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- Thread starter MadJack
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That 1-4 day got you pretty fired up? I'll have it in the next 45 minutes.
Go ahead and load up on Manchester City in the mean time
Go ahead and load up on Manchester City in the mean time
I went 3-2 :shrug:That 1-4 day got you pretty fired up? I'll have it in the next 45 minutes.
Go ahead and load up on Manchester City in the mean time
Good for you - they had a bad day - the writeups are dated, and sometimes laughable, but sometimes there's some nuggets. I'll do it right now, maybe you can update the forum on Manning's status in the meantime
Just checked. I took Ohio St instead of da Ducks.
don't know where you got 1-4 but whatever....
I tailed Tonkgolf in the first 2 and pissed away $50 because somehow I bet S FLA under 48 instead of the side so had to bet the fuking over 48 for the push. I hope this whole day isn't likie my start.
don't know where you got 1-4 but whatever....
I tailed Tonkgolf in the first 2 and pissed away $50 because somehow I bet S FLA under 48 instead of the side so had to bet the fuking over 48 for the push. I hope this whole day isn't likie my start.
Here is SC/UConn Scouts, Inc.
Here is SC/UConn Scouts, Inc.
South Carolina offense vs. Connecticut defense
? South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier took an uncharacteristic approach in the Gamecocks' regular-season finale, dialing up 58 rushes and accumulating 223 yards on the ground in a 34-17 victory over Clemson. South Carolina has been inconsistent on the ground overall, but you can bet Spurrier will employ a similar approach in this game after the success his team had against Clemson. The Huskies are thin at linebacker after MLB Greg Lloyd Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury against Syracuse, which forced them to move Scott Lutrus from the strong side to the middle. WLB Lawrence Wilson leads the team in tackles, but the problem is that redshirt freshman Jory Johnson has stepped in for Lutrus on the weak side and struggled with recognition and was often caught out of position in the Huskies' finale against South Florida. In addition, DTs Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin are undersized and are going to struggle to anchor against the Gamecocks' interior offensive line. Expect South Carolina RB Brian Maddox and change-of-pace reserve Kenny Miles to get ample carries and squirt out for a few big gains.
? The Huskies' biggest challenge, however, will be limiting big plays in the passing game. Gamecocks QB Stephen Garcia has a big-time arm and has flashed brilliance when given time to survey the field. Connecticut has had communication issues in the back end that have led to blown coverages, which does not bode well against a Gamecocks receiving corps that is led by true freshman Alshon Jeffery and has outstanding overall size and the athleticism to stretch the field. This will create matchup problems for Huskies CBs Robert McClain and Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who will surely be tested several times down the field. In addition, S Jerome Junior has been a liability in coverage because he lacks overall athleticism and has struggled with awareness in coverage. Junior will have issues when lined up against pass-catching TE Weslye Saunders down the middle of the field.
? For South Carolina to fully capitalize on its advantage on the perimeter, the offensive line must hold up its end of the bargain in protection, but that has been a problem at times this season. The Gamecocks have surrendered 34 sacks and will be tested by a strong Huskies pass rush. Connecticut's defensive line is active, led by DE Lindsey Witten, who displays a quick first step and a relentless motor; he will be a challenge to either LOT Kyle Nunn or ROT Hutch Eckerson off the edge. UConn defensive coordinator Todd Orlando has also been aggressive dialing up pressures from different areas of the field. While Garcia has been efficient when he's comfortable in the pocket, he has not shown great poise under pressure. Expect Orlando to continue his aggressive play calling in an effort for force the turnovers the Huskies will need to pull off the victory.
Key individual matchup
South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery vs.
Connecticut CB Robert McClain
Jeffery has developed into one of QB Stephen Garcia's favorite targets thanks to his size (6-foot-3, 217 pounds) and athleticism. However, the true freshman will be tested by the veteran McClain when they are on an island. Jeffery is still developing his route-running and ability to get off press coverage, so look for McClain to challenge him at the line of scrimmage. If McClain is able to get a good jam at the line and throw off Jeffery's rhythm, he should have no problem staying with Jeffrey in and out of breaks. The problem for McClain will be when the ball is in the air. He gives up nearly 6 inches to Jeffery, who does an excellent job of using his big frame to shield the ball from defenders while using his above-average ball skills to high-point the ball. That advantage will play a key role in the red zone, where coach Steve Spurrier will look for Jeffery on fade and 9 routes.
Connecticut offense vs. South Carolina defense
? Establishing the run will be the top priority for Connecticut, which has a good 1-2 punch in RBs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon and an offensive line that does a good job of firing off the ball and consistently opening up holes. South Carolina presents an athletic defense that possesses good overall team speed, so Todman and Dixon may find tough sledding when hitting the edge. But the Gamecocks' defensive line has been undisciplined at times and has struggled to maintain gap integrity, so look for the Huskies to test them with the downhill running game. South Carolina WLB Eric Norwood has been stout against the run, but MLB Shaq Wilson and SPUR Antonio Allen lack size, strength and point-of-attack skills and have struggled to stay in position and get off blocks. Todman and Dixon may not break many long runs but they have the patience and vision to consistently grind out tough gains inside.
? The running game might not break many big gainers, but it will be crucial for UConn offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead to stay committed to the run game, especially on early downs, in order to keep QB Zach Frazer out of third-and-long situations. South Carolina has been able to wreak havoc on obvious passing downs thanks to the disruptive presence of DEs Clifton Geathers and Cliff Matthews. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson will move Matthews or Geathers inside on occasion and put Norwood's hand in the dirt at end, where he becomes the Gamecocks' best pass-rusher with his explosive first step and closing burst off the edge. South Carolina has also been steady in the back end because of good top-end speed and overall discipline. Still, if the Huskies are able to pick up positive yardage on first and second down, it will put Frazer in a more favorable position to move the chains, allowing him to get the ball out of his hands more quickly and neutralize the rush.
