Weekly Predictions 10/20/2007
Alright, last week I didn't do as well (I went 6-3). I completely missed the Kentucky upset, the Auburn win, and the Wake win over the over hyped Seminoles. Anyway, onto this week.
Both in-state schools are in action this week; Clemson takes on the MAC leading Central Michigan Chippewas (Can someone tell me what a Chippewas is?) and South Carolina returns to conference play with Vanderbilt.
USC vs. Vanderbilt
Commodores (3-3, 1-3)
Vanderbilt is coming off a heart-breaker to Georgia (along with a V stomping that pissed off Georgia coach Mark Richt, nice going UGA). Bobby Johnson has slowly improved the program since he has been there, the only problem is the SEC continues to get better, but the 'Dores are competetative, and command respect every week.
They are led on offense by star (and in my opinion, the best wide out in the SEC, and top 5 in the nation) Earl Bennet, who has 44 catches for 530 yards and 4 TDs.(averaging about 88 yards per game). They also have a mobile QB in Chris Nickson, who although still needs to polish his passing skills, is athletic enough to still present problems. (62-118 with 5 INTs for 763 yards and 6 TDs).
The defense is led by LB Jonathan Goff who is argueably in the top 2 in SEC LBs (with LSU's Ali Highsmith; Jasper Brinkley isn't included since he is injured for the year).
The offense is averaging about 23 points per game on 147 (roughly) rushing yds/game, and 174 through the air. The defense is giving up 20 points per game, close to 150 yards on the ground, and 166 through the air.
Gamecocks (6-1, 3-1)
USC is coming off a close (as I thought might happen) win over UNC. Looking at the first half, the offense was clicking, the defense dominated; the second, the offense resembled that of a lame duck during hunting season, and the defense just got worn out. But they got the "W".
After the game, the offense was putting up about 28 points per game, with close to 130 yards on the ground, and 221 through the air. The defense is was giving up close to 17 points per game, 182 yards on the ground, and 149 through the air (dropping them to third best pass D).
Low-Down
This should again be a W for USC. (They have better overall talent on the field) QB Chris Smelley looked very good the first half at UNC, and WR Dion Lecorn is slowly developing into a major threat. Also, USC still has RBs Cory Boyd and Mike Davis.
The defense for SC took more hits after the game, with injuries to Darian Stewart and Stoney Woodson, and Andy Boyd (all three should play; along with Carlos Thomas, but don't be surprised if he sits out one more week, can't rush back a neck injury)
Vandy was crushed last week in the waning seconds, but they have top notch guys in Bennet and Goff, and a pretty decent running back; and don't forget about Nickson.
My Prediction
USC seems to have a habit to play to their opponents, which could come back to bite them.
Vandy is always known for a big upset just about every year; they may be pretty much out of the SEC race, but that doesn't mean they can't affect the outcome.
The offensive line still remains an issue for Carolina, not something you want to have going into your 8th game of the season.
Still, I have a feeling that SC will break out the passing game big time.
Vandy doesn't have the depth to play with SC, but SC can't let them hang around.
South Carolina 38
Vanderbilt 17
Clemson vs. Central Michigan
Chippewas (4-3, 3-0)
CMU is led by QB Dan LeFevour (6'3, 226) who has thrown for over 1700 yards so far (179-269-5 INTs) and 13 TDs. He also leads the team in rushing with 73 carries for 440 yards and 8 TDs. His favorite targets are WRs Antonio Brown (5'11 175) and Bryan Anderson (6'5, 205).
The defense is led by LB Red Keith (79 tackles, 1 INT, 2 recovered fumbles).
Central Michigan is putting up 34 ppg, going along with 168 yards on the ground and 260 through the air. The defense is giving up close to 35 points per game, on 170 yards on the ground and a little over 305 through the air.
Tigers (4-2, 2-2)
Clemson had a bye last week. They are led by the foursome of QB Cullen Harper, RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller, and WR Tyler Grisham. Harper has gone 130-213 for 1530 yards with 14 TDs and 3 INTs. Davis and Spiller have combined for 138 carries for 667 yards and 5 TDs.
Grisham (24 catches, 275 yards 3 TDs) had a breakout game against VT, and was a brighspot in the performance.
The offense on a whole is putting up close to 30 ppg, on 126 yards on the ground and 272 through the air.
The defense is led by the threesome of LBs Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie, and DE Phillip Merling.
The defense on a whole is giving up 21 ppg, 154 yards against the rush and 135 through the air.
The Low-Down
Clemson is coming off a bye week, but previously got embarrassed by Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. A major complaint, and hole, was the play of special teams, even after the hire of a special teams coach. If Bowden can't come back and win this game convincenly, then his already hot seat will probably be scorching, and if he loses, then Terry Don Phillips may meet Bowden on the paw at mid field after the game with a pink slip in one hand, and a contract buyout in the other.
Central Michigan should be looking to not get blown out, because they shouldn't win this game.
(I would say more, but I just don't know that much about CMU, except they are winning their division in the MAC)
My Prediction
This is may be the most important game for Clemson this year; after getting beat the last two games, the team has to get confidence in this game to go into the home streak of their schedule. A question on everyones mind (and mine) is if a week off have improved the special teams play, which was downright autrocious against VT.
Central Michigan, as mentioned before, shouldn't and probably won't win this game. The best hope for them is that they can keep this close.
This is pretty much Clemson's game to win, or to lose.
