I’m down home with the flu, but WHAT A WEEK 7 of college football!!!
5 of the Top 7 ranked teams lost, for the first time SINCE 1936!!!
#1 Georgia lost to unranked Auburn 27-24. #2 Notre Dame lost to #8 BYU 28-24. #5 Indiana lost to #Ohio State 19-15. #6 Alabama lost to #Tennessee 26-10. #7 Texas lost to unranked Florida 27-24.
The #12 UCLA Bruins are still undefeated (6-0) after beating Wisconsin 17-7, starting a backup quarterback.
#15 Kentucky continues its incredible start to the season (6-1), defeating Oklahoma 21-13.
We had some absolute shootouts with #20 Houston beating #18 Oklahoma State 35-32, and West Virginia beating Cincinnati 45-42.
For the 18TH STRAIGHT YEAR, the Kansas State Wildcats beat their arch-rival the Kansas Jayhawks to win the Sunflower Showdown 35-24…..can it really be a rivalry now. LOL.
North Dakota State is now 6-1, in their FIRST YEAR playing FBS football, as they beat Nevada 31-17.
This was a really, really difficult week to choose from.
So, without further ado, here are your Week 7 College Football Helmet Stickers.
OFFENSE. Michael Hawkins Jr – QB – West Virginia Mountianeers 25 of 33 for 464 yards and 3 TDs 26 carries for 77 yards and 2 TDs
DEFENSE. Colin Simmons, EDGE, Texas Longhorns. 8 total tackles, 4 TFLs, 1 sack. Left the game in 4th quarter with injury.
TEAM.
Cornell Big Red (3-2) defeated #4 Leighton Mountain Hawks 48-38 for their 1st win over a Top 5 ranked opponent since 1939!!!
The team they beat in 1939…..#4 Ohio State.
Who do you think deserves a helmet sticker???
– by Sean McKenzie
Pictures and video courtesy of…..wallpapercave, ESPN, and YouTube.
Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.
#21 UCLA Bruins beat #13 Oregon Ducks 17 – 15, in Eugene (this was the only prediction I lost).
The unranked Kentucky Wildcats upset #10 LSU Tigers 35- 34 in overtime.
Unranked South Carolina Gamecocks went into The Swamp, and beat #16 Florida Gators 38- 19.
Now, if you follow me on Twitter/X (which you should @JoeAmerican6771), you’d seen that all season long, I’ve been saying the LSU and Florida are being extremely overrated by ESPN, or as everyone with common sense calls them, E(SEC)PN.
Now, they’re going to overrate Kentucky and South Carolina next.
There were a lot of players, that deserved a helmet sticker this week, but, here the ones who get the nod.
OFFENSE. Branden Atkinson, QB, Oregon State Beavers. 29 of 38, for 409 yards, 5 TDs, 0 INTs
DEFENSE. Michael Molnar, LB, Ohio Bobcats. 5 total tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
TEAM. Oklahoma Sooners. Defeated #1 Texas Longhorns 27 – 24.
Everyone had written off the Oklahoma Sooners for the season, coming into this game.
BUT, as I said in my “3 Games You Should Watch for Week 6” article, anything can happen in a rivalry game.
– by Sean McKenzie
Pictures and Videos courtesy of…..YouTube and ESPN
What a week of college football, Week 6 has in store for us.
The Red River Shootout/Rivalry between the #1 Texas Longhorns vs the Oklahoma Sooners. No matter the rankings, this game is always chippy and physical.
#14 Missouri Tigers are coming off a big win over (then ranked) #8 Florida, and they’re taking on the Texas A&M Aggies (who are rumored to be under investigation for NIL violations). Can the Tigers handle being the hunted, instead of the hunter???
Can Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Matt Rhule FINALLY beat a ranked team? They take on last year’s National Champions, #7 Indiana Hoosiers. Personally, I’m saying doubt it.
With so many options to choose from, it’s hard to pin down a list, but, here are the 3 games you should watch…..
