Cram Session - Week 10

We should all consider ourselves lucky. The Game of the Century has come with 89 years remaining in the century. In case you are too cool to have television or Internet, I am referring to this Saturday's game between #1 LSU and #2 Alabama. Both teams are undefeated and this game has been circled on the calendar of college football fans for months. I will go on record as saying the winner will end up being the national champion in January, while the loser will have to settle for another BCS Bowl. The hype has been unrivaled, now we just have to hope the game lives up to it.

Games That Matter to Me

Notre Dame (5-3) at Wake Forest (5-3)

There was talk of friction in the locker room after Brian Kelly threw his upperclassmen under the bus with some comments he made last week. That friction was taken out by the players on Navy last weekend, as the Irish got back to the roots of the rivalry, which was them always beating the crap out of the Midshipmen. Notre Dame now begins a three game ACC stretch where they will be favored in each game. This weekend's game against Wake Forest likely presents the biggest challenge of the three. The Demon Deacons can be a dangerous team at home, already knocking off Florida State earlier this season. However, since that win they have been less than impressive, getting blown out by Virginia Tech and North Carolina and barely defeating Duke. Wake Forest's biggest strength is their passing game led by QB Tanner Price. Price has 14 TDs and 6 INTs but is coming off a miserable game against the Tar Heels where he had three interceptions and zero touchdowns. His favorite target is WR Chris Givens who has had no less than six catches in every game this season. However, he is also coming off his worst game of the season, where his six catches earned him just 42 yards receiving. Wake Forest is 104th in the country in rushing yards so Notre Dame shouldn't have to worry about the ground attack too much. The Notre Dame pass defense has been weak at times so they will have to be on their game against Wake. The Demon Deacons defense is pretty atrocious, allowing 28 points per game. The Irish offense, led by Tommy Rees and Michael Floyd should be able to move the ball pretty handily. The Irish have been at their best when they are balanced so it is important that Cierre Wood gets going. I think Wake will hang around for a bit but the Irish are far more talented and will earn the win.

Prediction: Notre Dame 34, Wake Forest 24

Northwestern (3-5, 1-4) at #10 Nebraska (7-1, 3-1)

It took 8 weeks but the Blackshirts defense finally showed themselves last weekend against Michigan State. The Spartans could get nothing going and the Huskers played their most complete defensive game of the season, despite being without their best player Jared Crick. The win vaulted the Huskers back into the Top 10 and right in the thick of things for earning a shot at the Big 10 championship game. The season will be defined by back to back road trips to Penn State and Michigan but before that the Huskers have to handle their business at home against Northwestern. Northwestern has a prolific, balanced offense, but plays little to no defense. QB Dan Persa was getting some Heisman hype before the season but then missed the first three games of the season due to injury. He finally got his first win as a starter last weekend against Indiana. Persa is very accurate and has great rapport with WRs Jeremy Ebert and Drake Dunsmore. The rushing attack of the Wildcats is led by Kain Colter who is also the backup quarterback. The Huskers rushing attack figures to dominate in this game, as Rex Burkhead has been on a tear. Burkhead had 35 carries against Michigan State and if that game plan is what works for Nebraska than so be it. Taylor Martinez is obviously somewhat of a liability throwing the ball and defenses know this. It shows the power of the Huskers running game that they still find success despite teams knowing what is coming. My only fear for this game is Nebraska looking ahead to their next two games or feeling too good about themselves after last weekend. I think Bo Pelini will have them ready though and they should romp.

Prediction: Nebraska 40, Northwestern 21


Top 10 - Saturday, November 5

#1 LSU (8-0, 5-0) at #2 Alabama (8-0, 5-0)

Usually it is the offenses that get all the publicity but with LSU and Alabama it really is all about the defenses. Alabama has allowed just 6.9 points per game this season, while LSU is second in the country giving up just 11.5 points per game. Those are truly incredible numbers. The Crimson Tide's best defensive players are LB Dont'a Hightower, FS Mark Barron, and CB Dre Kirkpatrick. While the Tigers boast studs such as Tyrann Mathieu, LB Ryan Baker, Morris Claiborne, Brandon Taylor, and Eric Reid. The most fascinating matchup to watch will be Alabama's stud running backs Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy against the Tigers defense which hasn't allowed anyone to run the ball all season. Alabama's biggest liability in this game is QB AJ McCarron who will be playing in the biggest game of his life. His presence doesn't really matter though if Richardson and Lacy are able to have success running. Much like the Tide, LSU finds most of its offensive success through running the ball. They go with a dual system between Spencer Ware and Michael Ford. They also go with the unconventional dual quarterback system. Jarrett Lee started the season alone with Jordan Jefferson suspended, but since Jefferson has returned he has been getting snaps behind center as well. Neither player is all that impressive and much like the Tide, any success the Tigers have on offense will come from running the ball.

