Week 3 Predictions (2009)
It was a rough week in college football for predicting games. Florida State got a scare from Jacksonville State, as did Utah in their game against San Jose State. But we also had some fantastic ball games. Georgia/South Carolina, Clemson/Georgia Tech, So Cal/Ohio State and Michigan/Notre Dame all were games that went down to the wire.
Didn't have as good week predicting game, going 1-1 in featured games, and 21-5 for the week.
Let's kick off Week 3!
ACC Game of the Week
15 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0) v 20 Miami (1-0, 1-0)
The Hurricanes are coming off a big win over Florida State two weeks ago. QB Jacory Harris had a very good game, completing 63% of his passes for over 300 yards, and spreading the ball around to Miami's athletes. The receivers of Aldarius Johnson, Laron Byrd, Travis Benjamin, and Leonard Hankerson were solid, and that performance will have to carry over for this game. The D will have to do better, and they can't allow 34 points again. Although the stat book says they only gave up 110 yards rushing, the total allowed was 140 (20 were lost due to sacks, not something you get against GT). That will have to improve.
The Jackets are coming off a close win over Clemson. Though they had a sizable lead at half, they allowed the Tigers to get back in it and nearly win the game. The rushing game will have to improve, and QB Josh Nesbitt has to make better decisions, especially in the passing game.
Also, the Defense will have to find another play maker outside of Derrick Morgan. Morgan was visibly tired mid-way through the third, so another player will have to step up and help him.
Three To Watch
Yellow Jackets
RB Jonathan Dwyer (6'0, 235 lbs, Jr.)
Dwyer had a fair game against Clemson, but he didn't put up gawdy numbers like he usually does. He will have to have a big game. His style of running can wear down the Hurricane defense, and open it up for the other runners-Roddy Jones and Anthony Allen.
DE Robert Hall (6'3, 254 lbs, Jr.)
We all know what Derrick Morgan can do to disrupt an offense. But one man can only do so much, and Miami will probably double team Morgan. That means Hall will be in one-on-one's, and he will have to create pressure to eliminate the lateral speed of Miami's offense.
CB Jerrard Tarrant (6'0, 189 lbs, So)
Tarrant is arguably one of Tech's best athletes, and he will get charged with the task of guarding Aldarius Johnson. Johnson is Harris' favorite target (they hooked up a lot in high school while at Northwestern) and if Tarrant can take away that security blanket, it will cause turnovers.
Hurricanes
LB Darryl Sharpton (6'0, 235 lbs, Sr)
The man in the middle. He is responsible for watching pulling guards, playing back-up to the dive, as well as flowing outside to stop the pitch in the option. Sharpton will be a big key to stopping the option.
CB Brandon Harris (5'11, 195 lbs, So)
Harris will get charged the duty to guard Demariyus Thomas. Though he only gets 5 balls a game, they are usually game changing, deep balls. If he can knockdown the pass, it will take away the deep pass, and force Nesbitt to look for the short pass, something he struggles with.
QB Jarcory Harris (6'4, 190 lbs, So)
The lanky signal caller will have a tall order in front of him. Not only will he have to keep on constant high on where Derrick Morgan is, he will also need to keep an eye out for the ball hawking Morgan Burnett. Harris will have to take what the D gives him, and find his athletes in Hankerson, Johnson, Travis Benjamin and Laron Byrd, as well as use the stable of backs.
Prediction
It will be an interesting competition: One team with a wide open passing game, the other the triple option.
If Miami can get the ball to their athletes and really go up and down the field, it will be a blowout, because the Tech offense simply isn't designed to keep up with that.
If Tech can run their offense, it will eat away at the clock, keeping Miami's athletes off the field.
The game is in Miami, so that gives the Cane's a huge advantage. Tech was visibly exhausted last game, and I can expect the weather will be much more humid.
That may be the biggest decider in this contest.
