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Our Coverage of a Storied Southern Tradition

Week 5 Recap

9/30/2018

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This week saw the Hokies rebound from their loss to Old Dominion, Florida State catch a break late to squeak out a win against Louisville, and Purdue keep Scott Frost winless at Nebraska. But that is just the beginning.

Three Games That Mattered

South Carolina 10 - Kentucky 24

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Kentucky has now beaten Florida, Mississippi State, and now South Carolina. They find themselves 5-0. There’s been a lot of well deserved press for Benny Snell but two other Wildcats found the end zone as well. The Kentucky defense held Carolina to 10 points and the Wildcats held onto the ball for 9:30 more than the Gamecocks. That’s a team effort. This team look like much more than a one man show. With the remaining schedule, very little imagination is needed to see Kentucky picking up 10 or 11 wins. There could be a New Year’s Day bowl in this scenario, if not something even more impressive.
7 Stanford 17 - 8 Notre Dame 38

The Fighting Irish (5-0) remained undefeated as QB Ian Book went 24/33 for 278 yds and 4 TDs. Stanford RB Bryce Love had 17 carries for 73 yds and 1 TD but suffered an apparent ankle injury and missed the last 11 minutes of the game. The strong night by the Irish gives them their second win against a ranked opponent this season. The Irish are sure to move up in the polls and will be in the playoff conversation if they continue to win with an impressive schedule.
5 Ohio State 27 - 8 Penn State 26

The Buckeyes overcame a 12 point 4th quarter deficit to snatch another victory from Penn State. The largest crowd in Beaver Stadium history watched as Ohio State scored twice in the last eight minutes Buckeyes QB Trace McSorley passed for 286 yds and rushed for another 175. Ohio State makes another step in the direction of the playoff while Penn State will now need outside help to get back in the picture.
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Curator & Coach - Week 5

9/27/2018

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Curator Sam Burnham

​Upset Alert - Ole Miss @ 5 LSU
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​This one may sound like a long shot and, really, it is. But Ole Miss can generate offense. QB Jordan Ta'amu has rolled out 1359 yds and 10 TDs. He will have to be on top of his game to succeed under the lights of Death Valley. But this is a long and heated rivalry and anything can happen. LSU will have their hands full.

Game of the Week - South Carolina @ Kentucky
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​I wasn't expecting this one. But looking at an undefeated UK team led by a fiery Benny Snell facing a South Carolina team desperate for a win to salvage this season, this one has a lot on the line. Snell had 25 carries for 165 yds and 4 TDs against Mississippi State. A win on Saturday will keep Kentucky tied with UGA for the top spot in the SEC East. A loss and the remaining schedule could mean a frustrating end to a season that started with promise. 
Coach Drew Burnham

​Upset Alert - Iowa State @ TCU
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Off back to back tough losses, and with 2 ranked teams waiting in the coming weeks, this is an easy one for the Horned Frogs to look over. The Cyclones played Oklahoma to 10 points a few weeks ago and are good for one solid upset a year usually. It’s brewing. I think this is the best shot at one this week

Game of the Week - 7 Stanford @ 8 Notre Dame
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This has dire playoff implications for both teams. A win here solidifies Notre Dame as a legitimate contender following gritty wins against less prestigious programs in the last few weeks. Half of the country is calling it a night about the time Stanford is usually kicking off and this is their chance to chow what they have on national TV in prime time to the entire college football world. It’s their chance to make a needed statement where everyone can see it.
Curator's Picks (20-20)
West Virginia @ Texas Tech
Tennessee @ 2 UGA
Purdue @ Nebraska
Michigan @ Northwestern
Florida @ Mississippi State
Virginia Tech @ Duke
South Carolina @ Kentucky
7 Stanford @ 8 Notre Dame
5 Ohio State @ 8 Penn State

