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Tag: Carson Beck

  • The Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 12.

    Collage of various college football team logos displayed in a grid format.

    As the college football season works its way towards the end of the regular season, the games are becoming more meaningful.

    Conference standings, college football playoff spots, and of course, RIVALRIES.

    Week 12 is a great slate of games, and it was hard to choose only 3.

    So, without ado, HERE are the 3 games you should watch.

    1) #9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-2) at #22 Pittsburgh Panthers (7-2).
    Game starts at 12:00 PM (Noon) (EST) on ABC.

    Logos of Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Pittsburgh Panthers on a split background.

    Who thought at the beginning of the season, that Pitt would be in 1st place in the ACC? The Panthers have a chance to make a real statement. A win here, will put them in the CFB Playoff, and completely eliminate Notre Dame.

    We all know about HBs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price bring to the table, but it’s Fighting Irish QB CJ Carr, that has this team rolling. He’s thrown for 2,275 yards with 19 TDs to only 4 INTs. The Notre Dame defense has 25 team sacks, and the pressure they get has forced a whooping 16 INTs for this defense.

    When Pitt starting QB Eli Holstein went down for the season, fans thought they were done. Instead, freshman QB Mason Heintschel has come in and has won 6 straight games. He’s thrown for 1,547 yards, with 12 TDs and 5 INTs. This is your typical Pitt defense. Fundamentally sound, and hard-nosed. They don’t “wow” you with stats, just wear you down over the course of the game.

    Prediction – As much as I love seeing upsets, I can’t see it happening here. Give me the Fighting Irish, to pull away in the 2nd half for a 35-17 win.

    2) #10 Texas Longhorns (7-2) at #5 Georgia Bulldogs (8-1).
    Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Logo of the Texas Longhorns alongside the NCAA logo and the Georgia Bulldogs logo on a blue background.

    I’d like to say that if Texas loses, they’re eliminated from the CFB playoffs, but we all know the SEC bias is ridiculous. It’d be their 3rd loss, as they already have losses to #1 Ohio State and unranked dumpster fire Florida.

    Longhorns QB Arch Manning has thrown for 2,123 yards, with 18 TDs and 6 INTs. They have no running game to speak of. It’s been their defense that have been winning these games. 34 team sacks, 9 INTs, 11 forced fumbles, and 6 fumble recoveries.

    Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton has thrown for 2,040 yards, with 15 TDs to only 2 INTs. He’s also added 321 yards and 7 TDs on the ground. While the defense hasn’t been up to “Georgia standard” this season, they’re fast, fly to the football, and don’t miss tackles.

    Prediction – I trust Kirby Smart more than Steve Sarkisian. Give me the Bulldogs to win at home 24-21.

    3) North Carolina State Wolfpack (5-4) at #15 Miami Hurricanes (7-2).
    Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.

    Logos of the NC State Wolfpack and Miami Hurricanes against contrasting backgrounds.

    The Wolfpack are coming off a massive upset over (then #8) Georgia Tech last week. They also have a win over #20 Virginia earlier this season. The Hurricanes started the season strong but have 2 loses (Louisville and SMU) in the last 4 games. If they lose again, they’re done.

    NC State sophomore QB CJ Bailey has thrown for 2,411 yards, with 19 TDs and 7 INTs. HB Hollywood Smothers is averaging 6.9 yards per carry. He has 825 yards, with 6 TDs. Their defense is hit and miss. With this team, it’s simply a matter of which one shows up. The good (GT and VA) or the bad (ND, Pitt, Duke).

    For Miami, it’s simple. QB Carson Beck has to play better than he has. He’s thrown for 2,194 yards, with 15 TDs, but he’s thrown 9 INTs. The defense has played well. 24 sacks, 9 INTs, 8 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries.

    Prediction – The Wolfpack are coming off a high. There’s typically a letdown after an upset win. I see that happening here. Give me the Hurricanes to get the much need victory 28-17.

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, ESPN, and onlineathens.

  • College Football Recap and Helmet Stickers for Week 8.

    A collage of various college football team logos, featuring prominent teams such as UCLA Bruins, Michigan Wolverines, and Texas Longhorns, arranged in a grid format.

    What an incredible week of college football we had on Saturday.

    We had MAJOR Top 10 upsets!!!

    It all started on Friday night, when the Louisville Cardinals upset (then #2) ranked Miami Hurricanes, 24-21. DO NOT look deep into this one, as it took QB Carson Beck throwing 4 INTs for it to happen.

    The Arizona State Sun Devils knocked off the (then #7) Texas Tech Red Raiders, 26-22, in game that came down to the wire.

    The UAB Blazers upset the (then #22) Memphis Tigers, 31-24, in a game that nobody saw coming.

    As I said in my Top 3 Games to Watch article, the best game of week, was between (then #13 and #20) Notre Dame and USC. The Trojans had no answer at all for the Fighting Irish’s running game, as ND won 34-24.

    Ohio State, Indiana, Texas A&M, Georgia, Alabama, and Oregon, all took care of business, and got wins, to stay in the Top 10.

    Of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the Florida Gators have fired Billy Napier. Billy Gonzales has been named the interim head coach.

    So, without further ado, here are your Week 8 College Football Helmet Stickers.

    (Team) UCLA Bruins.

    Logo of the UCLA Bruins featuring a bear mascot and the team name.

    After starting the season 0-4 and firing their (now former) head coach Deshaun Foster, the Bruins have won 3 straight games. Not just any games either, they’re conference games. The UCLA Bruins are currently 3rd in the Big Ten, as they defeated Maryland 20-17.

