CFW Week 10 Forecast – Gamecocks versus Gamecocks
Gentlemen: put on your suspenders,
Ladies: tighten your bra straps,
It’s going to be a bumpy weekend
In a weekend where there are not really any grandiose games per se, there are a lot of games full of intrigue and speculation. This weekend is going to be fun. I have a feeling there are going to be a number of surprises. Along with the surprises, there are going to be a number of donnybrooks and barn burners. It’s that time of the season. The first CFP rankings are out. A lot is on the line. Gentlemen: Pull up your suspenders. Ladies: Tighten your bra straps. It’s going to get bumpy.
For starters, the SEC has two top-notch encounters, plus a third curious affair. Let’s begin in Athens – Missouri at Georgia. We know what the Dawgs are made of. Now we find out what the Tigers are made of. I hope Truman got his rabies shot.
LSU at Alabama – it doesn’t get much bigger. Alabama’s two biggest rivals are the Tigers and the Tigers. But I believe the Cajun Tigers have become a bigger rival than the Aubie Tigers. Last year, Brian Kelly beat Nick Saban in Baton Rouge. The game went into overtime. In the OT, Alabama scored first and kicked its extra point. LSU scored second. The Tigers went for two to win the game. They converted – LSU 32, Alabama 31. Will the Tide get revenge?
The curious affair in Oxford. Sounds like a book title, doesn’t it? Well, this affair involves Jimbo Fisher and Lane Kiffin – Texas A&M at Ole Miss. The pinecones will be falling off the Magnolia trees. Hair, what he has left, will be falling off Jimbo’s head.
Next, we turn our attention to La La Land – from the SEC to the Pac-12 for three contests. Man, in its final season of existence, the Pac-12 sure has been giving us plenty of excitement. We’ve got some more in store for us on Saturday – Washington at USC. Expect a basketball score – 66-63 or 59-56. Something like that. Michael Penix and Caleb Williams will be going crazy.
The other La La team is in the desert – UCLA at Arizona. The Wildcats of Arizona have become a hot team of late. They may be too hot for the Bruins to handle. And finally in the Pac-12, we end up in Boulder, Colorado. The Beavers from Oregon State will be out for some Prime Rib – prime rib of Buffalo. Yes, it’s Oregon State at Colorado. The Colorado games this season have been packed full of fun. This one shouldn’t be any different.
Speaking of fun, the Big 12 has two encounters Saturday that should be full of fun – involving Texas and Oklahoma. The Longhorns host the Wildcats of Kansas State. Quinn Ewers is still sidelined at Texas. K-State has been getting stronger and stronger each week. But are the Wildcats strong enough to handle Texas.
Then, Oklahoma, after suffering its first loss last week, travels up to Stillwater – where the water runs deep. And so do memories. Oklahoma beat Oklahoma State last year, 28-13. The Cowboys haven’t forgotten. To make matters more interesting, this is the last year of Bedlam. Unless they meet in a bowl game, the Sooners and the Cowboys will no longer be playing each other in football. Neither school wants to lose the last Bedlam game.
For some humor on the situation, how about Ohio State at Rutgers? Yeah, this game could be over before it starts, but it’s the biggest game in the Big Ten this week. After all, Rutgers is 6-2. Don’t bother to look at who those six victories were against. Who knows? Rutgers may surprise us – for 10 minutes.
The Big Ten also has one of those curious affairs – the curious affair at College Park – Penn State at Maryland. Last week, Maryland was upset by, of all teams, Northwestern. The Terps had to be looking ahead to Penn State. How else do you explain it? Remember, Penn State coach James Franklin was once the offensive coordinator at Maryland. Not only that, but he was the designated “Head Coach in Waiting.” But he got so tired of waiting he left Maryland for Vanderbilt. And you have to be really tired to go to Vanderbilt. Meanwhile, Maryland coach Mike Locksley has now appeared on some “hot seat” lists. Lots of implications in this game.
We would be remiss if we didn’t mention the ACC. It’s not the greatest week for games in the ACC. But one, maybe two, has us intrigued. The one would be Miami at NC State. And remember, don’t call NC State a “basketball school.” Or Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren will tell you to “kiss his ass.” Mario Cristobal has been struggling some at Miami. He could be struggling more after Saturday. And frankly, isn’t Miami the “basketball school?” The Canes went to the Final Four last spring – not the Wolfpack.
