Week 4 College Football Preview and Picks
Missouri at South Carolina – Saturday – 3:30 PM EST
Such is life in the SEC. You think you’re going to take the league by storm, then your first opponent comes in and silences your bravado. South Carolina is aware. They are ranked, highly touted and get little of the ink that their more successful league counterparts get. This is a big game for both.
How they match up:
Tigers Defense vs. Gamecocks Offense
While the defense allowed last week’s win over Arizona State to tighten up, there were good things. S Kenronte Walker came up with an interception and a knocked down pass to preserve the tight victory. ASU was held to 2-12 on 3 rd downs and turned it over 4 times. Since Georgia imposed their will on this defense, they had to recharge their batteries and came out strong against ASU.
Now it’s back to league play. This offense has had their way against E. Carolina and UAB, and that could be a boost for confidence after a sluggish opener against Vanderbilt. Lots of points went up against UAB, but their opponent helped some. And QB Connor Shaw reinjured his shoulder. Sophomore Dylan Thompson took over after Shaw was hurt and they both may play against Missouri.
Steve Spurrier didn’t think SC played particularly well against UAB and they still won by a bunch. Missouri has been licking wounds since the Georgia game and will be highly motivated to slow the Gamecocks down. This is the first SEC roadie for Missou.
Gamecocks Defense vs. Tigers Offense
This D has yielded just 29 points in 3 games. The opposition hasn’t exactly been world title contenders, but the defense has done their part. S DJ Swearinger is out, suspended for a helmet hit against UAB. The ‘Cocks hope to have Akeem Auguste back from August surgery. This team has been really tough to run on. Shaq Wilson had a big INT in the Vandy game that turned back a potential scoring drive.
QB Corbin Berkstresser didn’t really excel in his first start against Arizona State, but he did well enough. He threw one pick, but ran one in for a score. It would surely help if James Franklin was back under center. They didn’t get a bunch of rushing yards, no one ran for a great average per carry either. Franklin kept the Tigers in the Georgia game, but the ‘Dogs pulled away in the second half.
This is not the defense you tend to get well against. SC gas one of the top defenses in the nation and backup quarterbacks are something they like to take advantage of. Still, Missouri has had a strong offense in recent years. It would help if banged up folks would get better.
Who will cover the point spread?
Missouri players made some unrealistic claims heading into their opener with Georgia. Now, they get their first road test and they go in with some banged up key players. For South Carolina, the old ball coach hasn’t been happy with his team yet, even though he’s aware wins are wins in this conference. If South Carolina is to live up to their ranking, they’ve got to win games like this. The Tigers are getting 10. Make sure to check the QB situation closer to game time. This could be a battle of the backup QB’s. That should give an edge to the stronger defense. It’s hard to tell if Missouri’s defense is leaky. They’ve had a tougher schedule. The Tigers need to dig in on the road to gain the respect they claimed they should have had before information illustrated otherwise. SC is 2-0 at home against the spread. This is a big game for both, most SEC games are. So, it’ll take an insight of sorts to pick the winner here. We know who is go to cover the spread in this game. Get it for only $20.
Virginia at TCU – Saturday – 12:00 PM EST
Virginia found out what happens when you play a team that is loaded, has a grudge and takes advantage of mistakes when they got rolled by Georgia Tech last week. TCU had a successful opening to their Big 12 life, with a win over Kansas. This cross conference matchup should add future matchup knowledge.
How they match up:
Cavaliers Defense vs. Horned Frogs Offense
This defense was gashed for 594 yards against Tech. That team was motivated since they had lost at Virginia a year ago. But they ripped off huge chunks of yardage and jumped on the Cavs early. It would have to be troubling for Virginia that the first string saw limited action in rolling up 50 points on them. The Virginia defense yielded 3 plays over 60 yards and were down 14-0 before many were seated.
It wasn’t a thing of beauty for the Frogs in beating Kansas for their first conference game, but it was a win. QB Casey Pachall threw for 335 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a snap go through his legs and fumbled deep in Jayhawk territory later. They only came away with 10 points on 6 red zone visits. Could have been Big 12 opener jitters. They will hope to clear some of that up this week.
Mistakes have cost both of these units. The Horned Frogs would have waltzed against Kansas if they hadn’t fumbled as often. Virginia’s defense is young, but it is never ok to give up such big chunks. Both of these teams know they’ll have to be better on this side of the ball.
