The Weekly Buzz

1 comment so far November 21, 2008 by Tom Cudd

After the two Big 12 games breakdown, this week's buzz is the wishful bowl opponents OMNIBUS edition!

Iowa State @ Kansas State » The defense of these two teams is so atrocious, they both fall below that 100th place mark in college football. As bad as the Wildcats are against the run, the Cyclones are as bad against the pass. Folks expecting a shootout between two teams averaging 34 (KSU) and 24 (ISU) points/game may get their wish because they're both allowing more than 35 points/game. For K State, this battle is for second to last in the Big 12. Iowa State is already considered the worst. They've won a combined 1 conference game. Both of these teams show flashes of athletic talent, but their coaches aren't keeping up with the rest of the conference or even division. Home team gets the advantage, Wildcats 42-30.

Texas Tech @ Oklahoma » Every time I pick these high profile games, I seem to get it wrong. We know that both of these teams are exceptional. The Sooners seem to get the benefit of the doubt because of Bob Stoops and his pull out all the stops coaching. But Mike Leach and his Frankenstein creation are a sight to behold. Harrell and Crabtree need to be stopped if OU wants to win (I know it's a "duh" statement, but nobody's done it). But the most underrated part of all of this is how solidly the defense of the Red Raiders is playing this year. They are holding opponents to 22 points/game and 351 yards (remember these are Big 12 numbers). Their sound drubbings of Kansas and Oklahoma State lead me to believe they are a serious contender. They also were able to do what Oklahoma was unable to do, beat Texas. TT clinches the Big 12 South Title, 41-35.

Syracuse @ Notre Dame » Ok, I know we won't play Notre Dame because it's not possible, but they can affect where we end up more than any other team right now. This game should be a barn burner! Notre Dame has been averaging 24 points/game while holding opponents to 20! Syracuse averages 18 and hold opponents to 30. Ok, maybe the Irish will get blown out by USC. Let's say Irish 33-10.

Oregon State @ Arizona » Both of these teams are good, not elite, and play some tough defense while forcing many turnovers. Similar to the Big 12, they are both averaging over 30 points/game while holding their opponents to around 20. The Beavers are looking for Rose Bowl hopes, a level above what Nebraska is looking at right now. The Wildcats are a more likely opponent with a good chance of ending the season 7-5. Oregon State 40-28.

Duke @ Virginia Tech » Well, Duke has to win two games yet to be bowl eligible, and Va Tech plays us again in less than 10 months, so neither seems very likely. How we let the Hokies score that many on us, I can not figure out. They and Duke are averaging less than 23 points/game while holding opponents to around 20 and 24, respectively. VT gets the edge because their passing defense can hold Duke's passing game while Duke's rushing defense cannot hold the Hokies rush game. Hokies 28-17.

Georgia Tech @ Miami » Some people are shocked by the beating that the Jackets put on the Hurricanes last night, but looking at the stats from beforehand, you can see how it happened. The Paul Johnson designed option attack put up the second most rushing yards a 'Canes team had ever seen at 472. Their defense is stingy, holding opponents to 16 points/game. But they only average 22, so how they won 41-23 is still a little interesting. I doubt I would have picket that kind of outcome. They're now 8-3 with Miami at 7-4. Either one still looks like a good potential bowl opponent.

Florida State @ Maryland » Other than a goose egg against Virginia, the offense of the Terrapins has done just enough to win the games that their defense keeps within reach. The Seminoles offense is scoring 34 points/game, but the story is their defense. They are 9th in the NCAA in pass defense and 23rd in rush defense. They are holding opponents to 274 yards/game, enough to make them 5th in all of college football. The should consider themselves lucky that they aren't ranked considering that Maryland has beat all four ranked opponents that they've faced this year. Seminoles should pull it out 30-24.

Boston College @ Wake Forest » Offensively, neither of these teams will turn any heads. Wake is only averaging 20 points/game and the Eagles, only 26. But their defenses force turnovers, tied for second in the NCAA with 29 each. I think this one will go down to whoever doesn't make a mistake and whoever can kick the last field goal. BC wins 23-21.

Iowa @ Minnesota » These two 7-4 Big 10 teams are looking for some validation for their seasons. Minnesota, while leading the NCAA in forced turnovers, is pretty unimpressive in most statistical categories. They are coming off a 3 game losing streak (Northwestern, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and want to finish the season strong. Iowa managed to defeat then number three Penn State and would like to cap their season off with a 3 game win streak into a solid bowl. Their numbers don't really jump out except in their run defense and the fact that they have forced 18 interceptions. The Hawkeyes should continue the Golden Gophers losing streak with a 27-17 win.

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