Game of the Week: Alabama at Georgia
Considering that half of the top ten is from the SEC, I’m thinking about changing the name of the ‘Second Best Game of the Week’ section to ‘Non-SEC Game of the Week.’
Like all the others, this one will be a fantastic battle. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide hit the ground running this year, beginning with the 24-point week one victory over the Clemson Tigers, one of the most built-up preseason teams. They continued last week with a 49-14 blowout of Arkansas. The incredibly high level of SEC defensive play was exemplified in the victory with two interceptions returned for touchdowns.
The Tide do not seem to want to stop. Alabama has momentum that hasn’t been seen in the program in years, and you’re probably die-hard Auburn fan if you think they’ll do no better than the Independence Bowl again this year. Nick Saban won’t be having any of that.
The Bulldogs looked strong against a formidable Pac-10 opponent in Arizona State. The Sun Devils truly were the weaker of the two teams, and though the final score was 27-10, to ASU fans it felt like 49-10. Knowshon Moreno’s dive into the end zone was the beginning of the end of hope in Tempe, and Georgia WR AJ Green doubled his receiving total on the year, gaining 159 yards compared to the 141 he had in the three previous games combined.
Unfortunately for Georgia, the Pac-10 ranks right up there with the ACC in terms of quality teams. In fact, between the two conferences only USC deserves to play in January. Combine with ASU’s loss to UNLV, and we really don’t know how good (or bad) the Sun Devils are. Come November, this win may not look impressive at all. Georgia’s inability to hold onto their top ranking before week two and struggle to beat South Carolina in week three, and I’m a skeptic.
Winner: Alabama.
Most Interesting Game Involving Two Unranked Teams: Virginia Tech at Nebraska
Both of these teams are sitting just outside the Top 25, and the winner will most certainly break in next Monday. Virginia Tech, like the rest of the ACC, has been somewhat disappointing this year, but can gain a little respect back
if they beat the Huskers in Lincoln. Nebraska, who has done well against the pre-season cupcakes, is hoping to return to the Top 25 for the first time since last year’s mid-season defensive meltdown.
The Hokies are in more danger of losing this game than they appeared to be back in August. VT total offense ranks 113th and has only scored 21.5 points per game, and starting a hobbled quarterback in Tyrod Taylor won’t help, especially against a defense that has posted nine sacks in their first three games. Expect Sean Glennon to make an appearance at some point.
As lopsided as these storylines seem, the Huskers will struggle in their rst real contest of the Pelini era. Still…
Winner: Nebraska.
Second Best Game of the Week/Team I would most like to see win:
Penn State at home over Illinois
The Nittany Lions are the best team in the Big Ten through the first four weeks of the season, hands down. The 31 points they scored in the first half against Temple were the fewest they’d scored in the first 30 minutes so far this year. That “low” number may be a result of the fact that all 31 points were scored in the second quarter. They have their first real test this week against Illinois, but the Illini defense – which allowed 52 against Missouri in week one – will have a tough time keeping Joe-Pa’s balanced offense out of the end zone. Ron Zook’s squad should keep it interesting, but if Penn State’s not top ten after a win this week, I will single-handedly force the Associate Press to do a recount. Which brings me to my next point…
Team I would most like to see lose: Wisconsin & Ohio State
That’s right, I couldn’t decide who I want to lose more, so I’m choosing both. While it’s hard to see the lowly Michigan squad toppling the Badgers, it’s harder to see BYU and Penn State sit outside the top ten. Home field advantage plays in Wolverine favor, and I would like to see them get a quality win at this point in the season more than I would like to see Wisconsin keep a ranking that rightfully belongs to the Cougars (who’ve won their last two games by a combined score of 103-0) or the Nittany Lions.
Minnesota beating the Buckeyes in Columbus seems even less likely, especially with the return of Beanie Wells. Though the Golden Gophers are undefeated right now, they’ve only played teams puffed more full of cream than themselves. Ohio State needs to lose a few conference games, however, as they do not deserve to play in the Rose Bowl or BCS Championship Game this year. I don’t feel like watching them get blown out after six weeks off for the third year in a row. They are nothing without Beanie Wells – University of Ohio and Troy both played them into the fourth quarter – and they should be thankful that prestige bias has played their way in terms of ranking.
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