November is here, which happens to be my favorite month of
the year and with it comes some key football matchups that will shape the
season.
Florida State defeated Miami at home Saturday night, 41-14, scoring
20 unanswered points in the second half. Freshmen quarterback Jameis Winston
completed 21 of 29 passes for 325 yards and one touchdown. But the surprise of
the game was Winston’s two interceptions, as it seems the freshman phenom is
human and capable of making mistakes. FSU has games against Wake Forest,
Syracuse, Idaho and Florida coming up and I don’t see them falling in any of
those. The Gators pose an interesting threat, but I think they are too injured
and banged up to make a difference, like they did last season.
Ohio State rolled Purdue (as they should have) and the
Buckeyes have won every single game since Urban Meyer took over the dysfunctional
program last year. OSU has games against Illinois, Indiana and Michigan
remaining and like the Seminoles, I don’t see a loss in the future.
But I don’t think those teams hold their own destinies when
it comes to National Championship aspirations. They’ll need a loss to one of or
maybe both Alabama and Oregon this season.
Moving out of the past and into the future, which has plenty
in stow regarding college football, including three huge matchups and the
possibility for the best weekend of the season. However in regards to the
college theme this weekend begins on a Thursday.
Oklahoma is making a trip south on I-35 to Waco, Texas, with
the Bears of Baylor awaiting the Sooners. Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1) is 20-1 all-time
against Baylor (7-0, 4-0) and handed Texas Tech its first loss of the season
two weeks ago. Baylor however is bringing in the nation’s top offense,
averaging 63.9 points per game and throwing for 417.3 yards per game. But it’s
the Bears’ defense that has them where they are, No. 6 in the BCS poll, giving
up a meager 15.9 points per game, ranking sixth in the nation, SIXTH! Oklahoma
is improving and will pose a tough test for Baylor, but Lache Seastrunk, Bryce
Petty and those talented receivers will have something to say in the outcome,
Baylor wins 56-38.
*Side Note* I’ll be in Waco at the Baylor game Thursday.
The same night after Baylor faces OU, another OU takes on it’s
one and only loss from last season, Stanford. Oregon (8-0, 5-0) ranks second in
the nation in rushing with 331.5 yards per game and second in points, averaging
55.6 points per game. Stanford (7-1, 5-1) is winning games with its defense and
balance, averaging 196.4 rushing yards per game and 193.3 passing yards per
game. The Cardinal are only giving up 19.4 points per game and will need to
hold this quick and fast Duck offense to as little as it can. Stanford was able
to do this last season, beating Oregon in overtime, 17-14. Marcus Mariota and
Kevin Hogan will both have to have great games for their teams to win, but I
see Byron Marshall making a difference and Oregon beating Stanford, 31-20.
Oregon vs. Oregon State is looking more and more like a
wonderful end of the year finish and maybe a sneaky upset pick by the Wing
Expert.
In a little more traditional matchup, LSU travels to
Tuscaloosa, Ala. to take on the two-time defending champion Crimson Tide.
Alabama (8-0, 5-0) is No. 1 in the BCS Poll after steamrolling through the
competition in October, winning all four games by a combined score, 190-20. LSU
(7-2, 3-2) is coming into this meeting after a loss to Ole Miss and a tough win
over Furman, yes, you read that correctly. Alabama is opening as a 10.5-point
favorite, but the Fighting Tigers have won five of the last six meetings with
the Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with the lone loss coming in 2009 and the
Patrick Peterson interception that was ruled a no catch. Alabama ranks 11th
in scoring, averaging 41.3 points per game, and first in defense, giving up
just 9.8 points per game. Bama is rolling right now and seems like they cannot
be stopped, but LSU always gives the Tide fits and they’ll do it again this
week. I see Alabama winning this game, but just like last year, with a lot of
suspense. Tide defense holds strong and gets Bama one win closer to a
three-peat, winning, 23-13.
Not one upset picked by the Wing Expert, which is unusual,
but these will all be close games that will have you begging for more. Oregon,
Alabama and Baylor are some of the best three teams in the country this year,
with Oklahoma, Stanford and LSU not far behind.
Sorry for the gap in between posts, and the late upload
here, but I wanted to get something on for you to have on the Manic Monday.
Check in later this week for my update on the Heisman watch and my reaction
from Floyd Casey and the OU-Baylor game.
Thanks for checking in and have a wonderful week.
Wing Man out.
No comments:
Post a Comment