Jarrett Lee Stands Tall in Starkville

Football Friday, Volume 3

(Note: This week's entry will feature my NFL picks at the end but no comments.  I have suspended myself for a week from commenting on the NFL.  My picks record for last week, as well as an atrocious fantasy football performance in multiple leagues, has caused me to rescind my right to discuss the NFL, at least for a week.)

LSU had answered a lot of questions even before their game against Mississippi State last night.  Their defense has shown that it can stop a high powered attack, while their running game has proven more than capable at wearing down defenses in the second half of games.  There was only one major question remaining.

Can Jarrett Lee step up and deliver on the road in an hostile environment?

MSU needed more cowbell last night

Lee passed his first test in Starkville last night with flying colors.  He completed 21 of 27 passes for 213 yards and a beautiful touchdown pass to Rueben Randle to put the game away.  His one miscue was an interception late in the game when LSU was already up by 10.  At that point the game was not really in doubt because LSU's defense had completely demoralized the MSU offense.

Lee walked into a raucous, cowbell-filled environment and did not wilt under pressure.  LSU still kept things fairly conservative, but he did show an ability to get the ball down the field on several occasions.  It was a very positive development for the Tigers passing game because next week Russell Shepard returns from his suspension.  Lee has proven to be more than adequate behind center and it will be interesting to see if LSU begins to open things up a bit more.

All Eyes on the Sunshine State

The eyes of the college football world will be focused on the state of Florida tomorrow.  Miami hosts Ohio State in what Orlando Sentinel columnist Mike Bianchi has dubbed "The Battle for the Impermissible Benefits Trophy."  I think that has a better ring to it than my name of Controversy Bowl II.  Elsewhere in Florida the Gators will battle the Tennessee Volunteers in the SEC opener for both schools.  In the main event, in primetime, the #1 ranked Oklahoma Sooners travel to Tallahassee for a date with the #5 Florida State Seminoles. 

This man wants to be relevant nationally again

The biggest storyline for this game has been Florida State's search for a game to show the country that they are back.  Oklahoma ended the Seminole dynasty of the 1990s and early 2000s when they defeated FSU for the 2000 BCS title in the Orange Bowl 13-2.  Florida State fell into a pattern of mediocrity (especially by their standards) during the past decade, but believe they are once again title contenders under coach Jimbo Fisher.  They are also eager to erase the memories of last year's game with the Sooners in Norman.  The Seminoles were completely outclassed, the game was over at halftime, and were run out of the state of Oklahoma 47-17.

I think Landry Jones is the biggest storyline of this matchup though.  The Sooners quarterback has thrown for over 8,000 yards and has 65 touchdown passes in his career but has struggled on the road.  In 9 true road games Jones has 17 TD passes but 15 interceptions to go along with them.  That is more than half of his career total of 26.  In the last 2 seasons the Sooners have lost 5 true road games.  Jones and his teammates have a big opportunity to exorcise some of these road demons and stay on track for a January trip to New Orleans.

The matchup in Gainesville should be interesting as two traditional powers try to prove that they once again belong in the SEC title discussion.  The Gators have looked good out of the gate under new head coach Will Muschamp.  They have outscored Florida Atlantic and UAB 80-3.  John Brantley has been unspectacular but efficient in completing 67% of his passes for 212 yards per game.  The defense looks like it could be an elite unit in the SEC.

The defense will have to be elite Saturday to slow down the Volunteers.  Tyler Bray appears to be the best quarterback in the league, and a win in Gainesville would cement that status.  Bray has completed nearly 79% of his passes for 698 yards and an FBS-best 7 touchdown passes.  Bray, along with receivers Justin Hunter and Da'Rick Rogers, will look to put the Gator secondary in a lot of stress.

History will be on the Gators side though.  Florida has won the last 6 meetings, including a 31-17 win in Knoxville last year that swung in Florida's favor after a third quarter fake punt.  The teams appear to be pretty evenly matched this year and Derek Dooley hopes to get what would be the signature win of his tenure to date.

Cardiac Cats

Is this where Auburn's luck finally runs out?

The defending national champion Auburn Tigers currently boast the longest win streak in the nation at 17 games.  The streak, which has featured a number of down to the wire affairs, began appropriately with an overtime victory over Northwestern in the 2010 Outback Bowl.  They beat Alabama on the road by a point last season after a huge comeback and defeated Oregon for the BCSACC this season and a win over the defending champs would be a big statement. 

Quick Hits

There are some other big games around the country this week:

#18 West Virginia has to avoid looking ahead to next week's home date with LSU when they travel to College Park to face the Maryland Terps.  Maryland is supposedly wearing the uniforms that nearly blew up Twitter when they were unveiled against Miami on Labor Day.  Maryland used the energy to jump on the Hurricanes early and West Virginia will have to weather the early storm.

#11 Nebraska hosts Washington in the schools' third meeting in the last 12 months.  Nebraska handled the Huskies last season in Seattle, scoring 56 points, but were held to 7 in losing to Washington in the Holiday Bowl.  Nebraska visits Wisconsin in two weeks in its inaugural Big Ten game and doesn't want to slip up.  I expect Taylor Martinez to put on a show.

Nothing like a bitter rivalry game in September!  With Utah's move to the Pac-12 and BYU's move to independence the traditional November matchup will now be played this weekend.  Both teams are looking to bounce back from close losses as Utah lost its' Pac-12 opener to USC 23-14 and BYU fell to Texas 17-16.

Predictions (Home Teams in CAPS):
West Virginia (+1) over MARYLAND
CLEMSON (-3) over Auburn
Washington (+17) over NEBRASKA
BRIGHAM YOUNG (-4) over UTAH
MIAMI (-3) over Ohio State
NOTRE DAME (-4.5) over Michigan State
Tennessee (+9) over FLORIDA
KENTUCKY (-6) over Louisville
Arizona State (+2) over ILLINOIS
FLORIDA STATE (+3.5) over Oklahoma


Last Week: 6-2-2
Season: 11-6-3


NFL Predictions
SAINTS (-7) over Bears
LIONS (-8.5) over Chiefs
Jaguars (+9) over JETS
BILLS (-3.5) over Raiders
Cardinals (+4) over REDSKINS
Ravens (-6.5) over TITANS
Seahawks (+14.5) over STEELERS
PANTHERS (+10) over Packers
Bucs (+3) over VIKINGS
COLTS (+3) over Browns
Cowboys (-3) over NINERS
Texans (-3) over DOLPHINS
PATRIOTS (-7) over Chargers
BRONCOS (-3.5) over Bengals
FALCONS (+3) over Eagles
GIANTS (-6) over Rams


Last Week: 4-10-2
Season: 4-10-2

Bonus Pick:
Floyd "Money" Mayweather over Victor Ortiz (unanimous decision)


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