The Andrew Extravaganza

Last week I went a disappointing 2-3 (SU & ATS). Both Texas A&M and Miami should have won their games. Despite allowing a school record number of sacks to the Seminoles D, Miami dominated that game; two missed field goals, one botched field goal snap/hold, and several drops cost the 'Canes. Texas A&M looked truly pathetic on offense; I'm beginning to think Dennis Franchione has been vastly overrated. Notre Dame was impressive against Pitt as they blew them out on the road; that was the one game that I really got it wrong.

I now present my three predictions for the second week of the 2005 season:

AT

#2 Texas 1-0 (0-0) at #7 Ohio State 1-0 (0-0)
TV:
Date: Saturday, 9/10/2005
Time: 7:00 PM
Line: Ohio State by 1
Match-up:
Texas:Texas will be looking to run first to set up their passing game. Fr Jamaal Charles (14-135-1) will split carries with the oft-injured Selvin Young (8-67-1), with Jerome Bettis-like 270lb Fr Henry Melton seeing some goal line work. The Horns need some big plays from the wide outs as TE David Thomas is bound to draw heavy coverage. WR Jordan Shipley has been nursing a hamstring injury, but should play. WR Brian Carter led the team in receiving against the Rajin Cajuns. WR Limas Sweed and WR Quan Crosby will also get some looks. The X-factor is RB/WR Ramonce Taylor; Greg Davis consulted with Norm Chow in the off-season and intends to utilize Taylor similar to USC's Reggie Bush. Vince Young (photo) is going to have to throw the ball effectively for the Horns to have a chance.

The front seven should be able to contain the running game of Ohio State, but will need to get pressure on the QB to allow for a victory. The secondary is very good, but will be challenged by one of the best WR corps in the country. Without consistent pressure, Holmes and Ginn will find a way to get open.

Ohio St:The Buckeyes will likely play both Justin Zwick and Troy Smith at QB. Last week against a good Miami (OH) team, Zwick played well (17-23-155-1-1). He's more of a pocket-passer and might be harassed if the Longhorns blitz heavily. The two playmakers on the offense are WR Santonio Holmes (5-74-1) and WR Ted Ginn Jr (5-75-1)(photo).

Ohio State's defense is excellent and probably has the best groups of LBs in the country in A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel, and Bobby Carpenter. The secondary is excellent and should be able to lock up UT's receivers and allow the LBs to pressure Young. The biggest question will be in the shotgun zone-read running game. Can the LBs contain Vince Young on his keepers? I have a feeling they will over play Young and force the backs to beat them running inside.

Prediction: This will be a defensive game, but I think each school will make some big plays. Vince Young will have difficulty escaping the LBs, but will still get a couple of big runs off. Either Holmes or Ginn will break a long touchdown reception. With two aggressive defenses, there will be some turnovers and the location of those turnovers will play a huge role. The special teams of Ohio State are superior in every way to the Longhorns; Ginn is the most dangerous punt returner in the country and Texas has struggled to find a consistent kicker. The home edge and the special teams edge should be enough for the Buckeyes to eek out a victory. Ohio State wins 20-17 (I hope I'm wrong).
Pick: SU & ATS

AT

#23 Notre Dame 1-0 at #3 Michigan 1-0 (0-0)
TV:
Date: Saturday, 9/10/2005
Time: 11:00 AM
Line: Michigan by 7
Match-up:
Notre Dame: Notre Dame was very impressive in their season opening road win at Pitt. The Irish offense torched the Panthers to the tune of 42 points. It looks like that victory should be taken with a grain of salt however because Pitt lost 16-10 to perennial cupcake Ohio tonight; it's nice to see Dave Wannstedt's staff take a pretty good team and piss all over the program in just two games.

As bad as Pitt looks, QB Brady Quinn (18-27-227-2-1), RB Darius Walker (20-100-1; 3-52-1)(photo) and Co. are still very talented and should be able to move the ball. Beating Michigan at the Big House is no small order though. Their inexperienced defense showed up last week with a tough, spirited effort and had better do the same against a great Michigan offense.

Michigan: The Michigan D picked up where it left off last year as it struggled to stop a crappy Northern Illinois team last week. I think most of that trouble can be attributed to running a vanilla defense as they looked ahead to the Irish, but I bet several Wolverines fans have already made preparations for a mass suicide should Notre Dame shred them too.

