Sumlin and Saban have developed a little rivalry.
Week 8 is upon us and now is the time to start thinking about some of the key games this weekend that will impact the College Football playoff.
Miami Hurricanes at Virginia Tech Hokies: Both teams are coming off of tough losses last week. Miami lost at home to North Carolina while Virginia Tech had an ugly loss at Syracuse.
The Canes have lost two in a row and look nothing like the team that started 4-0. Coach Mark Richt needs to find a way to get quarterback Brad Kaaya back on track. Kaaya has really struggled the last two weeks. The Miami offense goes as he goes.
Speaking of offense, the Hokies really struggled offensively last week. If Virginia Tech is going to get back on track, they need to start running the football better. The Hokies are averaging a respectable 188.7 yards per game on the ground but the running game was non-existent last week.
I think Blacksburg is still a tough place to play. I know the Hokies don’t have the same edge to them but they’ll get up for tonight’s game against their long time ACC rival. I like the Hokies in what should be a close game.
Prediction: Virginia Tech 27 Miami 20
#10 Wisconsin Badgers at Iowa Hawkeyes: Wisconsin needs to find a way to circle the wagons after last week’s tough loss at home against Ohio State. It won’t be easy as the Hawkeyes are tough at Kinnick Stadium.
Both teams like to run the football, throw the ball off of play-action and play good defense. That means this will be a slug fest. Wisconsin, Iowa usually is.
I am still buying the Badgers despite their two losses to Michigan and Ohio State. I think they are the best team in the Big Ten West and they’ll prove it with a win in this game.
Prediction: Wisconsin 24 Iowa 17
#6 Texas A&M Aggies at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide: Bama, A&M will be the biggest game this weekend. The Aggies think they are legit. Well, they’ll get to prove it on Saturday against the best team in the country.
On the surface, you would think Alabama is more of an offensive team now given the exploits of freshmen quarterback Jalen Hurts but if you take a closer look at the numbers, Bama is only giving up 15 points per game. A&M will have trouble scoring.
The Aggies have to play well in all three phases. They have to take care of the football and generate turnovers. If they don’t do those things, they have no shot of pulling off the upset.
I think A&M is back but they haven’t bridged the gap enough between them and Alabama. I think this game will be tight for a half but Bama is the better team and they are at home. That’s why I am picking them.
#17 Arkansas Razorbacks at #21 Auburn Tigers: Remember when we all buried Auburn after a tough start to the season? Well, the Tigers have rebounded nicely and have won four in a row.
Auburn is known for their offense but it is the defense that has spearheaded this resurgence. The Tigers are only giving up 16.0 points per game. It is the defense that will need to play well in order for them to win this game.
Arkansas is big and physical and they wear undersized defenses down. Auburn will have to somehow find a way to match that physicality or they will be in for a long night.
I am going with the Hogs in this one. Bret Bielema has his team believing and they are playing to their identity. I think they’ll go into Jordan-Hare Stadium and beat Auburn.
Prediction: Arkansas 31 Auburn 24
#23 Ole Miss Rebels at #25 LSU Tigers: The Rebels will look to bounce back after a tough loss at Arkansas last week. Chad Kelly and company continue to churn out yards and points but the defense has really let the Rebels down.
The Rebels defense will face a stiff challenge this week as they attempt to stop the returning Leonard Fournette. Fournette has missed the last two games due to injury but he is back now and he’ll be looking to close out the season with a vengeance and improve his draft stock.
It is hard to pick against a team like Ole Miss because they are so potent on offense. That’s why I am picking them to win this game despite the way their defense is playing right now. They’ll outscore LSU.
Prediction: Ole Miss 35 LSU 24