BYU @ Washington
Coach's Picks (25-15)
West Virginia
@ Texas Tech
Tennessee @ 2 UGA
Purdue @ Nebraska
Michigan @ Northwestern
Florida @ Mississippi State
Virginia Tech @ Duke
South Carolina @ Kentucky
7 Stanford @ 8 Notre Dame
5 Ohio State @ 8 Penn State

BYU @ Washington
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The ABG Poll - 9/25/18

9/24/2018

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Alabama totally dominated Texas A&M from the first play and rolled to a consensus #1 in this week’s poll. Georgia hangs on at #2 but must play better in the future. LSU jumped two spots while Ohio State and Oklahoma each drop one. Penn State makes an appearance this week in a tie for #8 with Notre Dame. Both Virginia Tech and West Virginia drop out of the poll this week. The Hokies certainly earned their ejection. But look for the Mounties to be back soon.
The Poll
 
Rank  Team            Points         Last Week
1.  Alabama       50 (5)         1
2.  Georgia        40               2
3.  Clemson       38               3
4.  LSU              34               6
5.  Ohio State    26               4
6.  Oklahoma     24               5
7.  Stanford       19               7
8.  (Tie)
     Notre Dame  12               8
     Penn State    12              UR
10. Auburn        6                 9

Also receiving votes: Washington 2, West Virginia 2, Central Florida 1
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Week 4 Recap

9/22/2018

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Both Upset Alerts from this week’s C&C proved to be true with Purdue looking strong against Boston College and Kentucky blowing out Mississippi State.
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A brief look at 3 games that mattered:

Kentucky - 28 Mississippi State - 7
When Kentucky knocked off Florida it was a shocker but it could have also been discussed as a fluke. It makes good motivation for a team but it could just be a flash in the pan. But once another ranked opponent falls to the Wildcats, it looks a little more serious. Winning by 3 TDs makes it a statement. UK is now 4-0, 2-0 in SEC play and now have divisional advantage over Vandy, Florida, Tennessee, and South Carolina, who they face next week. The Bulldogs lose their SEC opener and now have Florida and the SEC West ahead.
Virginia Tech 35 Old Dominion 49
Old Dominion junior QB Blake Larussa received 0 D-1 scholarship offers coming out of high school. On Saturday he threw 4 TD passes and rushed for another TD, piling up 501 total yards against a Bud Foster defense. This is why you don’t trust recruiting stars. It’s also why they actually play games instead of trusting what’s on paper. This game will likely cost the Hokies their place in the ABG Poll and, more importantly, kill any playoff hopes they had.
Stanford 38 Oregon 31 OT
​After further review, the score went from 31-7 to 24-14 in a handful of plays. Instead of putting away an opponent they’d dominated all night, Oregon found themselves losing momentum with Stanford knocking on the door. After the replay overturn and the scoop and score, Stanford took charge of the game. Stanford scored 24 in the 2nd half and then 7 in OT and that was the difference in the ballgame. In the span of 3 or 4 plays, not only the game’s momentum but also a serious advantage in the PAC 12 North and a spot in the Top 10 changed hands. This was likely a season changing game for both teams.
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Curator & Coach- Week 4

9/20/2018

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Curator Sam Burnham

​Game of the Week
7 Stanford @ Oregon

I’m not usually big on the PAC 12 but with Coach pulling dibs on the Bama-A&M game, I’m looking at this match up. I’ve mentioned Bryce Love earlier and I’m hoping to see him healthy. I have come to enjoy Stanford’s physical play and I expect it  to dominate the game tempo but I’m also expecting Oregon to put up a fight. They’re sitting at 3-0 right now. But this should be their first real test of the season.  Oregon is still making adjustments to Mario Cristobal, yet another head coach, but they have three games behind them and should be working into their groove. Oregon is counting on countering the Stanford running attack with a defense that is in the Top 10 nationally against the run. Now it is time for the nation to see if those stats reflect the strength of the team or the strength of their schedule.

