Weekend Kickoff (Week 11)

Games of the Week

Season Record (34-16)

#2 Oregon Ducks at #6 Stanford Cardinal
This might as well called the Pac 12 Title Game.  These two teams are clearly the best teams in the conference and the winner clinches the Pac 12 North and should beat UCLA again.  Stanford has had Oregon's number the past few years, but this is a much different Oregon team.  Mariota has the offense better than last year and the Ducks defense is much improved.  I don't think this is a blowout, but I don't see it being close.
Prediction:  Oregon 40 Stanford 31

#12 Oklahoma Sooners at #5 Baylor Bears
Another huge game and it's too bad it has to share the same night as the Oregon and Stanford game.  Baylor wants to prove they are legit while the Sooners want to prove that they are still the team to beat.  Oklahoma will bring in the Big 12's best defense, but will they have enough to slow down the out of this world Baylor team?  I do see Oklahoma slowing down the Bears to an extent, but still don't have the offense to get the win.  Baylor wins and keeps their momentum going.
Prediction:  Oklahoma 34 Baylor 41

#9 LSU Tigers at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide
How often does a high profile SEC game get pushed down to being the third best game of the week?  If Alabama is going to lose in the regular season, it's probably going to be here.  The past two years they've dropped a game at home.  LSU has the defense capable of shutting down the Tide's power running game.  But the game will come down to LSU QB Zach Mettenberger putting up points on the Crimson Tide defense.  I see Alabama getting to Mettenberger and forcing him to make some poor decisions.  I think the streak of home losses ends this year.
Prediction:  LSU 10 Alabama 14

#22 BYU Cougars at #20 Wisconsin Badgers
This is a rare game for Wisconsin.  Not only are they playing a late non-conference game, but they usually play pretty weak teams.  Not the case here as BYU is playing like one of the best teams in the nation.  If your an old school fan who loves watching rushing attacks, your going to love this game.  Both teams bring top 15 rushing attacks.  Wisconsin brings the #5 scoring defense to the game which should help to slow down the Cougars and continue the Badgers winning streak.
Prediction:  BYU 20 Wisconsin 27

Houston Cougars at #16 Central Florida Knights

I could have easily picked VaTech vs Miami, but this game is more interesting to me.  You have a Houston team that went from a potential BCS Buster to a seven loss season and then now back to contending for a conference title game.  Central Florida has shot up the rankings after big wins against Penn State and Louisville.  Both teams are undefeated in American Conference play. I trust Central Florida and QB Blake Bortels here, but Houston's offense will give the Knights fits and keep this close.
Prediction:  Houston 31  UCF 34

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Match up to Watch



LSU QB Zach Mettenberger vs Alabama Secondary

Profiles

After a disappoint 2012 season, Mettenberger has really bounced back this year and a lot of that can be traced to new offensive coordinator Cam Cameron.  Mettenberger has a lot of the tools that teams covet out of a passer.  He has the ideal size standing 6'5 and weight around 225 pounds he can see down the field and take hits that come with the position.  Mettenberger's biggest strength is going to be his arm strength.  Mettenberger has a cannon.  He can rifle the ball down the field in the vertical game or throw the deep out on a rope.  He's pretty accurate, but could stand to improve.  The downsides of Mettenberger is that he's a statue.  He can't move in the pocket and if he get's any pressure he's in trouble.  Add in that he struggles with his pocket awareness and it leads to a lot of unnecessary sacks.

Vinny Sunseri, Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix, Landon Collins, Deion Belue, and John Fulton make up the Alabama secondary that is considered to be the best in the land.  Now Belue and Fulton don't have the talent of former first round picks Dre Kirkpatrick, Dee Milliner, or Kareem Jackson, but they are not slouches.  Belue is a good athlete and will look to make plays, where as Fulton plays with the physicality that we normally see out of Saban's cornerbacks.  Now the real strength of the secondary is their safeties.  Clinton-Dix is their top player who is very good in coverage because of good speed an instincts.  Sunseri is very savvy safety who is always in the right place at the right time.  The final member Landon Collins is the third safety, but is so good that they get him on the field as much as possible.  The sophomore safety is a lot like Clinton-Dix in that he can do it all and has a knack for making plays.

Outlook
Let's face it, LSU is still a running team and that will be their focus.  But if LSU wants to win this game they are going to need a big game out of their quarterback.  But that will be tough because this is a dynamic group that is experienced and talented across the board.  Mettenberger has the arm to be successful, but he's struggled to read defenses in the past and the Tide will give him different looks on every play and try to confuse Mettenberger.

With Clinton-Dix back in the fold after the suspension he will have a big impact with is ability to play in coverage and don't be expected if he or Landon Collins get a couple of interceptions.  I see Alabama crew giving Mettenberger fits all night long.