Friday September 27
Arizona State @ 15 Cal -5.0 (10:30 PM)
Preview: I will ask the question we all are thinking, is Cal legit? They are coming off a big road win over an Ole Miss program that is on the rise. They are also the fifteenth ranked team in the nation and playing solid defense, opposed to their history of getting picked apart playing in the PAC 12. Herm Edwards is bringing his Sun Devils to town though, as they are also a program on the rise having recently beat Michigan State, in Lansing. This game should be a tough battle and a fun start to the weekend.
Breaking down the stats between these two opponents, they are pretty neck and neck. In a game that is expected to be a defensive battle, it could come down to who can control the time and possession and run the ball steadily throughout this game who pulls out on top. Cal averages 158 yards per game on the ground and has do it all running back Christopher Brown Jr. who is a playmaker. Cal also has many talented receivers who were making great plays and contested catches last week against Ole Miss. It will be interesting to see if State can shut down the Bears diverse offense. Look for a very tight battle, but Cal proves that they are legit and stays alive in the hunt for the playoff! The spread will not be covered in this one.
Cal 28 Arizona State 27
Saturday September 28
18 Virginia @ 12 Notre Dame -12.5 (3:30 PM)
Preview: Both the Cavaliers and the Irish were in dog fights last week, which is why this game could be sloppy. Virginia pulled off a comeback against Old Dominion at home, while Notre Dame lost at third ranked Georgia 23-17 in a game that came down to the wire. Expect this game to be run heavy early and look for both teams to settle in to an offensive flow after the first quarter. Both Virginia and Notre Dame have solid defenses and this game should be a low scoring tight affair.
Notre Dame and Virginia both only allow 18.0 points per game. So the question is, which defense will fold first in this one? The Irish have a more high powered offense and QB Ian Book had a very good game against Georgia last week. Book leads an Irish passing attack that averages 300 yards per game. Can the Irish rushing attack help carry the load though this week? Virginia only allows 75 yards per game on the ground and is going to be tough to run on. This gives me reason to believe that this game could be ugly and it will be key as to which red zone defense holds up best. Virginia has a mediocre offense that won't strike much fear into the eyes of Brian Kelly's Irish. Book will make a play late to propel the Irish at home though, but the Cavaliers will cover the spread.
Notre Dame 23 Virginia 16
5 Ohio State @ Nebraska +18.0 (7:30 PM)
Preview: Throughout the history of college football Nebraska has been a powerhouse program. Until the 2000's hit and their success began to dwindle and they haven't been a consistent top level program in many years. The image of their program can change this weekend when the Buckeyes come to town. Lincoln, Nebraska should be rocking, but Nebraska coach Scott Frost will have a tough time slowing down the Buckeyes high powered offense.
Sophomore QB Justin Fields leads a Buckeyes offense that is coming off a 76-5 triumph over Miami (OH) and is averaging 53.5 points per game. Fields is a dual threat QB who will keep Nebraska's defense guessing all day. The Huskers allow 116 yards a game on the ground, so look for the Buckeyes to run a lot of "QB Power" and make sure Fields uses his legs to gash the Nebraska defense. Nebraska needed a big comeback late to beat a lowly Illinois team last week, so the chances that they can take down the Buckeyes this week isn't in their favor. Look for this to be a close game in the first half, but once Ohio State's offense gets in a rhythm they will pull away late and cover the spread. Nebraska is on the rise, but they aren't at Ohio State's level yet.
Ohio State 38 Nebraska 17
ALL STATS VIA ESPN.COM
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