If you didn’t enjoy Week 9 in the means of quality football, then you can’t be considered a real college football fan. Whether it was the upset of Texas, the great game in Beaver, or even the resurgence of Georgia, all of last week’s games provided a good picture of how our season is shaping up. Let see what is important to watch for:
East in a Toss
Ever seen a wildcat fight a bulldog? Yea, me neither. However, this will be what we get this weekend when #6 Georgia travels to #11 Kentucky to decide the strong favorite for the SEC East. Both teams are coming off of wins over respected conference teams in Missouri and Florida. Many are saying that Kentucky has a one-dimensional offense with the run. Benny Snell has been Kentucky’s sole reason of offensive production and many are picking up on that. Unfortunately, Georgia’s rush defense isn’t the sharpest it could be in recent years being ranked at 43rd. For Georgia to get an edge in this battle against Kentucky, they must get their rush defense in line to take on a tough rush attack. Ultimately, this game will be decided by defense. Whoever comes to play in Lexington will get it done and will take the East.
The Saban Bowl
Current head coach for Alabama, Nick Saban, had previously coached for the LSU Tigers before leaving. This game has been very close in the years stretch since 2000. Both teams, this year, are wanting to make the College Football Playoff and have the teams to do it. However, LSU has already amounted a loss and another could prove fatal to their chances. Alabama comes in unbeaten with the closest any team coming at 22-points to Texas A&M. It will take a strong push by both teams to push the “W” in their win column Saturday.
Shaving Three to Two
The Big 12 has been very shaky and unpredictable this year, as it always is. The three teams that are running the table this year are West Virginia, Oklahoma, and Texas. On Saturday, two of these teams will meet up to decide the contender and pretender for the covenant Big 12 Title. Look for there to be an increased showing of defense that is usually missing during Big 12 games. Texas is coming off of an upset loss to Oklahoma State on the road, while West Virginia comes off a big win against Baylor. Both of these teams are fighting for their life in the Big 12, but also for a CFP spot. It’ll be interesting who comes out on top and how.
Ann Arbor Showdown
Michigan gets to host Penn State for a gritty Big Ten battle. Both teams have had their fair share of wins and losses in the series between them. Michigan is sitting great after falling to Notre Dame in Week 1. On the other hand, Penn State is fighting back into the top-10 by knocking off Iowa last week. Both teams are lead by dynamic quarterbacks in Trace McSorely (Penn State) and Shea Patterson (Michigan). Both are poised to have been in the Heisman watch at one point. Michigan, however, has the nation’s top defense to back up their offense. Penn State’s defensive unit has not lived up to what it should be at this point. Both are due for a big win and one will get it this weekend.
Terps Stay with Durkin
After tragic death of Maryland football player, Jordan McNair, D.J. Durkin has been under fire. Durkin has had a great year to this point with his current roster and wants to continue success. This all could have ended well last weekend when the university met with Durkin in a review. The university ultimately decided to keep Durkin on the program and found nothing too out-of-line. This upset many students and, of course, the parents of McNair. This will sure bring up some interesting talks about how much room of comfort head coaches who get paid thousands, some even millions, have against the law.
Welcome the real Non Power-5 Frontrunner
If you weren’t aware, many think that UCF has the best shot out of all the non power-5 teams to make the playoffs or a decent run. In retrospect, I would have told you that you were wrong the whole time. A team that has received little support or recognition is Fresno State. It is obvious that Fresno State has a harder schedule than UCF and are still only playing a loss behind UCF. This Fresno State team has the ability to travel on the road and take down good quality football teams. This is contrasted to a “cupcake” schedule that UCF holds said by many. If Fresno State can keep winning, I’d like to see them represented over UCF.
Photo Credits: https://nypost.com/2018/10/30/player-walkout-president-leaving-chaos-as-maryland-lets-coach-back-in/
