WEEK 9
October 24th, 2013
By Mike Nowoswiat and Brett Ciancia
By Mike Nowoswiat and Brett Ciancia
DUKE at VIRGINIA TECH
Sat. Oct. 26th. 3:30. ESPNU. AT Lane Stadium
Duke has been on a tear after getting whipped in Atlanta by Georgia Tech. The Blue Devils followed that loss with a shootout against Pittsburgh that ultimately ended in another loss, but previewed the explosive offense that we would see in the upcoming weeks. Regardless of who the quarterback has been—Anthony Boone or Brandon Connette—the offense has moved the ball. Boone is the starter, but was injured for the Georgia Tech, Pittsburgh, and Troy games. Connette, with the exception of the Georgia Tech game, has proven that he can take the reins without missing a beat. Fortunately for the Blue Devils, both will be available against one the nation’s best defenses. Antone Exum, a potential first-round pick at cornerback will be making his season debut this week and should provide an extra spark to this already-dominant defense. However, his addition may be offset by the absence of Brandon Facyson, another talented cornerback who is leading all freshmen with four interceptions on the season. Still, the best unit on the field will easily be the Hokies defense. Only allowing 15 points per game, 2.5 yards per rush, and 256 yards per game, this defense may be Bud Foster’s best unit, which is really saying something. J.R. Collins, Dadi Nicolas, Derrick Hopkins, Luther Maddy, and James Gayle provide the Hokies perhaps the best defensive front in the nation. The Blue Devils have only allowed 9 sacks this year, while the Hokies have already recorded 27. Something has to give as strength vs. strength will meet in Lane Stadium. Virginia Tech’s defense has proven itself against more quality opponents, so I’ll give the edge to the home team...Virginia Tech 30 Duke 10
TEXAS TECH at OKLAHOMA
Sat. Oct. 26th, 3:30, FOX. AT Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
No one, and I mean no one, predicted that the last two undefeated teams in the Big12 would be Texas Tech and Baylor. Under first-year Head Coach (and former Red Raider QB) Kliff Kingsbury, Texas Tech is 7-0 and atop the Big12 standings. Behind the arms of two freshmen quarterbacks, Texas Tech is averaging 416 pass yards per game, good for 2nd in the nation! However, the Red Raiders haven't been tested besides a road trip to TCU (which doesn't look as impressive now). Coming off of the Red River Rivalry loss, Oklahoma slowly took out lowly Kansas 34-19. It took a few quarters for the Sooner offense to refocus, but the defense put together an impressive outing, holding Kansas to just 16 pass yards. While TT might surpass that on the first play from scrimmage, it is still worth noting the high talent level of the Sooner secondary. Simply put, Texas Tech hasn't faced the level of athletes of Oklahoma, nor has Coach Kingsbury experienced a hostile environment and road test against a highly-ranked team. With Stoops' experience, a strong stable of running backs, and home-field advantage, Oklahoma will end the Red Raiders perfect season ... Oklahoma 31 Texas Tech 27
SOUTH CAROLINA at MISSOURI
Sat. Oct. 26th. 7:00. ESPN2. AT Faurot Field
Well two weeks ago I underestimated the impact that Georgia’s injuries would have on its performance. Last week, I simply underestimated Maty Mauk. This week, I will underestimate no longer. I knew that the Tigers would do better in their second go-around in this conference—I ranked Missouri higher than any other preseason publication—but I did not anticipate this level of success. Finally, Missouri has returned to its Chase Daniels days by bringing one of the nation’s most explosive offenses to the nation’s best conference. L’Damian Washington and Dorial Green-Beckham offer defenses a look that is rarely seen in the NFL: two 6’5” targets who can run like deer. The duo held its own against possibly the best secondary in the nation last week as the Tigers simply outscored Florida. Mauk threw for nearly 300 yards and a touchdown in his first start. If his first week under center wasn’t daunting enough, he has to face Jadeveon Clowney and the Gamecock defense this week. This defense is not quite as good as the Florida defense, but is a much better team overall. Clowney and the front seven could put some more heat on Mauk, but there should be more windows to throw to. If this game were played in a neutral location without James Franklin at QB for Missouri, I would say that South Carolina would win more times than not. However, are we going to get the team that beat Arkansas 52-7? Or are we going to get the team that lost to Tennessee? Missouri is more consistent, and while the sample size is small, Mauk has proven he can not only manage the game, but make plays to win the game. So, finally, I say the Tigers win…Missouri 35 South Carolina 27
