Week 2 Predictions (2009)
College football returned last week, and it did not disappoint. From the thriller in Iowa as the Hawkeyes squeaked by Northern Iowa, to BYU's upset of Oklahoma, and the slugfest that was Alabama v Virginia Tech. Even had our first controversy with LeGarrette Blount.
And of course, we had the blowouts, like the ones Texas, Southern Cal and Florida respectively administered.
But without further ado...let's get week 2 started, and see if I can improve on my 23-2 record from last week.
So let's kick it off.
SEC Game of the Week
South Carolina (1-0, 0-0) v 21 Georgia (0-1, 0-0)
Last week didn't go exactly as planned for either team. Georgia looked slow and uncooridnated on offense in its 24-10 loss to Oklahoma State, while South Carolina couldn't capitalize on at least three redzone opportunities, and squeaked by NC State 7-3.
USC's QB Stephen Garcia had a managerial day against NC State. He only threw one INT, but no TDs. The offensive line looked much improved from a year ago, but still has room for improvment. WR Tori Gurley and TE Wes Saunders looked to have the makings of the go-to guys this year, and that momentum needs to carry over into Athens. As for defense, look no further than LB Eric Norwood and DE Cliff Matthews. The Gamecock D looked fast and physical against a much slower NC State team.
As for Georgia, Joe Cox had only a 50-percent completion percentage, with a 1-1 TD-INT ratio. One bright spot was Richard Samuel, who nearly had 100 yards rushing. But the passing game was slow to take off, as WR AJ Green only had 4 catches. The defense needs to improve clutch performance, as well as playing disciplined.
Three to Watch
Gamecocks
CB Akeem Auguste (5'10, 180 lbs. So)
The hard-hitting corner will get the job of guarding AJ Green. If he can contain him the same way the Cowboys did last week, USC will have a shot to win. Also watch for Stephon Gilmore.
DE Clifton Geathers (6'8, 281 lbs. Jr)
Geathers returns after missing last weeks game under suspension. He is now back, as the backup to Devin Taylor, who blocked a punt, forced a fumble, and had three tackles for loss. His size will be key to USC controlling the outside of the line.
LB Shaq Wilson (5'11, 210 lbs. So)
Wilson had a strong showing against NC State with 8 tackles, tying for the team lead. Now, he steps into the middle linebacker spot vacated by the injured Rodney Paulk, who injured his knee and is projected to miss the rest of the season. His play will be crucial to stopping the Georgia run game.
Bulldogs
QB Logan Gray (6'2, 192 lbs. So)
No, he isn't the starter. But if Cox doesn't show improvement, we may see Gray get his shot. He is more athletic than Cox, which may be what Georgia needs to notch one in the win column.
LT Vince Vance (6'8, 325 lbs, Sr)
Vance takes over for the injured Trinton Sturdivant. His play will be big for Georgia. Not only will he be protecting the blindside against Cliff Matthews, but he will have to do a better job of helping open up the run game with Richard Samuel and the return of Caleb King.
K Blair Walsh (5'10, 189 lbs, So)
Walsh could be the key to victory. The game has been close the past few years, and his ability to hit kicks could win or lose the game for the 'Dogs.
Prediction
I expect another close ball game like last year's. Both teams will have lightning quick defenses, but also a struggling offense. Georgia will be looking to show that their loss was a fluke and try to take that out on SC.
South Carolina is looking to start 1-0 in the conference, and will also look to open the playbook a little more.
In the end, I think SC pulls this one out by another slim margin.
South Carolina 17
Georgia 13
ACC Game of the Week
Clemson (1-0, 0-0) v Georgia Tech (1-0, 0-0)
Both the Tigers and Jackets are coming off convincing wins over, what I consider, light weight opponents. Clemson is coming off a special teams beatdown over Middle Tennessee State (37-14), while the Jackets plowed over Jacksonville State 37-17.
Clemson's CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford were the big play guys, as they were monsters in the return game, and showed just how explosive Clemson can be this year. QB Kyle Parker wasn't the most accurate (9-of-20) but he thew TDs and took care of the ball. It also appears the Tigers have three viable running threats in Spiller, Jaimie Harper, and Andre Ellington. The passing game may still be a work in progress. The defense looked fast and physical, led by DE DaQuan Bowers, LB Brandon Maye, and CB Chris Chancellor.
Tech's RB Jonathan Dwyer, and QB Josh Nesbitt, both rushed for nearly 100 yards. Nesbitt looked okay passing the ball to Demariyus Thomas, who had over 100 yards a TD, and Nesbitt also took care of the football. The defense looked strong, but I still have concerns over how good the front 4 is.
Three to Watch
Tigers
QB Kyle Parker (6'0, 210 lbs. RS-Fr)
Parker had an okay first outing for his first start. Completing less that 50% won't be good enough, but he also doesn't need to do too much. If Parker takes care of the ball, improves his completions, and feeds the ball to Spiller and Ford, and gets a few other guys involved, it could mean a Clemson victory.
