College Football Preview

College Football Preview

 

Every Friday in this space we’re going to take a look at some of the top college football games of the weekend. We’ll offer some analysis breaking down the matchup and make our pick as to who we think is going to win the game. This weekend has one main event game, a few noteworthy matchups, but mostly a lot of filler. Despite a lack of marquee matchups this Saturday will certainly be filled with excitement as every Saturday in college football is. Let’s get to the matchups.

East Carolina (1-1) vs (17) Virginia Tech- 12:00PM

-Virginia Tech comes into this game riding high. In what was their biggest win in years, the Hokies went into the Horseshoe in Columbus and knocked off the Ohio State Buckeyes. Even without Braxton Miller it was a shocking result because Ohio State still has plenty of elite talent and Virginia Tech is known to not perform well in big games. East Carolina is certainly the type of team to come in and knock them off that emotional high. Coming off a loss to South Carolina where they had the Gamecocks on the ropes, East Carolina knows they can play with anyone. I see a close game throughout and Beamer Ball making the difference. Virginia Tech wins a close one thanks to a special teams play that has been their signature during the Beamer era.

Iowa State (0-2) vs Iowa (2-0)- 3:30PM

-The rivalry game with the Cy-Hawk trophy on the line. This year the two teams come in looking completely different. Iowa State is winless and coming off losses to North Dakota St. and Kansas St. Iowa is 2-0 coming off wins against Northern Iowa and a skin of their teeth victory over Ball State. Despite the records I expect this game to be close, as most rivalry games are. I do think however, Iowa State is going to throw everything they have at Iowa and that will be the deciding factor. Iowa State with the upset on the road at Kinnick Stadium.

(6) Georgia (1-0) vs (24) South Carolina (1-1)-3:30PM

-There were a lot of expectations for South Carolina and the Ol’ Ball Coach coming into this season. Then Kenny Trill strolled into Columbia and put his name on the map, along with putting a beat down on the Gamecocks defense. South Carolina then followed that up with only a 10 point win against East Carolina. They have no pass rush with the loss of Clowney and their corners are getting burned and giving up chunks of yards. Georgia is coming in with an opening week win against Clemson, which I feel won’t look as good at the end of the year as it does now early in the season. Georgia is another team like Virginia Tech that doesn’t always shine in the biggest moments. Tomorrow I feel won’t be any different. Spurrier is going to have his team ready to play and I feel this will be the statement game that South Carolina will need to put itself back on the map. South Carolina wins big.