WEEK 5
September 26th, 2013
By Mike Nowoswiat and Brett Ciancia
By Mike Nowoswiat and Brett Ciancia
VIRGINIA TECH at GEORGIA TECH
Thursday Sept. 26th, 7:30, ESPN. AT Bobby Dodd Stadium
Since Virginia Tech, Miami, and Boston College joined the ACC, putting the league at 12 teams, only Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech have represented the Coastal Division in the ACC Championship. Albeit Miami did win the division last year, but sanctions kept them from participating in the game leaving the Yellow Jackets to participate. The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat, along with the aforementioned Hurricane squad, to represent the 2013 Coastal Division. Coming off of down years in 2012, both programs appear to be improved. Georgia Tech seems to have a sounder defense under Defensive Coordinator Ted Roof after switching to the 4-3, a scheme that more suitably fits the personnel. And Vad Lee finally has complete control of the offense, which played a sloppy game last week against North Carolina, but still managed 28 points. With the emergence of DeAndre Smelter and Darren Waller at Wide Receiver, the Yellow Jackets will not be mistaken for the Denver Broncos, but have a respectable receiving corp, which counters many preseason predictions. If Lee can hit his reads and passes, there is no reason this unit can’t be elite. However, Virginia Tech’s defense provides arguably the toughest matchup for the Jackets all season. The Hokies limited Alabama to only 206 yards, which is remarkable considering the success the Crimson Tide had against Texas A&M two weeks ago. JR Collins and Derrick Hopkins could slow down the option from the interior line while Jack Tyler, Kyshoen Jarrett, and Tariq Edwards form a great linebacking corp. On paper, Virginia Tech has what it takes to slow down this option attack. However, against Georgia Tech, mental preparation is the most important facet on defense. Do I think the Hokies could absolutely stifle Vad Lee & co? Yes. But I could also see the improved Jacket defense stifling the struggling Logan Thomas-led VT offense…Georgia Tech 24 Virginia Tech 17
LSU at GEORGIA
Saturday September 28th, 3:30, CBS. AT Sanford Stadium
Aaron Murray vs. Zach Mettenberger. #6 vs. #10. East vs. West. The loser of this game will have a tough time winning the National Championship and the winner will have…well…a less difficult time, but still difficult. LSU has yet to play Alabama, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Florida. Georgia has yet to play Florida, but would still have to win the always-difficult SEC Championship game to advance to the National Title Game. Both teams are offensively-driven, which the final score should reflect. In Daniel Jeremiah’s recent NFL.com article, five NFL executives were asked which quarterback they liked better, Aaron Murray or Zach Mettenberger. All five said Mettenberger. However, this game on Saturday is being played now, not in five years, and against college defenses, not professional ones. I’ll still take Aaron Murray every time. Still, I believe that Mettenberger has the best WR corp in the country, led by Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry and regardless of who wins the battle on Saturday, both quarterbacks are primed to have big days. The Georgia defense has struggled to get after the quarterback and LSU has a better offensive line than either South Carolina or Clemson. The Georgia defense surprisingly did not play awful against either team despite giving up a lot of points to both, surrendering about 450 yards in each matchup. Limiting big plays will be the key in this game; Sammy Watkins and Tajh Boyd did most of their damage in large chunks helping the ‘other Tigers’ defeat the Bulldogs in the ‘other Death Valley.’ In what should be a high-scoring affair, I’ll pick the more experienced home team…Georgia 38 LSU 35
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OKLAHOMA at NOTRE DAME
Saturday Sept. 28th, 3:30, NBC. AT Notre Dame Stadium
Every time two elite programs get together its special. We're talking about 18 National Championships and 12 Heisman Trophies combined - 2 of the 6 winningest programs in NCAA History! Last year, Notre Dame continued its perfect season and stole a rare win at Owen Field. In Round 2, it is Oklahoma that enters undefeated, but hasn't really been tested yet at all. Trevor Knight won the much publicized QB battle in the summer, but was sidelined due to injury. Healthy again, Knight is now the back-up to Blake Bell who thrived in his absence last game throwing for over 400 yards. While it was surely an impressive starting debut - Tulsa is NOT Notre Dame. The Irish defense is strong, especially up front with a Defensive Line anchored by Stephon Tuitt and Louis Nix III. Notre Dame will win in the trenches, but Oklahoma has the skill players: a deep stable of running backs and a core of what Brian Kelly calls "really fast receivers." The Sooner defense returns just 4 starters from last year, and this will be their first 'big' game and road test. I expect the veteran Tommy Rees to manage the game well, while his green counterpart may try to force some throws when the running lanes are inevitably clogged by the Irish front 4. A turnover by Bell will be the difference in this one: it may be early in the game, throwing off his confidence due to Knight looking over his shoulder. Or it may be late in the game, the final dagger for the Sooners... Notre Dame 24 Oklahoma 23
