Curator & Coach - Week 4

Curator Sam Burnham

GAME OF THE WEEK:
​NOTRE DAME @ GEORGIA
The Irish have had this date circled on their calendar for two years now. The last time these two got together, Georgia fans turned South Bend into Athens-North. The teams battled it out on the field with the Dawgs eking out a 20-19 victory.

This game is a de facto playoff game with the winner picking up a quality win and the loser on the outside looking in and in need of help to make the CFB Playoff.

​The one stat that screams at me is Notre Dame’s 120th ranked rushing defense. If they bring that defense to Athens, Running Back U will have a banner day. The Irish have to stop the run. If they can’t, this one might be ugly early.

UPSET ALERT
WASHINGTON @ BYU
I got caught gawking at a train wreck last week and picked the Tennessee game for my upset. I knew I should be picking BYU instead but I had tunnel vision. I’m correcting that this week. Something is stirring in Provo and I have a feeling the Huskies are about to walk right into it. Tennessee and Southern Cal have oth already fallen victim. This is BYU's 4th Power 5 opponent so far this season and they're looking stronger each week. The Huskies give them an opportunity to make a real statement, to let the nation know they are on the way back. Look for the Cougars to add Washington to their list of unsuspecting victims.

Coach Drew Burnham

​GAME OF THE WEEK
MICHIGAN @ WISCONSIN
I didn’t make this my game of the week because I think it will be a quality game. I did it because I think it will be an absolute spectacle. Wisconsin has outscored opponents 110-0 in the first 2 weeks. I don’t care who the opponent was, that’s impressive. The Badgers missed the playoff by a mere single game last season, and I believe they are a front runner to get in this year. This is an opportunity for them to make a big-time statement about just how for real they are. Michigan has looked uninspired and unimpressive in 2 wins thus far. I think this one gets out of hand. Like really out of hand.
​
UPSET ALERT
NOTRE DAME @ GEORGIA
Roll the Red and Black crocodile tears on out. I’m here to be the voice of reason in a storm of southern football superiority. Georgia slid out of South Bend by the skin of their teeth 2 years ago in an instant classic. This can go well for the Irish, BUT they are going to have to find their power run game and control the football which they have struggled to do thus far this season. The mental game will be a huge factor here. Notre Dame knows they let one get away that last time around. Georgia may feel that the more difficult of this home and home is over and this one is in the bag. I love this matchup. I’m looking forward to another heavyweight slugfest. This one is going down to the wire but I believe the luck of the Irish pulls them through this one late.

Curator’s Picks (14-16)
Cal over Ole Miss
Michigan State over Northwestern
​Wisconsin over Michigan
Auburn over Texas A&M
​BYU over Washington
UCF over Pitt
​Louisville over Florida State
Kansas over West Virginia
Oregon over Stanford
​UGA over Notre Dame

Coach’s Picks (18-12)
Ole Miss over Cal
Northwestern over Michigan State
Wisconsin over Michigan
Auburn over Texas A&M
BYU over Washington
UCF over Pitt
Louisville over Florida St
West Virginia over Kansas
Oregon over Stanford
Notre Dame over UGA