Posted: November 7, 2013
Oklahoma at Baylor – Thursday night gets going with the nation’s number one offense in Baylor against the staunch defense of the Sooners. Baylor has the #1 offense and #6 defense in terms of points. But a quick look at the Baylor schedule shows that output came against very weak competition. This is the first game of a five game gauntlet against Oklahoma, Texas Tech, Ok St, TCU and Texas. We will finally see if Baylor belongs at the elite level. The Sooners come in 7-1 with the single blemish being against Texas. In my view this game comes down to can the Sooners slow down the Bears offense. They don’t need to stop it, just slow it down. Vegas doesn’t think this game will be very close. I disagree, it’s a big number.
Oregon at Stanford – Wow what a Thursday lineup! In the second of two great match ups, the Ducks face the Cardinal who knocked the Ducks out of the Championship game last year. Can they do it again? Oregon’s quest to reach the Championship game will face it’s biggest hurdle in this game at Stanford. I really like Stanford and how they play. I am not really sure how they lost that game to Utah robbing us of an epic battle of two undefeated teams. The Ducks offense is #2 in terms of points scored, but what gets lost in they are #8 in points against. I think Stanford may have problems scoring so they better slow down the Ducks offense like they did last year. I am not sure they can do it again.
BYU at Wisconsin – There should be a lot of running plays in this game. Wisconsin goes with a two headed running back duo, while the Cougars utilize a running back and a running QB attack. Both teams are in the top 15 in rushing yards. The game plan will be, you know what we are going to attempt to do, just try and stop us. My sense is the Badgers are better able to stop what the other team does best. And the Badgers are at home. BYU is coming in on a five game winning streak. Should be a physical, enjoyable game.
Houston at Central Florida – The 6-1 Knights face the 7-1 Cougars. The Cougars have a lone loss by one point to a solid BYU team. The Knights loss was to South Carolina, a game that they easily could have won. Both teams enter having a great season. And this game is for a significant lead in the AAC and a shot at a BCS bowl. Houston is 12th in the country in points at 41 per game, but is also leading the country in takeaways on defense. UCF has played the tougher schedule. Houston is led by a freshman QB, but is the only team to have scored in every quarter they have played. ESPN 7pm. This game has an hour to hook me before LSU and Bama kick off. If they do, split screen!
Virginia Tech at Miami – The Canes look to rebound from the disappointing game last week in losing to Florida State and they will need to do it without Duke Johnson, most likely their best player. If the Hokies can pull off the upset, they create a mess atop the ACC Coastal Division. Additionally, a Hokie win does damage to the Noles chances of staying ahead of Oregon or being able to pass them down the road. Go Hokies!
LSU at Alabama – The Tigers versus the Tide. 8pm. CBS. Enough said!