College Football Week 8 Predictions and Matchups to watch.

Goat Talk College Football Matchups

12pm

10 Oklahoma State @ Texas

Tale of the Tape:

Texas: The University of Texas is 3-3 this season, and 2-1 Conference play. Sam Ellighner Freshman QB, has 3 Picks 6 TD’s in 156 attempts with a 54% completion rate this season. The coaching staff at Texas is not hiding that the ship may has sailed on former true Freshman QB Shane Buechele. To close losses however in Oklahoma and USC. USC  in double OT; where Texas was one big moment away in each game to create the upset; and a totally different season. Also QB Sam Elighner leads the team in rushing with  68 attempts 275 yards and 1 TD. That’s how dynamic  their offense is this season. Their defense it a little better than Oklahoma's States; only allowing 387 totals yards  372.5. They stop the running game down better than OSU. If Texas offense can keep at pace with OKC they need to get the defense off the field to win. Time of possession is big for them; and 0 turnovers if they want to win this game.

Oklahoma State: 5-1 this season; 2-1 in conference. They lost to TCU 3 weeks ago 44-31. The offense of TCU was just better that night; and the defense could do nothing against the TCU offense. Their offense is very explosive. Outmatching Texas offense on total yards 610.7 to Texas 458.0; and Texas defense is not the best to stop this offensive super power. Oklahoma State QB Senior Mason Rudolph might have a field day today. He has 2358 yards throwing, with 19 Touchdowns and 4 picks, with completely 66.7% of his passes this season. The key to the game for Oklahoma State is to get on the Texas defense early and often. If they can keep applying the pressure Texas behind their rookie QB; Texas has no shot at keeping up against this very explosive Oklahoma State team.

Prediction: Oklahoma State does what I think they should do. They score early and often. That offense will being putting up big numbers today against that glass defense of Texas. Oklahoma State wins 45-17.   

3:30/4

20 UCF @ Navy

Tale of the Tape:

Navy: This season Navy is 5-1 this season; while also being 3-1 in AAC conference play. Last week they took their first loss of the season against Memphis 30-27.  Memphis is now ranked 25 this season in the AP Poll. That could of been Navy last week but they took a heart wrenching loss to the Memphis Tigers. They will look to respond against another ranked team, in the 20th  slot in the poll UCF. In this one if you’re a fan of defense don’t even bother watching. For this Navy team to knock off this UCF team they have to make it a barn burner; with their defense able to slow down that UCF offense just a little bit. Navy averages 35.5 points a game; which is great but UCF averages 50.6. UCF however lets up about 110 yards on the ground per game. Navy’s Zach Aubrey is going to be critical if they want to win. Yes Zach Aubrey the QB for Navy needs to dominate in rushing. He is their leading passer and rusher in Navy’s Flexbone formation (Triple Option). Which I think he could be a huge factor on the ground. He did not throw to well last week against Memphis with only completing 14.3% of his 7 passes. A lot of running last week 37 attempts for 137 yards which is normal for Navy to do. Navy defense also with the help of Zach Aubrey need to all come together to pull off this upset. ALL HANDS ON DECK.  

UCF: 20th ranked team in the land, UCF comes in at 5-0, while being 3-0 in AAC conference play. UCF has every advantage in this game besides it being in Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. They have won all of their 5 games by 20 points or more. This offense has been very explosive behind coach Scott Frost and offensive coordinator Troy Walters. They outscore opponents by averaging 50.6 points a game. Which is 2 touchdowns and a 2 point conversion better than what Navy averages with 35.5 points a game. Navy lets in 28 points a game; UCF defense not so much only allowing 16 points on average this season. UCF has every advantage when it comes offense and defense also know as 80% of the football game. UCF Sophomore QB Mckenzie Milton will be looking for a big day against a very well coached Navy team. Wants to show he can play against good schools; might not be an Alabama, USC, or a top 10 team. Today however Milton can show he can beat a top 40 team today; which is a stepping stone for bigger primetown games. Look for Milton to look for the 5’ 11” to wide receiver that is 6 foot and 1 inch connection. This pretty small combo of Milton and wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith has produced 7 touchdowns this season in 5 games. Out of 15 of Milton’s touchdown passes 7 of them have been to Smith. This is UCF game if they can play there's. They have all the advantages on each side of the ball in this matchup in Annapolis.

