Notre Dame
2015 Bowl Preview: December 28-January 2
The 2015 bowl season debuted on December 19, but this coming week features some quality matchups of top ranked opponents participating in a variety of bowls from the Russell Athletic Bowl to the College Football Playoff semifinals. These 10 games have their share of impact players who will carry their team against quality defenses.
- December 28: Military Bowl-Pitt vs #21 Navy Keenan Reynolds, Navy’s star senior quarterback who sparked questions after not being named a Heisman finalist, will play his final home game against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the Military Bowl. He is going up against the 20th ranked rushing defense in the country in Pitt. Ejuan Price, the Panther’s star linebacker, is a threat to opposing quarterbacks, he ranks sixth in the nation averaging over 2 sacks per game. Navy’s offensive line will have to protect Reynolds, who likes to run on the outside, where Price would be camped out. Expect Navy’s coach Ken Niumatalolo to integrate some pass plays against a solid Pitt rushing defense, to throw them off.
- December 29: Russell Athletic Bowl-#10 UNC vs #17 Baylor This 2015 Russell Athletic Bowl pits two quality offense against each other. Marquise Williams quarterbacks the no. 10 Tar Heels. He threw for 224 passing yards in UNC’s loss to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. Baylor’s secondary will have a test as Williams likes to throw the deep ball, something the Bears’ cornerbacks especially have difficulty defending. On the Baylor side, star wideout Corey Coleman, the winner of the Fred Biletnikoff award, will miss the Russell Athletic Bowl, as he underwent a sports hernia surgery. Jay Lee will step up for Baylor. The senior wideout is averaging more than 20 yards per reception. The only problem is the Bears lack a strong quarterback. Seth Russell injured his neck in late October, and true freshman Jarett Stidham, who also went season-ending surgery. Junior Lynx Hawthorne will be under center for Baylor. UNC’s defense will have to step up and cover Lee heavily.
Baylor’s Jay Lee is going to be heavily targeted, as star wideout Corey Coleman will miss the Russell Athletic Bowl. (Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports) - December 30: Birmingham Bowl-Auburn vs. Memphis Memphis (9-3) is a surprise entering the post-season. The Tigers have defeated opponents such as Ole Miss and Navy. The Tigers’ quarterback, Paxton Lynch, was a legitimate Heisman candidate in the beginning of the season. He has only thrown 3 interceptions this season. Lynch has received extensive blocking from his offensive line. Auburn’s passing defense is mediocre, they lack a strong secondary. However, their running game can make up for these lapses. Auburn’s Peyton Barber has had a quiet, but productive year. He is averaging almost 5 yards per carry, with 13 TDs. AU’s offense specializes in short runs, preferably on second downs.
- December 30: Holiday Bowl-#25 USC vs. Wisconsin USC is no stranger to the Holiday Bowl as they defeated Nebraska last year 45-42. This will be Wisconsin’s first time in the Holiday Bowl. The Trojans have not lost to the Badger in bowl competition, recording 6 wins, most notably the 1963 Rise Bowl. For USC, quarterback Cody Kessler has been sacked 35 times, the most sacks allowed to a QB in the PAC-12. However, the Trojans have a reliable threat at receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster. The sophomore wideout ranks sixth in the nation in total yards, and averages 16.3 yards per reception. The Badgers’ defense will have to play tight man civerage on Smith-Schuster. Another threat on the Trojans side, is running back Ronald Jones II. Jones is a threat on short runs, he is averaging 6.5 yards per carry. He is more of a goal line back, than an I-Form back. Despite quarterback Joel Stave and Wisconsin’s successful deep ball offense, their defense will have to challenge USC’s passing and running game. The Badgers will have to match the Trojans’ offensive performance if they are going to win.
- December 31: CFP Semifinal(Orange Bowl)-#4 Oklahoma vs. #1 Clemson The Orange Bowl features two great quarterbacks in Clemson’s Deshaun Watson and Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield. Watson threw for 289 yards and 3 touchdowns in the ACC Championship win over UNC. The sophomore QB has lead the Tigers to a perfect season at 13-0. Oklahoma’s star cornerback Jordan Thomas looks to challenge Watson’s receivers. The Sooners’ sophomore cornerback ranks seventh in the nation with 5 interceptions for 153 yards. Oklahoma’s coach Bob Stoops likes for Thomas to play tight man coverage. On the other side of the ball, Baker Mayfield is going up against the 12th ranked passing defense in Clemson. The Tigers have sacked opposing quarterbacks 38 times. While Mayfield’s offensive line usually does a solid job of protecting him, the Tigers will look to put pressure on Oklahoma’s passing-oriented offense.
Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield is taking the college football world by storm, a walk-on from Texas Tech. (USA Today Sports) - December 31: CFP Semifinal(Cotton Bowl)-#3 Michigan State vs. #2 Alabama Both Michigan State and Alabama are 12-1 teams vying for a spot in the College Football National Championship. The Crimson Tide’s Derrick Henry took home the Heisman trophy, the first time a running back took home the Heisman trophy, college football’s most prestigious award since Mark Ingram in 2009, another “Roll Tide” product. Michigan State’s rushing defense ranks 15th in the nation, allowing opposing running backs under 4 yards per carry. The only power running back the Spartans have faced this season is Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott. MSU held Elliott to 33 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Buckeyes. Shilique Calhoun anchors Michigan State’s defense. The Middletown, NJ native fights in the “trenches” and finds open gaps. On the other side of the ball, MSU’s Connor Cook is considered an NFL draft sleeper. He has only thrown 5 interceptions this season. However, Alabama’s defensive back, Eddie Jackson, ranks second nationwide with 230 yards off 5 picks. His assignment in the Cotton Bowl will be the Spartans’ star receiver, Aaron Burbridge, who averages 15 yards per reception, leading all receivers in the Big 10. I strongly advise you to ring in 2016 with this key matchup of high-powered offenses and strong defenses.
The 2015 Heisman winner, Derrick Henry, is an explosive running back who is facing a challenging Michigan State rushing defense in the Cotton Bowl. (Getty Images) - January 1: Fiesta Bowl-#8 Notre Dame vs. #7 Ohio State The reigning national champions did not book a plane ticket to the College Football Playoffs this season, but they face a contender-like team in no.8 Notre Dame. Quarterback DeShone Kizer has filled in nicely for Malik Zaire, who is out for the season. The sophomore play caller threw for 234 yards in ND’s loss to Stanford. Kizer has been sacked 19 times. Running back C.J. Prossie is a threat as an explosive back and is a target for the Irish’s passing game. Prossie lines up in the slot, when submitted in shotgun plays. Ohio State’s defense must react quickly to Kizer’s audibles, and star defensive end, Joey Bosa, must break through a strong Notre Dame offensive line. On the other side of the ball, OSU’s Ezekiel Elliott has had an other solid year. The junior running back is averaging almost a first down every carry, and has tallied 19 TDs. He presents a challenge to a decent Irish running defense. They will also have to cover dual-threat halfback, Braxton Miller. If the Irish can pressure the Buckeyes’ two quarterbacks, J.T. Barett and Cardale Jones, then Notre Dame will have a better chance of defeating Ohio State.
- January 1: Rose Bowl-#6 Stanford vs. #5 Iowa Stanford’s Christian McCaffrey was a Heisman finalist, and is an all-around star running back. The sophomore ranks second in the nation in rushing yards this season (1847) and averages 5.8 yards per carry. Stanford utilizes McCaffrey for short runs, usually on second down and goal line I-Formations. Iowa has a strong rushing defense, allowing opposing backs to 3.4 yards per carry. In the Big 20 Championship game against no. 5 Michigan State, the Hawkeyes gave up 73 rushing yards and a TD to the Spartans’ freshman running back, LJ Scott. The key for Iowa to win the Rose Bowl is do limit McCaffrey’s numbers by spreading out the secondary. This would allow for Kevin Hogan, Stanford’s senior quarterback to pass more. Hogan is one of the best passers in the PAC-12, with a 85.4 QBR, a career best. Either with McCaffrey or with their quarterback’s impressive mix of throwing for short and long gains, Stanford has valuable assets against a strong Iowa defense.
- January 1: Sugar Bowl-#16 Oklahoma State vs. #12 Ole Miss The nephew of Buffalo Bills great Jim Kelly, Chad Kelly faces a weak Oklahoma State secondary in the 2016 Sugar Bowl. The Cowboys’ defense gave up almost 200 passing yards and 2 TDs to Oklahoma’s Baker Mayfield in their last game. OSU’s defensive line is a rotation system, where each defender shifts positions after each down. This is supposed to confuse the offensive linemen, but has not been successful in their recent games. On the other side of the ball, Mason Rudolph leads an underrated passing offense in the Cowboys. Wideout James Washington has 10 TDs and is Rudolph’s favorite target. The Rebel’s secondary is worse than the Cowboys’. They have given opposing quarterbacks an average of 200 yards per game. Ole Miss could use a 4-3 defensive scheme when pressuring Rudolph. The secondary must limit Washington’s receptions, as well.
