Red Card Top 10- Week 4
Hey everyone, and welcome back to another edition of the RED CARD Top 25! Last week was a huge week for college football and this week amps it up a notch with some big conference match-ups. Without further ado, lets dive right in and see the rankings, Heisman contenders, games of the week and RED CARD those who are deserving. (Side note: thanks to all those who wished me a happy birthday- I appreciate it.)
Picks are accurate 60% of the time, every time.
- LSU. Right now, there is little doubt about who the best team in the country is, and its LSU. After demolishing West Virginia in Morgantown, LSU actually gets to play a home game this week against struggling Kentucky.
- Alabama. Alabama took a good Arkansas team to the woodshed last week, plain and simple. While most people, myself included, were waxing poetic about LSU- the Tide were rolling.
- Oklahoma. Surprisingly, Oklahoma struggled at home against Missouri last weekend to open conference play. This week should be a nice, easy tuneup for the rest of the Big XII season when Ball St. visits Norman.
- Boise St. 3 words: Kellen. Moore. Boom.
- Stanford. The Cardinal had a bye-week last weekend. Now they get struggling UCLA at home, which is essentially another bye-week. Look for Stanford to roll.
- Oklahoma St. After being dominated by Texas A&M in the first half of their game last Saturday, the Cowboy offense finally woke up and made a furious comeback to win 30-29. The Cowboys now have a bye-week before a home match-up with Kansas.
- Wisconsin. The Badgers welcome B1G newbie Nebraska to Camp Randall this weekend for the B1G’s biggest game of the season. To this point, Wisconsin has looked the part, winning big in all of their non-conference games. They thrive in big night games as well, so look for them to be extra spirited to play the Huskers on Saturday.
- Oregon. The Ducks have a bye-week this week after throttling Arizona in Tuscon last weekend.
- Virginia Tech. Well, the Hokies finally have a real challenge this week after a soft non-conference schedule when red-hot Clemson comes into town. This could be the game that separates the Hokies from the pack, in a good or bad way.
- Florida. Florida has been quietly good this season after finally getting their young team some much-needed experience. BUT- this week’s test is much different when Alabama rolls into the Swamp.
- South Carolina. Marcus Lattimore to the rescue again.
- Nebraska. After a tune-up win on the road at Wyoming, the Huskers gear up for their biggest challenge of the year when the travel to Madison to face Wisconsin for their first B1G game ever.
- Clemson. Well, the Tigers proved they deserve to be in the ACC discussion last week with a win over Florida St. at home. Tajh Boyd continues to impress at quarterback.
- Baylor. All you need to know: RGIII.
- Texas A&M. The Aggies should be disappointed after losing a game that they gave away to Oklahoma St. Time to regroup though, and quickly, as they travel to #18 Arkansas.
- South Florida. The Bulls have one of their few tests of 2012 when they travel to Pitt on Thursday night.
- Texas. The Longhorns travel to Iowa St. this weekend looking to avenge their 2010 loss at home to the Cyclones.
- Arkansas. Oh boy did Arkansas take a beating in Tuscaloosa last weekend. Much like this weeks foe, Texas A&M, the ‘Hogs have to rebound very quickly to avoid a 2-game losing streak.
- TCU. Look who has snuck back up to #19. The Horned Frogs will be dominant in the Mountain West.
- Michigan. After a pretty solid win over Brady Hoke’s former school, San Diego St., the Wolverines start conference play with struggling Minnesota at home.
- Georgia Tech. The Wrambling Wreck struggled against a gutsy North Carolina team at home last weekend, but eeked out the victory. Next up: @North Carolina St.
- Florida St. After back-t0-back losses to Oklahoma and Clemson, the ‘Noles get a bye-week to prepare for struggling Wake Forest.
- West Virginia. Wow, the Mountaineers got shell-shocked at home by LSU last weekend. Look for a rebound win this week against Bowling Green.
- Arizona St. ASU dominated USC at home last weekend, winning by 21 points. This week, they get the STRUGGLING Oregon St. Beavers at home.
- Illinois. Tough win for the Illini over Western Michigan, but a win is a win at this point. Next up: Northwestern.
RGIII is moving up the leader board.
Heisman Contenders:
- Landry Jones, QB, Oklahoma. Jones is still number 1 in my rankings due to his win at Florida St. BUT- he will have to play much better than he did against Missouri last weekend to stay there.
- Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor. RGIII threw for 383 yards and 5 TD’s against Rice. This guy is scary good.
- Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. Luck has yet to face a real test yet, but he still passes the “eye test” every single week. As impressive as they come.
- Marcus Lattimore, RB, South Carolina. I’ve expanded my Top 3 contenders to a Top 4 just because Marcus Lattimore is playing out of his mind right now.
Other contenders: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama; Kellen Moore, QB, Boise St.; Russell Wilson, QB, Wisconsin; Brandon Weeden, QB Oklahoma St; Justin Blackmon, WR, Oklahoma St.
The B1G game of the week: Nebraska at Wisconsin.
