Thursday, November 7, 2013

Upset Weekend (College Football Preview Week 11)


Matt: Well, another week in the books and another disappointing loss by my Hoosiers. But, I’m going to put it behind me and look forward to this week’s matchup, one where we are actually a favor! I was unable to bridge the gap that Ryan has created in our picks and he continues to have a 11 game lead on me after we tied this week. Ryan is now 436-140 (.757) while I am 425-151 (.738). A lot of exciting games this week, including two Thursday games with national title implications. Got seven matchups to bring you this week, so enjoy.
Oklahoma at Baylor, Thursday 7:30 PM, FOX Sports 1
Matt: This game is huge, it not only has Big 12 conference title implications, but it also has national championship implications. Baylor is playing lights out this season and is one of the surprise teams of the year. Just like Michigan State, another surprise this year, the Bears are doing it with a great defense. Baylor’s defense is in the top 10 in both rushing and passing. If that wasn’t enough, Baylor’s offense is a powerhouse as well, leading the nation in passing yards at 417.3 yards per game and 7th in the nation in rushing at 301.1 yards per game. On the other side of the ball is Oklahoma, who’s numbers aren’t as impressive but handed the Red Raiders a lost and only loss came at the hands of the Longhorns. This is the first of three games Baylor has to play in a row against ranked teams in the Big 12, after this, they’ll take on Texas Tech followed by Oklahoma State. So, if the Bears want to find themselves in talks for the national championship game, they’ll have to start this tough three weeks off with a win, and I think they will with their balanced offense and great defense.
Winner: Baylor
Ryan Winner: Oklahoma
Oregon at Stanford, Thursday 9:00 PM, ESPN
Matt: Another huge game on Thursday evening, and another game that has not only conference implications, but national championship implications as well. If Oregon wants to find themselves back in the National Championship game, they’ll have to win this one, because after this one, their only other test is Oregon State. And even that one isn’t nearly as intense as this week’s matchup against the Cardinal or two week’s ago matchup against UCLA. Marcus Mariota is still looking like a Heismen front runner, and through 11 weeks, he still hasn’t throw an interception. However, he now has to march into enemy territory and go against the tough Cardinal defense. The Cardinal had a tough test against Oregon State two weeks ago, but the Ducks are a whole another beast. Oregon is second in the nation in scoring offense with 55.6 points per game. If Stanford is going to hand Oregon their first loss, they’ll have to do it by stopping this powerful offense. Unfortunately, I don’t think that is going to happen and Oregon goes on to win this one, perhaps a lot easier than expected.       
Winner:
Oregon
Ryan Winner: Oregon
Air Force at New Mexico, Friday 9:00 PM, ESPNU
Matt: Well, for the first time this year, New Mexico is actually playing on national television. This one is I’m sure interesting for Ryan, seeing as how he is employed by the Air Force but is also a huge New Mexico fan, and will be a student there eventually. Last week, Air Force crushed Army by outscoring Army in every quarter expect the first. Anthony LaCoste destroyed the Army defense by rushing for 263 yards and 3 touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, New Mexico had a close loss to an average San Diego State team to fall to 2-6 on the year. New Mexico has one of the worst rushing defense in the nation at 122nd in the nation, out of 125. However, Air Force isn’t much better in rushing defense at 113th in the nation. This one is going to be a very close game, and both teams are going to look to rush the ball a lot. Ultimately, I think it comes down to home field advantage, so I’m going with the Lobos on this one.
Winner: New Mexico
Ryan Winner: New Mexico
Illinois at Indiana, Saturday 3:30 PM, BTN
Matt: I don’t know where to start with my Hoosiers. Last week’s loss was completely heartbreaking. Now it is a very hard road to find my Hoosiers in the post season, but this game right here is a great way to start that. Illinois hasn’t won a Big Ten game since 2011, unfortunately it was against my Hoosiers, but that was a completely different team back in 2011. Both of these teams are pretty evenly matched in terms of numbers, but the biggest difference in my eye is Indiana’s big play potential. Ultimately, I think that is going to be the decisive factor in this game. I currently live in Champaign, and I am tired of seeing orange and blue everywhere I go. Not only do I want my Hoosiers to win this game because it is my alma mater, but I want them to win so I can proudly wear my Indiana gear on Monday to work just to rub it in a little more. I think that the Hoosiers pull this one off, and go to Madison next week with some real confidence after two disappointing weeks.
Winner: Indiana
Ryan Winner: Indiana
Notre Dame at Pittsburgh, Saturday 8:00 PM, ABC
Matt: While most of the nation will be watching the Alabama-LSU game, this game will be on as well. Look, maybe I’ve been a bit harsh on Notre Dame this year. Their win over Michigan State earlier in the year is starting to look really good as the Spartans climb in the ratings and are on top of their division in the Big Ten. Now Notre Dame travels to the Steel City to take on the Panthers of Pittsburgh. The Panthers? Not so good this year, ranking 104th in rushing yards per game at 122.5 and 70th in passing yards at 223.4. Their defense isn’t that great either. I don’t expect Notre Dame to have too many problems with Pittsburgh, but you never know. I think Notre Dame wins this one easily.
Winner: Notre Dame
Ryan Winner: Notre Dame
Iowa at Purdue, Saturday Noon, BTN
Matt: I think I was completely right in saying last week that Purdue’s matchup against Ohio State was going to be one that they and their fan base wanted to forget. Braxton Miller was completely dominate the first half and even after he was pulled the Boilermakers couldn’t do much damage to the Buckeyes. Purdue has a much easier task in front of them with Iowa, but it is still no cake walk. This isn’t the Iowa team of past, but it is still a Iowa football team that was three points away from beating now undeafted Northern Illinois, an Iowa team that for a bit gave both Wisconsin and Ohio State a run for their money. Two black and yellow teams face off at Ross Aid stadium, but only one is going to come out with a  W. I think this is going to be an easy win for Iowa, maybe not as bad as a blowout as last week’s thrashing by Ohio State, but still a one sided game.
Winner: Iowa
Ryan Winner: Iowa
LSU at Alabama, Saturday 8:00 PM, CBS
Matt: Ah, the crème de la crème of college football in Week 11. This game is probably the biggest game of the year. It has so many implications; I’m not even sure where to start. Alabama gets their fist test since, honestly, probably Texas A&M, and even in that game it didn’t seem to be much of a fight. This game is going to be great. Alabama’s tough defense going against LSU’s powerful balanced offense. However, this isn’t the same LSU team that was able to knock Alabama off in the regular season, only to lose to them in the National Championship. And this isn’t the same Alabama team that allowed LSU to beat them in the regular season before beating them in the National Championship. Alabama is much better than that team, and LSU is not as good as that team. I think that for all the hype this game is getting, it’ll be a little less exciting than hoped. I think Alabama’s defense and balanced offense is going to be too much for LSU, especially since the Crimson Tide are playing at home. This one goes to Alabama. Roll tide.
Winner: Alabama
Ryan Winner: Alabama

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