There seems to be a lot of people on LSU to win and I don't really understand why. To me Alabama is better offensively and defensively, and the game will be in their backyard. I think the offenses will be able to find the end zone a few times but I will always take the better team, playing at home. LSU's best chance to win is if they can force McCarron into mistakes, but I think Richardson and Lacy will have enough success running that McCarron will only have to make throws to keep the Tigers defense honest. I like the Tide to win and cover the spread.

Prediction: Alabama 24, LSU 17

#14 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1) at #3 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0)

The feel good story of Kansas State took a nasty turn last weekend in second half against Oklahoma. The Sooners blitzed them for 35 unanswered points and ran away with a 58-17 victory. Things may get even worse in Stillwater this weekend as they now have to face the best quarterback and wide receiver combo in the game, Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon. This is the Cowboys last home game before the huge showdown with the Sooners on December 3rd.

Prediction: Oklahoma State 45, Kansas State 20

#4 Stanford (8-0, 6-0) at Oregon State (2-6, 2-3)

Unfortunately I was too busy being dressed as a one night stand to watch what sounded like a thrilling game between Stanford and USC. Andrew Luck only increased his God like status among quarterbacks, and I am waiting for the inevitable backlash to hit him like it did Tim Tebow. Stanford's game of the season comes next week when they host Oregon, but this week they get to beat up on the state school.

Prediction: Stanford 43, Oregon State 17

#5 Boise State (7-0, 2-0) at UNLV (2-5, 1-1)

The Broncos are lurking the background, waiting for teams to fall so they can possibly slip into the national championship game, or at worst a BCS bowl. This weekend will be a cake walk, it's next week where they face their only possible hurdle when they host TCU.

Prediction: Boise State 58, UNLV 14

Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2) at #6 Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1)

I wasn't buying the Aggies as a Top 10 team prior to the season and that belief has been proven true. However, if games were only a half the Aggies might be the number one team in the country. They suffered their third loss of the season last week against Missouri and in each of those losses they had leads at the half. The Sooners bounced back nicely from their loss against Texas Tech by wiping the floor with Kansas State. This should be a fun, back and forth game. The Aggies are good enough to keep it competitive but the Sooners will pull out the win.

Prediction: Oklahoma 38, Texas A&M 31

#9 South Carolina (7-1, 5-1) at #7 Arkansas (7-1, 3-1)

The other big game in the SEC this weekend, although no one outside of South Carolina or Arkansas will be watching as it goes up against LSU/Bama. The Gamecocks are winning with defense which is a must now that they are without Marcus Lattimore. The Razorbacks had their second straight road scare but once again were able to pull out the victory late. It will feel good for the Razorbacks to be back at home, and I expect more of a performance like we saw against Auburn than what we have seen the last two weeks. Without Lattimore, the Gamecocks don't have the horses to win in Fayetville.

Prediction: Arkansas 27, South Carolina 13

#8 Oregon (7-1, 5-0) at Washington (6-2, 4-1)

Oregon might be in the midst of a quarterback change. Darron Thomas has been battling injuries and when he was ineffective against Washington State last weekend he was pulled in favor of Bryan Bennett who played well down the stretch against the Cougars. LaMichael James also returned last weekend but struggled and it was Kenjon Barner that had the big day. James and Thomas have to get back to full health for the Ducks to have a chance to upset Stanford. The Huskies will present a challenge and if the Ducks don't have their full attention on them, they could be susceptible to an upset in Seattle. If the Huskies had any semblance of a defense I would pick them to pull the upset, but I can't envision them slowing down the Ducks offensive assault.

Prediction: Oregon 47, Washington 33

Last Week: 8-0
Overall: 79-7