Week 3 Preview

As week 3 of the college football season approaches, there are still many unknowns across the country. USC's victory over Ohio State was less than convincing that the Trojans have the same fire power as they have in the past. There is no team in the ACC that looks like a real National Championship contender. Ditto for the Big 10 and Big East. Can Oklahoma bounce back after an early season loss and get back in the National Title picture?

Without a doubt the biggest question is this:
Is there any team in the nation that can play 4 quarters with the Florida Gators?

At this point, I don't think there is. Florida's offense doesn't seem to be missing the likes of Percy Harvin and Louis Murphy, and Florida's defense might be the best in the nation. The number one Gators get their first test of the season on Saturday, but the game is almost secondary to the off season, off-field banter between the Gator nation and new Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin.

Kiffin's introduction press conference caused a tidal wave of criticism when he made a comment about singing Rocky Top all night after the Vols beat the Gators this year. Even after that comment, Kiffin hinted that Florida had violated NCAA recruiting rules, only to have it revealed that Tennessee itself had made some secondary violations. All of the pretext has been fun for Internet trash talk, but now all that is left is to get on the field and play the game. If Kiffin can beat Florida in the swamp on Saturday, he won't have to say anything, the smile on his face will say it all.

Week 3 Predictions:

Tennessee v. #1 Florida 3:30pm (CBS)
Tim Tebow has completed 64% of his passes so far this season, but hasn't been needed in the second half of either of the Gators first two games. Even if he is not needed, I expect Tebow to play the entire game Saturday as Urban Meyer and the Gators plan on teaching Lane Kiffin what playing in the SEC is like. The Volunteers lost at home last week to UCLA in an ugly game, where QB Jonathan Crompton was 13/26 for only 93 yards while throwing 3 interceptions. Crompton will be the starter again this Saturday in The Swamp, and Florida's defense is much better than the defense of UCLA. As Georgia learned last year, an angry Urban Meyer is a dangerous thing. The question is not whether Florida will win, but by how much will Florida win.
Prediction: Tennessee 10 - Florida 56

#19 Nebraska v. #13 Virginia Tech 3:30 pm (ABC)
This is one of those games that neither program can believe they are actually playing. Nebraska still has to play a very difficult Big 12 schedule this season, and a trip all the way to Blacksberg is not exactly a vacation. For Virginia Tech, although they get this game at home, they have already played and lost to Alabama in the season opener, another loss would really hurt their confidence before they even get into conference play. Tyrod Taylor will have to be more consistent than he was against Alabama if Tech wants a victory, and the Nebraska defense hasn't lived up to the "Black Shirt" standard for a few years now. I think the difference in this game will be the fact that Nebraska hasn't played a truly tough opponent this year (Florida Atlantic and Arkansas State), while Virginia Tech battled to the end against a very strong Alabama team. Virginia Tech is tested and ready.
Prediction: Nebraska 17 - Virginia Tech 23

Florida State v. #7 BYU 7:00 pm
BYU is the best story of the young season. Even before Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford was forced to leave the season opening game against BYU, the Cougars were playing well and controlling OU's high powered offense. The Oklahoma game put the Cougars on the map, this game could take them right off that map. Florida State is a talented team that has the ability to beat BYU. Unlike the Oklahoma game, BYU is expected to beat Florida State. The pressure of high expectations can get to any team. (Just ask Georgia about last season). BYU QB Max Hall played well against Oklahoma but turned the ball over twice on interceptions. FSU has had almost two weeks to get ready for this game after losing their season opener to Miami on Labor Day. BYU will have to be at their best. I think they will be.
Prediction: Florida State 20 - BYU 31

Texas Tech v. #2 Texas 8:00 pm (ABC)
One of the most exciting games of 2008 was the last second victory that Texas Tech had over Texas. The game was costly for Texas who was left out of the BCS Title game despite beating Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. Texas is once again a national power, however, after losing Graham Harrell and Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech is in rebuilding mode. I think revenge games are a little over-rated in college football just because there is so much turnover in the players from one year to the next. Not to mention that Texas is playing every week for a National Title, so how much more motivation could they need? Texas will get their revenge and it really shouldn't be close.
Prediction: Texas Tech 24- Texas 45

#23 Georgia v. Arkansas 7:45 pm (ESPN)
Georgia has a lot to prove in Fayetteville. They lose to Oklahoma State in the season opener and looked bad doing it. Last week, they win a shoot out with South Carolina, but give up 37 points to a team that didn't look like they were capable of scoring touchdowns just one week before against North Carolina State. Now Georgia has to travel to Fayetteville and play a rising team in the SEC West in Arkansas. The Razorbacks feature first year starting QB Ryan Mallet who has all of the tools to be a first round draft pick in the NFL. This will be his first SEC start (Mallet is a transfer from Michigan) and he will be eagar to prove that he can compete on college football's highest level. Second year Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino got his first big win last season when his Razorbacks beat LSU, but a win over Georgia this weekend would be a huge stepping stone for the rest of the season.

Watching Georgia last week, you saw the talent that the Dawgs have of the offensive side of the ball. Joe Cox can manage the offense and be effective doing it. AJ Green is the best receiver to ever wear the Red and Black. Brandon Smith is Percy Harvin fast. Richard Samuel is a man who can run the ball down the throat of any defense in the nation. Blair Walsh could kick a 65 yard field goal. These things are all true and are all reasons to believe that Georgia has the chance to have a solid season. The only real question on offense seems to be the tendency in the play calling to get away from the run game.

The problem for Georgia is the same problem the Dawgs had last season. The defense can't get off the field. As I watched the game last week, I was screaming at the television as Georgia was playing a soft zone coverage against South Carolina on third down and less than five. This same thing happened numerous times throughout the game! On third and short, Georgia's line backers and cornerbacks were back peddling off of the line of scrimmage, conceding the first down. It didn't make any sense to me. Now some will say that Georgia was playing a bend but don't break defense, and that it worked because South Carolina was held to field goals numerous times throughout the game. However, good offenses are going to score in the red zone. You can't wait until the red zone to play defense. I believe that Georgia has the talent to be better on defense, I just can't understand for the life of me what Wille Martinez is thinking schematically.

These are the types of games that Georgia wins under Mark Richt. My guess is that it will be ugly and it will be close, but that some how, some way, Georgia will pull out a victory that will leave no one in the Bulldog Nation feeling any better about the rest of the season.
Prediction: Georgia 24 - Arkansas 20