As the college football regular season starts to wind down, the conference title and college football pictures are starting to clear up a bit.
But don’t start counting your chickens quite yet.
There’s a reason that the games are played on the field, and not on paper.
Ignore games like #10 Alabama playing Eastern Illinois, and #3 Texas A&M playing Samford.
So, without further ado, here are the 3 must watch games.
1) #15 USC Trojans (8-2) at #7 Oregon Ducks (9-1).
Game starts at 3:30 PM (EST) on CBS.
PERSONALLY, I think the Ducks are overrated. Here is the chance to prove not just me, but a lot of voters wrong.
The Trojans want to finally be taken seriously, not just in the Big Ten, but nationally. Here’s their chance to really make a statement.
All the talk is about the quarterbacks of these two teams. Dante Moore (Oregon) and Jayden Maiava (USC), and they both deserve their flowers, BUT, this game is going to come down to the trenches and run game.
USC has a nice tandem of backs in the King Miller and Waymond Jordan. Oregon answers with Noah Whittington, Jordan Davison, and Dierre Hill Jr.
The Ducks defense have 7 less sacks (24-17) and force less turnovers than the Trojans, which is hasn’t been the case in recent years.
The game is at Autzen Stadium, and that plays a big part as well.
Prediction – I so badly want to pick USC, but even Ohio State couldn’t beat Oregon at home. Give me the Ducks to win a very close game, 38-35.
2) BYU Cougars (9-1) at Cincinnati Bearcats (7-3).
Game starts at 8:00 PM (EST) on FOX.
The Bearcats are coming off of back-to-back losses.
The Cougars MUST win this game to stay in the Big-12 conference title hunt.
Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby wasn’t happy with his performance last week (15-28, 154 yards, 1 TD and 2 INTs), and told me himself, that he’s out to prove a point. For the season, he’s thrown for 2,218 yards, with 22 TDs to only 4 INTs. He also has 483 yards and 9 TDs on the ground.
The Cougars want to run the football, then hit you over the top on play action. Freshman QB Bear Bachmeier has 2,177 yards with 13 TDs to only 4 INTs, but like Sorsby, his legs will keep any play alive, with 479 yards and 10 TDs.
Prediction – This is a hard game to pick. West coast teams struggle coming east, especially in “primetime games”. That said, the Cougars defense will step up. BYU gets the 28-21 win.
3) Louisville Cardinals (7-3) at SMU Mustangs (7-3).
Game starts at 12:00 (Noon) on ESPN2.
Louisville is coming off back-to-back losses, after cracking the Top 25. Both losses were by a combined 4 points though.
The Cardinals live and die with QB Miller Moss, even more so after the injury to starting HB Isaac Brown. He HAS to stop turning the ball over (11 TDs and 7 INTs). He has 2,344 yards passing, but he’s made bad decisions in these losses.
SMU only has 1 conference loss, and can make the ACC Championship Game for the second straight season.
The Mustangs have one of the most fun QB’s to watch, in Kevin Jennings. He’s thrown for 2,810 yards, with 21 TDs and 9 INTs. They have a great defense, that gets pressure on the opposing QB (33 teams sacks) and forces turnovers (16 interceptions, 8 forced fumbles, 10 fumble recoveries).
Prediction – Somehow, someway, the Cardinals have been keeping the games close. Not gonna happen this week. Give me the Mustangs to win in a blowout 35-17.
– by Sean McKenzie.
Stats courtesy of…..NCAA.
Photos courtesy of…..wallpapercave, ESPN, and MSN.
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