The maybe two is Notre Dame at Clemson. If Dabo Swinney loses, and he probably will, what is he going to say next week. Clemson will be 4-5. We know what the people calling into his show will say. It could be an interesting Saturday in “Death Valley.”
The Sun Belt has a doozy. Seems like the Sun Belt always does. This week it is undefeated James Madison at Georgia State (6-2). The Dukes are four games away from perfection. Such pressure.
And last but not least, I can’t leave you without talking about the Gamecocks versus the Gamecocks. We all know about South Carolina. But did you know there is another team called the Gamecocks? I didn’t until a few years ago. It’s Jacksonville State out of Jacksonville, Alabama. This week, Jacksonville State is playing South Carolina – the Gamecocks versus the Gamecocks. Even more interesting, Jacksonville State is coached by former West Virginia, Michigan and Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez. Rich Rod is in his second season with the Gamecocks. He was 9-2 last year. This year Jax State is 6-2. Keep an eye on the Gamecocks’ game Saturday. And cheer for the Gamecocks.
Now all we need is the Bearcats versus the Bearkats. Yeah, there is another team called the Bearcats, only with a “k” instead of a “c.”
What a weekend it promises to be. Nebraska could become bowl eligible. When is the last time your heard that. They’ll be partying past 8 p.m. in Lincoln.
There are eight undefeated teams this week. They are Florida State (ACC), Michigan and Ohio State (Big Ten), Liberty (C-USA), Air Force (MWC), Washington (Pac-12), Georgia (SEC) and James Madison (Sun Belt).
Sam Houston (C-USA) remains the only winless team. Sam Houston is also the other Bearkats. Now you know.
The Top 6 teams in this week’s CFP Rankings are 1. Ohio State (8-0), 2. Georgia (8-0), 3. Michigan (8-0), 4. Florida State (8-0), 5. Washington (8-), and 6. Oregon (7-1).
Personally, I thought the Top 6 should have been 1. Ohio State, 2. Washington, 3. Florida State, 4. Georgia 5. Michigan, and 6. Texas. Ohio State has two good wins over Notre Dame and Penn State. Washington has one good win over Oregon. Florida State has one good win over LSU. Georgia and Michigan have no good wins, but Georgia’s overall competition has been stronger. Texas has one good win over Alabama, which is better than Oregon’s one good win over Utah. I would have Oregon at 7.
There are two Group of Five teams in the CFP Poll. They are 24. Tulane (7-1) and 25. Air Force (8-0).
This week Ohio State plays at Rutgers and Georgia hosts Missouri. Michigan entertains Purdue and Florida State is at Pitt. Washington visits USC and Oregon hosts California. Tulane is at East Carolina and Air Force plays Army in Denver.
The Top 5 teams in this week’s FCS Coaches Poll are 1. South Dakota State (8-0), 2. Furman (7-1), 3. Montana (7-1), 4. Incarnate Word (7-1), and 5. Idaho (6-2). Florida A&M (7-1) is 13th and Harvard (6-1) is 19th in the FCS Coaches Poll.
College football Week 10 began on Halloween night in Mount Pleasant, Michigan. In the first of two MAC games on Tuesday night, Central Michigan beat Northern Illinois, 37-31. CMU had a 37-11 lead over NIU, with six minutes to go in the third quarter. Then the Huskies scored 20 unanswered points but came up short. The teams combined for 943 total yards.
In the other game, Toledo had four turnovers but still managed to handily beat Buffalo, 31-13. The Rockets are 8-1, riding an eight-game winning streak.
Wednesday night’s MACtion began in Ohio, 23 miles south of where Tuesday night’s action ended. Bowling Green edged Ball State, 24-21. The game was tied three times – 7-7 in the first quarter, 14-14 in the second quarter and 21-21 in the fourth quarter.
In the nightcap Wednesday, Akron was trailing Kent State, 27-10 in the fourth quarter. The Zips scored 21 unanswered points in the final 9:12 of the game to rally and beat Kent State, 31-27.
Florida has lost its leading tackler for the remainder of the season. Linebacker Shemar James, a sophomore from Mobile, Alabama, dislocated his kneecap in last Saturday’s loss to Georgia. He had surgery on his knee yesterday.
And the Texas Rangers won the World Series. The Rangers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks, 4 games to 1.