? South Carolina must keep close tabs on Connecticut WR Marcus Easley, who is averaging nearly 20 yards per catch and has eight touchdowns this season. Gamecocks CBs Stephon Gilmore and Akeem Auguste must give Easley a favorable cushion in order to keep him in front because he has good size (6-2, 215) and speed and tracks the deep ball well. Gilmore and Auguste will also have to be in strong position to limit Easley after the catch because he is a physical runner with a knack for turning a short throw into a long gain. Don't be surprised if Gilmore or Auguste get safety help over the top or if Johnson rolls coverage toward Easley in an effort to neutralize his production.
Scouts' Edge
On paper, the Gamecocks have a speed and athleticism advantage over UConn that should allow them to come away with a comfortable victory. However, you cannot count out coach Randy Edsall's Huskies, who play with determination and discipline every time out. Look for Connecticut to keep it close early by running the ball on early downs and keeping Frazer in manageable third-down situations. The Gamecocks will make adjustments defensively at halftime, though, getting extra defenders in the box and focusing on the ground game. This will force the Huskies into a few obvious passing situations in which the pass rush will eventually force a key turnover or two. Garcia should also deliver a few big throws downfield late in the game that will eventually give the Gamecocks the victory in a tight affair.
Prediction: Gamecocks 27, Huskies 24
Here is SC/UConn Scouts, Inc.
South Carolina offense vs. Connecticut defense
? South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier took an uncharacteristic approach in the Gamecocks' regular-season finale, dialing up 58 rushes and accumulating 223 yards on the ground in a 34-17 victory over Clemson. South Carolina has been inconsistent on the ground overall, but you can bet Spurrier will employ a similar approach in this game after the success his team had against Clemson. The Huskies are thin at linebacker after MLB Greg Lloyd Jr. suffered a season-ending knee injury against Syracuse, which forced them to move Scott Lutrus from the strong side to the middle. WLB Lawrence Wilson leads the team in tackles, but the problem is that redshirt freshman Jory Johnson has stepped in for Lutrus on the weak side and struggled with recognition and was often caught out of position in the Huskies' finale against South Florida. In addition, DTs Kendall Reyes and Twyon Martin are undersized and are going to struggle to anchor against the Gamecocks' interior offensive line. Expect South Carolina RB Brian Maddox and change-of-pace reserve Kenny Miles to get ample carries and squirt out for a few big gains.
? The Huskies' biggest challenge, however, will be limiting big plays in the passing game. Gamecocks QB Stephen Garcia has a big-time arm and has flashed brilliance when given time to survey the field. Connecticut has had communication issues in the back end that have led to blown coverages, which does not bode well against a Gamecocks receiving corps that is led by true freshman Alshon Jeffery and has outstanding overall size and the athleticism to stretch the field. This will create matchup problems for Huskies CBs Robert McClain and Blidi Wreh-Wilson, who will surely be tested several times down the field. In addition, S Jerome Junior has been a liability in coverage because he lacks overall athleticism and has struggled with awareness in coverage. Junior will have issues when lined up against pass-catching TE Weslye Saunders down the middle of the field.
? For South Carolina to fully capitalize on its advantage on the perimeter, the offensive line must hold up its end of the bargain in protection, but that has been a problem at times this season. The Gamecocks have surrendered 34 sacks and will be tested by a strong Huskies pass rush. Connecticut's defensive line is active, led by DE Lindsey Witten, who displays a quick first step and a relentless motor; he will be a challenge to either LOT Kyle Nunn or ROT Hutch Eckerson off the edge. UConn defensive coordinator Todd Orlando has also been aggressive dialing up pressures from different areas of the field. While Garcia has been efficient when he's comfortable in the pocket, he has not shown great poise under pressure. Expect Orlando to continue his aggressive play calling in an effort for force the turnovers the Huskies will need to pull off the victory.
Key individual matchup
South Carolina WR Alshon Jeffery vs.
Connecticut CB Robert McClain
Jeffery has developed into one of QB Stephen Garcia's favorite targets thanks to his size (6-foot-3, 217 pounds) and athleticism. However, the true freshman will be tested by the veteran McClain when they are on an island. Jeffery is still developing his route-running and ability to get off press coverage, so look for McClain to challenge him at the line of scrimmage. If McClain is able to get a good jam at the line and throw off Jeffery's rhythm, he should have no problem staying with Jeffrey in and out of breaks. The problem for McClain will be when the ball is in the air. He gives up nearly 6 inches to Jeffery, who does an excellent job of using his big frame to shield the ball from defenders while using his above-average ball skills to high-point the ball. That advantage will play a key role in the red zone, where coach Steve Spurrier will look for Jeffery on fade and 9 routes.
Connecticut offense vs. South Carolina defense
? Establishing the run will be the top priority for Connecticut, which has a good 1-2 punch in RBs Jordan Todman and Andre Dixon and an offensive line that does a good job of firing off the ball and consistently opening up holes. South Carolina presents an athletic defense that possesses good overall team speed, so Todman and Dixon may find tough sledding when hitting the edge. But the Gamecocks' defensive line has been undisciplined at times and has struggled to maintain gap integrity, so look for the Huskies to test them with the downhill running game. South Carolina WLB Eric Norwood has been stout against the run, but MLB Shaq Wilson and SPUR Antonio Allen lack size, strength and point-of-attack skills and have struggled to stay in position and get off blocks. Todman and Dixon may not break many long runs but they have the patience and vision to consistently grind out tough gains inside.
? The running game might not break many big gainers, but it will be crucial for UConn offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead to stay committed to the run game, especially on early downs, in order to keep QB Zach Frazer out of third-and-long situations. South Carolina has been able to wreak havoc on obvious passing downs thanks to the disruptive presence of DEs Clifton Geathers and Cliff Matthews. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson will move Matthews or Geathers inside on occasion and put Norwood's hand in the dirt at end, where he becomes the Gamecocks' best pass-rusher with his explosive first step and closing burst off the edge. South Carolina has also been steady in the back end because of good top-end speed and overall discipline. Still, if the Huskies are able to pick up positive yardage on first and second down, it will put Frazer in a more favorable position to move the chains, allowing him to get the ball out of his hands more quickly and neutralize the rush.
