Huge game for Auburn, glorified scrimmage for Alabama and an SEC war in the Swamp along with a key national game at Tallahassee that could improve one of the two team's chances to make a deep run this season. Fasten those seat belts, here we go. Week 3 in college football and the SEC particularly. Should be a fun Saturday.
This week's picks (Last week 8-4 including LSU win over State last night; overall 20-4):
No.21 Auburn @ Clemson: 11 AM, ABC:
I watched Clemson play Wofford last week and wasn't overly impressed with them though Wofford I will say was a pretty scrappy FCS team. Clemson's quarterback, Taj Boyd, is a pretty decent passer and running back, Andre Ellington, is an excellent physical specimen who can break tackles and break the long one. Had a 74 yard beautiful td run against Wofford. They've got a wide receiver, freshman Sammy Watkins, who looks like a special player. He can catch a lot of balls and is a good deep threat for them. He's something else. Their other outstanding receiver is DeAndre Hopkins; they call him "Newk." Boyd made some nice passes against Wofford, so he's capable of playing well. A little inconsistent at times. They can put up some points. Offensive line is decent, but Wofford got after'em pretty well. Not a dominant line. They've got SEC athletes on defense. Their defensive end, Andre Branch (6'5", 260), is their best player. Not great on defense. Think AU will put some points up against them.
Final analysis: With Michael Dyer, Emory Blake and Phillip Lutzenkirchen, Auburn has the weaponry to get this done. I think AU's defense will be better this week. The coaches have been high on Chris Davis in the secondary. He's playing well as is Demetruce McNeal. The secondary is coming around. Defensive line growing. Backers pretty decent. I just think Barrett Trotter and company can put up some points against this Clemson defense and the defense can keep Clemson in check enough to pull out this victory and move to 3-0 with a huge win on the road. The streak will move to 18 tomorrow afternoon.
Auburn 31, Clemson 24
North Texas @ No.2 Alabama: 6:30 PM, ESPN Game Plan:
Not a lot of analysis needed for this game. I'm sure S wants A.J. to keep improving as they prepare for a huge game against Arkansas next week. Just play well on offense, show continued improvement on the defensive line and mainly stay healthy. Darius Hanks will be back, so that's going to help not only tomorrow, but more importantly, next Saturday. 'Bama gets tuned up for Hogs with a rout.
'Bama 56, North Texas 3
Ole Miss @ Vandy: 11:21 AM, SEC Network:
This game to me depends on Ole Miss running back Brandon Bolden's health. He's an exceptional running back but has a slight fracture in his ankle sustained against BYU two weeks ago and he's questionable for the game. But I think he's going to play. If he plays I like Ole Miss's chances better. But the 'Dores are playing some defense now and if Larry Smith can give them anything they have a shot to knock off two point favorite Ole Miss. Vandy should get running back Warren Norman back in the lineup which should help. I say Vandy's defense shuts down a suspect Black Bears? offense and their talented secondary gets some picks off quarterback Zack Stoudt, and offense and Larry Smith can do enough to get the Commodores over the hump. Vandy is jacked up for this game and it's at home so that's a big plus.
Vandy 20, Ole Miss 17
Coastal Carolina @ Georgia noon, ESPN Game Plan:
Georgia needs to snap back after a couple of tough losses. I think they're a pretty good football team. They got hit pretty hard in the mouth by Boise State in the first game, but gave South Carolina everything they wanted. They have a schedule where they could make a run. They should get back on track this weekend.
Georgia 45, Coastal 10
Tennessee @ No.16 Florida, 2:30 PM. CBS
I want to pick Tennessee. I think they can do it. After watching their game against Cincy last week, their offense is special. Good offensive line, great quarterback in Tyler Bray and the best two receivers in the country. Arkansas may have more depth, but Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers are awesome. They are playmakers with great speed, great hands and explosiveness on the edges. Tauren Poole is a very fine running back. Maybe not as good as Trent, Lattimore or Dyer but pretty darn good. Florida has the explosiveness with Chris Rainey. The guy is amazing. He's tough and when he gets on the edge and in the open field, it's a pretty sure thing he's taking it to the house. Jeff Demps didn't do a lot last week, but he's may be the fastest guy in the country. He's got world class speed. Like Florida's defense a little better than UT's. If this was in Knoxville, I'd pick Tennessee. But it's in Gainesville and I'm still going to pick UT anyway in a major upset.