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OLE MISS at ALABAMA
Saturday Sept. 28th, 6:30, ESPN. AT Bryant-Denny Stadium
So far, so good. We have picked the Rebels higher than any other publication, and are happy we did so. Although Texas A&M is looking better than we anticipated, I still like Ole Miss’s chances against both LSU and Texas A&M in Oxford. Alabama—the college football dynasty—was a pretty easy pick by everyone as the preseason number one team in the SEC West, SEC, and Nation. Although the Tide have not looked as advertised through the first three games, they have found ways to get the job done and have defeated some very good teams. There were offensive question marks after week one against Virginia Tech in which the offense only recorded 206 yards. Then the offense addressed these concerns in College Station, but the defense struggled, allowing 628 yards and 42 points to Manziel and company. Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace is off to a good start, but he is not Johnny Manziel. However, Donte Moncrief, Laquon Treadwell, and the rest of the skill position players offer the Crimson Tide an even greater challenge than the Aggie offense did. Mike Evans tore up the Alabama secondary, and if Wallace can get the ball out of his hands, then this group can do the same. Not to mention, the Alabama front seven has played unexpectedly poorly, allowing 4.64 and 5.13 yards per carry against Virginia Tech and Texas A&M, respectively. If Ole Miss can take care of the ball—one of Wallace’s greatest flaws last year—then the Crimson Tide are on major upset alert, but I’m not going to predict a perfect game in Tuscaloosa…Alabama 35 Ole Miss 27
ARIZONA at WASHINGTON
Saturday September 28th, 7pm, FOX. AT Husky Stadium
2 of the 6 undefeated PAC-12 teams will face off Saturday in the new Husky Stadium. Arizona is a team that hasn't received much attention yet, and this is clearly their first true test of the season. Even with 2012 Rushing Champ Ka'Deem Carey being suspended for the opening game, Arizona is 5th in the nation in rush yards per game (322). However, this Husky defense under DC Justin Wilcox is much improved - a huge step up from early UA opponents, the Lumberjacks and Roadrunners. Washington stifled Boise State, but had trouble closing out Illinois and their mobile quarterback. UA QB BJ Denker has been effective passing and rushing; can he follow in Scheelhaase's footsteps and attempt to knock off the 18th ranked Huskies? I think Washington has too much firepower on offense to be outscored by Rich Rod's attack. It starts up front with QB Keith "Smiles" Price who has returned to his 2011 form. He is surrounded by elite skill players: RB Bishop Sankey averages roughly 150 yards a game, while TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins is All-American quality. With team's focus on ASJ, WR Kasen Williams is freed up and is a force. We were high on Washington coming into the season, and I expect that success to continue, as the Huskies defend their new home environment again... Washington 38 Arizona 30
WISCONSIN at OHIO STATE
Saturday September 28th, 8pm, ABC. AT Ohio Stadium
Finally we have the opportunity to preview an Ohio State game. The Buckeyes wrapped up their preseason schedule with a 76-0 destruction of Florida A&M; overlooked stat of the week: the Rattlers were held to just 80 total yards and 2 first downs! Back-up QB Kenny Guiton has been outstanding filling in for Braxton Miller, but now takes a back seat to the preseason Heisman favorite who Coach Meyer stated 'will probably start.' The offense will be fine regardless, as they have scored at ease all season. The main concern for the Buckeyes should be stopping the Wisconsin rushing attack, which is on pace to produce THREE 1,000 rushers (would join 2009 Nevada as only teams ever). Wisconsin is coming off of a BigTen win after their painful loss out in the desert. Yes, the referees managed the ending poorly, but even worse in my opinion was Joel Stave's lack of urgency. Call it what you want, but both teams could easily be entering the contest 4-0. Wisconsin ruined the Buckeyes' perfect season in 2010, and nearly struck again last season. The key to both of those upsets was home field advantage in rowdy Camp Randall Stadium. Here, in the 'Shoe, the tables have turned, like in 2011 when freshman Miller gave UW it's second Hail Mary loss of the season. These teams have been the class of the conference for the past 7 seasons, but this will be the final meeting until 2016 with the new division alignments coming. Look for Wisconsin's ground game to keep the game close early, but ultimately they don't have the firepower to keep up with the Buckeye offense. You have to believe that Meyer has been prepping for this one for a while; his expertise will out-duel the rookie Gary Andersen in his first BigTen game... Ohio State 34 Wisconsin 21