? South Carolina must keep close tabs on Connecticut WR Marcus Easley, who is averaging nearly 20 yards per catch and has eight touchdowns this season. Gamecocks CBs Stephon Gilmore and Akeem Auguste must give Easley a favorable cushion in order to keep him in front because he has good size (6-2, 215) and speed and tracks the deep ball well. Gilmore and Auguste will also have to be in strong position to limit Easley after the catch because he is a physical runner with a knack for turning a short throw into a long gain. Don't be surprised if Gilmore or Auguste get safety help over the top or if Johnson rolls coverage toward Easley in an effort to neutralize his production.
Scouts' Edge
On paper, the Gamecocks have a speed and athleticism advantage over UConn that should allow them to come away with a comfortable victory. However, you cannot count out coach Randy Edsall's Huskies, who play with determination and discipline every time out. Look for Connecticut to keep it close early by running the ball on early downs and keeping Frazer in manageable third-down situations. The Gamecocks will make adjustments defensively at halftime, though, getting extra defenders in the box and focusing on the ground game. This will force the Huskies into a few obvious passing situations in which the pass rush will eventually force a key turnover or two. Garcia should also deliver a few big throws downfield late in the game that will eventually give the Gamecocks the victory in a tight affair.
Prediction: Gamecocks 27, Huskies 24
Ole Miss/OSU Scouts, Inc.
Ole Miss/OSU Scouts, Inc.
Oklahoma State offense vs. Ole Miss defense
? RB Kendall Hunter was able to return late in the season from a foot injury and, combined with RB Keith Toston, gives Oklahoma State an explosive backfield. Add the mobility of QB Zac Robinson running the zone-read play and an offensive line -- led by All-American LT Russell Okung -- that is doing a good job of getting push at the line of scrimmage and the Cowboys' ground attack can be a handful to stop. The good news for Ole Miss is that it will bring a defensive line that should provide a challenge for the Cowboys' front line. DTs Jerrell Powe, Lawon Scott and Ted Laurent provide a solid rotation on the interior and should be able to clog up the middle. The problem for the Rebels, however, will be defending the perimeter runs as both Hunter and Toston are at their best using their speed to hit the corner. The Rebels' linebacker corps has at times taken questionable angles in pursuit which has resulted in DS Johnny Brown and Kendrick Lewis (the top two tacklers on the defense) having to make the stop downfield too often.
? The Rebels will present a strong pass rush, as DEs Marcus Tillman and Kentrell Lockett both have shown flashes of the ability to collapse the pocket from the outside. Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has been aggressive dialing up pressure and will often walk WLB Patrick Trahan on the line of scrimmage and use his above-average top-end speed to rush off the edge. The Rebels may find it tough getting home this week, however, as the Cowboys' front line has been solid in protection. This unit is communicating well and is well-equipped at the tackle position to handle the heavy dose of edge pressure the Rebels will present. Okung is one of the best in the business at protecting the blind side, while RT Andrew Mitchell has shown vast improvement in his sets. In addition, Robinson has played his part in keeping sacks to a minimum, as he displays outstanding ability to escape pressure when protection does break down.
? A big reason Nix has been aggressive dialing up pressure is that he has the experience and talent in the secondary to hold up in coverage. This unit does an excellent job of communicating with each other and displays good overall athleticism across the board. CBs Marshay Green and Cassius Vaughn have the top-end speed and change-of-direction skills to hold up in man coverage against a Cowboys' perimeter that lacks overall depth. WR Hubert Anyiam has stepped up as Robinson's go-to target in the absence of Dez Bryant, but Oklahoma State has yet to find a solid No. 2 contributor. Ole Miss is also getting solid play from Brown and Lewis, as they both display strong instincts and a wide range getting off the hash, which should help keep the Cowboys' separation in the back end at a minimum. That said, while the secondary should be able to hold their own in coverage initially, this will all be for nothing if the Rebels' pass rush allows Robinson to get on the perimeter and buy extra time for his receivers. At that point, all bets will be off.
Key individual matchup
Oklahoma State LOT Russell Okung
vs. Ole Miss FS Kentrell Lockett
Okung is the most polished LT in all of college football, as he displays good size, strength and athleticism. That said, one of his few flaws is with his run game footwork. He can get a bit sloppy at times, especially with his first step and angles to the point. This is where Lockett can use his quickness at the snap of the ball to beat Okung and position himself to hold the edge. However, if Okung is able to regain position and lock into a phone-booth situation it will be lights out, as Okung plays with good leverage and should have no problems controlling and getting movement on Lockett. Look for Okung to frustrate Lockett throughout the contest in pass protection as he gets into his sets quickly, which should neutralize Lockett's explosive first step off the edge. In addition, Okung displays a wide base, adequate lateral movement and a strong punch should Lockett dial up a double move or a bull-rush attempt back inside.
Ole Miss offense vs. Oklahoma State defense
? Offensive coordinator Kent Austin's philosophy has been to line up in a two-back set on early downs and establish the ground attack while trying to set up the play-action game from there. RB Brandon Bolden displays a good combination of speed and power and shows ability to churn out the tough yards inside and hit the edge to the outside. That said, Bolden may find tough sledding this week against a stingy Oklahoma State run defense. Up front, the Cowboys' defensive line has done a good job of anchoring at the point, and should be able to draw the Rebels' offensive line to a stalemate. This in turn will free up the Cowboys' linebacker corps, which is the strength of this defense. OLBs Patrick Lavine and Andre Sexton display a wide range, while MLB Donald Booker has been a pleasant surprise filling in for Orie Lemon, who missed the entire season with a knee injury. These three should have no problems getting into strong position and limiting Bolden's production throughout the contest.
