Alabama vs. Arkansas: 10 College Football Games You Must See In Week 4
Through three weeks we have seen some very good college football. But, as the conference schedules begin to start there is a sense of anticipation to see which teams are contenders and pretenders.
The lack of top match-ups last week was capped off by the only face-off between ranked teams in Arizona and Iowa. It came down to turnovers, a comeback, and finally a hard-earned home victory for the Wildcats.
This week there are more primetime matchups with National Championship implications on the line.
Can former Michigan transfer Ryan Mallett lead his Razorbacks to a pivatol win against the "Nicktators" Crimson Tide?
Can Brian Kelly get the Irish off the snide' against a talented quarterback in Andrew Luck?
Stay tuned folks!
Virginia Tech Hokies at Boston College Golden Eagles
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X-FACTOR
The line-backing core of Boston Collegeย is one of the best in America, and it appears Ryan Williams is out for this game after hurting hamstring against East Carolina.
Williams rushed for only 139 yards through three games! Most analysts including myself rank him as aย future first round selection,ย though he has not produced like one thus far into the season. Look for David Wilson and Darren Evans to be you stars in this one.
The Hokies are trying to right the ship, and quickly turn things around. A victory against Boston College will go a long way towards Coach Beamer, and the boys to get more creditability this season.
Ultimately, this game is going to come down to the running game. Hokie nation should not fret even without Ryan Williams, but should be cautious of the running attack of the Golden Eagles.
Matchup to watch
Read above, Ryan Williams is out so it will be Evans against Mark Herzlich will be the key in this game.ย Theย Hokies backsย need to finally have a 150 yard type of game or else the Hokies may start out on a bad note in the ACC. They already have two losses, if they want to be ranked again this season they must win this battle.
Why BC could win
BCโs defense has been impressive through a few games so they will probably never trail by more than two TDs at any point in the 2010. RB Montel Harris is aย tough runner,ย and can battle for extra yards that will help BC win the battle of field position.
Why VT could win
BCโsย wide receivingย core is weak, so they will not exploit the Hokies secondary like Boise did. Also, the Eagles secondary is questionable, so look for Taylor to go over the top to his gifted receivers in this one. The team that wants this game more will walk away victorious.
FINAL SCORE
Danny V: VIRGINIA TECH 24 BOSTON COLLEGE 23
JFAV (joe favia): VIRGINIA TECH 34ย ย BOSTON COLLEGE 21
California Bears at No.14 Arizona Wildcats
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X-FACTOR
Californiaย running backย Shane Vereen needs to have a big game because when the โCatsย defense shuts down the oppositionโs running game, they put everyone in the box, and make you beat them over the top.
The Bears are looking to beat a Arizona team that is riding high going into this game, and looks to catch them off guard.
Matchup of the Game
Wildcatย quarterback Nick Foles against Cal corner Darius Hagan. Arizona will spread out the Cal defense, but somebody has to step up and Hagan may be that guy.
Why Cal can win
Kevin Riley can looks just awful, and at other times he can look like an All-Pac 10 type of player. They have enough talent on offense to put up the points, but I question their secondary because these โCats wide receivers made the Iowa secondary look mediocre.
Why AZ can win
They looked like a contender for a Rose Bowl bid against a solid Iowa team in the desert last Saturday. Their defense was flying all over the field, plus they picked up a few big plays (Pick Six and Special Teams TD). If they can put pressure on Riley like the Utah Utes did in last yearโs bowl game, the โCats may be cracking the top ten sooner than later.
FINAL SCORE
Danny V:ย ย ARIZONA 34 CAL 27
JFAV (joe favia):ย ARIZONA 31 CAL 28ย ย ย (please calm down Coach Stoops!)
No. 5 Oregon Ducks at Arizona State Sun Devils
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X-FACTOR
LaMichel James and Kenjon Barner are the two most explosive players in America right now. However, redshirt sophomore QB Derron Thomas said he is coming off his worst game of his collegiate career.
Matchup of the Game
Forget individual matchups, it is simple. Cal must avoid giving up the big play. Oregon lives and dies by their spread running scheme. They have a great OL and a speedy defense. They have been impressive as any team in the nation so far.
Why ASU can win
QB Steven Threet is on fire and the Devils are not afraid to throw down the field. The Ducks secondary may be the only weakness they have, so if Threet can light them up this could be a barnburner that goes down to the wire.
Why Oregon will win
The Ducks mascot has been doing pushups every minute of the day. The only chance they donโt score 35, is if Thomas turns the ball over three times or more. They will rush for another 300 yards and look really good early in the morning.