Oklahoma State’s James Washington is a top receiver in the Big 12; he is proving himself as a top receiver in Division 1-A. (USA Today Sports) - January 2: Taxslayer Bowl-Penn State vs. Georgia WIthout star running back Nick Chubb, Georgia (9-3) was dropped from the AP Top 25 rankings by the middle of October. Bulldogs quarterback, Greyson Lambert, has thrown 11 TDs and was picked off twice this season. Backup running back Sony Mitchel has run for 7 TDs, a career high for the sophomore. Defensive backs, however, have been successful in bringing him down. Opposing quarterbacks fear Penn State’s Carl Nassib. The 272 lbs senior leads the nation in sacks (16) and has picked off one pass this season. Georgia’s offensive line has their work cut out for them with the star defensive end. On the other side of the ball, the Nittany Lions’ Christian Hackenberg threw for 257 yards in PSU’s most recent loss to Michigan State, on November 28. The Bulldogs have the best passing defense in Division 1-A, allowing an average of about 6 yards per completion. Hackenberg averages about 5 yards per completion. Penn State will have to throw more shotgun plays against a great Bulldogs secondary if they are going to win.
10 Storylines-Week 4
I know it has been more than a week since I last blogged, but school work comes first! I am your typical high school student, not to mention a college football blogger on the side. After an upset filled Saturday across the nation, I will break down all of the five upsets and a preview of week 6 action.
- Arizona State Upsets No. 7 UCLA In First PAC 12 South Win- UCLA’s freshman, Josh Rosen, almost mirrored Sun Devils’ senior, Mike Bercovici. Rosen threw for 280 yards, 7 yards more than Bercovici. Both playcallers threw for a pair of touchdowns and an interception. But the real hero for Arizona State was sophomore running back, Kalen Ballage, who dived into the end zone for the game’s winning touchdown in Arizona State’s 38-23 conference win over UCLA. The Sun Devils’ offense relied on both their running backs and their receivers. Arizona State can now contend in the PAC 12 South with the underrated Bercovici leading the way. The Sun Devils’ QB does not need to rely on eye popping numbers each week, but can come up on huge plays when called upon. This is a trait that has helped another behind the curtain player from the past, Jake Plummer. Plummer threw for less than 2,600 yards each of his 3 seasons at Arizona State. He focused more on helping his teammates find good looks, as is the same with Bercovici. The Sun Devils take on a weak Colorado secondary next Saturday. UCLA has a bye week, than an anticipated week 7 matchup at #18 Stanford on Thursday night.
Arizona State’s Kalen Ballage (9), swarmed by Bruins’ defenders, falls into the end zone to secure the upset. (Aubrey Yeo/Daily Bruin) - No. 6 Notre Dame Misses Tying Two Point Conversion As No. 12 Clemson Hangs On: Do not count out Coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers out of the playoff race just yet. QB DeShaun Watson threw for 2 touchdowns and ran for another in Clemson’s 24-22 upset win over Notre Dame. The win was the Tigers’ 12th straight victory at Memorial Stadium, the third longest streak in the school’s history, and fourth longest in the FBS. Watson looked composed, facing a blitz of 5 or more defenders on both passing touchdowns. The Tigers’ offensive line deserves the most credit for keeping their QB protected. Clemson hosts Georgia Tech on Saturday. Notre Dame has to deal with another great quarterback, in Navy’s Keenan Reynolds next Saturday. Expect Notre Dame’s defense to bounce back and stop Reynolds when he rushes.
- Florida Stays Undefeated, Upsets No. 3 Ole Miss: Ole Miss QB, Chad Kelly, could not follow up last week’s great performance against Alabama this week against Florida. Will Grier proved to be the “it” factor for Florida, throwing for more than 270 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 38-10 victory over Ole Miss. Grier focused more on finding open teammates in the endzone. This is evident as the Gators’ passing game saw 4 different receivers catch touchdown passes. This performance will definitely move Florida up the AP Top 25 Rankings. On the flip side, the Gator’s defense flooded the Rebels’ pocket, by sacking Kelly 4 times. Ole Miss faces a must win next week when New Mexico State comes to Oxford, MS. Florida faces a tough Missouri secondary next week, captained by power linebacker, Kentrell Brothers. Expect Grier to throw for shorter gains against a good MIZZOU defense.
