UNBEATEN PREVIEWS & A FEW PRO NOTES
Tomorrow we get four undefeated teams playing in two matchups, Oklahoma-Mizzou & LSU-Auburn. The losers will most likely be out of the BCS title picture, the winners move up in the polls. There's a lot at stake in both games, here's my take on both.
Oklahoma -3 at Missouri
7:00 PM ABC Both teams 6-0
Mizzou's homecoming, sold out long ago, should be electric at Faurot Field Saturday night. Bob Stoops' Sooners have beaten Gary Pinkel's Tigers 7-straight, including two Big-12 Championship games. Both teams have played but one true road game in 2010. I see this game coming down to the Tigers defense. Are they the real deal or a mirage? They currently rank #2 in the nation in scoring defense, surrendering only 10.8 points per game. They have two outstanding pass rushers in defensive ends Aldon Smith(#85) & Brad Madison(#57) & a big, fast, senior secondary. Linebacker Luke Lambert will not play because of a knee sprain. The Tiger defense is called by coordinator Dave Steckel & his gameplan so far in 2010 is attack. But it should be noted OU smoked Florida State earlier this season, a team that has a great pass rush scheme. As great as Las Vegan DeMarco Murray has been for the Sooners, 663-yards & 11 touchdowns, it's wide receiver Ryan Broyles that can kill the Tigers. He has already amassed 700-yards receiving on 61-receptions plus he's one of the most feared punt returners in the nation. Another thing the Tigers will have to be concerned with is the Sooner secondary & their ability to close ultra-fast on the ball. Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert will have to get the ball out quickly & the receivers, Wes Kemp, Jerrelle Jackson, T.J. Moe & Michael Egnew, must look for the ball instantly coming out of their breaks, they won't be open for long. Some semblance of a running attack would be a major boost for Mizzou, their rushing game has been sporadic. OU's QB, Landry Jones, is an excellent passer & he gets the ball to Broyles even when the defenses have been geared to stop them. They lost their third-leading receiver, DeJuan Miller yesterday after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during practice. Murray can be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, especially on screens.
Two weeks ago #1 Alabama traveled to South Carolina & lost. Last week #1 Ohio State traveled to Wisconsin & lost. This week BCS #1 Oklahoma travels to Missouri. Three #1 teams, all favored, playing on the road against ranked opponents, in stadiums that were rocking. One more coincidence, ESPN's College Gameday broadcast from all three game sites. That means Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard & my girl, Erin Andrews were/are there. With Erin Andrews in Columbia, can an upset be far away?
Mizzou 31 Oklahoma 30
LSU at Auburn -6
2:30 PM CBS Both teams 6-0
This game appears initially to be a lopsided matchup, with LSU's anemic offense. Auburn hung 65-points on Arkansas last Saturday. But they surrendered 43 to a Razorback offense without starting quarterback Ryan Mallet, injured in the first quarter. Cam Newton is the triggerman for the Auburn offense & most likely, he's the Heisman front runner right now. He runs, he throws, he's as big as a truck. I've heard a lot of people compare him to Vince Young. Let's be clear about this, Young was a much better pocket passer & a faster runner. Newton, weighing over 250-lbs, makes a lot of yardage after contact, he can run over you. He throws well on the run, but looks uncomfortable at times in the pocket. LSU's John Jefferson is a below average college QB in my opinion. Terrence Tolliver is another decent but overrated LSU wide receiver. The LSU offense just doesn't make enough happen. But the opposite is true for the defense, which is outstanding. Cornerback Patrick Peterson is a future NFL high first-round draft selection & the Bayou Bengals can bring it every snap on defense. The wildcard in this game is LSU coach Les Myles, who has won in some of the wildest, strangest finishes I've seen in the past couple of years. I just don't believe LSU can score enough to stay in the game.
Auburn 23 LSU 13
In other marquee matchups, I like Iowa to beat Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes have the best defensive line in college football & I think they can control the potent Badger running game.
I see the Michigan State Spartans having a difficult time with Northwestern, but in the end, I think they will squeak out a win to remain undefeated.
I think their were a lot of bumps & bruises for all the people jumping off the Nebraska bandwagon last Saturday, but I see the Huskers rebounding with a win at Oklahoma State.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will start for the Razorbacks in their game with Ole Miss tomorrow. His recovery form a slight concussion was quick & complete according to coach Bobby Petrino.
My college plays will be posted tomorrow morning.
In pro news, the Colts announced this morning all-pro tight end Dallas Clark has been placed on injured reserve after three doctors told him his wrist would require season-ending surgery. This is a major loss to Peyton Manning & the Colts. Clark caught 100-passes last season & was on course to catch 99 this year.
The Jaguars will start their 6th different pair of safeties in their game with Kansas City this Sunday. Starting QB David Garrard will not make the trip & it's looking more & more like 3rd team QB Todd Bauman will get the start after taking more than 50% of the snaps in today's practice. Trent Edwards had been the backup, but he injured his thumb in the Monday night game. During Todd Haley's Friday news conference, he said DE Tyson Jackson & WR Chris Chambers were healthy enough to play last week, he chose not to activate them for the game. I thought that was the case regarding Chambers & anyone who's been here for anytime knows I'm not a Tyson Jackson fan. Even more troubling was Kansas City Star beat writer Kent Babb's observation that Jackson had gained weight. That's a sure way to reserve a spot in Haley's doghouse.
Kerry Collins returned to Titans practice on Thursday, but Vince Young still has a shot to start on Sunday vs. Philly. His knee is better, but his ankle hasn't responded as well as he & the Titans had hoped.
