I’ve been very busy with college and I haven’t been able to put time towards this blog. I hopefully will be able to start again next week. I’m sorry.
-Marty Nemec
I apologize.
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Fan Pick ‘em Challenge- Week 10
Hey, college football fans. I’ve already made my prediction for the “Game of the Week” and now it’s YOUR turn. Tell me who YOU think is going to win this week’s “Game of the Week.”
#1 LSU(8-0) vs. #2 Alabama(8-0)
Post a comment with the winner, the score, and a detailed description of why you think the game will go the way you predicted. Sometime after the game is over, I’ll post a follow-up post saying how many votes there were for each team and which team won. I’ll also post the person’s name and prediction that was the closest to what actually happened. Let’s do this and try to get others to take part. This should be fun!
My prediction was:
Alabama-28 LSU-24
The reasons why I feel this will happen are in my Game of the Week post located here. Let me know your reasons for your prediction as well!
-Marty Nemec
Match-ups of the Week-Week 10
Every weekend has a plethora of amazing and competitive games. Unfortunately, we can’t watch them all. Let me help you out and tell you which ones you cannot miss. I’ll name some of the most important games in order of importance, pick who I think will be the winner, and then I’ll crown one as the “Game of the Week.” I’ve even decided to give that one a video as it is deserving of such.
3. #3 Oklahoma State(8-0) vs #14 Kansas State(7-1)
Kansas State is in the same position Oklahoma was a week ago. The Wildcats know their dream season is essentially over if they lose again and unfortunately for them, their next opponent is the undefeated Oklahoma State. Ok. State has been unstoppable, piling up ridiculous numbers against everyone they have faced. Their weakness, like most Big 12 teams, is their defense. They are giving up an average of 26.5 points per game and they have only held a team to under 20 points once this season.They are challenging their offense to outscore opponents and so far, it has been up to the challenge. Kansas State is not great on either side of the ball, but they are efficient and well-rounded. By playing solid football, they racked up a 7-0 record, but they fell in flames when they faced the superior Oklahoma. If this game bears any resemblance to the last game, the Cowboys will win big in this one. I just believe they will give up more points than Oklahoma did.
Oklahoma State-45 Kansas State-24
2. #7 Arkansas(7-1) vs. #9 South Carolina(7-1)
Right from the start, I’d like to say neither of these teams are fooling me. I have my doubts that either of them are a top-ten team. South Carolina has been battered and beaten, physically and mentally. Starting running back Marcus Lattimore is out due to injury and their quarterback situation has been hard to not talk about. QB Stephen Garcia continued his inconsistency on the field and his off-field drama to the point where Coach Spurrier finally cut him from the team. Back-up quarterback Connor Shaw hasn’t shown the poise or intelligence to be able to be trusted. This South Carolina squad is nothing like the South Carolina people saw at the beginning of the year. Arkansas has just been playing poorly. No one can take away from their one-loss record, but their last two games being a 29-24 victory over the currently 2-6 Ole Miss Rebels and a 31-28 victory over a Vanderbilt team that is in the bottom half of the conference leaves a lot to be desired. Arkansas has the talent, but they seem to have trouble bringing it out against teams that can actually compete with them. In this game Arkansas sports the better offense, racking in almost 37 points per game, and the 9th ranked passing offense in the country. South Carolina’s defense, however, allows five less points per game on average than Arkansas. Unfortunately, as great of a match-up as this would be with Lattimore healthy, I just can’t see South Carolina winning this without him. Connor Shaw makes too many bad decisions from the pocket and I have to take the Razorbacks in this shootout. The Gamecocks have a lot of talent, but without a solid QB, the offense won’t be able to stay on the field.
Arkansas-31 South Carolina-21
1. #1 LSU(8-0) vs. #2 Alabama(8-0)
GAME OF THE WEEK!
Agree or disagree with these games as the match-ups of the week? Did I leave one out? Let me know in the comments!
-Marty Nemec
College Football Rankings- Week 10
Some teams shuffled around because of upsets, but nothing too drastic happened. Clemson fell out of the top 10 and Stanford rose to the top 5 in all three polls.