Ole Miss’ defense was no match for Florida QB, Will Grier (7), who threw 4 TDs and spread the wealth(Kim Klement/USA Today) - #13 Alabama Defense Key In Rout of No. 8 Georgia: It is hard to imagine Alabama as a 2 point underdog against SEC rival Georgia. The Crimson Tide’s defense proved to be key in a 38-10 rout over the Bulldogs. Alabama’s defense “Roll Tided” all over Georgia quarterbacks, holding them to a combined passing yards of 106. The Crimson Tide’s junior defensive back, Eddie Jackson, picked off Georgia backup quarterback, Brice Ramsey, less than 2 minutes into the second half, and ran 50 yards untouched into the end zone. Not many defensive linemen could run half the football field for a touchdown. Also, Crimson Tide running back, Derrick Henry, rushed for almost 150 yards and a TD in the victory. Up next for now #8 Alabama is a favorable SEC West matchup against Arkansas. Georgia travels to Neyland Stadium to take on Tennessee.
- No. 19 Wisconsin Turns the Ball Over 4 Times, Upset By Iowa: Desmond King and the Iowa defense showed Wisconsin what playing with guts felt like. The junior defensive back picked off Badgers’ Joel Stave twice in the Hawkeye’s 10-6 win in Madison, WC. Iowa power back,Jordan Canzeri, rushed for 125 yards. Stave lost two fumbles in the loss. This was the first time Iowa did not score in the second half, since defeating Minnesota 21-16, in 2007. The win earned the Hawkeye’s the Heartland Trophy, presented to the winner of the annual Wisconsin-Iowa game. The victory could shift the balance of power in the Big 10 West standings. Next up for the now no. 22 Iowa Hawkeyes is Illinois. Both teams have conference wins. Wisconsin travels to Lincoln to take on Nebraska.
Iowa’s Desmond King (14) recorded two picks to lead the Hawkeyes to their first Heartland Trophy since 2009. (Byron Houlgrave/The Register)
Big Games to Watch For:
6. #13 Northwestern at #18 Michigan Saturday (3:30): This Big 10 matchup is quite an interesting one on both sides of the ball. The Wildcats rank tenth in the nation passing defense, allowing an average of 130 yards per game. However, Northwestern will be without standout safety Kyle Queiro, as he is deemed out for the season with a broken arm. Michigan will have to rely on their power back, De’Veon Smith to carry the load. Expect a grind-it-out kind of game involving two good passing offenses and solid defenses.
7. #23 California at #5 Utah Saturday (10:00): Who would have thought that the Utes would have claimed Oregon’s spot in the AP Top 25 Rankings! By the way, Oregon is not ranked because of a 62-20 loss to Utah back in week 4. Utah’s power running back, Devontae Booker is carrying his team by rushing for over 100 yards every home game. California ranks below the top 20 in total rushing yards allowed this season. This is good news for Booker and his offensive linemen, who are the reason their star running back finds holes in defenses. The Utes’ defense faces a tough task in forcing Cal’s QB, Jared Goff, out of the pocket. Goff threw for over 320 yards against a mediocre Washington State defense last week. Both teams are undefeated, adding more emphasis to obtaining the win. Expect Cal’s defense to step up against Booker and the Utes’ awesome running game.
8. #21 Oklahoma State at West Virginia Saturday (7:00): This is a must win game for both teams. OSU barely defeated Kansas State last week, 36-34, dropping them from no. 20 to no.21. This seems like nothing, but if the Cowboys loose to the Mountaineers, they could drop their AP Top 25 Ranking to their opponent, West Virginia. It helps that Oklahoma State has 2 Big 12 wins under their belt. The stakes are high for Cowboys’ quarterback, Mason Rudolph, who is going up against a top 30 passing defense in the Mountaineers. OSU’s defense is facing Skyler Howard, the Mountaineers QB, who averages above 230 yards per game. The bad news for him is that Cowboys’ star defensive end, Emmanuel Ogbah ranks 6th in the nation in sacks(6.0 per game). Expect Ogbah and the Oklahoma State defense to put pressure on Howard.
9. Favorable Matchup:
Ezekiel Elliot(#1 Ohio State) vs. Maryland Defensive Line: Ohio State’s power back,Ezekiel Elliot, ranks in the top 10 in the nation in average rushing yard per play(7.3 yds.) and has rushed for over 100 yards each week. The Terrapins’ rushing defense will have try to limit the Buckeyes’ running back to less than 100. Maryland’s rushing defense ranks 110th out of 128 FBS teams, allowing opposing backs almost 200 yards per game. This is music to Ohio State coach, Urban Meyer’s, ears. He likes to integrate Braxton Miller in as a halfback, too. Double trouble for the Terps!
