Setting The Stage
There's a song by country singer Tim McGraw entitled "How Bad Do You Want It?" I'm not a country music person for the most part, but its a good song with a great message. The chorus of the song says "How Bad You Do Want It? How Bad Do You Need It? Are You Eating...Sleeping...Dreaming With That One Thing On Your Mind? How Bad Do You Want It? How Bad Do You Need It? ...Cause If You Want It All, You Gotta Lay It All Out On The Line!"
That song sums up my preview of Week 8 and what I believe coaches will be preaching to their players. How bad do you want to be good? How hard are you willing to work these last few weeks to be successful? With the first BCS rankings out for the year, the season is beginning to wind down and if you want to make a late run towards a conference or national championship, now is the time to step up your game. You have to leave it all out on the field and play inspired and smart football. As far as I'm concerned, everyone needs to take on the mentality that its a one-game season. Nothing matters but who you play this week. The biggest game on your schedule is always the next one and you better act like it or you may find yourself reevaluating your season goals come Sunday morning.
This week should be another solid weekend for college football fans. For the 3rd straight week, South Carolina finds itself in a top ten showdown as it travels to The Swamp to take on Florida. After knocking off the Gamecocks last week in Death Valley, LSU heads to College Station to take on the Aggies. Alabama takes on Tennessee who is coming off a loss to Mississippi State. West Virginia looks to bounce back after last week's woodshed beating as they face off against Kansas St. In the ACC, Florida State hits the road to take on Miami, North Carolina and Duke square off in Durham in the prime time slot and last but not least, Clemson takes on Virginia Tech in Death Valley after a much needed bye week in a high noon contest. Here is how I see it playing out....
Its Prediction Time!
I'm not sure there has ever been a time South Carolina was ranked in the top 15 for as long as they have been this season.The Gamecocks have overcome poor showings on the road against Kentucky and Vanderbilt while flexing its muscle at home against Missouri and Georgia. Last week they couldn't get much going offensively but still managed to have a shot a winning the game in the fourth quarter against LSU. My main concern is one I posed last week. How will they fare playing on the road in a hostile environment? They fell short last week in Death Valley and heading into The Swamp Saturday at 3:30pm won't be much easier, if at all. The Gamecocks are in for its third straight top ten showdown and will have to find a way to get a "W" in Steve Spurrier's old stomping grounds. I'm sure he and the Gamecocks won't exactly get a warm welcome when they take the field. I question how South Carolina will respond after a though physical loss on the road. Like last week, this game will be won in the trenches and decided on who can make the big play. Special Teams will also be huge and Ace Sanders has the ability to take it the distance every time he touches the ball. The leadership of Shaw, who is closing in on 1000 passing yards ( 9 TDs) will be huge. It'll be up to him to get the guys ready pre-snap on offense. A big key will to establish something early and get some points on the board and "TRY" to keep the Florida fans seated and the Gator's offense on the sidelines. This is a big hurdle South Carolina needs to cross to if they want to capture their first SEC title. With one loss already under its belt and Florida still undefeated, the Gamecocks can't afford to fall two games behind the Gators. I've picked South Carolina to win every game so far this season but have been keeping an eye on this game since Florida knocked off Tennessee in Knoxville. I think the combination of last week's physical loss and having to play a Florida team that is firing on all cylinders right now is too much and just bad timing for South Carolina. Add in the fact that Lattimore is likely out with a bruised hip, Kelcy Quarles is questionable, as well as Clowney who was limited in practice this week doesn't help the matter. To add more fuel to the fire, a flu bug has been flying around the team all week including Ace Sanders and Bruce Ellington so many of the Gamecock's key players are either out or might not be 100%. Its going to be a tough one for South Carolina and I think they still put up a fight, but it won't be enough. Not quite.Prediction: Florida 24 South Carolina 16