DT Jarvis Jenkins (6'4, 305 lbs. Jr)
Jenkins will be the first line of defense to stop the Yellow Jacket option. If he can clog the middle, that will take Dwyer out of most triple option plays, and force Nesbitt into either keeping the ball, or pitching it.
RB C.J. Spiller (5'11, 190 lbs. Sr)
The most electric player on the field. Spiller can effect a game not only from the backfield, but in the return game. He has the ability to change the momentum of a game in an instant. If he has a big game, Clemson will have a good shot at winning.
Yellow Jackets
Off
ensive T
ackles
A big question is how will the Jackets undersized offensive tackles fair against Sapp and Bowers. Brad Sellers (left) (6'2, 252 lbs) and Austin Barrick (right) (6'3, 284 lbs) will get much stiffer competition this week, and their play will be big for runs to bounce to the outside.
S Morgan Burnett (6'1, 210 lbs. Jr)
The hard hitting safety will get a lot more tests this week, as he will have to help in coverage with Ford. Also, his ability to deliver the bone-crushing hit over the middle will be crucial in shrinking the field. His open-field tackling will get tested when Spiller and Ford get in one-on-one's.
QB Josh Nesbitt (6'1, 217 lbs. Jr)
Nesbitt's decision making is the key to GT's success. If he makes the smart reads and takes care of the ball, the Jackets will win. If he makes bad reads and ill-advised pitches, GT will have a hard time beating the Tigers.
Prediction
This is a hard game to pick, because neither played a true competition last week. Clemson showed it had explosive offense in Spiller and Ford, but outside of those two, there are questions.
For GT, their undersized line could be a problem that a big Clemson Dline can take advantage of.
The Jacket defense is fast, but a question still remains: Can they keep up with Spiller and Ford?
But I'm looking at a battle between the ACC's top two backs in Dwyer and Spiller, both of which have NFL written all over them.
I think, with the short week, Clemson will have trouble defending the option. Even though Clemson has two of the best playmakers in the ACC, it means nothing if GT can establish their offense and eat away at the clock.
I think that will get GT over the hump in a close ball game. That and the fact the game is in Atlanta.
Clemson 20
Georgia Tech 27
Other games this week
Army over Duke
Wake Forest over Stanford
UCLA over Tennessee
North Carolina over UConn.
Virginia Tech over Marshall
TCU over Virginia
Boston College over Kent State
NC State over Murray State
Maryland over James Madison
Florida State over Jacksonville State
Florida over Troy
LSU over Vanderbilt
Alabama over Florida International
So. Cal over Ohio State
Notre Dame over Michigan
BYU over Tulane
Iowa over Iowa State
Penn State over Syracuse
Wofford over Charleston Southern
Coastal Carolina over Monmouth
App State over McNeese State
Furman over Chattanooga
PC over Elon
Record
Week 1: 23-3
And of course, we had the blowouts, like the ones Texas, Southern Cal and Florida respectively administered.
But without further ado...let's get week 2 started, and see if I can improve on my 23-2 record from last week.
So let's kick it off.
SEC Game of the Week
South Carolina (1-0, 0-0) v 21 Georgia (0-1, 0-0)
Last week didn't go exactly as planned for either team. Georgia looked slow and uncooridnated on offense in its 24-10 loss to Oklahoma State, while South Carolina couldn't capitalize on at least three redzone opportunities, and squeaked by NC State 7-3.
USC's QB Stephen Garcia had a managerial day against NC State. He only threw one INT, but no TDs. The offensive line looked much improved from a year ago, but still has room for improvment. WR Tori Gurley and TE Wes Saunders looked to have the makings of the go-to guys this year, and that momentum needs to carry over into Athens. As for defense, look no further than LB Eric Norwood and DE Cliff Matthews. The Gamecock D looked fast and physical against a much slower NC State team.
As for Georgia, Joe Cox had only a 50-percent completion percentage, with a 1-1 TD-INT ratio. One bright spot was Richard Samuel, who nearly had 100 yards rushing. But the passing game was slow to take off, as WR AJ Green only had 4 catches. The defense needs to improve clutch performance, as well as playing disciplined.
Three to Watch
Gamecocks
CB Akeem Auguste (5'10, 180 lbs. So)The hard-hitting corner will get the job of guarding AJ Green. If he can contain him the same way the Cowboys did last week, USC will have a shot to win. Also watch for Stephon Gilmore.
DE Clifton Geathers (6'8, 281 lbs. Jr)Geathers returns after missing last weeks game under suspension. He is now back, as the backup to Devin Taylor, who blocked a punt, forced a fumble, and had three tackles for loss. His size will be key to USC controlling the outside of the line.
LB Shaq Wilson (5'11, 210 lbs. So)Wilson had a strong showing against NC State with 8 tackles, tying for the team lead. Now, he steps into the middle linebacker spot vacated by the injured Rodney Paulk, who injured his knee and is projected to miss the rest of the season. His play will be crucial to stopping the Georgia run game.
Bulldogs
QB Logan Gray (6'2, 192 lbs. So)No, he isn't the starter. But if Cox doesn't show improvement, we may see Gray get his shot. He is more athletic than Cox, which may be what Georgia needs to notch one in the win column.
