College Football Predictions 9/18

Last week that was dubbed as "monster" Saturday, the games went like they were suppose to with the higher rated team winning. In a sense it was a let down but was still a great weekend. This weekend there is only one top 25 match-up, 9 Iowa @ 24 Arizona. I expect a couple of upsets this weekend.

Game of the Week: The Game of the week involves the Georgia Bulldogs once again as they take on the 12th ranked Razorbacks of Arkansas. This is a must win game for both squads if both want to contend in their divisions, but this is a bigger game for Georgia after last weeks lost to South Carolina. Aaron Murray will once be without top receiver A.J. Green. Senior wide receiver Kris Durham is going to need a big game to help the running game. Corners Brandon Boykin and Vance Cuff both need to be able to shut down the dangerous duo of Greg Childs and Joe Adams in order to have a chance to win. Arkansas' defense is still in question this year as this will be their first big test against an offense who can be balanced. The front four for the Razorbacks will need to get great push against Georgia's offensive line and put pressure on Aaron Murray when he is back to pass, and need to stop the running attack. Ryan Mallet will need Broadrick Green to run the ball well so Georgia cant just key on the pass.

Prediction: The difference maker on the field is Mallet, and last time I checked he played for Arkansas. This game will not be a high scoring a fair as it was last year but Arkansas wins 35-21.

Other games

10 Florida @ Tennessee- This could get ugly early...UF 35 UT 10

1 Alabama @ Duke- Wallace Wade is the only connection between the success of both programs...Bama 38 Duke 14

Clemson @ 16 Auburn- First defense Auburn has played that will give it a challenge...Clemson 21 Auburn 24

Akron @ Kentucky- Joker Phillips begins a 3-0 coaching career...Kentucky 30 Akron 20

Vanderbilt @ Ole Miss- This game is always close, don't expect anything different... Ole Miss 21 Vandy 17

Mississippi State @15 LSU- Close but no cigar for the bulldogs...LSU 28 MSU 24

Furman @ 13 South Carolina- Yawn...USC 42 Paladins 0

Game of the Week: Clemson visits the plains and takes on Auburn. The battle of the Tigers is a much bigger deal for Clemson Tigers rather than Auburn Tigers. The ACC has taken a bunch of heat for not being able to beat BCS conference teams, the first victory came thursday night when North Carolina State beat Cincy in Raleigh. Clemson will need a heisman type performance from quarterback Kyle Parker if they want to have a chance to win at the end. Running backs Andre Ellington and Jaimie Harper will need to be able to run the ball effectively in order to take pressure off of Parker. Clemson's defense will need to find a way to contain Cam Newton's running ability and make him throw the ball down the field. Auburn is coming off a road win at Mississippi State on a Thursday night in which the offense looked meek at best. Unlike Miss State, Clemson has the ability to score into the higher twenties and Auburns secondary needs to ready against a tough gritty quarterback. Nick Fairley dominates like he did the last game Auburn should win this one.

Predicition: Clemson will give Auburn all it can handle but will not have enough to win it...Auburn 24 Clemson 21

Other Games:

Georgia Tech @ North Carolina- North Carolina is starting to get people back on defense but it wont be enough against the option attack...GT 28 UNC 17

17 Miami (Fl) @ Pitt- Another tough road contest for the Hurricanes, expect the same result as the last one...Pitt 21 Miami 17

Brigham Young @ Florida State- BYU got embarrassed last year in Provo, this one is closer but Florida State wins 24-14

1Alabama @ Duke- Duke is hoping the Nick Saban takes the path Wallace Wade did and leave Bama for Duke...Bama 38 Duke 14

Maryland @ 21 West Virginia- Maryland is off to a 2-0 start, excuse me make that 2-1 start...WVU 31 Maryland 21

Wake Forest @ 19 Stanford- Another match-up where Wake Forest is in a high scoring affair but loses this one...Stanford 42 Wake 41

Virginia Tech @ Boston College- Can Virginia Tech turn its season around against the Eagles on the road? Doubtful...BC 28 VT 7

VMI @ Virginia- Chalked it up to the Cavs as an easy win...Name your own score here...Cavs by 35

Game of the Week: There are multiple games of the week here as its Sunbelt vs C-USA in most contest this week. Middle Tenn plays Memphis and Troy plays UAB both are in state rivalries. Both games pit the best Sunbelt teams vs two of the worst C-USA teams. So the Sunbelt should be able to run the table against these two foes.

Predicitons: Middle Tenn @ Memphis- the Blue Raiders are 1-1 without Dasher this year, the only lose was a 3-point lost to Minnesota at the Barn...MTSU 35 Memphis 31

Troy @ UAB- Both squads are in the shadow of the Tide and Tigers but this is also a feisty rivalry. Troy should win but not by much...Troy 24 Blazers 21

Other Games:

La Monore vs Arkansas State- Expect Applin to have a major game and lead the Red Wolves to victory..ASU 35 La Monroe 14

Florida International @ Texas A&M- Im sure the panthers will enjoy their pay check way more than the beat down...TAMU 49 FIU 7

Indiana @ Western Kentucky- The worst Big ten team plays against the worst Sunbelt team...Indiana 24 WKU 9

Nicholls State @ South Alabama- This will be the toughest game South Alabama will have in their short programs history. The Colonels have a quarterback that HC Joey Jones said was a Mike Vick type. Expect Dunn to play a QB spy most of the game. Brandon Ross and Courtney Smith both will need huge games...USA 28 NSU 24

Other National Games:

9 Iowa @ 24 Arizona- This is a game if Mike Stoops wins could propel his program among the elite in the Pac-10 and challenge for the title...for Iowa remember Claiborne...Iowa 24 Arizona 14

California @ Nevada- Pac-10 vs WAC...Pistol vs Pro...Cal 24 Nevada 10