QB Chad Henne (20-31-227-2-0)(photo) and RB Michael Hart (27-117-1; 4-49-1) are the sophomore leaders of the potent offense. DT Gabe Watson is a huge force in the middle of the D and should slow down Walker. The secondary is talented, but may be the one weak spot for Michigan.

Prediction: The offenses are both very good and should be able to move the ball effectively enough to trade field position and threaten the red zone. Steve Breaston's kick and punt returning will help Michigan win the field position battle. I give Michigan a talent edge defensively and they should be able to pull out the home win. Michigan wins 28-17.
Pick: SU & ATS

AT

#5 LSU 0-0 (0-0) at #15 Arizona State 1-0 (0-0)
TV:
Date: Saturday, 9/10/2005
Time: 8:00 PM
Line: Arizona State by 1.5
Match-up:
Louisiana State: Nick Saban left to take over the HC job with the Miami Dolphins. Former Oklahoma State HC Les Miles took over and I think he will prove to be a good hire. Due to the hurricane, LSU was forced to postpone their opener against North Texas and move this game from Baton Rouge to Tempe, AZ. All of these factors combined to turn a 9-point favorite into a slight dog.

Rocket-armed sophomore JaMarcus Russell (73-144-1053-9-4) will likely get the starting nod over the brash true freshmen Ryan Perrilloux (#1 QB recruit in the country). Russell is very similar to former Tigers QB Rohan Davey in that he's big and strong, but it remains to be seen whether or not he'll develop the poise necessary to run the offense from the pocket. RB Alley Broussard (142-867-10) tore his ACL and is done for the year, but LSU still has a potent stable with Joseph Addai (101-680-3; 26-294-4), Justin Vincent (76-322-2), and Shyrone Carey. The Tigers are loaded at WR with Skyler Green, Craig Davis, Dwayne Bowe, Early Doucett, and Xavier Carter. The offensive line returns 4 starters and is one of the best in the nation.

LSU defensive line has lost two first round draft picks and one second round pick in the last two years, but there isn't any shortage of talent. DT Kyle Williams anchors the line with DT Claude Wroten. The LBs are big and fast and are led by Cameron Vaughn. Even though they lost both CBs to the NFL, the secondary will be one of the best in the nation. SS Jessie Daniels and FS LaRon Landry are hard hitting playmakers.

Arizona State: QB Sam Keller's only start was in the Sun Bowl last year versus Purdue. In that game Keller put up 370 yards passing with 3 TDs. Against Temple last week, Keller threw 4 TDs, but 2 Ints while completed 58% of his passes. His inexperience could be an issue against an aggressive LSU defense. Randy Hill, Rudy Burgess, Keegan Herring, and Preston Hill all figure to get some touches at RB. Burgess is a versatile, but undersized player; he was formerly a WR and has good hands. The Sun Devils have excellent receivers. Derek Hagan (83-1248-10 LY) is a top NFL prospect at WR. Terry Richardson (45-679-6 LY) is the other starter at WR. TE Zach Miller is a great athlete that caught 56 passes for 552 yards and 6 TDs as a true freshmen last year.

DE Kyle Caldwell is the best player on the D-line and led the team with 7 sacks last year. The DTs are undersized, which could pose problems against the massive LSU O-line. Jamar Williams and Dale Robinson are both excellent LBs with a nose for the ball and good size. The ASU secondary is deep; FS Emmanuel Franklin led the team with 4 Ints last year.

Prediction: Surprisingly, the LSU players seem very upbeat. Their goal is to win this game and make their state proud. For some bonus karma, JaMarcus Russell has letting the legendary Fats Domino stay in his apartment since being rescued from New Orleans.

If Arizona State wants to have a chance they'll need to pressure Russell and force some bad throws. Russell struggled with his patience and accuracy last year and could be rattled. However, the talented O-line should be able to keep him protected and he'll be able to pick apart the defense. The Tigers' biggest strength is their running game; they will be able to push around the little bitch d-line with ease and allow for some big gains. For their part, the Sun Devils offense will be able to move the ball through the air, but only to a point. Another weapon for LSU is WR Skyler Green, a gifted KR/PR man that is finally healthy after struggling with a high ankle sprain most of last season. LSU wins 38-21.
Pick: SU & ATS