    They needed something to jump start this program, and it’s working out quite well so far in the month of October, as interim head coach Tim Skipper, has this team playing hard and rolling.

    (Offense) Jeremiyah Love, HB, Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

    A Notre Dame player, wearing a purple jersey with the number 4, celebrates while running on the football field, holding a ball in one hand, with fans in the background.

    Jeremiyah Love was my #1 rated HB coming into the season, and he showed again, exactly why.

    The Trojan defense had no answer for him at all. He ran through them, around them, and any other adjective you can think of.

    He had 24 carries, for 228 yards, with a touchdown. He added 5 catches for 37 yards as well.

    (Defense) Treylin Payne, LB, Texas State Bobcats.

    Headshot of a smiling young male athlete with curly hair, wearing a red jersey.

    The Bobcat senior had an incredible 24 total tackles, in a 37-40, double overtime loss to Marshall.

    Who would you give a helmet sticker to?

    – by Sean McKenzie

    Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, CBSSports, and on3.

  • The Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 6.

    A collage of college football team logos arranged in a grid pattern.

    Week 6 of the college football season starts tonight, with the Sam Houston State Bearkats (0-4) traveling to take on the New Mexico State Aggies (2-2) at 9:00 PM (EST) on CBSSN.

    That is NOT one of my Top 3, by the way.

    This is going to be a Saturday of chalk. Teams you think are going to win, ARE going to win. I don’t foresee a bunch of upsets or anything.

    So, without further ado, here you go.

    1) #3 Miami Hurricanes (4-0) at #18 Florida State Seminoles (3-1).
    Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    If you are a fan of college football, then you know just how awesome it is, to see this bitter rivalry game be meaningful again. I am so excited for this game.

    Transfer QB Carson Beck has this offense humming along. He’s recovered nicely from offseason elbow surgery and back to his old form. He’s completing 73.2% of his passes, with 8 TDs to only 3 INTs. Their running game is solid with HBs Mark Fletcher Jr and Charmar Brown combining for 9 TD runs. The defense has been solid. Getting sacks and pressures from all 3 levels. They don’t get out of position often.

    QB Tommy Castellanos has come in and given this offense a spark, with his dual threat ability. His feet have done the most damage running for 217 yards and 4 TDs, not all on designed runs. HIs scrambling ability gives opposing defenses nightmares. The Seminole’s running game is top notch, as they’ve run for a combined 1,345 yards and 20 TDs already this season. The defensive backs are fast and fly all over the field, as Earl Little Jr leads the team in tackles (28), and Ashlynd Barker leads the team in sacks (2).

    Prediction – Florida State is embarrassed by the upset last week and will come out swinging at home. This is a rivalry game, so it’d be close. I think Miami pulls it out on a Carson Beck TD late. Hurricanes win 28-24.

    #16 Vanderbilt Commadores (5-0) at #10 Alabama Crimson Tide (3-1).
    Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Logo of the Vanderbilt Commodores on a black background alongside the logo of the Alabama Crimson Tide on a red background.

    That’s right, your read that correctly. Vanderbilt is ranked and undefeated. This isn’t your grandpappy’s “cakewalk” Commadores team.

    The Commadores are led by “super senior” QB Diego Pavia. Arguably, the best dual-threat QB in the entire country. He’s completing 74.6% of his passes, for 1,211 yards with 13 TDs to only 3 INTs. He’s also ran for 294 yards with 2 TDs. He always keeps his eyes downfield when scrambling, and doesn’t make stupid mistakes. The defense gets pressure fast. They have 14 team sacks on the young season, led by EDGE Miles Capers with (3.5). They also create turnovers, with 7 forced fumbles, and have recovered 6 of them.

    The loss to FSU in Week 1 has flipped something in the Crimson Tide. Their focus and play has been much more sound since then. Junior QB Ty Simpson has thrown for 1,138 yards with 11 TDs and 0 INTs. He’s taking care of the football and keeping the offense on the field. While the defense isn’t putting up the sack and turnover numbers from years past; they’re fast and haven’t been overpursing like last season and in Week 1. They’ve gone back to fundamentals, and it’s showing up on film.

    Prediction – Vanderbilt isn’t sneaking up on Bama this time, like last season. The Commadores are a serious team. I so badly want to pick them, but something is telling me that the Crimson Tide will get it done at home. I’m taking Alabama in a close game 34-31.

    #11 Texas Tech Red Raiders (4-0) at Houston Cougars (4-0).
    Game starts at 7:00 PM (EST) on ESPN.

    Logos of Texas Tech Red Raiders and Houston Cougars on contrasting backgrounds.

    Yes, you read that right. I’m saying the University of Houston football is a must watch. At least it is this week. They are scrapy and undefeated with 2 wins over “Power 4” schools already.

    This is the biggest game for Houston since joining the Big-12 conference.

    The Red Raiders offense has been balanced and efficient. QB Behren Morton has thrown for 1,065 yards with 11 TDs to only 3 INTs. The running game has 818 yards and 10 TDs on the season. The defense is led by one of the best LBs in the country (1 of my Top 10 players in all of America) Jacob Rodriguez, with 28 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 INT.

    The Cougars got QB Conner Weigman from Texas A&M in the transfer portal. He’s the game manager that they need. He’s thrown for 839 yards, with 6 TDs to only 1 INT. The team has won through opportunistic defense. They’ve got 5 INTs and 7 forced fumbles, to along with 9 sacks.

    Prediction – The Cougars will keep it close for a half, before the Red Raiders pull away. Texas Tech wins 42- 24.

    – by Sean McKenzie

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    Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, USAToday, and ESPN.