Prediction: UCF continues to prove that they are a top team in College Football. The triple option will get swallowed up by the UCF defense; and you can look for some TD passes from UCF QB Mckenzie Milton today. Look for this AAC conference game to be good in the 1st half but bad in the 2nd. I got the UCF Knights winning 35-17 on the road.  

7:30

11 USC @ 13 Notre Dame

Tale of the Tape

Notre Dame: This Notre Dame team is feeling themselves as of late. Coming into the season not even ranked, after a disappointing 4-8 season for the Irish last year. The Fighting Irish are 5-1 this season. Their only loss in a nail biter in South Bend against Georgia 20-19; Georgia is now ranked 3rd in the polls this week. So who knows where Notre Dame could of been if they would of won. However a great comeback season by Brian Kelly and his team. In this one Notre Dame meets their long time rival 11th ranked USC in South Bend Indiana today. This two schools have met 87 times with Notre Dame leading the series 46-37-5. Every time these two teams link up it’s going to be a good one. Notre Dame offense doesn't have as many total yards as the USC who has 477 edging out the Irish with their 471. However Notre Dame does average more points which is the only thing checked when determining the winner with 40 to USC’S 34. Notre Dame also hold teams to 17 points per game; USC can only do 24. Notre Dame’s offense needs to establish a running game to win this one; which they have done better than anyone else. Notre Dame averages 308 yards rushing compared to USC’s 180. If they can run Notre Dame can win. Obviously both defenses are a factor but both are very similar. Notre Dame can stop the run and pass just a little bit better than USC. Which sometimes in games like this a little bit is all you need. Running back Josh Adams is who can win Notre Dame this game. If he can like we know he can; he averages about 9 yards a carry in 86 attempts this season. Taking the pressure off Junior QB Brandon Wimbush, with some good play from their defense. Notre Dame will be walking with the W in this one and sending all Notre Dame Fighting Irish including myself home happy.

USC: Even though they are ranked higher in the polls; the visitor USC is coming in as the underdog in this one. Espn says they have only 21.7% chance at winning this football game in South Bend. USC is 6-1 this season with no conference play. Three weeks ago they lost 16 ranked Washington State by 3. Came back the next week and destroyed Oregon State 38-10 which was a great comeback game. Then almost got upstaged by Utah last week; USC fans held their breath as they watched their team win by 1 point 28-27 over Utah. Even after last weeks shaky win; USC is still ready as they always are for this rival game. Behind new head coach Clay Helton the Trojans look to stomp Notre Dame in their own backyard. Notre Dame might edge them out in points scored a game; but USC QB Sam Darnold is up for the task. Sam Darnold was looked as one of the top players in college football this year and he looks to prove that. Notre Dame runs, USC flies. Planes do move faster than cars is how USC has to look at it. Behind their QB USC averages 296 yards from the passing game compared to Notre Dame’s 163. No matchup their for USC and they need to use that to their advantage this weekend to get the win. If Sam Darnold plays like an heisman contender tonight with the defense able to slow down Notre Dame’s running game; you see the Trojans going back to LA with a W.  

Prediction: Notre Dame defends the homeland as the Irish would say. The running game can’t be stopped and Brian Kelly let’s USC throw but can’t establish a running game. Final score will be 28-24 Notre Dame.

7:30

19 Michigan @ 2 Penn State

Tale of the Tape:

Penn State: This Penn State team comes into Happy Valley today hoping that can avenge their 2016 beatdown by Michigan last season. They lost to Michigan last year in a game I was at 49-10. That was a year ago now; this Penn State team looks like a totally different team; and Michigan doesn’t have Jabari Peppers anymore. James Franklin’s Nittany Lions score well and don’t let the other team do the same has been this season motto. They are 6-0 this season, 3-0 in conference play and the 2nd ranked team in all of College Football. Back to that scoring often and not letting the other team do the same; Penn State has being doing that well this season. Averaging 39 points a game while holding teams to 9. Yes that is a 9. They outscore their opponents on average by 30 points a game this season. After escaping Iowa 21-19 3 weeks ago. The last two weekends Penn State beat Indiana 45-14; then Northwestern 31-7 last week. The offense is going to be the key for them this week against Michigan. They average 456 total yards a game compared to Michigan’s 376. Their passing game generates a 100 more passing yards than Michigan's; and out runs them by 80 yards per game on the ground this season. Not just their offense but that O-Line is going to be what wins it for Penn State. If they can give their Senior QB Trace McSorley time just know it’s over for Michigan’s shot at a top 4 ranking this season and making it to the College Football Playoff.

