Support NeoGAF

[bluemax]

In a span of 3 weeks Stanford has been on both ends of a field rushing. I wonder how often that happens?

There are 5 matchups between two top 25 teams this week! I am going to preview them for you:

#4 LSU at #10 Florida
Offense Per Game: LSU 47th 432.8 ypg Florida 60th 407.5 ypg
Defense Per Game: LSU 4th 217.80 ypg Florida 17th 305.0 ypg
Scoring Offense: LSU 29th 39.0 ppg Florida 50th 30.5 ppg
Scoring Defense: LSU 9th 12.6 ppg Florida 10th 12.75 ppg
Thoughts: Neither of these teams brings much in terms of offense and both have very questionable QBs. The defenses are also quite good, if a tad over rated thanks to low level of competition so far. Florida is marginally better so far at forcing turnovers which could be a key factor in their favor.

#5 Georgia at #6 South Carolina
Offense Per Game: Georgia 11th 536.0 ypg South Carolina 49th 409.0 ypg
Defense Per Game: Georiga 55th 370.2 ypg South Carolina 13th 288.8 ypg
Scoring Offense: Georgia 8th 48.2 ppg South Carolina 33rd 36.6 ppg
Scoring Defense: Georgia 46th 22.0 ppg South Carolina 11th 11.2 ppg
Thoughts: South Carolina fits the stereotypical low offense high defense profile, but Georgia flips the scripts by being all offense and just enough defense. Both teams struggled last week, and who you favor in this one really comes down to what style of football you think is superior.

#8 West Virginia at #11 Texas
Offense Per Game: WVU 3rd 598.5 ypg Texas 23rd 495.75 ypg
Defense Per Game: WVU 106th 474.0 ypg Texas 63rd 390.25 ypg
Scoring Offense: WVU 3rd 53.0 ppg Texas 9th 47.25 ppg
Scoring Defense: WVU 93rd 32.5 ppg Texas 40th 21.0 ppg
Thoughts: Those West Virginia defensive numbers are, not pretty, to say the least. Texas isn't SEC caliber by any means, but if they can manage even a few stops they'll be ahead of most teams WVU has played. Of course the other question is if the Texas offense is as good as the numbers would suggest. Anywho this is the game to watch for those who want the polar opposite of Florida/LSU.

#23 Washington at #2 Oregon
Offense Per Game: UW 106th 313.25 ypg Oregon 7th 550.6 ypg
Defense Per Game: UW 21st 315.0 ypg Oregon 52nd 361.2 ypg
Scoring Offense: UW 91st 23.25 ppg Oregon 4th 52.405 ppg
Scoring Defense: UW 32nd 19.75 ppg Oregon 33rd 19.80 ppg
Thoughts: I had no idea the Husky offense was so bad. The only Pac 12 offense scoring less is Colorado. I suppose a lot of that can be attributed to being shut down hardcore by LSU, but still! They've scored 48 points against 3 division 1 teams! Oregon scores that many points in a half! The Husky defense has definitely improved, but they're going to need a herculean effort to shut down the Ducks.

#21 Nebraska at #12 Ohio State
Offense Per Game: Nebraska 13th 521.4 ypg Ohio State 54th 418.2 ypg
Defense Per Game: Nebraska 35th 340.8 ypg Ohio State 57th 376.4 ypg
Scoring Offense: Nebraska 10th 44.8 ppg Ohio State 43rd 33.6 ppg
Scoring Defense: Nebraska 36th 20.6 ppg Ohio State 25th 17.00 ppg
Thoughts: Nebraska is seemingly statistically better than Ohio State in almost every way. So why are the Buckeyes undefeated and the 12th ranked team in the country? Turnovers. Ohio State is +2 on the season and Nebraska is -3. That's one of the main ways they've managed to keep scores in their favor despite not having the world's greatest defense. Nebraska turned it over twice against ucla and was -1 on the day, and again was -1 with two turnovers against Wisconsin. If the Buckeyes can force some early mistakes against the Cornhuskers they should rule the day.