Clemson 45
Cent. Michigan 13
Other picks for the week:
Arkansas over Mississippi
West Virginia over Miss. State
LSU over Auburn
Kentucky over Florida
Tenn. over Alabama
GT over Army
Wake Forest over Navy
Miami over FSU
ECU over NC State
Virginia over Maryland
Previous 7 weeks: 50-14 (78%)
Week 1: 8-3
Week 2: 9-0
Week 3: 6-3
Week 4: 7-1
Week 5: 7-2
Week 6: 7-2
Week 7: 6-3
USC vs. Vanderbilt
Commodores (3-3, 1-3)
Vanderbilt is coming off a heart-breaker to Georgia (along with a V stomping that pissed off Georgia coach Mark Richt, nice going UGA). Bobby Johnson has slowly improved the program since he has been there, the only problem is the SEC continues to get better, but the 'Dores are competetative, and command respect every week.
They are led on offense by star (and in my opinion, the best wide out in the SEC, and top 5 in the nation) Earl Bennet, who has 44 catches for 530 yards and 4 TDs.(averaging about 88 yards per game). They also have a mobile QB in Chris Nickson, who although still needs to polish his passing skills, is athletic enough to still present problems. (62-118 with 5 INTs for 763 yards and 6 TDs).
The defense is led by LB Jonathan Goff who is argueably in the top 2 in SEC LBs (with LSU's Ali Highsmith; Jasper Brinkley isn't included since he is injured for the year).
The offense is averaging about 23 points per game on 147 (roughly) rushing yds/game, and 174 through the air. The defense is giving up 20 points per game, close to 150 yards on the ground, and 166 through the air.
Gamecocks (6-1, 3-1)
USC is coming off a close (as I thought might happen) win over UNC. Looking at the first half, the offense was clicking, the defense dominated; the second, the offense resembled that of a lame duck during hunting season, and the defense just got worn out. But they got the "W".
After the game, the offense was putting up about 28 points per game, with close to 130 yards on the ground, and 221 through the air. The defense is was giving up close to 17 points per game, 182 yards on the ground, and 149 through the air (dropping them to third best pass D).
Low-Down
This should again be a W for USC. (They have better overall talent on the field) QB Chris Smelley looked very good the first half at UNC, and WR Dion Lecorn is slowly developing into a major threat. Also, USC still has RBs Cory Boyd and Mike Davis.
The defense for SC took more hits after the game, with injuries to Darian Stewart and Stoney Woodson, and Andy Boyd (all three should play; along with Carlos Thomas, but don't be surprised if he sits out one more week, can't rush back a neck injury)
Vandy was crushed last week in the waning seconds, but they have top notch guys in Bennet and Goff, and a pretty decent running back; and don't forget about Nickson.
My Prediction
USC seems to have a habit to play to their opponents, which could come back to bite them.
Vandy is always known for a big upset just about every year; they may be pretty much out of the SEC race, but that doesn't mean they can't affect the outcome.
The offensive line still remains an issue for Carolina, not something you want to have going into your 8th game of the season.
Still, I have a feeling that SC will break out the passing game big time.
Vandy doesn't have the depth to play with SC, but SC can't let them hang around.
South Carolina 38
Vanderbilt 17
Clemson vs. Central Michigan
Chippewas (4-3, 3-0)
CMU is led by QB Dan LeFevour (6'3, 226) who has thrown for over 1700 yards so far (179-269-5 INTs) and 13 TDs. He also leads the team in rushing with 73 carries for 440 yards and 8 TDs. His favorite targets are WRs Antonio Brown (5'11 175) and Bryan Anderson (6'5, 205).
The defense is led by LB Red Keith (79 tackles, 1 INT, 2 recovered fumbles).
Central Michigan is putting up 34 ppg, going along with 168 yards on the ground and 260 through the air. The defense is giving up close to 35 points per game, on 170 yards on the ground and a little over 305 through the air.
Tigers (4-2, 2-2)
Clemson had a bye last week. They are led by the foursome of QB Cullen Harper, RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller, and WR Tyler Grisham. Harper has gone 130-213 for 1530 yards with 14 TDs and 3 INTs. Davis and Spiller have combined for 138 carries for 667 yards and 5 TDs.
Grisham (24 catches, 275 yards 3 TDs) had a breakout game against VT, and was a brighspot in the performance.
The offense on a whole is putting up close to 30 ppg, on 126 yards on the ground and 272 through the air.
The defense is led by the threesome of LBs Nick Watkins and Tremaine Billie, and DE Phillip Merling.
The defense on a whole is giving up 21 ppg, 154 yards against the rush and 135 through the air.
The Low-Down
Clemson is coming off a bye week, but previously got embarrassed by Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech. A major complaint, and hole, was the play of special teams, even after the hire of a special teams coach. If Bowden can't come back and win this game convincenly, then his already hot seat will probably be scorching, and if he loses, then Terry Don Phillips may meet Bowden on the paw at mid field after the game with a pink slip in one hand, and a contract buyout in the other.
Central Michigan should be looking to not get blown out, because they shouldn't win this game.
(I would say more, but I just don't know that much about CMU, except they are winning their division in the MAC)
My Prediction
This is may be the most important game for Clemson this year; after getting beat the last two games, the team has to get confidence in this game to go into the home streak of their schedule. A question on everyones mind (and mine) is if a week off have improved the special teams play, which was downright autrocious against VT.
Central Michigan, as mentioned before, shouldn't and probably won't win this game. The best hope for them is that they can keep this close.
This is pretty much Clemson's game to win, or to lose.
Clemson 45
Cent. Michigan 13
Other picks for the week:
Arkansas over Mississippi
West Virginia over Miss. State
LSU over Auburn
Kentucky over Florida
Tenn. over Alabama
GT over Army
Wake Forest over Navy
Miami over FSU
ECU over NC State
Virginia over Maryland
Previous 7 weeks: 50-14 (78%)
Week 1: 8-3
Week 2: 9-0
Week 3: 6-3
Week 4: 7-1
Week 5: 7-2
Week 6: 7-2
Week 7: 6-3
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