Miami (FL)- 24
Georgia Tech- 20
SEC Game of the Week
1 Florida (2-0, 0-0) v Tennessee (1-1, 0-0)
The Gators are coming off two blowout, tune up games over Troy and Charleston Southern. During those games, the Florida offense looked explosive, Tim Tebow looked his usual great, and guys like WRs Riley Cooper, Deonte Thompson, RBs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, and TE Aaron Hernandez looked to be viable threats...be it against far inferior talent. The defense also looked good, allowing a total of 9 points in two games, led by MLB Brandon Spikes. Pretty much, the D, which returns it's entire two-deep from last year on defense, looked even better than last year's.
The Vols come limping into this game, so to speak. After blowing out Western Kentucky in Week1, the Vols lost a heartbreaking 19-15 game to UCLA. But the improves play of QB Jonathan Crompton is encouraging, and the play of freshmen like RB Bryce Brown and WRs Nu'Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague, have things looking up in Rocky Top. The Defense, now under Monte Kiffin, hasn't been too bad either, only giving up 19 points to UCLA and keeping their team in the game. LB Rico McCoy and S Eric Berry are the heart of that defense, and will have to play flawless.
Three To Watch
Gators
RBs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey
The two speedy, diminutive backs of the offense (Demps at 5'8, 183 lbs; Rainey at 5'9, 175 lbs). Both have game breaking speed once in the open field. If these two run wild, it will be a long day for the Vols. If the team can keep the two to a combined 100 yards, it should be considered a good day.
CB Wondy Pierre-Louis
Pierre-Louis will get charged with guarding Teague. Teague is one of Crompton's favorite targets down in the endzone, and if Pierre-Louis can take that away (like UCLA did) it could force more turnovers and an easy win for the Gators.
WR Deonte Thompson
The young wideout is waiting for a coming out party. Now he has his chance. Thompson has big play written all over him, and could be the replacement for the departed Percy Harvin. Of course, all Florida needs is another playmaker.
Vols
QB Jonathan Crompton (6'4, 228 lbs, Sr)
Crompton has started off white hot this year in the new "West Coast" style offense....against Western Kentucky. He suffered a major setback against UCLA, completing only 50% of his passes, no TDs, and 3 INTs. The Vols need the Crompton that showed up against WKU. He needs to use his highly touted backs-Brown and David Oku-as well as his athletes like Richardson, Quinton Hancock, and Teague.
DE Gerald Williams (6'4, 248 lbs, Jr)
Stopping Florida's offense is all about containment and lane assignment. Williams will have to keep outside containment on the read draws, and not get sucked in on plays for UT to even have a shot at stopping Florida.
LB Rico McCoy (6'1, 220 lbs, Sr)
McCoy will get charged with the duty of being the primary tackler of Tebow, as well as watching for pulling guards to "see the play," as well as keeping Demps and Rainey in check. He may even have to guard Hernandez. That is a lot on one player's plate.
Prediction
I would like to say this game will be competitive. I'd like to say if Tennessee does everything write and play their style of hard nosed running, they will have a chance.
But I can't. Florida just has too many playmakers on their offense to go along with Tim Tebow. And I just think Florida's defense is too fast, and too deep for Tennessee to hold back. If Tennessee had that much trouble with UCLA, then I don't see how they will do better against Florida.
I give this game 2-and-a-half quarters till the third teamers start playing.
Florida 49
Tennessee 17
Other Games this Week
Clemson over Boston College
North Carolina over East Carolina
24 Kansas over Duke
Maryland over Mid. Tenn. State
14 Virginia Tech over 19 Nebraska
Southern Miss. over Virginia
NC State over Gardner-Webb
Wake Forest over Elon
9 BYU over Florida State
Kentucky over Louisville
4 Alabama over North Texas
11 LSU over UL-Lafayette
South Carolina over Florida Atlantic
6 Mississippi over SE Louisiana
21 Georgia over Arkansas
Auburn over West Virginia
Vanderbilt over Miss. State
2 Texas over Texas Tech
12 Boise State over Fresno State
3 Southern Cal over Washington
Coastal Carolina over Towson
Chattanooga over Presbyterian
Wisconsin over Wofford
Citadel over Princeton
Record
Week 1: 23-3
Week 2: 21-5
Didn't have as good week predicting game, going 1-1 in featured games, and 21-5 for the week.
