Games to Watch
Season Record (7-3)
#1 Alabama Crimson Tide at #9 Texas A&M Aggies
This is clearly the game of the week and might end up being the top game of the regular season. This game not only could decide who wins the SEC West, but could also be considered a playoff game to get to the National Title. Last year A&M shocked many by upsetting the Tide in Tuscaloosa and now the game is in College Station. Can Johnny Manziel replicate last years game, or will he be too worried about trash talking. How will he do when Alabama has had an extra week to get ready? This should be an exciting back and forth game, but I wouldn't be shocked if it's a blowout.
Prediction: Alabama 24 Texas A&M 20
#12 UCLA Bruins at #16 Nebraska Cornhuskers
This could be a statement game for both teams. UCLA is looking to get back to the Pac 12 Title Game and assert themselves as the third best team in the conference behind Stanford and Oregon. While the Huskers are looking to prove that their first game struggles against Wyoming were a one game abnormality. The key to this game will be whether the Huskers can slow down the Bruin offense, most notably QB Brett Hundley. But also watch how the Husker offense does. They haven't looked as crisp this year, and will have to deal with LB Anthony Barr's passing rushing skills. Can the Bruins overcome the early 11:00 CST start or will their offense be too much for the young Huskers to handle?
Prediction: UCLA 24 Nebraska 27
#19 Wisconsin Badgers at Arizona State Sun Devils
This game will be a battle of two teams looking to break through. Wisconsin didn't have high expectations going into this season after losing key players and getting a new coach. Arizona State was kinda a mystery with Todd Grantham starting year two with several key players back. But through two games the Badgers look like their teams of old and Arizona State looks like a team that will challenge UCLA for the South Division. We know Arizona State can score, but can they stop the Badgers power running game? So far Wisconsin has looked like Badger teams of old, but don't be surprised if they throw a few wrinkles from his experience running a spread offense.
Predictions: Wisconsin 34 Arizona State 31
TCU Horned Frogs at Texas Tech Red Raiders
I really like what the Big 12 and SEC are doing when it comes to scheduling conference games early in the season. We get a good example of that here with TCU vs Texas Tech. This is also a big game for both teams. TCU is looking to bounce back from their opening season loss to LSU. A win will get them back on track and a leg up in the Big 12 Standings. Texas Tech is looking to prove that they belong, but hasn't been tested yet. They key to this game will be how Tech freshman QB Bake Mayfield against a good Horned Frog defense. Can they rattle the freshman? Or will he get the upper hand? If TCU can slow down the Red Raiders, can they score enough points with Trevone Boykin at QB?
Prediction: TCU 20 Texas Tech 31
Mississippi Rebels at Texas Longhorns
This will be a game to watch very closely. Mississippi is on the rise. Last year they won seven games in Hugh Freeze's first year and are already off to a 2-0 start. Are they for real? Or just played a good game against Vandy? Texas on the other hand is in all sorts of chaos. They gave up 679 yards to BYU and then fired their defensive coordinator. They were ravaged by BYU's zone read and now have to face a Rebel team that runs it even better. Was that BYU game an abnormality or a sign of things to come? Plus how do the Longhorns replace starting QB David Ash? Will they fall apart, or come together and get a big win at home?
Prediction: Mississippi 40 Texas 21
Keep and Eye On
Utah Utes
Everybody thinks Boise State was the original BCS Buster when they took down Oklahoma in the Fiesta Bowl, but in all reality it was Utah (lead by Urban Meyer) who beat Pittsburgh in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. They went on to be along with Boise State, one of the best Non-AQ programs in the nation. They went to one more BCS Game when they beat Alabama in the 2009 Sugar Bowl. With all the success that they had, the Pac 10 invited them (along with Colorado) to join the newly renamed Pac 12. Their first two years in the Pac 12 have been anything but forgettable, winning only 13 games in two years.For Utah fans their pain may be coming to an end. Through two games this year Utah looks like a completely different team. They beat in state rival Utah State when most had them losing and then cleaned up on Weber State 70-7 like they should have. The key has been QB Travis Wilson. Wilson has completed 66% of his passes and his development and breathed life back into this offense. Now that could go out the window not that the Pac 12 conference play is starting, but all indications point to a bowl appearance and they could be a dark horse in the South Division.
Coaching Carousel
Texas and USC have a lot in common. Mainly both are two of the top programs in college football and have a lot of historical success. But another thing they have in common is both programs suffered embarrassing losses that really question whether their head coaches will be leading them next year. If that is the case (most likely) it could send the coaching carousel into total overdrive and affect ever single conference.
TexasEver since Texas lost to Alabama in the National Title Game they've been in a tailspin since. This year they brought back an experienced team and were favored to win the Big 12.
They went into their game against BYU favored. However they laid a giant egg and not only lost to the Cougars, but gave 679 yards. That poor defensive play lead to Mack Brown panicking and firing defensive coordinator Manny Diaz and hiring Greg Robinson (who hasn't coached in two years) to take over. This move shows that Brown knows that the pressure is on and he needed to do something to salvage the season. The problem is that this could make matters even worse.
Look for Texas to struggle and Mack to either step down or be fired. Thus opening up arguably the top job in college football. It will definitely be interesting to see where they go with their next hire. Kevin Sumlin could be a hot name, or maybe they steal Will Muschamp away from Florida. But I'll keep my eye on Art Briles whose done wonders at Baylor with less talent and backing.
USCKiffin was a controversial hire mainly because he really hadn't had any success as a head coach and he was on staff when NCAA violations occurred at USC. However under NCAA probation Kiffin lead the Trojans to a 10-2 record in 2011 and were preseason #1 in the 2012 year. However that is where the tires fell off. USC struggled through most of the year and ended up with only seven wins. With the AD that hired him gone, Kiffin was clearly on the hot seat.
Then came the Washington State game. It was bad enough that they lost to Washington State at home, but to only score seven points is even worse. Remember that Kiffin is suppose to be an offensive guru. The fact that he can't develop one of the quarterbacks is astonishing. Heck they didn't even attempt a pass more than eight yards down field. Even All American WR MarQise Lee has only 131 yards receiving through their first two games.
This season doesn't look too promising for the Trojans and that likely means Kiffin is out. Look for current AD Pat Haden to put a full court press out to find the "right" head coach. Could that mean finally plucking Chris Peterson away from Boise State? Or will they go another direction?
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