Former Major League Baseball player and All-Star Frank Howard died on October 30. Nicknamed “Hondo,” Howard played most of his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Senators/Texas Rangers. He played in the major leagues from 1958 to 1973. His first seven seasons were with the Dodgers (1958 to 1964). Howard then played eight seasons with the Senators/Rangers (1965 to 1972). He played his last season with the Detroit Tigers. When Howard was with the Senators, I saw him play in two games in old D.C. Stadium in the summers of 1966 and 1967. After retiring as a player, Howard spent the next 26 years as a coach and manager. In college, Howard played baseball and basketball for Ohio State. He was an All-American in both sports for the Buckeyes. Out of college, he was drafted by both the Philadelphia Warriors of the NBA and the Dodgers. A native of Columbus, Ohio, Frank Oliver Howard was 87.
Former Indiana basketball coach Bob Knight died on November 1. Knight coached the Hoosiers to three NCAA championships – 1976, 1981 and 1987. He coached Indiana from 1971 to 2000. He also was the head coach at Army (1965-1971) and at Texas Tech (2001-2008). Knight won 902 games, currently fifth all-time. He also coached the U.S. men’s basketball team to a gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. A graduate of Ohio State, Knight played basketball for the Buckeyes from 1959-1962. A native of Orrville, Ohio, Robert Montgomery Knight was 83.
Singer, songwriter and musician Dwight Twilley died. Twilley had hits with “I’m On Fire” in the spring/summer of 1975 and “Girls” in the winter/spring of 1984. Both songs reached No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Dwight Twilley was 72.
Enjoy your weekend of college football.
Touchdown Tom
October 30, 2023
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
Touchdown Tom’s Predictions for
This Week’s 10 Biggest and Most Intriguing Games….and then some
GAME OF THE WEEK: 1. Missouri (7-1) at Georgia (8-0) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – Missouri is the next team who will be trying to knock off Georgia. The Tigers are the first of three-straight potentially touch games for the Dawgs. Following Missouri are Ole Miss and Tennessee. But first things first – the Tigers. Missouri comes into Athens with an offense that is averaging 34 points a game, and a defense that is giving up 23.2 points a game. The problem with the offense is no ground game. The problem with Missouri’s defense is mediocrity. It’s just slightly better than average. Georgia has a good defense and an even better offense. The Dawgs will definitely put some points on the board. Missouri will put some points on the board, but not a lot. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck is consistently good. Missouri quarterback Brady Cook is consistently up-and-down. The Dawgs show ’em – Georgia 34, Missouri 21.
RUNNER-UP: 2. LSU (6-2) at Alabama (7-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 7:45 pm ET, Saturday, CBS – In recent years, the Alabama-LSU rivalry has become bigger than the Alabama-Auburn rivalry. Alabama vs. LSU has simply been a much bigger game. Often, these teams tighten up when they play each other, which results in a low-scoring game. That could be the case this year. On the other hand, this could be a high-scoring affair. LSU comes into the game No. 1 in the country in total offense and No. 1 in points scored. The Tigers are averaging 47.4 points a game. LSU is vulnerable on defense. That opens the door for Alabama to score. But the Tide plays better defense than offense. LSU’s Jayden Daniels is a better quarterback than Alabama’s Jalen Milroe. You get the feeling LSU has more positives and fewer negatives than Alabama. But the game is in Tuscaloosa where the breaks seem to fall in favor of the Tide. Regardless, it should be some game. The Tide by a Tusk – Alabama 30, LSU 23.
REST OF THE BEST: 3. Washington (8-0) at USC (7-2) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – As the season began, the quarterbacks of these two teams were the top two contenders for the Heisman Trophy. As the season has progressed, Washington’s Michael Penix remains a top contender for the Heisman. But USC’s Caleb Williams has fallen out of the race – no longer considered to be a contender. That could all change if USC beats Washington. But only if the Trojans beat the Huskies. One thing is for sure in this game. It will be high scoring. Washington averages 40.4 points a game and USC averages 45.9 points a game. The Trojans have one of the worst defenses in the country. Washington has a decent defense except for one area – passing yards allowed. The Huskies are weak on pass defense. That’s an opportunity for Caleb Williams. The final score may look like that of a basketball game. The Huskies get more three pointers – Washington 42, USC 33.
