College Football Picks Week 11: Will Oregon Still Be No. 1?
The college football regular season is winding down the the Oregon University Ducks are No. 1.
But with previous No. 1's Alabama, Ohio State and Oklahoma falling, is Oregon going to maintain that position with No. 2 Auburn breathing down its neck?
Here are four intriguing match ups this Saturday.
4: No. 24 Kansas State at No. 17 Missouri
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This Big 12 showdown is for second place in the North division.
No. 24 Kansas State (6-3, 3-3 Big 12) will take it to the ground, as the Wildcats are 22nd nationally while averaging 201.2 yards a game. Senior running back Daniel Thomas has 214 carries for 1,102 yards and 12 touchdowns. Thomas, one of the more talented backs in college football, also has a solid backup in senior William Powell, who has 4 scores.
The passing game is a weak point, gaining only 161.2 yards a contest for 102nd nationally. Senior quarterback Carson Coffman has 178 pass attempts this whole season. He has 1,318 passing yards for 8 touchdowns and six interceptions.
No. 17 Missouri (7-2, 3-2 Big 12) will try to force Kansas State to throw the ball. The Tigers will pit their stifling defense that allows 16.3 points (8th nationally) against the Wildcats 32nd ranked offense (32.2 points per game).
Missouri junior quarterback Blaine Gabbert is having a solid season with 2,193 passing yards, 12 touchdowns and only four interceptions. He also has junior wide receiver T.J. Moe and junior tight end Michael Engew as targets. Moe and Engew combine for 1,289 yards and 7 touchdowns.
The Tigers did beat former No.1 Oklahoma 36-27, but have lost to No. 14 Nebraska and Texas Tech in consecutive games. However, look for Missouri's aerial attack and solid defense to pull through for a win.
3: No. 19 Mississippi State at No. 12 Alabama
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No. 19 Mississippi State (7-2, 3-2 Southeastern Conference) has had some up and down performances this year. The Rebels beat then No. 22 Florida 10-7 but fell short to ranked Auburn 17-14 and LSU 29-7.
Junior quarterback Chris Relf has not been a good passer this season, throwing for 926 yards for 7 touchdowns and three interceptions. He has 131 passing attempts this year and averages 164.6 yards a game, or 101st nationally.
The running game picks up the slack as both junior running back Vick Ballard and Relf combine for 1,124 yards on the ground and 15 touchdowns. The run game is 14th in the nation with 218.7 yards per Saturday.
No. 12 Alabama (7-2, 4-2 SEC) used to be No. 1, but South Carolina toppled the Crimson Tide and LSU beat them 24-21 last week.
Nick Saben's squad has a more balanced offensive attack, ranking 37th in passing (250.4 yards) and 34th in rushing (177.4 yards). Senior quarterback Greg McElroy has 2,004 yards, 13 touchdowns against four picks. He has dangerous weapons in junior wide receivers Julio Jones and Marquis Maze. Jones and Maze have 1,107 yards and 7 touchdowns between them.
Running backs Mark Engram and Trent Richardson form a two-headed monster, compiling 1,275 yards and 14 scores.
The game will come down to defense, as the Rebels are ranked 9th (17 points a game) while the Crimson Tide are 5th (13.8 points).
Alabama will bring back the goods in this one because they have a more balanced offensive attack and have home field advantage.
2: Georgia at No. 2 Auburn
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Georgia (5-5, 3-4 Southeastern Conference) will try to prevent No. 2 Auburn (9-0, 6-0 SEC) from reaching the national championship game.
Georgia has played a tough schedule and lost close challenges to ranked South Carolina 17-6 and Arkansas 31-24. They have played better than their record indicates.
The Bulldogs come in with a strong defense, giving up 19.4 points a contest. They would need the defense to step up to slow down the Tigers sixth nationally best offense that forces 42.2 point a game.
Freshman quarterback Aaron Murray has had an admirable season, with 2,307 aerial yards, 18 touchdowns and six picks. His favorite target to hit is junior wide receiver A.J. Green. Green has 32 catches for 510 yards and 7 scores.
But the Bulldogs will be overwhelmed by the Tigers' explosive offense.
Junior quarterback Cameron Newton is a Heisman Trophy candidate, beating teams with his arms and legs. Newton has 1,890 yards and 19 touchdowns through the air and 1,146 yards and 15 touchdowns on the ground.
Freshman running back Michael Dyer also has 799 yards and 5 scores to give the Tigers' the 4th best ground game in the nation (307.2 yards a game).
Will Auburn move to the coveted No. 1 spot?
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1: No. 1 Oregon at California
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The answer is no.
No. 1 Oregon (9-0, 6-0 Pac-10) will dominate foe California (5-4, 3-3 Pac-10).
Here's why.
The Golden Bears average 30 points a game while the Ducks steamroll a national best 54.7 points a game.
California is calling on junior quarterback Brock Mansion his second start ever as he is filling in for injured starter Kevin Riley. He had 312 yards for a score but 2 interceptions last week in a 20-13 win over Washington State.
The Ducks have a tough defense against the pass, so Mansion needs to give the ball to junior running back Sahne Vereen, who has 886 yards and 12 touchdowns this season to keep it close.
However, Oregon has star players in sophomore quarterback Darron Thomas (2,070 yards for 22 touchdowns), sophomore running back LaMichael James (1,331 yards for 17 touchdowns) and senior wide receiver Jeff Maehl (746 yards for 10 touchdowns) to leave the Golden Bears in the dust.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
