Football Future-see 2013: Week Six

RECORD

Week 1	8-2
Week 2	4-1
Week 3	4-1
Week 4	5-0
Week 5	5-0
Week 6	3-2
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Week 10
Total	29-6	.829

Back to back prefect weeks and I’m now 26-4 in the standings. I’ll take that. Georgia pulled out a nail-biter against LSU, racking up 44 points on the “most complete team in the SEC.” LSU was no slouch, scoring 41. It was a great game, and I hate high-scoring football games. Elsewhere, Virginia Tech took a win in Atlanta, Alabama remained undefeated, and Oklahoma avenged their loss last year to Notre Dame.

This week, we’ve got some tough games. Two of the three feature a ranked team taking on a member of the unranked. Then we have a ranked ACC match-up (who would’ve thought Maryland would be ranked?), a ranked Big Ten match, and a ranked PAC-12 match. Should be fun. After this week, the Right Wing Top Ten (RWT10) will be unveiled. Just as a reminder, I use the AP Poll for the rankings below, until the BCS Poll is revealed. Even when I start the RWT10, I’ll still use the AP/BCS ranking for the predictions.

Here’s a new added wrinkle. I’m adding the start time (all times are Eastern) and the network on which the game will air, if available. Enjoy.

22 Arizona State vs Notre Dame (in Dallas) (7:30pm, NBC).....INCORRECT

Notre Dame is coming off a loss to Oklahoma. Arizona State is coming off a win that led to USC firing their head coach. The Sun Devils are a confusing team. They needed “official” help to beat Wisconsin, they got drubbed by Stanford, and then drubbed USC. Notre Dame at least remains what they were. Look for Arizona State to jump out early and not let up, but Notre Dame makes a run after halftime. The Sun Devils win, but the Irish won’t fire their coach like USC did.

Final Score: Arizona State 38, Notre Dame 28

25 Maryland at 8 Florida State (12:00pm, ESPN).....CORRECT

Maryland is ranked. I’ll give you a moment for that to register. The Terrapins, owners of some of the ugliest uniforms in sports, are ranked heading into their clash with Florida State. The Seminoles have one of the most highly-touted QBs in the country, as Jameis Winston is fast rising on the Heisman watch lists. Maryland recently blanked West Virginia, which just beat Oklahoma State. The Terrapins are a good team, but I don’t know that they can hang with the Seminoles. Florida State wins.

Final Score: Florida State 34, Maryland 21

6 Georgia at Tennessee (3:30pm, CBS).....CORRECT

Georgia survived the toughest opening slate in the country and now stands with a 3-1 record and the #6 spot in the AP Poll. Georgia is averaging over 41 points per game. Tennessee gave up 20 to Western Kentucky, 24 to South Alabama, and 0 to Austin Peay…all wins. However, the Vols are 3-2, and their two losses have come by a combined score of 90-31. They gave up 31 to Florida, who does not have a world-class offense. Oregon hung 59 on Tennessee. Georgia’s offense is more similar to Oregon’s than to Florida’s. Georgia QB Aaron Murray is on fire, having shaken the critique that he cannot win big games (twice knocking off the #6 team in the country will do that for you). Tennessee is still learning the Butch Jones style. This game might be close at the half, but Georgia will pull away in the end. If Aaron Murray has another 3 or 4 TD, 350+ yard day, he should be getting into the Heisman discussion.

Final Score: Georgia 45, Tennessee 20

15 Washington at 5 Stanford (10:30pm, ESPN).....CORRECT

I typically save my most difficult game for my last write-up, as I try to convince myself who I think will win. This week I find that a PAC-12 match is the most difficult to predict. Stanford is one of the best teams in the country on both sides of scrimmage. The Cardinal offense can dominate a game and chew up the clock, or they can go quick strike. The defense can then shut down just about anyone. But don’t count out Washington. Steve Sarkisian has the Huskies playing some really good football, as a Top 15 ranking would indicate. The game is at Stanford, which may prove the deciding factor. I’m going with the Cardinal in the game, though if I were a betting man I would not put money on it.

Final Score: Stanford 31, Washington 28

4 Ohio State at 16 Northwestern (8:00pm, ABC).....INCORRECT

Alright, Evanston, clear out a spot for College GameDay and pray for better weather than last time. For the first time since 1995, ESPN’s weekly college football show originates from Northwestern. That last time, a blizzard forced the show indoors. Ohio State comes in as a top five team that has yet to truly be tested. Wisconsin came close, but the Buckeyes won, just as I predicted. Northwestern is a good team, though. Ohio State reverted back to Braxton Miller when Kenny Guiton had the hot hand. I can’t shake this feeling that Northwestern will upset the Buckeye’s apple cart.

Final Score: Northwestern 31, Ohio State 27