UT 35, Florida 31
Tulane @ UAB: 3 p.m., Legion Field, No TV:
UAB looked like they got blown out by Florida last Saturday, but a key play in the game came when UAB was down 13-0 in the second quarter and Bryan Ellis threw a beautiful 38 yard touchdown pass to running back Greg Franklin. It was called back on what looked like to me was a phantom illegal motion call. It would have been 13-7 and would have totally changed the momentum of the game. UAB is a pretty good football team. Linebackers Lamanski Ware and Marvin Burdette are good football players and I like Ellis at quarterback. They were missing two key players last weekend in running back Pat Shed and defensive end Elliott Heningan. They should be back this weekend. I think the Blazers can have a pretty good season this year. They've got a lot of athletes and to me look like they can be good on offense and pretty decent on defense. They just need to avoid the mistakes that have always plagued them in the past; penalties and turnovers. If they can do that, they can win six or seven games and go to a bowl game. Need Shed back at running back. Franklin did a good job, but Shed is a really good player and Franklin would be a good second option. Have some playmakers on the outside, too. Like UAB to do well this weekend.
UAB 35, Tulane 28
Navy @ No.10 South Carolina: 5 PM, ESPN 2
Gamecocks should be OK here though the Naval Academy is a scrappy team that can get you with their triple option. South Carolina has to guard against a letdown after big Georgia win. Think Navy can keep it close, but at the end, it's too hard to stop Marcus Lattimore. He just wears you down and Garcia can do enough. All he has to do is throw it up to Alshon Jeffery and he'll catch it. JaDaveon Clowney looks like he'll be a big time player for Gamecocks this year at defensive end. The number one player out of high school in 2011 is primed for some big things this year. Gamecocks need to improve their defense if they want to be a special team.
South Carolina 35, Navy 24
Louisville @ Kentucky: 6 PM, ESPNU
Charlie Strong has had tough sledding so far at the 'Ville. Quarterback Morgan Newton of Ky has all the talent, he just needs to put a complete game together. Got better in the second half last week against Central Michigan in a 27-13 victory. Kentucky should do enough in this game and it's in Lexington, so that helps. Charlie Strong is a great defensive coordinator. Hopefully, he'll prove to be a good head coach. He's got a ways to go.
Kentucky 28, Louisville 14
Troy @ No.14 Arkansas, 6:30 PM, ESPN Game Plan
Troy is always a scrappy, tough team, but Arkansas should be able to control this game. Troy might play them tough as Hogs may be caught looking ahead to next Saturday at Tuscaloosa. Arkansas passing game will be too hard for Troy to stop. Tyler Wilson is going to be a good quarterback this year and excellent in some games. Wide receivers just keep coming at you. Ark has to establish a running game to prove they can show some balance, because if they don't the Alabama dbs will be licking their chops for next Saturday.
Hogs 45, Troy 14
National Spotlight:
No.1 Oklahoma @ No.5 Florida State: 7 PM, ABC
What a blockbuster the third Saturday of the season. Haven't gotten a chance to see Oklahoma but have done a lot of reading and viewing on them on ESPN and know that Landry Jones and Ryan Broyles are special. Kenny Stills is a special receiver, too, and Dominique Whaley, although I haven't seen him, is talked about as a special running back. They've got the arsenal now. They lost their stellar linebacker, Travis Lewis, to an injury before the season that will keep him out until at least Oct. 8. They've got another guy in there, Corey Nelson, who is pretty good. But I expect this game to be about offense. Florida State's quarterback, E.J. Manuel, is a Cam Newton like player. He has the 6'5", 245 pound size, he's got a good arm and can run. He's pretty accurate, too. They've got playmakers at wide receiver in Rashad Golston, Bert Reid and Greg Dent. They like to throw it more than run it. Defense looks very athletic. Timmy Jernigan, their defensive tackle, is a beast at 6"3", 297. I really like what Jimbo Fisher is doing at FSU. He's got them on course to be the Florida State of the glory years in the '90's under the legend, Bobby Bowden. He's recruiting phenomenally and the players love him. He's a great coach who I'm sure can really motivate. I think he'll out motivate Bob Stoops, who is a solid coach, but I don't think he's great. Don't believe he's a great motivator. Everybody pretty much is picking OU, but it's at Doak Campbell Stadium and I think FSU has had this game penciled in since they got blown out last year. They also have the talent to pull off the upset.
Florida State 41, Oklahoma 38
(Michael Dyer tries to move Auburn's winning streak to 18 and FSU's E.J. Manuel tries to upset the Sooners)