Category: Curator & Coach

Curator & Coach - Week 7

10/12/2018

Curator Sam Burnham

Game of the Week
2 Georgia @ 10 LSU
Both of these teams need this one. More then that, they each need to dominate the other to build the momentum they need to survive the meat of their respective schedules. LSU needs to bbounce beack from the tough loss at Florida. Georgia needs to prove, mostly to themselves, that they are on a similar level as Bama. That means the Dawgs have to run the football and dominate the tough LSU defense. That means better play on the line and enough passing to keep the Tigers honest. The Tigers aren't going to go down easy in Death Valley.

Upset Alert
Michigan State @ 9 Penn State
The breaks haven't fallen right for Sparty this year. But historically speaking they are great at playing the role of spoiler. Penn State is still in the hunt, with some help. But Michigan State can change that this weekend. With two losses and two more big games ahead, they are fighting for a decent bowl and for pride. Expect them to be scrappy and ready to play. Penn State is good, but not great and that will aloow the Spartans to eke this one out.

Coach Drew Burnham

Game of the Week
8 Washington @ Oregon
The Quack Attack is highly underrated after getting off to a 4-1 start with the only blemish coming by way of a 7 point loss to a solid Stanford team. Washington has rebounded after their opening night stumble to Auburn. If there is any chance at the stars aligning for them to find their way back into the playoff, they have to take advantage of a day game against one of their last remaining tough tests where the country can see them. They can still get in, but they’re on thin ice from here out and they need a statement win.

Upset Alert
Baylor @ 10 Texas
Everyone is through the roof about Texas after their win in the Red River Shootout last weekend (rightfully so). However, they tend to play to the level of their competition as shown by the fact that only 1 of their games this year have been decided by more than 1 score. They’re used to being in tight games, which could help them down the stretch, but this Baylor team can score. Classic letdown win situation. Can Texas handle the emotions and stay on track?

A quick note to point out a few teams flying under our radar. Our poll is limited to a Top 10. That makes it a bit exclusive. There are some notable exclusions at present. Colorado, NC State, South Florida, and Cincinnati are all undefeated and unranked in our poll. Keep an eye on this bunch. With Top 10 teams facing stiff opposition and these teams laying in wait, at least one of these teams might sneak into next week's poll.

Curator's Picks (33-27)
Florida @ Vandy
Tennessee @ Auburn
Duke @ Georgia Tech
Louisville @ Boston College
Georgia @ LSU
TAMU @ South Carolina
Washington @ Oregon
Michigan State @ Penn State
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Colorado @ Southern Cal

Coach's Picks(38-22)
Florida @ Vandy
Tennessee @ Auburn
Duke @ Georgia Tech
Louisville @ Boston College
Georgia @ LSU
TAMU @ South Carolina
Washington @ Oregon
Michigan State @ Penn State
Wisconsin @ Michigan
Colorado @ Southern Cal

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Curator & Coach - Week 6

10/4/2018

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Curator Sam Burnham

Upset Alert
Texas vs 6 Oklahoma at The Cotton Bowl
The odds makers have only spaced this one by a touchdown. But the truth is Texas is not expected to be in this one. Oklahoma can score but their defense is suspect. They eked out a win in OT vs Army, gave up 33 to Baylor, 27 to Iowa State, 21 to UCLA. I'm not impressed. Tom Herman got off to a slow start but the Longhorns have since knocked off TCU and Southern Cal, both impressively. Texas is indeed coming back. This will be Herman’s signature win he’s looking for.

Game of the Week
5 LSU @ Florida
If there’s one thing we’ve learned this year, it’s that Coach O is not a joke. His Tigers are reaching, even exceeding expectations. But a trip to Gainesville is never easy. The other lesson we've learned? That Kentucky win in The Swamp was not a fluke. Now the Gators are coming off a much needed win and are looking to build momentum. They can’t afford another conference loss if they are to stay in the hunt. The Tigers a in the first game of a grueling part of their schedule. They cannot get caught looking ahead to next week and Georgia if they hope to stay on track this week. Dan Mullen will have the Gators ready but Orgeron will have the Tigers focused.

Coach Drew Burnham

Upset Alert
Arizona State @ Colorado
YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME! Ralphie has been running wild as the Buffs are off to a hot 4-0 start and have looked impressive doing it. They look prepared, polished and dangerous. However, YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME. Following an upset win against Sparty and a narrow miss at another against Washington, the Sun Devils have shown that the new culture in Tempe is taking hold quickly and they are not to be taken lightly. Look for this one to be a last minute thriller.