? The Ole Miss front line must do a good job of protecting QB Jevan Snead and making him feel comfortable in the pocket. When Snead has had time this year, he has looked like the first-round pick many thought he would be heading into the season. On the flip side, when Snead has felt pressure, things have looked flat-out ugly. He has not displayed adequate poise under duress, and his accuracy and decision-making have suffered as a result, which has led to him throwing 17 interceptions on the season. The offensive line has surrendered just 14 sacks on the season, but after watching the film it's apparent there are some flaws in this unit. Communication has been the biggest problem, which could factor in this week, as the Cowboys' defensive line presents a lot of stunting and twisting with their pass rush. In addition, Booker has been a force when blitzing up the gut, as he times his pressures well and will test the awareness of the Rebels' interior. If Ole Miss fails to keep defenders out of Snead's face, things could go south quickly, as the Cowboys possess an aggressive and opportunistic pass defense that has manufactured 14 interceptions and is led by one of the better cover CBs in the country in Perrish Cox.
? Defensive coordinator Bill Young must have a game plan for versatile and elusive WR Dexter McCluster. McCluster is the X factor in this offense as he has the vision, burst, and open-field capabilities to hit the home run from anywhere on the field. In addition, Austin is creative in getting McCluster his touches as he will motion him around, throw bubble screens, align him at the quarterback position in the Wildcat formation and even put him in the backfield at running back. That said, it will be crucial for Cowboys' defense to know where McCluster is and give him extra attention on every play. If not, McCluster has the ability to make it a very long day for this defense. Just ask heralded Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, whose defense was ripped by McCluster to the tune of 324 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in early November.
Scouts' Edge
Ole Miss and Oklahoma Stave have both battled cases of Jekyll and Hyde. Expect them to show up motivated and ready to play in the 74th edition of the Cotton Bowl, though. This should be a defensive struggle early on. However, look for McCluster to break the game open in the second half as he will eventually get loose on a few occasions, leading to the Rebels finding pay dirt. Defensively, look for Ole Miss to make it a priority to slow down the Cowboys on the ground and force Robinson to shoulder the majority of the load offensively. Robinson will answer the bell by creating a few plays with his feet but look for the Cowboys' lack of playmakers on the perimeter to eventually cause Oklahoma State to fall short, giving Ole Miss the victory in a tight and low-scoring battle.
Prediction: Rebels 23, Cowboys 21
Ole Miss/OSU Scouts, Inc.
Oklahoma State offense vs. Ole Miss defense
? RB Kendall Hunter was able to return late in the season from a foot injury and, combined with RB Keith Toston, gives Oklahoma State an explosive backfield. Add the mobility of QB Zac Robinson running the zone-read play and an offensive line -- led by All-American LT Russell Okung -- that is doing a good job of getting push at the line of scrimmage and the Cowboys' ground attack can be a handful to stop. The good news for Ole Miss is that it will bring a defensive line that should provide a challenge for the Cowboys' front line. DTs Jerrell Powe, Lawon Scott and Ted Laurent provide a solid rotation on the interior and should be able to clog up the middle. The problem for the Rebels, however, will be defending the perimeter runs as both Hunter and Toston are at their best using their speed to hit the corner. The Rebels' linebacker corps has at times taken questionable angles in pursuit which has resulted in DS Johnny Brown and Kendrick Lewis (the top two tacklers on the defense) having to make the stop downfield too often.
? The Rebels will present a strong pass rush, as DEs Marcus Tillman and Kentrell Lockett both have shown flashes of the ability to collapse the pocket from the outside. Defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix has been aggressive dialing up pressure and will often walk WLB Patrick Trahan on the line of scrimmage and use his above-average top-end speed to rush off the edge. The Rebels may find it tough getting home this week, however, as the Cowboys' front line has been solid in protection. This unit is communicating well and is well-equipped at the tackle position to handle the heavy dose of edge pressure the Rebels will present. Okung is one of the best in the business at protecting the blind side, while RT Andrew Mitchell has shown vast improvement in his sets. In addition, Robinson has played his part in keeping sacks to a minimum, as he displays outstanding ability to escape pressure when protection does break down.
? A big reason Nix has been aggressive dialing up pressure is that he has the experience and talent in the secondary to hold up in coverage. This unit does an excellent job of communicating with each other and displays good overall athleticism across the board. CBs Marshay Green and Cassius Vaughn have the top-end speed and change-of-direction skills to hold up in man coverage against a Cowboys' perimeter that lacks overall depth. WR Hubert Anyiam has stepped up as Robinson's go-to target in the absence of Dez Bryant, but Oklahoma State has yet to find a solid No. 2 contributor. Ole Miss is also getting solid play from Brown and Lewis, as they both display strong instincts and a wide range getting off the hash, which should help keep the Cowboys' separation in the back end at a minimum. That said, while the secondary should be able to hold their own in coverage initially, this will all be for nothing if the Rebels' pass rush allows Robinson to get on the perimeter and buy extra time for his receivers. At that point, all bets will be off.
Key individual matchup
Oklahoma State LOT Russell Okung
vs. Ole Miss FS Kentrell Lockett
Okung is the most polished LT in all of college football, as he displays good size, strength and athleticism. That said, one of his few flaws is with his run game footwork. He can get a bit sloppy at times, especially with his first step and angles to the point. This is where Lockett can use his quickness at the snap of the ball to beat Okung and position himself to hold the edge. However, if Okung is able to regain position and lock into a phone-booth situation it will be lights out, as Okung plays with good leverage and should have no problems controlling and getting movement on Lockett. Look for Okung to frustrate Lockett throughout the contest in pass protection as he gets into his sets quickly, which should neutralize Lockett's explosive first step off the edge. In addition, Okung displays a wide base, adequate lateral movement and a strong punch should Lockett dial up a double move or a bull-rush attempt back inside.