Heisman Pundit watch list

The HeismanPundit/CBSSports Heisman Straw Poll
1. Geno Smith QB WVU
2. EJ Manuel QB FSU
3. Aaron Murray QB Georgia
4. Collin Klein QB Kansas State
5. De'Anthony Thomas AP Oregon
6. David Ash QB Texas

Polls

1 Alabama (60) 5-0 1500
2 Oregon 5-0 1430
3 Florida State 5-0 1349
4 LSU 5-0 1310
5 Georgia 5-0 1252
6 South Carolina 5-0 1152
7 Kansas State 4-0 1123
8 West Virginia 4-0 1066
9 Notre Dame 4-0 1043
10 Florida 4-0 937
11 Texas 4-0 932
12 Ohio State 5-0 793
13 USC 3-1 703
14 Oregon State 3-0 647
15 Clemson 4-1 608
15 TCU 4-0 608
17 Oklahoma 2-1 581
18 Stanford 3-1 509
19 Louisville 5-0 404
20 Mississippi State 4-0 306
21 Nebraska 4-1 240
22 Rutgers 4-0 160
23 Washington 3-1 159
24 Northwestern 5-0 143
25 UCLA 4-1 122

1 Alabama (57) 5-0 1472
2 Oregon 5-0 1403
3 LSU (1) 5-0 1327
4 Florida State (1) 5-0 1301
5 Georgia 5-0 1227
6 South Carolina 5-0 1161
7 West Virginia 4-0 1137
8 Kansas State 4-0 1050
9 Texas 4-0 981
10 Notre Dame 4-0 915
11 Florida 4-0 883
12 USC 3-1 784
13 TCU 4-0 749
14 Oklahoma 2-1 684
15 Clemson 4-1 626
16 Louisville 5-0 524
17 Oregon State 3-0 453
18 Stanford 3-1 452
19 Mississippi State 4-0 422
20 Nebraska 4-1 415
21 Rutgers 4-0 206
22 Northwestern 5-0 202
23 Cincinnati 3-0 175
24 Texas Tech 4-0 108
25 Boise State 3-1 83

Schedule

Thursday, October 4
7:30 PM Arkansas State at Florida International
8:00 PM East Carolina at UCF
9:00 PM No. 13 USC at Utah

Friday, October 5
7:00 PM Pittsburgh at Syracuse
10:15 PM Utah State at Brigham Young

Saturday, October 6
11:30 AM Navy at Air Force
12:00 PM Kansas at No. 7 Kansas State
12:00 PM No. 20 Mississippi State at Kentucky
12:00 PM Connecticut at No. 22 Rutgers
12:00 PM No. 24 Northwestern at Penn State
12:00 PM Arkansas at Auburn
12:00 PM Michigan State at Indiana
12:00 PM Buffalo at Ohio
12:00 PM South Florida at Temple
12:00 PM Boston College at Army
12:00 PM Boise State at Southern Miss
12:30 PM Virginia Tech at North Carolina
1:00 PM Kent State at Eastern Michigan
2:00 PM Bowling Green at Akron
2:00 PM Massachusetts at Western Michigan
3:00 PM Arizona at No. 18 Stanford
3:00 PM Southeastern Louisiana at UAB
3:00 PM Virginia at Duke
3:00 PM Northern Illinois at Ball State
3:00 PM Central Michigan at Toledo
3:30 PM No. 4 LSU at No. 10 Florida
3:30 PM Georgia Tech at No. 15 Clemson
3:30 PM Iowa State at No. 15 TCU
3:30 PM No. 17 Oklahoma at Texas Tech
3:30 PM Wake Forest at Maryland
3:30 PM Illinois at Wisconsin
3:30 PM Tulsa at Marshall
3:30 PM Louisiana-Monroe at Middle Tennessee
4:00 PM Michigan at Purdue
5:00 PM New Mexico State at Idaho
5:00 PM Tulane at Louisiana-Lafayette
6:00 PM Washington State at No. 14 Oregon State
6:00 PM Texas State at New Mexico
7:00 PM No. 5 Georgia at No. 6 South Carolina
7:00 PM No. 8 West Virginia at No. 11 Texas
7:00 PM Fresno State at Colorado State
7:00 PM Vanderbilt at Missouri
7:00 PM Texas A&M at Ole Miss
7:00 PM Rice at Memphis
7:00 PM North Texas at Houston
7:00 PM Miami (OH) at Cincinnati
7:00 PM UNLV at Louisiana Tech
7:05 PM Wyoming at Nevada
7:30 PM Miami (FL) at No. 9 Notre Dame
8:00 PM No. 3 Florida State at North Carolina State
8:00 PM No. 21 Nebraska at No. 12 Ohio State
8:00 PM Hawaii at San Diego State
8:00 PM Southern Methodist at UTEP
10:00 PM No. 25 UCLA at California
10:30 PM No. 23 Washington at No. 2 Oregon

Pick 'Em!