​Upset Alert
Mississippi State @ Kentucky

The Bulldogs are off to a quick start but the Wildcats also sit at 3-0. If MSU comes into Commonwealth on a high horse, the BBN might just knock them off. I’m not ready to pick Kentucky outright but if there is going to be an upset this week, this is the game I’d look at. The Bulldogs better be ready to take care of business.
Curator’s Picks (13-17)
UGA @ Mizzou
Boston College @ Purdue
Texas A&M @ Alabama
South Carolina @ Vandy
TCU @ Texas
Florida @ Tennessee
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon
Wisconsin @ Iowa
Arizona State @ Washington
Coach Drew Burnham

Game of the Week
Texas A&M @ 1 Alabama

​Two weeks after taking Clemson down to the wire, the Aggies and the highest-paid staff in America travel to Tuscaloosa to put themselves to the ultimate test in college football: a game against the Tide in Bryant-Denny. Coach Fisher impressed in his only true test so far this season. I’m not predicting an upset, I just think that this is the most intriguing game of the weekend. Texas A&M has more resources than any other team in America and now that they have world-class leadership that place can be very, very special. On the other side, the Tide have been the Gold Standard in the game for a decade now and don’t seem to be slowing any time soon. Ultimately, the Tide offense will be just too much, but don’t expect the Aggies to take it lying down. Be sure to watch this one.

Upset Alert
Boston College @ Purdue

BC has snuck their way into the top 25 for and times are good in Chestnut Hill. It would be easy to let the new found respect creep into the minds of a team not accustomed to national recognition. The high-powered Boilermaker offense can score points in a hurry and put games out of reach if focus is not in place.

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Coach’s Picks (17-13)
​UGA @ Mizzou
Boston College @ Purdue
Texas A&M @ Alabama
South Carolina @ Vandy
TCU @ Texas
Florida @ Tennessee
Texas Tech @ Oklahoma State
Stanford @ Oregon
Wisconsin @ Iowa
Arizona State @ Washington
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ABG Poll - 9/18/18

9/17/2018

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We are excited to be presenting the ABG Poll again this season. This year we have an expanded polling committee offering us a broader perspective. Each member has experience either working on a staff, writing, or both. So we are presenting a coaches AND writers poll. Two for the price of one.

Our poll features a Top 10 and will also note additional teams having also received votes. The Top 10 is compiled from the aggregate score of each team receiving votes. The poll allocates 5 first place votes to committee members. In this week's poll, a first place vote served as the tie breaker between Georgia and Clemson.
The ABG Poll

1. Alabama        59(4)
2. Georgia         43(1)
3. Clemson        43
4. Ohio State     32
5. Oklahoma      29
6. LSU                24
7. Stanford        13
8. Notre Dame   12
9. Auburn          10
10. (Tie)
       Penn State    7
       
Virginia Tech 7

Also Receiving votes: West Virginia 3, Oklahoma State 2, Mississippi State 1, Washington 1 
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Week 3 Recap

9/16/2018

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Week 3 saw some more action involving serious match ups. Some teams are still working through their cupcake schedule. Some of them, like Arkansas and Nebraska, aren't doing very well with it. If you're going to lose anyway, just play a top notch team.

Some teams tried that advice this weekend. Here are 3 games that mattered:

LSU 22 Auburn 21
This was predicted to be a good one and it did not disappoint. No one is surprised that it came down to a last second field goal. With wins over Miami and now at Auburn, it is time for the football world to start taking Ed Orgeron seriously, whether you want to or not.He has put a winner on the field and LSU is now a serious contender for the SEC West title. The road won't be easy with upcoming games against Georgia, Mississippi State, Alabama, and A&M. This schedule keeps Auburn in the hunt, even with the loss. 

Ohio State 40  TCU 28
The Frogs took control of the game tempo early on The incredible pace they set on offense threatened to wear down the Buckeye defense. But that defense is what kept Ohio State in the game. While the offense spit and sputtered under the relentless TCU pass rush, the Buckeye defense made the Frogs make offensive errors and then punished them severely for them. Three TCU turnovers were the difference in the game. Ohio State made no turnovers. That and controlling the game tempo in the second half earned them the W in their last game with head coach Urban Meyer on suspension. 