Ole Miss offense vs. Oklahoma State defense
? Offensive coordinator Kent Austin's philosophy has been to line up in a two-back set on early downs and establish the ground attack while trying to set up the play-action game from there. RB Brandon Bolden displays a good combination of speed and power and shows ability to churn out the tough yards inside and hit the edge to the outside. That said, Bolden may find tough sledding this week against a stingy Oklahoma State run defense. Up front, the Cowboys' defensive line has done a good job of anchoring at the point, and should be able to draw the Rebels' offensive line to a stalemate. This in turn will free up the Cowboys' linebacker corps, which is the strength of this defense. OLBs Patrick Lavine and Andre Sexton display a wide range, while MLB Donald Booker has been a pleasant surprise filling in for Orie Lemon, who missed the entire season with a knee injury. These three should have no problems getting into strong position and limiting Bolden's production throughout the contest.
? The Ole Miss front line must do a good job of protecting QB Jevan Snead and making him feel comfortable in the pocket. When Snead has had time this year, he has looked like the first-round pick many thought he would be heading into the season. On the flip side, when Snead has felt pressure, things have looked flat-out ugly. He has not displayed adequate poise under duress, and his accuracy and decision-making have suffered as a result, which has led to him throwing 17 interceptions on the season. The offensive line has surrendered just 14 sacks on the season, but after watching the film it's apparent there are some flaws in this unit. Communication has been the biggest problem, which could factor in this week, as the Cowboys' defensive line presents a lot of stunting and twisting with their pass rush. In addition, Booker has been a force when blitzing up the gut, as he times his pressures well and will test the awareness of the Rebels' interior. If Ole Miss fails to keep defenders out of Snead's face, things could go south quickly, as the Cowboys possess an aggressive and opportunistic pass defense that has manufactured 14 interceptions and is led by one of the better cover CBs in the country in Perrish Cox.
? Defensive coordinator Bill Young must have a game plan for versatile and elusive WR Dexter McCluster. McCluster is the X factor in this offense as he has the vision, burst, and open-field capabilities to hit the home run from anywhere on the field. In addition, Austin is creative in getting McCluster his touches as he will motion him around, throw bubble screens, align him at the quarterback position in the Wildcat formation and even put him in the backfield at running back. That said, it will be crucial for Cowboys' defense to know where McCluster is and give him extra attention on every play. If not, McCluster has the ability to make it a very long day for this defense. Just ask heralded Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin, whose defense was ripped by McCluster to the tune of 324 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in early November.
Scouts' Edge
Ole Miss and Oklahoma Stave have both battled cases of Jekyll and Hyde. Expect them to show up motivated and ready to play in the 74th edition of the Cotton Bowl, though. This should be a defensive struggle early on. However, look for McCluster to break the game open in the second half as he will eventually get loose on a few occasions, leading to the Rebels finding pay dirt. Defensively, look for Ole Miss to make it a priority to slow down the Cowboys on the ground and force Robinson to shoulder the majority of the load offensively. Robinson will answer the bell by creating a few plays with his feet but look for the Cowboys' lack of playmakers on the perimeter to eventually cause Oklahoma State to fall short, giving Ole Miss the victory in a tight and low-scoring battle.
Prediction: Rebels 23, Cowboys 21
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Arkansas offense vs. East Carolina defense
? QB Ryan Mallett has excellent arm strength, but it's the ability of the 6-foot-7 Mallett to scan the field from within the pocket and his willingness to spread the ball around that makes Arkansas' spread scheme to difficult to defend. East Carolina isn't deep enough at corner to match up with Razorbacks WRs Greg Childs, Jairus Wright, Joe Adams and Cobi Hamilton. In addition, TE D.J. Williams' blend of size (6-2, 251 pounds) and athletic ability make it tough for safeties to stick with him in man coverage. In an effort to overcome these mismatches, East Carolina will primarily drop seven men into zone coverage and rushing four.
? The Pirates were able to slow Houston's explosive spread offense in the Conference USA championship game with the seven-in-coverage scheme mentioned above, and while East Carolina had just just two sacks in that game its front four didn't let Cougars QB Case Keenum get comfortable in the pocket, either. DE C.J. Wilson makes up for his lack of ideal closing speed with good initial quickness, active hands and a non-stop motor. The Pirates also generally limited the Cougars' production after the catch with sound open field tackling and they will need a similar effort to slow the Razorbacks.
? With a hamstring injury sidelining RB Michael Smith, backups Broderick Green, Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo Jr. are sharing carries. All three benefit from the spread scheme stretching the defensive front and keeping the safeties deep, but they are still going to have a difficult time finding room to work. East Carolina's front four averages 296 pounds and is difficult to move off the ball. LB's Nick Johnson, Chris Mattocks and Jeremy Chambliss take advantage of the protection their defensive line provides for them by locating the ball, taking sound pursuit angles and tackling well.
Key individual matchup
Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett vs.
East Carolina FS Van Eskridge
Mallett is tall enough to see the entire field from within the pocket, puts excellent velocity on his passes and flashes above-average touch. On the other hand, the former Michigan transfer started just three games as a true freshman in 2007 and sat out the 2008 season because of NCAA transfer rules. He lacks ideal game experience and it shows at times. While he generally goes through his progressions when his primary receiver isn't there he can also put too much faith in his arm and throw into tight coverage, especially when he gets pressured. Eskridge, meanwhile, is more than capable of turning a mistake over the middle into an interception. He is a ball hawk who reads the quarterback's eyes, diagnoses routes and shows above-average range.
East Carolina offense vs. Arkansas defense
? RB Dominique Lindsay is quick and elusive but is not a powerful inside runner who can push the pile on short-yardage/goal line plays, so he needs a seam to be effective in these situations. Creating those seams should be difficult against the Razorbacks. DTs Malcolm Sheppard and Zach Stadther are tough interior run stoppers capable of holding their ground against East Carolina's interior offensive linemen and with Sheppard and Stadther clogging the middle in front of them MLB Wendell Davis and OLB Jerry Franklin won't have to consistently fight off blocks at the second level. Davis and Franklin are sound open-field tacklers who diagnose plays and close quickly when they go unblocked.
