Weekly Predictions: Week 8
How bout those Longhorns knocking off Oklahoma? How bout Miss. State coming up and biting the Vanderbilt Commodores in the butts? How bout the Tarheels taking down the Fighting Irish? And did I mention the firings of Auburn coordinator Tony Franklin, and Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden?
And they ask why college football is so addictive. Upsets occur every week, and this coming week will probably do the same. Headliners this week are South Carolina vs LSU in the SEC, and Virginia Tech vs Boston College in the ACC.
It is Tigers for Cocks, and a rematch of the ACC Title game last season. As TO says, "Get your popcorn ready."
Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2)
South Carolina is coming off a 24-17 come from behind win over the Kentucky Wildcats. A drive that was led by freshman QB Stephen Garcia (23-for-35, 300 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT), who gets his first career start this week (much to the chagrin of the Carolina faithful). Garcia will lead an offense that is still finding itself with Kenny McKinley (20 catches, 206 yards, 2 TDs) a constant and wide out, along with the up and coming Jason Barnes (15 catches, 222 yards, 2 TDs). Mike Davis (87 carries, 354 yards, 1 TD) heads an almost non-existent running game. The offense on the whole is averaging about 23 points/game on 109 yards rushing and 243 yards passing.
The #3 defense in the country (No. 2 vs the pass) will have to be in top form. They are giving up about 15 points/game on 132 yards passing and 109 yards rushing. They are led by safeties Emmanuel Cook (56 tackles) and Chris Culliver (21 tackles, 2 INTs), and linebackers Jasper Brinkley (32 tackles, 1 sack) and Eric Norwood (31 tackles, 2 sacks).
#13 Tigers ( 4-1, 2-1)
LSU is coming off a 51-21 butt whooping at the hands of the Florida Gators. Their offense is putting up about 33 points/game on 181 yards rushing and 225 yards passing. Freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee (68-for-115, 852 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs) will lead the offense, while they try to get runningback Charles Scott (83 carries, 570 yards, 6 TDs) back on track. Wideouts Demetrius Byrd (16 catches, 226 yards, 3 TDs) and Brandon LaFell (29 catches, 407 yards, 3 TDs) headline the deep threats.
The defense is giving up 22 points/game, 108 yards on the ground, and 195 yards passing. They are led by safety Harry Coleman (29 tackles), defensive ends Rahim Allen (9 tackles, 3 sacks) and Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois (assuming he plays this week) and cornerback Chris Hawkins (21 tackles, 2 INTs).
Breakdown
For USC, they need to keep getting Moe Brown (21 catches, 334 yards, 1 TD) and Jared Cook (26 catches, 386 yards, 1 TD) the ball, along with McKinley and Barnes. What is even more crucial is the need for a running game outside of what Garcia will give them. They need Mike Davis and/or Bobby Wallace (16 carries, 80 yards), or anyone for that matter, to get consistent positive yardage.
For LSU, they need to get early pressure on Garcia. And, they need to get Byrd and LaFell the ball downfield. They need to get the speedster Trindon Holliday (7 carries, 40 yards; 2 catches, 33 yards) and runningback Keiland Williams (17 carries, 65 yards) in the game.
Prediction
USC has been on a roll this past two weeks on the road, but they need to bring that team that was on the road to Columbia. LSU needs to win this game as they prepare for Alabama it what will be for the SEC West crown.
USC may be hurt by starting a freshman against LSU. Garcia showed poise last week against Kentucky, but LSU is a different animal. LSU though, can't take Garcia lightly and let him get in rhythm.
This could very well come down to which defense makes the most plays.
LSU 24
South Carolina 23
Eagles (4-1, 1-1)
Boston College is coming off a bye week, and has had two full weeks to prepare Beamer ball. The offense is averaging close to 30 points/game on 191 yards rushing and 188 yards passing. Senior quarterback Chris Crane (81-for-142, 889 yards, 4 TDs, 6 INTs; 37 carries, 132 yards, 7 TDs) leads the offense, with runningback M Harris (43 carries, 313 yards, 3 TDs). Brian Robinson (15 catches, 230 yards, 1 TD) and Ross Gunnell (16 catches, 160 yards, 1 TD) supply the passing game.
The Eagle defense is giving up 11 points/game on average with roughly 100 yards rushing and 154 yards passing. They are led by linebacker Mark Herzlich (41 tackles, 2 INTs), defensive tackle BJ Raji (15 tackles, 4 sacks), defensive end Austin Giles (3 sacks), and safety Paul Anderson (19 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs).
