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Tag: CJ Carr

  • 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.

  • Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 8. (Bonus Game).

    A collage of various college football team logos displayed in a grid format, showcasing a mix of mascots and school insignias.

    Week 8 is absolutely stacked with incredible games, as conferences are in the middle of playing out their schedule.

    We’ve already had a major upset, as the FIU Panthers (Florida International University) defeated the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, 25-6. WKU was in the running to get that “G5 spot” in the college football playoffs.

    I could drone on and on, about each game, including a big game in the UAC (FCS) as the West Georgia Wolves (5-1) coming off an embarrassing loss, is looking to go into Stephenville, Texas and upset the #2 ranked Tarleton State Texans (7-0).

    So here we go, the Top 3 college football games you SHOULD watch, (including a bonus game).

    I am 10-5, in my predictions so far this year.

    1) #20 USC Trojans (5-1) at #13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (4-2).
    Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on NBC and Peacock.

    Logo of USC Trojans and Notre Dame Fighting Irish with a football in a stadium background.

    In what could be the second to last game, this historic rivalry has serious repercussions for the college football playoffs.

    USC is coming off a big win last week, where they showed off their physical toughness. They’re going to need that again, as they take on a stout ND defense. HBs Waymond Jordan, King Miller, and Eli Sanders, have a combined 1,150 yards and 10 TDs. They’ll need to continue that rotation. QB Jayden Maiava leads the nation in QBR (93.1) and has 13 TDs to only 2 INTs. Of course, having one of the best WRs in the country to throw to, doesn’t hurt. WR Makai Lemon has 44 catches, for 682 yards, and 6 TDs.

    The Fighting Irish suffered a heavy blow, as starting C Ashton Craig is gone for the season with a knee injury. Notre Dame has a two headed monster at HB themselves, with Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price. They have a combined 952 yards and 15 TDs. Freshman QB CJ Carr has come in a given them a threatening passing game. He’s thrown for 1,622 yards, with 13 TDs to only 3 INTs. The Fighting Irish have one of the best secondaries in America, with 11 INTs.

    Prediction – There’s not many things better than a night game at Notre Dame, and this is going to be the best game of the week. Both teams have so much to play for. The injury to Craig is a big deal. In the end, I think USC QB Maiava throws a late pick, in a close 31-28 victory for the Fighting Irish.

    2) #5 Ole Miss Rebels (6-0) at #9 Georgia Bulldogs (5-1).
    Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Logo design featuring the Ole Miss Rebels and Georgia Bulldogs team colors, with Ole Miss on the left in navy blue and Georgia on the right in bright red.

    Ole Miss is looking to make it back-to-back to win over Georgia, and the Bulldogs need to win this game, or they’ll have 2 conference losses already.

    This is a run heavy, ball control offense that the Rebels put out on the field. HB Kewan Lacy leads the team with 126 carries, for 587 yards, and 8 TDs. Dual threat QB Trinidad Chambliss has thrown for 1,286 yards, with 7 TDs and only 1 INT; but it’s his 61 carries, for 281 yards, and 3 TDs, that keeps defenses guessing.

    Bulldogs QB Gunner Stockton, has thrown for 1,264 yards, with 6 TDs and only 1 INT. His scrambling ability keeps linebackers at bay with 220 yards and 6 rushing TDs. They have 2 HBs that split carries, in Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier. This is not the usual “Georgia defense”, as they only have 8 team sacks and only created 6 turnovers. They still remain fast and gap sound though.

    Will the disgusting bias officiating in favor of Georgia (like we saw last week), show up again, or will they overcorrect in favor of Ole Miss???

    Prediction – Georgia knows that a loss could very well mean they’re out of the conference title race. Ole Miss knows that this is probably their toughest game left this season. I’m expecting a defensive battle. My head is saying UGA. My heart is saying Ole Miss……I’m going to follow my heart and take the Rebels to win 17-13.

    3) #11 Tennessee Volunteers (5-1) at #6 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1).
    Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST) on ABC.

    Graphic showing the matchup between Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide with team logos and a football theme.

    It’s the “Third Saturday in October”. A big SEC rivalry game. This time, there are serious conference and CFP implications on the line.

    Can Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel ACTUALLY win a “big game”?

    This is a balanced offense. QB Joey Aguilar has thrown for 1,680 yards, with 14 TDs and 5 INTs. It’s the running game that wears down an opposing defense. HBs Desean Bishop, Star Thomas, and Peyton Lewis have a combined 1,009 yards and 14 TDs. This is a Volunteer defense that gets serious pressure on opposing QBs, with 26 team sacks, leading to 4 INTs, 11 forced fumbles, and 7 fumble recoveries.

    This Crimson Tide team is all about QB Ty Simpson. He’s stepped right into the fire, and thrown for 1,678 yards, with 16 TDs to only 1 INT. The defense doesn’t get many sacks (9 total), but they force the opposing team into mistakes, with 6 INTs, 6 forced fumbles, and 5 fumble recoveries.

    Prediction – You CAN NOT ignore Heupel’s tendency to choke in big games. Alabama has been playing great since their opening season loss to FSU. As much as I truly want to pick TEN, I simply can’t. Give me the Crimson Tide to win 35-28.

    BONUS GAME

    #23 Utah Utes (5-1) at #15 BYU Cougars (6-0).
    Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX.

    A close-up view of two college football helmets side by side, featuring the Utah Utes' red helmet with a logo and the BYU Cougars' silver helmet with a logo, set against a background of bright stadium lights.

    The Holy War.

    A long-standing rivalry and a long history of these two teams completely destroying each other’s hopes and bowl season dreams.

    The Utah offense lives and dies with QB Devon Dampier. He’s completing 71.5% of his passes, for 1,131 yards, with 11 TDs and 3 INTs. His 65 carries, for 378 yards with 5 TDs leads this Utes offense. It goes as he goes. This defense is led by one of the best pass rushers in the nation. DE John Henry Daley leads the team in tackles (30) and sacks (8), and he’s forced 2 fumbles.

    BYU also has a dual-threat QB in freshman Bear Bachmeier. He’s thrown for 1,220 yards, with 8 TDs and 3 INTs. He has 71 carries, for 295 yards and 7 TDs. HB LJ Martin has 101 carries, for 652 yards, with 4 TDs. The Cougar defense has 8 INTs this season,

    Prediction – This is one of those rivalry games, that’s completely whack-a-doo. Nothing ever goes as you think it will. This is a massive game, in an always wide-open Big 12. I’m taking the Utah Utes to win a close game 27-21.

    – by Sean McKenzie

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    Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA.

    Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave, clutchpoints, ESPN, KUTV.