This week features some good games in both college and pro, including some teams who you may think, why are they even in here?
But, first, to get to the first thing many are wondering in the football world, why is Mike Vick starting in place of Kevin Kolb? The simple answer is that Vick has performed fairly well in his past six quarters of work and Vick gives the Eagles the best chance to win right now. Having said that, Vick will not be the long term solution at quarterback for the Eagles, and Kolb may or may not be either, as he only has one year left on his contract after this season, and next year the Eagles will probably use him exclusively and not bring back Vick because someone else will probably pay for his duties no matter what Vick has done in the past. Also, the reason why I say exclusively is because the Eagles will not use any "wildcat" formations with any other quarterbacks and it would shake Kolb's confidence even more. Kolb has done an admirable job of stating his desire to be out there, but will root for Vick and the Eagles to do well, just as he should and as Vick did as well.
My record from last week was: 4-1 college, and 3-2 in the pros, again not a bad effort, 7-3 overall. I found it to be funny that I did pick the correct score in the MIN-MIA game, just wrong team to win, picked MIN instead of MIA.
College
No. 1 Alabama at No. 11 Arkansas
This very well could be a statement game for Arkansas and a huge boost to Ryan Mallett's Heisman hopes if Arkansas wins this game at home. Also, folks are calling this a "trap" game for 'Bama as this is going to trip them up, I just cannot foresee that happening though. Mallett and Arkansas had trouble last week against a fairly mediocre Georgia team, and still had to get a last second touchdown to win it. Plus, 'Bama has a very stout defense who will blitz all day against a very immobile Mallett and force turnovers. Then, 'Bama just got back the reigning Heisman winner who rushed for over 100 yards in a little over a quarter. Granted it was against Duke, but impressive still. Arkansas fans prepare to be disappointed.
Prediction:Alabama 37, Arkansas 20
No. 15 South Carolina at No. 14 Auburn
Another titillating SEC game here. Both teams to me are still question marks, as I still don't fully trust Gene Chizik at the helm of Auburn and South Carolina can get off to lightning fast starts but sputter down the stretch. But, that said, South Carolina has some great weapons with Stephen Garcia being very mature in the pocket and not making too many mistakes. Then behind Garcia is Marcus Lattimore, a terrific young freshman running back who is going to be used more and more by Steve Spurrier, which is crazy as Spurrier loves to pass. Auburn on the other hand just got by against the other team from the Palmetto state Clemson and escaped with a victory, and South Carolina is the better team overall.
Prediction: South Carolina 24, Auburn 20
Oregon State at No. 3 Boise State
This is the last true test for the Broncos before they head into a fairly weak WAC schedule. Plus, it will give the folks at home a real chance to see them shine as it is the site for ESPN's college gameday and for ABC's Saturday Night Football. It may still leave some folks scratching their heads on this question though: why do they play on a blue field? The answer lies with Boise's A.D. who thought that this would be a quirk basically. Subsequently, as many have tuned in to watch Boise's games over the years, they may have noticed that Boise is now one of the top football programs in all of Division 1-A. Boise is ranked number three, and as long as it stays undefeated, there is hope that they could play in the national title game, which would prove to the nation how good they actually are. Oregon State comes in after a tough game against Louisville and will face a very good team, which can and probably will stop the Rodgers brothers, especially with all of the nation's eyes peering upon them.
Prediction: Boise State 42, Oregon State 20
No. 21 West Virginia at No. 12 LSU
West Virginia is the only team from the Big East to be ranked, that falls after this game, as they have to go into Death Valley for a night game. LSU's fans get so riled up that it forces many false start penalties and West Virginia hasn't faced a team of this caliber yet. Heck, they nearly lost to Marshall, which isn't good.