4. Kansas State (6-2) at Texas (7-1) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FOX – Texas is a serious contender for the CFP. Win out and most likely the Longhorns are in the playoff. One more loss and the Longhorns are likely out of playoff contention. Kansas State is a threat to the Horns. The Wildcats are on a three-game winning streak. However, the competition hasn’t been the strongest in the last three games. Texas will be a strong opponent. The Wildcats winning streak comes to an end. The Cow jumps over the moon – Texas 33, Kansas State 23.
5. Oklahoma (7-1) at Oklahoma State (6-2) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ABC – After Saturday, there will be no more Bedlam. The Bedlam game is over. Oklahoma doesn’t want to play Okie State anymore. That should be enough incentive for the Cowboys. OU enters the game wounded. The Sooners are coming in off a loss. That should make them tougher. The concern for OU has to be Okie State running back Ollie Gordon. Gordon has already rushed for 1,087 yards this season. He’s exploded for more than 200 yards in each of his last two games. OU’s defense is a little weak. But it is best against the run. This is going to be a wild Bedlam. The Sooners put the Cowboys to bed – Oklahoma 31, Oklahoma State 29.
6. Ohio State (8-0) at Rutgers (6-2) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, CBS – The Scarlet Knights are 6-2, but it is a misleading 6-2. Rutgers has no wins over a good team. The defense of the Knights is respectable. They do have a good defense. It’s their offense that is bad – really bad. Rutgers can’t score on Ohio State. But can the Knights stop Ohio State. Not likely, especially since TreVeyon Henderson is back. Rutgers will give its best. However, its best won’t be good enough. Brutus penetrates the armor – Ohio State 35, Rutgers 26.
7. Texas A&M (5-3) at Ole Miss (7-1) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN – Man, does Jimbo Fisher need this game. He needs it in a big way. Fisher has definitely fallen out of favor in College Station. The Aggies don’t have an offense. They do have a decent defense. But a bad offense and a decent defense won’t get them a win over Ole Miss. The Magnolias are just the opposite of the Aggies. Ole Miss has a good offense and a questionable defense. The Magnolias are also at home. Jimbo is up a creek without a paddle – Ole Miss 26, Texas A&M 22.
8. UCLA (6-2) at Arizona (5-3) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1 – Arizona is one dangerous team. Just ask Washington State and Oregon State. That’s who the Wildcats beat the past two weeks. And just ask Washington and USC. The Huskies only beat Arizona by 7 points and USC only beat the Wildcats by 2 points. Arizona is getting stronger as the season goes along. Their three losses are by a combined 16 points. So, UCLA needs to be on alert. The Bruins are having a good season. Their strength is their defense. It is good. The offense isn’t bad. A tough one in the desert. The Bruins declaw the Wildcats – UCLA 29, Arizona 20.
9. Miami (Florida) (6-2) at NC State (5-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 8 pm ET, Saturday, ACCN – Somebody needs to call NC State a basketball school again. That’s what Steve Smith said last week on College GameDay. That fired up the Wolfpack to beat Clemson. Coach Dave Doeren told Smith to “Kiss my ass,” NC State’s problem has been the lack of an offense. The defense is okay – not good, but okay. Miami has a good offense and defense. It’s just that the Canes have played strange under Mario Cristobal. They can’t afford to be strange against the Wolfpack. Miami has won two-straight overtime games. This one could be the third-straight overtime win. It will be tight. The Canes blow off the Pack – Miami 24, NC State 22.
10. Kansas (6-2) at Iowa State (5-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN – Iowa State began the season 2-3. The Cyclones have come on strong lately – winning three-straight. They are getting better. And the Cyclones have very few players on the injury list. That’s a positive. But they need to get better on offense. Kansas was hot last week. The Jayhawks upset Oklahoma. Kansas has a good offense. It’s the defense that poses a problem. The Jayhawks are averaging 36 points a game but giving up 28 points a game. Kansas began the season hot – 4-0. The Jayhawks are 2-2 in their last four games. Make it 2-3 in their last five after Saturday. Cy crumbles the Chalk – Iowa State 33, Kansas 30.
This week, there are four other interesting and intriguing games you should keep an eye on. They are Notre Dame (7-2) at Clemson (4-4) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ABC….. and Penn State (7-1) at Maryland (5-3) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FOX.
