Cram Session - Week 2

Things should get a little more interesting in college football this weekend Georgia has to travel to SEC newcomer Missouri, which is never an easy place to win. As for my favorite teams, Notre Dame and Nebraska, they should be tested this weekend as well. Notre Dame hosts Purdue, who has been an easy game for a few years now, but the Boilermakers are thought by some to be an improved team. Nebraska has a tough road test in Pasadena against UCLA. They may be without their best player, RB Rex Burkhead, who suffered an injury in the opener.


Games That Matter To Me

Purdue (1-0) at #22 Notre Dame (1-0)

I didn't get to see any of the game but based on the score I feel safe in saying that the Irish looked impressive in Dublin against Navy. Everett Golson was solid in his debut but wasn't needed to do too much because the Irish run game was so dominant, even without Cierre Wood. They will be without Wood again this week, so the bulk of the carries will once again be from Theo Riddick and George Atkinson III. TE Tyler Eifert didn't produce a ton of yards but did score a touchdown in the victory. The defense looked good and did a nice job stifling the Midshipmen's rushing attack. The Boilermakers are more of a passing team so the Irish will have to adjust to that this week. They are welcoming back starting QB Caleb TerBush from suspension. TerBush never was really able to make an impact in last year's game against Notre Dame because the Irish raced out to a huge lead quickly. He is a threat to run the ball and is an accurate passer. Purdue receivers O.J. Ross and Antavian Edison played well against Eastern Kentucky last week, but it will be quite the step up in competition for them in South Bend. I expect this to be a back and forth game, but the Irish defense to make enough plays late to secure the victory.

Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Purdue 21

#16 Nebraska (1-0) at UCLA (1-0)

In years prior this may not look like much of a test for the Huskers, but it is a new era in UCLA with Jim Mora Jr. as the head coach. The Bruins got off to a fast start, especially running the ball, in their opening week rout at Rice. Freshman QB Brett Hundley proved to be a threat both passing and running the ball. Most of the Huskers attention on defense will have to go to RB Johnathan Franklin, who rushed for 215 yards in the win against Rice, and 3 TD's. Special teams will be something to watch, as the Bruins had their of their extra points blocked in the opener. Taylor Martinez made headlines for Nebraska against Southern Miss as he had a banner day throwing the ball. Martinez completed 76.5% of his passes for 354 yards and 5 TDs. The Huskers lost Burkhead early to a knee injury but the running game did fine without him, led by Ameer Abdullah, Braylon Heard and Imani Cross. Burkhead will be a game time decision and will make every effort to play. This game makes me nervous but I think that Martinez has found another defense that he can successfully throw against. The Huskers will have to slow down Franklin, and I think they will be successful in forcing the freshman Hundley to make some mistakes.

Prediction: Nebraska 33, UCLA 20


Top 10

Western Kentucky (1-0) at #1 Alabama (1-0)

The talk of the college football world following last weekend's games was how the Crimson Tide obliterated Michigan. People expected Alabama to still be good but with a major turnover on defense, people weren't expecting them to look that good. This week, the Tide get a tune up against Western Kentucky before their big showdown at Arkansas next weekend. Nick Saban won't show too much in this game and he won't have to.

Prediction: Alabama 35, Western Kentucky 7

#2 USC (1-0) at Syracuse (0-1)

The Trojans crushed Hawaii 49-10 and still dropped to number two in the polls. People will have more respect for their efforts this weekend as they take on Syracuse at the Carrier Dome. The Orange were lit up by the Northwestern offense, so things could get mighty ugly against Matt Barkley and company. Syracuse gave USC a scare last season but I expect things to be much different this year.

Prediction: USC 58, Syracuse 21

Washington (1-0) at #3 LSU (1-0)

The Tigers defense will be tested by the talented Huskies quarterback Keith Price, but it is the Huskies defense that will have to find a way to slow down the Tigers rushing attack. Both Kenny Hilliard and Alfred Blue ran for over 100 yards in the Tigers opener. I think this game will stay close in the first half, but the talent of LSU, as well as their defense will eventually overwhelm Washington.

Prediction: LSU 34, Washington 17

Fresno State (1-0) at #4 Oregon (1-0)

The Ducks offense looked like it won't miss a beat, even with a freshman quarterback as they raced to 50 points in the first half against Arkansas State. RBs Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas looked unstoppable, and freshman QB Marcus Mariota played well. The Ducks schedule plays out in such a way that they may not even be tested until they travel to USC on November 3rd.

Prediction: Oregon 48, Fresno State 24

Florida A&M (0-1) at #5 Oklahoma (1-0)

The Sooners looked sluggish at UTEP and only led by three going into the fourth quarter, before pulling away for a 24-7 win. The critics were quick to jump on Oklahoma, so the Sooners will probably be chomping at the bit when they host Florida A&M. One positive for the Sooners was that the Landry Jones/Kenny Stills connection picked up right where they left off.

Prediction: Oklahoma 42, Florida A&M 7

Savannah State (0-1) at #6 Florida State (1-0)

Florida State's joke of a schedule continues as they host Savannah State. The Seminoles did get stuck with this game after West Virginia bailed. Poor Savannah State is coming off of an 84-0 thrashing at Oklahoma State. I think this week they will hold their opponent under 60 and actually score some points.

Prediction: Florida State 55, Savannah State 6

#7 Georgia (1-0, 0-0) at Missouri (1-0, 0-0)

Missouri dives right into SEC action as they host Georgia. I feel like the Bulldogs have been getting way too much hype and a shoddy win over Buffalo only further emboldened my stance. Now they will have to try to win under the lights in Columbia. The edge in quarterback decisively goes to Georgia with Aaron Murray and the running games are pretty evenly matched. Freshman Todd Gurley made his presence felt immediately in the opener, while the Tigers Kendial Lawrence needed just ten carries to get 121 yards and 2 TDs in the Tigers opener. It will be up to Missouri's defense to make some big plays and slow down the Bulldogs attack. The atmosphere and crowd will be a major advantage for Missouri and will lead to the first true major upset of the season.

Prediction: Missouri 27, Georgia 24

Louisiana-Monroe (0-0) at #8 Arkansas (1-0)

This game is technically being played at a neutral site, but that neutral site is Little Rock, Arkansas. The Razorbacks got off to a slow start against Jacksonville State last week before pulling away. Knile Davis had a disappointing game but Tyler Wilson looked fantastic. This game is all about keeping everyone healthy before the huge game against Alabama next weekend.

Prediction: Arkansas 47, Louisiana-Monroe 20

East Carolina (1-0) at #9 South Carolina (1-0)

The Gamecocks got quite a scary at Vandy last week but it was hard to tell if Vanderbilt was better than people thought or if the Gamecocks are overrated. We might get a clearer picture of that when they host East Carolina. I am leaning towards them being overrated and think that the Cocks are in for another close one.

Prediction: South Carolina 28, East Carolina 21 

Last Week: 10-0