Week 4 Predictions

A Tough Act to Follow

Week Three provided fans quite the excitement. Last minute finishes, Overtime Thrillers, Comebacks, Blowouts and, of course, a few Upsets. Can Week 4 live up to the standard set last weekend? I don't have that answer, but the potential is definitely there. Lets take a look at what's in store for us this weekend. 

Take Your Pick: Week 4

Missouri @ #7 South Carolina 

The Tigers face their first road game in the SEC. That in itself would be a tall task. Add in the #7 team in the nation in the mix, the mountain just got even taller. Missouri proved they could hang with UGA in the first half but the game got away from them down the stretch. Williams Brice will be rocking and Conner Shaw or no Conner Shaw I think the Gamecocks get it done. However, it may be closer than the fans in Garnet and Black would like for most of the game. Nevertheless, they'll pull away late in the game and get the win. 

The Pick: South Carolina 34 Missouri 21

Vanderbilt @ #5 Georgia 

The Commodores had South Carolina on the ropes until the final moments in the 4th quarter in their season opener. They are definitely and improved team. However, I think UGA is a better team and Vanderbilt has to hit the road for this SEC match-up. Aaron Murray is closing in on 1,000 yards passing already (842 yards, 8 TD's) and is off to a great start. Bulldogs get pass the Commodores with relative ease. 

The Pick: Georgia 35 Vanderbilt 21

#2 LSU @ Auburn

The Tigers just barely escaped with a win over the WarHawks last week to avoid the 0-3 start. That is good news for them because LSU is gonna take them behind the woodshed. The murmur you heard after the Mississippi St loss begins to turn into a grumbling from Auburn fans as they really become on edge after a 1-3 start to the season. 

The Pick: LSU 44 Auburn 10

Other Games of Interest: 

#1 Alabama over Florida Atlantic 

#3 Oregon over #22 Arizona 

#6 Oklahoma over #15 Kansas State

#13 USC over California 

#18 Michigan over #11 Notre Dame

WVU over Maryland

Georgia Tech over Miami (FL)

Presbyterian College over Furman 

**Upset Pick**  

Rugters over Arkansas (Yeah, I said it!!!) 

And last but not least......

ESPN's College Game Day to feature #10 Clemson @ #4 Florida State

College Game day. 8pm. #4 vs #10. ACC Showdown. Dabo vs Jimbo. Division Rivals. Potential BCS implications.....This is what its all about, folks! Here. We. Go!!!!!

Preview:  

Clemson opens as a 13 point under-dog to the Noles this weekend. However, that isn't anything new. Clemson has been the underdog in every game since 2003, with the exception of 2009. However, the Tigers have came out on the winning side in 6 out of those 9 meetings. At Death Valley, FSU hasn't won since 2001...but this game is in Doak Campbell. A place where Tiger wins have been few and far between. I was in attendance the last time Clemson won down in Tallahassee back in 2006. Before then, the last win at FSU was in 1989. Many fans may remember the showdown in 2000 in which FSU won 54-7. I expect this meeting to be much closer and a much lower score. 

Keys to a Tiger Victory: 

1. Win The Turnover Battle

The Tigers can't afford to turnover the ball and will have to be on the positive side of the turnover margin in this game. Point. Blank. Period. 

2. Run Defense/Big Plays 

The Tigers have been very suspect on defense thus far. A few of the touchdowns Clemson has given up came on big plays not only on the ground, but through the air.  Defense will have to step it up and also make stops on 3rd down to get off the field. 

3. Don't Beat Yourself 

With the odds already stacked against you as a 13 point underdog on the road in a hostile environment, Clemson will have to avoid mental errors and penalties. Gotta pay attention and focus as I suspect the guys will be going with some silent counts to off-set some of the noise...this could lead to mistakes and false starts.. something the Tigers can't afford.  

4. Lets Get Physical 

This game is going to be won in the trenches and the Tigers are young upfront on the line and will be battling a tough, physical, and talented defensive front. They will have to play grown man football and not be intimidated by FSU. Tighten up that chin strap and battle!! 

Prediction: 

I still haven't quite figured out how every year FSU gets all this hype and BCS title hopes yet they haven't even won the conference since 2008. Nevertheless, this is a solid football team. I've been back and forth all week with this one and I really don't know what to expect. Clemson has proven it can win on a big stage with the hard fought win over Auburn in the Georgia Dome. However, this is a whole different ball game. College Game Day will be there and the entire nation will be watching. Plus the game is in "The Doak". Tajh Boyd has grown up a great bit since last year but can he lead his Tigers to one of the biggest wins in Clemson history? Will the offensive line even give them that chance? Is Florida State even that good?  I mean, make no mistake about it, this is a huge test for them as well. Playing JV football teams the first two weeks and Wake Forest last week...do we really know how good this Seminole team is? Sammy Watkins had a huge day against the Noles last season and hard to believe he won't be huge again this time around. At the end of the day, I'm not sure Clemson has showed me enough to believe they can go get this one in Tallahassee. Although you never know with my team. I could easily see us get a win this week down at FSU then come back with our tails tucked between our legs from Boston College next weekend after a letdown. I've gone back and forth literally all week with my pick for this game but I've made a decision and I'm sticking to it. As the week has progressed, my optimism has grown to near confidence. That being said, pour me another glass of that orange kool-aid because I think someway, somehow, we find a way to get it done in the Doak. There are some mismatches with our wide outs and their secondary. The key will be if Tajh has time to throw the ball and make things happen down field. AE is also key...if he has success running the ball early it can only pay off later in the game and open up things through the air. Could there be a little payback in the works from our last trip with down to Tallahassee with a GW Field Goal of our own? (Spencer Benton already proved he can knock them down from 60+ this year and "Cat Man"  aka Chandler Catanzaro can also be clutch) We shall see. It may be a biased homer-pick but hey...this is my blog, and I do what I want! ;)  Cue the Tiger Rag! 

The Pick: Clemson 27 Florida State 24