Let's kick off Week 3!
ACC Game of the Week
15 Georgia Tech (2-0, 1-0) v 20 Miami (1-0, 1-0)
The Hurricanes are coming off a big win over Florida State two weeks ago. QB Jacory Harris had a very good game, completing 63% of his passes for over 300 yards, and spreading the ball around to Miami's athletes. The receivers of Aldarius Johnson, Laron Byrd, Travis Benjamin, and Leonard Hankerson were solid, and that performance will have to carry over for this game. The D will have to do better, and they can't allow 34 points again. Although the stat book says they only gave up 110 yards rushing, the total allowed was 140 (20 were lost due to sacks, not something you get against GT). That will have to improve.
The Jackets are coming off a close win over Clemson. Though they had a sizable lead at half, they allowed the Tigers to get back in it and nearly win the game. The rushing game will have to improve, and QB Josh Nesbitt has to make better decisions, especially in the passing game.
Also, the Defense will have to find another play maker outside of Derrick Morgan. Morgan was visibly tired mid-way through the third, so another player will have to step up and help him.
Three To Watch
Yellow Jackets
RB Jonathan Dwyer (6'0, 235 lbs, Jr.)Dwyer had a fair game against Clemson, but he didn't put up gawdy numbers like he usually does. He will have to have a big game. His style of running can wear down the Hurricane defense, and open it up for the other runners-Roddy Jones and Anthony Allen.
DE Robert Hall (6'3, 254 lbs, Jr.)We all know what Derrick Morgan can do to disrupt an offense. But one man can only do so much, and Miami will probably double team Morgan. That means Hall will be in one-on-one's, and he will have to create pressure to eliminate the lateral speed of Miami's offense.
CB Jerrard Tarrant (6'0, 189 lbs, So)Tarrant is arguably one of Tech's best athletes, and he will get charged with the task of guarding Aldarius Johnson. Johnson is Harris' favorite target (they hooked up a lot in high school while at Northwestern) and if Tarrant can take away that security blanket, it will cause turnovers.
Hurricanes
LB Darryl Sharpton (6'0, 235 lbs, Sr)The man in the middle. He is responsible for watching pulling guards, playing back-up to the dive, as well as flowing outside to stop the pitch in the option. Sharpton will be a big key to stopping the option.
CB Brandon Harris (5'11, 195 lbs, So)Harris will get charged the duty to guard Demariyus Thomas. Though he only gets 5 balls a game, they are usually game changing, deep balls. If he can knockdown the pass, it will take away the deep pass, and force Nesbitt to look for the short pass, something he struggles with.
QB Jarcory Harris (6'4, 190 lbs, So)The lanky signal caller will have a tall order in front of him. Not only will he have to keep on constant high on where Derrick Morgan is, he will also need to keep an eye out for the ball hawking Morgan Burnett. Harris will have to take what the D gives him, and find his athletes in Hankerson, Johnson, Travis Benjamin and Laron Byrd, as well as use the stable of backs.
Prediction
It will be an interesting competition: One team with a wide open passing game, the other the triple option.
If Miami can get the ball to their athletes and really go up and down the field, it will be a blowout, because the Tech offense simply isn't designed to keep up with that.
If Tech can run their offense, it will eat away at the clock, keeping Miami's athletes off the field.
The game is in Miami, so that gives the Cane's a huge advantage. Tech was visibly exhausted last game, and I can expect the weather will be much more humid.
That may be the biggest decider in this contest.
Miami (FL)- 24
Georgia Tech- 20
SEC Game of the Week
1 Florida (2-0, 0-0) v Tennessee (1-1, 0-0)
The Gators are coming off two blowout, tune up games over Troy and Charleston Southern. During those games, the Florida offense looked explosive, Tim Tebow looked his usual great, and guys like WRs Riley Cooper, Deonte Thompson, RBs Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey, and TE Aaron Hernandez looked to be viable threats...be it against far inferior talent. The defense also looked good, allowing a total of 9 points in two games, led by MLB Brandon Spikes. Pretty much, the D, which returns it's entire two-deep from last year on defense, looked even better than last year's.