UCLA at OREGON
Sat. October 26th, 7:00pm, ESPN. AT Autzen Stadium
Despite an average margin of victory of over 40 points, undefeated Oregon fell to #3 in the initial BCS rankings. The main critique of the Ducks is that "they haven't played anyone" ... yet. That changes Saturday when the 5-1 and 12th-ranked UCLA Bruins come to the Autzen Zoo. College Gameday will be on the scene for easily the biggest matchup in a weak slate of games. UCLA is fresh off a physical loss to Stanford, who held the Bruins to just 266 yards (well under their average) and forced Hundley into two costly interceptions. The Bruins will be physically exhausted and mentally strained knowing an even stronger force (at least offensively) awaits them. Sheer cruelty from the PAC-12 scheduling department sending UCLA to road tests AT Stanford and AT Oregon in back-to-back weeks. Meanwhile for Oregon, they are led by the Heisman frontrunner QB Marcus Mariota: he has amassed over 2500 total yards, 28 Touchdowns, and has only been needed once in the 4th quarter (all blowouts). The blueprint to slowing down Oregon is matching up with a strong front seven; UCLA is led by Anthony Barr who is one of the nation's best defenders. However, it will be tough for UCLA to produce its best effort after last week, and Hundley should have some issues with the crazy crowd in Eugene. Look for more dominance by Oregon's offense, and for the Duck Defense to force Hundley into a few turnovers... Oregon 41 UCLA 30
PENN STATE at OHIO STATE
Sat. Oct. 26th. 8:00. ABC. AT Ohio Stadium
What a game for the Nittany Lions in their last game against Michigan. On a beautiful day to be celebrating homecoming, Penn State seemingly had everything going its way as rival Michigan was handed its first loss of the season. Coming off a disappointing loss to Indiana, the season already looked to be in jeopardy. Yet, once again, Bill O’Brien proved why he is one of the most strong-willed coaches in the nation as he continues to navigate these brutal sanctions effortlessly. Christian Hackenberg is beginning to look like the five-star recruit that he was coming out of high school, and the future is beginning to look brighter and brighter by the day. WR Allen Robinson, the league’s best receiver, is certainly helping him ease into college football. Robinson has been the best player on the field in every Penn State game this season, and will need to be once again if the Nittany Lions have any hope of stealing a victory against the nation’s fourth best team. Last year, QB Braxton Miller led the Buckeyes to a huge victory in the midst of a Beaver Stadium whiteout. Miller has fallen off Heisman radars this season due to his early-season injury, but is still one of the most dynamic signal callers in the land. In his last three games, all against Big Ten opponents, Miller has played well, but not great. While another 81.5% completion percentage and no turnover performance would probably be enough to win this game, Miller needs to elevate his play if the Buckeyes want to win the National Championship. Two weeks ago, Devin Gardner gave the Penn State defense fits. As long as Miller doesn’t turn the ball over, he should be able to wear them down on the ground and through the air. In a game that should bring Penn State back to Earth just a bit, Ohio State wins for the second straight year…Ohio State 38 Penn State 24
SPECIAL FEATURE: the Ohio State - Penn State Rivalry, and "Pick Six U"
SPECIAL FEATURE: the Ohio State - Penn State Rivalry, and "Pick Six U"
STANFORD at OREGON STATE
Sat. October 26th, 10:30pm, ESPN. AT Reser Stadium
Baylor and Oregon are receiving all of the attention for being the top offenses in the nation. Not many people have noticed what is going on at the 'other' Oregon school. QB Sean Mannion has passed for 2992 yards and 29 TD's giving his Oregon State Beavers the top passing attack in Division 1. OSU would be a perfect 7-0 if not for the embarrassing season-opening loss to Division 1-AA Eastern Washington. After close wins over Utah and San Diego State, OSU is 6-1 and 4-0 in the PAC-12. NOT SO FAST MY FRIEND - finally Oregon State will face a strong opponent, and in my opinion, the strongest defense in America: Stanford. It took 6 weeks, but the Stanford Defense finally put together a complete game, shutting down the high-powered UCLA offense to just 266 yards and 10 points (35 points below UCLA's average). David Shaw brought the team back to its roots last week (following the upset loss to Utah). I expect Mannion to take a few possessions to acclimate to the high-level of defense that he hasn't seen all season. Even then, look for the Cardinal D to slow the aerial assault and have no run game to turn to. Stanford will do what is does best: RUN THE BALL, STOP THE RUN ... Stanford 34 Oregon State 24