Weekly Predictions (10-27-2007)
Well, I went 1-1 with the in state game. USC fell to Vanderbilt (not what I thought would happen), and Clemson spanked Central Michigan (like I thought would happen) It is a new week, as USC travels to Tennessee, and Clemson travels to Maryland.
USC vs. Tenn.
Volunteers (4-3, 2-3)
Tennessee is coming off a loss to rival Alabama and are looking to get back into the win column. They are led on offense by QB Erik Ainge, who has gone 169-256-4 passing this year with 13 TDs, accumulating 1,797 yards passing, and a passer rating of 138.6. WR Lucas Taylor has proven to big the big target for Ainge, hauling in 43 balls for 633 yards and 3 TDs. Arian Foster leads the running backs with 625 yards and 8 TDs. The offense on a whole is averaging about 32 points per game, with 148 yards on the ground and 270 through the air.
The defense is lead by the linebacker duo of Jerod Mayo and Rico McCoy, and the DB Jonathan Heffney, a former Rock Hill High standout. The defense is giving up about 32 ppg, on 158 yards on the ground and close to 250 through the air.
Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2)
South Carolina is coming off a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt, and are looking to do the same as Tennessee. QBs Chris Smelley and Blake Mitchell split time, but neither were able to get the ball in the endzone. Smelley remains the top stat QB, going 89-157-6 with 9 TDs with 1,136 yards. RBs Cory Boyd and Mike Davis haven't been getting as many touches, but still are effective, putting up a combined 958 yards for 9 TDs on 197 carries. Kenny McKinley still leads a young wide receiver corp. The offense is putting up 25 ppg on 115 yards on the ground, and 215 through the air.
The defense is lead by DE Eric Norwood and S Emmanuel Cook. They give up roughly 17 (like againt Vandy) ppg, on 178 yards by ground, and 145.9 through the air.
Low-Down
Both schools are coming off embarrassing losses last week. South Carolina is looking just to find the endzone after 6 offensive scoreless quarters. Tennessee is looking for consistency. After blowing out Georiga, to get blown out by Florida and Alabama.
My Prediction
This is a tough game to predict, mostly because neither team has looked consistent over the past two weeks. The SC offense got embarrassed last week, and UT also lost a rivalry game.
For USC to win, the defense will be leaned on heavily, and the offense will have to produce.
The UT offense runs with Ainge, when he is on, there are few that are better, but when he is off, the team suffers.
USC will have to do defensively what they did to Kentucky's Andre Woodson; pressure, pressure, pressure, and hold on for the offense to hopefully score a TD or two.
UT will have to beat the USC defense, and hope their defense can hold USC to 10 scoreless quarters.
South Carolina 17
Tennessee 10
Clemson vs. Maryland
Terps (4-3, 1-2)
Maryland is coming off a heart breaker against Atlantic Division co-leader Virginia, and are coming into a crucial division game against Clemson. Maryland has lost QB Jordan Steffy, but has found a very adequate replacement QB Chris Turner. Turner has appeared in 5 games, and started the last two for the 'Terps, and has accumulated 540 yards and a touchdown, while going 41-62-2, giving him a 138.16 passer rating. Darrius Heyward-Bey is the go to guy for the offense. He has brought in 27 balls for 419 yards and a touchdown. Even though Heyward-Bey is the deep threat, the Terps run on the run, and RB Keon Lattimore is the feature back, amassing 629 yards on 151 carrries, and has crossed the plain 9 times this year.
The offense on a whole is averaging about 25 points per game, 157 yards on the ground and 173 through the air.
The defense is led by LBs Erin Henderson (73 tackles, 1 INT) and Dave Philistin (66 tackles).
On the whole, the Terps give up 22 points per game, 153 yards on the ground, and 205 yards through the air.
Tigers (5-2, 2-2)
Clemson came off their bye week with a bang, putting up 70 points on the MAC leading Central Michigan Chippewas. QB Cullen Harper is continuing to silence critics who continue to call for Willy Korn to the tune of 1803 yards with 27 TDs, while going 153-235-4, getting a passer rating of 151.6. RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller have been a little quiet this year. Davis has had a stronger year, carrying the ball 98 times for 551 yards and 6 TDs. WR Aaron Kelly leads the wide outs with 637 yards on 46 catches for 6 TDs.
The offense together is putting up about 36 ppg, on 157 rushing yards and 278 yards passing.
The defense continues to be led by LB Nick Watkins and DE Phillip Merling.
The defense is holding opponents to 20 ppg, on 143 rushing yards and 147 through the air.
The Low-Down
Maryland is in need of a win, as is Clemson. Maryland is going to live and dye by the run, and Clemson is just looking to see if the offensive production can be repeated against equal competition.
My Prediction
Maryland played very well against a tough Virginia team, and Clemson dominated last week against an inferior opponent.
Stars will not win this game.
For Maryland defensively, they have got to keep an eye out for WR Tyler Grisham (28 catches 334 yards and 3 TDs), and on offense keep it away from S Michael Hamlin, and block DE Ricky Sapp.
For Clemson, they have to make sure DE Dre Moore (team leading 4 sacks) is covered at all times, and to not throw it anywhere near DB Kevin Barnes (team leading 3 INTs).
Clemson 30
Maryland 24
Other picks for the week (SEC/ACC)
Kentucky over Miss. St
Arkansas over Fla. Int.
Vanderbilt over Miami (OH)
Auburn over Mississippi
Wake Forest over North Carolina
Virginia over NC State
Florida State over Duke
And for the other two big games:
Florida over Georgia in "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" aka Biggest Grouping of Drunks in a Given City.
