New York Giants (1-1) at Carolina (1-1), New York Giants favored by 1 1/2
The Giants have a litany of injuries on offense coming into tonight's game. They will be without RB Ahmad Bradshaw, WRs Hakeem Nicks and Dominek Hixon, and offensive lineman David Diehl. Despite that adversity, I still like the Giants to win tonight and to put up a lot of points. The Giants are one of the better road teams in the league over the last few seasons. In fact, last season, they went on the road without Nicks and Bradshaw and defeated the New England Patriots. The Carolina defense isn't dominating enough to be able to slow the Giants down, even without the missing players. The Panthers running game showed a pulse last week against the dreadful Saints defense, but facing the Giants front won't quite be the same. I think the Giants have the athletes on the front seven to spy Cam Newton effectively, and not allow him to take over the game. Sometimes games just come down to matchups, and I feel the Giants match up very well with Carolina.
Prediction: New York Giants 33, Carolina 28
Conference action begins to ramp up as we enter quarter mark of the college football season. This week features some tough tests for top 10 teams in conference. #4 Florida State hosts #10 Clemson, while #6 Oklahoma hosts #15 Kansas State. But the best game this weekend should be when Michigan takes on Notre Dame in South Bend under the lights.
Games That Matter To Me
#18 Michigan (2-1) at #11 Notre Dame (3-0)
This is perhaps the best rivalry in college football, and when it comes to producing thrilling moments, I can't think of another rivalry that comes close to this one. Unfortunately for Notre Dame they have been on the losing end of those most recent thrilling finishes. The last three seasons have all been gut punching defeats for Notre Dame, with none being worse than last year's collapse in Ann Arbor. This game will come down to one factor, Michigan QB Denard Robinson. Robinson has shredded the Irish the last two seasons. Two years ago in South Bend, he totaled over 500 yards of offense in single-handedly defeating Notre Dame. Last year, after a slow start, he played that old game of 500 in the fourth quarter, just tossing bombs in the air, and his receivers making catches. Robinson has his detractors, but all I know is the man is capable of taking over an entire game. The Irish defense seems vastly improved this year, especially their front seven. It will be up to that front seven to contain Robinson, because if Robinson is given time to throw, he can certainly pick apart a shaky Notre Dame secondary. There is a 40% chance of rain for this game, and that will be something to definitely watch out for, as it could effect Robinson greatly. Offensively for Notre Dame, Everett Golson needs to continue his unspectacular but steady play. He didn't throw the ball well at Michigan State but he avoided mistakes and didn't hurt his team. The offense has been sluggish the last couple of weeks and to win this game they will have to produce a little more. The Irish hope that Cierre Wood knocked the rust off last week in his first game, and can produce a 100 yard game against the Wolverines on Saturday. I have tempered my enthusiasm with Notre Dame's 3-0 start. It was definitely nice to beat the piss out of the overrated Spartans but I have seen this story before. The Irish need to continue to focus and not buy into the hype people are so quick to throw on them. Call me crazy, but this year, I think Notre Dame will finally be on the right side of a thriller against Michigan.
Prediction: Notre Dame 27, Michigan 24
Idaho State (1-1) at #25 Nebraska (2-1)
The biggest news coming out of last week's Huskers win against Arkansas State was coach Bo Pelini having to be hospitalized during the second half. He checked out fine and will be on the sidelines Saturday when the Huskers entertain Idaho State. Idaho State was blown out at Air Force in their opener so I can't say I like their chances to keep things close with Nebraska. The Huskers get back stud RB Rex Burkhead this week. The running game did fine without Rex but it never hurts to have your number one guy back. The Bengals have not recorded a sack this year, so I guess that is one thing to watch to see if Nebraska can keep them on the schneid.
Prediction: Nebraska 48, Idaho State 14
Top 10
Florida Atlantic (1-2) at #1 Alabama (3-0)
Former Huskers defensive coordinator Carl Pelini is taking his lumps as he tries to bring winning back to Florida Atlantic. Last week it was getting run over by Georgia, this week Alabama get's a turn. The only thing slightly interesting about this game will be seeing if the Crimson Tide can record a shutout for the third straight game.
Prediction: Alabama 42, Florida Atlantic 0
#2 LSU (3-0, 0-0) at Auburn (1-2, 0-1)
Gene Chizik's fall from national championship coach to Cam Newton flukefraud coach has been swift. Auburn had to go to overtime last week to beat UL-Monroe and avoid being 0-3. Cam may actually be at this game since his Panthers play tonight, but unfortunately for Auburn he has used up all his eligibility. Auburn QB Kiehl Frazier hopes to improve upon his no touchdowns, 3 interceptions SEC debut he had against Mississippi State. However, going up against the LSU defense, he may put up even worse numbers.