LT Vince Vance (6'8, 325 lbs, Sr)Vance takes over for the injured Trinton Sturdivant. His play will be big for Georgia. Not only will he be protecting the blindside against Cliff Matthews, but he will have to do a better job of helping open up the run game with Richard Samuel and the return of Caleb King.
K Blair Walsh (5'10, 189 lbs, So)Walsh could be the key to victory. The game has been close the past few years, and his ability to hit kicks could win or lose the game for the 'Dogs.
Prediction
I expect another close ball game like last year's. Both teams will have lightning quick defenses, but also a struggling offense. Georgia will be looking to show that their loss was a fluke and try to take that out on SC.
South Carolina is looking to start 1-0 in the conference, and will also look to open the playbook a little more.
In the end, I think SC pulls this one out by another slim margin.
South Carolina 17
Georgia 13
ACC Game of the Week
Clemson (1-0, 0-0) v Georgia Tech (1-0, 0-0)
Both the Tigers and Jackets are coming off convincing wins over, what I consider, light weight opponents. Clemson is coming off a special teams beatdown over Middle Tennessee State (37-14), while the Jackets plowed over Jacksonville State 37-17.
Clemson's CJ Spiller and Jacoby Ford were the big play guys, as they were monsters in the return game, and showed just how explosive Clemson can be this year. QB Kyle Parker wasn't the most accurate (9-of-20) but he thew TDs and took care of the ball. It also appears the Tigers have three viable running threats in Spiller, Jaimie Harper, and Andre Ellington. The passing game may still be a work in progress. The defense looked fast and physical, led by DE DaQuan Bowers, LB Brandon Maye, and CB Chris Chancellor.
Tech's RB Jonathan Dwyer, and QB Josh Nesbitt, both rushed for nearly 100 yards. Nesbitt looked okay passing the ball to Demariyus Thomas, who had over 100 yards a TD, and Nesbitt also took care of the football. The defense looked strong, but I still have concerns over how good the front 4 is.
Three to Watch
Tigers
QB Kyle Parker (6'0, 210 lbs. RS-Fr)Parker had an okay first outing for his first start. Completing less that 50% won't be good enough, but he also doesn't need to do too much. If Parker takes care of the ball, improves his completions, and feeds the ball to Spiller and Ford, and gets a few other guys involved, it could mean a Clemson victory.
DT Jarvis Jenkins (6'4, 305 lbs. Jr)Jenkins will be the first line of defense to stop the Yellow Jacket option. If he can clog the middle, that will take Dwyer out of most triple option plays, and force Nesbitt into either keeping the ball, or pitching it.
RB C.J. Spiller (5'11, 190 lbs. Sr)The most electric player on the field. Spiller can effect a game not only from the backfield, but in the return game. He has the ability to change the momentum of a game in an instant. If he has a big game, Clemson will have a good shot at winning.
Yellow Jackets
Off
ensive T
acklesA big question is how will the Jackets undersized offensive tackles fair against Sapp and Bowers. Brad Sellers (left) (6'2, 252 lbs) and Austin Barrick (right) (6'3, 284 lbs) will get much stiffer competition this week, and their play will be big for runs to bounce to the outside.
S Morgan Burnett (6'1, 210 lbs. Jr)The hard hitting safety will get a lot more tests this week, as he will have to help in coverage with Ford. Also, his ability to deliver the bone-crushing hit over the middle will be crucial in shrinking the field. His open-field tackling will get tested when Spiller and Ford get in one-on-one's.
QB Josh Nesbitt (6'1, 217 lbs. Jr)Nesbitt's decision making is the key to GT's success. If he makes the smart reads and takes care of the ball, the Jackets will win. If he makes bad reads and ill-advised pitches, GT will have a hard time beating the Tigers.
Prediction
This is a hard game to pick, because neither played a true competition last week. Clemson showed it had explosive offense in Spiller and Ford, but outside of those two, there are questions.
For GT, their undersized line could be a problem that a big Clemson Dline can take advantage of.
The Jacket defense is fast, but a question still remains: Can they keep up with Spiller and Ford?
But I'm looking at a battle between the ACC's top two backs in Dwyer and Spiller, both of which have NFL written all over them.
I think, with the short week, Clemson will have trouble defending the option. Even though Clemson has two of the best playmakers in the ACC, it means nothing if GT can establish their offense and eat away at the clock.
I think that will get GT over the hump in a close ball game. That and the fact the game is in Atlanta.
Clemson 20
Georgia Tech 27
Other games this week
Army over Duke
Wake Forest over Stanford
UCLA over Tennessee
North Carolina over UConn.
Virginia Tech over Marshall
TCU over Virginia
Boston College over Kent State
NC State over Murray State
Maryland over James Madison
Florida State over Jacksonville State
Florida over Troy
LSU over Vanderbilt
Alabama over Florida International
So. Cal over Ohio State
Notre Dame over Michigan
BYU over Tulane
Iowa over Iowa State
Penn State over Syracuse
Wofford over Charleston Southern
Coastal Carolina over Monmouth
App State over McNeese State
Furman over Chattanooga
PC over Elon
Record
Week 1: 23-3
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