
Its nearing to Saturday and you know what that means. College football time! Here are my Predictions for my Select 10 games for this weekend in college football!
(7) Oklahoma State vs (8) Texas A & M
The Cowboys head down to Aggieland in this huge matchup. Oklahoma State is led by star QB Brandon Weeden and WR Justin Blackmon. Expect them to put the ball in the air early and often. The Aggies will need to play their best game in the secondary. If they keep the Cowboys in front of them and force them to have to work for everything, the there is more opportunity for Oklahoma State to make a mistake. For the Aggies, expect them to use RB Cyrus Gray and WR Jeff Fuller a lot. If the Aggies stay balanced and control the time of possession, they should be able to take care of business at home. It should be an entertaining game.
Prediction: Texas A & M 45, Oklahoma State 38
(14) Arkansas vs (3) Alabama
The Razorbacks head to Bryant Denny Stadium to take on the Crimson Tide in a big matchup in the SEC West. The Razorbacks are led by QB Tyler Wilson. He must keep his poise against this fearsome defense, led by LB Donta Hightower and CB Dre Kilpatrick. If he’s able to hold his composure in the pocker, expect him to test the Crimson Tide secondary with weapons like WR Greg Childs and Joe Adams. For the Crimson Tide, they must establish the run with RB Trent Richardson. If not, QB AJ McCarron could be in trouble with the improved Razorback defense on his heels. In the end, the more physical team will win. And that team is the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Prediction: Alabama 31, Arkansas 24
(11) Florida State vs (21) Clemson
Florida State comes off a heartbreaking loss to Oklahoma and heads to Death Valley to face the surging Clemson Tigers. Seminole QB EJ Manuel could be out for this game, but don’t expect any change in the tempo the Seminoles set. Expect them to give the Tigers multiple formations and expect them to be as balanced as possible, considering EJ Manuel is their best runner. For Clemson, this game is another game that could be huge for QB Tahj Boyd. He must continue to build on the confidence he obtained last weekend vs Auburn. Expect the Tigers to spread the Seminoles out and test their secondary. The Seminoles will be up for challenge.
Prediction: Florida State 27, Clemson 21
Vanderbilt vs (12) South Carolina
The Commodores head to Gamecock territory to take on a talented South Carolina team. For Vandy to stay in this game, they must control the tempo and the offense must sustain drives. If QB Larry Smith is able to manage this offense, the ‘Dores will have a good shot to pull off the upset. If the talented South Carolina defense has anything to say about it, the ‘Dores will be unsettled all game. For South Carolina offensively, they must impose their will on the smaller Vandy defense. If South Carolina and RB Marcus Lattimore get it going on the ground, then this game could get ugly. I expect Vandy to fight and play hard, but in the end, Lattimore will be too much.
Prediction: South Carolina 27, Vanderbilt 17
(23) USC vs Arizona State
The Men of Troy head to the Desert to take on the Sun Devils. Star QB Matt Barkley has been putting up numbers. Expect this game to be more of a challenge for him with the with the likes of All-America LB Vontaze Burfict putting pressure on him. If Barkley has time, expect him to look for WR Robert Woods early and often. For Arizona State, expect them to put the ball up early and often as well. The only difference is USC doesn’t have enough defense to stop Arizona State.
Prediction: Arizona State 31, USC 21
(10) Oregon vs Arizona
The Oregon Ducks head to down to Arizona to take on the Wildcats. For Oregon, expect them to use speed, speed and more speed against the Wildcats. QB Darren Thomas and crew will rev up the tempo. The question will be can the Arizona defense respond? As far as the Arizona offense, expect them to air it out. But the difference is the Oregon defense will eventually cause the Wildcats to crumble.
Prediction: Oregon 48, Arizona 27
(15) Florida vs Kentucky
The Gators head to the Commonwealth to take on a Wildcat team that has been largely unimpressive this year. Kentucky must find RB/WR Chris Rainey everytime he is in the game. He is by far the best weapon that Florida has. He also has to be accounted for on special teams as well. If I were Kentucky, I wouldn’t kick to him. For Kentucky, their offense will have a tough time generating offense vs Florida DL Jay Howard and crew. The best way for Kentucky to attack the Gators will be to go at their young corners. They are talented, but they tend to try to be a little too overzealous in being physical, which leads to pass interference penalties. It could be a long day for the Wildcats.
Prediction: Florida 45, Kentucky 17
San Diego State vs (22) Michigan
The Aztecs travel to the Big House to take on the Wolverines. Expect the Aztecs to attack the Wolverines with multiple formations. Michigan must be ready for that and they must play more sound defensively. If they come correct defensively, then they should be fine. As far as offense, the Wolverines must take the reins off QB Denard Robinson and let him be himself. And that means letting him run the ball. He is not a pocket passer and I think he’s better when he’s on the move. Expect Robinson to make some plays this game to carry Michigan to victory.
Prediction: Michigan 37, San Diego State 21
Louisiana Tech vs Mississippi State
The Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech head down to Starkville to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech spreads the field, so expect them to try to find creative ways to get the ball to their playmakers, RB Lennon Creer and WR Quinton Patton. These two could give Mississippi State problems if they don’t come prepared. Patton vs the Mississippi State DBs should be a good matchup. On defense, the Bulldogs better be ready for the Mississippi State to run right at them with QB Chris Relf and crew. This game will be close for a little while, but in the end, the more physical team should win out.
Prediction: Mississippi State 35, Louisiana Tech 24
(2) LSU vs (16) West Virginia
The Tigers head to Morgantown to take on the Mountaineers of West Virginia. Expect the Mountaineers to try to spread the field and try to use the strength of their passing game behind their veteran QB Geno Smith. LSU should be game with the wide array of athletes they have on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, expect the Tigers to run right at the Mountaineers. The question will be if the Mountaineers can stop them. I don’t think they can. LSU wins in a close one.
Prediction: LSU 24, West Virginia 20
These are my predictions for the weekend’s big games. Let the games begin!!!!