AJC > Sports > Blog > Archives > 2008 > October > 31
Friday, October 31, 2008
Dawgs edge Gators; ‘Noles nip Tech
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jacksonville—I’ve said for a long time that the fans of Georgia and Florida really want one thing out of a college football season: To arrive in Jacksonville each year with a lot still on the line. Well, both sets of fans should be happy today. They have rolled into town with EVERYTHING still on the line. My friend Pat Dooley of the Gainesville Sun said it is the biggest Georgia-Florida game ever. It well could be.
The most important thing that will happen today, however, is that the fans of both teams will fill up the golf courses and restaurants.
It is weekends like this that I really miss our friend Lewis Grizzard. He would really be enjoying this.
With your permission, I will file this humble edition of the Fearless Friday Forecast and rush off join a couple of my fraternity brothers for a round of golf and a bunch of lies about our misspent youth. This is the 23rd time in the past 24 years we’ve had a reunion around this game. And this kind of story is being repeated all over this town today. It is why, with all due respect to Coach Mark Richt, the Georgia-Florida game should NEVER leave Jacksonville. It’s just too much fun.
Last week we got back on track with a 7-3 record to give us a mark of 58-32 for the year. It’s been a great week with a great weekend to come. I hope you, unlike me, will be able to keep it in the short grass.
1. Georgia (7-1) vs. Florida (6-1) at Jacksonville: The way the Gators have been rolling up points, it is tempting to pick Florida. They have the revenge factor on their side but I think that lasts about two possessions for a game at this level. I like Georgia because of their balance. Knowshon Moreno has 10 games of over 100 yards at Georgia. The Bulldogs are 10-0 in those games. After Saturday, Moreno will have 11 games over 100 yards and Georgia will have its second straight win over the Gators, a first since 1988-89. Georgia 37, Florida 34.
2. Florida State (6-1) at Georgia Tech (6-2): Florida State has finally found an offensive identity with quarterback Christian Ponder and running back Antone Smith. The Seminoles now have a solid running game to back up the nation’s No. 3 defense (247.9 ypg, 79.9 rushing per game). Florida State is 12-0 against Georgia Tech since joining the ACC and has the speed on defense to run with the option attack of the Yellow Jackets. Tech needs to hit a couple of home runs because it is going to be difficult to sustain drives against this FSU defense. Florida State 24, Georgia Tech 20.
3. Tennessee (3-5) at South Carolina (5-3): One team will be excited about playing this game (South Carolina).The other (Tennessee) can’t be too fired up with all of the controversy surrounding the job status of coach Phillip Fulmer. It’s going to be a low scoring game as the offenses are ranked 79th and 112th and the defenses are 14 (Tennessee) and four (South Carolina). The way Tennessee’s offense is playing right now, the Volunteers might not score unless the defense forces turnovers. South Carolina 17, Tennessee 7.
4. Auburn (4-4) at Ole Miss (4-4): Ole Miss always provides a “warm” welcome for Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville, who was their head coach for 1995-98. Now Tuberville is fighting for his coaching life and needs a good win. Ole Miss has beaten Florida on the road and had four losses by a touchdown or less. A win would all but assure the Rebels will be bowl eligible as they play Louisiana-Monroe next week. Auburn has to force QB Jevan Snead (11 interceptions) to turn the ball over. Ole Miss 24, Auburn 20.
5. Kentucky (5-3) at Miss. State (3-5): Kentucky got embarrassed at Florida (63-5) last week but the Wildcats are still a pretty solid team with a good defense. In order to jump start the offense, coach Rick Brooks will start true freshman Randall Cobb at quarterback. Mississippi State needs a win here because the Bulldogs finish with Alabama, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. They won’t get it. Kentucky 17, Miss. State 7.
6. Arkansas State (4-3) at Alabama (8-0): Alabama has had a tendency to play down to an inferior opponent but the Crimson Tide really needs to take care of business on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama has the big trip to LSU coming up next week and is sitting at No. 2 in the BCS Standings with the sentimental favorite, Penn State’s Joe Paterno, resting at No. 3. Alabama does not want to give the voters in the polls one moment to doubt. Alabama 35, Arkansas State 7.
7.Clemson (3-4) at Boston College (5-2): Boston College (2-2 ACC) has no margin for error if it wants to stay in the hunt in the ACC Atlantic. The problem for the Eagles, and the hope for Clemson, is that quarterback Chris Crane has reverted to this old ways. He had three interceptions last week and has 12 picks (to 7 touchdowns) on the season. Clemson has had a week off since its 21-17 home loss to Georgia Tech. Clemson’s team psyche is fragile at home. It will not be better on the road. Boston College 28, Clemson 17.
8. Miami (5-3) at Virginia (5-3): Nobody has done a better coaching job the last four weeks than Virginia’s Al Groh. The Cavaliers beat Georgia Tech last week for their fourth straight win after a 1-3 start. During the winning streak Virginia Tech has scored an average of 26.5 points and gained 382 yards after averaging 9.0 points in the first four games. Miami still has issues on offense and won’t get them resolved against a pretty good Virginia defense. Virginia 28, Miami 14.
9. Duke (4-3) at Wake Forest (4-3): Wake Forest has beaten Duke eight straight times and desperately needs a win here to stay alive in the ACC Atlantic. Deacon coach Jim Grobe is determined to revive the Wake Forest running game, which is why he ran the ball 52 times in a 16-10 loss to Miami last week. Duke, which is trying to become bowl eligible for the first time since 1994, could take a big step in that direction with a win. Duke 21, Wake Forest 17.
10. Texas (8-0) at Texas Tech (8-0): This is easily the biggest game ever in Lubbock, Tex. Texas Tech and quarterback Graham Harrell are No. 3 nationally in scoring offense (48.0 ppg). Harrell has thrown for 3,147 yards and 28 touchdowns with only five interceptions. Texas is a more physical team and will be able to take advantage of that unless the Longhorns get behind and have to start throwing. Texas ranks 110th nationally in passing defense, giving up 265.5 yards per game. This one is going to be wild. Texas 52, Texas Tech 45.
