Thursday, September 13
Chicago (1-0) at Green Bay (0-1), Green Bay favored by 6
It stinks. I'm not talking about trash, dirty socks, or flatulence, I'm speaking of the Packers defense. Maybe Alex Smith really has become that good, but I tend to think the atrociousness of the Packers defense is what made Smith look like a Hall of Famer. It doesn't get any easier for the Pack as they have a quick turnaround and have to host Jay Cutler and the Bears. Cutler is salivating at the thought of what he and Brandon Marshall can do to the Packers secondary. However, Cutler also has to hope he has time to find his receivers, and that is always a question mark with his offensive line. Matt Forte could also have a big game on the ground going against the Packers leaky front seven. It is looking like Aaron Rodgers will be without his #1 target Greg Jennings, who suffered a groin injury against San Francisco. Fortunately for him, the Packers are pretty loaded at wide receiver and should be fine. This will be a close game, but I envision Rodgers driving the Pack down the field late, scoring the game winning touchdown and just narrowly avoiding a scary 0-2 start to the season.
Prediction: Green Bay 27, Chicago 23
Games That Matter To Me
Arkansas State (1-1) at Nebraska (1-1)
Fortunately, I didn't get to watch much of Nebraska's disappointing defeat at UCLA, as I was busy with my bachelor party. I can only imagine how frustrating it would have been to watch a freshman quarterback, and their running back tear the the Huskers defense to shreds. Lately, the defense has seemed to slip to Bill Callahan era levels of ineptness. The defense will be tested again this weekend as Gus Malzahn brings Arkansas State to town. Malzahn is considered to be an offensive wizard and it show has shown for the Red Wolves thus far, as they have averaged 33.5 points through two games. QB Ryan Aplin is a dual threat weapon, much like Brett Hundley from UCLA. I don't think he is near as good as Hundley, but he will keep the Nebraska linebackers honest. The Huskers run defense will have to step up their game if they hope to slown down RB David Oku. Aplin's top receivers are Josh Jarboe, who already has 19 catches through two games, and freshman J.D. McKissic. Also, it appears that Taylor Martinez still sucks as a passer and the week one game was an outlier. The Huskers still don't know if Rex Burkhead will be able to give it a go after missing last week's game. However, the running game wasn't the problem, as Ameer Abdullah averaged over 7 yards a carry against the Bruins. Arkansas State doesn't play defense, which is a good thing, because if they did, I might be a little more scared about this game. Must win game for the Huskers.
Prediction: Nebraska 41, Arkansas State 27
Top 10
#1 Alabama (2-0, 0-0) at Arkansas (1-1, 0-0)
Well this game sure lost its luster. This was going to be a huge game in the 2012 season, but Bobby Petrino couldn't say no to horse teeth, and then Arkansas went and lost to Louisiana-Monroe. That lost dropped the Razorbacks from 8th to unranked and has made the Tide overwhelming favorites in this game. A major reason for the Razorbacks collapse last week was Tyler Wilson having to leave the game. The Tide are preparing as if he will play, and if he does play it the only way possible Arkansas will lose by less than 20.
Prediction: Alabama 38, Arkansas 21
#2 USC (2-0, 0-0) at #21 Stanford (2-0, 0-0)
This has become the game of the weekend. USC was less than impressive in their win over Syracuse, while Stanford shook off a close opener with San Jose State, and destroyed Duke. A win would gave Stanford its first ever four game winning streak against USC. For the Cardinal to have any chance, their defense will have to pressure Trojans QB Matt Barkley constantly and not allow Maruise Lee and Robert Woods to take over the game. They also then have to focus on RB Silas Redd. Cardinal QB Josh Nunes looked better last week, but he probably won't know what hit him going up against USC. Because of that, it is imperative that Stepfan Taylor establish himself early in the ground game. Being at home will help Stanford keep this close, but it won't be enough to overcome USC's overwhelming talent.
