Upset Central

[Eric]

This is probably the most interesting weekend since Week 1. I see a lot of upset possibilities between top teams on the horizon:

1. Wisconsin @ Ohio State - Wisky should probably be 4-0. Their defense got sliced up a bit by Arizona State so I think that is more telling than their shutout performances against UMass and Tennessee Tech. The good note for the Badgers is that Miller might be rusty and Urban Meyer could have a lot riding on how he handles his QB situation. I personally think Miller will be fine and that the Bucks score a lot of points, but that Wisconsin's running game will score almost at will. I think this is a game that will go into the 40's and go down to the last five minutes.

2. Ole Miss @ Alabama - This would be a lot tougher of an assignment if Bama had to go into Oxford, but Ole Miss has a lot going for them. Bama's defense doesn't look nearly as dominant as they were last year, especially in the secondary. Ole Miss is so young, but that might almost be a positive thing since they seem to have an attitude coming into this game. I think Ole Miss keeps it very close for a half, but I think some youthful mistakes will help Alabama blow them out late.

3. Stanford @ Washington State - I'll go on the record saying this won't be close and that Stanford's physicality will dominate, but I could easily see this being a defensive slugfest. Wazzu's defense has stepped it up bigtime this year and they are currently riding a three-game winning streak. This could be another huge game for Mike Leach's early career.

4. Arizona @ Washington - Rich Rod's team has been pretty dynamic, but they haven't played anybody. So the jury is still out on how good Arizona might be, but I could see them being for real just as easily as I could see them being a fraud. The passing game is still a work in progress, but Ka'Deem Carey could carry the ground game. This should be a high-scoring shootout.

5. South Carolina @ UCF - UCF looks like the one team that will be good enough to knock off Louisville this year. They have a rock-solid passing game with Blake Bortles and a stout running attack with Storm Johnson. South Carolina (and the rest of the SEC for that matter) rarely plays against upstarts on the road, so this will be an interesting test for them. The Knights also have a defense that can keep up with Carolina's offense. I can't pull the trigger on this upset either, but I think will be a low-scoring game that comes down to the final possession.

[Spence]

1. Wisconsin @ Ohio State - Wisky should probably be 4-0. Their defense got sliced up a bit by Arizona State so I think that is more telling than their shutout performances against UMass and Tennessee Tech. The good note for the Badgers is that Miller might be rusty and Urban Meyer could have a lot riding on how he handles his QB situation. I personally think Miller will be fine and that the Bucks score a lot of points, but that Wisconsin's running game will score almost at will. I think this is a game that will go into the 40's and go down to the last five minutes.

I tend to agree with you. I don't think Miller will be Rusty. I think the Ohio State offense will score points. The key for Ohio State winning, though, will be to stop the run - or slow the run. Ohio State needs to make Stave beat them and not let him rely on play action. To do that Ohio State needs to tackle. Ryan Shazier wants to make the big hit and is not fundamentally sound. He needs to stand tall in this game.

What is different in this game than in the recent OSU Whisky match ups is defense or lack of defense. Neither team is solid on the defensive side of the ball. As I have said from the beginning of the year, Ohio State has a load of talent on both sides of the ball, but they are green. They are getting better with each game. They haven't played a team like Wisconsin yet. They haven't played a team that likes three tightends. If is going to be a very physical game and the Buckeyes haven't played a physical team to date. I expect this to be a dog fight and even though I believe that Ohio State's overall talent advantage will win out, it wouldn't surprise me if the Badgers spoil Ohio State's party. I don't believe that it would be an upset win if Wisconsin won the game.
It is fun to watch the talent being developed. They have such a long way to go on defense that this probably isn't going to be Ohio State's "year" nationally. That said, this team has the ability to win the B-10. They have the talent to beat anyone. They have yet to show they now how to utilize their talent to the best of their abilities. Hopefully that will starts to show soon. The offense can take some heat off the defense, but the defense needs to show they can stop someone. The first step to playing solid defense is stopping the run. Hopefully Ohio State will take that first step tomorrow.

[Derek]

I'm still sticking with my prediction that Ole Miss is gonna pull it out today.

[Cane from the Bend]

Hey, Eric . . . You seemed to have missed Arkansas vs aTm.

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[Derek]

Boy was I wrong about Ole Miss!

[Dossenator]

The pick 6 killed Arkansas' chance at winning. Even giving up pick 6 Ark was only down 4 late in the game. With 4 minutes left Ark had more total yards of offense and controlled the time of possession. They are getting there. Freshman tight end over 100 yards, freshman rb over 100 yards again (leads sec in rushing), 2 freshman offensive line started and gave up zero sacks, leading receiver sophomore, qb sophomore....future looks bright in Fayetteville. Florida, south Carolina, and Bama next 3 games. Go Hogs!

[Eric]

That is quite a murderer's row. They'll have to get one of these upsets this year to go bowling, although people shouldn't hold a 5-7 record with that schedule against them if that's how they finish. I think they have a good shot against Florida in the Swamp.

[Dossenator]

I agree. It is a shame Ark was without their starting QB vs Rutgers.

Alex Collins (true freshman rb) now has 4 100+ yard games this season for Ark. The ark freshman record for most 100+ yard games during freshman season is held by Darren McFadden with 5.

Is Conner Shaw going to be healthy in two weeks to make the trip to Fayetteville. He left yesterday's game with a shoulder injury?

[Derek]

Is Conner Shaw going to be healthy in two weeks to make the trip to Fayetteville. He left yesterday's game with a shoulder injury?

I've not heard anything about that yet.

Their backup QB is not bad though, has a pretty accurate arm, just get's flustered too easy, even against UCF.

[RazorHawk]

The pick 6 killed Arkansas' chance at winning. Even giving up pick 6 Ark was only down 4 late in the game. With 4 minutes left Ark had more total yards of offense and controlled the time of possession. They are getting there. Freshman tight end over 100 yards, freshman rb over 100 yards again (leads sec in rushing), 2 freshman offensive line started and gave up zero sacks, leading receiver sophomore, qb sophomore....future looks bright in Fayetteville. Florida, south Carolina, and Bama next 3 games. Go Hogs!

I will be at two of those three games, so not a good sign, as they almost always lose when I attend. Of course, in recent years, living in Florida I am only going to road games.

[Dossenator]

I will be at the Ark vs South Carolina game. I am assuming you will be attending the Florida and Bama games....correct?

[RazorHawk]

I will be at the Ark vs South Carolina game. I am assuming you will be attending the Florida and Bama games....correct?

Correct you are. This will be my 4th or 5th trip to Tuscalossa, and only have seen 1 victory.

Been to the Swamp twice before for an Arkansas game, one was a blowout by the Gators and the one 4 years ago, the officials stole the game from the Hogs. (I very seldom, blame officiating on the outcome of a game, but this game even the local radio shows in Florida were saying the same thing. Also, the officiating crew was suspended for a week or two after the game.)