Prediction: LSU 31, West Virginia 13
Temple at No. 20 Penn State
You may ask yourself what the heck is Temple versus Penn State on this list? Simple, Temple is undefeated and going up against a not all that good Penn State team. Sure most years Temple is another school which takes it's $500k to get shellacked, but not this year, as Temple has a fighting chance, considering they beat Connecticut, a team once thought to be the sleeper team of the Big East. While Penn State really has not looked all that impressive against the likes of Youngstown State, a Division 1-AA team and Kent State, a much weaker team from the MAC. Penn State looked fairly decent outside of some big turnovers against Alabama, but that was also a lot adrenaline. Does this mean I'm going to pick Temple? No, but they do have a fighting chance against an inexperienced Penn State team.
Prediction: Penn State 30, Temple 21
Pro
Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay
Again, this is another game which features a team you may be thinking, what the heck are they doing on here? Well, it's because Tampa is 2-0, granted it was against the likes of Cleveland and a rebuilding Carolina team, but still 2-0 in the NFL says something. Then, there is Pittsburgh which few though they could go 2-2 in the absence of Ben Roethlisberger, and they are winning with their defense mainly. Pittsburgh's defense is back with a healthy Troy Polamalu and a dynamic James Harrison collecting sacks. Tampa has been using a balanced offensive scheme against their opponents and not putting second year man Josh Freeman into a lot of trouble. Then they have Cadillac Williams who has been solid on the ground thus far. But, Dick LeBeau will put a ton of blitzes on Freeman and cause him to throw many interceptions to Troy Polamalu and the rest of the Steeler defensive unit.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 21, Tampa 3
Dallas at Houston
Coming into this game without knowing anything you'd think that the team which was winless was Houston and the team undefeated was Dallas, well you'd be wrong as the roles are reversed and Houston is undefeated. Houston proved they could handle adversity against a decent Washington squad coming back from 17 points down to eventually win the game in overtime. They also proved they belong with the big boys by thoroughly pounding Indianapolis in week one. Now is time to prove themselves against the big boys again with Dallas coming into town. Dallas has not done much in their first two games, games in which they were big favorites coming into those games. Dallas has looked pathetic in their first two games and it will continue here in Houston.
Prediction: Houston 24, Dallas 13
Atlanta at New Orleans
New Orleans has looked somewhat shaky in their first two games, pulling both out by less than a touchdown margin. New Orleans also lost a key piece to its puzzle when they lost running back and punt returner Reggie Bush to a broken leg on Monday against San Francisco. Bush was an integral component to the New Orleans offense, as he may return a punt for a touchdown at any moment and he was versatile in that he could line up as a receiver or running back and could break one at any time. Atlanta has looked good in their first two games, the first a defensive struggle which they lost in overtime to the Steelers and an annhilation against Arizona. This will be the game which the Saints fall with Matt Ryan and Tony Gonzalez hooking up a lot.
Prediction: Atlanta 17, New Orleans 16
New York Jets at Miami
The Jets came back and won their first game last Sunday against a very good talented New England team, but then they have a big setback the next morning when they wake up to find not one, not two, but three key pieces were out and one of them was charged with DWI, which signals bad things for this game. Mark Sanchez cannot throw to Braylon Edwards, as he was the one charged with DWI and then Sanchez probably will not be protected by his Pro Bowl tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and then the Jets won't get much pressure on Chad Henne with Vernon Gholston out too. O, and Darelle Revis is also out with an ankle injury so Henne can throw all day to Brandon Marshall and make it easy.
Prediction: Miami 17, New York Jets 6
Green Bay at Chicago
Chicago has looked good in their first two games, granted it was against less than stellar competition with Dallas and Detroit. Dallas is overrated, but they still have a great amount of talent. Chicago got lucky with their first win with a technicality call. But, Jay Cutler has only thrown one interception this season thanks to help from his new offensive coordinator Mike Martz who seems to correct most quarterbacks mistakes. Rodgers and the Packers meanwhile have shown that they are an unstoppable force thus far, putting up 27 and 34 points respectively in their first two games. I see no reason why that will cease now. Plus, with Clay Matthews forcing Cutler into some bad throws it will be an easy victory for Green Bay.
Green Bay 35, Chicago 17
Check back next Thursday for another edition!
No comments:
Post a Comment