Weekly Predictions: Week 12
The BCS is out, and a loss here hurts. Teams have now widdled their way either up to par, or out of contention. The SEC Title game is set with Alabama from the West and Florida from the East, while the ACC divisions are still up for grabs.
Iowa had the upset of the week as they took down Penn State, and the door is still open for teams like Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Southern Cal to get to the title game.
The weeks are counting down. Let's play week 12.
#3 Gators (8-1, 6-1)
Florida is coming off an administered beat down on Vanderbilt. Again, their special teams came through and set the game off. QB Tim Tebow, although isn't having a career year compared to last year, is going strong this year. WR Percy Harvin is as explosive as ever, and newcomers like Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps bring explosiveness to an already fast offense.
On defense, end, and SC native, Carlos Dunlap is a force to be reckoned with, and linebacker Brandon Spikes is having an ALL-SEC season. Safeties Ahmad Black and Major Wright are hard hitting ball hawks, and corner Janoris Jenkins is a true shut down corner in the making.
#24 Gamecocks (7-3, 4-3)
South Carolina had homecoming last week, and took care of business by beating Arkansas with a dual QB system with Stephen Garcia and Chris Smelley. The running game seemed to have a better day with Mike Davis and Eric Baker alternating, and the receiving game is led by record holder Kenny McKinley, and his helped by Moe Brown, Jason Barnes, and Jared Cook.
The SEC's top defense will be tested with the Florida speed. Players like linebackers Jasper Brinkley and Eric Norwood, corners Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson, and defense linemen Cliff Matthews and Ladi Ajiboye will have to have all star games.
Breakdown
This game marks Steve Spurrier's second trip to The Swamp as the Gamecock coach, which by now is an overplayed, meaningless story line. Florida has better team speed overall, but SC has been able to keep the games close, except for last season's. Tim Tebow is the key for Florida, while the Gamecocks are looking for consistent QB play for Smelley and Garcia.
Prediction
Florida is fast. It is reported that close to 10-15 guys on the two deep run 4.4 or faster in the 40-yard dash. Last time the teams met, it showed as the Gators demolished the Gamecocks en route to Tebow's Heisman trophy.
For South Carolina to stand a chance, their defense will have to hold the Florida offense under control, and keep it close, and the offense has to hold onto the ball.
Sadly, I just don't think SC has the speed to keep up with Florida for 48 minutes. Add in free safety Chris Culliver being out for the first half, and it doesn't look good for the Cocks.
I see the game close, with Florida pulling away late.
Florida 30
South Carolina 21
VS
Hurricanes (6-3, 3-2)
Miami is coming off a 7-point victory over Virginia. QBs Robert Marve and Jacory Harris are alternating, and create an interesting dynamic. Marve is mobile with an accurate arm, with Harris being "extra mobile" and a less accurate arm. Runningbacks Craig Cooper, Derron Thomas, and Javarris James trio a strong running game, while receivers Aldarius Johnson and Travis Benjamin give a combo of size and speed.
Defensively, the 'Canes are fast, physical, and aggressive,. Scary part, their best players are probably on the bench. Linebackers Darryl Sharpton, safety Anthony Reddick, and corner Chavez Grant headline it. The D is prone to giving up points thought (22 ppg).
Hokies (6-3, 3-2)
Virginia Tech is coming off a 23-13 win over Maryland. QBs Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon are the classic duo system. Taylor has the legs with a big arm, with Glennon has the accurate arm, but lacks the ability to break plays open with his legs. The most pleasant surprise for the Hokies is runningback Darren Evans, who is coming off a career performance. The lacking area of the offense is the wide receiver position, with no proven skill guy. Tight end Greg Boone is the X-factor, who, at 6'3 280 lbs, is a monster who runs the "Wild Turkey" (Wild Hog) offense.
The defense is tough, physical, disciplined. Linebacker Cam Martin, corner Victor "Macho" Harris, safety Cam Chancellor, and end Orion Martin head the lunchpale crew.
Breakdown
The winner of this game holds the best chance to get to the ACC title game. This former Big East rivalry has finally arrived in the expanded ACC. Both teams are using a dual QB system, and both have strong D. The difference is that Miami may be more explosive, but VT's Evans had a coming out party.
Prediction
This should be a close, physical ballgame. Miami has a more potent offense, but it isn't the most consistent, while Tech has found their nitch running the ball with Evans. The team that controls the ball wins this one, and can order their ticket for the ACC title game.
Can Miami stop the "Wild Turkey?" And, can they slow down Darren Evans?
For Tech, can they stop Robert Marve, and contain the "lightning in the bottle" Jacory Harris? Also, isolating the quick footed Benjamin is key for the the Hokies.
I see a down to the wire game. Long live the new Coastal Divison rivalry.
Miami (Fl) 21
Virginia Tech 24
The Rest of the Week
Alabama over Miss. State
Georgia over Auburn
Ole Miss. over UL-Monroe
Vandy over Kentucky
LSU over Troy
North Carolina over Maryland
Clemson over Duke
Wake Forest over NC State
Florida State over Boston College
Cal over Oregon State
Southern Cal over Stanford
Houston over Tulsa
Furman over Georgia Southern
App State over Elon
Wofford over Samford
Coastal Carolina over Presbyterian College
Last Week: 9-6
Week 1: 15-6
Week 2: 14-3
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 12-2
Week 5: 11-6
Week 6: 8-4
Week 7: 11-6
Week 8: 12-4
Week 9: 11-5
Week 10: 13-3
Overall: 129-47 (73.3%)
Iowa had the upset of the week as they took down Penn State, and the door is still open for teams like Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, and Southern Cal to get to the title game.