10. Unfavorable Matchup:
Matt Johns(Virginia) vs. Pittsburgh Defense: Notice how I said Pitt defense as a whole, not an individual position. Pittsburgh brings in a top notch defense in this ACC Coastal matchup. The Panthers rank 12th in the nation allowing 690 passing yards through 4 games and average 172.5 yards per game. The Steel City averages 4.25 sacks per game, ranking 2nd in the nation. Virginia’s quarterback, Matt Johns, will have to handoff the rock to Taquan Mizzell, the junior halfback, who is yet to score a touchdown. But the Panthers are not all about defense. Redshirt freshman running back, Qadree Ollison, ran for 122 yards and a TD against Virginia Tech, after last year’s ACC Player of the Year, James Conner, tore his MCL in week 1 action. Expect Pitt’s defense to force turnovers on a below average Virginia team.
Week 3-10 Storylines
The first 5 storylines will review week 3 action and the next 5 preview week 4’s games and favorable/unfavorable matchups.
- Leonard Fournette Dazzles as LSU Defeats Auburn: Leonard Fournette’s name was among the Heisman candidates last week, where he ran for 3 TDs. This week, the star sophomore back solidified his name among college football’s greats by putting up a career high 228 yards to lead # 13 LSU past # 18 Auburn 45-21. Fournette’s 29-yard rush to the end zone was capped off when Auburn’s safety, Tray Matthews, dived for the Tigers’ halfback, and booked a ticket to the sideline, tumbling style. Les Miles obviously will stick with his running game from here on out, particularly giving the majority of the carries to his running backs. Fournette received the most carries( 19) than the entire Tigers receivers combined (12). However, give credit to LSU’s defense, for limiting Auburn to only 3 TDs. AU’s Peyton Barber rushed for over 100 yards in weeks 1 and 2. He was held to a lowly 34 yards and was swallowed up by the Tigers’ secondary. The Tigers’ defense forced Auburn to punt 6 times, including 4 in the first quarter alone. LSU travels to the Carrier Dome, to face an undefeated Syracuse team. Expect the Tigers to continue using Fournette as their power back, and the defense to slow down the Orange’s fourth-string QB. Auburn faces an SEC West matchup in Mississippi State. Both teams are searching for their first SEC win. Expect Peyton Barber to rack up more yards against a decent Bulldogs run defense.
Leonard Fournette (7) has proven to be a legitimate Heisman candidate with 2 consecutive monster games. (Billy Feig-The Advocate) - #15 Ole Miss Upsets #2 Alabama in Tuscaloosa: The nephew of Bills great QB, Jim Kelly, Chad Kelly lived up to the Kelly QB standards, putting up a strong performance in Roll Tide country. Kelly threw for 341 yards and 3 TDs, to power Ole Miss past Alabama 43-37. The upset was the Rebels’ first win at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 1998. The Rebels’ Junior play caller threw 3 of his TDs to 3 different receivers. The Crimson Tide’s defense never fazed Kelly, as he did not throw any interceptions. On the flip side, Ole Miss’ secondary picked off Alabama’s Jake Coker twice in the second half, as coach Nick Saban gave the nod to Cooper Bateman at QB. Bateman, also, was picked off in the first half. The Crimson Tide had a chance to score with 31 seconds remaining, but 4 straight incompletions ended Alabama’s late comeback hopes. Next up for Ole Miss is an SEC East matchup against Vanderbilt. Expect Chad Kelly to continue to throw the long ball. Next up for Alabama is Louisiana-Monroe.
A little biology lesson for you: Chad Kelly is the nephew of Bills great QB, Jim Kelly. The QB genetics are certainly present in the Kelly family. (Getty Images) - Arizona Scores 77 In Blowout Fashion Against Northern Arizona: It is hard to believe that # 20 Arizona had a tough time facing an FCS team for little more than the first quarter. Arizona’s Qb, Anu Solomon, quickly flipped the switch to on in the second half, throwing for 285 yards and 4 TDs, to lead the Wildcats in a 77-0 rout of the Lumberjacks. The running game, despite breakout performances by the passing offense, was fueled by Jerrard Randall and Nick Wilson. Randall rushed for almost 150 yards and a pair of TDs. Wilson rushed for 143 yards and the same number of TDs. Defense was also the order of the day, as three different Wildcats picked off 2 different Lumberjack quarterbacks. Arizona faces a tough matchup against a good UCLA pass defense, on ESPN’s Saturday Night Showcase. Expect the Wildcats to utilize their running game more, powered by Randall and Wilson.