Games of the week:
- #8 Nebraska at #7 Wisconsin. This is the B1G’s showcase game of the season. Newcomer Nebraska travels to Camp Randall Stadium to take on the Badgers in what most people expect to be the B1G Championship rematch in December. There are so many intriguing story lines going into this game that will make this special. Its Nebraska’s first game in the B1G. Barry Alvarez is the Badgers honorary captain for this game, going against the school where he learned his craft under Bob Devaney. Russell Wilson’s immediate impact for the Badgers. Nebraska’s rushing attack led by Taylor Martinez. Nebraska’s Speed vs. Wisconsin’s Power. Jump Around to begin the 4th quarter. To this point, Wisconsin has proven why they are favorites to win. They have looked impressive in all aspects of the game. Plus, they are at home, at night (see last years Ohio St. game at Camp Randall). Nebraska is still an unproven entity. The offense has shown the ability to sustain drives at times, but not consistently enough. The defense has looked like a shell of its former self compared to the last 2 years. The key to the whole game is whether the Blackshirts come to play or not. If the front 7 contain Russell Wilson and stop some runs at the line of scrimmage, then the Huskers have a chance. Prediction: Wisconsin 31-21. Confidence: 8.
- #3 Alabama at #12 Florida. Alabama showed their true colors again last week against an emerging Arkansas team, and promptly blew them out at home. The ‘Tide were effective and efficient in all areas, but their defense was especially top notch. The offense capitalized on Arkansas turnovers and field position. Tide QB A.J. McCarron will need to be as efficient in the Swamp if they want to roll up another 30+ point effort against the Gators. Florida is young, fast and dynamic on both sides of the ball. If you dont close down the edge of the field, they can and will score on you. 1st year head coach Will Muschamp also used to be mentored by one Nick Saban early in his coaching career, so this is also a teacher v. student match-up. Look for teacher to win this time. Prediction: Alabama 28-21. Confidence: 7.
- #13 Clemson at #11 Virginia Tech. Well, last weekend the ACC race became a little more exciting as up-and-coming Clemson beat Florida St. at home to stay undefeated on the young season. This week could very well determine the shake-up for the ACC Championship game in December as #13 Clemson travels to Blacksburg to take on #11 Virginia Tech. The Tigers are young and talented, but this will be their first true road test against one of the most consistently good teams of the last decade. QB Tajh Boyd will need to protect the ball and not make silly turnovers to avoid getting in a early hole. The Hokies defense, as always, is extremely talented. The offense has been a concern to this point, only having posted pedestrian numbers through the non-conference schedule. QB Logan Thomas must be more consistent throwing the ball down field to take the focus off of the Hokies rushing attack. Look for this game to be close throughout. Prediction: Virginia Tech 28-24. Confidence: 5.
- #14 Texas A&M at #18 Arkansas. This is the disappointment bowl for both squads. Texas A&M surrendered a big lead against Oklahoma St. at home last week to lose 30-29, in the second biggest game of the Big XII season. The Aggies started off strongly, but QB Ryan Tannehill struggled to find open receivers in the second half and the Aggie defense couldnt slow Oklahoma St.’s offense in the second half either. Arkansas was riding high going to Tuscaloosa last weekend, but struggled to find ANY consistency on either side of the ball. They quickly found themselves on the wrong end of a 38-14 loss before they knew what happened. This game could be a turning poin for whichever team can rebound more quickly. This is still a marquee match up that can erase the bad taste of last week’s losses to whoever comes out with a W. Also look for this to be close throughout and a preview to the SEC’s newest rivalry. Prediction: Texas A&M 41-35. Confidence: 6.
Silly Justin Blackmon.....
Finally- its time to dish out a few RED CARDS:
- To the referees of the Syracuse- Toledo game: RED CARD. Seriously? Not only did you incorrectly call a missed extra point by Syracuse good (it tied the game and sent it to OT where Syracuse won) but then the replay officials let the call stand?!?! Why do we have replay if replay officials cant get this stuff right?
- To the referees of the Nebraska-Wyoming game: RED CARD. 1) How did you call Brett Maher’s field goal no good? 2) How did nobody review this and overturn it? There is something going on here.
- To Oklahoma St. WR Justin Blackmon: RED CARD. I know, Mr. Blackmon rarely makes this list, but I have to put him on blast for fumbling a WIDE OPEN touchdown into- and out of- the end zone for a safety against Texas A&M. Of all the spectacular TD’s he’s caught, this was the easiest and he messed it up.
- To Clemson QB Tajh Boyd: RED CARD. In one of the weirdest plays of the year, Boyd was back to pass and then lost his grip on the ball before tipping it up and into the hands of FSU lineman Bjoern Werner who returned it for a score. He makes this list out of pure goofiness.
- To Georgia Tech WR Stephen Hill: RED CARD. This man made a spectacular one-handed catch in the Yellow Jackets win over North Carolina, but his big miss overshadowed his outstanding performance. He dropped an easy 60 yard TD when there wasnt a man within 30 yards of him at a crucial point in the game. For that sir, you cannot escape scrutiny.
- To Maryland: RED CARD. Really? How do you compete to the last second with West Virginia and then get blown out 38-7 by Temple? Wow.
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