplyDeleteThanks man glad you like it. I originally had Fresno over Boise but I didn't get the pick in on time so had to take that off my list.
ReplyDelete