Stitches
I love Mindwarp
This is just a little thing I wrote up over the course of my day, like whenever I've had time at work. I'd be interested in knowing everyone's opinion on the games, and my picks.
#15 Oklahoma at #18 Oregon
As much as I love the Ducks(them being my favorite pac-10 team despite thier jerseys), I simply think the Sooners will be too much. Dixon has legit 4.4 speed and may be the fastest Duck on the team, but I'm not convinced he'll be able to pass on a solid D like Oklahoma. They do have a solid pair of running backs to fall back on though if they need to convert some mid range 3rd downs. Look for the Ducks to try and run early, then use the play action pass to open up the secondary. What do the Sooners have you may be asking? Well they have a great coach in Bob Stoops, an always tough defense, and the best running back in the country(even if Michael Bush were healthy) in Adrian Peterson. Peterson should've won the Heisman as a freshman, but after an injury plagued season last year, he is back to form and looking like a monster. And if there is one thing I can make an accurate generalized statement about in college football, it is that the Pac-10 doesn't play defense. So look for the Sooner to get up by at least 10 points and just run away with it on the shoulders of Peterson. My Pick: Oklahoma
#17 Miami(Fl) at #12 Louisville
If you asked me who would win this before the season opened, I would have gone with a coin flip. But after two games I think it is clear that this is not the same Miami team we are used to seeing. While Louisville hasn’t exactly played anyone worthwhile (Kentucky and Temple), they crushed their opponents with a combined score of 121-28. Louisville leads the nation in total offense, with some ridiculous number that goes around 600 yards a game, and is third best in the country against the run. Brian Brohm controls this offense with unrivaled accuracy and great decision making. The stand in tail backs have shown their effectiveness, Stripling and Smith are averaging around 8 yards per carry. Miami’s D is still solid as always, so the Cardinals will have to pass more than usual. But Miami’s offense has yet to show cohesiveness, and Wright will have to have an amazing game against this swarming D, because the Hurricanes won’t be able to run too much. Miami is just lucky Bush broke his leg in the opener, or that D would be in for some serious hurting. Without him it will be a more respectable final score though. My Pick: Louisville
#24 Texas Tech at #20 TCU
This should be one of the most entertaining games to watch this weekend. TCU is coming into this home game riding the Nation’s current longest winning streak at 12 games. The Horned Frogs have a solid defense and their offense finally started to click in last week’s victory over D-IAA UC Davis. The Red Raiders have a quick and opportunistic defense, but ar always led by their pass happy offense. I love watching the air raids that TT regularly puts on throughout the season, and it can almost be guaranteed that if Graham Harrell stays healthy he will lead the nation in passing yards and TD passes(he already has 718 yards, 7TDs) I really can’t wait to see these offenses try and outscore each other, it should be a treat. I know TC is making to look another BCS run, but I just like Texas Tech’s potent offense too much. My pick: Texas Tech
#7 Florida at #13 Tennessee
Florida has a very quick defense, and an outstanding quarterback in Chris Leak. Some say Leak had a sub-par year last year, but the numbers show it was very comparable to his outstanding sophomore campaign, and he looks like he may have his best season yet statistically. Leak looks like he finally has a grasp on Urban Meyer’s offense, and there are some really nice weapons for him to utilize at Wr and out of the backfield. Tennessee has been a bit of a surprise this season, starting strong out the gate. While I’m not as convinced of their offense, the Vols defense is always stout, especially in this match up. The largest problem for the Gators here though will be the crowd noise. Neyland Stadium is the 3rd largest in the country, ad when you have close to 100,000 fans screaming at you, it can rattle even the best players. Although the lower ranked team has won 4 of the last 5 and 6 of the last 8 contests between these teams, I still like a Chris Leak led team more than an Erik Ainge led team. My Pick: Florida
#11 Michigan at #2 Notre Dame
Well despite Notre Dame completely trouncing my favorite team last week(Penn State), I still don’t feel they are that good of a team. Don’t get me wrong, they are good. They are probably a top 10 team, but not a top 5 team. Overrated is the word that comes to mind. They are overrated due to the Notre Dame name, just like Ty Willingham’s team was in his second season as coach. That’s not to say Michigan doesn’t have some things against them too. The wolverines have not won a road opener since 1999, and haven’t won in South Bend since 1994. That spells trouble for a coach desperate to hold onto his job past this season. He won’t let his team come into this game with the wrong mentality. Look for them to pound the ball with a healthy Michael Hart, and slowly work QB Chad Henne into the game, as he needs to have a good game for Michigan to stand a chance. The Michigan defense has been pretty good, but they will be looking to make a statement against a quality opponent like Notre Dame. Last week, Brady Quinn really stepped up his game, throwing for almost 300 yards and 3TDs. Darius Walker continued his hard nosed and elusive running, and you can expect the same this week. But, it was the defense that continually came up with big plays to help put the offense back on the field. If the defense plays as well as they did last week, it could be a long day under Touchdown Jesus’ gaze. I still like the Wolverines and Hart’s ability to run the football will be the difference in this game. I expect this one to come down to a late score and a pretty exciting finish. My Pick: Michigan