The Vols come limping into this game, so to speak. After blowing out Western Kentucky in Week1, the Vols lost a heartbreaking 19-15 game to UCLA. But the improves play of QB Jonathan Crompton is encouraging, and the play of freshmen like RB Bryce Brown and WRs Nu'Keese Richardson and Marsalis Teague, have things looking up in Rocky Top. The Defense, now under Monte Kiffin, hasn't been too bad either, only giving up 19 points to UCLA and keeping their team in the game. LB Rico McCoy and S Eric Berry are the heart of that defense, and will have to play flawless.
Three To Watch
Gators
RBs Jeff Demps and Chris RaineyThe two speedy, diminutive backs of the offense (Demps at 5'8, 183 lbs; Rainey at 5'9, 175 lbs). Both have game breaking speed once in the open field. If these two run wild, it will be a long day for the Vols. If the team can keep the two to a combined 100 yards, it should be considered a good day.
CB Wondy Pierre-LouisPierre-Louis will get charged with guarding Teague. Teague is one of Crompton's favorite targets down in the endzone, and if Pierre-Louis can take that away (like UCLA did) it could force more turnovers and an easy win for the Gators.
WR Deonte ThompsonThe young wideout is waiting for a coming out party. Now he has his chance. Thompson has big play written all over him, and could be the replacement for the departed Percy Harvin. Of course, all Florida needs is another playmaker.
Vols
QB Jonathan Crompton (6'4, 228 lbs, Sr)Crompton has started off white hot this year in the new "West Coast" style offense....against Western Kentucky. He suffered a major setback against UCLA, completing only 50% of his passes, no TDs, and 3 INTs. The Vols need the Crompton that showed up against WKU. He needs to use his highly touted backs-Brown and David Oku-as well as his athletes like Richardson, Quinton Hancock, and Teague.
DE Gerald Williams (6'4, 248 lbs, Jr)Stopping Florida's offense is all about containment and lane assignment. Williams will have to keep outside containment on the read draws, and not get sucked in on plays for UT to even have a shot at stopping Florida.
LB Rico McCoy (6'1, 220 lbs, Sr)McCoy will get charged with the duty of being the primary tackler of Tebow, as well as watching for pulling guards to "see the play," as well as keeping Demps and Rainey in check. He may even have to guard Hernandez. That is a lot on one player's plate.
Prediction
I would like to say this game will be competitive. I'd like to say if Tennessee does everything write and play their style of hard nosed running, they will have a chance.
But I can't. Florida just has too many playmakers on their offense to go along with Tim Tebow. And I just think Florida's defense is too fast, and too deep for Tennessee to hold back. If Tennessee had that much trouble with UCLA, then I don't see how they will do better against Florida.
I give this game 2-and-a-half quarters till the third teamers start playing.
Florida 49
Tennessee 17
Other Games this Week
Clemson over Boston College
North Carolina over East Carolina
24 Kansas over Duke
Maryland over Mid. Tenn. State
14 Virginia Tech over 19 Nebraska
Southern Miss. over Virginia
NC State over Gardner-Webb
Wake Forest over Elon
9 BYU over Florida State
Kentucky over Louisville
4 Alabama over North Texas
11 LSU over UL-Lafayette
South Carolina over Florida Atlantic
6 Mississippi over SE Louisiana
21 Georgia over Arkansas
Auburn over West Virginia
Vanderbilt over Miss. State
2 Texas over Texas Tech
12 Boise State over Fresno State
3 Southern Cal over Washington
Coastal Carolina over Towson
Chattanooga over Presbyterian
Wisconsin over Wofford
Citadel over Princeton
Record
Week 1: 23-3
Week 2: 21-5
Comments
Post a Comment