No need to rehash this as the best college football-viewing weekend of the season. Everyone already knows that. You know the games, and if you don’t, just take a look at
this week’s schedule.
The LSU/Auburn game is the biggest on my TV, the SEC West, the SEC overall, and yes; it’s the biggest game in the country this week. The winner of this game has gone on to the SEC Championship Game every year since 2000 except in 2002 when Arkansas won a three-way tie to head to Atlanta.
With Auburn’s offense versus LSU’s defense, the key is going to be Kenny Iron’s versus LSU’s talented but inexperienced front seven. Despite the inexperience, the Tigers have gone 14 quarters without allowing a touchdown. It won’t be easy this week as Auburn’s Kenny Iron’s rumbled for over 200 yards last year in a losing effort versus LSU. Glenn Dorsey (DT), Tyson Jackson (DE), Darry Beckwith (OLB), and Luke Sanders (MLB) are four new players who will be key to stopping Irons. In the passing game, LSU’s secondary is the best in the country (watch for FS LaRon Landry on the blitz), and other than Courtney Taylor, Auburn’s receivers are young. Brandon Cox is a solid QB, but the Tigers in purple and gold have the advantage here.
When LSU has the ball, QB JaMarcus Russell is without peer in terms of talent, but he is still maturing as a decision maker. LSU’s wide receivers as a group are as good as any in the country including the boys from L.A.; they are all big, strong, and fast. (Interesting fact: Prior to off-season eye surgery, LSU’s 2005 leading receiver, Bowe, was legally blind) Like, LSU, the strength of Auburn’s defense is in the secondary, but with Will Herring shifting to linebacker, the LSU WR’s have an advantage here at least in multiple WR sets. At running back, LSU loses its top rusher from 2005 but returns its top rusher from 2003 and its top rusher from 2004. Both are coming off injuries, but when they’re 100%, they are both All-SEC quality backs. Depth and experience on the offensive line is the biggest concern for the Tigers overall. So far, the line has looked outstanding pass blocking but needs to improve the run blocking.
Although the home team has had a huge advantage in this series lately, this game is LSU’s to lose if they can hold onto the ball. Despite Auburn’s preseason hype, the Tigers from Baton Rouge are the more talented team.
In their first game, Notre Dame was lucky but the defense looked improved. In the second game, the offense was back to its preseason expectations against Penn State. At the beginning of the season, I felt there was no way ND would make it out of September undefeated, but it’s looking more and more likely. That’s not to say that ND is better than I expected. Based on the Georgia Tech game, I’d say they are worse.
But, what is going on with Michigan? Lackluster wins against Vandy and Central Michigan. Michigan is a more talented team than Notre Dame, especially on defense. On offense, like ND, they have one of the best QB/RB (Henne and Hart) combinations in the country. On defense, they returned eight starters. Still, there seems to be a lot of doubt about the Wolverines. Carr is feeling some heat in Ann Arbor and some might say his time is nearly done there. Personally, I don’t buy it. While the wins over CMU and Vandy weren’t great, they were certainly better than BC versus CMU or Bama versus Vandy. Could UM have been looking toward this game after losing a close one at home last year? Its risky, but I’m staying on the record with ND losing in September, and this is the game they lose.
Tennessee and Florida are perhaps the SEC’s two most unpredictable teams. Will the Cal Tennessee show up or the Air Force Tennessee? Like most people, I think the real UT lies somewhere in between. Unfortunately for the Vols, they just lost two defensive starters for the season. On the Gators side, their first two games don’t tell us very much. Florida throttled its first two Mid Major opponents last year before winning a nail biter over UT, and we’re still not sure the Gators can run the ball. Against UT, LSU, Bama, and UGA last year, the Gators averaged 12.5 points. The best SEC defense they put 20 on was South Carolina (22 points). Despite the Air Force game, Ainge continues to lead the nation in passing efficiency, and the Vols will score on the Gators. I expect Tennessee to win a close, low-scoring affair.
Quick Notes:
Don’t forget about Thursday where West Virginia faces its toughest game until November against the Terps.
Oklahoma meets Oregon in a rematch from the bowl game. If OU win’s it will be with defense. Fresno State gave the Ducks all they wanted last week.
Without Bush, Louisville will have trouble against Miami. Despite the “decline� and lack of press for the Hurricanes, they are still much more talented than this Louisville team at nearly every position.
Texas Tech meets TCU in a match-up of the most frequently over-rated teams from Texas. Texas Tech will win because TCU simply can’t outscore them. The Horned Frogs barely beat Baylor.
The Poor Bowden Boll. It must be tough on the family because both of these programs are so desperate right now. Bobby could let Tommy win if Tommy promises to let Florida State rush for 250 yards, and everyone would be happy.
The Game Day game. I don’t know if Nebraska is any better, but the confidence has returned to Lincoln. USC is clearly the more talented team, but much like Longhorns, the inexperience will cost the Trojans a game this year. This could be the one, but probably not.
