Tuesday, December 28, 2010

SEC Football Blogger

Chik-Fil-A Bowl Prediction Pick: Florida State vs. South Carolina, 2010

Posted: 28 Dec 2010 04:29 PM PST

Chik-Fil-A Bowl Prediction Pick: Florida State vs. South Carolina, 2010

This is one of those games where the intrigue is subtextual, but you can’t deny its existence. Both teams faced bumps in the road and had to deal with losses both inexplicable and blowout. But the fact of the matter remains, both teams are sleeper picks for big 2011′s. The winner gets the bonus of added expectations.

As match-ups go? It’s evenly matched. Neither team has an epic strategic advantage. Perhaps if Christian Ponder was a more dominant force, the fact that the Gamecocks can be thrown on would be so much of a worry. And when you consider that Stephen Garcia has been generally on his game this year? There’s bound to be the ability to make a response.

I mean, Alshon Jeffrey’s averaging 6-101-1 for the season. He’s got a fine match-up against the FSU defense. If Garcia gets time to throw? And this will not be a small feat for the Gamecocks. Jeffrey’s gonna get talk as one of the best receivers going into 2011. Because he’s awesome and was awesome on National TV.

But what’s that you say? It will not be a small feat for Stephen Garcia to have time to throw? And you want me to expound further? Okay.

A local boy out of Tallahassee, a sophomore defensive end named Brandon Jenkins, he has been crushing quarterbacks and running backs all year. He has 13 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss to his credit. He has a strong tag partner in Markus White as well And South Carolina’s offensive line is currently in a tie for 83rd in terms of sacks allowed. South Carolina has a fine pass rush as well, but no one of the level of disruption of Jenkins.

Then again? The Noles don’t have a runner near the level of Marcus Lattimore either. Lattimore is a special talent, and he’s going to have to have a good day if the Gamecocks are to win this. And if you believe that both teams are evenly matched? Lattimore will have ample opportunity to get things done.

And my inclination is that he will. My inclination is that while Florida State will be able to stay in the game and score points for three quarters? South Carolina will stay in it. Marcus will break the game for the Gamecocks. Ponder will get picked. And that will ice the game. South Carolina 34, Florida State 28.

Liberty Bowl Prediction Pick 2010: Central Florida vs. Georgia

Posted: 27 Dec 2010 10:15 PM PST

This sign will be coming back into vogue next season.

Liberty Bowl Prediction Pick 2010: Central Florida vs. Georgia

The Conference USA Champs seem to prove to be an interesting match-up in this years Liberty Bowl for Georgia. The Bulldogs are currently a six and a half point favorite for the game. But the question is, will they get up for it? I’m inclined to think that it may not happen.

I grant you the premise that the level of competition is a bit of a step up for UCF in this game. But with Ronnie Weaver, Latavius Murray, and the new Joe Webb hotness in Jeff Godfrey, Central Florida has a three pronged attack that has given all three runners ten touchdowns.

For an average defense against the run, an above average running game that gets to the red zone often is a bad match up. And that’s the Golden Knight’s M.O. on offense. They will most definitely get things going offensively.

Defensively? Central Florida’s defense is the best non-AQ defense East of the Mississippi. They currently rank in the top twenty in 1st downs allowed, red zone attempts against, yards allowed per attempt, rush defense, scoring defense, and total defense. Not to say that the Aaron Murray to A.J. Green combo is going to be shut down. Far from it.

What I’m saying is that Georgia couldn’t generate four yards per attempt running the ball against Idaho State. And if the strong defensive bookends of Darius Nall and Bruce Miller get untracked? The Knights are going to limit the Bulldog’s red zone opportunites.

The best players in this game? They belong to the Bulldogs. A.J. Green is likely to be a top 5 pick if he leaves this year. The Bulldogs could probably get four or five players drafted before the 4th round of the NFL Draft. They’re not going to be stopped by Central Florida, and I’m sure Justin Houston’s going to make a drive changing play or two.

Then again? Central Florida has played most everybody tough all year. And a bowl eligible BCS team didn’t scare them either, nearly beating Kansas State in the flatland. Do they want this game more than Georgia? Heck to the yeah.

Will they get the game? UCF 24, Georgia 23.

Visits

Archive