Texas Tech @ Missouri
When: 3:30 PM ET, ABC
Why You Should Care: Do you like fireworks? If you do, this game is exactly what you’re looking for. The Red Raiders of Texas Tech come into Columbia with the nation’s number one offense. The Tigers are fresh off of a loss to Oklahoma in a fairly well-played football game.
Texas Tech Will Win Because…: They’re Texas Tech and Missouri is Missouri. There’s a huge mismatch in this game and it’s the #1 passing offense going against the #100 pass defense. Missouri should get lit up pretty badly.
Missouri Will Win Because…: Missouri has a potent offense themselves. The Tigers are fifth in passing and scoring offense. The offensive line has done a great job protecting Chase Daniel and they should neutralize the Tech defensive front.
Keep an Eye on…: Michael Crabtree. If this kid has another monster game with the Missouri secondary not being able to cover him, it could spell trouble for Gary Pinkel.
Prediction: Texas Tech’s offense will be too much for Missouri. Missouri will score their points because the Red Raider defense still has a lot of work left to do. However, Missouri’s pass defense is very poor. Graham Harrell will have a field day. The homefield advantage will obviously work in Missouri’s favor and make this a close game. Texas Tech wins, 38-31.
Florida @ Kentucky
When: 3:30 PM ET, CBS
Why You Should Care: Is Kentucky a BCS threat? You bet, and they run into Florida, probably the most respected two-loss team in the nation. The Gators boast of their biggest weapon, Tim Tebow. Kentucky has a great QB as well in Andre Woodson. The QBs will be a lot of fun to see in this game.
Florida Will Win Because…: They know how to score points. Doubters of the spread’s ability to succeed in the SEC have been proven wrong. The biggest game highlighting that was the Florida/Tennessee matchup where the Gators scored 59 points! They can move the football with Tebow and Harvin, but the defense has been awesome especially against the run. Florida has the 15th ranked run defense. Special teams has also been one of Florida’s strengths.
Kentucky Will Win Because…: The Wildcats just beat LSU, why can’t they beat Florida? Defeating Florida could possibly make Kentucky a legitimate threat to play in New Orleans this season and not just for the Sugar Bowl. While Kentucky relies on the run a lot, they have an extremely talented passing game led by Andre Woodson. He and Dicky Lyons should present some problems for an average Florida secondary. Look for UK to rack up some yards.
Keep an Eye on…: Rafael Little. This RB is often the unsung star of the Kentucky football team. He never receives a lot of credit, but he’s probably just as important as an Andre Woodson. If he can get rolling against the very tough Florida run defense, they should be in a position to win the game.
Prediction: Kentucky won’t be able to play up to its ability coming off of an emotionally draining defeat. Florida on the other hand has had a week to prepare and they’re probably fuming after blowing two consecutive late leads. Tim Tebow will make a few plays and the Gator D should come up with one or two more stops that decide the game. Florida wins, 31-21.
Cal @ UCLA
When: 3:30 PM ET, ABC
Why You Should Care: Man, did anybody see that debacle at the end of the Cal/Oregon State game? Riley must be feeling it. But UCLA has a good chance to play spoiler to Cal’s hopes of a BCS bid on Saturday. The Bruins have been a bit shaky of late. They’ve got to be kicking themselves for not being 6-0 at this point with two very, very bad losses to Utah and Notre Dame.
Cal Will Win Because…: Now that Riley has a game under his belt, he should man the offense better. He was actually pretty decent against Oregon State and he won’t have much of a problem going against UCLA’s pass defense. The Bruins rarely get after the QB and they don’t cover very well in the secondary. Cal’s pass defense is struggling, but they shouldn’t have much of a problem against a passing game that can sometimes be anemic.
UCLA Will Win Because…: They might be able to make Cal one-dimensional. Right now, UCLA is 10th against the run and Jeff Tedford will make sure to not put that much pressure on Kevin Riley so he can be as effective as possible. If Justin Forsett can’t get going, Cal could be in trouble.
Keep an Eye on…: Bruce Davis. Davis is a great pass rusher, but he’ll need to come up big against Cal’s ground game this week. Keeping Forsett from beating them is crucial.
Prediction: This has the potential to be a very entertaining football game. If UCLA was playing at Strawberry Canyon, I wouldn’t be so sure. But because it is in the Rose Bowl, they might feed off of the home crowd. The offense really needs to come up for UCLA. That will be the difference in a Cal victory, 30-24.
Miami @ Florida State
When: 3:30 PM ET, ABC
Why You Should Care: Has this rivalry game been devalued or what? Miami has lost two in a row to North Carolina and Georgia Tech. Florida State just lost to Wake Forest last Thursday. This is a huge bounce back game for each team.
Miami Will Win Because…: Florida State’s offense is the definition of inept. The blocking has been pretty sad lately, not giving Antone Smith any help. Xavier Lee was supposed to be the answer at QB, but he wasn’t very good against the Demon Deacons. Miami has a stout defense that FSU won’t have too much success doing anything against.
Florida State Will Win Because…: Say what you want about FSU’s offense, but the defense is really sound. They tackle as well as anybody in the country and outside of an opening day, first half gaffe against Clemson, these guys have been awesome. Miami is 95th in total offense right now, not promising at all.
Keep an Eye on…: Geno Hayes. If you’re not a fan of good defense, watch this guy and you should become one. He is probably the best defensive player on the FSU roster and facing Miami will be a breeze for him.
Prediction: Florida State’s defense should come through and be good enough for the win. This is a case of two very good defensive teams being pit against two very poor offensive teams. The winner will probably score in the low 20’s. Miami might have some success against Florida State’s pass defense which isn’t that great, but playing at the Doak should push FSU onwards to victory. Florida State wins, 21-17.
Auburn @ LSU
When: 9:00 PM ET, ESPN
Why You Should Care: Even though Auburn has looked less-than-impressive starting out the season with losses to USF and Mississippi State, they have stormed back by upsetting Florida and trouncing a decent Vanderbilt team. They also prevailed in a defensive slugfest against Arkansas, winning 9-7. Now, in comes LSU. The Tigers just got stunned by an upstart Kentucky team. This game will have a huge effect on the SEC West.
Auburn Will Win Because…: Auburn has one of the best defenses in the nation by far. With the opponents they have faced, being ranked 28th against the run is a misnomer. When you play Kansas State, USF, Florida, and Arkansas, the rankings on defense the way they are make it all that much more impressive.
LSU Will Win Because…: Auburn’s offense is a joke. They’ve played one game well offensively and that was the drubbing of Vanderbilt and the New Mexico State game. Outside of that, they have just absolutely stunk. LSU also happens to have one of the better defenses in the country and keeping Auburn beneath the 20-point mark should be no difficult task.
Keep an Eye on…: Glen Dorsey. With all of the hype given to offensive athletes, Dorsey is the one defensive player that has actually received some Heisman consideration. It’s well-deserved. The guy is a playmaker and even though Auburn has fixed some offensive line holes with some freshman, his presence and penetration could change the outcome of this game.
Prediction: Auburn doesn’t have nearly enough offense to win. LSU’s offense isn’t that fantastic either, but they do have the better of the two defenses. Look for the Tigers to win the turnover battle and come up with some huge stops. The offense will do it’s part in a squeaker where Auburn’s defense plays out of its mind. LSU wins, 17-13.
You can read more of Eric’s stuff at the blog, Saturday Sound Offs.
