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Chewbaccer
Illustrious Potentate
I think last weeks games went about as expected except for a glaring two. Wasn't this supposed to be the year that Arkansas competed for the West title? I mean, they played so many close games and shut out two back sliding teams at the end of the season last season and finished 7-6. Their run game and defense was supposed to be great this season. Honestly, I don't know how to excuse a home loss against Toledo. At the start of the season, I said Mississippi State would be back to being cellar dwellers, but they actually had a good showing against LSU, and while the season is still young, I'll go ahead and say Arkansas is going to get destroyed in SEC play. I didn't see anything that resembled a quarterback, and while the defense wasn't terrible, it was against Toledo. This proves once again that preseason hype is just hype.
And as for Auburn, their win over Jacksonville State left a lot to be desired. Their defense wasn't great, but the biggest story for me is the fact that Jeremy Johnson, who was supposed to be so good has looked so bad in the first two games of the season. Fortunately for Auburn, they were able to squeeze out an overtime win, and thus their season can be salvaged and nobody will remember the rocky start if they keep winning, but until I see something from Jeremy Johnson, I'm going to have a tough time picking Auburn to beat the tough competition in the SEC West, especially since their win over Louisville doesn't look as strong now that The Cardinals lost to Houston at home.
As for Tennessee, they showed they can hang with good competition, but they were way too conservative in the second half, and when the momentum went into Oklahoma's favor, they couldn't take it back in their favor. The defense was outstanding for three quarters, but as we all know, a football games last 4 quarters, and in this case, overtime. The biggest blown lead ever at Neyland Stadium at 17 points is a tough one to swallow for Volunteer fans, but not all is lost. It's a loss that I think the team can build and grow from. I believed the Tennessee hype more than the Arkansas hype, if for nothing else how each team played Georgia last season, and I still think Tennessee is going to finish the season as a top 20 team, they just need to learn to finish games and keep pressing.
And it looks as though this will be another long season for the Gamecocks. They lost Kentucky at home, and they really didn't show me anything in the process. They're giving Georgia and Arkansas a run for their money for worst quarterback situation in the conference, and they didn't seem to have an answer for Kentucky. Don't know how long its been since Wildcat fans can say they've beaten South Carolina two seasons in a row.
On to this week's games.
It's Week 3, and You're Still playing a Cupcake?
Nevada @ Texas A&M- I guess calling them a cupcake could be a bit insulting to Nevada, they really aren't a terrible team, but I don't think they're really a threat to play on New Years Day either. A&M has had a strong start to the season. They've looked good in pretty much every aspect of the game. I look for Kyle Allen to have a big game, and for the Aggies to win rather easily. Final Score: Texas A&M 55-24
Northwestern State @ Mississippi State- While a loss at home is a loss at home, Miss State had a far better showing than I expected them to have. Their defense came together, and Dak Prescott had a big game through the air to give The Bulldogs of the west a chance to beat LSU with a very long field goal that didn't quite make it. Time can only tell, but I'm expecting big things from LSU this season, and Miss State might surprise a few folks, including me if how they played last Saturday was any indication of how they'll be going forward. As for the game, I see far far less dramatic game than the one we saw last week when Auburn played Jacksonville State. Final Score: Mississippi State 42-7
Austin Peay @ Vanderbilt- It's just two weeks in, and two losses to show for it, but Vanderbilt's defense has had two strong showings. They held Georgia to just 17 points on offense, the punt and interception returns for touchdowns bloated Georgia's score. With that said, they still leave a lot to be desired on offense. Johnny McCrary has the potential to be something in a year or two, but growing pains can be painful. As for the game, this is one of Vandy's few opportunities this season to get a win, and I think they'll have enough defense to beat an FCS opponent. Final Score: Vanderbilt 17-0
Western Carolina @ Tennessee- If there's ever a good time to play an FCS opponent, I think this is the best possible time for Tennessee to play one. They controlled the game against Oklahoma for 3 quarters, but they let it slip away. This will be a good game to get the team's confidence back, and build some momentum before they play Florida next week and try to end that long losing streak to them. Final Score: Tennessee 49-10
Connecticut @ Missouri- Given how close the game at Arkansas State was for Missouri, I was debating on whether or not to call this game a cupcake. Missouri still has a good defense, and that's fine and dandy, but this is two weeks in a row that they've struggled on offense against less than stellar competition. It's time for Matty Mauk to show he can do something at quarterback, and Missouri really needs to get their run game going. If their struggles continue this week, I won't have a lot of confidence for them when they start conference play. Connecticut is 2-0, but they struggled against FCS Villanova and a lowly Army team. Final Score: Missouri 35-14
Eh, At Least It's a Non Conference Game Against a Power 5 Team
