10 things to look out for this weekend in CFB
Arguably the best opening CFB weekend ever
How do OSU rebuild?
Zeke, Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall, Braxton Miller. In total, the Buckeyes have lost 2,424 rushing yards and 1,979 receiving yards. This week also saw Torrance Gibson get suspended for the year, this despite Urban Meyer saying he disagreed with the university’s decision.
All eyes will inevitably be on J.T Barrett who faces the most important year of his career to date. The Buckeyes need their QB to step up to plate big time.
All eyes on Brady Hoke for Oregon
Last year Oregon lead the Pac-12 in scoring, averaging 43 points per game. They were also last in point allowed, with 37.5 per game. The Alamo Bowl being the perfect game to encapsulate this team, a special ability going forward but a team with the propensity to completely fall apart without the ball.
Brady Hoke has been brought in to shore up the defense and if he can do that, Oregon could be a dark horse. A good looking schedule that includes home games against Stanford and Washington could mean Oregon are an outside bet for the playoffs.
Deshaun to win the battle of the Tigers
The best player in college football, currently drawing parallels with Cam Newton and already being touted as the Heisman winner. Artavis Scott, the team’s leading receiver is back and Deon Cain will provide a huge threat too. It’s hard to see how Auburn can stop this offense. In fact, it will be hard to see how many teams stop this offense. Carl Lawson’s return for Auburn will help but will be ultimately be futile one predicts.
Can Oklahoma go all the way?
The media is predicting that the Sooners walk the Big 12 and it’s easy to see why. Last year Baker Mayfield threw 36 TDs and in Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon they have an offense that can scare any team. The big reason they are predicted to do well is their schedule, with many predicting they will go undefeated. With that said, UH will not be easy and the undefeated season dream could end before it begins.
USC not an easy game for Saban’s Alabama
At first glance one would think this is an easy win for Alabama. The current champions, a team that has won four of the last seven national titles. On the offense, O.J. Howard and Cam Robinson are considered first-round talent and defensively the Crimson Tide has four defenders ranked in the top 21 2017 draft prospects. It’s easy to forget that USC are ranked 20th and have a huge talent to choose from too. Adoree’ Jackson is a versatile weapon and was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year.
This year Saban is looking to equal Paul Bryant’s record of six national titles, USC will look to provide a stubborn test early on.
Dalvin Cook may have to come up big
Deondre Francois is poised to make his first start at Orlando on Monday. The redshirt freshman faces a tough test against an Ole Miss team that too has playoff aspirations. With so much pressure on Francois don’t be surprised to see Dalvin Cook take on extra responsibility. The junior running back rushed for 1,691 yards last year and will be expected to do similar things on Monday.
Dave Aranda the key to LSU success
Aranda was brought in to join the Tigers during the offseason from the Badgers. So this match up will be particularly interesting as Aranda faces his old team. Last year the Badgers had the second best total defense in the country, LSU meanwhile ranked 25th in total defense.
If the Tigers can improve on their defense and running back Leonard Fournette continues his amazing form, LSU will put up big numbers and could be a very serious force to be reckoned with.
Trevor Knight may have the edge over Josh Rosen
There will be an intriguing battle between the QBs in Texas on Saturday between Trevor Knight and Josh Rosen. As Fox Sports puts so well, both teams are seen as second tier teams so a loss could potentially ruin either of their seasons.
The battle is made that much more interesting because A&M OC Noel Mazzone is coming off the back of four years at UCLA, potentially giving the Texas team the advantage.
Lambert starts but for how long?
The ongoing battle for UGA’s starting QB berth has been won by senior Greyson Lambert. It was a close fight however between Lamber and freshman Jacob Eason. Facing a UNC team that took Clemson close in the ACC Championship game, don’t be surprised to see Eason feature on Saturday at some point and more as the season goes on.
First game no indicator as to whether Harbaugh’s team can go all the way
Michigan have to play Iowa, Michigan State and Ohio State all on the road. They have the best defense in the Big Ten for sure but only time will tell if they are going to live up to the hype. This will be an easy opening game and Hawaii showed nothing last week in Sydney to suggest an upset is on the cards. Tougher times will be ahead for Harbaugh’s team, although we said that about the Tennessee App State game and look how that went.