GAF Pick'em Week 6
*all games Saturday unless otherwise marked

(FRI) Pittsburgh @ Syracuse by X
Arkansas @ Auburn by X
Northwestern @ Penn State by X
Arizona @ Stanford by X
Virginia @ Duke by X
LSU @ Florida by X
Oklahoma @ Texas Tech by X
Michigan @ Purdue by X
Georgia @ South Carolina by X
West Virginia @ Texas by X
Miami @ Notre Dame by X
Florida State @ NC State by X
Nebraska @ Ohio State by X
UCLA @ California by X
Washington @ Oregon by X

Your WAAAAAAAY too early BCS Bowl Outlook:

MNC: Alabama vs Oregon
Rose Bowl: USC vs Nebraska (thanks JT!)
Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State vs Notre Dame/West Virginia
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs West Virginia/Notre Dame
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs Louisville

(I could be wrong on this, I know the order is Fiesta, Sugar, Orange this year)

 

[Chris R]

Geno has it locked up as long as he doesn't have a 5 INT day or something.

 

[Cyan]

There are 4 matchups between two top 25 teams this week!

Does it really count if it's between two SEC teams?

 

[cashman]

Ash for heisman

PS: in the Fiesta, K state would surely be playing Notre Dame since two teams from the same conference can't play each other in a bowl game


PSS:

Spoiler

fuck you saban

 

[diehard]

Utah State vs. BYU should be a good game on friday...

 

[Alligatorjandro]

Go Gators

I think they beat LSU this week.

 

[Cyan]

MNC: Alabama vs Oregon
Rose Bowl: USC vs Nebraska (thanks JT!)
Fiesta Bowl: Kansas State vs Notre Dame/West Virginia
Sugar Bowl: LSU vs West Virginia/Notre Dame
Orange Bowl: Florida State vs Louisville

Wait, isn't WVa in the Big XII now?

 

[ElectricBlue187]

Go Gators

I think they beat LSU this week.

hmmmm I sincerely hope not though I suspect you may be right

 

[Cyan]

Go Gata

I think they beat LSU this week.

Quite possibly. LSU has looked pretty bad the last couple of weeks.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

I may come to regret this post later, but I'm glad that I finally feel like we have a shot at LSU.

I will probably be disappointed because LSU will decide to actually play up to their talent this week, but we shall see. I don't disagree that turnovers will likely play a key role.

 

[zyxwvu4321]

Wait, isn't WVa in the Big XII now?

Yeah. So if WVU and KSU are both in the BCS, they definitely wouldn't play each other.

Unless it's in the championship game. BIGXIIBIGXIIBIGXII.

 

[GoldenEye 007]

Hopefully UCF doesn't derp it up against ECU like they did against Mizzou yesterday.

 

[Deleted member 8095]

I'll be down in Corvallis for the Oregon State game. I'm looking forward to it and if we can play the whole game like we did the 1st half against Oregon I think we have a shot at a win. O-line is going to have to really step up though.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Does it really count if it's between two SEC teams?

It's not every weekend we have two Game of the Century in one week.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

Heh, Florida has the current 3, 4, 5, and 6 ranked teams upcoming on their schedule. And if they win out they are likely to have to play the 1 team as well. And if Oregon were to win out(also unlikely) they would also face the 2 team in the MNC.

I'm not saying that will happen, just thought it was cool. Also, even factoring in the SEC overrated factor, that is a hell of a schedule.

 

[mre]

Does it really count if it's between two SEC teams?

Wait, I thought we decided that was all that counted?

 

[bluemax]

Wait, isn't WVa in the Big XII now?

Derp you're right. I originally just had KState vs ND for the Fiesta which makes more sense.

Does it really count if it's between two SEC teams?

Considering there are 5 games between top 25 teams clearly someone doesn't count!

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Heh, Florida has the current 3, 4, 5, and 6 ranked teams upcoming on their schedule.

And I think at least 3 of them are overrated.

