Weekly Predictions (11-10-2007)
Well, I did bad in the big games last week (0-2). Arkansas's McFadden and Jones took the USC defense to the woodshed (I said USC needed to stop Jones; he scored 3 TDs, McFadden had 1 rush, 1 pass TD...they didn't stop Jones).
LSU beat Alabama on a John Parker Wilson fumble around the Tide 4-yard line that was later punched in for 6.
Oh well, it is a new week, and I've got 2 more big game breakdowns, and the rest of my picks on the ACC and the SEC.
This week I'm looking at the two big games in the conferences. The ACC gets Clemson vs Wake Forest and SEC gets Auburn vs Georgia. (yeah, no South Carolina. I'm hoping that maybe if I don't write about them, they might win, plus the UGA v AU game carries a little more in the standings)
Auburn vs Georgia
Tigers (4-2, 7-3; 2nd in SEC West)
The Tigers are coming off a blowout 35-3 victory over patsy Tennessee Tech. After a rocky start, Auburn appears to have things going......better. After Brandon Cox rode the bench for a little bit in favor of Kodi Burns, Cox (137-225-7 for 1619 yards and 8 TDs) appears to be pulling a Blake Mitchell like resurgence, minus the passing. The offense is really pretty balanced statistically. They average about 160 yards running and 183 through the air, and about 26 (25.5) points per game. RBs Sophomore Ben Tate, RS Freshman Mario Fannin, and Junior Brad Lester have combined for 318 carries for 1,522 yards and 13 TDs. The leading receiver is Rodqeriqus Smith, who has 43 catches for 593 yards and 5 TDs.
The Defense gives up 114 yards on the ground and 180 yards through the air for about 15 (14.5) ppg. They are led by junior LB Chris Evans (58 tackles, 1 INT), sophomore DE Antonio Coleman (26 tackels, 6 sacks) and senior DB Patrick Lee (42 tackles, 4 INTs).
Bulldogs (4-2, 7-2; 1st in SEC East)
The Bulldogs are coming off a surprisingly close 44-34 win over Troy. Although the offense averages 206 yards through the air, they are still a powerful running team, tallying 174 yards on the ground, and 31 ppg. Knowshon Moreno is the leading rusher on 1003 rushing yards for 9 TDs on 178 carries. Thomas Brown spells Moreno, with 76 carries for 413 yards and 6 TDs.
Matthew Stafford has improved from last year, but still has room to improve. (He is only completing 56% of his passes) He has gone 143-255-6 for 1798 yards and 15 TDs. The leading receiver is Sean Bailey, with 27 catches for 391 yards and 3 TDs.
The defense allows 132 yards on the ground and 209 through the air, on 22 ppg. The D is led by Dannell Ellerbee (55 tackels, 2.5 sacks) Marcus Howard (28 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and Reshed Jones (45 tackles, 1 INT; three other DBs also share the lead with 1 INT).
The Low Down
Both teams are coming off wins. Auburn off a big one, UGA off a closer than wanted. Both teams like to run the ball, and both teams are looking to improve their records for the bowls. UGA needs this win to hold onto its first place standing in the East, and Auburn is looking to at least stay in striking distance of LSU.
My Prediction
I really see this as an old school SEC game-Tough runs games and tough defenses. Neither team really has that potent of a pass attack, but each can throw when they need to. This leads me to the key of the game, QB play. I see the winner of this game having the QB that manages the game. If either Cox or Stafford attempt to win the game, it could mean a loss for their respective teams.
It will be another slober-nocker between the Bulldogs and Tigers (how many Tigers do we have in the NCAA?? This is ridiculous!) that much is certain.
Bulldogs 23
Tigers 24
Clemson vs Wake Forest
Tigers (4-2, 7-2; 2nd in ACC Atlantic)
We have another Tiger team on the blog this week, a first. Clemson is coming off a win over the Harvard of the Southest, Duke. The offense has been on fire the past three weeks, led by QB Cullen Harper (187-287-4 for 2,166 yards and 23 TDs; passer rating 152.2), RB James Davis (135 carries for 798 yards and 8 TDs) and WRs Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham (combined 93 catches for 1,165 yards and 12 TDs). The offense is averaging 36 ppg, on 167 rushing yards and 258 passing yards.
The defense has been relatively strong also the past 3 games, allowing about 14 ppg in the span. The are led by LB Nick Watkins (86 tackles, 1 sack) DE Ricky Sapp (29 tackles, 4 sacks) and S Michael Hamlin (60 tackles, 4 INTs). They give up 125 yards on the ground, 157 through the air, and 19 ppg for the season.
Demon Deacons (4-2, 6-3; 3rd in ACC Atlantic)
Wake is coming off a last second 17-16 missed field goal loss to Virginia. The offense puts up about 150 yards on the ground and 192 through the air for 29 ppg. They are led on the ground by RS Freshman RB Josh Adams (137 carries for 651 yards and 6 TDs) , Senior WR Kenneth Moore (65 carries, 715 yards, 5 TDs), Senior TE John Tereshinski (brother of former UGA QB Joe Tereshinski) (24 catches, 300 yards, 1 TD) and Sophomore QB Riley Skinner (145-198-10 for 1412 yards and 7 TDs).