1) #20 Iowa Hawkeyes (4-1) at Washington Huskies (3-2) Game starts at 9:00 PM (EST), Friday night, on FOX.
Both teams are coming off crushing losses (Iowa to Ohio State at home, and Washington at USC).
While, Iowa was simply outclassed on the field, Washington SHOULD have won, and simply choked the game away.
It seems like Iowa has finally found a good QB in Senior Hank Brown (832 yards, 5 TDs, and 1 INT). As usual with the Hawkeyes, it’s all about defense and the running game. Senior Kamari Moulton gets the bulk of the carries (50 carries for 311 yards, and 2 TDs), but Braeden Jackson, Xavier Williams, and Nathan McNeil all have over 100 yards on the ground. Senior LB Cam Buffington has 44 tackles to lead the team, and DE Joesph Anderson has 3 sacks.
Washington has one of my favorite dual-threat QBs to watch, Demond Williams Jr (1,327 yards, 8 TDs and 3 INTs in the passing game, 53 carries for 191 yards, and 2 TDs running). On defense, it all runs through Senior safety Alex McLaughlin, as he leads the team in total tackles (36), sacks (2.5), and INTs (2).
The Huskies are favored by 3 points (as of this writing).
Prediction – I badly want to take Washington. My gut is telling me that Williams will try too hard and cost his team the game late. Give me the Iowa Hawkeyes in a close 28-27 upset win.
2) #21 UCLA Bruins (4-0) at #13 Oregon Ducks (3-1). Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST), Saturday afternoon, on CBS.
Are Bob Chesney and his UCLA Bruins for real???
Well, we’re about to find out, as they face their toughest test BY FAR.
This Bruins offense goes through the running game, NOT QB Nico Iamaleava. Senior HB Wayne Knight followed Chesney from James Madsion and leads the team with 49 carries, for 445 yards, and 9 TDs. He’s not alone though. HBs Anthony Woods (36, 269, 4), and Jaivian Thomas (28, 155, 3), help shoulder the load. On defense, LB Sammy Omosigho simply has a nose for the football. He leads the team in total tackles (38), sacks (3), and forced fumbles (4).
Junior transfer QB Dylan Raiola (Nebraska) will get the start. He’s 30 for 36, for 413 yards, with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, so far this season. He’ll need to continue playing well, which he didn’t do at Nebraska. On defense, transfer S Koi Perich (Minnesota) leads the team in total tackles (24). LB Matayo Uiagalelei leads the team in sacks (3). DB Jett Washington leads the team in INTs (2) and forced fumbles (1). What does that tell you??? That they have playmakers all over the defensive back 7.
Prediction – The UCLA storyline is great, and Bob Chesney is going to bring the Bruins back to relevance for the next few years. HOWEVER, he’s in for a rude awakening. The Ducks are favored by 11.5, and I’ll take that. Ducks win 42-21.
3) #2 Georgia Bulldogs (5-0) at #5 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0). Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST), Saturday night, on ABC.
Get your pizza and popcorn ready, don’t forget your TUMS too (if you eat this late LOL); because this game is gonna be fun!!!
Georgia is led by the best QB in the SEC (yes, I said it) in Gunnar Stockton (1,049 yards, 13 TDs, 1 INT). He simply doesn’t make mistakes. They need the run game to step up in this game. Their leading rusher, HB Nate Frazier, only has 211 yards on the ground, but does have 5 TDs. As usual, the UGA LBs are fast and active. They have 9.5 of the teams 13 sacks and 4 of the teams 5 forced fumbles. They fly around to the football, and they will need to continue to cause turnovers in this game.
Alabama’s’ high-octane offense, is led by dual-threat Sophomore QB Keelon Russell. He’s thrown for 1,414 yards, 11 TDs and 2 INTs, and has run for 184 yards with 4 TDs. The Crimson Tide have 3 HBs with 200+ rushing yards, Daniel Hill (51 carries, 247 yards, 4 TDs), Trae’shawn Brown (42 carries, 211 yards, 5 TDs), and EJ Crowell (26 carries, 204 yards, 3 TDs). Future 1st round pick WR Ryan Coleman-Williams, leads the team with 20 catches, for 376 yards, and 4 TDs. The defense gets after the QB, as they have 16 team sacks this season, causing 8 INTs, and forcing 6 fumbles.
