Hockey / College Football, Week 9: Stanford vs. USC Headlines Another Big Week

College Football, Week 9: Stanford vs. USC Headlines Another Big Week

Date:  Source: Armchair Report

By ACR Contributor Jarrod Argobright(twitter: @jargobright) | Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images North America 11/15/2008

Morning, everyone!

 

I haven't got much time this Saturday, so let's get right down to the games:

 

6 Stanford at USC: The Cardinal head to Los Angeles this Saturday with the nation's top rated quarterback and the longest active win streak in the FBS. USC, on the other hand, is looking for revenge after losing a heartbreaker last season to Stanford last season in Palo Alto.

This game is no doubt likely to be another barn burner, as the focus will more than likely center around quarterbacks Andrew Luck of Stanford and Matt Barkley of USC. Truth be told, the respective run games of these two teams might have more to do with the final outcome of the game. The Cardinal enter the game averaging just over 217 yards per ground (17th in the nation), and last week ran for an amazing 446 yards in the win over then 25th ranked Washington.

The Trojans run game, althought not as statistically impressive, is led by senior Marc Tyler and Junior Curtis McNeal, who have a combined total of over 840 yards on the season. The Trojans will need an above average peformance from both of these guys against a Stanford squad that is putting up over 48 points per game, good for second in the nation.

This game will more than likely be another classic, but I believe Stanford has too much talent to be stopped. There is no upset here as the Cardinal stay undefeated, 35-28.

11Michigan State at 14Nebraska: The Spartans and Cornhuskers meet in a battle that could determine who wins the Legends Division of the Big Ten. The Spartans, winners of a 37-31 shootout with Wisconsin a week ago in East Lansing, welcome back defensive end William Gohlston. The Spartans game plan should be similar to the one they employed against Ohio State: blitz early and often, and, offensively, go deep to BJ Cunningham on occasion to keep Nebraska to loading the box against tailbacks Edwin Baker and Le'Veon Bell.

For the Cornhuskers, they dearly miss the presence of All-American tackle Jared Crick, but they are prepared to move forward. They hope that Taylor Martinez can continue to grow in their spread offense, and that tailback Rex Burkhead will be able to take some of that burden off Martinez. Defensively Nebraska will try to limit the damage that Baker and Bell do to them, forcing Michigan State quarterback Kirk Cousins to beat them with his arm instead.

Ultimately, this one comes down to defense, and, at this point, the Spartans have the better unit on that front. Michigan State stays undefeated in the Big Ten, 33-20.

Missouri at 16Texas A&M: A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill is having an out of this world season this year, passing for 2005 yards and 15TDs against only 6 interceptions. Missouri looks to play trick or treat with the Aggies this Halloween weekend. Somebody forgot to tell the Tigers they're the ones being tricked. Texas A&M, 35-21.

Purdue at 18Michigan: Purdue sent shockwaves around the nation last weekend when they put up 21 against Illinois in the first half of their game in West Lafayette. You heard me right, 21 in the first half! Unfortunately,  this afternoon's contest is at the Big House, and Michigan has had an extra week to prepare for the Boilermakers. Denard Robinson and company get back to winning, defeating Purdue 40-24.

10 Arkansas at Vanderbilt: Tyler Wilson, upset that he's not being mentioned among the candidates for Heisman, goes nuts against Vanderbilt, throwing for 400 yards and 5TDs. Arkansas 37-13.

12 Virginia Tech at Duke: Here's a little known secret about Duke football: they have several basketball players on their team just to fill the available 85 scholarship spots available to them. Virginia Tech 50-7

Washington State at 7Oregon: Can you believe that the Ducks put a 45 spot on the Buffaloes despite LaMichael James and Darron Thomas sitting out? Neither can the Cougars, who hope to come out of this one scoring more than the 2 that Colorado did.  Oregon 47-10.

9Oklahoma at 8 Kansas State: Sooners fell asleep against the Red Raiders, and, when they finally woke up, it was too late. Not sure who Kansas State even has on their roster, but I don't think it matters much anyway. Bob Stoops will make sure his squad does not suffer a second straight letdown, and Landry Jones reestablishes himself as a Heisman favorite. Oklahoma, 37-24.

22Georgia at Florida: This is a particularly tough game to predict, as Georgia has been playing inspired ball ever since dropping their season opener to Boise State. Florida, SEC whipping post the last few weeks, sees senior quarterback John Brantley return for the Gators, who so desperately need this win. What the heck, I am putting the Bulldogs on upset alert. Florida 27, Georgia 21

25 West Virginia at Rutgers: Surely the Mountaineers won't be upset two straight weeks, will they? No, they won't, and don't call me Shirley. West Virgina 38, Rutgers 24

13 South Carolina at Tennessee: More than half the nation is wondering how in the world the Gamecocks are ranked 13th in the nation despite playing a schedule that included East Carolina and Navy(whom they barely beat), and b) scoring only 14 points against Mississippi State. Answer: their defense, led by DT Kelcy Quarles and DEs Melvin Ingram and true freshman Jadeveon Clowney(aka 'The Freak Squared' a term I coined myself) is pretty darn impressive. SC 28, Tennessee 10

15 Wisconsin at Ohio State: The Badgers are coming off a heart breaking last second loss to Michigan State last week, when Kirk Cousins hail mary to Keith Nichol was ultimately ruled a touchdown by officials. The Buckeyes, on the other hand, have had two weeks to prepare for the visiting Badgers after getting their first Big Ten win against Illinois.

This game should prove to be pivotal in the Leaders Division of the Big Ten, as more than likely the winner of this contest will control their own destiny. Much has been made about the play of the quarterbacks in this game, as Wisconsin's Russell Wilson has been mentioned for heisman, while true freshman Braxton Miller has been going through growing pains for Ohio State.

This game, like the USC-Stanford game, will come down to who can more effectively run the ball and stop the run. However, if Ohio State gets down big early, the running game may not matter.

Prediction: The week off has benefited Ohio State and the Buckeyes' passing game sufficiently that they walk out of the Horseshoe with the upset, 27-21.

Colorado at 21 Airzona State: Sun Devils become latest team to induct Colorado into Pac-12. Arizona State 35, Colorado 14

5Clemson at Georgia Tech: If Paul Johnson hasn't learned by now, let me say it again: you don't win against passing teams by running the ball. Clemson, 45-24.

Iowa State at 20 Texas Tech: Cyclones aren't Oklahoma. Red Raiders by at least 21

Ole Miss at 23 Auburn: Upset alert number two: Auburn gets thrown back to the reality that they really could have used Cam Newton. Ole Miss 23, Auburn 20

Baylor at 3Oklahoma State: RG3 puts on another impressive performance, making it tougher for Heisman voters to decide on a clear favorite. The bad news, Bears fan, is that the guy playing quarterback for OK State is pretty darn good too. Oklahoma State 49- Baylor 38

Illinois at 19 Penn State: How in the world is Penn State ranked? Well, I guess if the Illini can't handle Purdue in West Lafayette, I shouldn't expect much of them against the Nittany Lions in Happy Valley. PSU 25-13.