The D allows 121 yards on the ground, 224 through the air for 22 ppg. It is led by Junior S Chip Vaughn (81 tackles, 1 INT), Senior DE Jeremy Thompson (31 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and CB Alphonso Smith (30 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INTs).
The Low Down
Clemson is coming off three big wins; but those wins were against inferior opponents, the best being Maryland (last in the Atlantic Division with 1 conference win) (the others were Central Michigan and Duke, not the most impressive line up)
Wake is looking to recover from the heartbreaker that was Virginia, and looking to get back into some form of contention to win the Division from Boston College (even though BC has the tie break) Clemson needs the win to stand a chance next week standing wise when they play BC.
My Prediction
The Clemson offense is on fire, and the D is playing tough; but I'm not sure if they can have the same results against equal competition.
Wake, as mentioned, is coming off a lose. Also, last year Clemson proved you can play one quarter a win a game, as they stole a win in Winston-Salem last year with a Gaines Adams blocked field goal.
I see the Wake pass D having trouble guarding the tall Kelly, the speedy Jacoby Ford, and the reliable Tyler Grisham aka Wes Welker. Also, the key to this game is to not allow RB CJ Spiller break is patented big run and give the Tigers momentum.
The Clemson D will have to be disciplined to contain the moving Wake offense that likes to spread the field, and run the option, run, or pass.
Also don't forget that Bowden tends to disappear coaching wise when going up against equal or superior coaching talent, like Jim Grobe (be honest, if Grobe and Bowden had the same talent and depth, Grobe would probably win the game 9 out of 10 times) and that will be a key to the game.
Clemson 23
Wake Forest 27
And for the rest of the picks:
UNC over NC State (Butch Davis beats his rival school in year 1; NC St. can't even hold the ball)
GT over Duke (Poor Blue Devils)
VT over FSU (The new ACC order dispatches the old)
UVA over Mia (FL) (VA wins another close ball game)
BC over Maryland (BC gets back to winning ways, hopefully clinching division if Clemson loses)
Tenn. over Arkansas (no, I'm not jumping on the Hog train just yet)
Alabama over MSU (close defensive game)
Kentucky over Vandy (Kentucky has too many weapons on offense)
LSU over La Tech (like Tech stands a chance...well, neither did App State)
Florida over South Carolina (maybe if I don't pick them, they'll win)
Previous 10 Weeks: 73-26 (74%)
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
Week 9: 7-4
Week 10: 8-4
LSU beat Alabama on a John Parker Wilson fumble around the Tide 4-yard line that was later punched in for 6.
Oh well, it is a new week, and I've got 2 more big game breakdowns, and the rest of my picks on the ACC and the SEC.
This week I'm looking at the two big games in the conferences. The ACC gets Clemson vs Wake Forest and SEC gets Auburn vs Georgia. (yeah, no South Carolina. I'm hoping that maybe if I don't write about them, they might win, plus the UGA v AU game carries a little more in the standings)
Auburn vs Georgia
Tigers (4-2, 7-3; 2nd in SEC West)
The Tigers are coming off a blowout 35-3 victory over patsy Tennessee Tech. After a rocky start, Auburn appears to have things going......better. After Brandon Cox rode the bench for a little bit in favor of Kodi Burns, Cox (137-225-7 for 1619 yards and 8 TDs) appears to be pulling a Blake Mitchell like resurgence, minus the passing. The offense is really pretty balanced statistically. They average about 160 yards running and 183 through the air, and about 26 (25.5) points per game. RBs Sophomore Ben Tate, RS Freshman Mario Fannin, and Junior Brad Lester have combined for 318 carries for 1,522 yards and 13 TDs. The leading receiver is Rodqeriqus Smith, who has 43 catches for 593 yards and 5 TDs.
The Defense gives up 114 yards on the ground and 180 yards through the air for about 15 (14.5) ppg. They are led by junior LB Chris Evans (58 tackles, 1 INT), sophomore DE Antonio Coleman (26 tackels, 6 sacks) and senior DB Patrick Lee (42 tackles, 4 INTs).
Bulldogs (4-2, 7-2; 1st in SEC East)
The Bulldogs are coming off a surprisingly close 44-34 win over Troy. Although the offense averages 206 yards through the air, they are still a powerful running team, tallying 174 yards on the ground, and 31 ppg. Knowshon Moreno is the leading rusher on 1003 rushing yards for 9 TDs on 178 carries. Thomas Brown spells Moreno, with 76 carries for 413 yards and 6 TDs.
Matthew Stafford has improved from last year, but still has room to improve. (He is only completing 56% of his passes) He has gone 143-255-6 for 1798 yards and 15 TDs. The leading receiver is Sean Bailey, with 27 catches for 391 yards and 3 TDs.
