Weekly Predictions: Week 13
I guess last week can be considered the craziest week so far. Houston beat Tulsa 70-30, the Gators beat USC by 50, and Troy almost beat LSU. And, apparently no one wants to win the ACC, while the SEC is locked up for a bout between Alabama and aforementioned Florida.
This week, I'm changing it up a little bit after going 12-6 last week. The SEC, as already stated, is locked up, but the ACC is still up in the air, and the national perspective is taking president.
This week, I'll be looking at Miami vs Georgia Tech and Texas Tech vs Oklahoma.
#23 Hurricanes (7-3, 4-2)
The Hurricanes took control of first place in their division last week with a 16-14 win over last year's winner Virginia Tech. QB Robert Marve wasn't spectacular throwing 7-for-16 121 yards, but he also didn't turn the ball over. Marve did do some damage on the ground, to the tune of 44 yards on 14 carries, as did back Graig Cooper 52-yard, 15 carry performance. Kicker Matt Boscher was the player of the game, going 3-for-3, along with a defense that smothered the Hokies, and will look to do so against the Jacket triple option.
The Defense was led by defense end Marcus Robinson's 3 sacks (6 total team sacks), along with linebacker Sean Spence, safety Anthony Reddick, and defensive back JoJo Nichols. The 'Canes will need a strong game from the front seven to contain the option attack.
Yellow Jackets (7-3, 4-3)
Tech is coming off a 28-7 loss to North Carolina, putting them in second place behind the 'Canes. QB Josh Nesbitt had the only score, but the Jackets put up over 300 yards on the ground, but the 'Heels didn't let them get close to the endzone with containment, which is what the 'Canes will try to replicate. RB Jonathon Dwyer churned 157 yards on 22 carries, and Nesbitt added 62 yards.
Ends Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan recorded a combined 12 tackles, but zero sacks. Also, the Jackets failed to get a turnover, something they will have to do to beat Miami.
Breakdown
Georgia Tech started the year strong, but have seem to have fallen off the past few weeks, while the Canes have stayed consistent. The battle will be between the big, fast Miami front seven, and the Tech offensive line. Tech corner Mario Butler and safety Morgan Burnett will be tested by receivers Travis Benjamin and Adarius Johnson of Miami.
But truly, the team that controls the ground will win this game.
Prediction
Miami controls their destiny, a position Tech once enjoyed. In terms of athletes, Miami is deeper, but Tech has an offense that can take advantage of fast defensives that may not play the most sound, fundamental defense, which Miami has been prone to.
Still, Miami's ability to throw the ball and stretch the ball gives them an advantage, and their quick score offense leaves one wondering.
Expect a low scoring game that could be won, or lost, on the leg of Boscher.
Miami (Fl) 17
Georgia Tech 14
#2 Red Raiders (10-0, 6-0)
Texas Tech is coming off a bye week, and have had two weeks to prepare for the Sooners. QB Graham Harrell is one of the coolest customers, mostly because he has WR Michael Crabtree to throw to, as well as a top notch Oline led by mammoth guard Brandon Carter (6'7, 354 lbs). Receivers Eric Britton and Eric "Elf" Morris (5'8, 177 lbs) aren't too shabby receivers either. Did I mention they put up close to 48 points/game?
The Defense isn't as well acclaimed, but are viable (give up 22 points/game). They are led by linebacker Brian Duncan (74 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack), safety Darcel McBeth (53 tackles, 6 INTs), and defensive end McKinner Dixon (27 tackles, 8 sacks).
#5 Sooners (9-1, 5-1)
Oklahoma has also had two weeks to prepare for the pass happy Raiders. QB Sam Bradford, though no longer a Heisman candidate, is still a very good college quarterback. RB Demarco Murray is a hard hitting lightning rod, WR Juaquin Iglesias is a burner, and TE Jermaine Gresham may be one of the best pro-tight end prospects. The offense averages about 51 points/game.
The defense is a typical, hard nosed Sooner D, that only gives up 24 points/game. Linebacker Travis Lewis leads the team with 104 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 INTs. Lineman Gerald McCoy, Auston English, and Jeremy Beal are the sack machines, a combined 16 (team total 34). Lendy Holmes and Dominique Franks are the interceptors on the team with Lewis (a combined 10; team-13).
Breakdown
Both teams have high powered offenses, but the winner here will have defense, and Oklahoma has that, and they make a lot of turnovers. The Sooners will have to earn the turnovers, because the Raiders don't make many. Also, the Raiders haven't been tested when having to run the ball, and Oklahoma can grind it out if they have to.
Prediction
This is the biggest game in Texas Tech history, period. For them to have the chance to take down another Big 12 powerhouse and to punch their ticket for the Big 12 title game, and keep alive a hope of a National Title berth, would have any newcomer excited.
In reality, Oklahoma's best defense could be their offense. If the Sooners get Murray in the game, and can grind it out, that keeps the Raider offense on the sideline.
The Raiders need to jump on the Sooners early and send them into a stun.
This will be a high scoring ball game, but the team that makes the defensive stand late wins the game.
Texas Tech 42
Oklahoma 36
The Rest of the Week
Florida State over Maryland
North Carolina over NC State
Clemson over Virginia
Virginia Tech over Duke
Boston College over Wake Forest
Vanderbilt over Tennessee
Florida over The Citadel
LSU over Ole Miss
Miss. State over Arkansas
Penn State over Michigan State
Oregon State over Arizona
Cincinnati over Pittsburgh
Utah over BYU
Boise State over Nevada
Record
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
Week 11: 9-6
Week 12: 12-6
Overall: 141-51 (73.4%)
This week, I'm changing it up a little bit after going 12-6 last week. The SEC, as already stated, is locked up, but the ACC is still up in the air, and the national perspective is taking president.
