This week I went 3-1 on the games that we highlighted. Let’s recap those games.
1. #14 Texas A&M blows another halftime lead and loses to #18 Arkansas 42-38. Now last week, they played a high powered offense in Oklahoma State. I can see Oklahoma State putting up those kinds of numbers and points in one half. But in the second half against Arkansas, Texas A&M couldn’t stop a nosebleed. They have given up more second half yardage in the past 2 weeks than they have in the first 2 games of the season. Texas A&M gave up 510 yards passing to Tyler Wilson. They gave up 281 yards and 13 receptions to Jarius Wright, and yes you read that right. 281 yards receiving to one player. Mike Sherman is going to have to go back to the drawing board with this defense; loosing Von Miller was very big for them and they are going to have to generate a pass rush somehow. Texas A&M showed balance as they rushed for 381 yards and threw for 247 yards. Tannehill threw 0 tds and 1 int though. A&M has got to find a way to force turnovers and to keep turnovers from happening. They are a good ball club and were ranked high. Now everyone is off the bandwagon. Texas was unranked at the beginning of the season. After 4 games, Texas is 4-0 and is ranked #11 in the country. Texas A&M is 2-2 and ranked #25 in the country. Texas A&M could easily be 4-0 if they could’ve played a complete game and not think that they had won a game on the first half of play. 20-3 last week, 35-17 this week. You cannot go the SEC squandering big leads like that when you have teams beat. You will lose every week. I picked A&M to win this game. A&M is killing me!
2. #13 Clemson went to Blacksburg and proved to the world that they were for real, beating #11 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg 23-3. Dabo Swinney had his group ready to play, holding Tech to just 258 total yards of offense. Clemson forced 2 turnovers and was ready for David Wilson’s rushing efforts. He had 123 yards on 20 carries, but no end zone visits. Sammy Watkins was held in check this game, but dynamic TE and Mackey Award front runner Dwayne Allen picked up the slack catching a TD, continuing the streak that is now up to 3 games. Tajh Boyd is playing sensational football. He has thrown for 934 yards, 8TDs to only 1 interception over his past 3 games. Virginia Tech just could not get any rhythm at all. They stayed in 3rd and long situations the entire game and Logan Thomas just couldn’t sustain a drive to put points on the board. Clemson has a multiple running back look that they give teams. Freshman back Mike Bellamy broke a big run for 31 yards were he embarrassed a Tech player in the open field to seal the game. Ladies and Gentlemen, Dabo deserves an extension. Clemson has arrived
3. After the penalties the Florida Gators come out and attack Alabama’s aggressive defense and scores on the first play of the game. 7-0 Florida and you think here goes the challenge that the Crimson Tide hasn’t had all year long. Well then Trent Richardson and that Alabama offensive line came out and completely dominated Florida’s front seven. Alabama at that point takes over the games and outscores Florida 38-3. Florida loses at home in the swamp 38-10. Alabama’s defense is just simply better than the offenses they are facing. They frustrate teams with excellent LB play. And one of the best wasn’t even playing in CJ Mosely. Florida couldn’t muster up a ground game, going for 15 yards on 29 attempts. Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy combine for 34 carries and 213 yards. AJ McCarron did a good job not turning the ball over. Brantley did not. He missed Rainey on an out and tried to hit Burton underneath and gave Courtney Upshaw a pick six. You can’t expect to beat Alabama if you give them the chance to dominate the game. Courtney Upshaw was awesome this week and should easily be SEC Defensive Player of the Week. He had an outstanding game 4 tackles 3 for loss a sack and an Int for a TD. Also his sack on Brantley may have put a SERIOUS damper on Florida’s season as Brantley had his leg bend back under him and may have ended his season. Tough break for the Gators. Florida may have exploited the weakness of the Alabama defense, but they just didn’t have time to throw the ball very much with the game that Upshaw had. Look for Alabama to get their tune ups in against Vandy and Ole Miss before the big game against #1 LSU in Tuscaloosa. Usually this game decides the SEC. I picked this one, but I expected Florida to have a better showing.
4. Nebraska went into a hostile environment in Wisconsin and basically got the wheels taken off their new car as Wisconsin tore them a new one in this game. 48-17 Wisconsin. I think that now we can start paying attention to this Wisconsin team that shows a balance like no other team in the country; 255 passing 231 rushing. Montee Ball was great in this game rushing the ball 30 times for 151 yards and 4 TDs. Nebraska didn’t have an answer for him all game. Wisconsin did a great job forcing 3 turnovers and giving the ball back to their dominate offense. Russell Wilson has now put his name in the hat for the Heisman trophy. He has given Wisconsin a legitimate shot to win the Big Ten. It has been a while since Wisconsin has had a solid QB to go with the run game that they have always been able to support. I said coming into this game, Nebraska would have to play a lot better defense than they had been playing. Bo Pellini was obviously not happy with the effort that his team put out. He should really not be happy with the way the defense played. Whatever they tried to do, it just didn’t work. Nebraska is not a play from behind team. They can’t throw the ball very well. I picked Wisconsin in this game, 20-14. Seems that Wisconsin had different ideas
This week proved for some great football. Stay tuned to this season as 4th and Inches Magazine continues to bring you coverage!
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