BCS Top 25:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Stanford
5. Boise State
6. Oklahoma
7. Arkansas
8. Oregon
9. South Carolina
10. Nebraska
11. Clemson
12. Virginia Tech
13. Houston
14. Kansas State
15. Michigan
16. Penn State
17. Michigan State
18. Georgia
19. Arizona State
20. Wisconsin
21. Texas
22. Auburn
23. Georgia Tech
24. West Virginia
25. Southern Mississippi
Falling from the rankings: NA
Associated Press Top 25:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Stanford
5. Boise State
6. Oregon
7. Oklahoma
8. Arkansas
9. Nebraska
10. South Carolina
11. Clemson
12. Virginia Tech
13. Michigan
14. Houston
15. Michigan State
16. Penn State
17. Kansas State
18. Georgia
19. Wisconsin
20. Arizona State
21. Southern California
22. Georgia Tech
23. Cincinnati
24. West Virginia
25. Auburn
Falling from the Rankings: Texas A&M 16, Texas Tech 19
Coaches Poll:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Stanford
4. Oklahoma State
5. Boise State
6. Oregon
7. Oklahoma
8. Arkansas
9. Nebraska
10. South Carolina
11. Virginia Tech
12. Clemson
13. Michigan
14. Houston
15. Penn State
16. Michigan State
17. Wisconsin
18. Arizona State
19. Kansas State
20. Georgia
21. West Virginia
22. Cincinnati
23. Georgia Tech
24. Southern Mississippi
25. Texas
Falling from the Rankings: Texas A&M 16, Texas Tech 22
-Marty Nemec
Weekend Wrap-up- Week 9
The upsets and excitement continued this weekend. My Upset Spotlight was way off and two of the three “Match-up of the Week” predictions were wrong, so it was a rough weekend for me!
Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington rushing for yards against #6 Clemson.// Photo: Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
#6 Clemson had withstood several tests to keep their undefeated season alive and Georgia Tech was the next on the list. Clemson’s defense had been struggling mightily for most of the season and stopping GT’s triple option was expected to give them a trouble. However, Clemson’s offense was expected to be able to outscore GT. Clemson unfortunately was never in this game. Clemson fell behind early and was losing 24-3 at the half. Clemson couldn’t recover and lost 31-17. Clemson had great stats, which included running back Mike Bellamy averaging over eight yards a carry and quarterback Tajh Boyd passing for almost 300 yards, but four turnovers killed them. The fact that they split Bellamy’s carries also hurt them. Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington only went 4-9 in passing for 60 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. His success came in rushing as he racked up 176 yards on 27 carries. Clemson is still in the running for a BCS bowl, but their National Championship run is now over.
Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck celebrating with fullback Geoff Meinken after a 2nd quarter touchdown. // Photo: Jae Hong / AP
#6 Stanford bit all that it could chew against #20 USC this weekend. This game was a meeting of two of the best quarterbacks in college football: USC QB Matt Barkley and Stanford QB Andrew Luck. The game was exciting as advertised and each team traded punches for the entire game. Stanford jumped to a 10-3 lead in the first quarter after a Luck touchdown and a field goal. USC then responded with 17 unanswered points and had a 20-10 lead with 10:30 left in the third quarter. The 17 points included back-to-back rushing touchdowns by USC running back Curtis McNeal. From there, the slug fest continued and the teams found themselves tied at 27 points with 5:10 to go in the final quarter. The game ended with the score tied 34-34 and the fun was just starting. After both teams scored in the first two overtimes, the teams began the third overtime tied at 48. Stanford scored on a five yard run by running back Stepfan Taylor, and after being forced to go for a two-point conversion, Luck found wide receiver Coby Fleener on a pass and the lead became 56-48. USC responded and appeared to be ready to go into the end zone, but McNeal fumbled the ball into the and Stanford jumped n the ball, securing the thrilling win.
Nebraska running back Rex Burkhead during a run against Michigan State. // Photo: unnamed / Getty Images
Oklahoma QB Landry Jones throws a pass against the Kansas State Wildcats. // Photo: Chris Landsberger/ The Oklahoman
Other notable scores were #11 Michigan State getting trounced by #14 Nebraska 24-3, #8 Kansas State getting beaten heavily by #9 Oklahoma 58-17, #15 Wisconsin getting stunned by Ohio State 33-29, and #10 Arkansas squeaking out a 31-28 win against Vanderbilt. In the Florida-Georgia rivalry game, Georgia capitalized on turnovers and edged out a 24-20 win, #20 Texas Tech was blasted by a determined Iowa State team 41-7 and #16 Texas A&M was upset in overtime by Missouri 38-31.
Did I miss anything important?
-Marty Nemec
Fan Pick ‘em Challenge- Week 9
Hey, college football fans. I’ve already made my prediction for the “Game of the Week” and now it’s YOUR turn. Tell me who YOU think is going to win this week’s “Game of the Week.”
#11 Michigan State(6-1) vs. #14 Nebraska(6-1)
Post a comment with the winner, the score, and a detailed description of why you think the game will go the way you predicted. Sometime after the game is over, I’ll post a follow-up post saying how many votes there were for each team and which team won. I’ll also post the person’s name and prediction that was the closest to what actually happened. Let’s do this and try to get others to take part. This should be fun!