This week, I'll be looking at Miami vs Georgia Tech and Texas Tech vs Oklahoma.
@
#23 Hurricanes (7-3, 4-2)
The Hurricanes took control of first place in their division last week with a 16-14 win over last year's winner Virginia Tech. QB Robert Marve wasn't spectacular throwing 7-for-16 121 yards, but he also didn't turn the ball over. Marve did do some damage on the ground, to the tune of 44 yards on 14 carries, as did back Graig Cooper 52-yard, 15 carry performance. Kicker Matt Boscher was the player of the game, going 3-for-3, along with a defense that smothered the Hokies, and will look to do so against the Jacket triple option.
The Defense was led by defense end Marcus Robinson's 3 sacks (6 total team sacks), along with linebacker Sean Spence, safety Anthony Reddick, and defensive back JoJo Nichols. The 'Canes will need a strong game from the front seven to contain the option attack.
Yellow Jackets (7-3, 4-3)
Tech is coming off a 28-7 loss to North Carolina, putting them in second place behind the 'Canes. QB Josh Nesbitt had the only score, but the Jackets put up over 300 yards on the ground, but the 'Heels didn't let them get close to the endzone with containment, which is what the 'Canes will try to replicate. RB Jonathon Dwyer churned 157 yards on 22 carries, and Nesbitt added 62 yards.
Ends Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan recorded a combined 12 tackles, but zero sacks. Also, the Jackets failed to get a turnover, something they will have to do to beat Miami.
Breakdown
Georgia Tech started the year strong, but have seem to have fallen off the past few weeks, while the Canes have stayed consistent. The battle will be between the big, fast Miami front seven, and the Tech offensive line. Tech corner Mario Butler and safety Morgan Burnett will be tested by receivers Travis Benjamin and Adarius Johnson of Miami.
But truly, the team that controls the ground will win this game.
Prediction
Miami controls their destiny, a position Tech once enjoyed. In terms of athletes, Miami is deeper, but Tech has an offense that can take advantage of fast defensives that may not play the most sound, fundamental defense, which Miami has been prone to.
Still, Miami's ability to throw the ball and stretch the ball gives them an advantage, and their quick score offense leaves one wondering.
Expect a low scoring game that could be won, or lost, on the leg of Boscher.
Miami (Fl) 17
Georgia Tech 14
VS
#2 Red Raiders (10-0, 6-0)
Texas Tech is coming off a bye week, and have had two weeks to prepare for the Sooners. QB Graham Harrell is one of the coolest customers, mostly because he has WR Michael Crabtree to throw to, as well as a top notch Oline led by mammoth guard Brandon Carter (6'7, 354 lbs). Receivers Eric Britton and Eric "Elf" Morris (5'8, 177 lbs) aren't too shabby receivers either. Did I mention they put up close to 48 points/game?
The Defense isn't as well acclaimed, but are viable (give up 22 points/game). They are led by linebacker Brian Duncan (74 tackles, 1 INT, 1 sack), safety Darcel McBeth (53 tackles, 6 INTs), and defensive end McKinner Dixon (27 tackles, 8 sacks).
#5 Sooners (9-1, 5-1)
Oklahoma has also had two weeks to prepare for the pass happy Raiders. QB Sam Bradford, though no longer a Heisman candidate, is still a very good college quarterback. RB Demarco Murray is a hard hitting lightning rod, WR Juaquin Iglesias is a burner, and TE Jermaine Gresham may be one of the best pro-tight end prospects. The offense averages about 51 points/game.
The defense is a typical, hard nosed Sooner D, that only gives up 24 points/game. Linebacker Travis Lewis leads the team with 104 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and 3 INTs. Lineman Gerald McCoy, Auston English, and Jeremy Beal are the sack machines, a combined 16 (team total 34). Lendy Holmes and Dominique Franks are the interceptors on the team with Lewis (a combined 10; team-13).
Breakdown
Both teams have high powered offenses, but the winner here will have defense, and Oklahoma has that, and they make a lot of turnovers. The Sooners will have to earn the turnovers, because the Raiders don't make many. Also, the Raiders haven't been tested when having to run the ball, and Oklahoma can grind it out if they have to.
Prediction
This is the biggest game in Texas Tech history, period. For them to have the chance to take down another Big 12 powerhouse and to punch their ticket for the Big 12 title game, and keep alive a hope of a National Title berth, would have any newcomer excited.
In reality, Oklahoma's best defense could be their offense. If the Sooners get Murray in the game, and can grind it out, that keeps the Raider offense on the sideline.
The Raiders need to jump on the Sooners early and send them into a stun.
This will be a high scoring ball game, but the team that makes the defensive stand late wins the game.
Texas Tech 42
Oklahoma 36
The Rest of the Week
Florida State over Maryland
North Carolina over NC State
Clemson over Virginia
Virginia Tech over Duke
Boston College over Wake Forest
Vanderbilt over Tennessee
Florida over The Citadel
LSU over Ole Miss
Miss. State over Arkansas
Penn State over Michigan State
Oregon State over Arizona
Cincinnati over Pittsburgh
Utah over BYU
Boise State over Nevada
Record
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
Week 11: 9-6
Week 12: 12-6
Overall: 141-51 (73.4%)
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