#1 Game of the Week:
#2 Alabama versus #8 Michigan
*Arlington, Texas
Alabama '11 OYPG: 430 '11 DYPG: 184 '11 Record: 12-1 (7-1) Bowl: BCS NC, W over LSU 21-0 _________ Key Offensive Players: QB AJ McCarron RB Eddie Lacy C Barrett Jones OT DJ Fluker OG Chance Warmack Key Defensive Players: DT Jesse Williams LB Nico Johnson LB CJ Mosley S Robert Lester Players Out: No Notable Players out. _________ | Michigan '11 OYPG: 405 '11 DYPG: 322 '11 Record: 11-2 (6-2) Bowl: Sugar, W over VT 23-20 OT ________ Key Offensive Players: QB Denard Robinson RB Fitz Toussaint WR Roy Roundtree OT Taylor Lewan Key Defensive Players: DE Craig Roh CB JT Floyd S Jordan Kovacs Players Out: RB Fitz Touissant (Susp.) ________ |
Position Advantages:
Quarterbacks: Michigan
Running Backs: Alabama
Receivers: Michigan
Offensive Line: Alabama
Defensive Line: Alabama
Linebackers: Alabama
Secondary: Alabama
Special Teams: Michigan
Overall Advantage: Alabama
--------------------
Analysis: The reigning champs will have many shoes to fill on defense. All-Americans Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, and Dre Kirkpatrick are no longer with the Tide and there is no breathing room as they face Michigan their first game. The offense looks to be in good hands with second year starter AJ McCarron along with a stacked backfield and a NFL offensive line. The defense is the only question Alabama will have in this game but they are capable of being supreme for a second year in a row. Michigan, on the other hand, is coming off its best year since 2006 going 11-2 with a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. Michigan had a solid year defensively last season and had a productive offense with Denard Robinson putting up eye-opening numbers again. The problem is that Robinson will not get as many chances to run in this game and Alabama has a stout secondary that will make it even tougher for Robinson.
Prediction: The Alabama offensive line is too good not to establish a solid run game for any of the backs in the backfield. Michigan will play tough but Alabama will win the battle in the trenches which makes it an easy choice to go with the Tide.
Alabama 31 Michigan 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarterbacks: Michigan
Running Backs: Alabama
Receivers: Michigan
Offensive Line: Alabama
Defensive Line: Alabama
Linebackers: Alabama
Secondary: Alabama
Special Teams: Michigan
Overall Advantage: Alabama
--------------------
Analysis: The reigning champs will have many shoes to fill on defense. All-Americans Mark Barron, Courtney Upshaw, Dont'a Hightower, and Dre Kirkpatrick are no longer with the Tide and there is no breathing room as they face Michigan their first game. The offense looks to be in good hands with second year starter AJ McCarron along with a stacked backfield and a NFL offensive line. The defense is the only question Alabama will have in this game but they are capable of being supreme for a second year in a row. Michigan, on the other hand, is coming off its best year since 2006 going 11-2 with a Sugar Bowl victory over Virginia Tech. Michigan had a solid year defensively last season and had a productive offense with Denard Robinson putting up eye-opening numbers again. The problem is that Robinson will not get as many chances to run in this game and Alabama has a stout secondary that will make it even tougher for Robinson.
Prediction: The Alabama offensive line is too good not to establish a solid run game for any of the backs in the backfield. Michigan will play tough but Alabama will win the battle in the trenches which makes it an easy choice to go with the Tide.
Alabama 31 Michigan 17
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
#2 Game of the Week:
#14 Clemson versus Auburn
*Atlanta, Georgia
Auburn '11 OYPG: 338 '11 DYPG: 408 '11 Record: 8-5 (4-4) Bowl: Chick-fil-a, W over UVA 43-24 _________ Key Offensive Players: QB Kiehl Frazier RB Onterio McCalebb WR Emory Blake TE Philip Lutzenkirchen Key Defensive Players: DE Corey Lemonier LB Daren Bates CB Chris Davis P Steven Clark Key Players Out: C Reese Dismukes (Susp.) _________ | Clemson '11 OYPG: 441 '11 DYPG: 394 '11 Record: 10-4 (7-2) Bowl: Orange, L to WVU 70-33 _________ Key Offensive Players: QB Tajh Boyd RB Andre Ellington WR DeAndre Ellington C Dalton Freeman Key Defensive Players: DE Malliciah Goodman LB Corico Hawkins LB Tony Steward LB Stephone Anthony S Rashard Hall Key Players Out: WR Sammy Watkins (Susp.) _________ |
Position Advantages
Quarterbacks: Clemson
Running Backs: Auburn
Receivers: Clemson
Offensive Line: Auburn
Defensive Line: Auburn
Linebackers: Clemson
Secondary: Auburn
Special Teams: Auburn
Overall Advantage: Auburn
-----------------------
Analysis: I'm surprised this game hasn't become a rivalry by now as the Tigers have faced each other three times in the past five years and go for a fourth time in 2012. Both teams have many question marks that still haven't been answered at this time, both involve the offensive line. Both lines have lost a number of starts and inexperience could be an issue especially with Clemson facing a tough Auburn defensive line. Clemson should thrive on offense but are without All-American Sammy Watkins. The Auburn defense has a new look with VanGorder being the head man, which brings a new level of intensity to the defense which has been lacking these past few years. The offenses could have their days in this one but Auburn's defense is on the rise.
