I am a Michigan fan. I also hate being a Michigan fan because the teams make it so damn hard. From the Fab Five and the timeout that wasn't to Appalachian State to Punt-six to losing every.single.damn.time to Urban Meyer Michigan's record of spectacular failure is only second to the fact that we've won a bunch of games.
That said, this week is the return of the rivalry with Michigan State, a team that we've only beaten once since Mike Hart called them "little brother" which might be accurate in fact but has not been so on the field (or court) of late.
For the rest of the nation this appears to be one of those weeks where conference match-ups provide us with a plate of unsightly college-football food. Double-digit lines abound and it's unlikely that many of the games will provide many sparks. All that said, this is still college football so there's bound to be some things that sneak up and surprise you. (In a good way)
To the games.....
Louisville (-3.5) @ NC State T: 65.5
This is a HUGE game for the Wolfpack. Maybe one of the biggest this season. Without this game they have no chance at winning the ACC. Fortunately, for them, Louisville has an offensive line that is somewhere between not-good and awful, and we saw the impact of that on the best player in college football against Clemson. NC State's defensive line is not as strong as Clemson's (no one's is) but they are pretty good and should give Lamar Jackson some issues as he tries to keep the Cardinals on track. I think this turns out to be a dandy. Prediction: Louisville 28 NC St 24
LSU @ Florida (-2.5) T: 45.5
You would be forgiven for falling asleep during this game when you figure neither team should do much on offense. However, it could be that the injury to Gator QB Luke Del Rio turns out to be a net positive for the Florida offense. Instead of relying on a shaky passing game the Gators are now going to be forced to lay to their strengths and run the ball more behind QB Felipe Franks. And, let's face it, LSU is a damn mess right now. Prediction: LSU 3 Florida 17
Southern Miss @ UT-San Antonio (-13.5) T: 51.5
I have been banging my RoadRunner drum all year to those of you who are listening and there's now a chance that UTSA could wind up the season undefeated. Their toughest remaining game is at Louisiana Tech at the end of the season which should be for the C-USA championship. Honestly, it looks now as if the hurricane did UH a favor because if the two teams played I'd lean UTSA. Prediction: Southern Miss 20 UTSA 52
Washington State (-2.5) @ Oregon T: 61.5
This game opened at -2.5 Oregon. If you were able to grab Wazzu on the moneyline "huzzah" to you. with starting QB Hebert likely out for significant time it will be interesting to see what the Oregon offense is able to put together. Meanwhile, Wazzu's defense is much improved and QB Luke Falk is quietly increasing his draft stock game by game. Prediction: Wazzu 35 Oregon 24
Stanford (-5.5) @ Utah T: 50.5
The unstoppable force (Stanford RB Bryce Love) meets the immovable object (Utah's running defense, which has been spectacular) Utah's run defense ranks 10th in the country only allowing 2.66 yards per play while Stanford's rush offense ranks 11th in the country getting 8.44 yards per rush. Clearly something in this scenario has to give. The Utes are a little hard to figure out because they haven't played anyone, but Stanford has, and they've lost to every really good team they have played. I think Utah gets them at home. Prediction: Stanford 17 Utah 23
West Virginia @ TCU (-13.5) T: 68.5
This is the least "big game" feeling big game I've ever seen. Even Game Day coming to their city doesn't inspire me to care much about this one. West Virginia has looked OK, but all of their wins are against bad teams. The one time they played a good team they hung in for a half, and then couldn't sustain in the 2nd. Meanwhile we kind of know that TCU is good. Arkansas, SMU and Oklahoma State is a pretty solid 3-week run. Add to that the excitement of Game Day, home field and an October day that's expected to be beautiful and I think the line is about right. Prediction: WVU 20 TCU 42
Alabama (-26.5) @ Texas A&M T: 54
I'm only commenting on this game to point something out. As bad as things have been for the Aggies this game, and Auburn, are the only two games remaining on the schedule that you look at and say "they lose here." Every other game is winnable. If the Fighting Sumlins can pull a surprise against Auburn this team could finish 10-2. The more likely scenario is 9-3 and you have to wonder if Aggie is paying attention to the teams that have fired coaches off of a 9-3 season (Hi! Nebraska [twice]). I'm starting to think Sumlin is going to make it. Not this week though, Alabama is on a mission. Prediction: Alabama 49 Texas aTm 3
And now, games involving teams I follow......
SMU @ Houston (-6.5) T: 63
I have a sneaking suspicion this might be the game of the weekend. SMU only has a loss to a very good TCU team but they were able to move the ball on them. UH loss to Texas Tech revealed a weakness in my mind, and they've been struggling offensively. That said, I think Kyle Postma is a much better quarterback for this offense and another week practicing with the starters should bear that out. Ed Oliver being healthy or not is a HUGE factor because he's the defensive anchor for this Cougars team. I'm expecting a shoot-out. Prediction: SMU 49 UH 45 (Take the over)
SDSU (-10.5) @ UNLV T: 57.5
In a perfect world the plucky Rebels would come together in the wake of last Sunday's tragedy and pull out a miracle win against the Aztecs, who are probably the best Group of 5 team in the country right now. Alas, as we've been horrifically reminded, this is not a perfect world and miracles rarely happen. I think that SDSU is too good, and UNLV's defense is too bad, for the Rebels to have a shot. One area in which they will win however is the uniforms. These helmets are straight fire. That said, I'm pulling for them to cover Prediction: SDSU 35 UNLV 28
And finally.....
Michigan State @ Michigan (-10.5) T: 40
It's all on you Mr. O'Korn. Michigan State's running attack should be nullified by Michigan's excellent defensive front. It's hard to imagine since Ed Oliver is so good but Ra'Shaun Gary is only the 2nd best interior defensive lineman in college football. IF O'Korn can get Michigan's offense fired up and not replicate Wilton Speight's habit of throwing the ball to the other team then Michigan SHOULD win handily.
I know, I know, I don't have any faith either.
Prediction: MSU 10 Go Blue 17 (But I hope it's more)
Good luck this weekend and enjoy the games.
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