FINAL SCORE
Danny V: OREGON 34, ARIZONA STATE 24
JFAV (joe favia):ย OREGON 42ย ARIZONA STATE 17
No. 22 West Virginia Mountaineers at No. 15 Louisianna State Tigers
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X-FACTOR
WVโs secondary is pretty filthy with Robert Sands and Brandon Hogan. Hogan is expected back after a DUI heย got in the off-season.
Matchup of the Game
LSU receiverย Terrence Toliver against WV corner Brandon Hogan. Hogan is a physical bump and run corner who may get on the nerves of Toliver.
Toliver is a top tenย wide receiverย in the nation. The winner of this battle will most likely be on the winning side when the smoke clears at the end of the night.
Why West Virginia can win
Their defense is solid up front despite what some may think. Scooter Berry and Chris Neild will cause problems for LSU QB Jordan Jefferson. Plus the West Virginia offense still hasย running backย Noel Devine who can take one to the house when wants most of the time.
Why LSU can win:
ย Nights in the Bayou are tough for anybody. Unless you are Tebow and the Gators you really donโt stand much of a chance. However, this LSU offense is still pretty enemic and has struggled to move the football. They are 115 in America (Out of 120) in passing yards per game averaging just 120.
That is embarassing by any strech. Luckily, they have been getting by in the running game. Stat to watch is the fact that LSU has the longest regular season non-conference winning record; which they are trying to protect.
FINAL SCORE:
Danny V: LSU 29ย WEST VIRGINIA 24
JFAV (joe favia): LSU 21ย ย WEST VIRGINIA 22
UCLA Bruins at No. 7 Texas Longhorns
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X-FACTOR
RB Fozzy Whitaker has given the Horns that much needed punch on the ground they have lacked the past few years. If Fozzy can go bonkers, this Bruins defense wonโt know what hit them.
Matchup of the Game
UCLA LB Akeem Ayers against Texas LT Kyle Hix. If Ayers can force some pressure on QB Garrett Gilbet, then this Longhorns offense will be prone to turnovers.
Why UCLA can keep it close
Their defense shut down Case Keenum and Houston before he went down with a torn ACL. Ayers and Rahim Moore are All-Americans who can help give the Bruins offense great field position with some turnovers.
Why Texas will win
Because the Bruins offense is struggling to move the ball. UCLA cannot pass the ball because their QB's are not mobile and they do not have the arm strength to stretch a defense like the caliber of Texas. Texas has possibly the best secondary in America.
FINAL SCORE
Danny V: TEXAS 34, UCLA 14
JFAV (joe favia):ย TEXAS 35 UCLA 27
No. 19 Miami Hurricanes at Pittsburgh Panthers
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X-FACTOR
The Canes need to run the ball successfully in order to avoid tough 3rd-and- longs. Jacory Harris is known for always throwing key picks at crucial moments.
Therefore, RB Damien Berry must be able to gash this Pitt defense who is missing their top defensive player Greg Romeus as well as two of their safeties as well as their middle linebacker.
Spells trouble for Wanny and the boys.
Matchup to watch
Pitt LT Jason Pinkston against Miami DE Allen Bailey. Both are future first round picks and this will be a critical matchup to determine if Pitt RB Deon Lewis can find room to run against a speedy Canes D.
Why Pitt could win
Deon Lewis is a hell of a back and Jon Baldwin is a darn good WR. All-American playmakers will give the Canes issues. T-Pryor tore them up, look for the Wildcat with Lewis which should give the Canes some issues.
Why Miami should win
Half of the Pitt D is out due to injury/suspensions and Jacory Harris always has a big game in the middle of September following a loss.
The WRโs are going to expose Pittโs mediocre secondary.
FINAL SCORE
Danny V:ย MIAMIย 31, PITT 24
JFAV (joe favia): MIAMI 17 PITT 10
No. 16 Stanford Cardinal at Notre Dame Fighting Irish
7 of 11
X-FACTOR
QB Andrew Luck is simply an All-American right now, however it is the Stanford defense as a whole that has been spectacular.
Is this Stanford D for real?
Allowing just under 14 PPG is better than just average. If Owen Marecic can play as a grinding fullback and as a hardnosed linebacker, then this Stanford team really may be smelling Roses this year.
Matchup of the Game
WR Michael Floyd against Stanford CB Richard Sherman. The former WR, Sherman better slow down Floyd or else it will be a long day for the Cardinal defense.
Why Stanford could win
Andrew Luck is going to throw for 350 plus yards in this game. Mark it down. Their WRโs are moreย than capable, but the Irishโs secondary has some talent to avoid getting torched all afternoon.
Why Notre Dame could win
They are due to win a close game eventually right?
