College Football Picks Week 7: Five Big Perfomers Ready for Letdowns
We are in the heart of the college football season here in 2010. After six weeks, the rankings are finally starting to sort the contenders from the pretenders. This season has been dominated by big-time performances and flashy offenses.
Many names atop the Heisman watch list were not some which people expected to see there when the season started. That being said, just as the teams are sorting themselves out, players will also be in for let-down performances in upcoming weeks.
Week 7 features some big matchups as well as big tests for some of the standout performers in college football this season. Who will finally have a letdown after dominating the college landscape?
Here are five performers ready for that letdown:
John Clay vs. Ohio State
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John Clay has been running over defenses all season. The junior tailback has powered for 692 yards and nine touchdowns through six games. Splitting carries with freshman James White, the two have combined for over 1000 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns.
Clay has been a force even in defeat. Despite being held to 80 yards on 17 carries against Michigan State, he still has averaged 4.6 yards per carry.
Clay and Wisconsin take on the vaunted Ohio State Buckeyes defense this week in Madison. The Buckeyes have given fits to running backs all season and are among the toughest against the run. Expect Ohio State to stack the box and force Wisconsin to beat them in the air rather than on the ground.
Wisconsin may find some success using White, but look for Ohio State to contain Clay as they always know he is a threat.
Cam Newton vs. Arkansas
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Cam Newton has thrown his hat into the ring for Heisman talk after some great performances this season. His ability to produce with his arm and legs has helped lead Auburn to a top ten ranking.
Newton is 70/108 for 1,138 yards with 12 touchdowns through the air. Running the ball he is even more dangerous, rushing for 672 yards and 9 touchdowns. The duel threat of Newton has generated a huge amount of offense for Gene Chizik's Tiger squad.
Arkansas is Auburn's toughest opponent so far and very well could determine the favorite to overtake Alabama as SEC West champion. Arkansas will try to force Newton to beat them in the air and likely have a Linebacker spy against the option. Newton does have stellar stats on the ground but only average through the air, despite the high rating.
Auburn may still win this game but look for someone outside of Newton to step up as the junior quarterback will be the focus of the Razorback defense.
Denard Robinson vs. Iowa
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You could argue that he had a let down game last week, but outside of the three picks, Denard Robinson had 215 yards passing and 86 yards rushing and two touchdowns.
Robinson has been the surprise player of the season by far. Many had written off Michigan once again and still were unsure who would even start the season. But "Shoelace" has run all over the field. He has thrown for 1,223 yards and rushed for 991 yards for 17 total touchdowns through six games. He is nearly only paces for 2000-2000 season, which would be the first of its kind in college football history.
But five of Michigan's first six games weren't against top notch defenses. That will change as they work their way down the Big Ten schedule. Michigan State has a very solid defense, but its not quite on the level of the Iowa Hawkeye defense.
Watch out for the defensive linemen Adrian Clayborn and Mike Daniels to step up and penetrate the Michigan offensive line and shut down Robinson. If the sophomore quarterback thought things were tough against MSU, let's see how he fares running the ball 15-20 times against a physical Iowa defense.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Stephen Garcia vs. Kentucky
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Stephen Garcia is the big man on South Carolina campus this week after leading the Gamecocks to a 35-21 upset over then No. 1 Alabama. Garcia has had an impressive year so far, throwing for 944 yards and eight touchdowns with only three interceptions.
Garcia's ability to avoid turnovers plus the support of a running game from freshman running back Marcus Lattimore has allowed South Carolina to jump to a 4-1 start and No. 10 ranking.
However, Garcia has to beware of the letdown game after the huge win against Kentucky. The Gamecocks in recent years haven't fared too well outside of Columbia and the Wildcats are coming off a near upset of Auburn at home last week.
All of the ingredients are adding up for a perfect storm for a Kentucky upset. Garcia has to keep his foot on the pedal against Kentucky or he his consistency could falter.
Vai Taua vs. Hawaii
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Vai Taua is quietly having one of the most impressive seasons this year. The senior running back has rushed for 837 yards and 11 touchdowns and has led Nevada to a 6-0 record and No. 19 ranking in the country.
Even though Hawaii doesn't have much of a vaunted defense, Nevada will be traveling across the Pacific to Honolulu for this game. The Warriors will be ready to spring the upset and the Wolfpack should not over look this game by any means.
Taua's worst game of the season was the opener against Eastern Washington. Since then he has been one of the most efficient runners in the country. Its a bit of stretch to say he will have a let down game, but don't be surprised if Hawaii comes ready to battle against the pistol offense of Nevada.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