Texas Tech @ Arkansas- I'm not one to think losing to Toledo was just a fluke. Sure Arkansas might beat them 8 times out of 10, but the fact that they allowed a MAC team to beat them in Little Rock is almost as low as a program can get. Toledo might turn out to be a decent team, but at this point I'm wondering if Arkansas is even going to make a bowl game this season. While Texas Tech hasn't play much of anyone, they have been hanging some big numbers on the scoreboard, and while common opponents might not mean much if both teams beat them, Tech did beat UTEP by a larger margin. Tech still doesn't have much of a defense, if they even have a defense at all, but Arkansas looked pretty pathetic on offense. Arkansas will probably keep Tech from blowing them out, their defense didn't cost them the game against Toledo, but I'm not very confident that Arkansas has enough offense to contend. And I'm fairly confident in saying that they won't be able to move the ball through the air if they fall behind or if they can't get the run game going. Final Score: Texas Tech 31-21
This Game Could be Interesting
Florida @ Kentucky- Last season this was one of the more entertaining games of the season. It took Florida 3 overtimes to be able to beat the Wildcats in the Swamp last season, and this season the game is in Lexington, and the Wildcats are coming off a big win in Columbia against South Carolina. I've said in both of the previous SEC and the NB3 threads that I think Patrick Towles has the ability to be the best quarterback in the SEC East, and I stand firm with that statement. His play hasn't disappointed, but Stanley Williams is emerging as a very reliable running back. I'm still not very confident in Kentucky's offensive line, and I think Florida is better suited to exploit it than South Carolina was, and while Kentucky had a good defensive showing last week, I'm thinking it had more to do with South Carolina's ineptitude on offense. I'm having a tough time picking a winner for this game. On one hand, I think Florida clearly has the better defense, but I'm far from being sold on their offense. On the other hand, I think Kentucky has the better offense in this game, but I'm concerned about their offensive line holding up, and if they'll be able to contain Florida's run game for 4 quarters. At the end of the day, I'd rather have Patrick Towles at quarterback than Treon Harris, and given how close the game was last season in Gainesville, I'm going to have to pick Kentucky to win at home. Finals Score: Kentucky 35-31
Anything Can and Has Happened in this Matchup
South Carolina @ Georgia- On paper, one would think this should be an easy win for Georgia, but if Steve Spurrier is coaching the opposition, it's never an easy game for the Dawgs. It doesn't look like South Carolina has much of a quarterback, run game or defense, but the same could be said about last season, and look what happened. Georgia has fared much better in Athens when they play the Gamecocks, but let's not pretend like Georgia doesn't have issues of their own. The defense and the run game have been on point. They've done their jobs, and done about as well as can be expected, but as a Georgia fan, Grayson Lambert starting at quarterback concerns me. He didn't complete a single pass in the first half against Vandy, and while he played much better in the second half, Georgia is going to need a lot more production out of him if they expect to compete for a playoff spot. If the game were in Columbia, I'd be a lot more nervous than I already am, but I'm going to go homer and pick the Dawgs this week. Really I think both teams are hurting for a quarterback, but I trust Georgia's run game and defense a lot more than I trust South Carolina's, especially between the hedges. It's a rivalry game, and anything can happen, but I'm picking the better team to win. Final Score: Georgia 28-17
And as for Auburn, their win over Jacksonville State left a lot to be desired. Their defense wasn't great, but the biggest story for me is the fact that Jeremy Johnson, who was supposed to be so good has looked so bad in the first two games of the season. Fortunately for Auburn, they were able to squeeze out an overtime win, and thus their season can be salvaged and nobody will remember the rocky start if they keep winning, but until I see something from Jeremy Johnson, I'm going to have a tough time picking Auburn to beat the tough competition in the SEC West, especially since their win over Louisville doesn't look as strong now that The Cardinals lost to Houston at home.
As for Tennessee, they showed they can hang with good competition, but they were way too conservative in the second half, and when the momentum went into Oklahoma's favor, they couldn't take it back in their favor. The defense was outstanding for three quarters, but as we all know, a football games last 4 quarters, and in this case, overtime. The biggest blown lead ever at Neyland Stadium at 17 points is a tough one to swallow for Volunteer fans, but not all is lost. It's a loss that I think the team can build and grow from. I believed the Tennessee hype more than the Arkansas hype, if for nothing else how each team played Georgia last season, and I still think Tennessee is going to finish the season as a top 20 team, they just need to learn to finish games and keep pressing.
And it looks as though this will be another long season for the Gamecocks. They lost Kentucky at home, and they really didn't show me anything in the process. They're giving Georgia and Arkansas a run for their money for worst quarterback situation in the conference, and they didn't seem to have an answer for Kentucky. Don't know how long its been since Wildcat fans can say they've beaten South Carolina two seasons in a row.
On to this week's games.
It's Week 3, and You're Still playing a Cupcake?
