Week 9 Predictions

We hear it every year. November is probably the biggest month in college football. Its the final full month of regular season action and everyone wants to make it a "November to Remember". Its a good time for teams like Florida, Oregon, Mississippi State, Notre Dame, Kansas St and Alabama who are still undefeated. But it is also good for 1-loss teams like Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, and USC who, if they win-out, will find themselves right back into the top 15 or even better. Especially with how the SEC is playing this year, these guys will eventually have to play each other and someone will have to lose which leaves room for some other guys to possibly move up in the rankings. Lets take a look at whats in store for us this weekend.

Thursday Night Special

Its a errie feeling for Clemson fans. It was this week four years ago following a Thursday night loss to Wake Forest on the road that the Tommy Bowden era came to an end and the Dabo Swinney era began. It seems longer than that but it was just four years ago. Since then, #18 Clemson has been able to make significant progress winning two division titles and one ACC conference title though there was a 6-7 season sandwiched in between those two. Things have changed since the Bowden era but many things have not. If Clemson wants to take the next step, they have to take care of business in games like these. Bottom line is the Tigers are the favorite in the game and though they will be tested defensively with a even more depleted secondary this week without Robinson and Breeland combined with WR Michael Campanaro making a return for the Demon Deacons, the Tigers should get the job done. Clemson should have little trouble moving the ball and putting up points against the Wake Forest defense who is giving up over 400 yards per game at home this season. It may not be the prettiest of wins ever, but Dabo Swinney and company get it done on the road and set up cross-division showdown with Duke next Saturday night.

Prediction: Clemson 34 Wake Forest 21

 Home Sweet Home

The Gamecocks are back in Columbia on the tail end of a brutal stretch that saw them go from looking like a top 5 caliber team to more like a typical top 15 or 20 team in a matter of just two weeks. Of course you have to factor in who they played and it being on the road but bottom line is #13 South Carolina has lost two straight, both conference losses and cannot afford to make it three in a row with Tennessee coming to town this weekend. South Carolina has got to get the running game back up to speed so that they aren't forced to throw the ball around...we found out that isn't their game. They have only rushed for 70 combined yards the past two weeks, they need to be getting that much plus some from Lattimore alone. When Lattimore is successful and has 20+ carries, its usually a happy ending for the Gamecocks. Tennessee is an improved team and can move the ball as well, though they have had some struggles on defense. This is a game South Carolina "should win" but how will they respond after the last two weeks? How will Shaw respond after being benched last week? With the SEC East title basically out of reach will the guys be motivated enough for a noon kick against the Vols, whom they've beaten the last two years? As a Gamecock fan, you can only hope so. I think they win a very close in Columbia

Prediction: South Carolina 28 Tennessee 24

Another SEC Showdown

Another week is here and we have another huge top 10 SEC match-up that has both conference and national title implications. With a win, #2 Florida clinches the SEC East division, keeps its undefeated record in tact and takes a big step closer to returning to the top of the SEC ladder. #10 Georgia is standing its their way though and will not back down without a fight. This is a rivalry game and with South Carolina losing two in a row, Georgia has life again. No pun intended here, but this is going to be a full pledge dog fight. A lot is on the table. I personally think Florida can win this game and win it fairly convincingly but you never know what to expect in a game like this. The atmosphere is going be insane and its going to be a long, physical, punch-for-punch boxing match. Florida keeps proving people wrong and I for one have started to believe in them. I picked them to beat South Carolina last week, though I had no idea it'd be in such dominating fashion. Using logic, you'd think Florida might roll against UGA since the bulldogs were whipped by the Gamecocks and the Gators absolutely shutdown South Carolina at every turn. I'm by no means saying this too will be a blow out, but Florida will make it known that they are the better team.

Prediction: Florida 21 Georgia 10


I mentioned how #8 Oklahoma, who lost to #3 Kansas St earlier this year at home was in a favorable position to end the season on a high note. If the Sooners win out and have a little help along the way they have an outside shot at having an argument for being in the national championship. I will say this, I don't think its going to happen, nor am I 100% on the fact they even win the rest of their games. BUT the door of opportunity is still cracked open. They just have to take advantage and get a little lucky with some outside help. This week should tell us a lot. With #5 and 7-0 Notre Dame coming to town, we will get a better look at both teams and learn more about just how good they are. This was one of my last test for the Irish before I believed if they were legit or not. IF they can get by Oklahoma things shape up well for the Irish down the final stretch. However, I think the party train takes a hit this weekend. Sooners pull the upset at home.

Prediction: Oklahoma 35 ND 30

#1 Alabama faces a test at home when #11 Mississippi State comes to town with its perfect record of 7-0. This could be a trap game. The line is about 24 points last time I checked which really surprises me. This game is really Bama's first real test. The Bulldogs secondary is good enough and offense is productive enough to make this game worth watching. Add in the fact that LSU-Alabama is next week so the Tide could be looking ahead a bit which could prove to be tragic for Alabama. I think Saban's team has to be focused 100% and ready to play or they could be in for quite a battle. He (Saban) is known for having great game preparation and they will be focused and ready to go Saturday night. Furthermore, I Alabama is just the better team. They win, but I'm not by as much as people (especially Bama fans) are going to expect.

Prediction: Alabama 28 Mississippi State 13

Other Predictions for the Week: 

#3 Kansas St over  #14 Texas Tech

#4 Oregon over Colorado

#9 USC over Arizona

#12 Florida State over Duke

#20 Texas A&M over Auburn

#23 Texas over Kansas