Week Four College Football Gameday Preview
Posted on September 24, 2011 by Jacob Bunn
Regardless of the landscape changes taking place in college football, teams from around the fruited plain will suit up and play the game today. And, what a Saturday of games we do have before us. Let’s take a trip around the nation to the premiere matchups of week four of the 2011 college football season.
Georgia at Ole Miss (11:21 SEC Network)
This game features two coaches who are trying to maintain their jobs through the end of the year. Mark Richt seemingly has more support from the Georgia fan base than Houston Nutt does from the Ole Miss faithful. That is understandable, though, considering Nutt’s team was throttled 30-7 by Vanderbilt last week. Needless to say, a change looks eminent in Oxford. But, Richt’s future is not that certain because the powers that be at Georgia have not spoken in dissent of his coaching job yet. But, if Mr. Richt does not get a win in Oxford, I think there will be a new coach in Athens next season.
15 Florida at Kentucky (6:00 ESPN)
You may consider this a scrimmage for the Florida Gators because of their thumping of Tennessee last week and Kentucky’s many issues all over the place. But, Gator fans need to hope that Will Muschamp instills discipline into his squad not to overlook the Wildcats. Next week, Florida plays Alabama in what will most likely by a primetime, nationally televised game in the Swamp. That is an excellent chance for an upset of the Tide, but there is business to take care of in Lexington before thoughts can gravitate toward Alabama. Florida must keep Jeff Demps and Chris Rainey healthy as well.
Vanderbilt at 12 South Carolina (6:00 ESPN2)
Vanderbilt crushed Ole Miss 30-7 in Nashville last Saturday, and South Carolina has struggled against East Carolina and Navy. This is an upset alert if there ever was one. The Commodores are not just lucking their way into success either; they are playing defense, and playing it well. This will be a tough one any way you slice it for South Carolina, especially considering Stephen Garcia has thrown the ball more times to the opposing team than he has thrown touchdowns for his own team. I think the Vanderbilt defense is going to force South Carolina to use running back Marcus Lattimore over and over, and the question is will that be enough to secure a Gamecock win?
11 Florida State at 12 Clemson (2:30 ESPN)
Florida State will not have star quarterback E.J. Manuel in this game because of a shoulder injury. So, Clint Trickett will take the reins if the Seminole offense. It may not matter that much in this game for them, though, because Clemson’s defense is giving up 419 yards per game. The Tigers also may be still in celebration mode after defeating reigning national champions Auburn’s seventeen-game winning streak last weekend. Nonetheless, it is a night game in Death Valley, so expect Clemson to give the Seminoles all they can handle.
2 LSU at 16 West Virginia (7:00 ABC)
Yours truly picked the Mountaineers in the upset against the Tigers tonight. I simply believe West Virginia is not getting enough credit for being an all around quality team. LSU is more talented, but given the proper circumstances (and these could be those for sure) the Mountaineers could become the victors.
7 Oklahoma State at 8 Texas A&M (2:30 ABC)
Brandon Weeden, the quarterback for the Cowboys, is second in the nation in passing statistics, completing 73 percent of his attempts. But, Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill is not far behind him. The final score of this game may very well add up to triple digits because neither defense is consistently stopping opposing offenses. In a shootout like this, home field advantage and coaching has to be taken into account to make a proper evaluation. Both teams have good coaching, but the fact that the game will be played in Kyle Field may very well be the deal closer for the Aggies. No matter what, though, you will enjoy this one if you are a fan of points.
14 Arkansas at 3 Alabama (2:30 CBS)
This is the most significant matchup in the SEC to date. Arkansas is the team many have pegged to be the sleeper in the conference this year, but if they are going to have a breakout seaoson, they have to defeat Alabama. Last year, Bobby Petrino’s Razorbacks held a double digit lead in the second half in Fayetteville, only to see Alabama come storming back to claim the 24-20 victory. That thought has undoubtedly been in the back of the mind of every Arkansas supporter, player, and coach throughout the offseason until now. It certainly will not be easy, though, to dismantle the Tide in Tuscaloosa, but if the Razorbacks want to go the distance this year, this win is necessary.
Have a tremendous Saturday, and enjoy the games!
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Email Jacob at jacob@bunnsports.com and follow him on Twitter at @JacobBunn
