Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Week 9 Predictions

Another week has come and gone and the discussion of who deserves to make it into this year's four team playoff has officially begun. It is no surprise that the SEC is leading the way, but exactly who those teams are...now that's a different story. The state of Mississippi has taken the college football world by storm this season and there is a legit possibility that both Ole Miss and Mississippi State could find themselves locked into two of the four spots in the inaugural year of the playoffs in college football. Last week was highlighted by West Virginia having their way with (at the time) #4 Baylor, 41-27, Alabama blanking Texas A&M 59-0, Kansas State knocking off Oklahoma 31-30, Georgia winning on the road at Arkansas, 45-32 behind another impressive showing from RB Nick Chubb and Florida State surviving another upset at home as they held off Norte Dame, 31-27. There aren't many games that really jump off the page at you this week but thanks to the success of the mid-lower tier SEC teams this season...there are a few that I'll be paying attention to this weekend. Without further delay...lets make some predictions!


#1 Mississippi State @ Kentucky

The Bulldogs have went from unranked to #1 in a blink of an eye this season and have looked impressive on both sides of the football. I'll tell you the truth...I want them to stay far, far away from Clemson once bowl season comes around. Dak Prescott is playing as good as anyone and Mississippi State has already defeated not one...not two...but three top 10 teams already this season...one of which came on the road at LSU. They are coming off a bye-week and playing a Kentucky team that actually has quite a bit to play for at 5-2 overall and a bowl game is still very much possible for the Wildcats. They took down South Carolina earlier this season at home (take that as you like) and while they are no Georgia or LSU when it comes to home field advantage, they can make it difficult for the visiting team. And while I don't think they have what it takes to pull the upset, I do think they can keep this game interesting early. In the end, I think this Bulldog team is simply too good and has greater depth and will prove to be the better team not just on paper, but on the field as well...ya know, where it matters most.

The Pick: Mississippi State 

#3 Ole Miss @ #24 LSU

The Rebels are only a 3 1/2 point favorite as they hit the road to Baton Rouge this weekend and they will be faced with yet another big test. Going on the road in the SEC is never easy but when you're talking LSU's Tiger Stadium and a program that is consistently ranked among the best in college football, the task seems even taller. However, I think the Rebels are up for the challenge. They have yet to back down this season. They are physical and talented up front on defense and I think they will cause problems for an offensive line and team that is still shuffling quarterbacks between Jennings and Harris and has struggled to really get the running game going. The Rebels have been salty on defense giving up only about 10 points (1st in nation), 97 yards rushing (6th in nation), and 193 yards passing (20th in nation) per game while they've forced 20 turnovers. (3rd in the nation) I think Bo Wallace and the Rebel offense are able to do just enough on offense and make a big play or two on defense to get the big win on the road. Give me the Rebels by one possession in a game that comes down to the final few minutes.

The Pick: Ole Miss

#4 Alabama @ Tennessee 

Nick Saban's squad responded well after an embarrassing performance against Arkansas in Week 7 and shutout the Aggies last weekend, 59-0. Bama was able to shutdown A&M's offense and conversely was able to run the ball efficiently. This is bad news for the Vols who have struggled to stop the run this season and have been far from impressive on offense. The offensive line has been outplayed for much of the season giving up a total of 30 sacks so far. Anytime I think about Alabama, defense is one of the first things that comes to mind so I just don't like Tennessee's chances when I consider how the offense is playing at this time and doubt they will be able to move the ball consistently based on what we've seen from both teams thus far. Once again though you have to include the home field advantage factor. I think if Tennessee can make some plays early and get some confidence while keeping the crowd actively involved then maybe they have a chance to make this a competitive game heading into the locker room at halftime. While I've seen a few CFB analyst predict an upset this weekend, I'm not buying it. In the words of Harvey Updyke and many Bama fans across the nation....RDT!

