The post College football: Picks of the week appeared first on College Hotline.
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This is not that week, but it came dangerously close. It has bought its way to bad bowl games, bungled games in the final minutes and decided that people such as Muddy Waters, John L. Smith and Bobby Williams were the best fits for the program. Yes, Alabama is favored, but only by one touchdown. There wasn’t anything stunning or magical about it. Stanford played methodical, sound football and simply won because they were better, despite being outgained by 50 yards. Take a deep breath. In 2013, BC put up the most points FSU allowed all season. Since both squads are still working in their new QBs, expect this to be a battle between Ole Miss front seven defense and Alabama’s running game.
Then you have the Ole Miss and Alabama game.
No. 20 Arizona (2-0) vs. Northern Arizona. And yet it wasn’t the last such possession.
The Rebels, for one night, had the master controls of the universe in their hands. Coming in at number one is the Alabama Crimson Tide.
It certainly won’t be the last.
Both of those teams were able to run on Alabama. The Razorbacks had a ton of issues against Toledo this past weekend but the most troubling one has to be the 3.3 yards per carry stat. If the Hogs can’t run the football against the Rockets, what are they going to do against SEC defenses?
This kind of thing is happening for Ole Miss, too.
But the rash of turnovers, especially on kick returns, meant the Rebels didn’t have to do much work to get on the board.
The redshirt freshman rallied the Irish to a 34-27 win over Virginia last week by completing 8 of 12 passes for two touchdowns, including the game-winner, with 12 seconds remaining in the game, showing poise beyond his years.
Meanwhile, Alabama is still trying to find a steady quarterback between Jacob Coker and Cooper Bateman. The offensive line has underperformed. Junior Cornerback Matthew Harris is third in the FBS in interception yards, on just two interceptions. But that’s not what mattered. And that Leonard Fournette guy … man he’s good. Boy, was he wrong.
Les Miles described Fournette in a way only Miles can – as a “high-powered motor scooter”. But it also allowed FCS member Jacksonville State to accumulate 438 yards of offense last week. However, that projection did not include Auburn failing to be competitive on Saturday. That’s not happening any more. Ole Miss lost Bo Wallace but found an upgrade at quarterback in Chad Kelly, who has an excellent receiving corps at his disposal and is supported by a feisty, athletic defense.
That’s because Georgia Tech’s offense is almost as unique as it is effective.
Saturday will be the biggest test for Kelly and the Rebels offense.
Ole Miss is at Alabama, and Auburn travels to LSU.
Refresher: LSU went into Auburn last year in a situation much like Auburn’s this year. No argument there. There’s also no argument that it wasn’t deserved. It’s a wonder why the spread isn’t more in Tech’s favor, even on the road.
That did not make head coach Mark Dantonio happy after the game.
The edge on offense here goes to the Blue Devils though.
Ohio State is ranked first and Michigan State fourth. And now apparently the whole state of Texas has drawn Bielema’s ire. The Spartans defense isn’t what it used to be, but this team will be measured more by its offense. Well, college football cares not for your order and logic. The conference needs to sacrifice Missouri to the football gods to get back on track and then proceed with business as usual.
With Malik Zaire out with a season-ending ankle injury, Notre Dame’s success ultimately will come down to how well DeShone Kizer can play behind center.
There’s a school of thought that the Aggies are the best team in the league this year.
No. 22 Missouri (3-0) beat UConn 9-6. They haven’t played anybody tough yet until tomorrow.
Martinez: This week I would have to put Florida State on upset alert at Boston College. The Wildcats may not be flawless, but they do have a win over another conference opponent, and they have shown the ability to both jump out to large leads over decent teams and hold off comeback attempts. The Vols will get well Saturday. That spells disaster for the Gamecock offense.
Call me when they play Alabama…oh, that’s right.
On the other side, Greyson Lambert is a surgeon. It’s no secret What We Learned has a huge man-crush on running backs. He barked about mistakes and the lack of a running game.
Channel surf through… No. 18 Auburn at No. 13 LSU, 3:30 p.m. ET: Another key SEC Wes clash and an important game for an Auburn team that has struggled in its first two contests this season. The game is in Lexington, and Ithink the streak comes to an end. Only Walker reached 2,000 career yards faster than Chubb.
I talked at length about the two passers this week with Brady Quinn, who will be in TV booth for FS1 for the game.
Georgia Tech is a 2.5-point favorite, but this could easily be a trap game.
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But it doesn’t stop there. The SEC stumbled in Week 2 after a great opening weekend, but there isn’t any cause for concern for arguably the top conference in the country. LSU ran for a total of 266 yards in the win while holding the Bulldogs to 43 on the ground. What Ole Miss should worry about is dealing with the fan noise in a very hostile Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Oxford Police Department is also on the lookout for a certain tree poisoner. Do I think they can cover? And her coach could use some tough love right about now. Follow the feed while you’re at it. Occasionally it can be humorous and/or informative.