Washington 21  Utah 7
The Huskies needed this win after that loss to Auburn. With a convalescent game in between, this was Washington's first real game since that loss. Regardless of rankings, Utah is a quality opponent. Washington went on the road and gave an excellent defensive effort. Washington was a locked door in the red zone all night. Even when Utah DL Pita Tonga intercepted an errant pass and runbled it down inside the 10 before fumbling it out of bounds, The Huskies defense came on the field and refused to give up any points, forcing a turnover on downs. Even with the loss to Auburn, don't count the Huskies out just yet. They are still very much in the running for the PAC-12 title. That could mean a playoff appearance. 
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Curator & Coach - Week 3

9/13/2018

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Curator Sam Burnham

Game of the Week:
​LSU @ Auburn

Where do you start with this one? The 1996 "Night the Barn Burned?" The 1988 "Earthquake Game?" This is one of my favorite rivalries in college football. With LSU dominating Miami and Auburn looking strong against Washington, this one looks primed to be another great one. These two are vying with Alabama (and possibly A&M) for the SEC West giving this one the potential to be a de facto playoff game. Both teams need to win this one. Throw in the heated rivalry and you can expect it to be intense. Expect an inferno or some seismic activity.

Upset Alert
Colorado State @ Florida

To understand my reasoning for this one you must only go back to this past weekend. Colorado State is coming off their upset of Arkansas and facing their 2nd SEC opponent in as many weeks. Florida had not lost to Kentucky in 31 years and had not lost to Kentucky at home since 1979...until Saturday. So the Rams will come in with a boost of confidence while the Gators are looking to rebound after one of the worst psychological setbacks in recent memory.

But that is just the beginning. The match up to watch in this one will be Mike Bobo vs Todd Grantham. The Rams have racked up 1107 yards passing and 8 touchdowns. Grantham has a history of under preforming against strong offenses. Watch for the Rams to pick up some big plays downfield. If the Gators lose control of the game tempo, they could be in trouble. Strong defense will be critical.  Besides, Bobo is an old Georgia boy who'd love nothing more than knocking off the Gators in the Swamp.
Curator's Picks (8-12)

Georgia Tech @ Pitt
Boise State @ Oklahoma State
BYU @ Wisconsin
LSU @ Auburn
Colorado State @ Florida
Alabama @ Ole Miss
Mizzou @ Purdue
Ohio State @ TCU
Southern Cal @ Texas
​Washington @ Utah
Coach Drew Burnham

Game of the Week:
​Boise State @ Oklahoma State

The Broncos have won their last 2 games a combined 118-27 and the first of those was against a certified mid-major power. Brett Rypien is a man, while still not yet 40, at QB for the Broncos and has gone 41/56 for 667 yards and 7 TD’s through 2 games. Boise has proven that they are ready for a power 5 test. Awaiting them is Mike Gundy and the Cowboys. The Cowboys have been also explosive against FCS and mid-major competition. This will be the toughest test for each of these teams to date and I expect explosive offense from both sides.

Upset Alert:  

Ohio State @ TCU
My heart told me to go with Iowa State over Oklahoma, but with their QB day to day for an ankle injury, my head made me go a different direction.

