3rd and Goal
We are presenting a new name for the weekly preview section of the NCAA games for the week. Let’s get things going.
1. #11 Michigan is going to take on one of their most hated rivals, #23 Michigan State. Michigan comes in with the 7th best rushing attack in the land. Denard Robinson is a threat to score any time he touches the ball. I have admired how Hoke has let Robinson play his game instead of making him line up under center. He is just too dynamic to be handing the ball off to someone that does not have the skill set he has. He leads the team in rushing, but the young RB Fitzgerald Toussaint is a great compliment to Robinson. He had his first 100 yard rushing against Minnesota. Robinson has not, though, been as impressive throwing the ball. He reminds me of a Pat White from West Virginia, but Pat could throw the ball a lot better than Robinson at this point in his career. Michigan’s defense has been much improved as well under defensive coordinator Greg Mattison. They are holding their opponents to 12.5 points per game. Last year Michigan’s defense was atrocious. They couldn’t stop most middle school teams. But they definitely have their hands full with Michigan State’s offense. They have Cousins, Cunningham, Baker, and Bell. But which Cousins is going to show up? The one against Notre Dame was mediocre at best. And will Michigan State be able to stop the run? Statistically, Michigan St. has the #1 defense int the land. But I think that those numbers are a little inflated facing the teams that they have been playing. None of them put up great offensive numbers except Notre Dame; and you see the result of that game. They won’t be facing another lethargic team like they did against Ohio State. This team can run, move, and is well coached. I don’t think Sparty pulls this out. Not even at home. I have Michigan winning this game 24-17.
2. RGIII leads #20 Baylor into Kyle Field to take on #21 Texas A&M. RGIII has been ripping it all year long, and at one point had more TDs than incompletions. That stat is still unreal to me. He has thrown 19 TDs to 1 Int, 80.3% completions, and we are still talking about Andrew Luck in the lead for the Heisman? Why? Baylor has been a very big surprise not only in the Big XII, but in the country. His play continues to amaze Heisman watchers and a big game here against Texas A&M will definitely put him on the map. Baylor’s offense is ranked #3 in the country in yards per game at 563 ypg. They are just as big of a threat running the ball as passing the ball. Terrance Ganaway ran for 200 last week. Kendall Wright has 48 receptions this season for 690 yards and 8 tds. They are a very balanced team. What is their defense going to do against Texas A&M’s balance? They have playmakers as well. Ryan Swope has been playing better than one of the top NFL prospects in Jeff Fuller. Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael have been dynamic and A&M may just have 2 1000 yard rushers for the season. Tannehill is a dual threat as well. Texas A&M has been farting away leads in the first half; just because they may be up, doesn’t mean that they are going to win. I am going to pick Baylor over Texas A&M. Mentally I think that RGIII is better than Tannehill. Baylor takes care of the ball. Texas A&M in the second half is a turnover waiting to happen. 35-21.
3. The high flying and #6 ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys travel to Austin to take on the #22 Longhorns. Texas is licking its wounds after a dismantling by Oklahoma. I just think that they are again just over matched on both sides of the ball. I think that Ok St played their disappointing half against Texas A&M already. Texas and that young secondary combined with that passing attack with Weeden, Blackmon, and Cooper? It is a recipe for disaster. Ok St. is playing better defensively. The QB carousel continues in Texas and they have not decided on who is going to lead their team. They are heading dangerously down the path with the Sims and Applewhite era again, where you know there is one guy that should start, but playing both to ease the boosters. Quietly, Mack Brown is on the hot seat, because he is expected to win with the talent that is being recruited down in Texas. You can’t have top five recruiting classes every year, and not win. Blackmon had his streak broken of consecutive 100 yard receiving games last week. And you can’t just key in on him, because Cooper is just as dangerous. Weeden is tearing it up and completing 33 passes per game. You don’t really have to run the ball if you are as efficient as Ok St. is at throwing the ball. Texas’ defense is not up to the task of stopping Ok St’s offense. 42-20 Oklahoma St.
4. The game of the week will feature #18 Arizona State travels to Autzen Stadium to take on #9 Oregon. People wrote Oregon off after LSU dismantled them. They are still one of the best offensive teams in the country. LaMichael James has been outstanding over the past 3 games. He has averaged 244 yards a game over those games. But after the gruesome dislocation of his elbow in the California game in garbage time of the game has him in a questionable status of this game. No James puts Oregon at a disadvantage. Sensational freshman DeAnthony Thomas has been playing great and making an impact on the field with his speed and charisma. Kenjon Barner is going to have to step up and take some of the heat off of James and take some of those carries away from James while he is healing. And DeAnthony Thomas is going to have to shoulder more of a responsibility of the run game as well. Darron Thomas has not been as good throwing the ball this year, and he is going to have to be spot on this game. Arizona State quietly has one of the best LB corps in the country. Shelly Lyons, Colin Parker, and Vontaze Burfict are amongst the best LBs you’ve never heard of. They are fast, strong, and are excellent in pass coverage as well as stopping the run. Brock Osweiler and Aaron Pflugrad have a great connection and Oregon’s secondary with John Boyett and Cliff Harris will be tested. I think that Oregon has a slight advantage in this game, and I am picking them to win 45-30. Oregon is just too fast. That game will be won in the middle of the field. If LaMichael James can’t play, look for the upset.
Check out the Goal Line stand on Monday morning, reviewing all the games that we highlighted. Follow our mag @4thandInchesMag on twitter!
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