? QB Patrick Pinkney tends to pat the ball before releasing it, which tips off the pass rush to get their hands up and allows the coverage to get a jump on the ball. An Arkansas pass defense that ranks near the bottom of the FBS in yards per allowed per game (104th, 251.8 ypg) needs to take advantage of this flaw in Pinkney's technique. The defensive line hasn't had much success tipping passes but Pinkney is just 6-foot so there's reason to be optimistic about their ability to so in this game. And while Arkansas doesn't have a premier ball hawk, eight different players have intercepted a pass this year.
? The Razorbacks surrendered an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown in their regular-season finale against LSU when P Dylan Breeding out-kicked the coverage and several players got caught out of their lanes. Arkansas can't afford to make the same mistakes against East Carolina because PR Travis Simmons has the explosive burst to make the Razorbacks pay for it. Though Arkansas has done a better job of covering kickoffs this year it will have its hands full trying to slow Pirate KOR Dwayne Harris, who has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns this year. Harris reads his blocks well, bounces off arm tackles and turns on the jets when he gets a seam.
Scouts' Edge
The Pirates lost all three of their FBS non-conference games this year and should be overmatched by Arkansas in terms of team speed and depth. On the other hand, East Carolina is a difficult matchup for the Razorbacks in all three phases of the game. The Pirates are capable of keeping the Arkansas pass rush at bay and have the talent at receiver to move the ball through the air against a suspect Razorbacks pass defense. Defensively, they can slow the run and get after Mallett without stacking the line of scrimmage or rushing more than four. As far as special teams are concerned, East Carolina is capable of winning the battle of field position with their return and cover units. Finally, beating an explosive passing attack and talented quarterback in the Conference USA Championship game has provided the Pirate coaching staff with a blueprint for a win over Arkansas.
Prediction: Pirates 31, Razorbacks 27
Michigan State offense vs. Texas Tech defense
? QB Kirk Cousins faces a vulnerable Texas Tech pass defense but does so without two of his three top receivers. Michigan State suspended B.J. Cunningham (nine starts) and Mark Dell (three starts) for their involvement in a campus fight, and without them in the lineup, TE Charlie Gantt and WR Keshawn Martin will have to step up and complement leading receiver Blair White. Gantt is quick enough to make plays down the seam and he can hold onto the ball after taking a big hit, and while Martin has dropped passes he should have caught this season he is capable of stretching the field and producing after the catch.
? Michigan State's pass protection has been sound for the most part but it's going to have a difficult time keeping Texas Tech at bay. Pittsburgh is the only FBS team averaging more sacks per game than the Red Raiders (3.3), who have some of the premiere edge rushers in the country in DEs Brandon Sharpe, Darren Howard and Ra'Jon Henley. That trio will give Spartans OTs D.J. Young and Rocco Cironi all they can handle, and Cousins will also have a difficult time avoiding pressure by stepping up in the pocket because Red Raiders NT Colby Whitlock and DT Richard Jones have the quickness to shoot into the backfield and give Cousins nowhere to go. If Cousins struggles because of the pressure and/or lack of help at receiver he might be replaced by redshirt sophomore Keith Nichol, who is more mobile than Cousins and he has a strong arm but lacks experience.
? True freshman RBs Edwin Baker and Larry Caper share carries and keep each other fresh, and though they aren't powerful between-the-tackles runners they can be effective inside because they are quick and read their blocks fairly well. Michigan State will try to create seams inside by putting Martin motion and either give him the ball on a jet sweep or faking it to him before handing to the back up the middle. The fake will force the outside linebackers to stay honest and make them a step slow collapsing inside, so MLB Brian Duncan must stay in sound position and tackle well when the Spartans run inside. The good news for Duncan is that he plays behind Whitlock, who doesn't have great size (6-foot-2, 287 pounds) but stays low and he uses his strong upper body to control offensive linemen.
Key individual matchup
Michigan State ROT D.J. Young vs.
Texas Tech LDE Brandon Sharpe
Young moves very well for his size (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) and he is big enough to engulf the 254-pound Sharpe when Michigan State runs right at him. Young also gets into his pass sets quickly and locks his arms out well, but he's still going to have problems preventing Sharpe from beating him around because of balance issues. Young sometimes lunges or overextends in pass protection while Sharpe explodes into offensive tackles, uses his hands to keep them off his frame and then does an excellent job of bending inside. That means Young will have problems countering when Sharpe starts outside and works backs inside.
Texas Tech offense vs. Michigan State defense
? Taylor Potts will get the start at quarterback and should have plenty of favorable matchups to exploit. The Spartans rank near the bottom of the FBS in passing yards allowed per game (103rd, 251.6 ypg) and lack the depth and talent at corner to match up with Red Raiders WRs Alex Torres, Detron Lewis, Tramain Swindall and Lyle Leong. Making matters worse, Michigan State suspended CB Chris L. Rucker (11 starts this season) for his involvement in the same campus fight mentioned above. Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi can't mask Michigan State's inability to match up in man coverage by consistently dropping into soft zone coverage, either. Texas Tech's route structures and the spacing of the spread sets will stretch the zone and test the discipline of a back seven that has often been caught out of position this season. Finally, Potts generally finds the open man when given time.
? Don't be surprised to see a blitz-heavy game plan from Narduzzi despite the mismatches on the outside. The Red Raiders' pass protection has been suspect and the Michigan State pass rush has been one of the most productive in the country. Narduzzi will bring pressure from a number of different areas of the field and he plays a lot of games with his front seven, crossing linebackers, blitzing defensive backs and stunting defensive linemen. Keep an eye on Michigan State MLB Greg Jones in particular. Jones explodes off the ball and closes quickly,and while he weighs just 228 pounds Jones is stronger than his size suggests and he flashes the ability to shed interior offensive linemen quickly. The Spartans will also use a lot of pre-snap movement to prevent Potts from getting good initial reads on the defense.
