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#14 Georgia Tech at #8 Notre Dame (3:30 PM ET, on NBC, in South Bend, Indiana) UPSET
My prediction: #14 Georgia Tech defeats #8 Notre Dame 31-27
What to watch for: Notre Dame's passing attack. Notre Dame unfortunately lost star QB Malik Zaire to a season-ending ankle injury. So backup QB DeShone Kizer will have to fill in some big shoes for the Fighting Irish, and since their upcoming game vs #14 Georgia Tech is their real first test of the season, it'll be even tougher for him to get a win in his first start as a QB for Notre Dame.
My thoughts/reasons: I think that it'll be really tough for Notre Dame to get a win against a top-15 team just a week after losing their star QB, they won't really have enough time to gel Kizer and the rest of the first-team together in time, so it'll be really tough for the Notre Dame offense. Also, Georgia Tech's offense should be as good as ever this season (I say should because they've only played Alcorn State and Tulane so far). I think that because of those reasons, Georgia Tech will be able to pull away late to get the big road W.
Photo Credit: Brett Davis - USA Today Sports
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#18 Auburn at #13 LSU
My prediction: #13 LSU defeats #18 Auburn 28-17 (3:30 PM ET, on CBS, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana)
What to watch for: LSU's running attack. LSU has one of the best running games in the nation behind one of the best running backs in the nation in Leonard Fournette, so LSU will likely rely more so on their running game to get the job done vs Auburn in this game. Auburn is also returning from a scare at Jordan-Hare, and it'll be interesting how they respond in their rushing defense.
My thoughts/reasons: What I saw from Auburn vs Jacksonville State was not good. Auburn didn't play well on any side of the football except maybe special teams, and Jacksonville State did force Auburn to make those mistakes, but if Jeremy Johnson makes big mistakes at home vs Jacksonville State, he'll probably make big mistakes on the road vs LSU. However, Auburn will likely bounce back and at least show flashes of the team most thought they'd be before the season started. But LSU's physicality will likely be too much for Auburn to handle in this one, so I think LSU will be able to start off pretty well, and hold on to that lead to get another win vs a ranked team. This time in front of their home fans.
Photo credit: Stacy Revere - Getty Images
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#15 Ole Miss at #2 Alabama
My prediction: #2 Alabama defeats #15 Ole Miss 28-10 (9:15 PM ET, on ESPN, in Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
What to watch for: Alabama's pass rush. Bama has undoubtedly one of the best defensive front 7's in the country, and they've done pretty well so far this season. But vs #15 Ole Miss will probably be their first tough test against a SEC opponent. I expect for them to do very well stopping Ole Miss' iffy running game, but one of the reason's why I put Bama's pass rush as what to watch for is because in these past two seasons, Bama's pass rush hasn't been as effective as they'd probably like it to be. But I expect Bama to prove that they're a force to be reckoned with in terms of their pass rush. So it'll be interesting to see how Bama can rattle Ole Miss QB Chad Kelly, especially since their best offensive lineman Laremy Tunsil isn't likely to see any action on the field Saturday due to NCAA investigations.
My thoughts/reasons: Last season, Ole Miss was able to pull off a big upset at home vs Bama in a close 23-17 victory. But you better believe that Alabama head coach Nick Saban is reminding his players of that loss, and they won't forget it. In terms of the actual game itself, I see Bama starting off fast, and never really slowing down en route to a solid home victory over another ranked opponent. And although I think that Ole Miss is much improved on offense, and they will be one of the top teams in the SEC, I think that Bama will be too much for them in this game.
Photo credit: Vasha Hunt - AL.com
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#19 BYU at #10 UCLA (10:30 PM ET, on FOX Sports 1, in Pasadena, California)
My picks/prediction: #10 UCLA defeats #19 BYU 27-20 UPSET WATCH
What to watch for: BYU's passing attack. Once again, it's BYU's passing game making the headlines. Last week, BYU scored another late touchdown to boost them up into the top 25, and give them a win vs (then) top 20 opponent Boise State. The Cougars' QB Tanner Mangum has played great so far this season, and I think that he'll be able to do very well vs the Bruins in this ball game, but I think UCLA will be able to hold on at home in the end. But if he can pass the ball successfully without making too many mistakes at #10 UCLA, that will be huge for them.
My thoughts/reason: It's tough to go against BYU again after picking against them last game, but I think that it'll be hard for BYU to overcome UCLA on the road in a hostile environment vs a top 10 opponent the same way they did in their last two games, especially since this is Tanner Mangum's first road game and it happens to be vs a team who has big national championship aspirations. So I see UCLA scoring late to lift them over the Cougars and get a big early season victory vs a top 20 opponent in front of their home crowd.
Photo credit: Austin Yu - Daily Bruin
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My Sneaky Good Game Of The Week
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Stanford at #6 USC (8:00 PM ET, on ABC, in Los Angeles, California
My prediction: #6 USC defeats Stanford 24-17 UPSET WATCH
What to watch for: Stanford's defense. Stanford's defense hasn't been the problem for the Cardinal at all this season, they've been able to be one of the CFB's best in terms of points allowed. But in this game they face one of the most lethal offenses in CFB. Defensively, I think Stanford will be able to give USC some problems, but in my opinion, the Trojans and their possible Heisman candidate Cody Kessler should be able to score just enough in a close game to give them a victory.
My thoughts/reasons: You may look at this game and think two things, (1) Stanford has looked terrible on offense, how will this be a good game? (2) Why is it so close? Yes, Stanford has struggled offensively, and they did get physically beat by Northwestern. But I think that the Cardinal will be motivated and up for this game, especially since it's against a PAC-12 foe on the road, and I think that Stanford's physical style will be make USC play somewhat out of their comfort zone in their first real test. But, I think the Trojans' talent and ability to spread teams out, will be able to hold them on, late in a scary game for them and their fans.
Photo credit: Gary A. Vasquez - USA Today Sports
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This week should be full of exciting games. Enjoy!
You can follow me on twitter: @Footballfile
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