Longhorn nation is breathing a bit easier now that the big match-up with Texas A&M has ended.
Rest easy, gals...
The boys from College Station flirted with an upset by playing an almost pitch perfect game, but in the end fell short. It was a perfect illustration of what underdogs across the land need to do. No matter what, whether it’s the Tigers of Auburn or the Beavers of Oregon State, if you are converting on the vast majority of your 3rd down situations, you will put yourself in a position to win. The question is, will any of the other underdogs fair a bit better than the Aggies?
Five Games
Alabama v. Auburn
Slow the deuce-deuce, and the Tigers have a shot
Ah…the vaunted Iron Bowl, a rivalry that has spawned countless stories and ever more countless fights between the fine citizens of Alabama. Jordan-Hare will certainly be in full tilt. The noise and passion of the fans will definitely factor into the game. The intensity of the faithful will have to be matched by the Auburn defense. Containing the running attack of the Tide should be priority number one for Chizik. The most important match-up, however, will be the Bama D v. the Auburn O. To have a chance against one of the top defenses in the nation, Auburn will have to have that spread offense clicking on all cylinders. If it ain’t hummin’ along, it could end up being a long night for the Tiger faithful. After hitting a tough stretch of mid-season games, they seemed to have once again regained their offensive footing…we’ll see if that pattern can continue. I think they’ll need to hang at least 21 on the board to have a shot.
Pitt v. West Virginia
The Panthers have won the past two Backyard Brawls and have only one at least three in a row once (76-82, if my espn memory serves). This is a tough spot for Pittsburgh. Sure, it’s a rivalry game, but they have to be peeking slightly ahead to next week’s showdown with Cincinnati. It took me awhile, but after seeing them live a few time, I’m sold on the Panthers. Their QB (Stull) is downright impeccable as a passer, Dion Lewis has had the Panther faithful saying “LeSean who?” all season, and they have played solid defense throughout the year. West Virginia, on the other hand, has been a crap shoot. Predicting what team will appear from one week to the next leaves me a bit nonplussed. A lot of folks are screaming upset here and it should be noted that the Panthers one loss this season came on the road, at night. Nothing sweetens a sour season quite like upending a rival’s dreams of BCS bowling. I’ll take the Panthers in a slug fest.
Florida State v. Florida
If anyone needs a pitch perfect game this weekend it will be Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles. The elder statesman of Tallahassee hasn’t been able to crack the Gator code in six years. Florida has seemed to operate on cruise control for most the year, easing past opponents one way or another, rarely taking much notice no matter the score. With a match-up against Alabama looming, this could turn into a tricky match-up. Florida State certainly has the athletes to keep up with the Gators, but in the end I think the Gator D (with slight assists from the Big Man) will stifle the Seminole attack. Look for things to start shaky on senior day for Tebow, but to end shaky for the Seminole’s Freshman QB, E.J. Manuel.
OSU v. OU
The allure of Bedlam has worn off a bit now that OU is set to making an appearance in the Sun Bowl. It is, however, a very important game for a lot of other teams, especially the Broncos up in Boise. Their hopes for an at large bid (assuming TCU wins out) largely rests on whether OU can knock the Cowboys out of at-large BCS contention on Saturday. Sooner nation seems to be a despondent bunch after the piss poor offensive performances of the past three weeks. There is nothing like a rivalry game, especially one so heated, to get the fan base hopping…especially if it means you can squash the dreams of those you hate. The biggest question of the game is who will be starting at QB for Okie State. After struggling to beat Colorado a week ago without Robinson, his availability seems paramount (despite the great performance from 3rd stringer Brandon Weeden, I think Poke nation would be happier with Robinson at the helm). It is important to note that Mr. Stoops has only lost twice at home in the last decade: once to the Horned Frogs (05) and once to the Pokes (02, I think). I’m rolling the dice. I like the Sooners D to contain the Pokes just enough. Stoops by six.
Utah v. BYU
The Holy War!! Nowhere else can we find such great internecine war fare. Nowhere else do Mormons so fiercely fight other Mormons. Sure, it’s a fight for second place, but these games rarely disappoint. There is usually great (read: inclement) weather and the games always seem to go down to the wire. The teams seem to be fairly evenly matched. Since the game is being played at BYU, most are favoring the Cougars to win. Personally, I think that Utah is a slightly more well-rounded ball club.
Upset Specials!
What's it Taua?
There are several games to keep an eye on this weekend (particularly Miami v. USF and Ark v. LSU), but there are two that I find especially intriguing. First, the Fightin’ Illini will be matching up against the Bearcats of Cincinnati. With their game against Pittsburgh for the Big East title next week, many are touting this as a perfect trap game. I don’t buy it. Roll the dice if you want, but I think Coach Kelly has his team zeroed in on the Zook’ers.
I am, however, buying the Wolfpack of Nevada. Playing on the blue turf is tough, but I think the three-headed rushing attack of Nevada will help control the ball and consistently put points on the board against Boise State. Not only will they keep Kellen Moore off the field, but they’ll wear down the will of the Boise State defense.