- OT Win Against Nebraska Keeps Miami Undefeated: It was Miami’s game for the taking, they had a 33-25 lead with a minute remaining. Nebraska’s QB, Tommy Armstrong JR, had other plans, as he heaved an 8-yarder to Stanley Morgan who caught it in stride for a touchdown. A two-point conversion tied the game at 33 all. Hurricanes QB, Brad Kaaya, threw for almost 380 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Different for Miami were the plays that head coach, Al Golden, picked for Kaaya, who normally throws for short gains. Instead, the Hurricanes used a mix of short and long ball plays to maximize midfield gains for its receiving corpse. Their defense showed up, as well, by picking off Cornhuskers’ Tommy Armstrong JR 3 times. He also had a solid outing, putting up 309 yards and throwing 4 TDs to 4 different receivers. Up next for the ‘Canes is a trip to Cincy to take on the Bearcats. Cincinnati just scraped by Miami(OH) 37-33. Expect Kaaya to throw more deep balls against a ‘Cats team that is below average in their pass defense. Nebraska has a favorable matchup against Southern Mississippi.
- Army’s First Win Hopes Squashed By Wake Forest In OT: Army is still without a win through 3 weeks of college football action. Wake Forest’s QB, Kendall Hinton, ran for a pair of touchdowns, as the Demon Deacons squeaked by the Black Knights in OT, 17-14. Army’s QB, Ahmad Bradshaw, threw for only 64 yards and rushed for a touchdown, but rarely threw the ball in West Point, NY. John Wolford originally started the game but was pulled following a Black Knights interception. You would not have guessed Wake Forest had the lead, after Hinton threw 2 picks and stayed in the game. Good call for the Demon Deacons’ QB to run the ball, as he averaged 5.9 yards per carry and rushed for 101 yards. Army’s passing defense shined, as no receiver for Wake Forest scored. Army travels to East Michigan to take on the Eagles Saturday night. Expect the Black Knights to continue to power the running game, but also expect the secondary to stop EMU’s receivers. Wake Forest hosts Indiana Saturday afternoon. Look for Hinton to integrate more passing plays against a decent Hoosiers secondary.
Kendall Hinton looks to lead Wake Forest to the school’s first winning record since 2008. (Hans Pennink-AP)
Week 4 Games to Watch For:
6. #22 BYU at Michigan Saturday at 12: This is Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh’s first look at a AP Top 25 team this season. Though the Wolverines are undefeated at home, this matchup is a test for the defense. Tanner Mangum threw for 244 yards last week in a close 24-25 loss to UCLA. His favorite target Michigan will have to double team? Mitch Matthews was on the receiving end of the Hail-Mary in week 1, and is a tough reciever to guard in general. He blows by cornerbacks and has multiple big games for the Cougars each week. On the flip side, the Cougars’ defensive line has to intimate Wolverines’ QB, Jake Rudock, and pressure him in the pocket. Expect Michigan’s defense to step up against Mangum and his receiving crew.
7. #24 Oklahoma State at Texas Saturday at 3:30: If Texas coach, Charlie Strong, can put defensive pressure on OSU’s QB, Mason Rudolph, the Longhorns will win the game. Rudolph threw for 280 yards and 2 TDs in last week’s dominant win over UTSA. Texas’ pass defense has not shown signs of improvement against AP Top 25 teams, such as the week 1 loss to Notre Dame. But their running game is solid. Watch for Longhorns’ QB, Jerrod Heard, to continue to utilize the running game, as he scored 3 TDs when rushing the ball. Heard can also throw the ball, throwing for over 300 yards last week against Cal. Look for Heard to keep Oklahoma State’s defense guessing.
8. Tennessee at Florida Saturday at 3:30: This SEC matchup should prove to be an entertaining one. The Vols’ QB, Joshua Dobbs, threw for 144 yards last week and 2 TDs. The sophomore has not yet stepped up in a quick tempo Tennessee offense. Receiver Preston Williams has shown himself to be a valuable option for the struggling Dobbs. The freshman hauled in a pair of TDs in last week’s win over Western Carolina. Florida barely came up against Kentucky last week, winning 14-9. The Gators’ defense picked off 2 passes and limited the Wildcats to 2.8 yards per rush. Florida looks to its defense to step up for a mediocre offense at “The Swamp” in Gainesville, FL. This SEC East matchup will not disappoint college football fans.
9. Favorable Matchup:
Clayton Thorson(#23 Northwestern) vs. Ball State defensive line: The reason why #23 Northwestern is clinging to an AP Top 25 ranking is because of freshman QB, Clayton Thorson. The WIldcats’ play caller likes to throw the short ball against below average defensive line’s, like Ball State’s. Yes the Cardinals defeated Eastern Michigan last week, but they allowed the Eagles QB, Brogan Roback, to throw for 196 yards. Expect Thorson to not be fazed by any pressure from Ball State’s defensive linemen. The Wildcats’ offensive line will come through and do their usual solid job blocking for the Northwestern QB.