Michigan: However Michigan may be rolling into Happy Valley with a lot of pressure but they got John Harbaugh has a coach; and almost no one better than him to a coach this team in this situation. They come in a little shaky being 5-1, and 2-1 in conference play. They got upstaged by in state rival Michigan State 14-10 two weeks ago; and barely survived Indindia that took them to overtime to win 27-20. This is tough team and place to play with these struggles that Michigan has. Nonetheless Michigan has the tools to pick off the 2nd ranked team in the nation. Penn State defense might only allow 9 points; Michigan’s only allows 14. They are not that far apart in that category. This Michigan team however is a better defensive team then that stats says about them. Penn State allows a total of 285 yards per game; Michigan allows 223; 72 yards is a lot in a football game as close as this. They slow down the pass and run much better than Penn State does. They allow 85 yards on the ground Penn State's allows 118 yards a game. I think Ty Isaac Michigan's running back needs to make the day easier for Senior QB Wilton Speight. They both haven’t had the greatest years but if Isaac can give Speight some breathing room that is when Speight shines. Speight also needs that huge W that he has not yet gotten in Michigan while being their QB. If Michigan’s defense can get pressure on Penn State's QB; stall the running game; while Isaac can run for the Michigan offense we will have an upset on our hands.

Prediction: Crazy we are watching this game since it was a completely different matchup a year ago. I think Michigan shakes up the College Football world this week. The defense will come big like a John Harbaugh football team; Ty Isaac will run often and they will walk out of the Valley Happy with a 17-14 OT win over the 2nd ranked Penn State team.

Other Goat Talk Predictions

Tennessee @ 1 Alabama: In this SEC matchup; Alabama is going to do what they do best with a 35-6 run over of Tennessee

Syracuse @ 8 Miami: Syracuse is coming off an upset of Clemson; and Miami is looking like it’s back under coach Mark Richt. It was an upset for a reason; that’s why I have Miami winning this one 45-20 over the Orange.

UNC @ 14 Virginia Tech: UNC is 1-6 after losing their starting QB Mitch Trubisky  to the draft. Things won’t change for the Tar Heels as they roll into Virginia Tech. The Tech will win 27-10.

Indiana @ 18 Michigan State: Indiana almost upstaged the other Michigan team last week; took the Wolverines right into overtime until they lost by a touchdown. Michigan State is riding high after their win over Michigan. They will get the conference win today. Michigan State will win 23-6.  

9 Oklahoma @ Kansas State: Baker Mayfield of Oklahoma isn't looking to getting upstaged by 3-3 conference rival in Kansas State. His Sooners will march into Kansas State 5-1 and walk out 6-1. Oklahhoma wins 35-10.

21 Auburn @ Arkansa: Auburn is having flashes of old behind this new offense. Arkansa not so much they are 2-4 bottom feeders of the SEC once again. Auburn continues this momentum today improve their conference record to 4-1 with a 31-14 win.

16 South Florida @ Tulane: South Florida shocking the world with their 6-0 start; they are not playing the best teams however. That trends continues as they go to play in Tulane today who is 3-3. Never good Tulane I mean like their is a good version of Tulane. South Florida stays unbeaten but close 24-17.

24 LSU @ Ole Miss: This SEC matchup is always fun; as LSU goes a visits Ole Miss in a game that can go either way. The ranking don’t matter in this one. After Ed Orgeron took over the LSU job from Les Miles he has done better than expected. At 5-2 LSU faces what happened? 3-3 Ole Miss. After upsetting Alabama over the last couple of seasons Ole Miss can find to do much right in SEC with a 1-2 record in conference. However I think Ole Miss upsets LSU 24-21 today.

4 TCU vs Kansas: Not much to say in this one. TCU is 4th in the nation dominating teams while Kansas is 1-5. Not even close 56-6 TCU down in Kansas

Colorado @ 15 Washington State : Washington State is coming in off a loss from Arizona State last week. A game they should have won but didn’t. They are ranked 15 in the nation and are 6-1, 3-1 in the PAC 12. They are facing a decent Colorado team that looks to keep this upset thing of Washington State going. Colorado is 4-3 but 1-3 in PAC 12 play. The poor PAC 12 play will continue for Colorado as I have Washinton State taking the last W of the night with a 21-6 win today.

By

Matthew Doherty

Go Irish