The Tilted Pylon: Rivalry Weekend
Longhorn nation is breathing a bit easier now that the big match-up with Texas A&M has ended.
Rest easy, gals...
The boys from College Station flirted with an upset by playing an almost pitch perfect game, but in the end fell short. It was a perfect illustration of what underdogs across the land need to do. No matter what, whether it’s the Tigers of Auburn or the Beavers of Oregon State, if you are converting on the vast majority of your 3rd down situations, you will put yourself in a position to win. The question is, will any of the other underdogs fair a bit better than the Aggies?
Five Games
Alabama v. Auburn
Slow the deuce-deuce, and the Tigers have a shot
Ah…the vaunted Iron Bowl, a rivalry that has spawned countless stories and ever more countless fights between the fine citizens of Alabama. Jordan-Hare will certainly be in full tilt. The noise and passion of the fans will definitely factor into the game. The intensity of the faithful will have to be matched by the Auburn defense. Containing the running attack of the Tide should be priority number one for Chizik. The most important match-up, however, will be the Bama D v. the Auburn O. To have a chance against one of the top defenses in the nation, Auburn will have to have that spread offense clicking on all cylinders. If it ain’t hummin’ along, it could end up being a long night for the Tiger faithful. After hitting a tough stretch of mid-season games, they seemed to have once again regained their offensive footing…we’ll see if that pattern can continue. I think they’ll need to hang at least 21 on the board to have a shot.
Pitt v. West Virginia
The Panthers have won the past two Backyard Brawls and have only one at least three in a row once (76-82, if my espn memory serves). This is a tough spot for Pittsburgh. Sure, it’s a rivalry game, but they have to be peeking slightly ahead to next week’s showdown with Cincinnati. It took me awhile, but after seeing them live a few time, I’m sold on the Panthers. Their QB (Stull) is downright impeccable as a passer, Dion Lewis has had the Panther faithful saying “LeSean who?” all season, and they have played solid defense throughout the year. West Virginia, on the other hand, has been a crap shoot. Predicting what team will appear from one week to the next leaves me a bit nonplussed. A lot of folks are screaming upset here and it should be noted that the Panthers one loss this season came on the road, at night. Nothing sweetens a sour season quite like upending a rival’s dreams of BCS bowling. I’ll take the Panthers in a slug fest.
Florida State v. Florida
If anyone needs a pitch perfect game this weekend it will be Bobby Bowden’s Seminoles. The elder statesman of Tallahassee hasn’t been able to crack the Gator code in six years. Florida has seemed to operate on cruise control for most the year, easing past opponents one way or another, rarely taking much notice no matter the score. With a match-up against Alabama looming, this could turn into a tricky match-up. Florida State certainly has the athletes to keep up with the Gators, but in the end I think the Gator D (with slight assists from the Big Man) will stifle the Seminole attack. Look for things to start shaky on senior day for Tebow, but to end shaky for the Seminole’s Freshman QB, E.J. Manuel.
OSU v. OU
The allure of Bedlam has worn off a bit now that OU is set to making an appearance in the Sun Bowl. It is, however, a very important game for a lot of other teams, especially the Broncos up in Boise. Their hopes for an at large bid (assuming TCU wins out) largely rests on whether OU can knock the Cowboys out of at-large BCS contention on Saturday. Sooner nation seems to be a despondent bunch after the piss poor offensive performances of the past three weeks. There is nothing like a rivalry game, especially one so heated, to get the fan base hopping…especially if it means you can squash the dreams of those you hate. The biggest question of the game is who will be starting at QB for Okie State. After struggling to beat Colorado a week ago without Robinson, his availability seems paramount (despite the great performance from 3rd stringer Brandon Weeden, I think Poke nation would be happier with Robinson at the helm). It is important to note that Mr. Stoops has only lost twice at home in the last decade: once to the Horned Frogs (05) and once to the Pokes (02, I think). I’m rolling the dice. I like the Sooners D to contain the Pokes just enough. Stoops by six.
Utah v. BYU
The Holy War!! Nowhere else can we find such great internecine war fare. Nowhere else do Mormons so fiercely fight other Mormons. Sure, it’s a fight for second place, but these games rarely disappoint. There is usually great (read: inclement) weather and the games always seem to go down to the wire. The teams seem to be fairly evenly matched. Since the game is being played at BYU, most are favoring the Cougars to win. Personally, I think that Utah is a slightly more well-rounded ball club.
Upset Specials!
What's it Taua?
There are several games to keep an eye on this weekend (particularly Miami v. USF and Ark v. LSU), but there are two that I find especially intriguing. First, the Fightin’ Illini will be matching up against the Bearcats of Cincinnati. With their game against Pittsburgh for the Big East title next week, many are touting this as a perfect trap game. I don’t buy it. Roll the dice if you want, but I think Coach Kelly has his team zeroed in on the Zook’ers.
I am, however, buying the Wolfpack of Nevada. Playing on the blue turf is tough, but I think the three-headed rushing attack of Nevada will help control the ball and consistently put points on the board against Boise State. Not only will they keep Kellen Moore off the field, but they’ll wear down the will of the Boise State defense.