Week 6 Preview

Last week we talked about how the declining SEC has left weeks seemingly not enticing to watch. This week is another great example of that: In years past who would have been ecstatic to get a week with LSU @ UF, Ole Miss @ Auburn, Alabama @ TAMU, Miami @ FSU, and Mich St @ Michigan. Along with 2 ranked battles (not among that list). This year, that list doesn’t really tickle me at all. Having said that this week still stinks, although there will be some good games and in hindsight the week will end up pretty good. Maybe a couple upsets.

Had a good bounce back week last week going 5-1 in the big games and 12-2 overall (big time wrong on the Tennessee upset…). On the season that brings the totals to 16-8 and 38-20. Now for this weeks games.

 

Louisville @ NC State

The key in this game is really going to be if the Louisville OL can hold off the NC St DL and give Lamar Jackson time to throw and space to run.  I think they will do a decent job and Lamar Jackson will have a big day against the porous NCSU pass defense. If this was neutral or at Louisville I would feel very good about this game, but on a Thursday at Carter-Finley. It’s a tough place to play at night. Usually an NC St team with a good OL/DL and efficient QB will win these games.  This feels different to me. I think Lamar puts himself back on top here, even though I think Finley will have a good day.

Louisville 31 – NC State 28

 

Miami @ FSU

Lot of love going around for Miami right now. Will this be the year they break the streak (FSU has won 7 in a row). In a lot of ways this game is very similar to last year. FSU was struggling and coming off some bad losses with the fan base questioning the team/coaches. Miami was top 10 and undefeated and the fan base was saying they were back. Very similar sentiments this year. I think the game will go very similar to last year. FSU will be able to run on Miami, as they have the last several years, and will be able to stop Miami’s rushing attack. The key to the game is going to be who makes the bigger plays in the passing game. With Richards and Walton not quite 100% for Miami (their 2 big skill players on offense) and FSU having more people to look too in that regard (despite Tate not being 100%) I think FSU will end up making more plays (and be the first time on the season they have done so). I think the streak continues, but barely.

FSU 27 – Miami 20

 

Alabama @ Texas A&M

Went back and forth between choosing this game or the LSU/UF game for the SEC this week. The dumpster fire that is LSU going to the Swamp, end up making the choice.  Texas A&M has played to this point better than we at SF expected so far this year. Unfortunately so has Alabama…by a LOT. Alabama should have little trouble running over TAMU like they have the last 2 weeks. I think the 12th man will end up keeping this game a bit closer than the last 2 weeks. But Bama still runs away with it.

Alabama 41 – TAMU 14

 

Michigan St @ Michigan

This looks to be an old school defensive battle. Both teams have been lackluster on offense and have been very good defensively. At least Defensively it looks like Michigan St has regained some of their swagger.  Michigan is slightly better on offense and better on defense. Added with the home field advantage this will be a defensive whooping (closer score than the game indicates).

Michigan 21 – Michigan St 13

 

West Virginia @ TCU

Some high-powered Big 12 offenses and really better than people think Defenses (although not good). Decently high scoring game here with TCU’s rushing offense being the big difference. WVU will have issues stopping TCU from rushing the ball. TCU pulls away at the end of the 4th quarter for a big win.

TCU 38 – WVU 31

 

Washington St @ Oregon

Washington St is coming off a HUGE win over USC, and now has to go to perhaps the toughest home field advantage in the Pac 12 and play a good Oregon team. I think the home field advantage and getting up for another game after a big win will be tough for Washington St. I think Oregon’s offense ends up being the difference in this game as well as the sheer intensity of what figures to be a raucous crowd in Oregon.

Oregon 35 – Washington St 31

 

SMU @ Houston

Struggled finding a Group of 5 game, so I chose State rivals of which both are decent teams. This looks like a prime spot for Chad Morris to get a big win after beating Houston last year at home. This could go a long way in helping SMU get bowl eligible (huge feat considering where they were 3 years ago). However after last year’s beat down and with home field advantage I think Houston wins a closely contest game here. Houston’s defense and Ed Oliver end up being the difference here.

Houston 35 – SMU 28

 

Other games:

Auburn over Ole Miss

LSU over UF

UNC over ND

Wisconsin over Neb

UCF over Cincinnati

Stanford over Utah

Washington over Cal

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