#19 Nebraska at #4 USC
As much as I historically dislike both programs, Callahan is doing an excellent job bringing Nebraska back up towards the top of the Big XII, and Pete Carroll didn’t have too bad of a drop off from last years Trojans, which says a lot. The Nebraska defense has been stingy in recent games, and Zac Taylor has even showed the ability to pass the ball well, not to mention the Cornhusker’s constant ability to run the football. Sadly it won’t be enough. USC is just too deep, fast, and strong for this up and coming Nebraska team. Too many playmakers on both sides of the ball, including QB John David Booty, who continues to show the pedigree that USC QB’s have come to deliver. Hopefully it won’t be more than a 14 point gap when it is all said and done. My Pick: USC
#6 LSU at #3 Auburn
This is the game I am looking forward to most. LSU is one of my favorite teams, and I think Auburn is the best team in the country. But it is because of games like this, that makes it so hard for an SEC team to compete for a BCS Championship. The SEC is bar none the best conference in football, with the Big Ten being the only one that comes close. In both conferences (more so in the SEC) great teams consistently face each other and knock each other out of title contention. This game will be one of those games. Whoever wins this game has a great chance at going undefeated. Auburn will be riding their stud tailback Kenny Irons (my number 3 Heisman hopeful) all day long. In last years game he ran over 20 times for about 200 yards and one score. This year QB Brandon Cox shows much more leadership on the field and in the huddle. He is proving he can make plays when his team needs him. And as always the Auburn defense is intense and intimidating, filled with playmakers everywhere. The LSU and Auburn defenses are filled to the brim with talent and hunger. The LSU defense is led by senior LaRon Landry back at the safety position, and look for him to mae one or two game changing plays. On offense, Senior QB JaMarcus Russell has finally settled into his starting role, and proving that he deserves his position. This game will ultimately decide whether he goes down as a hero or not though, which is a shame. If there is one thing LSU’s backfield is not short of it’s talent. LSU’s backup Qb Flynn could start and LSU probably wouldn’t miss a beat. Not to mention the fact that LSU has 5, that’s right 5, running backs capable of starting for probably 100 of the other D-IA schools. The WRs for both sides may lack name recognition, but just like the rest of the team they are deep squads full of speed and game changing ability. It should be a great game all around, wit a slight edge going to Auburn since they are at home. I still look for this game to come down to a field goal, and if we(I) am really lucky it’ll go into overtime. My Pick: Auburn
#15 Oklahoma at #18 Oregon
As much as I love the Ducks(them being my favorite pac-10 team despite thier jerseys), I simply think the Sooners will be too much. Dixon has legit 4.4 speed and may be the fastest Duck on the team, but I'm not convinced he'll be able to pass on a solid D like Oklahoma. They do have a solid pair of running backs to fall back on though if they need to convert some mid range 3rd downs. Look for the Ducks to try and run early, then use the play action pass to open up the secondary. What do the Sooners have you may be asking? Well they have a great coach in Bob Stoops, an always tough defense, and the best running back in the country(even if Michael Bush were healthy) in Adrian Peterson. Peterson should've won the Heisman as a freshman, but after an injury plagued season last year, he is back to form and looking like a monster. And if there is one thing I can make an accurate generalized statement about in college football, it is that the Pac-10 doesn't play defense. So look for the Sooner to get up by at least 10 points and just run away with it on the shoulders of Peterson. My Pick: Oklahoma
#17 Miami(Fl) at #12 Louisville
If you asked me who would win this before the season opened, I would have gone with a coin flip. But after two games I think it is clear that this is not the same Miami team we are used to seeing. While Louisville hasn’t exactly played anyone worthwhile (Kentucky and Temple), they crushed their opponents with a combined score of 121-28. Louisville leads the nation in total offense, with some ridiculous number that goes around 600 yards a game, and is third best in the country against the run. Brian Brohm controls this offense with unrivaled accuracy and great decision making. The stand in tail backs have shown their effectiveness, Stripling and Smith are averaging around 8 yards per carry. Miami’s D is still solid as always, so the Cardinals will have to pass more than usual. But Miami’s offense has yet to show cohesiveness, and Wright will have to have an amazing game against this swarming D, because the Hurricanes won’t be able to run too much. Miami is just lucky Bush broke his leg in the opener, or that D would be in for some serious hurting. Without him it will be a more respectable final score though. My Pick: Louisville
#24 Texas Tech at #20 TCU
This should be one of the most entertaining games to watch this weekend. TCU is coming into this home game riding the Nation’s current longest winning streak at 12 games. The Horned Frogs have a solid defense and their offense finally started to click in last week’s victory over D-IAA UC Davis. The Red Raiders have a quick and opportunistic defense, but ar always led by their pass happy offense. I love watching the air raids that TT regularly puts on throughout the season, and it can almost be guaranteed that if Graham Harrell stays healthy he will lead the nation in passing yards and TD passes(he already has 718 yards, 7TDs) I really can’t wait to see these offenses try and outscore each other, it should be a treat. I know TC is making to look another BCS run, but I just like Texas Tech’s potent offense too much. My pick: Texas Tech