#17 Hokies ( 5-1, 2-0)
Virginia Tech is also coming off a bye week. The offense is putting up 25 points/game on 175 yards rushing and 118 yards passing. QB Tyrod Taylor (43-for-70, 495 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs; 66 carries, 338 yards, 2 TDs) has taken over the offense, while Darren Evans (98 carries, 415 yards, 8 TDs) has emerged as a rushing threat. Danny Coale leads all Tech receivers, but no one has really emerged from the group as a go to guy.
The defense is giving up 19 points/game on 130 yards rushing and 185 passing. The leaders are linebacker Purnell Sturdivant (43 tackles, 1 sack), lineman Orion Martin (24 tackles, 4.5 sacks), safety Victor "Macho" Harris (19 tackles, 3 INTs), and backer Stephen Virgil (26 tackles, 2 INTs).
Breakdown
It is going to not only be a rematch of the ACC Title game from last year, but it is also a meeting of former Big East foes, and two of the teams that have held their end of the bargain to make the ACC a power conference.
The game is crucial for both. If Tech wins, they put themselves in great position to make a return trip, and win, at the title game. A loss puts Georgia Tech back into the picture.
If BC wins, they stay in the hunt, but a loss here hurts them big time for a return to the conference title game.
Prediction
Tech's offense has only shown sparks, and relying on one guy--Burns--isn't going to help them in the long run. Also, the lack of an offensive deep threats Burns and Evans will either be the catalysts or the only cogs working in the Tech offensive clock.
BC has a running game as well, but also have a slightly better passing game. Crane has proven to be a running threat, but the passing game leaves something for lacking.
This should be a low scoring, high defense game where the winner may have the bets depth on defense, and survive the attrition.
Boston College 17
Virginia Tech 14
Last Week: 11-6
Week 1: 15-6
Week 2: 14-3
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 12-2
Week 5: 11-6
Week 6: 8-4
Overall: 84-29 (75%)
The Rest of the Week
Georgia over Vanderbilt
Alabama over Mississippi
Kentucky over Arkansas
Miss. State over Tennessee
Florida State over NC State
Wake Forest over Maryland
North Carolina over Virginia
Miami over Duke
Georgia Tech over Clemson
Oklahoma over Kansas
Texas over Mizzou
Michigan State over Ohio State
Penn State over Michigan
So. Cal over Washington State
And they ask why college football is so addictive. Upsets occur every week, and this coming week will probably do the same. Headliners this week are South Carolina vs LSU in the SEC, and Virginia Tech vs Boston College in the ACC.
It is Tigers for Cocks, and a rematch of the ACC Title game last season. As TO says, "Get your popcorn ready."
VS
Gamecocks (5-2, 2-2)
South Carolina is coming off a 24-17 come from behind win over the Kentucky Wildcats. A drive that was led by freshman QB Stephen Garcia (23-for-35, 300 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT), who gets his first career start this week (much to the chagrin of the Carolina faithful). Garcia will lead an offense that is still finding itself with Kenny McKinley (20 catches, 206 yards, 2 TDs) a constant and wide out, along with the up and coming Jason Barnes (15 catches, 222 yards, 2 TDs). Mike Davis (87 carries, 354 yards, 1 TD) heads an almost non-existent running game. The offense on the whole is averaging about 23 points/game on 109 yards rushing and 243 yards passing.
The #3 defense in the country (No. 2 vs the pass) will have to be in top form. They are giving up about 15 points/game on 132 yards passing and 109 yards rushing. They are led by safeties Emmanuel Cook (56 tackles) and Chris Culliver (21 tackles, 2 INTs), and linebackers Jasper Brinkley (32 tackles, 1 sack) and Eric Norwood (31 tackles, 2 sacks).
#13 Tigers ( 4-1, 2-1)
LSU is coming off a 51-21 butt whooping at the hands of the Florida Gators. Their offense is putting up about 33 points/game on 181 yards rushing and 225 yards passing. Freshman quarterback Jarrett Lee (68-for-115, 852 yards, 8 TDs, 5 INTs) will lead the offense, while they try to get runningback Charles Scott (83 carries, 570 yards, 6 TDs) back on track. Wideouts Demetrius Byrd (16 catches, 226 yards, 3 TDs) and Brandon LaFell (29 catches, 407 yards, 3 TDs) headline the deep threats.
The defense is giving up 22 points/game, 108 yards on the ground, and 195 yards passing. They are led by safety Harry Coleman (29 tackles), defensive ends Rahim Allen (9 tackles, 3 sacks) and Tyson Jackson, defensive tackle Ricky Jean-Francois (assuming he plays this week) and cornerback Chris Hawkins (21 tackles, 2 INTs).
