Another huge Saturday slate of NCAA football is upon us as teams enter the second-half of the season. Here are four important games I will be following along with my predictions:
No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Florida State
This is the game of the weekend that everyone has been excited for. A battle of undefeated teams fighting to stay perfect. A battle between two programs with rich football history and tradition. Doak Walker Stadium will be packed by the Seminole faithful. A harsh environment is expected by Notre Dame Head Coach Brian Kelly and his team. Both teams are looking to make a statement. Notre Dame will be fighting to prove that they can play with the top teams in the nation as their tough loss to Alabama in the 2013 National Championship is still on their minds and the Seminoles will be trying to prove that even though the statistics aren’t as good as last year, they are still a National Championship caliber team.
All eyes will be on the star quarterbacks taking the field Saturday night. Both Jameis Winston and Everett Golson are exciting, dynamic quarterbacks that are integral to their respective teams’ success. I expect Golson to have a huge game as Florida State’s defense has struggled against other dual-threat quarterbacks this season in J.W. Walsh of Oklahoma State, Deshaun Watson of Clemson and Jacoby Brissett of North Carolina State. Golson carries a bulk of the Notre Dame offensive production which has been a criticism by some, but if he has a big game against the Seminoles, he could be the difference.
Let’s not forget about all the drama and allegations surrounding the reigning Heisman Trophy winner Winston. Allegations surfaced earlier this week that Winston was paid for autographs. At this point in time there is no supporting evidence but Winston is in the spotlight again for negative reasons. Throughout his career he has been able to block out problems and be extremely productive on the field. Head Coach Jimbo Fisher is in support of Winston and the school has chosen not to suspend him unlike Georgia with Todd Gurley. I think he will play fine tomorrow, but you have to wonder if he will finally break under the pressure.
My pick: Notre Dame
No. 21 Texas A&M at No. 7 Alabama
Another intriguing game brought to us by the SEC West. Both teams are looking to get on track and stay afloat in the division with a win. At the beginning of the season, these teams were thought to be the cream of the crop in the SEC West, but at this point the losing team will surely be out of contention for the division title.
Alabama is coming off a close 14-13 win over second-class SEC opponents Arkansas. The offense has had its struggles and Offensive Coordinator Lane Kiffin needs to have the Crimson Tide offense ready to go. Star wide receiver Amari Cooper needs to have a big game and the running game has got to get going again. Alabama is best when they run the ball and it will make quarterback Blake Sims’ life a lot easier.
The road has been a little rocky for Texas A&M too. After losses to both Mississippi teams, questions have risen about quarterback Kenny Hill. He is going to be on the field tomorrow, but has to take care of the football and get a lot of help from his offensive line. If they want to beat Alabama, their young but talented defense is going to have to step up and shut down the Crimson Tide offense. Texas A&M has been kryptonite for Alabama in recent years and aren’t scared to go into Tuscaloosa and battle it out with another elite program.
My pick: Alabama
No. 14 Kansas State at No. 11 Oklahoma
Head Coaches Bill Snyder and Bob Stoops meet up once again and there is a lot on the line for their teams. The competition is tight in the Big-12 and a knockout stage playoff mentality is present in every match up in the conference. Oklahoma has no room for another loss, and Kansas State feels disrespected by the polls with their only loss coming from the Auburn Tigers. This game is going to be a chess match between two of the best coaches in college football.
Like Florida State, Oklahoma has had trouble with dual-threat quarterbacks so far this season. Both Trevone Boykin of TCU and Tryone Swoopes of Texas caused problems for the Sooner defense. Jake Waters is another quarterback in that some mold for Kansas State. Offensively, the Wildcats rely on Waters in the passing and running game. He is the leading rusher on the team with over 300 yards on the season but the offense is most dangerous when he can find receivers Tyler Lockett and Curry Sexton in space. They are both elusive, big play-making receivers.
The Oklahoma defense is strong, but has not been at its best the past couple games against TCU and Texas. Linebacker Eric Striker is going to need to contain Waters, while cornerback Zack Sanchez will need to play lockdown coverage against the Wildcats’ receivers. If the leaders on defense can play well and the unit can stay disciplined, Oklahoma could cause problems for Kansas State. To me, this game will be decided by the play of the Kansas State offense against the Oklahoma defense. But don’t get me wrong, Trevor Knight will have to be better than he was in the Red River Rivalry game against the Longhorns. I think he will be.
My pick: Oklahoma
No. 23 Stanford at No. 17 Arizona State
Along with seemingly every game this week, Stanford vs. Arizona State is huge in the conference standings. Stanford needs to keep pace with Oregon in the Pac-12 North while in the Pac-12 South, Arizona State can’t really afford a slip-up with USC and Arizona ahead of them.
The storyline here is simple, Arizona State’s high octane offense will have to beat the Stanford defense. They have the playmakers to do it in star wide receiver Jaelen Strong and running back D.J. Foster. The quarterback play has also been great by Mike Bercovici who has been filling in for Taylor Kelly. Kelly will play tomorrow but who knows at what capacity. Head Coach Todd Graham has admitted he does not even know how much Kelly will play. Whoever is under center tomorrow, they face a menacing Cardinal Defense.
Stanford boasts the best scoring defense in the nation at 10 points per game and are also the fourth best team against the pass only allowing 138.3 yards per game. They are a loaded, cohesive unit that is playing great football. The offense is a true pro-style system like we have grown used to seeing from Stanford. They are not flashy but seem to get it done to win games. If the defense can contain passing game of Arizona State, which I think it will, Stanford will win the game.
My pick: Stanford
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