Jamal Anderson's Blog – Jam's World

Well folks, unless something changes pretty quick, as in this weekend or the next, we may be faced with last years finish to the college football season.  Sure, it was great for all of us in Utah country, but Boise State & Texas were left with a bad taste in their mouths because of the way the bowl games inevitable were selected.  Here we go again, unless things change, fast. Iowa, Boise State, TCU, Texas, Alabama & Florida are all undefeated right now. Fortunately, the next few weeks can change all of this as pivotal matches are lined up for a few of these teams.  Let’s just pray at the end of this season, things are a little more clear cut, I just doubt it.  Without further adieu,  here are the games I will be watching. New Mexico v #14 Utah Surprise surprise, we start with my Utes.  Anything can happen in these football games, but this is not the NFL, and Utah plays winless New Mexico.  I know the Utes have struggled offensively, and it appears a QB change is coming this weekend.  Even with all of this, and a game looming ahead with TCU, the Utes will handle business.  My Pick: Utah

UCF v #2 Texas

Rest assure, the Longhorns will not be looking past the Golden Knights this year. In the teams only meeting in 2007, Texas needed a late comeback to pull out a victory. Never fear, the Longhorns are focused, and in control of their own destiny. I highly doubt they enter any games in November this year, without strong memories because of last seasons November lost that effectively knocked them out of the Big 12, then BCS title games. Colt McCoy and the Horns are peeking at the right time this year, just ask Oklahoma State.  My Pick: Longhorns

#9 LSU v #3 Alabama

There’s a war going on down south, no man on the field is safe, you cannot run, or hide, you will be HIT.  That about sums up what we are going to see in today as the Tigers roll into Bama to face the Tide.  Saban’s boys are coming off a bye, and I really do not know if this is the best thing since LSU has steadily improved in each of the past three weeks.  The Tigers & the Tide will take the field with two of the best defenses in the country. Did the bye week allow Alabama to find more balance offensively, or should I say, find Julio Jones more often? I guess we’ll have to see today. One thing is certain, the Tigers will have to contain Mark Ingram, and block Terrance Cody today in order to win. I have been impressed with LSU’s QB Jordan Jefferson’s progressive, and a big game today would certainly catapult  LSU back into the National title conversation. Tough to pick against Saban in Tuscaloosa, but I like the way the Tigers are playing right now. LSU, or Jefferson more importantly need to stay calm, not force things, because it’s going to be tough sledging against the Tide all day. My Pick: LSU

#16 Ohio State v #11 Penn State

No need for rocket science here. With respect to OSU’s defense, this game will rest squarely on the shoulders of Terrell Pryor. A native of Pennsylvania, Pryor spurned the Nitty Lions when he decided to attend OSU, please believe me every single person in Beaver stadium remembers this.  Pryor has played a bit better, but he still is capable of head shaking decision making on the field. More talented than any other QB in the nation, can Pryor put it all together in his home town debut? We shall see, one thing I can assure you, Pryor will face a tough challenge today.  Penn States defense is one of the better units in the nation. Aggressive, smart and tenacious, this unit will try to make Pryor one dimensional, the outcome of this game could depend upon it.  Another tough matchup here, and I’m personally pulling for Cameron Heyward, son of my mentor the late Craig Heyward, to have a big game. Even with that, I can’t pick against Joe Pa at home today, my pick: Penn State

#8 Oregon v Stanford

I think we can all agree the Oregon Ducks spread their wings, pain & anger against USC a week ago.  In crushing the Trojans, the Ducks took command in the Pac 10, and are in the midst of one of the more impressive turnarounds in recent years. I know, they only lost one game this year, but it was their 1st, and it included the suspension of their best players.  The Ducks needed to find their way, but they certainly have in a big way lately. Jeremiah Masoli & LeMichael James have made people forget about Blunts absence, made the nation respect the Ducks. Today facing the Cardinals the emphasis will be on stopping Freshman QB Andrew Luck as well as the Pac 10’s leading rusher Toby Gerhart. Should the Ducks fail to contain Stanford’s dynamic duo, forget about that great turnaround, and chalk up and L. The Ducks should handle business today. My Pick: Oregon