10. Unfavorable Matchup:
Massachusetts Receivers vs. #6 Notre Dame Secondary: Yes, Massachusetts QB, Blake Frohnapfel, threw for almost 400 yards in last week’s loss to Temple, but the Owls do not have a strong secondary for receivers to compete with. Fighting Irish senior cornerback, KeiVarae Russell always guards the opposing team’s number once target, in this case Tajae Sharpe. Sharpe is yet to score a touchdown this season. Russell will have to limit the Minutemen’s star receiver’s numbers though. He averages 13 yards, and is used in a short pass situation. Expect Notre Dame to play solid defense on UMass in the upcoming game. This game is the Minutemen’s to loose, going up against one of the best secondaries in college football.
10 Storylines-Week 2
After an upset-filled week 2, I will breakdown the first 5 storylines of the week. Sorry there was not a post after the week 1 preview. I was a little sidetracked with high school football. Here is the recap from week 2:
- Ducks Are the Main Entree in East Lansing: The Spartans gained their revenge on the #7 Oregon Ducks, winning 31-28 in a nail-biter. The running game fueled Michigan State’s offense. Freshman back Madre London rushed for 103 yards, but the real hero was another freshman,LJ Scott, who rushed for 76 yards and 2 tds. Defense was also the order of the day, picking off Oregon’s quarterback Vernon Adams twice. The Spartans defensive line pressured the Ducks on fourth downs, only converting 2 of 6. On the other side, Michigan State QB ,Connor Cook, threw for 192 yards and 2 TDs. The down-the-wire game contributed to the Spartans’ rise in the AP Top 25, moving from 5 to 4. MSU also received 2 first place votes. The loss dropped the Ducks into 12th. Oregon’s back in Eugene to face Georgia State, who won a close game against New Mexico State. #4 Michigan State stays in East Lansing to face the Air Force Falcons, who are 2-0.
Michigan State relies on their freshman offensive role players, particularly LJ Scott, to step up and contribute, and boy, what a game he had! (Alice Kole-The State News) - Notre Dame Squeaks By Virginia Without Zaire: A comeback looked to be the story of the day for the Cavaliers as they took the lead with under 2 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. Then Irish qb, Malik Zaire, went down with an ankle injury, and is deemed out for the season. In comes, DeShone Kizer, never the favorite to win Notre Dame’s quarterback battle, and throws a 40-yard bullet to Will Fuller. Kizer’s heroics helped lift Notre Dame to a 34-27 win over Virginia. The victorious Fightin’ Irish rose from 9 to 8 in the AP Top 25 Rankings. Next week, Notre Dame faces #14 Georgia Tech Saturday, who defeated Tulane last week.
- Harbaugh Earns First Win In Home Opener: Michigan made Coach John Harbaugh very happy with a 35-7 rout of Oregon State. Wolverines running back, De’Veon Smith, rushed for 126 yards and 3 TDs. Quarterback Jake Rudock threw for 180 yards but did not throw a touchdown. The Wolverines’ offensive linemen contributed heavily in opening holes for Smith and the rest of Michigan’s running backs. On the other side, Oregon State found it hard to jump start their offense. The Beavers’ freshman QB, Seth Collins, threw for only 79 yards and a touchdown. Up next for Michigan is UNLV, who lost to UCLA last week. Oregon State is back home against San Jose State on Saturday.
De’Veon Smith’s 3 touchdowns helped secure Jim Harbaugh his first win at the Big House. (Tony Ding-Associate Press) - Toledo Upsets #12 Arkansas For Schools First SEC Win: Little Rock, AK did not look like the Razorbacks’ home on Saturday. Phillip Ely, an ex-Alabama backup QB, threw for 237 yards and a touchdown, as Toledo upset Arkansas 16-12. Razorback QB, Brandon Allen, threw an interception on third down in the second quarter. The Rocket’s next drive would result in a Damion Jones-Moore touchdown run. The upset dropped Arkansas out of the Associated Press Top 25 Rankings. Coming into the week, all SEC West teams were ranked. Only 5 out of the 7 teams are still up there. Arkansas faces Texas Tech, who blew out UTEP last Saturday. Look for Razorbacks’ QB, Brandon Allen, to throw the short ball more against a Red Raiders defense that is best at zone coverage, in a deep ball situation.