Prediction – Some think this will be high scoring. Some think this will be a defensive struggle. I think it’ll be in the middle. Alabama got them in the regular season last year, but lost in the conference title game. I DO NOT think that happens here. Bulldogs get the win in Tuscaloosa, 35-28.
What game do you think should’ve made the list???
– by Sean McKenzie
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and ESPN.
Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.
Week 4 of the college football season, has come and gone.
We had an almost upset on Friday night, with the Northwestern Wildcats giving the #5 ranked Indiana Hoosiers, all they could handle. Barely escaping with a 29-23.
The #21 Florida Gators absolutely dominated the #4 ranked Ole Miss Rebels, getting a massive 52-28 win at home.
As I predicted months ago (see above), the Wisconsin Badgers went on the road, and pulled the upset, beating the #13th ranked Penn State Nittany Lions, 24-20.
#16 Louisville Cardinals got upset by the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 30-27.
Of course, the play that EVERYONE is talking about is #17 Iowa Hawkeyes going into “The Big House” and beating #18 Michigan Wolverines 20-19, on the final play of the game.
With so many greats games.
With so many great plays.
With so many great players.
Here are your Week 4 Helmet Stickers.
OFFENSE. Jeremiah Smith – WR – Ohio State Buckeyes. 12 catches for 217 yards, and 4 TDs.
Well, it’s Week 4, and that means for most college football teams; we are a quarter (25%) of the way through the season.
There are a lot of good games this week, as conference play begins for a lot to teams.
Of course, E(SEC)PN or just ESPN is just promoting the living crap out of the SEC games.
This is a GREAT week for SEC football though, so as annoying as it is, it’s actually justified this week.
I will say this, #1 Texas Longhorns vs #14 Tennessee Volunteers (Game starts at Saturday afternoon, 12:00 PM Noon, on ABC), is NOT on my list. Neither you nor I, have any interest in seeing TEN HC Josh Heupel meltdown in a big game again.
Neither you nor I, want to watch the extremely overrated South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers pull another Heupel, against #8 Alabama Crimson Tide (Game starts Saturday night, at 7:00 PM, on ESPN).
So without further ado, are the REAL Top 3 games you should watch this weekend (in no particular order)…..
1) #4 Ole Miss Rebels (3-0) at #21 Florida Gators (3-0). Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST), Saturday afternoon, on ABC.
I could go on and give you all the stats, and make your eyes cross as you read this.
I won’t do that.
This game is going to show us if the Florida Gators are for real, and deserve to be ranked.
Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss and HB Kewan Kacy are going to score points.
Can Florida QB Aaron Philo and HB Jaden Baugh, keep up.
That’s the nut and bolts of this game. Plain and simple.
Prediction – The Ole Miss offense is simply too much. Give me the Rebels BIG. 42-21.
2) #20 Oregon Ducks (2-1) at USC Trojans (4-0). Game starts at 7:30 PM (EST), Saturday night, on NBC.
This is a rivalry game. It means a lot on the West Coast, especially on the recruiting trail.
The Oregon Ducks have the worst P4 (Power 4) loss of the season (to Oklahoma State), and then put up 84 points against Portland State.
They have to win this game. This is their only ranked opponent until November 7th (Ohio State).
For USC, they don’t have to win this game. They still play 3 more ranked teams (as of now), in Penn State (October 10th), Ohio State (October 31st), and Indiana (November 14th). They have small bit of leeway.
Prediction – USC is a different team at home than on the road. I’ll take the Trojans in a close game 35-31.
2) Oklahoma State Cowboys (2-1) at West Virginia Mountaineers (3-0). Games starts at 7:00 PM (EST), Saturday night, on FS1.
