It is a bit hard to believe, but we are actually
entering the third week of the college football season. Definitely a bit of
strange reality for fans of Nick Saban's Alabama Crimson Tide, with Bama only
having one game under its belt thus far.
Of course the Armageddon showdown in College
Station's Kyle Field Saturday between Saban's No. 1 and two-time defending
champion Crimson Tide and Kevin Sumlin's No. 6 Texas A & M Aggies headlines
an intriguing weekend of action.
Alabama is seeking payback for its only defeat
in 2012 and also no doubt looking to take back some of the headlines from the
embattled and ever-cocky Aggie quarterback Johnny Manziel, the defending
Heisman Trophy candidate and who is seemingly a true magnet for controversy
wherever he goes.
This is no doubt the biggest game in the history
of the Aggie program and definitely the biggest on its home campus, with ESPN's
Gameday on hand to capture the moment For Alabama, though, it is just yet
another hurdle in its quest to make college football history and gain its
unprecedented third consecutive BCS national title.
And while this particular road test would be
challenging enough for the Crimson Tide, with the nation's eyes firmly focused
on this epic showdown, Alabama has had to deal this week with the distractions
of a story alleging that former Tide All-American D.J. Fluker, among others,
received improper benefits while still playing college ball.
Addressing this briefly, I know the University of
Alabama continues to aggressively investigate this matter, and I will also hold
off on totally condemning Fluker until more regarding this story actually comes
to light. If it is proven, however, that the story is true and Fluker, now with
the San Diego Chargers, did accept illegal compensation, then he, along with
whoever else was involved in the situation, should receive criminal chargers
and jail time. While scuzzy so-called agents and other leaches are the main
instigators in this continuing problem involving illegal benefits and college
student-athletes, I am honestly sick to death of these athletes being portrayed
as victims. These college athletes are very well-versed about the dangers of
being involved with shady agents and other slimy individuals. Student-athletes
are also provided with many more benefits than the average student is, and it
is appalling that their greed and selfishness would lead them to risk
jeopardizing their programs and reputations for a bit more ill-gotten gain. I
am sure that many Alabama supporters feel that possible scandals such as this
are the only thing that could really put a halt to the Crimson Tide's current
dynasty, and perhaps also fear that something like this could push Saban to
possibly bolt the Tide program.
Moving onto this week's action:
GAME OF THE WEEK: Alabama at Texas A & M: As
mentioned, much of the nation's media will descend upon College Station this
weekend for what has been hyped for months as the game of the year in college
football this season, and for good reason. I have personally gone back and forth
on many things in my head in trying to prognosticate a winner for this contest,
as it is a game which could really go either way, depending on which team is
really the most prepared and perhaps who also gets off to the best start in the
game. Texas A & M arguably comes into the game with a bit more momentum
after playing a couple of games and getting this game in its own very tough
backyard. Alabama, meanwhile, has not played in two weeks since a very sluggish
effort in its opener against Virginia Tech. This was especially true on offense
as Bama's still-transitioning offensive line did not play with much
effectiveness or cohesion against the Hokies. While Alabama's offense sputtered
in its opener for the most part, I feel there are a couple of reasons for that.
Offensively it is going to take some time for the Bama line to fully gel after
losing three All-Americans, including Fluker, but I also feel that Alabama
displayed a very vanilla game plan against Virginia Tech. I look for Bama to
open things up in a big way this weekend and unleash a few more of its weapons.