Game of the Week
5 LSU @ Florida
Coach O and the Tigers have been on the prowl this early season. They have 2 impressive wins on the resume already and the road isn’t getting any easier for them with the Gators this week and the defending SEC Champion Dawgs next week. Can they Survive the crucible and prove they are a legitimate title contender?

What a wonderful homecoming Dan Mullen had last weekend in Starkville. Those games are always a little weird to coach in but they are a heck of a lot of fun to win. There’s no time to celebrate victories past now. Florida is simply a year behind LSU in the rebuilding process and I don’t think they will be able to last in this one.

Curator’s Picks (27-23)
Northwestern @ Michigan State
Texas vs Oklahoma
Boston College @ NCSU
LSU @ Florida
FSU @ Miami
Arizona State @ Colorado
Kentucky @ Texas A&M
Auburn @ Mississippi State
Vandy @ Georgia
Notre Dame @ Virginia Tech

Coach’s Picks (33-17)
Northwestern @ Michigan State
Texas vs Oklahoma
Boston College @ NCSU
LSU @ Florida
FSU @ Miami
Arizona State @ Colorado
Kentucky @ Texas A&M
Auburn @ Mississippi State
Vandy @ Georgia
Notre Dame @ Virginia Tech

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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.

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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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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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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Curator & Coach - Week 1

8/28/2018

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We are excited to once again be offering our flagship publication at ABG CFB, Curator and Coach. We'll once again be presenting our weekly preview and giving some commentary on the progression of the season. We start this season of C & C by discussing a few teams we are excited or at least interested to see this year. These may be up and coming, or in transition, or in some other way they have our attention.

Thanks for reading along.

Curator Sam Burnham

Topic of the Week:
Stanford: This is always a solid team but I'm watching for Bryce Love. I'm not even talking the Heisman. Good North Carolina kid, a "4 Star" who is contending for the Heisman, a Human Biology major, great student, great player. Can run and catch. I want to see what he can do this year.

The ACC: The SEC gets a lot of press and for good reason. But I'm looking at the ACC and thinking this may be the next big thing. Closing in on the SEC while getting recruits from the same places. There are several ACC teams I'm wanting to see. Clemson, VT, Miami, possibly FSU, Louisville still hanging around, UNC, NC State. Definitely deeper than the Big 12, probably the Pac-12, and maybe even the Big Ten. You want a conference that can stand toe-to-toe with the SEC, this is the one.

Georgia: I'd be failing in my duties as Curator and as a Georgian if I did not mention the Dawgs. Georgia graduated an NFL franchise last year. But, by all accounts, they have reloaded. The talk around Athens is that this crop of running backs may be even better than the previous one. Jake Fromm seems to be emerging as the leader in the rumored quarterback controversy. Throw in another hungry defense and we're left wondering if the Dawgs win the SEC again. I suspect they will.

Coach Drew Burnham

Topic of the Week:
Nebraska: Scott Frost built what proved to be a legitimate contender at UCF. It didn’t happen overnight there, but it certainly didn’t take long. Can he pull the magic with him to his Alma Mater and start shaking things up in the Big 10? I will be very intrigued to watch this team progress as the season develops. I’m not saying anything crazy, but they’re definitely one to keep an eye on.

Texas A&M: If he doesn’t win a single game the Aggies owe Jimbo $144,000 a week for the next 10 years. He has likely the highest assistant coach salary pool in America. With that kind of money being dumped into the staff, I can only imagine that expectations are through the roof. It’s been said that the “Stars at night are big and bright” and for the foreseeable future Jimbo is the star of the show. How will he do deep in the heart of Texas?

Memphis: What’s kickoff weekend without a good old bold mid major prediction? If you were a C&C reader last season you know I love the Tigers. With UCF regrouping – the AAC is there’s for the taking. A trip to Mizzou is the biggest mark on the schedule outside of a final week pairing with Houston at home. Is this the year the Tigers get over the hump? Expect a lot of firepower from the offense. This will be a fun bunch to watch.

Week 1 Picks:
Colorado vs. COLORADO STATE
MIAMI vs. LSU
Michigan vs. NOTRE DAME
Florida State vs. VIRGINIA TECH
Washington vs. AUBURN
West Virginia vs. TENNESSEE
TEXAS vs. Maryland
UNC vs. Cal
WYOMING vs. Washington State
NORTHERN ILLINOIS vs. Iowa

Week 1 Picks:
COLORADO vs. Colorado State
MIAMI vs. LSU
Michigan vs. NOTRE DAME
Florida State vs. VIRGINIA TECH
WASHINGTON vs. Auburn
WEST VIRGINIA vs. Tennessee
TEXAS vs. Maryland
UNC vs. Cal
Wyoming vs. WASHINGTON STATE
Northern Illinois vs. IOWA

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