#7 Florida at #13 Tennessee
Florida has a very quick defense, and an outstanding quarterback in Chris Leak. Some say Leak had a sub-par year last year, but the numbers show it was very comparable to his outstanding sophomore campaign, and he looks like he may have his best season yet statistically. Leak looks like he finally has a grasp on Urban Meyer’s offense, and there are some really nice weapons for him to utilize at Wr and out of the backfield. Tennessee has been a bit of a surprise this season, starting strong out the gate. While I’m not as convinced of their offense, the Vols defense is always stout, especially in this match up. The largest problem for the Gators here though will be the crowd noise. Neyland Stadium is the 3rd largest in the country, ad when you have close to 100,000 fans screaming at you, it can rattle even the best players. Although the lower ranked team has won 4 of the last 5 and 6 of the last 8 contests between these teams, I still like a Chris Leak led team more than an Erik Ainge led team. My Pick: Florida
#11 Michigan at #2 Notre Dame
Well despite Notre Dame completely trouncing my favorite team last week(Penn State), I still don’t feel they are that good of a team. Don’t get me wrong, they are good. They are probably a top 10 team, but not a top 5 team. Overrated is the word that comes to mind. They are overrated due to the Notre Dame name, just like Ty Willingham’s team was in his second season as coach. That’s not to say Michigan doesn’t have some things against them too. The wolverines have not won a road opener since 1999, and haven’t won in South Bend since 1994. That spells trouble for a coach desperate to hold onto his job past this season. He won’t let his team come into this game with the wrong mentality. Look for them to pound the ball with a healthy Michael Hart, and slowly work QB Chad Henne into the game, as he needs to have a good game for Michigan to stand a chance. The Michigan defense has been pretty good, but they will be looking to make a statement against a quality opponent like Notre Dame. Last week, Brady Quinn really stepped up his game, throwing for almost 300 yards and 3TDs. Darius Walker continued his hard nosed and elusive running, and you can expect the same this week. But, it was the defense that continually came up with big plays to help put the offense back on the field. If the defense plays as well as they did last week, it could be a long day under Touchdown Jesus’ gaze. I still like the Wolverines and Hart’s ability to run the football will be the difference in this game. I expect this one to come down to a late score and a pretty exciting finish. My Pick: Michigan
#19 Nebraska at #4 USC
As much as I historically dislike both programs, Callahan is doing an excellent job bringing Nebraska back up towards the top of the Big XII, and Pete Carroll didn’t have too bad of a drop off from last years Trojans, which says a lot. The Nebraska defense has been stingy in recent games, and Zac Taylor has even showed the ability to pass the ball well, not to mention the Cornhusker’s constant ability to run the football. Sadly it won’t be enough. USC is just too deep, fast, and strong for this up and coming Nebraska team. Too many playmakers on both sides of the ball, including QB John David Booty, who continues to show the pedigree that USC QB’s have come to deliver. Hopefully it won’t be more than a 14 point gap when it is all said and done. My Pick: USC
#6 LSU at #3 Auburn
This is the game I am looking forward to most. LSU is one of my favorite teams, and I think Auburn is the best team in the country. But it is because of games like this, that makes it so hard for an SEC team to compete for a BCS Championship. The SEC is bar none the best conference in football, with the Big Ten being the only one that comes close. In both conferences (more so in the SEC) great teams consistently face each other and knock each other out of title contention. This game will be one of those games. Whoever wins this game has a great chance at going undefeated. Auburn will be riding their stud tailback Kenny Irons (my number 3 Heisman hopeful) all day long. In last years game he ran over 20 times for about 200 yards and one score. This year QB Brandon Cox shows much more leadership on the field and in the huddle. He is proving he can make plays when his team needs him. And as always the Auburn defense is intense and intimidating, filled with playmakers everywhere. The LSU and Auburn defenses are filled to the brim with talent and hunger. The LSU defense is led by senior LaRon Landry back at the safety position, and look for him to mae one or two game changing plays. On offense, Senior QB JaMarcus Russell has finally settled into his starting role, and proving that he deserves his position. This game will ultimately decide whether he goes down as a hero or not though, which is a shame. If there is one thing LSU’s backfield is not short of it’s talent. LSU’s backup Qb Flynn could start and LSU probably wouldn’t miss a beat. Not to mention the fact that LSU has 5, that’s right 5, running backs capable of starting for probably 100 of the other D-IA schools. The WRs for both sides may lack name recognition, but just like the rest of the team they are deep squads full of speed and game changing ability. It should be a great game all around, wit a slight edge going to Auburn since they are at home. I still look for this game to come down to a field goal, and if we(I) am really lucky it’ll go into overtime. My Pick: Auburn