LSU was able to bounce back in a major way last week from its loss at Florida as the Tigers took down South Carolina. Now the Tigers are back on the road and have to travel to yet another tough stadium and face Texas A&M. The Aggies are 5-1 on the year, their only loss coming to Florida on a 20-17 decision at home. LSU controlled the trenches last week and if they can find a way to do that again Saturday they should be in great shape to pick up a big SEC road victory. They will have to find a way to keep QB Johnny Manziel in check who has thrown for over 1600 yards and 14 TDs this season. He has also rushed for 676 yards and 10 TDs. Can they keep the Aggie offense in check like they did against SC? I'm going to say yes, though the game will be closer than LSU fans will probably like. No need to worry, Tiger fans. They will get the win.Prediction: LSU 33 TAMU 27
Alabama has to hit the road for a prime time meeting in Neyland Stadium against Tennessee. On paper I wouldn't really think twice about this game but it could very easily be a trap for the Tide. However, Alabama has yet to be even legitimately challenged. I said it in my week 7 review and I'll say it again. Alabama is good and I wouldn't be surprised if they go undefeated in the regular season. Bama's McCarron has passed for 12 TDs this year and on the ground, Lacy has led the way with 491 yards and 7TDs. For the Vols, Tyler Bray has thrown for over 1700 yards and 16 TDs. I think Tennessee can keep it interesting for some of the first half but Alabama will prove its the better team down the stretch and get the win.Prediction: Alabama 54 Tennessee 28
Its week 8 and I'm still not exactly sure where Kansas St came from but the Wildcats are 6-0 and head to WVU for a Big 12 showdown at 7pm Saturday. The Wildcats have had a few close calls but the bottom line is that they are undefeated. That being said I think it comes to an end this weekend. I see Geno Smith (25 TD passes on the year) and company bouncing back from an embarrassing showing against Texas Tech and knocking off the Wildcats and keeping his Heisman hopes alive. Both teams are scoring over 40 points per game so expect another high scoring affair with the Mountaineers coming out on top.Prediction: WVU 49 Kansas St 35
In a game that has lost some of its luster recently, Florida State heads down the interstate to Miami to take on the Hurricanes, who after winning four of their first five games to start 4-1, have lost two straight games are desperate for a win. I would say Miami will have an advantage with it being at home...but lets be serious. When is the last time Miami filled up a stadium? Nevertheless, its not in Tallahassee which helps. Morris is having a great year for the Hurricanes and needs just 9 yards to surpass 2000 yards through the air for the season. Miami's offense can hang with FSU but their defense has struggled this year and if they can't keep EJ Manuel and Chris Thompson in check, they will steamroll that defense. As much as I want Miami to pull it out and give Clemson the chance to control is own ACC destiny again, I just can't pull myself to think the Seminoles will fall Saturday. Just cant do it.Prediction: FSU 56 Miami 35
Prediction: North Carolina 28 Duke 24
After a much needed bye week, Clemson welcomes Virginia Tech to town. It'll be Military Appreciation Day, which is always a big day in Tiger town. Add in the Daniel Rodriguez story and this has the making for a special day in Clemson. Rodriguez will lead the team down the hill with the American flag, so if you are going to the game, be sure to arrive early. Clemson had VT's number last year and only gave up 13 points and outscored the Hokies 61-13 overall. Sammy Watkins played a big role offensively and you gotta believe he is primed for his breakout game this season. Following his suspension, Watkins has struggled to get back to full speed and after battling a stomach bug he should finally be 100% mentally and physically for the Hokies. I don't even need to mention what should have been addressed in the bye week defensively. I know Chad Morris will have a great plan on offense so we just need to focus and execute...something we did very well against these guys last year. We are in Death Valley and despite it being a noon kickoff, we should have a great crowd. Nuk Hopkins is having a stellar season and is making quite a name for himself this season with 777 yards and 8TDs. He doesn't really deal with the media and chooses to let his play on the field do the talking. Literally. The guy met with the media for the first time since the season started this week. He is strictly business and that's what you love to see. Bottom line is most of the skill players that gave VT headaches last year are still here this year and based on the rocky season the Hokies have had to this point, you have to give Clemson the edge at home. Tigers have a quick turnaround as they face Wake Forest on the road next Thursday night. But first things first, handle your business on Saturday.Prediction: Clemson 49 Virginia Tech 28
Other Predictions
Take Your Pick:Week 8
Notre Dame over BYU
Oregon State over Utah
Oklahoma over Kansas
Georgia over Kentucky
Miss St. over MTSU
Texas Tech over TCU
Stanford over California
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