My prediction was:
Michigan State-28 Nebraska-21
The reasons why I feel this will happen are in my Game of the Week post located here. Let me know your reasons for your prediction as well!
-Marty Nemec
Upset Spotlight- Week 9
Every week, a slew of ranked teams face an unranked team. These game are always supposed to be easy and uncompetitive. Sometimes, however, the favored team looks ahead to a big game on the horizon. Sometimes, the ranked team just underestimates its opponent. Regardless of the reason, ranked teams sometimes get “upset” by the schools they are supposed to beat easily. That is what this segment is about. This is the “Upset Spotlight.”
#3 Oklahoma State(7-0) vs. Baylor(4-2)
I almost chose USC versus #6 Stanford and it could wasily be an upset because of the talent on that USC team. However, when comparing the teams in question, I feel like Oklahoma State is the weaker of the two. Oklahoma State has been winning by outscoring teams, not by stopping them on defense. Any time a team is winning in that manner, they are living on a prayer. To further illustrate my point, Oklahoma State has only held one team to three TDs or less and that was an Arizona team. Their defense gives up an average of 26.9 points per game and are the 65th ranked team in that category. Their offense comes in ranked 2nd in the nation at scoring points, averaging over 48 points per game and they are also the 2nd ranked passing offense. Baylor’s offense scores over 44 points per game and their passing attack only averages 40 less yards per game. Their defense only gives up five points per game. All of this culminates to Baylor being scarily similar to Oklahoma State on paper and that is why this could be an upset. If Oklahoma State’s offense sputters in this game, it could find itself in some real trouble early. Robert Griffin III is easily one of the best QBs in the country and this is the kind of the game that will let him show the world. Win or lose, I have a feeling Baylor will be in this game.
Disagree with this? Think a different game should be the “Upset Spotlight?” Let me know in the comments!
-Marty Nemec
Match-ups of the Week- Week 9
Every weekend has a plethora of amazing and competitive games. Unfortunately, we can’t watch them all. Let me help you out and tell you which ones you cannot miss. I’ll name some of the most important games in order of importance, pick who I think will be the winner, and then I’ll crown one as the “Game of the Week.” I’ve even decided to give that one a video as it is deserving of such.
3. #22 Georgia(5-2) vs Florida(4-3)
Florida has been very unfortunate this year. The team had to play #3 Alabama and #1 LSU in back-to-back weeks, missing their starting QB, John Brantley, for the majority of the first game and not having him for the entire second game. Florida played a ranked Auburn team next and still did not have Brantley. They lost again making it three losses in a row in what was once a promising season. This being said, Florida looked very good before Brantley was injured and Georgia does not play either Alabama or LSU this year, making them look better than Florida when that may not be the case. When comparing these teams, it’s hard to find any conclusive evidence because of the difference of schedule strengths and the fact Florida was missing their quarterback for three games. I personally like the Florida team a little more as a unit, but Georgia running back, Isiah Crowell, has been very productive in spurts and this could be the kind of game that gets him going. Georgia QB Aaron Murray has been effective and level-headed, not including the three-interception debacle against Mississippi State. I still think the return of Brantley will spark this Gator team and the defense and running game will show up to edge out the win here. Like any good rivalry game, this one will be close.
Florida-24 Georgia-21
2. #8 Kansas State(7-0) vs. #9 Oklahoma(6-1)
Oklahoma’s back is against the wall. Their National Championship season has been derailed by an unranked team and they have to play two ranked teams in a row. The first unranked team is the undefeated Kansas State and OU plays them on the road. Oklahoma has to get their heads in the right place very quickly and Bob Stoops has proved he can do it. This will undoubtedly be the defining game this year because a BCS Bowl is still in the works if they can win out. Don’t take anything away from Kansas State, however. They deserve all of the success they have received. They have been underdogs in multiple games this year and they keep finding a way to win. On paper, this match-up is exciting. KSU’s defense allows 19.7 points per game and OU’s is only slightly better at 19.4. The difference comes in the offenses. Oklahoma sports the 7th best scoring offense in the country averaging 44.3 points a game. They also have the 4th best passing offense in the country with 379 passing yards per game. Kansas State’s offense still averages a modest 33.6 points per game and although their passing offense is horrible(110th out of 120 teams), their rushing yards score in at 19th in the nation racking in over 200 yards per game. Kansas State has only played one ranked teams, but they did beat Texas Tech, the team that beat Oklahoma last weekend. I think this Kansas State team has been living on a prayer and Oklahoma is going to bounce back this weekend.