The weeks are counting down. Let's play week 12.
VS
#3 Gators (8-1, 6-1)
Florida is coming off an administered beat down on Vanderbilt. Again, their special teams came through and set the game off. QB Tim Tebow, although isn't having a career year compared to last year, is going strong this year. WR Percy Harvin is as explosive as ever, and newcomers like Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps bring explosiveness to an already fast offense.
On defense, end, and SC native, Carlos Dunlap is a force to be reckoned with, and linebacker Brandon Spikes is having an ALL-SEC season. Safeties Ahmad Black and Major Wright are hard hitting ball hawks, and corner Janoris Jenkins is a true shut down corner in the making.
#24 Gamecocks (7-3, 4-3)
South Carolina had homecoming last week, and took care of business by beating Arkansas with a dual QB system with Stephen Garcia and Chris Smelley. The running game seemed to have a better day with Mike Davis and Eric Baker alternating, and the receiving game is led by record holder Kenny McKinley, and his helped by Moe Brown, Jason Barnes, and Jared Cook.
The SEC's top defense will be tested with the Florida speed. Players like linebackers Jasper Brinkley and Eric Norwood, corners Carlos Thomas and Stoney Woodson, and defense linemen Cliff Matthews and Ladi Ajiboye will have to have all star games.
Breakdown
This game marks Steve Spurrier's second trip to The Swamp as the Gamecock coach, which by now is an overplayed, meaningless story line. Florida has better team speed overall, but SC has been able to keep the games close, except for last season's. Tim Tebow is the key for Florida, while the Gamecocks are looking for consistent QB play for Smelley and Garcia.
Prediction
Florida is fast. It is reported that close to 10-15 guys on the two deep run 4.4 or faster in the 40-yard dash. Last time the teams met, it showed as the Gators demolished the Gamecocks en route to Tebow's Heisman trophy.
For South Carolina to stand a chance, their defense will have to hold the Florida offense under control, and keep it close, and the offense has to hold onto the ball.
Sadly, I just don't think SC has the speed to keep up with Florida for 48 minutes. Add in free safety Chris Culliver being out for the first half, and it doesn't look good for the Cocks.
I see the game close, with Florida pulling away late.
Florida 30
South Carolina 21
VS
Hurricanes (6-3, 3-2)
Miami is coming off a 7-point victory over Virginia. QBs Robert Marve and Jacory Harris are alternating, and create an interesting dynamic. Marve is mobile with an accurate arm, with Harris being "extra mobile" and a less accurate arm. Runningbacks Craig Cooper, Derron Thomas, and Javarris James trio a strong running game, while receivers Aldarius Johnson and Travis Benjamin give a combo of size and speed.
Defensively, the 'Canes are fast, physical, and aggressive,. Scary part, their best players are probably on the bench. Linebackers Darryl Sharpton, safety Anthony Reddick, and corner Chavez Grant headline it. The D is prone to giving up points thought (22 ppg).
Hokies (6-3, 3-2)
Virginia Tech is coming off a 23-13 win over Maryland. QBs Tyrod Taylor and Sean Glennon are the classic duo system. Taylor has the legs with a big arm, with Glennon has the accurate arm, but lacks the ability to break plays open with his legs. The most pleasant surprise for the Hokies is runningback Darren Evans, who is coming off a career performance. The lacking area of the offense is the wide receiver position, with no proven skill guy. Tight end Greg Boone is the X-factor, who, at 6'3 280 lbs, is a monster who runs the "Wild Turkey" (Wild Hog) offense.
The defense is tough, physical, disciplined. Linebacker Cam Martin, corner Victor "Macho" Harris, safety Cam Chancellor, and end Orion Martin head the lunchpale crew.
Breakdown
The winner of this game holds the best chance to get to the ACC title game. This former Big East rivalry has finally arrived in the expanded ACC. Both teams are using a dual QB system, and both have strong D. The difference is that Miami may be more explosive, but VT's Evans had a coming out party.
Prediction
This should be a close, physical ballgame. Miami has a more potent offense, but it isn't the most consistent, while Tech has found their nitch running the ball with Evans. The team that controls the ball wins this one, and can order their ticket for the ACC title game.
Can Miami stop the "Wild Turkey?" And, can they slow down Darren Evans?
For Tech, can they stop Robert Marve, and contain the "lightning in the bottle" Jacory Harris? Also, isolating the quick footed Benjamin is key for the the Hokies.
I see a down to the wire game. Long live the new Coastal Divison rivalry.
Miami (Fl) 21
Virginia Tech 24
The Rest of the Week
Alabama over Miss. State
Georgia over Auburn
Ole Miss. over UL-Monroe
Vandy over Kentucky
LSU over Troy
North Carolina over Maryland
Clemson over Duke
Wake Forest over NC State
Florida State over Boston College
Cal over Oregon State
Southern Cal over Stanford
Houston over Tulsa
Furman over Georgia Southern
App State over Elon
Wofford over Samford
Coastal Carolina over Presbyterian College
Last Week: 9-6
Week 1: 15-6
Week 2: 14-3
Week 3: 13-3
Week 4: 12-2
Week 5: 11-6
Week 6: 8-4
Week 7: 11-6
Week 8: 12-4
Week 9: 11-5
Week 10: 13-3
Overall: 129-47 (73.3%)
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