 

[clav]

Northwestern football has a history of losing games when ranked in the top 25.

We'll see what happens on Saturday.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

I take it back about Oregon. I still think they stumble and lose 1 or 2, but I could actually see them pulling it off. With a young QB, though, who knows.

And I think at least 3 of them are overrated.

Who isn't at this point in the year? I am an advocate of the no rankings before week 6 or so philosophy.

 

[bluemax]

Heh, Florida has the current 3, 4, 5, and 6 ranked teams upcoming on their schedule. And if they win out they are likely to have to play the 1 team as well. And if Oregon were to win out(also unlikely) they would also face the 2 team in the MNC.

I'm not saying that will happen, just thought it was cool. Also, even factoring in the SEC overrated factor, that is a hell of a schedule.

Noted Pac 12 homer Jeff Sagarin has Florida with the second toughest schedule of teams in his current top 10. Notre Dame still has the toughest. FSU, LSU and Oregon the weakest.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

Yeah, I don't know about first overall, but I can't shit on Notre Dame for their scheduling too much this year. Even though the B1G is fucking terrible and makes up a quarter of that schedule.

 

[killertofu]

Dear God, I hope we beat LSU. Would be a pretty good 22nd birthday, me thinks.

 

[bluemax]

Yeah, I don't know about first overall, but I can't shit on Notre Dame for their scheduling too much this year. Even though the B1G is fucking terrible and makes up a quarter of that schedule.

Well he only has ND as having the 17th toughest schedule in the country.

The 10 toughest are:

Auburn
Oregon State
Missouri
Vanderbilt
UAB
SMU
California
Kentucky
Michigan
Arkansas

 

[SerArthurDayne]

Northwestern football has a history of losing games when ranked in the top 25.

We'll see what happens on Saturday.

Yeah, that one time. Just before WWII.

I kid. Somewhat.

Well he only has ND as having the 17th toughest schedule in the country.

The 10 toughest are:

Auburn
Oregon State
Missouri
Vanderbilt
UAB
SMU
California
Kentucky
Michigan
Arkansas

Yeah, I missed a few words in your previous post. But at least Auburn, Vandy, UAB, SMU, Kentucky, and Arkansas are doing everything in their power to bring down their opponents SoS.

 

[bachikarn]

It kind of blows my mind that USC has to play on a Thursday.

 

[Karl2177]

If TCU plays like they did against SMU, it should be a good week for us.

 

[bluemax]

It kind of blows my mind that USC has to play on a Thursday.

Last time I remember playing on a Thursday was when we lost to Oregon State thanks to Mark Sanchez and Fumbles McKnight.

 

[perfectchaos007]

If TCU plays like they did against SMU, it should be a good week for us.

I'm already regretting picking TCU as Big12 champs. In fact, I predict they will squeak by Iowa State at home this week, then lose 5 out of their last 7 games.

 

[ChanDangle]

Got tickets to the Florida-LSU game, hopefully we can pull off a W. Go Gators!

 

[cdyhybrid]

Last time I remember playing on a Thursday was when we lost to Oregon State thanks to Mark Sanchez and Fumbles McKnight.

I think you mean shutdown corner Joe McKnight.

P.S.

 

[bluemax]

I think you mean shutdown corner Joe McKnight.

P.S.

I was pretty entertained reading his comments after they made him switch. What a waste of talent that guy is.

 

[SerArthurDayne]

Heh, I had no idea about that move.

Hey, Joe. You have all the athletic gifts you need to succeed, but you just suck. How about we just start over and try something else?

 

[MightyHealthy]

What's the story behind this? Is it some kind of expression, or is he just weird?

 

[bluemax]

What's the story behind this? Is it some kind of expression, or is he just weird?

It's a nervous tick I believe.

 

[cdyhybrid]

What's the story behind this? Is it some kind of expression, or is he just weird?

He's thinking really hard.

 

[Cyan]

What's the story behind this? Is it some kind of expression, or is he just weird?

He's a deranged killer. Sark broke him out of a prison for the criminally insane.

 

[jstevenson]

Looking at the stat breakdowns and SoS, Nebraska has a good shot in Columbus.

Then I remember Braxton Miller is mobile QB and that is Pelini's kryptonite. Sigh.

(watch us beat tOSU and lose to Minnesota)

 

[Yaboosh]

I hate when people talk about "overrated", especially this year.