Prediction: LSU 38, Auburn 14
#22 Arizona (3-0, 0-0) at #3 Oregon (3-0, 0-0)
The first test of the Rich Rod era in Arizona couldn't be any tougher. His Wildcats are tasked with trying to slow down the buzz saw that is the Oregon Ducks. Rodriguez has made an immediate impact on offense, as the Wildcats have been prolific themselves thus far. Senior QB Matt Scott has quickly made Arizona fans forget about Nick Foles. He has 7 TDs and just 1 pick thus far and also has rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns. He has dangerous weapons in WRs Austin Hill and Dan Buckner, and an effective running game, led by Ka'Deem Carey. That all being said, I don't think the Arizona defense will be up to the task of slowing the Ducks weapons. RB De'Anthony Thomas has just 13 carries this year and has already run for 228 yards and 4 TDs. Kenjon Barner is the workhorse out of the Ducks backfield as evidenced by his 34 carry, 201 yard performance a few weeks against Fresno State. The move to freshman QB Marcus Mariota has been smooth thus far, although this game will be his first true test. Expect to see a track meet, and the Ducks to have a little more firepower to propel them to the win.
Prediction: Oregon 47, Arizona 33
#10 Clemson (3-0, 0-0) at #4 Florida State (3-0, 1-0)
This game will tell us a lot about both teams once it is over. For Clemson, they need to compete on the big stage, as the embarrassment of last year's Orange Bowl loss still sits heavily with the program. For Florida State, they can prove they are truly back and also exorcise some of the demons they have had when playing the Tigers. There will be playmakers all over the field for both teams. WR Sammy Watkins, who decimated Florida State last year, is back just in time for the Tigers, as he debuted last week against Furman. The Tigers other playmakers are back from last year, such as QB Tajh Boyd and RB Andre Ellington. The Seminoles finally played a real team last week, and while Wake Forest is not very good, it was still impressive to see the whooping Florida State put on them. Florida State's stars include QB E.J. Manuel, RBs Chris Thompson and James Wilder Jr., and WRs Kenny Shaw and Kelvin Benjamin. All of them have put up video game numbers through the first three games but those stats need to be taken with a grain of salt. If only Clemson had a defense they could be a Top 5 team with all of the offensive talent they have. I will probably regret this because Florida State has never been able to truly prove they are back, but I think they add Clemson to their list of beat downs.
Prediction: Florida State 49, Clemson 24
Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1) at #5 Georgia (3-0, 1-0)
There was drama with the coaches in last year's game and that is the only thing that might make this game remotely interesting to watch, with all of the other great games going on in prime time. Vanderbilt is a little more competitive now, but Georgia is really looking ahead in their schedule as three of their next four games include Tennessee, South Carolina, and Florida.
Prediction: Georgia 34, Vanderbilt 23
#15 Kansas State (3-0, 0-0) at #6 Oklahoma (2-0, 0-0)
Kansas State was highly embarrassed last year when they took on Oklahoma at home and were beaten by 41 points. This is a statement game for them as they try to prove that they are on the level of the premiere team in the Big 12. Wildcats QB Collin Klein is the player to watch for K State as he does most of his work with his legs but has look much improved as a passer thus far this season. Oklahoma has their old dependable Landry Jones behind center, tossing it up to their highly talented receiver Kenny Stills. I think the Wildcats are far better prepared for this game than they were last year, and I am not entirely sold on the Sooners. This game will be a close one, but I am not bold enough to pick the upset.
Prediction: Oklahoma 31, Kansas State 28
Missouri (2-1, 0-1) at #7 South Carolina (3-0, 1-0)
Missouri goes on the road for the first time in the SEC as they take on South Carolina. The story of this game is both teams having their starting quarterbacks return from injury. For Missouri, James Franklin is back after missing last week's win against Arizona State, while for South Carolina Connor Shaw returns after sitting out the last two games. Marcus Lattimore has gotten off to a bit of slow start for the Gamecocks as his counterpart Kendial Lawrence for Missouri actually has better numbers through three games. Missouri was competitive with Georgia before a late collapse and I think they will be right there with South Carolina this Saturday. This is another case where I can't pick the upset though.
Prediction: South Carolina 26, Missouri 20
Maryland (2-1) at #8 West Virginia (2-0)
West Virginia saw their offense slowed last week, and by slowed I mean held under 60 for a change, as they put up 42 points against James Madison. The defense has to be licking their chops as they get to face Terps freshman QB Perry Hills. Mountaineers QB Geno Smith has been spectacular, completing 66 of his 75 passes in the first two games. Those numbers will look even more amazing once he is done with the Maryland defense.
Prediction: West Virginia 45, Maryland 14
Last Week: 9-1
Overall: 27-4
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