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| Posted : Friday, September 14 2007 / 1:53 AM |
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Week 3 NCAA predictions
SeminoleDynasty and Austinwolv are back with their week 3 NCAA predictions.
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AndyP
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SeminoleDynasty and Austinwolv are back with their week 3 NCAA predictions.
After week 2, both Austinwolv and SeminoleDynasty sit at 9-3. For week 2, we both went 4-2 in picking games. For week 3, we've decided on the following games. Tennessee @ Florida,, Arkansas @ Alabama, Southern California @ Nebraska, Boston College @ Georgia Tech, Ohio St. @ Washington, and Louisville @ Kentucky.
Ohio St. @ Washington
Sept. 15, 3:30pm ET ESPN
Austinwolv's take:
This was has the potential makings of a defensive battle. Neither offense is particularly dangerous, but OSU does have a star-caliber RB, Chris Wells, in the making.
Washington, on the other hand, has solid players but hasn’t developed a player that will take over a game yet. Their QB, Locker, is young and talented, but he’s also....young. He’ll make mistakes unless the Husky coaching staff gameplans to protect him, which typically spells for a conservative offense. That is the safest route against one of the better defenses in the country.
If OSU’s offense plays just adequate, they have enough to put up some points behind that solid defense. Run the ball, move the chains, and hope Boeckman plays better than he did against Akron.
Even with this one out on the West Coast, the Buckeyes pull out the win.
OSU 24, Washington 13
SeminoleDynasty's add:
I agree with AW that Ohio St. will have a tough fight in this one. Although, I see them falling on the road to Ty Willingham and the Huskies. Washington gets another big win and upset over a top 25 team for 2 weeks straight.
Washington 17 Ohio St. 13
Tennessee @ Florida
Sept.15, 3:30pm ET CBS
SeminoleDynasty's take:
Tennessee comes in with a blemish at Cal. Tennessee didn't look great in week 2 against Southern Miss and had a fight into the 4th before pulling away. It does seem Tennessee may have found themselves some receivers though. Austin Rogers, Lucas Taylor, and Josh Briscoe caught 241 yards and 2 touchdowns from quarterback Erik Ainge. Those guys will have to play like that against a tough Gator team that eeked out a 21-20 win over the Vols last season.
The Volunteer defense gave up 263 yards through the air against the Golden Eagles and will have to do much better against a Gator high flying attack. The Vols will need to get a lot of pressure on Gator quarterback Tim Tebow and draw a lot of turnovers to keep the Vols in this one.
Florida comes in looking like the defending National Champions. Florida hasn't played very good competition, but the Gators have done what a big favorite is suppose to do and that is put a boot on the throat of your opponent early. The Gators have scored 118 points through 2 games. In week 2, the Gators rolled to a 59-31 win over Troy. The Gator offense gained 500 yards on the day and have now amassed over 1000 yards in both games played.
The problem for the Gators is their defense has not been tested. Western Kentucky and Troy are not the type of teams you want your defense to be battle tested against going up against Ainge and Tennessee. The Gator defense gave up over 280 yards to the Trojans and while it was after they were up big, you don't want to see your depth get eaten up like that against a poor team. Another poor sign is the Gators only recorded 1 sack against Troy. They will have to bring more pressure against Ainge if they don't want him to pick them apart.
With Florida playing at home and rolling on offense, I see this game going much like the Vols season opener. The Vols play tough, but the Gators win it in the 2nd half easy.
Florida 31 Tennessee 20
Austinwolv's add:
Tennessee better shore up a defense that looked confused at times against Cal. Florida and Cal both have great offensive systems and playcalling in place, so expecting Tennessee to shut down Florida is questionable. Having one CB injured and another be a freshman, although a star in the making, won’t be enough to shut down a Florida offense that digs experimenting and doesn’t play conservative.
Florida 41, Tennessee 24
Arkansas @ Alabama
Sept. 15, 6:45pm ET ESPN
SeminoleDynasty's take:
Arkansas and their fantastic running duo will match up against Nick Saban and his Crimson Tide in week 3. Last year the Razorbacks lost a close one 24-23 to the Tide. The Razorbacks were idle in week 2 and their only game this season was a 46-26 win over Troy. In that game the Razorbacks ran wild but showed their passing game needs a lot of work. Heisman front runner Darren McFadden and his back up Felix Jones both went over 100 yards. McFadden went over 200 all-purpose yards adding a pass for 42 yards and 2 receptions for 30 yards. Quarterback Casey Dick will have to play better against a tough Tide defense and help keep them honest for his running duo.
The Razorback defense didn't look so crisp against Troy allowing over 350 yards on the day. The Razorbacks defense also only recorded 1 sack and forced 1 turnover. Both of those will have to go up if they want to win a big game.
Alabama is coming off a 24-10 win over Vanderbilt. Alabama looked good on the ground, but average passing on the day gaining 371 yards of total offense. Runningback Terry Grant gained 173 of those yards on the ground plus 26 through the air. The Crimson Tide quarterback, John Parker Wilson, will need to step up and take pressure off Grant in this one. Wilson looked lost against Vandy and has yet to throw a touchdown in 2 games.
The Crimson Tide defense has played very well after 2 games. The Tide allowed only 57 yards on the ground against Vandy. This will definitely help their confidence going against the Razorback duo. The Tide will need to load the box and not allow big plays through the air to open up the Razorback running game. Can they though is the question?