Nobody is talking about this game, and that is a big mistake. This is going to be a really fun game to watch. BOTH teams have momentum in their favor.
The Cowboys are still riding high off their massive upset of the afore mentioned Oregon Ducks.
Cowboys QB Drew Mestemaker is your classic “gunslinger”. He’s going to make incredible throws and some boneheaded throws. He’ll always keep them in contention.
They’re gonna need HB Caleb Hawkins to continue to ground out the yards in this game, and keep the WVU offense off the field.
Speaking of…..
West Virginia is coming off their 38-27 upset win over (than ranked) #25 Virginia last week.
Mountaineers QB Micheal Hawkins Jr is the entire offense. He’s thrown for 477 yards, with 5 TDs and 0 INTs, and he’s the leading rusher with 44 carries, for 322 yards, and 6 TDs.
They need SOMEBODY ELSE to step up.
Prediction – This is going to be a game of “big moments” and back and forth play. WVU is favored by 1.5 points. This is hard, but I trust the proven QB that can throw. Give me Oklahoma State to go into Morgantown and win on a game winning drive 28-27.
What game are you looking forward to the most???
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..ESPN and NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of…..wallpapercave and USAToday.
The Browns started the draft with 2 picks in the first round, at #6 and #24, thanks to the trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars last season (Travis Hunter).
They also had 2 very glaring holes on their roster. Offensive tackle and wide receiver. The question was always, which order would they address them. Would it be WR/OT or OT/WR?
Amongst the draft analysts and pundits, it was split almost 50/50. The fans however, were overwhelming in favor of going WR with pick #6, and hoping that one of the OTs would fall to #24. The particular WR that most Browns fans wanted, was Carnell Tate, the wide receiver from Ohio State. They ended up doing what I was in favor of, and taking an OT first, then take a WR second.
They not only addressed their biggest needs in the first round, but 4 of their first 5 overall picks were either a WR or OT. They doubled up on TE with 2 of their final 3 picks, and took the most athletic quarterback in this class.
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Draft Picks.
Pick 9: OT Spencer Fano, Utah Utes My OL1 in this class. Played LT his freshman year at Utah, before moving to RT. Great footwork, and athletic ability to mirror defenders. Doesn’t get beat very often with spin or swim moves. Great use of his hands in pass protection. Very strong and violent hands. Great balance. His hips and feet stay centered, allowing him to absorb that initial contact from bull rushes. Has the strength to move defenders in the run game, and get to the second level. He finishes on every snap. Does a great job of turning his hips, to allow a clear running lane for the running back in the B gap. My grade – A+
Pick 24: WR KC Concepion, Texas A&M Aggies Arguably the most athletic receiver in this class. Fast and great acceleration off the line of scrimmage. Can make defenders miss with his jukes and spin moves. Dynamic punt returner (see LSU game). Absolutely TERRIBLE hands. Way too many drops. All the athletic ability in the world, don’t mean diddly squat, if you can’t consistently catch the football. My grade – F
Pick 39: WR Denzel Boston, Washington Huskies My WR2 in this class. Absolute steal at 39. He’s a true big X receiver, at 6’4″ and 212 lbs. Catches everything thrown his way. 2nd best route runner in this class. The way he snaps off his routes, creates the separation from CBs that he doesn’t get with speed. Knows how to high point the ball. Huge catch radius. Had 20 TDs in 2 seasons. My grade – A+
Pick 58: S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Toledo Rockets Arguably “the steal of the draft”. My S3. Tall safety at 6’4″. Plays his best games, against better competition. Willing tackler. Turnover machine. Had 8 forced fumbles and 5 interceptions in his college career. Can play single high safety, and play in the box. Possible Grant Delpit replacement, as his contract expires after this season. My grade – A+
Pick 86: OT Austin Barber, Florida Gators Absolute mauler in the run game. Great feet, makes it easy for him to slide. Gets to the second level fast. Very strong hands. Very experienced, with 47 games in 5 seasons. Does struggle with double moves. Struggles with the “Wide 9” formation. My grade – B