The defense allows 132 yards on the ground and 209 through the air, on 22 ppg. The D is led by Dannell Ellerbee (55 tackels, 2.5 sacks) Marcus Howard (28 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and Reshed Jones (45 tackles, 1 INT; three other DBs also share the lead with 1 INT).
The Low Down
Both teams are coming off wins. Auburn off a big one, UGA off a closer than wanted. Both teams like to run the ball, and both teams are looking to improve their records for the bowls. UGA needs this win to hold onto its first place standing in the East, and Auburn is looking to at least stay in striking distance of LSU.
My Prediction
I really see this as an old school SEC game-Tough runs games and tough defenses. Neither team really has that potent of a pass attack, but each can throw when they need to. This leads me to the key of the game, QB play. I see the winner of this game having the QB that manages the game. If either Cox or Stafford attempt to win the game, it could mean a loss for their respective teams.
It will be another slober-nocker between the Bulldogs and Tigers (how many Tigers do we have in the NCAA?? This is ridiculous!) that much is certain.
Bulldogs 23
Tigers 24
Clemson vs Wake Forest
Tigers (4-2, 7-2; 2nd in ACC Atlantic)
We have another Tiger team on the blog this week, a first. Clemson is coming off a win over the Harvard of the Southest, Duke. The offense has been on fire the past three weeks, led by QB Cullen Harper (187-287-4 for 2,166 yards and 23 TDs; passer rating 152.2), RB James Davis (135 carries for 798 yards and 8 TDs) and WRs Aaron Kelly and Tyler Grisham (combined 93 catches for 1,165 yards and 12 TDs). The offense is averaging 36 ppg, on 167 rushing yards and 258 passing yards.
The defense has been relatively strong also the past 3 games, allowing about 14 ppg in the span. The are led by LB Nick Watkins (86 tackles, 1 sack) DE Ricky Sapp (29 tackles, 4 sacks) and S Michael Hamlin (60 tackles, 4 INTs). They give up 125 yards on the ground, 157 through the air, and 19 ppg for the season.
Demon Deacons (4-2, 6-3; 3rd in ACC Atlantic)
Wake is coming off a last second 17-16 missed field goal loss to Virginia. The offense puts up about 150 yards on the ground and 192 through the air for 29 ppg. They are led on the ground by RS Freshman RB Josh Adams (137 carries for 651 yards and 6 TDs) , Senior WR Kenneth Moore (65 carries, 715 yards, 5 TDs), Senior TE John Tereshinski (brother of former UGA QB Joe Tereshinski) (24 catches, 300 yards, 1 TD) and Sophomore QB Riley Skinner (145-198-10 for 1412 yards and 7 TDs).
The D allows 121 yards on the ground, 224 through the air for 22 ppg. It is led by Junior S Chip Vaughn (81 tackles, 1 INT), Senior DE Jeremy Thompson (31 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and CB Alphonso Smith (30 tackles, 2 sacks, 4 INTs).
The Low Down
Clemson is coming off three big wins; but those wins were against inferior opponents, the best being Maryland (last in the Atlantic Division with 1 conference win) (the others were Central Michigan and Duke, not the most impressive line up)
Wake is looking to recover from the heartbreaker that was Virginia, and looking to get back into some form of contention to win the Division from Boston College (even though BC has the tie break) Clemson needs the win to stand a chance next week standing wise when they play BC.
My Prediction
The Clemson offense is on fire, and the D is playing tough; but I'm not sure if they can have the same results against equal competition.
Wake, as mentioned, is coming off a lose. Also, last year Clemson proved you can play one quarter a win a game, as they stole a win in Winston-Salem last year with a Gaines Adams blocked field goal.
I see the Wake pass D having trouble guarding the tall Kelly, the speedy Jacoby Ford, and the reliable Tyler Grisham aka Wes Welker. Also, the key to this game is to not allow RB CJ Spiller break is patented big run and give the Tigers momentum.
The Clemson D will have to be disciplined to contain the moving Wake offense that likes to spread the field, and run the option, run, or pass.
Also don't forget that Bowden tends to disappear coaching wise when going up against equal or superior coaching talent, like Jim Grobe (be honest, if Grobe and Bowden had the same talent and depth, Grobe would probably win the game 9 out of 10 times) and that will be a key to the game.
Clemson 23
Wake Forest 27
And for the rest of the picks:
UNC over NC State (Butch Davis beats his rival school in year 1; NC St. can't even hold the ball)
GT over Duke (Poor Blue Devils)
VT over FSU (The new ACC order dispatches the old)
UVA over Mia (FL) (VA wins another close ball game)
BC over Maryland (BC gets back to winning ways, hopefully clinching division if Clemson loses)
Tenn. over Arkansas (no, I'm not jumping on the Hog train just yet)
Alabama over MSU (close defensive game)
Kentucky over Vandy (Kentucky has too many weapons on offense)
LSU over La Tech (like Tech stands a chance...well, neither did App State)
Florida over South Carolina (maybe if I don't pick them, they'll win)
Previous 10 Weeks: 73-26 (74%)
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
Week 9: 7-4
Week 10: 8-4
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