I'm going to take Arkansas in this one even though it is going to be in Tuscaloosa. McFadden will make enough big plays and keep his name at the front of the Heisman list.
Arkansas 21 Alabama 17
Austinwolv's add:
While the ‘Bama defense looks nice on paper, their offense needs to show up also or else the defense isn’t going to matter. Casey Dick can’t help but improve and some simple play-action or formation looks can get some nice, short easy passes for him to hit as the ‘Bama D obviously cannot commit to just stopping McFadden. This game will show that Saban has a lot of building to do.
Arkansas 28, Alabama 14
Louisville @ Kentucky
Sept. 15, 7:30pm ET ESPN Classic[/b]
Austinwolv's take:
Two teams that like to throw the ball around and can put points up quickly. Two teams with defenses that have proven porous. Which one would you pick to win?
The one with the QB that is regarded as the best in the college ranks.
Louisville has shown the ability to score quickly, easily, through the air, and on the ground. However, they haven’t really had to do it against a legitimate defense yet. Regardless, they have the experienced QB and skill players that have proven their ability to make plays. On defense, Louisville needs a lot of improvement to take a step to the next tier of national contenders. Giving up 35 in a half just will not cut it against other top teams.
That is why Kentucky has to be eyeing this game hungrily. Featuring Andre Woodson at QB, the Wildcats have put a good amount of points on the board also, but that was also against subpar opponents. Never discount a team that plays in the SEC though, as they are used to playing tough games. If Kentucky’s defense can improve and the offense doesn’t commit turnovers, Louisville could be in for a challenge.
Too much Brohm, coupled with a solid running game, means Kentucky’s defense can’t get off the field.
Louisville 42, Kentucky 30
SeminoleDynasty's add:
I agree with AW again. Louisville's high flying offense will help them win this one in another shoot out, but they better find a defense in a hurry if they want to take the improved Big East this year.
Louisville 38 Kentucky 30
Boston College @ Georgia Tech
Sept. 15, 8pm ET ESPN2
Boston College and Matt Ryan have looked like a mid season team at this point. After 2 conference wins, the Eagles are the front runner of the ACC Atlantic. Ryan looked sharp in his opener, but didn't look that great against N.C. State in week 2. His running game picked him up as the Eagles rushed for 231 yards on the day.
The BC defense has been dominate in stopping the run. They allowed only 2 yards to the Demon Deacons in their 1st game and then 56 yards against the Wolf Pack. They've also been great at taking away the ball. Last week the Eagles defense took 7 turnovers from the Pack and in week 1 the Deacons turned it over 4 times. 9 of those turnovers have been interceptions. The down side is the defense has given up chunks through the air. Both Wake and N.C. St. threw for over 350 yards.
Georgia Tech is 2-0 and has looked dominant, though they haven't really played anyone. They did beat Notre Dame in South Bend 33-3, but Notre Dame is hardly a shell of their former selves. Georgia Tech didn't let up against Samford in week 2 as the Yellow Jackets won 69-14. Both of those games saw the Yellow Jackets run for over 250 yards, but not much happened through the air. Quarterback Taylor Bennett will need to do much more this week if the Yellow Jackets are to be successful. In 2 games this season Bennett is 19 of 32 for 206 yards, with 0 touchdowns and interceptions.
The Tech defense has been dominant on defense against the run holding the Irish to minus 8 yards and then Samford to 84 yards. Both teams failed to gain 250 total yards on the Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets have also a 5-0 turnover margin this season and have recorded 11 sacks.
If the Jackets can get consistant pressure on Ryan, then the Jackets could have another huge day. With this game in Atlanta, it will give the Jackets a decided home field advantage as well. I'm very curious as to if Bennett can throw on the turnover hunger BC secondary. Both teams shouldn't find much running room, and I don't think Bennett can get the job done. I see the Eagles taking it behind Ryan's arm.
Boston College 21 Georgia Tech 9
Austinwolv's add:
Absolutely agree. Despite a blitz-happy, nasty defense, GT is at a disadvantage here. Having an inexperienced QB against a BC team that has stopped the running game well means GT’s defense will need to play at the top of their game. Tech only wins this one if their defense can make game-changing plays, and they win the turnover battle. BC takes this one.
Boston College 23, Georgia Tech 17
Southern California @ Nebraska
Sept. 15, 8pm ET ABC
Austinwolv's take:
Nebraska is hungry for this game. An experienced, talented QB surrounded by a team that hung around with USC for part of the game last year in California means they aren’t going to be intimidated by the Trojan talent. Despite being visibly outclassed in talent on the field last year, the Huskers gutted it out.
Husker QB Sam Keller has been through a lot in his college career and didn’t have the best day against Wake Forest, but the Huskers won. He’s talented and has a solid RB in Marlon Lucky who knows how to make some plays.
USC won their first game of the season easily, but the opponent was Idaho so there isn’t a lot to gauge there so far. On paper, the Trojans again outclass the Huskers on both sides of the ball with superior talent, especially at receiver. The Trojan defense is supposed to be one of the best in the land, but they need to prove it on the field in a typically loud Husker Stadium.
Nebraska will hang around in this one, but not having playmakers at receiver will mean USC can bring the heat on Keller. USC’s talent pulls away as the game wears on.
USC 37, Nebraska 17
SeminoleDynasty's add:
I agree with Austin again. Nebraska doesn't have the athletes to match up with the Trojans. I think the Trojans will come out with a good win in Lincoln.
USC 34 Nebraska 17
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