The St. Louis Rams game in Tampa is the league's only television blackout of the weekend.
Oklahoma -3 at Missouri
7:00 PM ABC Both teams 6-0
Mizzou's homecoming, sold out long ago, should be electric at Faurot Field Saturday night. Bob Stoops' Sooners have beaten Gary Pinkel's Tigers 7-straight, including two Big-12 Championship games. Both teams have played but one true road game in 2010. I see this game coming down to the Tigers defense. Are they the real deal or a mirage? They currently rank #2 in the nation in scoring defense, surrendering only 10.8 points per game. They have two outstanding pass rushers in defensive ends Aldon Smith(#85) & Brad Madison(#57) & a big, fast, senior secondary. Linebacker Luke Lambert will not play because of a knee sprain. The Tiger defense is called by coordinator Dave Steckel & his gameplan so far in 2010 is attack. But it should be noted OU smoked Florida State earlier this season, a team that has a great pass rush scheme. As great as Las Vegan DeMarco Murray has been for the Sooners, 663-yards & 11 touchdowns, it's wide receiver Ryan Broyles that can kill the Tigers. He has already amassed 700-yards receiving on 61-receptions plus he's one of the most feared punt returners in the nation. Another thing the Tigers will have to be concerned with is the Sooner secondary & their ability to close ultra-fast on the ball. Mizzou QB Blaine Gabbert will have to get the ball out quickly & the receivers, Wes Kemp, Jerrelle Jackson, T.J. Moe & Michael Egnew, must look for the ball instantly coming out of their breaks, they won't be open for long. Some semblance of a running attack would be a major boost for Mizzou, their rushing game has been sporadic. OU's QB, Landry Jones, is an excellent passer & he gets the ball to Broyles even when the defenses have been geared to stop them. They lost their third-leading receiver, DeJuan Miller yesterday after tearing the meniscus in his right knee during practice. Murray can be a dangerous receiver out of the backfield, especially on screens.
Two weeks ago #1 Alabama traveled to South Carolina & lost. Last week #1 Ohio State traveled to Wisconsin & lost. This week BCS #1 Oklahoma travels to Missouri. Three #1 teams, all favored, playing on the road against ranked opponents, in stadiums that were rocking. One more coincidence, ESPN's College Gameday broadcast from all three game sites. That means Chris Fowler, Lee Corso, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard & my girl, Erin Andrews were/are there. With Erin Andrews in Columbia, can an upset be far away?
Mizzou 31 Oklahoma 30
LSU at Auburn -6
2:30 PM CBS Both teams 6-0
This game appears initially to be a lopsided matchup, with LSU's anemic offense. Auburn hung 65-points on Arkansas last Saturday. But they surrendered 43 to a Razorback offense without starting quarterback Ryan Mallet, injured in the first quarter. Cam Newton is the triggerman for the Auburn offense & most likely, he's the Heisman front runner right now. He runs, he throws, he's as big as a truck. I've heard a lot of people compare him to Vince Young. Let's be clear about this, Young was a much better pocket passer & a faster runner. Newton, weighing over 250-lbs, makes a lot of yardage after contact, he can run over you. He throws well on the run, but looks uncomfortable at times in the pocket. LSU's John Jefferson is a below average college QB in my opinion. Terrence Tolliver is another decent but overrated LSU wide receiver. The LSU offense just doesn't make enough happen. But the opposite is true for the defense, which is outstanding. Cornerback Patrick Peterson is a future NFL high first-round draft selection & the Bayou Bengals can bring it every snap on defense. The wildcard in this game is LSU coach Les Myles, who has won in some of the wildest, strangest finishes I've seen in the past couple of years. I just don't believe LSU can score enough to stay in the game.
Auburn 23 LSU 13
In other marquee matchups, I like Iowa to beat Wisconsin. The Hawkeyes have the best defensive line in college football & I think they can control the potent Badger running game.
I see the Michigan State Spartans having a difficult time with Northwestern, but in the end, I think they will squeak out a win to remain undefeated.
I think their were a lot of bumps & bruises for all the people jumping off the Nebraska bandwagon last Saturday, but I see the Huskers rebounding with a win at Oklahoma State.
Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will start for the Razorbacks in their game with Ole Miss tomorrow. His recovery form a slight concussion was quick & complete according to coach Bobby Petrino.
My college plays will be posted tomorrow morning.
In pro news, the Colts announced this morning all-pro tight end Dallas Clark has been placed on injured reserve after three doctors told him his wrist would require season-ending surgery. This is a major loss to Peyton Manning & the Colts. Clark caught 100-passes last season & was on course to catch 99 this year.
The Jaguars will start their 6th different pair of safeties in their game with Kansas City this Sunday. Starting QB David Garrard will not make the trip & it's looking more & more like 3rd team QB Todd Bauman will get the start after taking more than 50% of the snaps in today's practice. Trent Edwards had been the backup, but he injured his thumb in the Monday night game. During Todd Haley's Friday news conference, he said DE Tyson Jackson & WR Chris Chambers were healthy enough to play last week, he chose not to activate them for the game. I thought that was the case regarding Chambers & anyone who's been here for anytime knows I'm not a Tyson Jackson fan. Even more troubling was Kansas City Star beat writer Kent Babb's observation that Jackson had gained weight. That's a sure way to reserve a spot in Haley's doghouse.
Kerry Collins returned to Titans practice on Thursday, but Vince Young still has a shot to start on Sunday vs. Philly. His knee is better, but his ankle hasn't responded as well as he & the Titans had hoped.
The St. Louis Rams game in Tampa is the league's only television blackout of the weekend.
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