Pick 146: C Parker Brailsford, Alabama Crimson Tide Quick off the snap, allowing him to reach the second level fast. Great feet (see a theme here). Finishes every single rep through the whistle (see Georgia game). High football IQ and very aware of his surroundings. Picks up twists and delayed blitzes with ease. Smooth as silk on pull blocks and working in space. Better pass protecter than run blocker. Small for position. Only 6’2″ and 282 lbs. Penalty prone (17 flags in 3 seasons). My grade – B
Pick 149: LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama Crimson Tide Fast. He has 4.5 sideline-to-sideline speed. Smooth backpedal when playing in zone coverage. Great tackler. His “missed tackle rate” dropped every season, as he progressed through college. His speed, acceleration, and ability to flip his hips in transition, allow him to stay with tight ends and running backs. He’s a classic WLB at 227 lbs. Struggles to hold up at the point of attack. Often just washed away in the run game. My grade – B+
Pick 170: TE Joe Royer, Cincinnati Bearcats My TE5. A steal in this spot. Great hands. BIG catch radius, at 6’5″. Excellent football IQ. He finds the soft spots in zone and just sits. Giving his QB a big easy target. Seeks out contact, running through arm tackles and lowering his head for that first down. Good route runner, using his feet and head fakes to get open when covered man-to-man. Has the speed to play in the slot and beat out linebackers and safties that drop down. Lacks strength in the run game. His willingness to fight for extra yards, has resulted in fumbles (see Miami game). My grade – A.
Pick 182: QB Taylen Green, Arkansas Razorbacks Absolute athletic freak for a QB. Tremendous ability to turn a sack, into a first down. Very strong arm. High release point means very few batted passes. GOD AWFUL accuracy. Wouldn’t trust him to hit the broadside of a barn at 10 yards. When pressured, runs backwards instead of climbing the pocket. His overconfidence in his athletic abilities, leads to taking too many sacks and plays resulting in loss of yards. Too loosie-goosie with the football when running. A HORRIBLE TD-INT ratio (53-35). My grade – F
Pick 248: TE Carsen Ryan, BYU Cougars Good size at 6’4″ and 250 lbs. Decent production when thrown to. 45 catches, for 620 yards, and 4 TDs. A willing and capable blocker in the run game. Short arms, means a small catch radius. Needs to improve route running on short and intermediate routes. Almost completely stops when taking on lead blocking role. My grade – C
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Overall, Browns General Manager Andrew Berry did a tremendous job addressing their most pressing needs and building depth on the offensive side of the ball. The 2 players chosen on the defensive side of the ball are going to contribute on Day 1. Whether that’s McNeil-Warren replacing Hickman at FS or being the primary backup at both safety spots; as well as Jefferson being the primary backup to Schwesinger and/or Williams at linebacker.
New Browns head coach Todd Monken has proven that he’s able to adapt his offensive play calling, around the players on his roster.
This draft tells me that he’s going to run a lot of 12-personnel formations. He’s going to put one of the TE’s (Fannin Jr or Royer) in the slot, and have a smart, pass blocking first center, making the offensive line calls. His offensive linemen will pull and stretch the defense with zone runs, and then find the wide receivers and tight ends, in the intermediate zone of the field.
– by Sean McKenzie
Stats and information courtesy of…..NFL, NCAA, PFF, and ESPN.
The first round of the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books.
In front of a record crowd of 320,000 people, we got the chaos and surprises that come, when nobody knows exactly what’s going to happen after pick #1.
Indiana Hoosiers Heisman Trophy winning and National Championship QB, Fernando Mendoza went 1st to the Las Vegas Raiders.
We all knew that the New York Jets were going to take a pass rusher; we just didn’t know which one. Was it going to be David Bailey, Arvell Reese, or Rueben Bain. They decided on Bailey from Texas Tech.
The Arizona Cardinals decided to kick off the chaos by selecting HB Jeremiyah Love from Notre Dame with the 3rd pick. He was my #2 overall player in this class. The highest a running back had been taken since 2018 (Saquon Barkley to the New York Giants).
