The UnTouchable Report (S27 - W4)
Posted: Fri Aug 02, 2013 12:18 am
The UnTouchable Report
Season 27 - Week 4
A rundown of the week's hottest games.
#16 Michigan State Spartans 1-0 (0-0 B1G) Weasel
#4 Notre Dame Fighting Irish 0-0 wj5811Dr. Weasel is entering his 16th season as Michigan State head coach and he's looking for his 4th-straight 11-win season. He's off to a good start with a 35-23 win over Cal and seemingly has a fairly easy schedule looming if they can get past the Fighting Irish. Notre Dame has yet to play a game this season but has garnered their #4 ranking after Coach WJ led them to an 11-2 season last year and a Sugar Bowl appearance.
WHAT TO WATCH Notre Dame will have to deal with the loss of their top two running backs and may likely have to toy with unproven sophomore George Atkinson III as the primary ball carrier. Until we can see what Atkinson can do in the game, it's safe to say that Everett Golson will be the threat that Michigan State will want to keep contained. Golson has the potential to move out of the pocket and he's accurate throwing on the run. With Tyler Eifert now in the NFL, Golson's top target will be senior TJ Jones. Look for the Spartans to employ a pass-first, run-second offensive scheme as QB Andrew Maxwell looks to once again become one of the most prolific quarterbacks in the NDL. Maxwell will routinely attempt 30+ passes per game with the bulk of those heading to WRs Keith Mumphrey and Aaron Burbridge. The Irish also need to keep an eye on HB Nick Hill; not for his rushing abilities, but for underneath dump passes if Maxwell can't find anything downfield. Hill has the explosiveness to break a big play with a good block or two.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION It's hard to call with no Notre Dame games to look at. But I think the Irish have lost too many offensive weapons to keep up with the high-scoring Spartans.
28 | 14
| 14
#7 Florida State Seminoles 2-0 (1-0 ACC) dcane7
#11 Georgia Bulldogs 1-0 (1-0 SEC) ChampDizzleAfter three wildly successful seasons at Wisconsin, Coach Dcane decided to try his hand in the ACC and landed with Florida State, a team he had moderate success with in Season 18. The Seminoles are already off to a quick 2-0 start but have tough games at Clemson and at Florida even after this one. Champ and the Bulldogs are off to a great start as well after I correctly predicted them knocking off #8 South Carolina in the Week 2 SEC opener. This matchup will be highly competitive to say the least.
WHAT TO WATCH The Seminoles may have one of the best defenses in the league as they are forcing 5 turnovers per game. CB Nick Waisome has already recorded 5 picks alone. Look for Waisome to match up with Georgia WR Malcolm Mitchell in this game and keep him covered well. QB Jameis Winston seems to be filling in well for the departing EJ Manuel, throwing for over 500 yards already this season. HB Devonta Freeman no longer shares time and is averaging over 100 yards on the ground. Georgia QB Aaron Murray will try to keep the flow of the game in the Bulldogs' favor. With no turnovers in their game against the Gamecocks, it's a wonder how Georgia was only able to get off 38 offensive plays in the game (10 of which were pass attempts by Murray). Murray will need to get plenty of reps in during practice to try and get past the stout defense the Seminoles are packing. HB Todd Gurley is also a threat for the Bulldogs and has the ability to find holes in the line for moderate gains.
THE UNTOUCHABLE PREDICTION This one to me is a toss up. Literally, I just flipped a coin. Georgia won the coin toss.
24 | 27
| 27***UPSET ALERT***
Arizona State Sun Devils 2-0 (0-0 Pac-12) anderlin83
#24 Stanford Cardinal 0-1 (0-0 Pac-12) iRoccafella-- Arizona State has kicked off the season with two straight home wins. Stanford started off with a road loss to Miami. Can the Sun Devils start the season off 3-0?