Boston College over Virginia Tech
Previous 8 Weeks: 58-18 (76%)
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
Week 8: 8-4
USC vs. Tenn.
Volunteers (4-3, 2-3)
Tennessee is coming off a loss to rival Alabama and are looking to get back into the win column. They are led on offense by QB Erik Ainge, who has gone 169-256-4 passing this year with 13 TDs, accumulating 1,797 yards passing, and a passer rating of 138.6. WR Lucas Taylor has proven to big the big target for Ainge, hauling in 43 balls for 633 yards and 3 TDs. Arian Foster leads the running backs with 625 yards and 8 TDs. The offense on a whole is averaging about 32 points per game, with 148 yards on the ground and 270 through the air.
The defense is lead by the linebacker duo of Jerod Mayo and Rico McCoy, and the DB Jonathan Heffney, a former Rock Hill High standout. The defense is giving up about 32 ppg, on 158 yards on the ground and close to 250 through the air.
Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2)
South Carolina is coming off a disappointing loss to Vanderbilt, and are looking to do the same as Tennessee. QBs Chris Smelley and Blake Mitchell split time, but neither were able to get the ball in the endzone. Smelley remains the top stat QB, going 89-157-6 with 9 TDs with 1,136 yards. RBs Cory Boyd and Mike Davis haven't been getting as many touches, but still are effective, putting up a combined 958 yards for 9 TDs on 197 carries. Kenny McKinley still leads a young wide receiver corp. The offense is putting up 25 ppg on 115 yards on the ground, and 215 through the air.
The defense is lead by DE Eric Norwood and S Emmanuel Cook. They give up roughly 17 (like againt Vandy) ppg, on 178 yards by ground, and 145.9 through the air.
Low-Down
Both schools are coming off embarrassing losses last week. South Carolina is looking just to find the endzone after 6 offensive scoreless quarters. Tennessee is looking for consistency. After blowing out Georiga, to get blown out by Florida and Alabama.
My Prediction
This is a tough game to predict, mostly because neither team has looked consistent over the past two weeks. The SC offense got embarrassed last week, and UT also lost a rivalry game.
For USC to win, the defense will be leaned on heavily, and the offense will have to produce.
The UT offense runs with Ainge, when he is on, there are few that are better, but when he is off, the team suffers.
USC will have to do defensively what they did to Kentucky's Andre Woodson; pressure, pressure, pressure, and hold on for the offense to hopefully score a TD or two.
UT will have to beat the USC defense, and hope their defense can hold USC to 10 scoreless quarters.
South Carolina 17
Tennessee 10
Clemson vs. Maryland
Terps (4-3, 1-2)
Maryland is coming off a heart breaker against Atlantic Division co-leader Virginia, and are coming into a crucial division game against Clemson. Maryland has lost QB Jordan Steffy, but has found a very adequate replacement QB Chris Turner. Turner has appeared in 5 games, and started the last two for the 'Terps, and has accumulated 540 yards and a touchdown, while going 41-62-2, giving him a 138.16 passer rating. Darrius Heyward-Bey is the go to guy for the offense. He has brought in 27 balls for 419 yards and a touchdown. Even though Heyward-Bey is the deep threat, the Terps run on the run, and RB Keon Lattimore is the feature back, amassing 629 yards on 151 carrries, and has crossed the plain 9 times this year.
The offense on a whole is averaging about 25 points per game, 157 yards on the ground and 173 through the air.
The defense is led by LBs Erin Henderson (73 tackles, 1 INT) and Dave Philistin (66 tackles).
On the whole, the Terps give up 22 points per game, 153 yards on the ground, and 205 yards through the air.
Tigers (5-2, 2-2)
Clemson came off their bye week with a bang, putting up 70 points on the MAC leading Central Michigan Chippewas. QB Cullen Harper is continuing to silence critics who continue to call for Willy Korn to the tune of 1803 yards with 27 TDs, while going 153-235-4, getting a passer rating of 151.6. RBs James Davis and CJ Spiller have been a little quiet this year. Davis has had a stronger year, carrying the ball 98 times for 551 yards and 6 TDs. WR Aaron Kelly leads the wide outs with 637 yards on 46 catches for 6 TDs.
The offense together is putting up about 36 ppg, on 157 rushing yards and 278 yards passing.
The defense continues to be led by LB Nick Watkins and DE Phillip Merling.
The defense is holding opponents to 20 ppg, on 143 rushing yards and 147 through the air.
The Low-Down
Maryland is in need of a win, as is Clemson. Maryland is going to live and dye by the run, and Clemson is just looking to see if the offensive production can be repeated against equal competition.
My Prediction
Maryland played very well against a tough Virginia team, and Clemson dominated last week against an inferior opponent.
Stars will not win this game.
For Maryland defensively, they have got to keep an eye out for WR Tyler Grisham (28 catches 334 yards and 3 TDs), and on offense keep it away from S Michael Hamlin, and block DE Ricky Sapp.
For Clemson, they have to make sure DE Dre Moore (team leading 4 sacks) is covered at all times, and to not throw it anywhere near DB Kevin Barnes (team leading 3 INTs).
Clemson 30
Maryland 24
Other picks for the week (SEC/ACC)
Kentucky over Miss. St
Arkansas over Fla. Int.
Vanderbilt over Miami (OH)
Auburn over Mississippi
Wake Forest over North Carolina
Virginia over NC State
Florida State over Duke
And for the other two big games:
Florida over Georgia in "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party" aka Biggest Grouping of Drunks in a Given City.
Boston College over Virginia Tech
Previous 8 Weeks: 58-18 (76%)
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
Week 8: 8-4
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