WR Carnell Tate from Ohio State, was the first WR to come off the draft board. But it wasn’t to the Cleveland Browns (my team), it was to the Tennessee Titans at #4.
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Rounding out the Top 5, the New York Giants took pass rushing LB/EDGE, Arvell Reese from Ohio State. Making it back-to-back Buckeyes.
For all 32 selections you can watch or visit ESPN or NFL Network.
Without further ado, here are the best and worst of the 1st Round.
Best overall pick – Dallas Cowboys – Caleb Downs – S – Ohio State.
The Cowboys trade up from #12 to #11 for the best overall player in the entire class in Caleb Downs. He’s an elite, versatile safety, with exceptional football IQ and excellent leadership. Dallas defensive coordinator Christian Parker loves safeties that can play in the box, and single high. Downs is the perfect fit. Parker had to be doing backflips in the war room.
As soon as I saw this pick, I KNEW my friend Nick was not going to be happy, and he did not disappoint me and my fellow LabRoomFam in our group chat.
He’s a big 6’6″, 327 lbs defensive lineman, that struggles in run stopping, and has had, not one, not two, but three, foot surgeries already. While he does a good job of splitting lineman, his pass rushing skills and moves are not polished, relying on his quick get off, which to be fair is quite good. They took the 4th best DT in the 1st round.
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I swear, the Texans do not believe in offensive line positions other than center. They just draft offensive guards and stick them at the other 4 positions. Don’t get me wrong, I love Rutledge, he was my OG3, but they need tackles. Are they just gonna line up and play old school, downhill, pound the rock, smashmouth football? As everyone knows, that’s my favorite style, but it’s unrealistic in today’s game.
Rounds 2 and 3 of the NFL Draft are Friday Night, at 7:00 PM (EST) on ESPN, NFL Network, and ABC.
The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine is officially in the books.
Ladies and Gentlemen, it is the FASTEST combine in history.
Every single position group, except the QB’s. ran the fastest 40 times ever.
For the final day, MY favorite group took to the field, the offensive linemen. The hogmollies, baby. The guys that really make things work.
Coming in, we all knew that this was a deep class of prospects, and that played during the on the field drills.
There could be as many as 6 or even 7 offensive linemen taken in the 1st round in the NFL Draft this April.
Francis Mauigoa, Spencer Fano, Olaivavega Ioane, Caleb Lomu, Kadyn Proctor, and Monroe Freeling, are sure fire locks to go Round 1.
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My biggest winner was Logan Jones, the center from the Iowa Hawkeyes. He not only ran the fastest 40 of all the offensive lineman (4.90), but he also looked so smooth, with quick feet, during the on the field portion of the day.
Personally, I’d love for my Cleveland Browns to snatch him up at #70, IF he’s still available at that spot.
This is a nice OC class. Jones, Connor Lew (Auburn), and Jake Slaughter (Florida), could all go inside the Top 100.
My biggest loser of the day was Dametrious Crownover from Texas A&M. He has impressive size for an offensive lineman, but he struggled badly during the on the field portion. He couldn’t keep his balance, slow feet, looked very uncomfortable pulling, it was a bad day.
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The 2026 NFL Draft starts Thursday night, April 23rd, at 8:00 PM (EST) and goes through Saturday, April 25th, on ESPN and NFL Network.
After a solid Week 9 of college football, that had 3 Top 25 upsets, we come to Week 10.
There is no “marquee game” this week.
Cry me a river #5 Georgia Bulldogs and Florida Gator fans, your rivalry game is NOT a marquee matchup. It’s not even in the Top 5 rivalries in all of college football. Heck, maybe not even Top 10.
Overall, it’s a nice B.
So, without further ado, here are the Top 3 Games to watch and my predictions, on Saturday.
I went 1-2 last week.
Making me 13-9 for the season.
1) #17 Cincinnati Bearcats (7-1) at #24 Utah Utes (6-2). Game starts at 10:15 PM (EST) on ESPN.