? Texas Tech has thrown the ball more than twice as much as it has run it but versatile RB Baron Batch still plays a pivotal role. Batch is a dangerous receiver who can release out of the backfield or motion out to the slot, and the Red Raiders take advantage of his ability to create in space by motioning him out of the backfield and throwing him swing passes in-stride. Batch is also quick enough to get outside on traditional handoffs and he shows a second gear when he gets a seam, which is a concern for the Spartans. WLB Brandon Denson's pursuit angles are too shallow at times and he isn't athletic or explosive enough to recover when Batch beats him to the corner.
Scouts' Edge
Both teams are dealing with plenty of off-the-field controversy. On Wednesday, Texas Tech fired head coach Mike Leach, who was under suspension following allegations he mistreated an injured player. Reports indicate that inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley is expected to call the plays for the Red Raiders, and he is well-versed in Tech's scheme after spending several seasons under Leach's tutelage, but there are concerns about the ability of acting head coach Ruffin McNeill to juggle those duties along with his responsibilities as defensive coordinator. On the other side, player suspensions will handcuff Michigan State's passing game and passing defense. In the end, look for the Red Raiders to come out on top because, distractions aside, it's the players that are most important to the outcome of a game.
Prediction: Red Raiders 24, Spartans 20
last two
Arkansas offense vs. East Carolina defense
? QB Ryan Mallett has excellent arm strength, but it's the ability of the 6-foot-7 Mallett to scan the field from within the pocket and his willingness to spread the ball around that makes Arkansas' spread scheme to difficult to defend. East Carolina isn't deep enough at corner to match up with Razorbacks WRs Greg Childs, Jairus Wright, Joe Adams and Cobi Hamilton. In addition, TE D.J. Williams' blend of size (6-2, 251 pounds) and athletic ability make it tough for safeties to stick with him in man coverage. In an effort to overcome these mismatches, East Carolina will primarily drop seven men into zone coverage and rushing four.
? The Pirates were able to slow Houston's explosive spread offense in the Conference USA championship game with the seven-in-coverage scheme mentioned above, and while East Carolina had just just two sacks in that game its front four didn't let Cougars QB Case Keenum get comfortable in the pocket, either. DE C.J. Wilson makes up for his lack of ideal closing speed with good initial quickness, active hands and a non-stop motor. The Pirates also generally limited the Cougars' production after the catch with sound open field tackling and they will need a similar effort to slow the Razorbacks.
? With a hamstring injury sidelining RB Michael Smith, backups Broderick Green, Dennis Johnson and Ronnie Wingo Jr. are sharing carries. All three benefit from the spread scheme stretching the defensive front and keeping the safeties deep, but they are still going to have a difficult time finding room to work. East Carolina's front four averages 296 pounds and is difficult to move off the ball. LB's Nick Johnson, Chris Mattocks and Jeremy Chambliss take advantage of the protection their defensive line provides for them by locating the ball, taking sound pursuit angles and tackling well.
Key individual matchup
Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett vs.
East Carolina FS Van Eskridge
Mallett is tall enough to see the entire field from within the pocket, puts excellent velocity on his passes and flashes above-average touch. On the other hand, the former Michigan transfer started just three games as a true freshman in 2007 and sat out the 2008 season because of NCAA transfer rules. He lacks ideal game experience and it shows at times. While he generally goes through his progressions when his primary receiver isn't there he can also put too much faith in his arm and throw into tight coverage, especially when he gets pressured. Eskridge, meanwhile, is more than capable of turning a mistake over the middle into an interception. He is a ball hawk who reads the quarterback's eyes, diagnoses routes and shows above-average range.
East Carolina offense vs. Arkansas defense
? RB Dominique Lindsay is quick and elusive but is not a powerful inside runner who can push the pile on short-yardage/goal line plays, so he needs a seam to be effective in these situations. Creating those seams should be difficult against the Razorbacks. DTs Malcolm Sheppard and Zach Stadther are tough interior run stoppers capable of holding their ground against East Carolina's interior offensive linemen and with Sheppard and Stadther clogging the middle in front of them MLB Wendell Davis and OLB Jerry Franklin won't have to consistently fight off blocks at the second level. Davis and Franklin are sound open-field tacklers who diagnose plays and close quickly when they go unblocked.
? QB Patrick Pinkney tends to pat the ball before releasing it, which tips off the pass rush to get their hands up and allows the coverage to get a jump on the ball. An Arkansas pass defense that ranks near the bottom of the FBS in yards per allowed per game (104th, 251.8 ypg) needs to take advantage of this flaw in Pinkney's technique. The defensive line hasn't had much success tipping passes but Pinkney is just 6-foot so there's reason to be optimistic about their ability to so in this game. And while Arkansas doesn't have a premier ball hawk, eight different players have intercepted a pass this year.
? The Razorbacks surrendered an 87-yard punt return for a touchdown in their regular-season finale against LSU when P Dylan Breeding out-kicked the coverage and several players got caught out of their lanes. Arkansas can't afford to make the same mistakes against East Carolina because PR Travis Simmons has the explosive burst to make the Razorbacks pay for it. Though Arkansas has done a better job of covering kickoffs this year it will have its hands full trying to slow Pirate KOR Dwayne Harris, who has returned three kickoffs for touchdowns this year. Harris reads his blocks well, bounces off arm tackles and turns on the jets when he gets a seam.
Scouts' Edge
The Pirates lost all three of their FBS non-conference games this year and should be overmatched by Arkansas in terms of team speed and depth. On the other hand, East Carolina is a difficult matchup for the Razorbacks in all three phases of the game. The Pirates are capable of keeping the Arkansas pass rush at bay and have the talent at receiver to move the ball through the air against a suspect Razorbacks pass defense. Defensively, they can slow the run and get after Mallett without stacking the line of scrimmage or rushing more than four. As far as special teams are concerned, East Carolina is capable of winning the battle of field position with their return and cover units. Finally, beating an explosive passing attack and talented quarterback in the Conference USA Championship game has provided the Pirate coaching staff with a blueprint for a win over Arkansas.