They have some studs on offense that any team in America would love to have. Dayne Crist needs some protection because he can carve this Cardinal secondary apart.
Stanford has not seen an offense as talented as the Irish so look for the Golden Domers to open up the playbook and try everything possible in order to win.
FINAL SCORE
Danny V: NOTRE DAME 31, STANFORD 30
JFAV (joe favia): NOTRE DAME 24ย STANFORD 34
No. 24 Oregon State Beavers at #3 Boise State Broncos
8 of 11
X-FACTOR
QB Ryan Katz for the Beavers better be able to put together a game he had similarly to the TCU opener. He lit up the Frogs secondary so you know he can do the same to Boise.
Matchup of the Game
However, Jazquizz Rodgers will be bottled up against Boiseโs stout front four, which will cause some issues for the Beavers. Oregon State must win the battle in the trenches or else it will get ugly really quick.
Why Oregon State might win
The Beavers can throw it and run it pretty well, though they could not run jack against a speedy TCU D. Boiseโs D is nearly as speedy but much more physical which may put a lot of pressure on the other Rodgers brother, James. A lot of single coverage may be the advantage that OSU desperately needs.
Why Boise should win
ย They just may be the best team in America. I donโt give a hell who they play, they just hang 40 against nearly everybody. Their WRโs, DL, and QB are the best in the nation in my book.
Great teams are built from the inside out. They are have a solid OL that has protected Kellen Moore better than any team in the nation. They even have a bevy of backs who can keep the chains moving.
FINAL SCORE
DANNY V: BOISE STATE 38, OREGON STATE 17
JFAV (joe favia):ย BOISE STATE 30ย OREGON STATE 21
No. 12 South Carolina Gamecocks at No. 17 Auburn Tigers
9 of 11
X-FACTOR
Gamecocks RB Marcus Lattimore has clearly given this offense they have never in the Spurrier eraโa consistent, power rushing attack. He makes life much easier for QB Stephen Garcia as well.
If he can run well, South Carolina all of a sudden becomes the SEC East favorite and probable winner in my book.
Matchup of the Game
Auburn QB Cam Newton will be facing consistent pressure all day againstย defensive endย Cliff Matthews.
If Newton can avoid turning the ball over and can run for some first down on crucial third downs, the Heisman hype will begin and a top ten ranking may occur for War Eagle.
Why South Carolina can win
Their defense is surely better than Auburnโs so far this season. Plus their offense is nearly as good and much more balanced.
The mood just might be right for "the ol' ball coach" to have his players ready for this big-time primetime matchup. The tragic passing of former Gamecock legend Kenny McKinney will be more motivation to get it done this weekend as well.
Why Auburn can win
The big story really should be Auburnโs nose tackle Nick Fairley who has just been a beast through three games.ย South Carolina's offensive lineย is just subpar despite the teamโs success. If Fairley and AUโs frontย seven can wreak havoc on Garcia, then this is huge for the Tigers.
Also I will never take Garcia over aย great quarterbackย like Cam Newton. He is bailing this team by rushing for over 100 yards a game. If he continues to be Superman, then maybe it Auburnโs year to play in a New Yearโs type of bowl game. But, at the end of the day this will be a close one.
FINAL SCORE
DANNY V: AUBURN 21, SOUTH CAROLINA 17
JFAV (joe favia): AUBURN 17 SOUTH CAROLINA 21
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide at No. 10 Arkansas Razorbacks
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X-FACTOR
This is going to be a battle between two coaches in Bobbyย Petrino and Nick Sabanย that most NFL fans don't care for very much (especially in Miami and Atlanta).
Arkansasโsย linebacking core led by Anthony Leon, Jerry Franklin, and Freddy Burton are as fast and core out there.ย They roam sideline to sideline and are starting to strike fear into offensives.
Matchup of the Game
Think Richardson and Ingram are scared of anybody? They cannot wait to butt heads with these linebackers.
It should truly be a hell of a matchup.
Why Alabama should win
They have been the best team throughย the firstย weeks, and their defense up front has been impressive. They will have no problems scoring points. Their secondary must avoid giving up big plays.
Why Arkansas will pull off the upset
They have the best receiving core in the nation including aย veryย good tight endย in DJ Williams who refuses to go down.
Mallett is one of the most talented QBโs we have seen in quite some time. I donโt care if Bamaโs D comes to play, they have seen nothing like the Razorbacks talent in the passing game.
If Arkansas can either force a few key turnovers or just a few three and outs, they will come out victoriously in the upset.
FINAL SCORE
DANNY V: ARKANSAS 28 ALABAMA 27
JFAV (joe favia) ARKANSAS 28 ALABAMA 30
Feel Free To Discuss!
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