The Big-12 might be my favorite conference to watch, year in and year out.
Because you have absolutely no clue, who is going to be in this conference title race.
NOBODY expected the Cincinnati Bearcats to be leading the conference in Week 10, but we all expected Utah to be right up near the top.
QB Brendan Sorsby is quietly having an All-American type of season. He’s thrown for 1,843 yards, with 20 TDs to only 1 INT. He’s also added 69 carries, for 425 yards, and 7 TDs in the running game. LB Jake Golday leads the team in total tackles (67) and sacks (3.5). There kicker is a perfect 11 of 11 so far, and 4-4 from 40+.
Utah QB Devon Dampier needs to be smarter with the football. He’s thrown his 4 INTs in the last 4 games that he’s played. He should get the start, after missing last weeks game. I haven’t heard otherwise. He’s thrown for 13 TDs, and has added 442 yards, with 5 TDs on the ground. Utah has one of, if not the best, DE in the country, with John Henry Booty. He has 36 total tackles, and he’s 4th in the country with 9.5 sacks.
Prediction – This is a must win game for Utah to stay in the Big-12 title picture. Cincinnati is looking to get a statement win, against a perennial power team. My heart wants to go Cincinnati, but my head is saying Utah. I’m going with my head. I’m taking the Utes in a close game at home 35-31.
2) Navy Midshipmen (7-0) at North Texas Mean Green (7-1). Game starts at 12:00 PM (EST) or Noon, on ESPN.
Who would’ve ever thought we’d see this coming. Undefeated Navy and in 1st place, vs a once beaten Mean Green in 3rd place.
The Midshipmen play an option offense, and it all runs through QB Blake Horvath. He leads the team with 1,063 yards passing, 7 TDs and 3 INTs. He leads the team in rushing with 814 yards, and 12 TDs. Senior DT Landon Robinson has 5.5 sacks and gets pressure up the middle right into the face of opposing quarterbacks.
The Mean Green are led by freshman QB Drew Mestemaker, who’s coming off a 608-yard performance. He’s thrown for 2,468 yards, with 21 TDs to only 4 INTs. I’ve watched him 3 times this season, he’s a gunslinger. He’s going to be HIGHLY sought after by P4 schools. They have fast linebackers that force mistakes. 7 INTs, 9 forced fumbles, and 10 fumble recoveries.
Prediction – I love my Middies. Makes me so happy to see them doing good. Unfortunately, I don’t think this game goes well for Navy. I’m taking the Mean Green to win big 42-28.
3) #9 Vanderbilt Commodores (7-1) at #20 Texas Longhorns (6-2). Game starts at 12:00 PM (EST) or Noon on ABC.
The big news here is that we don’t know yet, if Longhorns starting QB Arch Manning is going to play or not.
We all know that the Commodores want to control the clock on offense. That starts with MY Heisman frontrunner, QB Diego Pavia. He’s thrown for 1,698 yards, with 15 TDs and 5 INTs. He also has 458 yards rushing with TDs. On defense, they’re gap sound and run to the ball. The DL has 17 of the teams 21 sacks. They make plays when they need them.
The Longhorns offense, for good or for ill, revolves around QB Arch Manning. If he can’t play, then senior QB Matthew Caldwell will step in. No matter who’s at QB, they have to get WR Ryan Wingo involved. The defense is led by LB Anthony Hill Jr. He leads the team in total tackles (60) and forced fumbles (3). LB Colin Simmons leads the team in sacks (7).
Prediction – I have thought about this all week long. I just have this gut feeling that Texas is going to get a favorable call late, and pull this one out at home. I’m going Longhorns to win a very close 28-27 game.
For the best coffee and lattes in Van Wert County, stop into The Rebel Bean. Check out their Facebook (Meta) page for hours and drinks menu.
I’m a simple black coffee man myself, but their Sugar Shake latte is excellent.
– by Sean McKenzie
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Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Pictures courtesy of……wallpapercave, capperspicks, espn, and clutchpoints.
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.
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.