QB Phillip Ely showed no mercy as Toledo upset #12 Arkansas in their first ever SEC win. (USA TODAY Sports) - Auburn Survives Jacksonville State’s Hiccup With OT Win: Going into Auburn, AL, Jacksonville State had under a 5% chance of defeating the SEC’s top teams, let alone tying the game. Peyton Barber was the reason Auburn fans breathed a big sigh of relief, scoring the game deciding touchdown in OT to lift the Tigers over the Gamecocks, 27-20. At one point, the Gamecocks lead 10-6 at the end of the first half. The lead in the second half would go from a 13 tie to a 20-13 Jacksonville State lead. The igniter in the second half for the Tigers, was QB Jeremy Johnson’s 51 yard pass to sophomore tailback, Roc Thomas. Johnson would finish off the night with a pair of touchdowns. However, this almost upset dropped Auburn from #6 to #18 on the AP Top 25 Rankings. Up next for the Tigers is an SEC West matchup against #13 LSU, who defeated Mississippi State by 2 points last week. Keep an eye out for that game.
Big Games:
6. Stanford at # 6 USC Saturday 8:00 pm- The Trojan horse is not star QB Cody Kessler, but is running back Ronald Jones II. Home is where Jones’ heart is, as the freshman power back rushed for 169 yards and a pair of touchdowns. With the excellent blocking of the Trojans’ offensive line, the Texas native depends on the long run, something Stanford is decent at stopping. The Cardinals will have to make major adjustments when Kessler throws the ball, he threw for over 400 yards against Idaho. On the flip side, USC will have to limit Stanford’s play caller, Keith Hogan’s long ball, and force him to throw screen passes. This is a tough game to predict, but I am certain it will be a close one. The two Californian rivals will not fail to disappoint.
7. #15 Ole Miss at #2 Alabama Saturday 9:15 pm- If you want to view a high offensive game, this SEC West matchup is the one to watch. Ole Miss’ QB, Chad Kelly, threw for 346 yards and 4 touchdowns in a blowout 73-12 win over Fresno State. Kelly’s favorite targets? Wideouts ,Quincy Adeboyejo and Cody Core, are the centerpieces of the Ole Miss offense. Each have rushed for over 100 yards in the season. On the flip side, the Crimson Tide’s defense has done a great job defending the deep ball. Expect Kelly to integrate a mix of slip screens for his running backs and Adeboyejo. Core will most likely be used in the slot, as the number 2 receiver. On the Alabama side, QB Jake Coker will have to throw the deep ball more, facing a solid pass defense in USC.
8. Rutgers at Penn State Saturday 8:00 pm- Rutgers has been in hot water the past two weeks. First, with the investigation regarding head coach, Kyle Flood, and an ineligible player, then a home invasion where 5 players were dismissed from the university, and recently the indefinite suspension of star wideout, Leonte Carroo. The Scarlet Knights need players to step up against Big 10 rival Penn State. QB Chris Laviano and Janarion Grant can step up offensively. Laviano threw for over 200 yards and a touchdown in the Washington State loss last week. Expect Laviano to throw short passes to Matt Flanagan, Carroo’s backup. Grant shined in special teams by running a 100-yard kickoff return and a 55-yard punt return to the end zone. This earned him the weekly Big 10 Special Teams Player of the Week. On the Penn State side, Christian Hackenberg has not had the same numbers as Laviano. Hackenberg has thrown only one touchdown in two games. Last season, Penn State ran away with the win in the fourth quarter last season, in Piscataway. Rutgers looks to bring its superb special teams into State College against a Nittany Lions special teams that has not yet returned a kickoff or a punt for a touchdown. Expect a quality game from both Big 10 schools.
9. Favorable matchup:
#22 MIZZOU Secondary vs. UCONN Backfield- The Huskies will have to rely on sophomore back, Ron Johnson, who only rushed for 39 yards against Army last week. Johnson faces a tough secondary in Missouri. The Tigers’ star linebacker, Kentrell Brothers, is a major threat to the Huskies back. Johnson likes to run either to his left or right, if the offensive line creates enough holes for him, where Brothers would be camped out and ready for a stop. He can also assist on tackles, helping out on 14 tackles this season. Expect Johnson to run up the gut to throw off the Tigers’ secondary.
10. Unfavorable Matchup:
Tanner Mangum QB(#19 BYU) vs. #10 UCLA pass defense- BYU QB, Tanner Mangum, is well known to college football fans. Following his heroic fourth quarter Hail-Mary in week 1 against Nebraska, Mangum threw a 35-yard touchdown to give the Cougars the lead with 1 minute remaining against Boise State. He will need to impress again this week, when BYU visits Hollywood. Although the Bruins’ pass defense is decent, they cannot defend the long ball. Tanner Mangum will have to resort to throwing his deep ball, as per usual.
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