Oklahoma-35 Kansas State-21
1. #11 Michigan State(6-1) vs. #14 Nebraska(6-1)
GAME OF THE WEEK!
Agree or disagree with these games as the match-ups of the week? Did I leave one out? Let me know in the comments!
-Marty Nemec
College Football Rankings- Week 9
Several teams fell out of the rankings this week. Also, losses to Oklahoma and Wisconsin drastically changed the order in the top 10. Michigan State’s win launched them from 16th to 11th.
BCS Top 25:
1. LSU
2. Alabama
3. Oklahoma State
4. Boise State
5. Clemson
6. Stanford
7. Oregon
8. Kansas State
9. Oklahoma
10. Arkansas
11. Michigan State
12. Virginia Tech
13. South Carolina
14. Nebraska
15. Wisconsin
16. Texas A&M
17. Houston
18. Michigan
19. Penn State
20. Texas Tech
21. Arizona State
22. Georgia
23. Auburn
24. Texas
25. West Virginia
Falling from the rankings: NA
Associated Press Top 25:
1 LSU
2 Alabama
3 Oklahoma
4 Wisconsin
5 Boise State
6 Oklahoma State
7 Stanford
8 Clemson
9 Oregon
10 Arkansas
11 West Virginia
12 Kansas State
13 Nebraska
14 South Carolina
15 Michigan State
16 Virginia Tech
17 Texas A&M
18 Michigan
19 Auburn
20 Georgia Tech
21 Houston
22 Washington
23 Illinois
24 Arizona State
24 Georgia
Falling from the Rankings: Auburn 19, Georgia Tech 20, Washington 22, Illinois 23
Coaches Poll:
1 Oklahoma
2 LSU
3 Alabama
4 Wisconsin
5 Stanford
6 Oklahoma State
7 Boise State
8 Clemson
8 Oregon
10 Arkansas
11 Nebraska
12 South Carolina
13 Michigan State
14 Virginia Tech
14 West Virginia
16 Kansas State
17 Michigan
18 Texas A&M
19 Georgia Tech
20 Houston
21 Illinois
22 Penn State
23 Auburn
24 Washington
25 Arizona State
Falling from the Rankings: Georgia Tech 19, Illinois 21, Auburn 23, Washington 24
-Marty Nemec
Weekend Wrap-up Week 8
This weekend was crazy to say the least. Events rumbled the entire landscape of college football. Weekends like this are the reason so many people love this sport.
Michigan State wide receiver Keith Nichol yells in celebration after catching the winning hail mary pass against Wisconsin.// Photo: Al Goldis / AP
#6 Wisconsin met #11 Michigan State on the field and was expected to win by a large number of points. However, this is far from what happened. Michigan State made huge plays on special teams, which included a blocked field goal and a blocked punt brought back for a touchdown, and played good enough defense to stop a ferocious end-game comeback. Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins went 22 of 31 for 290 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. Wisconsin’s quarterback, Russell Wilson, unfortunately had a less than stellar performance going to 14 of 22 for 223 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Even despite the special teams mishaps and turnovers, Wisconsin found themselves tied at 31 with 1:26 left in the game. With zero seconds left, Cousins threw a hail mary pass that was deflected multiple times and eventually ended up into wide receiver Keith Nichols’ hands. Nichols then was stopped by two Wisconsin defenders and he muscled his way to the end-zone making Michigan State win 37-31.
Texas Tech celebrating a huge win over #3 Oklahoma.// Photo: Brett Deering/Getty Images
#3 Oklahoma also lost this weekend, but unlike Wisconsin, it was to an unranked opponent. Not only that, Oklahoma’s loss snapped a 39-game home winning streak. Texas Tech came into this game 4-2 and their high-scoring offense had kept them in every game. After losing by a touchdown or less against ranked teams for two weeks in a row, the Red Raiders were not going to be denied. Texas Tech started quickly and was winning 31-7 with 12:57 left in the third quarter. Like any good team, Oklahoma mounted a crazy comeback that barely fell short and Texas Tech won 41-38. Texas Tech QB went 33 of 52 for 441 yards, 4 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Oklahoma QB Landry Jones started slow but ended up looking like the Heisman contender many see him as by completing 30 of 55 passes for 412 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
Auburn QB Clint Moseley is brought down by LSU safety Derrick Bryant.// Photo: Jamie Squire/ Getty Images
Other notable scores were #15 West Virginia losing to Syracuse 49-23, #1 LSU torching #20 Auburn 45-10, #8 Stanford trampled #25 Washington 65-21, and #23 Illinois falling to unranked Purdue 14-21.
-Marty Nemec