After doing 62 previews in the span of a couple of months, I got a lot of great feedback from people that wanted me to break down games and even in-game matchups, so I’ll be doing that a lot starting today. The college football breakdown will be Part 1 and the NHL breakdown will be Part 2. I can’t resist putting up silly videos, so that won’t change, but I’m excited to break games down now instead of just individual teams. Let’s get started!
Indiana vs. Ohio State (-24)
Just seems like too big of a number here for the Buckeyes. The Hoosiers of a few years ago would have been worthy of being such a massive underdog, but at 3-1 so far in the 2010 campaign, Indiana has the record at least to show that it won’t be a pushover.
Don’t get me wrong, Ohio State will win the game, but if you look deeper into the numbers, you’ll see that this game should be much more competitive. First of all, the Buckeyes could only beat Illinois last week by 11, while the Hoosiers only lost by a touchdown to Michigan. Also, Indiana is fourth in the country in passing yards per game and held the ball for over 42 minutes last week.
Alabama (-7) vs. South Carolina
Until they prove you wrong or cost you money, you have to keep rolling with the Tide. After an impressive performance against Florida last week, there’s a prevailing thought that this could be a trap game for Alabama against the ol’ ball coach. The problem with that theory is that you’re counting on a South Carolina team to be playing at their very best and that’s not the case.
Quarterback Stephen Garcia has struggled enough this season that he was pulled late in the game against Auburn last time out. The Gamecocks also gave up a staggering 334 yards on the ground to Auburn, which begs the question: How many yards can the dynamic duo of Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson put up?
Utah (-6.5) vs. Iowa State
Key stat to this ball game thanks to the Associated Press: Utah is averaging 44.3 points, tied for sixth-best in the nation, and shouldn’t have issues moving the ball against an Iowa State team allowing 384.4 yards per game - 84th in the FBS.
If the Utes are serious about being BCS busters and making it to the National Championship game in January, they cannot slip up against a team that sports a 3-2 record. They have had two weeks to prepare for this matchup and you have to assume the extra week off allow for some rest, some healing and extra preparation.
Best games outside the networks if you have the college football package:
12 o’clock games – Tennessee v. Georgia – You’ll love the energy of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley when you watch
3:30 games – Arkansas vs. Texas A&M – Tough game on a neutral site for the Razorbacks...the Aggies will be pumped to play in front of essentially a home crowd at Cowboys Stadium