This is the first real weekend in college football where we will see some big match-ups between conference teams! I am looking to three different college games that could change the landscape of not only who will be conference champion, but also "who's in?" Will the Rebels be able to upset the Crimson Tide? Can USC continue on their quest for the PAC-12 title over in-state rival, Stanford?
15 Ole Miss vs 2 Alabama, 9:15 PM ESPN
Last year, the Rebels were able to beat the Tide at Ole Miss. Now it is back to Tuscaloosa for the showdown in the SEC West. The "Land Shark" defense took care of business last year by intercepting Alabama Quarterback, Blake Sims, with 0:37 left in the game. Now, Alabama is without Sims, Cooper, Yeldon, and Collins to face the Rebels.
So far, Alabama has taken care of their own business this year. The Tide currently average 36 ppg which includes a win over Wisconsin 35-17. With Coker at quarterback, the Tide are currently averaging more than nine yards per pass. While Jacob Coker is a good passer, with a 63.8% completion rate, the Tide are lead by Junior Running Back, Derrick Henry. Averaging 7.8 ypc, this 6' 3" 242-pounder will punish any defender that comes into contact with him.
Defensively, the Tide had three sacks and one interception against Wisconsin. These would be considered decent statistics, if Wisconsin was not hurting from the loss of Heisman Finalist, Melvin Gordon, in their first game since his departure for the NFL.
As for the Rebels, they are another story. Having not faced a true contender yet, Ole Miss has averaged 74.5 points in their last two games. This team is ready for a challenge.
Chad Kelly, Junior, is the new quarterback for Ole Miss after Bo Wallace left last year. He currently averages over 13 yards per play, due to his top core of receivers. This core being led by the now healthy Laquon Tredwell. Tredwell's 6' 2" frame and impressive speed is sure to make him the top wide out come the 2016 draft.
As for this Ole Miss defense, they are led by DT Robert Nkemdiche. Nkemdiche is currently ranked as the fourth best player in this upcoming draft class by Mel Kiper Jr. In the secondary, the Rebels have S Tony Conner, Junior. Conner is also on Kiper's Big Board as #20. In Dave Wommack's defense, it seems like it is a farming system for great defensive players.
Will these players be able to contend with Derrick Henry?
My Pick: Ole Miss 31-Bama 24
Stanford vs 7 USC, 8:00 PM ABC
Over the past five years, this game has been a one score game by the end of the fourth quarter. The last two have been decided by three points.
For Stanford, the offense looks like a two person show right now. Kevin Hogan is currently passing under 60%, which is never good for a team that is in the PAC-12. The upside to this is that Hogan has been able to spread the ball around to different receivers, making defense cover each receiver one-on-one instead of loading up on the top wide out. This tactic could be favorable come later in the season.
The other guy to worry about is Running Back Christian McCaffrey. He averages just under four ypc and is also a threat in the passing game, already averaging nine ypr. But will he be able to get past the Trojan's line?
USC has not been the team we expect them to be in year's past. Losing games they should not and also getting injured too easily. But they have been recruiting well and I believe that this could be their year. Behind Cody Kessler, a possible first round pick, USC is a very well balanced team. Kessler has already thrown seven touchdowns in two games. Granted, these teams are not Power 5 teams, but he is also passing at 78.9%. While the Cardinal has only given up 16 points to Northwestern and 7 to UCF, Kessler's offense will chop down the Stanford defense.
Yet to allow a touchdown, the Trojan defense is hungry for some real competition from a Power 5 offense. On Kiper's Big Board, he has Su'a Cravens, Safety, ranked at 24. He has been compared to being "the Kam Chancellor of college football" (Kiper). Need I say more?
Can USC remain dominate?
My Pick: USC 45-Stanford 13
14 Georgia Tech vs 8 Notre Dame 3:30 PM NBC
Now this is a story: the likely winner of the ACC Coastal verses a team that will have a new quarterback. Notre Dame's season could come down to what happens in this game. With Malik Zaire out for the rest of the season, DeShone Kizer will be starting for the rest of the season.
As of right now, Kizer is riding high off of his last second touchdown pass to ice Virginia last weekend. But come this weekend, we will see how he will do against a top-15 team while playing the entire game.
The Yellow Jackets have only allowed 141 passing yards so far this season. But they have yet to face a top team, only seeing Alcorn State and Tulane this season. The main fights with each team will be if Notre Dame can stop Georgia Tech's triple option play book and if Kizer can produce.
Last year, Georgia Tech could basically run the ball any way they wanted to due to the triple option. In two games, the Yellow Jackets have rushed 108 times. How many yards?
An unbelievable 915 yards!
This attack only opens up the passing game more. Georgia Tech has only thrown 15 passes and has completed 12 of them. They also have four touchdowns passing. Notre Dame will have a problem stopping this offense.
Kizer will need to be patient in the pocket to possibly pull out a win. He benefited off of misdirection against Virginia which can also help against a traditional defense.
Will Kizer do it?
My Pick: Georgia Tech 49-Notre Dame 10
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