This will be the first game that the Aggies will have much of their defense
intact due to suspensions and other factors, but that defense was suspect at
best last season and I am not really sure it will be much better this season
against quality opponents (meaning teams much better than Rice and Sam Houston
St.). Whether you like or hate Manziel, he is a superb athlete and is capable
of incredible things on a football field. There is also no doubt that the
Aggies will score some points on Bama's defense. There are many good reasons to
pick the Aggies to win this game as it will be an incredibly hostile and loud
atmosphere in Kyle Field, the Aggies are a blessed athletic team with a great
coach in Sumlin and dynamic playmakers all over the field, and the Aggies will
no doubt enter the game with much confidence after having knocked off Alabama
in Bryant-Denny Stadium last season. However, the fact that Alabama has had two
weeks to prepare for Manziel and company, the likelihood that Alabama's offense
should be able to put up big yards and points against an average defense, the
revenge factor and the simple fact that Alabama has traditionally played much
better on the road during Saban's Bama tenure leads me to give the slight edge
to the two-time defending national champions. Alabama is more accustomed to
huge national showdown games such as this, and it usually wins them more often
than not under the guidance of Nick Saban. ALABAMA 37, TEXAS A & M 27
In other games involving SEC teams this weekend:
Mississippi State at Auburn: The Tigers have
begun the Gus Malzahn Era in successful fashion, with wins against Washington
State and Arkansas State, and actually showed quite a bit of progress,
especially defensively, in its victory over a fairly solid Arkansas State
squad. I think we begin finding out a little more about the Tigers, however,
Saturday as they begin conference play against Dan Mullen's Bulldogs. The
Bulldogs are a bit of a mystery too after a sluggish loss against Oklahoma
State followed by a big win over undermanned Alcorn State. Although it has
shown a solid ground attack in its first two games, Nick Marshall is still
rounding into shape as Auburn's starting quarterback. In what should be a
physical contest in Jordan-Hare Stadium, I think Auburn may have to rely on its
running game and defense to stay undefeated and get off to a good SEC start.
AUBURN 26, MISSISSIPPI STATE 19
Louisville at Kentucky: Although Charlie Strong's
Cardinals have lived up to preseason expectations thus far, with quarterback
Teddy Bridgewater already amassing incredible numbers, Louisville continues to
get crucified because of its schedule, and a battle against Mark Stoops'
Wildcats will not help that much. Louisville enters the game as a two-touchdown
favorite over its in-state rival and I doubt if Kentucky will have many answers
to handle the Cardinals' high-octane offensive attack. LOUISVILLE: 49, KENTUCKY
17.
Tennessee at Oregon: Butch Jones Volunteers have
been impressive in coasting to wins in their first two games, but the Vols step
it up to another level Saturday as they travel to battle the nation's No. 2
team in one of the toughest road environments in the nation. While the Vols,
with their collection of impressive skill position standouts, should be able to
put up some points against the Ducks, they will not have nearly enough to match
Oregon quarterback sensation Marcus
Mariota, running back De'Anthony Thomas and company and the high-flying Ducks
scoring attack. OREGON 42, TENNESSEE 21
Ole Miss at Texas: A very intriguing matchup,
with Hugh Freeze's young and talented Rebels traveling to Austin to battle Mack
Brown's Longhorns, a once-storied program which continues to reel, and is
especially beleaguered coming off an ugly loss at BYU which led to the firing
of defensive coordinator Manny Diaz. A home loss to the Rebels would likely be
another nail in the coffin for Brown as Texas coach, while a road win against
one of the the sport's big-name programs would be another huge building block
for Freeze's program. I am thinking that a Texas team seeking to avoid total
dire straits early finds a way to get it done and get a close win against the
Rebels. TEXAS 21, OLE MISS 17.
Southern Miss at Arkansas: the Razorbacks are
already looking like a much different team in the early stages of the season
under the direction of new coach Bret Bielema. A Golden Eagle team that is in
the initial steps of a huge rebuilding process should not prove to be much of
an obstacle for the Hogs. ARKANSAS 37, SOUTHERN MISS 12
Vanderbilt at South Carolina: Although I fully
expect Vanderbilt to remain competitive and successful under the direction of
James Franklin, the Commodores face a rough road test this weekend against
Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks, a team that is no doubt still feeling the effects
and frustration of a tough loss to Georgia last weekend and ready to pounce on
a conference opponent back in the friendly confines of Williams-Brice Stadium.
SOUTH CAROLINA 28, VANDERBILT 18
Kent State at LSU: After breezing past UAB a week
ago, Les Miles' Tigers continue to breeze this week, gaining another big win
against an overwhelmed non-conference opponent where it should be able to put up
some more huge offensive numbers behind much improved quarterback Zach
Mettenberger. LSU 48, KENT STATE 13.
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