Nevada @ Texas A&M- I guess calling them a cupcake could be a bit insulting to Nevada, they really aren't a terrible team, but I don't think they're really a threat to play on New Years Day either. A&M has had a strong start to the season. They've looked good in pretty much every aspect of the game. I look for Kyle Allen to have a big game, and for the Aggies to win rather easily. Final Score: Texas A&M 55-24
Northwestern State @ Mississippi State- While a loss at home is a loss at home, Miss State had a far better showing than I expected them to have. Their defense came together, and Dak Prescott had a big game through the air to give The Bulldogs of the west a chance to beat LSU with a very long field goal that didn't quite make it. Time can only tell, but I'm expecting big things from LSU this season, and Miss State might surprise a few folks, including me if how they played last Saturday was any indication of how they'll be going forward. As for the game, I see far far less dramatic game than the one we saw last week when Auburn played Jacksonville State. Final Score: Mississippi State 42-7
Austin Peay @ Vanderbilt- It's just two weeks in, and two losses to show for it, but Vanderbilt's defense has had two strong showings. They held Georgia to just 17 points on offense, the punt and interception returns for touchdowns bloated Georgia's score. With that said, they still leave a lot to be desired on offense. Johnny McCrary has the potential to be something in a year or two, but growing pains can be painful. As for the game, this is one of Vandy's few opportunities this season to get a win, and I think they'll have enough defense to beat an FCS opponent. Final Score: Vanderbilt 17-0
Western Carolina @ Tennessee- If there's ever a good time to play an FCS opponent, I think this is the best possible time for Tennessee to play one. They controlled the game against Oklahoma for 3 quarters, but they let it slip away. This will be a good game to get the team's confidence back, and build some momentum before they play Florida next week and try to end that long losing streak to them. Final Score: Tennessee 49-10
Connecticut @ Missouri- Given how close the game at Arkansas State was for Missouri, I was debating on whether or not to call this game a cupcake. Missouri still has a good defense, and that's fine and dandy, but this is two weeks in a row that they've struggled on offense against less than stellar competition. It's time for Matty Mauk to show he can do something at quarterback, and Missouri really needs to get their run game going. If their struggles continue this week, I won't have a lot of confidence for them when they start conference play. Connecticut is 2-0, but they struggled against FCS Villanova and a lowly Army team. Final Score: Missouri 35-14
Eh, At Least It's a Non Conference Game Against a Power 5 Team
Texas Tech @ Arkansas- I'm not one to think losing to Toledo was just a fluke. Sure Arkansas might beat them 8 times out of 10, but the fact that they allowed a MAC team to beat them in Little Rock is almost as low as a program can get. Toledo might turn out to be a decent team, but at this point I'm wondering if Arkansas is even going to make a bowl game this season. While Texas Tech hasn't play much of anyone, they have been hanging some big numbers on the scoreboard, and while common opponents might not mean much if both teams beat them, Tech did beat UTEP by a larger margin. Tech still doesn't have much of a defense, if they even have a defense at all, but Arkansas looked pretty pathetic on offense. Arkansas will probably keep Tech from blowing them out, their defense didn't cost them the game against Toledo, but I'm not very confident that Arkansas has enough offense to contend. And I'm fairly confident in saying that they won't be able to move the ball through the air if they fall behind or if they can't get the run game going. Final Score: Texas Tech 31-21
This Game Could be Interesting
Florida @ Kentucky- Last season this was one of the more entertaining games of the season. It took Florida 3 overtimes to be able to beat the Wildcats in the Swamp last season, and this season the game is in Lexington, and the Wildcats are coming off a big win in Columbia against South Carolina. I've said in both of the previous SEC and the NB3 threads that I think Patrick Towles has the ability to be the best quarterback in the SEC East, and I stand firm with that statement. His play hasn't disappointed, but Stanley Williams is emerging as a very reliable running back. I'm still not very confident in Kentucky's offensive line, and I think Florida is better suited to exploit it than South Carolina was, and while Kentucky had a good defensive showing last week, I'm thinking it had more to do with South Carolina's ineptitude on offense. I'm having a tough time picking a winner for this game. On one hand, I think Florida clearly has the better defense, but I'm far from being sold on their offense. On the other hand, I think Kentucky has the better offense in this game, but I'm concerned about their offensive line holding up, and if they'll be able to contain Florida's run game for 4 quarters. At the end of the day, I'd rather have Patrick Towles at quarterback than Treon Harris, and given how close the game was last season in Gainesville, I'm going to have to pick Kentucky to win at home. Finals Score: Kentucky 35-31
Anything Can and Has Happened in this Matchup
South Carolina @ Georgia- On paper, one would think this should be an easy win for Georgia, but if Steve Spurrier is coaching the opposition, it's never an easy game for the Dawgs. It doesn't look like South Carolina has much of a quarterback, run game or defense, but the same could be said about last season, and look what happened. Georgia has fared much better in Athens when they play the Gamecocks, but let's not pretend like Georgia doesn't have issues of their own. The defense and the run game have been on point. They've done their jobs, and done about as well as can be expected, but as a Georgia fan, Grayson Lambert starting at quarterback concerns me. He didn't complete a single pass in the first half against Vandy, and while he played much better in the second half, Georgia is going to need a lot more production out of him if they expect to compete for a playoff spot. If the game were in Columbia, I'd be a lot more nervous than I already am, but I'm going to go homer and pick the Dawgs this week. Really I think both teams are hurting for a quarterback, but I trust Georgia's run game and defense a lot more than I trust South Carolina's, especially between the hedges. It's a rivalry game, and anything can happen, but I'm picking the better team to win. Final Score: Georgia 28-17