Horned Frogs Defense vs. Cavaliers Offense
TCU gave up just 77 yards rushing to Kansas. They have yet to give up a touchdown, but their first opponent was Grambling. The Jayhawks kicked two field goals. LB Joel Hasley was defensive player of the week in the Big 12. He had 12 total stops and 2 sacks against Kansas. There will be bigger challenges down the road, but so far, the TCU defense has been nearly impenetrable.
QB Michael Rocco has thrown for over 700 yards and 4 TDs in three games. He’s also thrown 3 picks. They have not prospered in the running game. They made quite a few mistakes in their game with Penn State, which the Lions didn’t take advantage of. Last week, the offense couldn’t get out of their own way and their opponent was going up and down the field like it was a shopping spree.
As if it wasn’t a tough assignment already, playing at TCU, this offense has been iffy and that defense has been pretty darned good. In order to have a chance to win this game, Virginia has to possess the ball for longer periods of time. They’ve had way too many 3 and outs. TCU’s defense may be licking their chops.
Who will cover the point spread?
TCU’s league, albeit a new one for them, has a better reputation than does the ACC currently. Still, TCU has to prove itself. And they’re giving Virginia 17.5, so not many think Virginia can do this and especially not on the road. Youth on defense is a problem for Virginia, inefficiency on offense is as well. TCU is looking to get smoother before they get back to conference play. But TCU didn’t cover last week. Nor did Virginia in getting hammered by GT. While TCU has only played twice, they appear to have more upside than do the Cavaliers. Virginia is still searching for themselves, TCU may have at least identified themselves, just need to take care of business. So, who’ll get their work done first and best? That’s the big question isn’t it? Get our expert pick here for only $20.
Clemson at Florida State – Saturday - 8:00 PM EST
While the nation pays attention to Alabama and LSU, Florida State is lurking. They’ve done everything to live up to their billing in their first 3 games. Clemson’s biggest game opened their season. And they managed a win over Auburn. These are most likely the two best teams in the Atlantic Conference of the ACC.
How they match up:
Tigers Defense vs. Seminoles Offense
The Tigers gave up a couple of big runs against Ball State and they bent but didn’t break in the opener at Auburn. The defense didn’t help much a year ago, but former Oklahoma DC Brent Venables has noticeably toughened the unit. The Clemson D does seem to be vulnerable to long runs, but once defending a short field, they have been able to force the opposition kickers onto the field.
QB EJ Manuel has been around a long time. He is a red shirt senior that has only started against four ranked teams and he’s 1-3 in those games. But, if you pay attention to early returns, this Florida State offense has it really going on. They’re averaging over 50 points. OK, they haven’t exactly played title contenders, but they have run over, thrown through and pounded their way to dominance.
That whole bend but don’t break thing will be challenged with this Florida State team. They have yet to be even slowed down. There is speed everywhere. Clemson’s off and early season goals had a lot to do with shoring up their defense and if they are to make a run at another ACC title, they’ll have to come up with something good here.
Seminoles Defense vs. Tigers Offense
While everyone is paying attention to the powerful ‘Noles offense, their D has allowed all of 3 points. They are the only defense in the country that hasn’t given up a touchdown yet. Wake Forest has presented challenges to FSU in recent history. Last week, they averaged 2.1 yards per play and were 1 for 16 on 3 rd down. This defense will welcome the challenge to prove they are what they’ve looked like so far.
QB Tajh Boyd has had a productive start for the Tigers. Add previously suspended receiver, Sammy Watkins to the mix, and wipe your brow and say just in time. And there is still DeAndre Hopkins to get the ball to. Offense has been Clemson’s strong point in recent years, and RB Andre Ellington is averaging over 100 yards per game too. That’s a lot of weaponry.
This may be the matchup both need to prove they are the league’s best. Neither has faced opposition like this week’s opponent. The Clemson O did get a W in hostile SEC country to lead off the schedule. FSU is on top of the heap defensively. Something’s got to give.
Who will cover the point spread?
Going into enemy territory is one thing. Going into the home stadium of the 4 th ranked team in the country with the best defense so far and hoping to win and take the lead in your conference and division on national TV in prime time is a tall task for the Tigers. But both of these teams are used to spotlights. Florida State is trying to get back to where they were a decade or so ago, while Clemson is trying to take the next step off a successful campaign a year ago. This game doesn’t need any hype, it is clearly the game of the year in the ACC…well so far anyway.
The home team is a two touchdown favorite. If you matchup O’s and D’s, you can surely see Clemson scoring more than anyone else has against FSU. And you can see FSU breaking off some big runs against the Tigers. It may matter that Clemson’s Spencer Barton has an ACC record 61 yard field goal to his credit.
FSU that powerful? To cover a 14 point spread? Click here to find out if they will.
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