Week Nine College Gameday Preview
Posted on October 28, 2011 by Jacob Bunn
Don’t let me dampen your interest in college football this weekend, but LSU and Alabama do not play until next Saturday. At any rate, we will attempt to survive until then. Meanwhile, there are some games this weekend that could have major consequence and others that could be great games to watch.
Last weekend was certainly the recipe for multiple upsets. This Saturday, though, I doubt we will see more than one or two shocking conclusions. But of course, it is the college football regular season. Now, let’s break down the ten games I think are most important and most intriguing this weekend.
11 Michigan State at 14 Nebraska
This is the fourth major contest in a row for the Spartans. After defeating two top twelve teams in a row at home, Mark Dantonio’s Michigan State team now faces a road test against a Nebraska team which has only one loss on the year. I think this one could go down to the wire. The most interesting matchup will be the Spartans defense against Nebraska’s explosive offense. I like Michigan State in a close game.
Missouri at 16 Texas A&M
This crucial SEC matchup will have a major impact...I mean, of course, Big 12 matchup. As Texas A&M has already been accepted into the SEC, many believe Missouri is soon to follow. But for now, both reside in the southwestern-based conference. Having seen Missouri against a fast Oklahoma State offense last Saturday, it is difficult for me not to pick the Aggies at home in this one. Plus, Mike Sherman has his team on a roll right now.
10 Arkansas at Vanderbilt
Arkansas needs to be careful as it travels to the Music City for this one. Vanderbilt had a near miss two weeks ago against Georgia, and they have been closer than the scores might have indicated in other games as well. I think the Razorbacks will escape, but not without a battle.
Baylor at 3 Oklahoma State
This reminds me of the game last weekend that I said had no chance of becoming an upset victory, Texas Tech over Oklahoma. As we now know, that did indeed qualify as an upset, and this one could also. The Cowboys are going to need to be sound in the important areas of the game to ensure victory. Baylor’s offense always poses an interesting threat, especially to a suspect at times Oklahoma State, but I still think the undefeated season continues in Stillwater.
9 Oklahoma at 8 Kansas State
Could Oklahoma be on the verge of getting pummeled two weeks in a row? It’s possible. Kansas State is certainly no lightweight, and the Sooners are going to have to elevate the level of play in a major way from last week to be successful. Personally, I wonder about where the Sooners are psychologically this week after Texas Tech shellacked them on their own surface last week. As long as Bill Snyder coaches the Wildcats, I think they will be a formidable threat. I think they will get a huge victory at home this weekend.
22 Georgia vs Florida (Jacksonville, FL)
As I wrote on Tuesday, this is a very significant game for Mark Richt. To say Georgia has struggled in this series is to make an understatement. The Bulldogs are 3-17 against the Gators in the last twenty years. The Will Muschamp led Gators have really not established a clear identity so far this season. Because of both of those contributing factors, I believe this year will be Georgia’s time. Furthermore, I would not be surprised if it was a very one-sided victory for the Bulldogs and Mark Richt. I have been tough on Richt the last year or so, but winning this one would go a long way with some of the disgruntled Georgia fans.
Ole Miss at 23 Auburn
These are two teams that seem to be going in opposite directions. Ole Miss took a beating against Alabama two weeks ago, but then provided a four quarter fight against no. 10 Arkansas that concluded with the Razorbacks winning 29-24. Auburn got a big win over Florida two weeks ago, but then took the worst beating a defending champion has ever endured; it was 45-10 at the hands of LSU. I think this game is going to be a back and forth momentum swinger deep into the final period. In the end, though, I like Auburn to capture the win at home.
13 South Carolina at Tennessee
Two years ago, a Lane Kiffin-coached Tennessee came out of the locker room in some of the worst alternate uniforms ever witnessed by the human eye. To pay homage to Halloween, Kiffin allowed his team to wear black jerseys. South Carolina has only knocked off the Volunteers once in Knoxville, but I think there is a strong chance this becomes the second occurrence. Look for Gamecock team without Marcus Lattimore to pass first and run second. Of course, they did that before his injury.
5 Clemson at Georgia Tech
Clemson has been skating along during what has been a magical season. Enough credit cannot be given to Dabo Swinney and the staff in Clemson for the job they have done. But unfortunately for them, the real job is just beginning. It is not easy to maintain an undefeated season every week when your team is at the top of the BCS standings and every opponent has circled you on the calendar. For reference, ask Bob Stoops and Bret Bielema how their weekend went. For that reason, and the fact that Georgia Tech’s offense can be extremely potent, I think the Yellow Jackets are going to pull the upset. Plus, they tend to perform well at home.
6 Stanford at USC
Some are tagging this game as their upset of the week. I will pass on that. I did pick USC to beat Notre Dame last week, and they did. I think they are a talented football team, but in my opinion, Stanford is more talented. Andrew Luck is not only the Heisman Trophy front-runner, and the consensus first-round number one draft pick, he is leading his team brilliantly through a college football season without a stain on the record. I like him and his team to win in the Coleseum.
There is your weekend of college football. Enjoy it, and once the final whistle is blown on this weekend on the gridiron, the week of the LSU/Alabama game will be upon us.
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Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn
