College Football 2011: Predicting The Biggest Blowout From Every Week
Most of the 120 FBS football teams lose at some point during the season.
Some, however, go out with barely a whimper.
To those poor unfortunate squads, we pause for a moment of silence, to remember the feelings of hope, the eagerness to step onto the field and prove their worth, which are going to be quickly dashed in a steep dose of reality.
Some games just aren't fair...
So in the spirit of '10 Alabama vs. Michigan State, '05 Miami vs. Duke and '04 Boise State vs. Idaho, here is a list of the worst blowouts predicted to take place in each week of the 2011 season.
Week 1: Youngstown State at Michigan State
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The Penguins are in for an awfully cold reception in East Lansing.
If there is an team with a bitter taste in its mouth from the end of 2010, it's the Spartans.
After suffering a 49-7 beating at the hands of Alabama in the Capital One Bowl, the Spartans are ready to take the field and prove that last season's Big Ten Co-Championship was no fluke.
Kirk Cousins is a dark horse Heisman contender, and a talented stable of running backs join him in State's backfield.
YSU is going to have tough sledding in this one, especially if MSU's kick return specialist Keshawn Martin finds a seam or two.
Week 2: Charleston Southern at Florida State
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FSU seems to have it all going into 2011.
A defense with the perfect mix of talent and experience, a solid quarterback, everyone who contributed on offense returning next season.
The Seminoles are in most preseason top 25 rankings, right around number three or four.
Charleston Southern, on the other hand, won only three games last season, and lost by 63...to Coastal Carolina.
This one is going to be enough to make your eyes scream for you to change the channel rather than endure such pain.
Week 3: Idaho at Texas A&M
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A&M should win this one like Secratariat won the '73 Belmont.
The Vandals are facing another season of playing second fiddle to Boise State, while A&M is looking to gain a foothold in the climb to Big 12 dominance.
The Aggies have a solid run game and can put up points in bunches.
The Vandals were 118th in rushing yards per game last season, gaining only 88.2 yards per contest.
A&M is going to have a field day.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Week 4: Vanderbilt at South Carolina
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The Commodores were 94th overall last season, allowing over 31 points per game.
The Gamecocks have one of the most prolific offenses in college football.
Recipe for one serving of butt-whooping.
Stephen Garcia will have a field day against a defense that allowed 226 yards per game through the air last season.
Tally up an easy conference "W" for the Gamecocks.
Week 5: Ball State at Oklahoma
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This is about as fair as Frosty the Snowman vs. the sun.
Oklahoma is loaded with talent, and by week five, they should have a handle on how to use it.
Ball State has holes all over the field, starting at D-Line.
The Cardinals front seven was instrumental in allowing opponents to rush for 178 yards per game, while the secondary was the key to allowing 220 plus yards per contest.
Things could get ugly in Norman, real fast in this one.
Week 6: Kansas at Oklahoma State
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Kansas quarterback Quinn Mecham, we appreciate you efforts, but the Jayhawks don't have the horsepower to hang with the Cowboys.
Justin Blackmon and Brandon Weeden are the catalysts of an explosive OSU offense and can't stop anybody.
As matter of fact, at times last season, they looked as if they couldn't hit their way out of a wet paper bag.
The Cowboys have high expectations for '11, with good reason, and will easily handle an undermanned Kansas team.
Week 7: Iowa State at Missouri
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Continuing with the Big 12 theme here, Mizzou battles the Cyclones in week seven.
While Iowa State has not been as awful in recent years, as has been the case in the past, they are not a team that has anyone shaking in their boots.
The Cyclones have to replace quarterback Austin Arnaud as well as running back Alexander Robinson and two offensive linemen.
They will be up against a Missouri team that has the talent to win the Big 12.
While last season's game was a close 14-0 victory for the Tigers, Iowa State lost so much on offense, it will be surprising if they gain more than three first downs in the game.
Week 8: New Mexico at TCU
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Casey Pachall is no Andy Dalton, but he will prove to be an effective quarterback in Gary Patterson's offense.
Even in the mid 2000's, when New Mexico actually won a few games, TCU owned them.
Last season's meeting ended to the tune of TCU 66-New Mexico 17.
This season, the Lobos can only hope that Tank Carder and Tanner Brock don't make themselves at home in New Mexico's backfield...
Week 9: West Virginia at Rutgers
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West Virginia has a new head coach.
Dana Holgorsen, the architect of the explosive Oklahoma State offense, has taken over the reins.
Sorry, Rutgers.
Granted, this one is on the road for WVU, but Geno Smith and Co. should have no difficulty putting up points against an undersized Rutgers defense.
Rutgers, you were so close to actually being relevant.
Week 10: New Mexico State at Georgia
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The Aggies' anemic offense is going to have a hard time moving the ball against Georgia's defense.
The size disparity between the two teams is glaringly obvious, and Georgia has a great offense.
At least, it will look great against NMSU.
Aaron Murray will look like the next coming of Dan Marino against a secondary that allowed almost 250 passing yards per game in 2010.
The Aggies will be in the game, until kick-off.
Week 11: Western Kentucky at LSU
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Since they joined the FBS in 2007, the Hilltoppers have five wins over FBS schools.
LSU has a defense that is capable of stopping a charging elephant and has the speed to match.
Regardless of Jordan Jefferson's ability to remain consistent through four quarters, the Tigers should have no difficulty winning this one going away.
The Hilltoppers only scored 22.8 points per contest in 2010.
They will be likely to get 2.8 against LSU.
Week Twelve: Georgia Southern at Alabama
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The Tide face a crucial stretch late in the season with games against Tennessee, LSU, Mississippi State and Georgia Southern.
That's right.
Just before another edition of the Iron Bowl, the Tide get a gimme in a game against the Eagles.
'Bama is predicted to be a top two team in the country, and should have figured out all the answers to any personnel questions by this point in the season.
A sixty to seventy point beating is very likely for the Eagles.
Week Thirteen: Duke at North Carolina
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The Blue Devils may have smarter students, but they obviously don't get the game of football.
North Carolina is returning some stellar defensive players, and even with the questions along the entire offense, will have the firepower to obliterate Duke.
Quinton Coples will spend most of the day in the Devils' backfield, and Duke might not score in this one.
Duke may have the advantage on the hardwood, but the Tar Heels own the gridiron in this rivalry.
Week Fourteen: New Mexico at Boise State
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Even if Boise State finds the MWC schedule a little more difficult than the WAC, they have a very good shot at going unscathed through the year.
New Mexico is going to have a tough time s=moving the ball, much less scoring, against a team that returns some serious talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Kellen Moore is dangerous enough when he is under pressure, but with plenty of time to throw the ball, the four hundred yard plateau is a definite possibility.
Yes, New Mexico is getting picked on twice in this list, but believe me, they deserve it.
Week Fifteen: Army vs. Navy (FedEx Field)
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Honestly, it's the only game scheduled for that week, but Navy should have no issues taking care of the Black Knights...
Might not be a blowout, but the Midshipmen have more talent and will walk away with a "W".
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