Is Florida overrated? They aren't a great team, they have a young, weak quarterback, a questionable coach early in his tenure with a system that they haven't gotten used to, blah blah blah. Who deserves to be #10 instead?

Is FSU overrated? We have a questionable offense, an inconsistent defense, a QB that has some poise issues, and a coach that seems to have trouble getting his players ready consistently week to week.

Is Oregon overrated?
Is Texas?

Everybody is overrated this year, except maybe Alabama. Nobody looks rock solid, except maybe Alabama. FSU will lose one of these gimme games leading up to Florida. Florida will probably lose two of these tough SEC matchups they have leading up to FSU. Oregon will lose to one of the crappy lower tier Pac12 opponents because that is just what they do.

LSU will lose to Alabama, win out, and face Alabama again in the MNC because that would be the worst possible thing ever and that is how things go.


If LSU had completely steamrolled over Towson, I think Florida beats them. But because they struggled, I think LSU swallows up UF.

 

[speculawyer]

Stanford Tree has been drunk quite a few times. Not surprised if it falls over.

 

[bachikarn]

He's a deranged killer. Sark broke him out of a prison for the criminally insane.

That's an appropriate description of UT.

 

[Cyan]

Is Florida overrated?
Is FSU overrated?
Is Oregon overrated?
Is Texas?

Everybody is overrated this year, except maybe Alabama.

Yes, FSU is back baby, no, no, and if anything, Bama is underrated.

LSU will lose to Alabama, win out, and face Alabama again in the MNC because that would be the worst possible thing ever and that is how things go.

On this, we can agree.

 

[Ganhyun]

Go Dawgs!

 

[timetokill]

GAF Pick'em Week 6
*all games Saturday unless otherwise marked

(FRI) Pittsburgh @ Syracuse by X
Arkansas @ Auburn by X
Northwestern @ Penn State by X
Arizona @ Stanford by X
Virginia @ Duke by X
LSU @ Florida by X
Oklahoma @ Texas Tech by X
Michigan @ Purdue by X
Georgia @ South Carolina by X
West Virginia @ Texas by X
Miami @ Notre Dame by X
Florida State @ NC State by X
Nebraska @ Ohio State by X
UCLA @ California by X
Washington @ Oregon by X



----

also, results from last week will be up sometime later this week. I spent the whole weekend moving into a new apartment so I haven't had time to get around to it just yet.

 

[Cyan]

UCLA @ California by X

Damn yoooooooou!

also, results from last week will be up sometime later this week. I spent the whole weekend moving into a new apartment so I haven't had time to get around to it just yet.

Lemme help you out: Cyan - 100 points.

Seriously though, I'm pretty sure I got 100 points last week.

 

[timetokill]

Damn yoooooooou!

It's an easy pick this week -- Bruins will win, lock of the week!

BUT WHICH BRUINS?

Lemme help you out: Cyan - 100 points.

Seriously though, I'm pretty sure I got 100 points last week.

I'm not even gonna double-check, man, I trust you.


Early results from last week, guys:

Cyan - 100 points
Everyone else - 0 points

 

[Yaboosh]

I am curious to see how most people pick the UVA Duke game.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Damn yoooooooou!


Lemme help you out: Cyan - 100 points.

Seriously though, I'm pretty sure I got 100 points last week.

To me, that looks like you are claiming -100 points.

 

[ConfusingJazz]

Syracuse by 10
Auburn by 21
Northwestern by 14
Stanford by 11
Virginia by 10
Florida by 4
Texas Tech by 8
Michigan by 10
Georgia by 8
Texas by 4
Notre Dame by 10
Florida State by 21
Ohio State by 10
UCLA by 4
Oregon by 21

 

[perfectchaos007]

(FRI) Pittsburgh @ Syracuse by 5
Arkansas @ Auburn by 14
Northwestern @ Penn State by 7
Arizona @ Stanford by 9
Virginia @ Duke by 10
LSU @ Florida by 4
Oklahoma @ Texas Tech by 8
Michigan @ Purdue by 10
Georgia @ South Carolina by 5
West Virginia @ Texas by 7
Miami @ Notre Dame by 10
Florida State @ NC State by 10
Nebraska @ Ohio State by 5
UCLA @ California by 4
Washington @ Oregon by 14