Prediction: Pirates 31, Razorbacks 27
Michigan State offense vs. Texas Tech defense
? QB Kirk Cousins faces a vulnerable Texas Tech pass defense but does so without two of his three top receivers. Michigan State suspended B.J. Cunningham (nine starts) and Mark Dell (three starts) for their involvement in a campus fight, and without them in the lineup, TE Charlie Gantt and WR Keshawn Martin will have to step up and complement leading receiver Blair White. Gantt is quick enough to make plays down the seam and he can hold onto the ball after taking a big hit, and while Martin has dropped passes he should have caught this season he is capable of stretching the field and producing after the catch.
? Michigan State's pass protection has been sound for the most part but it's going to have a difficult time keeping Texas Tech at bay. Pittsburgh is the only FBS team averaging more sacks per game than the Red Raiders (3.3), who have some of the premiere edge rushers in the country in DEs Brandon Sharpe, Darren Howard and Ra'Jon Henley. That trio will give Spartans OTs D.J. Young and Rocco Cironi all they can handle, and Cousins will also have a difficult time avoiding pressure by stepping up in the pocket because Red Raiders NT Colby Whitlock and DT Richard Jones have the quickness to shoot into the backfield and give Cousins nowhere to go. If Cousins struggles because of the pressure and/or lack of help at receiver he might be replaced by redshirt sophomore Keith Nichol, who is more mobile than Cousins and he has a strong arm but lacks experience.
? True freshman RBs Edwin Baker and Larry Caper share carries and keep each other fresh, and though they aren't powerful between-the-tackles runners they can be effective inside because they are quick and read their blocks fairly well. Michigan State will try to create seams inside by putting Martin motion and either give him the ball on a jet sweep or faking it to him before handing to the back up the middle. The fake will force the outside linebackers to stay honest and make them a step slow collapsing inside, so MLB Brian Duncan must stay in sound position and tackle well when the Spartans run inside. The good news for Duncan is that he plays behind Whitlock, who doesn't have great size (6-foot-2, 287 pounds) but stays low and he uses his strong upper body to control offensive linemen.
Key individual matchup
Michigan State ROT D.J. Young vs.
Texas Tech LDE Brandon Sharpe
Young moves very well for his size (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) and he is big enough to engulf the 254-pound Sharpe when Michigan State runs right at him. Young also gets into his pass sets quickly and locks his arms out well, but he's still going to have problems preventing Sharpe from beating him around because of balance issues. Young sometimes lunges or overextends in pass protection while Sharpe explodes into offensive tackles, uses his hands to keep them off his frame and then does an excellent job of bending inside. That means Young will have problems countering when Sharpe starts outside and works backs inside.
Texas Tech offense vs. Michigan State defense
? Taylor Potts will get the start at quarterback and should have plenty of favorable matchups to exploit. The Spartans rank near the bottom of the FBS in passing yards allowed per game (103rd, 251.6 ypg) and lack the depth and talent at corner to match up with Red Raiders WRs Alex Torres, Detron Lewis, Tramain Swindall and Lyle Leong. Making matters worse, Michigan State suspended CB Chris L. Rucker (11 starts this season) for his involvement in the same campus fight mentioned above. Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi can't mask Michigan State's inability to match up in man coverage by consistently dropping into soft zone coverage, either. Texas Tech's route structures and the spacing of the spread sets will stretch the zone and test the discipline of a back seven that has often been caught out of position this season. Finally, Potts generally finds the open man when given time.
? Don't be surprised to see a blitz-heavy game plan from Narduzzi despite the mismatches on the outside. The Red Raiders' pass protection has been suspect and the Michigan State pass rush has been one of the most productive in the country. Narduzzi will bring pressure from a number of different areas of the field and he plays a lot of games with his front seven, crossing linebackers, blitzing defensive backs and stunting defensive linemen. Keep an eye on Michigan State MLB Greg Jones in particular. Jones explodes off the ball and closes quickly,and while he weighs just 228 pounds Jones is stronger than his size suggests and he flashes the ability to shed interior offensive linemen quickly. The Spartans will also use a lot of pre-snap movement to prevent Potts from getting good initial reads on the defense.
? Texas Tech has thrown the ball more than twice as much as it has run it but versatile RB Baron Batch still plays a pivotal role. Batch is a dangerous receiver who can release out of the backfield or motion out to the slot, and the Red Raiders take advantage of his ability to create in space by motioning him out of the backfield and throwing him swing passes in-stride. Batch is also quick enough to get outside on traditional handoffs and he shows a second gear when he gets a seam, which is a concern for the Spartans. WLB Brandon Denson's pursuit angles are too shallow at times and he isn't athletic or explosive enough to recover when Batch beats him to the corner.
Scouts' Edge
Both teams are dealing with plenty of off-the-field controversy. On Wednesday, Texas Tech fired head coach Mike Leach, who was under suspension following allegations he mistreated an injured player. Reports indicate that inside receivers coach Lincoln Riley is expected to call the plays for the Red Raiders, and he is well-versed in Tech's scheme after spending several seasons under Leach's tutelage, but there are concerns about the ability of acting head coach Ruffin McNeill to juggle those duties along with his responsibilities as defensive coordinator. On the other side, player suspensions will handcuff Michigan State's passing game and passing defense. In the end, look for the Red Raiders to come out on top because, distractions aside, it's the players that are most important to the outcome of a game.
Prediction: Red Raiders 24, Spartans 20
That 1-4 day got you pretty fired up? I'll have it in the next 45 minutes.
Go ahead and load up on Manchester City in the mean time
:0corn
