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Friday, October 19, 2007
The Fearless Friday Forecast
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
We were 8-2 last week because I wasn’t smart enough to pick Kentucky over LSU and because I took a flyer on Central Florida over South Florida, which crashed and burned, 64-12. That gives us a record of 49-21 on the season.
After all of the upsets we’ve had in the first half of the season, and again last night when South Florida lost to Rutgers, you should know that the fun is just beginning.
So here, without further delay, is another edition of the Fearless Friday Forecast.
1. Army at Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets and Tashard Choice stepped up at Miami last Saturday and will use this game as a tune-up for the visit from Virginia Tech on Nov. 1. Tech needs to make sure no one gets hurt and that QB Taylor Bennett builds up his confidence. He’ll need it against the Hokies. Georgia Tech 31, Army 7.
2. Miami at Florida State: Remember when this game used to mean something? For the first time since 1977 neither team is ranked for this once-proud rivalry. Both are coming off losses. You have to give the edge to Florida State because the Hurricanes have been so bad on the road. Florida State 14, Miami 10.
3. Florida at Kentucky: Kentucky’s win over No. 1 LSU last week was very impressive. But the Gators have had a week off and have to win or they are done in the SEC race. Kentucky will play hard but after three overtimes last week, the emotional tank will start to run dry in the second half. Florida 28, Kentucky 21.
4. Auburn at LSU: Like Kentucky, LSU has had two straight tough games. After a shaky start, Auburn is starting to play well. Auburn has won eight straight SEC road games. Coach Tommy Tuberville has won nine of his last 10 games against teams ranked in the Top 10. Earlier in the week I liked Auburn. But after last night’s loss by USF, LSU knows that it will be no worse than No. 3 in the next BCS standings. LSU will get it done at home. LSU 14, Auburn 10.
5. Tennessee at Alabama: Nick Saban gets his first big rivalry game as the coach of the Crimson Tide. The Volunteers still control their own destiny in the SEC East and need a win to set up a big showdown with South Carolina next week. Tennessee is more athletic than Alabama and it will show in the fourth quarter. Tennessee 21, Alabama 20.
6. Vanderbilt at South Carolina: The Gamecocks are No. 6 in the BCS and still in the hunt for the SEC East championship. The offense is still struggling so you will see Blake Mitchell back at quarterback before this game is over. South Carolina wins because the defense is really good. Vanderbilt will play hard but get its heart broken again. South Carolina 21, Vanderbilt 10.
7. Central Michigan at Clemson: This is a dangerous game for Tommy Bowden. He’s got to convince his players that the Chippewas are for real and can fling it all over the place with quarterback Dan LeFevour, who has thrown 12 touchdown passes in his last two games. Clemson 28, Central Michigan 21.
8. Texas Tech at Missouri: This one may take five hours to play. Graham Harrell (Texas Tech) and Chase Daniel (Missouri) have combined for over 5,000 yards of passing in just half a season. Harrell is completing 74.35 percent of his passes. Daniel completes 68.9 percent. Missouri’s defense is a little bit better. Missouri 42, Texas Tech 37.
9. Southern Cal at Notre Dame: The Trojans are No. 14 in the BCS so they need to start winning with some style points. Notre Dame has improved but the Irish are still a bad football team. Like they did in 2005, the Irish have grown the grass pretty tall at Notre Dame Stadium hoping to slow down the Trojans. Won’t help. Southern Cal 35, Notre Dame 13.
10. Michigan at Illinois: Despite early non-conference losses to Appalachian State and Oregon, Michigan is on top in the Big Ten and hopes to stay there until it hosts Ohio State on Nov. 17. But the Illini have a mobile quarterback (Juice Williams) and that has given the Wolverines trouble. Michigan is a slight favorite but I like Illinois at home. Illinois 21, Michigan 20.