Breakdown
For USC, they need to keep getting Moe Brown (21 catches, 334 yards, 1 TD) and Jared Cook (26 catches, 386 yards, 1 TD) the ball, along with McKinley and Barnes. What is even more crucial is the need for a running game outside of what Garcia will give them. They need Mike Davis and/or Bobby Wallace (16 carries, 80 yards), or anyone for that matter, to get consistent positive yardage.
For LSU, they need to get early pressure on Garcia. And, they need to get Byrd and LaFell the ball downfield. They need to get the speedster Trindon Holliday (7 carries, 40 yards; 2 catches, 33 yards) and runningback Keiland Williams (17 carries, 65 yards) in the game.
Prediction
USC has been on a roll this past two weeks on the road, but they need to bring that team that was on the road to Columbia. LSU needs to win this game as they prepare for Alabama it what will be for the SEC West crown.
USC may be hurt by starting a freshman against LSU. Garcia showed poise last week against Kentucky, but LSU is a different animal. LSU though, can't take Garcia lightly and let him get in rhythm.
This could very well come down to which defense makes the most plays.
LSU 24
South Carolina 23
Eagles (4-1, 1-1)
Boston College is coming off a bye week, and has had two full weeks to prepare Beamer ball. The offense is averaging close to 30 points/game on 191 yards rushing and 188 yards passing. Senior quarterback Chris Crane (81-for-142, 889 yards, 4 TDs, 6 INTs; 37 carries, 132 yards, 7 TDs) leads the offense, with runningback M Harris (43 carries, 313 yards, 3 TDs). Brian Robinson (15 catches, 230 yards, 1 TD) and Ross Gunnell (16 catches, 160 yards, 1 TD) supply the passing game.
The Eagle defense is giving up 11 points/game on average with roughly 100 yards rushing and 154 yards passing. They are led by linebacker Mark Herzlich (41 tackles, 2 INTs), defensive tackle BJ Raji (15 tackles, 4 sacks), defensive end Austin Giles (3 sacks), and safety Paul Anderson (19 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INTs).
#17 Hokies ( 5-1, 2-0)
Virginia Tech is also coming off a bye week. The offense is putting up 25 points/game on 175 yards rushing and 118 yards passing. QB Tyrod Taylor (43-for-70, 495 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs; 66 carries, 338 yards, 2 TDs) has taken over the offense, while Darren Evans (98 carries, 415 yards, 8 TDs) has emerged as a rushing threat. Danny Coale leads all Tech receivers, but no one has really emerged from the group as a go to guy.
The defense is giving up 19 points/game on 130 yards rushing and 185 passing. The leaders are linebacker Purnell Sturdivant (43 tackles, 1 sack), lineman Orion Martin (24 tackles, 4.5 sacks), safety Victor "Macho" Harris (19 tackles, 3 INTs), and backer Stephen Virgil (26 tackles, 2 INTs).
Breakdown
It is going to not only be a rematch of the ACC Title game from last year, but it is also a meeting of former Big East foes, and two of the teams that have held their end of the bargain to make the ACC a power conference.
The game is crucial for both. If Tech wins, they put themselves in great position to make a return trip, and win, at the title game. A loss puts Georgia Tech back into the picture.
If BC wins, they stay in the hunt, but a loss here hurts them big time for a return to the conference title game.
Prediction
Tech's offense has only shown sparks, and relying on one guy--Burns--isn't going to help them in the long run. Also, the lack of an offensive deep threats Burns and Evans will either be the catalysts or the only cogs working in the Tech offensive clock.
BC has a running game as well, but also have a slightly better passing game. Crane has proven to be a running threat, but the passing game leaves something for lacking.
This should be a low scoring, high defense game where the winner may have the bets depth on defense, and survive the attrition.
Boston College 17
Virginia Tech 14
Last Week: 11-6
Week 1: 15-6
Week 2: 14-3
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 12-2
Week 5: 11-6
Week 6: 8-4
Overall: 84-29 (75%)
The Rest of the Week
Georgia over Vanderbilt
Alabama over Mississippi
Kentucky over Arkansas
Miss. State over Tennessee
Florida State over NC State
Wake Forest over Maryland
North Carolina over Virginia
Miami over Duke
Georgia Tech over Clemson
Oklahoma over Kansas
Texas over Mizzou
Michigan State over Ohio State
Penn State over Michigan
So. Cal over Washington State
Just Cheddar here droppin by to tell ya to keep up the good work buddy. Great stuff.
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