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Tag: FOX

  • Top 3 College Football Games to Watch for Week 9.

    A collage of various college sports team logos displayed on a black background.

    It’s been an exciting start to Week 9 already, as 2 games have gone into overtime and exciting finishes.

    Western Kentucky beat Louisiana Tech 28-27, and Missouri State beat New Mexico State 24-17.

    Some sad news, as the Auburn Tigers have lost starting center Conner Lew for the season with a torn ACL. Lew is going to be a Day 1 starting center in the NFL next season. Good luck to him, as we all wish him a speedy and full recovery.

    That news actually bumped their game with Arkansas off my list. It’s still one of the more under-rated game and isn’t being talked about enough, IMO.

    I went 2-2 in my picks last week.

    I am 12-7 for the season.

    So, without further ado, HERE are the Top 3 games you should watch (in no particular order).

    1) #18 South Florida Bulls (6-1) at Memphis Tigers (6-1).
    Game starts at 12:00 PM (Noon) (EST) on ESPN2.

    Logo of South Florida Bulls and Memphis Tigers with a football field background.

    That’s right. One of the best games this week, is from the AAC (American Athletic Conference). The Bulls are ranked and in the driver’s seat for the G5 spot in the college football playoffs. Memphis is coming off an absolutely embarrassing loss to UAB last week. Both teams are highly motivated.

    The USF Bulls are simply put, “The Byrum Brown Show”. They go as he goes. He’s thrown for 1,695 yards, with 16 TDs and 5 INTs. He’s added 99 carries, for 475 yards, with 6 TDs. He leads the team in passing and rushing. On defense, they’re led by LB Mac Harris. He’s 2nd on the team in tackles (56) and 1st in sacks (5.5). He’s also has 3 forced fumbles and an INT.

    Memphis has a dual-threat QB of their own. Brendon Lewis has thrown for 1,337 yards, with 8 TDs and 4 INTs. He’s added 86 carries, for 440 yards, with 7 TDs. I know, it’s weird seeing Memphis not have gaudy passing yards, but this is a running team. HBs Sutton Smith and Greg Desrosiers Jr have a combined 869 yards rushing, and 11 TDs between them. The defense forces mistakes and turnovers, as they have 10 INTs, 7 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries.

    Prediction – The loss to UAB will have the Tigers playing of their toes. USF is battle tested. I’m going to go with the better quarterback. Give me the USF Bulls to win 35-31.

    2) Houston Cougars (6-1) at #24 Arizona State Sun Devils (5-2).
    Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on ESPN2.

    Logo of the Houston Cougars on the left and the Arizona State Sun Devils on the right, with a split background.

    The winner of this game could end up tied for 2nd place in the Big-12 or in 2nd all alone. While it was expected that ASU would be competing for the conference title again, nobody saw the Cougars being here, at this point in the season.

    Cougars transfer QB Conner Weigman has managed to stay healthy this season. He’s thrown for 1,380 yards, with 11 TDs to only 2 INTs. They balance it out with HB Dean Connors. He has 115 carries, for 538 yards, and 4 TDs. It’s a feisty defense that has 17 team sacks, 6 INTs, and 11 forced fumbles.

    The talk of the Sun Devils offense is about the Leavitt-Tyson connection. QB Sam Leavitt has thrown for 1,358 yards, with 9 TDs and 3 INTs. WR Jordyn Tyson has 57 catches, for 628 yards, and 8 TDs. What’s not talked about is HB Raleek Brown, and the balance he brings. 110 carries, for 642 yards, with 3 TDs. The defense has 21 team sacks, with 14 coming from the defensive line. They get to the QB quick and often.

    Prediction – It’s been fun watching the Cougars go on this run. I think they simply run into a better team on Saturday. Give me the Sun Devils to win 27-21.

    3) #15 Missouri Tigers (6-1) at #10 Vanderbilt Commodores (6-1).
    Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on ESPN.

    Graphic featuring the logos of the Missouri Tigers and Vanderbilt Commodores, set against a background of football imagery.

    It’s been a wonderful season for both teams so far, but somebody’s run is about to end here. The loser of this game is officially out of the SEC conference title picture.

    Yes, QB Beau Pribula has thrown for 1,617 yards, however, he has 7 INTs to his 11 TDs. This is a running, ball control offense. HB Ahmad Hardy has 139 carries, for 840 yards (3rd in the nation), with 11 TDs (2nd in the nation). DE’s Damon Wilson and Zion Young, have a combined 10.5 sacks, and get pressure off the edges.

    Vanderbilt is led by QB Diego Pavia (my Heisman Trophy frontrunner). He’s thrown for 1,569 yards, with 15 TDs to 4 INTs. He also has 77 carries, for 438 yards, with 4 TDs. He’s the heart and soul of this team. This is a gap sound defense, that gets pressure from multiple positions, as they have 20 teams sacks.

    Prediction – I think this is going to be a close football game. Somehow, someway, I believe Pavia will make just enough plays to give the Commodores the win. I’m taking Vandy 24-21.

    – by Sean McKenzie.

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    Stats and information courtesy of…..NCAA and ESPN.

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

  • 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.