Prediction: USC 26, Stanford 21
Idaho (0-2) at #3 LSU (2-0)
LSU rolled Washington and didn't allow Huskies QB Keith Price to do anything against them. Poor, poor Idaho.
Prediction: LSU 45, Idaho 6
Tennessee Tech (2-0) at #4 Oregon (2-0)
It is beyond hilarious to me that Notre Dame get's criticism for scheduling service academies, but teams like Oregon play a complete joke of a non-conference schedule and you don't hear a peep.
Prediction: Oregon 56, Tennessee Tech 17
Wake Forest (2-0, 1-0) at #5 Florida State (2-0, 0-0)
One of those teams with a joke non-conference schedule is the Seminoles, who finally have to play a team with a pulse this weekend. They open up conference play against Wake Forest, who surprisingly defeated North Carolina last weekend. I think the Seminoles will get off to a slow start as they get used to playing an actual team, but will eventually run away with the game.
Prediction: Florida State 34, Wake Forest 20
Florida Atlanta (1-1) at #7 Georgia (2-0)
Georgia was on the ropes against Missouri but scored a flurry of points late to make the game appear less close than it really was. Still, an impressive win for the Bulldogs and maybe they are better than I thought. They get to mess around with Florida Atlantic this weekend and then start to face the true meat of their SEC schedule.
Prediction: Georgia 51, Florida Atlantic 16
UAB (0-1) at #8 South Carolina (2-0)
Despite being without their starting QB Connor Shaw, the Cocks violated East Carolina last weekend. It looks like Dylan Thompson will get the start again, and going up against a team like UAB, should be another chance for him to add to the confidence he gained from last week's start against East Carolina.
Prediction: South Carolina 42, UAB 13
James Madison (2-0) vs. #9 West Virginia (1-0), in Landover, MD
Can the Dukes do anything to slow down the Moutaineers high powered offense? West Virginia ended last season by putting 70 points up on Clemson, then opened this year with 69 against Marshall. They can't overlook JMU, which memorably beat Virginia Tech in Blacksburg in 2010. This game will be played at FedEx Field and they should have a good amount of fans there. Think this game might stay close early, but the Mountaineers attack is too powerful.
Prediction: West Virginia 48, James Madison 31
#20 Notre Dame (2-0) at #10 Michigan State (2-0)
Off the field, the Irish made headlines as it was announced they will be going to the ACC. They will retain their independent status in football but have committed to scheduling 5 ACC games a season. I like the move for the Irish, mostly because the ACC is terrible at football.
On the field, they play in the second biggest game of the weekend as they travel to East Lansing to take on the Spartans. Not many people are giving the Irish a chance, but to me those people are overselling how good Michigan State actually is. Their quarterback Andrew Maxwell, hasn't yet proven he can play well against upper echelon competition. Their star running back, Le'Veon Bell was held in check by Central Michigan, and did nothing against Notre Dame last season. The Spartans passing game isn't scary, and Notre Dame has been excellent against the run so far.
What does concern me as an Irish fan is how Notre Dame will fare on the road against a stout Spartan defense. Everett Golson is expected to start, despite being replaced by Tommy Rees in the Purdue game. Rees came in and proceeded to direct the game winning drive. I think Golson will start, but I expect to see Rees get some time, as he has more experience playing in hostile environments. The Irish will also be getting back RB Cierre Wood, who is done serving his 2 game suspension. That is key, because the Irish rushing game did next to nothing without him against Purdue. Michigan State will have their hands full with Tyler Eifert, and also the emerging DeVaris Daniels.
Notre Dame handled Michigan State last season, and not enough has changed in a year to think that they can't beat the Spartans this season. Far less talented Irish teams have gone into Spartan Stadium and competed. I feel confident that Notre Dame can move the ball enough on offense to pull off the upset.
Prediction: Notre Dame 23, Michigan State 20
Last Week: 8-3
Overall: 18-3
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