The Pick: Alabama

#5 Auburn vs South Carolina 

It's been a rough season this year in Columbia and while the Gamecocks still have something to play for...they simply are not the team we have grown familiar with the past few years. They got back on the winning side last week against Furman but have lost their last two in conference and have arguably their biggest test of the year Saturday when they head to the plains to take on #5 Auburn. The Tigers are 17 1/2 point favorites over the Gamecocks and for a defense that has struggled all season, things do not look all that bright going up against an Auburn team that is averaging over 260 yards rushing, 220 yards passing and 38 points per game. Nick Marshall is a very capable quarterback that can beat you with his arm and his legs. While the SC defense has struggled, the offense has improved and looked good at times. Mike Davis, brother of former Clemson RB James Davis, is finally picking up some steam and has ran for 100 yards each in his last three games adding on 6 touchdowns in that span. Some had Davis as contender for the Heisman during pre-season but he hasn't been as effective overall this year. Auburn is coming off their lone loss of the season to Mississippi State and are looking to get back on track. It will be interesting to see how the Gamecocks start the game Saturday night in what will be a rough environment. South Carolina has only had two road games this year but have not played well in either. I think the first couple of possessions will tell the story of how Saturday night will play out. I've told you before that they are a different team at home than they are on the road and I think that trend continues Saturday. Steve Spurrier is one of the best in the game and I think he'll have a good game plan ready to go but I think the issues on defense will again be their downfall.

The Pick: Auburn


#21 Clemson vs Syracuse 


 For the second straight week, the Tigers found themselves on the ropes needing a last minute defensive stand to survive and win and for the second straight week, they found a way to get it done. The offense continues to struggle and be plagued by injuries, the newest being TE Jordan Leggett who likely won't return until the Georgia Tech game and RB and leading rusher Adam Choice who is out for the remainder of the season due to torn ACL. While the offense hasn't been the same with Watson on the sidelines they've done just enough to get by the past two weeks and have found a way to get it done against the #1 and #11 defense in the country in back-to-back weeks putting together clock-eating, scoring, 4th quarter drives when they needed it most. The Tigers defense is getting better by the week and lead the nation in 3rd down defense, rank 6th in the nation in red zone defense and have allowed just 15 red zone appearances all season, ranking 4th in the nation. The Tigers have a much easier Homecoming opponent this weekend in Syracuse and will have the opportunity to get some confidence back on offense but will have to dig even deeper on the depth chart at running back with both Brooks and Choice now out for the season. Luckily, Davidson is coming off a solid game including a 32-yard GW touchdown last week at Boston College. In addition, it appears as though RS Freshmen Tyshon Dye finally looks healthy and is expected to see the field Saturday. The 5-11, 214 back from Georgia is talented and could give the offense a much needed spark.


While the Orange aren't exactly a "primetime worthy" opponent, they have Clemson's full attention especially considering what happened last year and in the off season. Syracuse head coach Scott Shafer aka "softnose" isn't a fan favorite after yelling out obscenities at Dabo after the Tigers went for the knockout punch up 28 points late in the fist half on a 4th and goal in the 1st half last year. Syracuse made the stop but Shafer had some not-so-nice words for Coach Swinney including a F-Bomb for going for it instead of kicking the field goal. Fast forward to the Winter when the South-East was hit with a snow storm that left many down in Atlanta and elsewhere stranded on the Interstate and in retail stores overnight as traffic backed up and road conditions became too poor to travel. Schools and the airport were shut down and the entire city was at a standstill until the snow and ice began to melt away. Shafer hopped on Twitter that night to take a dig at the South and it's reaction to the storm calling southerners softnosed...yeah the same kids he was in the area trying to recruit. Not a smart business move, Mr. Shafer. No, we don't get as much snow down here and are not as prepared or equipped to handle storms as good as up North, but to make that type of comment in what truly was a serious and unfortunate situation shows a lack of class and pure stupidity on Shafer's part.

These things have not been forgotten and I'm sure the Clemson fan base will give Shafer a nice warm welcome Saturday in his fist visit to Death Valley and show him how us Southerns play football. Add in the mix of Homecoming festivities and a 7:30 kick and this game should draw a solid crowd despite the inferior opponent. There's a little more motivation than you would expect and the Tigers are eager to pick up their 5th straight win and continue to climb back up in the polls. I think the Tiger offense finds its groove again and the defense continues to play at a high level. Could we be in store for another shutout of an ACC opponent Saturday night? I think its a good possibility, however you probably won't ever see me predict a shutout on here. But I will say be ready for another defensive touchdown.

The Pick: Clemson 



Other Predictions: 

#6 Oregon over California 
#8 Michigan State over Michigan 
#11 Kansas State over Texas
#18 East Carolina over Connecticut 

Upset Special: 

Penn State over #13 Ohio State 



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