GSE Picks of the Week

BYU (4-3)

              
 

@ (5) Notre Dame (6-0)     3:30 EST  (NBC)



Upset of the Week

 

This is a matchup of two very good defensive teams who rank nationally and two very similar offenses that are struggling.  I'm going out on a limb going against the ND HFA, but the Irish have notoriously struggled in these type games, especially with a road trip to Norman looming.  With help from Irish turnovers I'm picking the Cougars to upend the Irish this weekend which will ultimately cause the Irish to fall apart in the second half of the season.
 

BYU - 20

ND   - 17

(4) Kansas State (6-0)

 

 

@ (13) West Virginia (5-1)     7:00 EST (FOX)

Big 12 Game of the Week
 

After the collapse of Geno Smith and the Mountaineers most people will side with a very solid Kansas State team that doesn't do anything spectacular but win.  The Wildcats remind me of the Gene Stallings Alabama teams of the early 90's.  They play great defense, don't turn over the ball, and control the ball offensively through a solid running game and a QB that doesn't make mistakes.  This almost always leads to a close game that comes down to 4th quarter execution.  The only danger to this approach is if a team is able to jump out to a quick lead and take them out of their game plan.  There is every reason in the world to believe Kansas State should win this ballgame, their defense is superior and their ball possession offense will lead to the disruption of the rhythm of the West Virginia offense.  But for some reason I believe West Virginia will jump out to a quick lead and pressure the Wildcats in a way they haven't confronted this season, that combined with the HFA...Mountaineers pull the upset!
 

W. Virginia - 41

Kansas St   - 35

(6) LSU (6-1)

 

                  

@ (18) Texas A&M (5-1)     12:00 EST  (ESPN)

The 'Hat' vs Johnny Football
 

LSU kept their National Championship hopes alive by running over Spurrier and the nasty Gamecocks last week @ Death Valley.  Johnny Football and the Aggies survived a shootout against La. Tech in Shreveport last weekend as the Heisman contender newcomer broke his own SEC record by piling up 577 total yds and 6 TDS.  The Bengal Tigers bring in a great defense and some renewed confidence into Kyle Field, Texas A&M brings a sophisticated offensive attack and better than average defense..to include the 12th Man.  This game comes down to who is able to effectively run the ball.  The Aggies have to be able to play a physical brand of football to have a chance against the likes of LSU.  Certainly a high scoring game favors the Aggies and if their defense can shut down the run early and force Mettenberger to make plays then Texas A&M will have an excellent shot of upsetting the mighty LSU Tigers.  I don't believe the LSU offensive deficiencies are solved by running for 258 yds against S. Carolina in one game...obviously most teams are going to win if they can run for that many yards...ultimately Mettenberger is going to have to win a game for LSU.  With the ineffectiveness of the LSU offense I really think this game is a toss up!! But in the end I just don't think Johnny Football and the Aggies are at the level to beat a football team of LSU's caliber!
 

LSU   - 28

A&M - 24

 

(7) South Carolina (6-1)

 

 

@ (2) Florida (6-0)     3:30 EST  (CBS)

Game of the Week - Spurrier returns to the House He Built!

 

Most of the pundits agree that the Baby Gators are playing a little over their head.  Muschamp has the Gators playing tough defense and running the ball with physicality as the Gators transition from a finesse offensive scheme.  Certainly when the Gators have had their backs to the wall..they have responded this season.  Spurrier and his Gamecocks are coming off another loss to an SEC West opponent that physically dominated the prized Gamecock D- Line.  The opponent that Florida shut down in Spurrier's Swamp.  But in my estimation Spurrier's Gamecocks are a better team then the Baby Gators at this point.  Florida's HFA will be a factor but Clowney and his counterparts ought to be able to pressure Driskel into some key turnovers that will ultimately lead to another Spurrier victory in the fable Swamp! 

HBC             - 24

Baby Gators - 21