Navy v #22 Notre Dame

Timing is everything, and right now the timing is perfect for the Irish. Clausen & Co are clicking offensively, and they should get better today with the return of all world WR Michael Floyd.  Floyd has been absent since September, his return with the already dangerous Golden Tate could give the Irish the best WR combo in the country. Oh how happy is Jimmy Clausen right now? Very. Defensively the Irish have to be disciplined to contain the Midshipmen’s ground attack.  I expect the Irish to get it done, but be wary of Navy’s desire to become bowl eligable ith a win today. My Pick: Navy

Northwestern v #4 Iowa

Masters of the comeback in 2009? That title is resting peacefully on the shoulders of the Iowa Hawkeyes after coming back to win their past four games. Today the Hawkeyes will be hoping Northwestern QB Mike Kafika isn’t totally healthy after leaving last weeks game with a hamstring injury.   Kafika leads the Big Ten is passing yards and total offense, and healthy he will certainly be a force today.  That being said, this is Iowa’s time right now, they are winning games that they should be losing, because they believe they can, and they stick together as a team. When you combine those things, it’s very tough to beat this team right now, but possible. My Pick: Iowa

#24 Oklahoma v Nebraska

Well look here, it’s the old school revival renewed, sort of. Head coaches Bob Stoops & Bo Pelini are good friends, and both teams share mirror overall records. Oklahoma has run away in the matchup the past few years but Pelini seems to have the Huskers headed in the right direction again so today could be interesting. Of course we are all aware of the loses the Sooners have suffered on and off the field, but Stoops still have this team in the top 20. My Pick: Oklahoma

Oregon State v #23 California

Should history repeat itself, the Bears can expect their return to the top 25 to last only a week. Oregon State are winners of four straight games in Berkeley, and overall have beaten the Bears 8 out of the last 10 games. In a nutshell, the Beavers have the Bears number.  Cal’s QB Kevin Riley has really turned it up the past few weeks, leading the Bears with nearly 800 yards & 8 td’s the past three weeks. Then there is the alway dangerous Jahvid Best, who coming into the season was a leading Heismen candidate. The Beavers counter with the dynamic Rodgers brothers at RB & Steven Canfield who ranks amoung the leaders in the Pac 10 in passing. I guess this will depend on which, if either, or these defenses will show up? Either way, My Pick: Oregon State

Wake Forrest v #11 Georgia Tech

Ok, so we know Georgia Tech can run the ball, we know they are physical, we know they are tough, we just need to know now can they play defense? That seems to be the only obstacle right now for the Yellow Jackets as they aim to win 7 straight games today. In October the Jackets defense averaged giving up nearly 400 yards & 28 points a game, those numbers cannot persist is the Jackets expect to make a splash in the BCS. on the flip side Jim Grobe’s Deamon Decan’s are a talented bunch, but they have struggled to win any of their close games this year, being losers of fours games by less than 3 points. Tech’s defense has to keep the Deacon’s offense off the field, containing QB Riley Skinner today will aid that cause. Despite the record, this is not push over game for Tech, I expect Paul Johnson to have the Yellow Jackets prepared, hopefully defensively as well. My Pick: Georgia Tech

**Bonus Picks**

#6 TCU v SDSU

San Diego State seems to finally back on the right track, winners of three of their last four games. Lead by QB Ryan Lindley, reality could come back to haunt the Aztecs today. TCU is a good football team on both sides of the ball, and the Horned Frogs have essentially blown out most teams they have faced this year. Can Gary Patterson’s boys smell a BCS birth? Will they be able to stay ahead of Boise State for the at large bid? All of these are at stake each Saturday for TCU, and I expect them to deliver, until they play the Utes. LOL. Had to slide that in. My Pick: TCU