Gary Patterson is the king of chaos. He creates it with his offensive style, he creates it with their game day environment, and he creates it with how he talks. Watch the guy. He will look like he’s having a heart attack by the 2nd drive of the game. Face flushed, sweating, yelling, jumping around, he embraces it and his team follows suit. That’s the last thing Ohio State needs right now. If anyone legitimately thinks that Urban Meyer hasn’t had some input in this game, I have some ocean front property that I’d like to sell you. Even with his under the table input, he will not be there to lead his team on Saturday. Those players need something sturdy and consistent in their lives right now and they certainly won’t find it in Arlington Saturday night. Give me the Frogs!
Coach's Picks (12-8)

​Georgia Tech @ Pitt
Boise Staate @ Oklahoma State
BYU @ Wisconsin
LSU @ Auburn
Colorado State @ Florida
Alabama @ Ole Miss
Mizzou @ Purdue
Ohio State @ TCU
Southern Cal @ Texas
​Washington @ Utah
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Week 2 Recap

9/8/2018

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Clemson @ Texas A&M
The Aggies list a controversial fumble through the end zone but that was a call they couldn’t change. What they could change was getting beat deep several times early in the game. A few adjustments and an increase in intensity turned the game around and showed the nation that the Aggies can hang with anyone. Clemson survives a scare late.
Kentucky @ Florida
Kentucky had not beaten Florida since 1986. They hadn’t won in Gainesville since 1979. That all changed Saturday night as the Cats held on late to pick up a win in The Swamp. Kentucky used a strong ground game, rushing for 303 yards. They also converted 9 of 13 Times on 3rd down. They carried a 2 score lead into the 4th and, unlike theiblast several tries, hung on late for the win.
Michigan State @ Arizona State
Herm has his doubters when he made the move back to coaching and Arizona State. They weren’t all silenced by his big opening win. And they likely aren’t all silenced even now. But that was no UTSA they knocked off last night. The Sun Devils has a strong 4th quarter and outlasted Michigan State 16-13. This win sends Herm to 2-0 and casts some shade on the Big Ten East hype from the preseason. The division has now seen Michigan fall to Notre Dame, Michigan State fall to Arizona State, and Penn State squeak out an overtime win over Appalachian State. The Coach picked this as his game of the week and it didn’t disappoint. Sparky will rebound and keep your eye on Herm’s Sun Devils.
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Curator & Coach - Week 2

9/7/2018

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Curator Sam Burnham
Coach Drew Burnham
Game of the Week: Southern Cal @ Stanford
Yes, I know that UGA and Carolina are playing this weekend but that is not the best game of the day. Stanford and Southern Cal are much closer matched and Bryce Love will have a chance to show the Heisman voters what he can do. 
Game of the Week: Michigan St @ Arizona St
YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! Sparty visits Herm Edwards and the Sundevils. Even in a night game, temperature at kickoff is set for 107. The thermometers don’t count that high in East Lansing. I’m excited to see how the old coach does in his first power 5 test.
Upset Alert: Penn State @ Pitt
Penn State had a warning shot fired across their bow last week. They survived the experience but I do believe it was more of an exposure than a scare. For all the hype the Big Ten East has gotten in the preseason, I don't think the Nittany Lions are up to the task. They are headed into a hostile environment and the Panthers are going to be playing with a chip on their shoulder. I'm not saying Pitt can win. I'm saying Pitt will win.
Upset Alert: UGA @ South Carolina
​Jake Bentley is the best passer and field general in the SEC and that will be on full display Saturday afternoon in Columbia. UGA has been untested since losing a large chunk of their offensive production to the NFL Draft. How will they respond against a legitimate defense in what will prove to be a hostile environment? It will be a defensive battle, but I think the Gamecocks will pull the upset.
Week 2 Picks:
​GEORGIA TECH @ USF
DUKE @ Northwestern
UCLA @ OKLAHOMA
MEMPHIS @ Navy
GEORGIA @ S. Carolina
Colorado @ NEBRASKA
CLEMSON @ Texas A&M
Kentucky @ FLORIDA
Penn St @ PITT
USC @ STANFORD
​Week 2 Picks:
GEORGIA TECH @ USF
Duke @ NORTHWESTERN
UCLA @ OKLAHOMA
MEMPHIS @ Navy
Georgia @ S. CAROLINA
COLORADO @ Nebraska
CLEMSON @ Texas A&M
Kentucky @ FLORIDA
PENN ST @ Pitt
USC @ STANFORD
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