Also, James Madison (8-0) at Georgia State (6-2) – (Sun Belt vs. Sun Belt) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN2….. and Oregon State (6-2) at Colorado (4-4) – (Pac-12 vs. Pac-12) – 10 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN.
YE OLDE STOMPING GROUNDS:
BYU (5-3) at West Virginia (5-3) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 7 pm ET, Saturday, FOX – After two-straight losses, WVU got back on track last week against UCF. Now the Mounties need to stay on track. Quarterback Garrett Greene has become a hot commodity in recent weeks. The offense seems to be coming together. It’s the WVU defense that is still worrisome. BYU is weak on both offense and defense. Quarterback Kedon Slovis played against WVU last year when he as the quarterback at Pitt. The Mountaineers get their revenge on Slovis. Cosmo loses his tail – West Virginia 30, BYU 20.
Arkansas (2-6) at Florida (5-3) – (SEC vs. SEC) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, ESPN2 – We knew the Gators couldn’t beat Georgia. But the Gators should beat Arkansas. The Razorbacks come into Gainesville on a six-game losing streak. A loss to the Pigs would be embarrassing. Arkansas has no offense. The Hogs are fair on defense. Speaking of fair, that describes Florida on both sides of the ball. The Gators are just fair on offense and defense. A Gator win and Florida is bowl eligible. An Arkansas loss and the Pigs are bowl ineligible. That’s not good news for Sam Pittman. Albert slow cooks the Pork – Florida 20, Arkansas 18.
Nebraska (5-3) at Michigan State (2-6) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 12 noon ET, Saturday, FS1 – Six wins for the Huskers? That’s unheard of in recent years in Lincoln. Six wins for the Huskers? Believe it. That’s what Nebraska will have after this game. And a four-game winning streak. The Huskers don’t have the best offense, but they do have a good defense. Michigan State on the other hand is a decimated team. The Spartans may not win another game this season. They are morally depleted. Michigan State is on a six-game losing streak. Make it seven after Saturday. Herbie has the Green seeing Red – Nebraska 28, Michigan State 16.
Wake Forest (4-4) at Duke (5-3) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPN – The Dookies need to get their act together. After starting 4-0, the Dookies are 1-3 in their last four games. Quarterback Riley Leonard has been hobbled. But he appears to be back in good health. Duke needs Leonard. Duke’s strength is its defense. But the defense could be wearing out this time of the season. Wake Forest is 1-4 in its last five games. The Deacs have no offense or defense. They just hang together as best they can. Still, the Deacs will give the Dooks a fight. The Demon in the Deacon is not as strong as the Devil in the Duke – Duke 29, Wake Forest 20.
Purdue (2-6) at Michigan (8-0) – (Big Ten vs. Big Ten) – 7:30 pm ET, Saturday, NBC – Michigan is 8-0, but let’s be frank. The Wolverines haven’t played anybody. They have been stealing signs off a bunch of nobodies. Michigan won’t be tested until the last three games of the season – Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State. It has been a tough season for Purdue and first-year coach Ryan Walters. The offense is bad and the defense is bad. You can’t win games with a bad offense and defense. There is no steam coming from the Boilers. Michigan plays another nobody. The Boilers have no signs – Michigan 36, Purdue 14.
ELSEWHERE AROUND FLORIDA:
Mississippi Valley State (1-7) at Bethune-Cookman (1-7) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 7:30 pm ET, Thursday, ESPNU….
Davidson (6-2) at Stetson (3-5) – (Pioneer vs. Pioneer) – 1 pm ET, Saturday….
Florida A&M (7-1) at Alabama A&M (4-4) – (SWAC vs. SWAC) – 2 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
West Florida (6-3) at Mississippi College (3-5) – (Gulf South vs. Gulf South) – 3 pm ET, Saturday….
South Florida (4-4) at Memphis (6-2) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Florida Atlantic (4-4) at UAB (2-6) – (AAC vs. AAC) – 3 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN+….
Florida State (8-0) at Pitt (2-6) – (ACC vs. ACC) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, ESPN….
UCF (3-5) at Cincinnati (2-6) – (Big 12 vs. Big 12) – 3:30 pm ET, Saturday, FS1….
Quotes of the Week
“The fact that the Big Ten has not done anything yet is inexcusable,” Paul Finebaum, on the sign-stealing scandal at Michigan.
Touchdown Tom
https://collegefootballweek.blogspot.com
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