Prediction: It's hard to ever choose an ACC team over a SEC team and I will stick with my word by choosing Auburn to win in Atlanta. The defense will see much improvement and will be the reason Auburn wins this one. Clemson's defense is too vulnerable and doesn't have the all-purpose Watkins.
Auburn 30 Clemson 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quarterbacks: Clemson
Running Backs: Auburn
Receivers: Clemson
Offensive Line: Auburn
Defensive Line: Auburn
Linebackers: Clemson
Secondary: Auburn
Special Teams: Auburn
Overall Advantage: Auburn
-----------------------
Analysis: I'm surprised this game hasn't become a rivalry by now as the Tigers have faced each other three times in the past five years and go for a fourth time in 2012. Both teams have many question marks that still haven't been answered at this time, both involve the offensive line. Both lines have lost a number of starts and inexperience could be an issue especially with Clemson facing a tough Auburn defensive line. Clemson should thrive on offense but are without All-American Sammy Watkins. The Auburn defense has a new look with VanGorder being the head man, which brings a new level of intensity to the defense which has been lacking these past few years. The offenses could have their days in this one but Auburn's defense is on the rise.
Prediction: It's hard to ever choose an ACC team over a SEC team and I will stick with my word by choosing Auburn to win in Atlanta. The defense will see much improvement and will be the reason Auburn wins this one. Clemson's defense is too vulnerable and doesn't have the all-purpose Watkins.
Auburn 30 Clemson 23
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
#3 Game of the Week:
Georgia Tech at #16 Virginia Tech
Georgia Tech '11 OYPG: 459 '11 DYPG: 359 '11 Record: 8-5 (5-3) Bowl: Sun, L to Utah 30-27 _________ Key Offensive Players: QB Tevin Washington RB Orwin Smith RB David Sims OG Omoregie Uzzi Key Defensive Players: DE Izaan Cross LB Jeremiah Attaochu CB Rod Sweeting Key Players Out: No notable players out. _________ | Auburn '11 OYPG: 413 '11 DYPG: 305 '11 Record: 11-3 (7-1) Bowl: Sugar, L to MICH 23-20 OT _________ Key Offensive Players: QB Logan Thomas WR Marcus Davis C Andrew Miller Key Defensive Players: DE JR Collins DE James Gayle LB Bruce Taylor LB Tariq Edwards CB Kyle Fuller Key Players Out: No notable players out. _________ |
Position Advantages
Quarterbacks: Virginia Tech
Running Backs: Georgia Tech
Receivers: Virginia Tech
Offensive Line: Georgia Tech
Defensive Line: Virginia Tech
Linebackers: Virginia Tech
Secondary: Virginia Tech
Special Teams: Georgia Tech
Overall Advantage: Virginia Tech
-----------------------
Analysis: Virginia Tech only as two returning starters on offense but it helps returning the quarterback and center. Logan Thomas is a special quarterback and had a nice game versus Georgia Tech last season. Virginia Tech's defense is loaded with nine starters back with plenty of All-ACC caliber players. Georgia Tech has a heap of running backs that are capable of being a home run threat each time they touch the ball. Georgia Tech has a solid defense but will have their hands full with dual threat quarterback Thomas.
Prediction: Even though the Hokies return only a couple on offense, Logan Thomas will be fine and the Hokie defense should shine in this game. Look for the game to be a lot similar to last season's Thursday night game.
Virginia Tech 23 Georgia Tech 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other notable games:
#4) Tennessee 31 NC State 28
#5) Michigan State 23 Boise State 14
#6) Notre Dame 21 Navy 20
#7) Nebraska 42 Southern Miss 21
#8) Baylor 24 SMU 21
#9) Louisville 21 Kentucky 7
#10) Oregon 55 Arkansas State 21
Quarterbacks: Virginia Tech
Running Backs: Georgia Tech
Receivers: Virginia Tech
Offensive Line: Georgia Tech
Defensive Line: Virginia Tech
Linebackers: Virginia Tech
Secondary: Virginia Tech
Special Teams: Georgia Tech
Overall Advantage: Virginia Tech
-----------------------
Analysis: Virginia Tech only as two returning starters on offense but it helps returning the quarterback and center. Logan Thomas is a special quarterback and had a nice game versus Georgia Tech last season. Virginia Tech's defense is loaded with nine starters back with plenty of All-ACC caliber players. Georgia Tech has a heap of running backs that are capable of being a home run threat each time they touch the ball. Georgia Tech has a solid defense but will have their hands full with dual threat quarterback Thomas.
Prediction: Even though the Hokies return only a couple on offense, Logan Thomas will be fine and the Hokie defense should shine in this game. Look for the game to be a lot similar to last season's Thursday night game.
Virginia Tech 23 Georgia Tech 21
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other notable games:
#4) Tennessee 31 NC State 28
#5) Michigan State 23 Boise State 14
#6) Notre Dame 21 Navy 20
#7) Nebraska 42 Southern Miss 21
#8) Baylor 24 SMU 21
#9) Louisville 21 Kentucky 7
#10) Oregon 55 Arkansas State 21