Category: College Football (Page 235 of 296)

College Football Preview: Ohio State at USC

September 13, 2008 / Anthony Stalter

Kickoff: Saturday @ 8:00 PM ET, ABC
Records: Ohio State (2-0); USC (1-0)
Spread: USC –12.5

Game Matchup:
The biggest question surrounding this game is whether or not Ohio State running back Chris “Beanie” Wells will see the field. Wells injured his leg in the opener, missed last week’s win over Ohio and has been deemed “doubtful” by Buckeyes’ head coach Jim Tressel for Saturday night’s grudge match. If Wells can’t play, Daniel Herron, Mauirce Wells (who struggled against Ohio last week) and Brandon Saine will all see action Saturday night.
The Trojans are coming off a bye after dismantling Virginia 52-7 in the opening week of the season. QB Mark Sanchez threw for over 300 yards and three touchdowns, but he’ll face a much greater challenge against a talented, and highly experienced Buckeye defense. One thing to keep an eye on is how Sanchez and an inexperienced USC offensive line holds up against the pressure OSU will likely bring for the entire game.

Prediction:
Don’t make the mistake most will in assuming that just because Ohio State struggled with Ohio last week that they’ll get smoked by USC. The Trojans looked good against Virginia, but the Cavaliers’ talent level has dipped dramatically from last year and the Buckeyes match up very well against USC’s pro-style offense. The issue for OSU is whether or not their run game can be effective without Beanie Wells. The Trojans have the best linebacker corps in the nation and an outstanding front seven. If they shut down the Buckeye running game and force QB Todd Boeckman to beat them through the air, OSU is going to be in trouble. Pete Carroll’s Trojans are also incredibly tough to beat at home, but forget the blowout; this should be a tight game. USC 24, Ohio State 20.

Also be sure to check out our official Ohio State-USC smack talk thread.

College Football

Chris Beanie Wells Jim Tressel Ohio State Buckeyes Pete Carroll USC Trojans

Couch Potato Alert: 9/12

September 12, 2008 / Thomas Conroy

Kansas vs. South Florida
Seeking a repeat of their 2007 season, Coach Mark Mangino leads the 13th-ranked Jayhawks into Miami’s Raymond James Stadium on Friday night, when they face-off against #19 South Florida. This will be the second meeting between the two schools, the other was in 2006, a 13-7 Jayhawk victory in Lawrence. (click here for Anthony Stalter’s game preview)

Ohio State vs. USC
This game is being billed as “The Collision at the Coliseum,” but the Jaws of Life might be needed to save the Buckeyes if they do not bring their “A” game to Los Angeles. The key to this matchup is for OSU’s offensive line to get physical with Southern Cal’s defensive front. If they do not win the battle at the line of scrimmage, it will not matter who is running the football for Ohio State (RB Chris “Beanie” Wells, ankle, is a game-time decision). Road wins against the Trojans are a scarce commodity in the Pete Carroll era, as they hold a 39-3 mark at the Coliseum. This contest will played on Saturday night in front of a nationally-televised audience on ABC at 8:00 PM EST.

Wisconsin vs. Fresno State
The Badgers will travel to Central Valley, California to play in the most important game in Bulldog football history. Fresno State dominated Rutgers in their season opener, but they will need a victory Saturday night to keep their hopes of a BCS bowl berth alive. Wisconsin just needs a win to stay in the national title hunt. Tune in Saturday night at 10:30 PM EST on ESPN2 for this pivotal non-conference game.

Milwaukee Brewers vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Brewers are trying to avoid another late-season collapse after coughing up an 8 ½ game lead in the NL Central last season. The Phillies will try to use this series as a springboard in getting back to the post-season. This is a key four-game series for both teams, with the Brewers three games ahead of the Phillies in the NL Wild Card race after losing the series opener last night 6-3 in Philadelphia.

San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos
Too many injuries for the Chargers to overcome this week, with Shawne Merriman on the mend until 2009 and now LaDainan Tomlinson and Antonio Gates each nursing injured big toes. (But both are expected to play on Sunday.) The Broncos offense appeared to be in mid-season form in their opener on Monday night.. Were they that good or were the Raiders that dreadful? That question will not be answered for at least another month, but a victory in this game could go a long way in establishing the Broncos as an AFC contender. Check your local CBS affiliate to see if they are televising this game at 4:00 PM ET.

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College Football Preview: No. 13 Kansas at No. 19 South Florida

September 12, 2008 / Anthony Stalter

Kickoff: Friday @ 8:00 PM ET, ESPN 2
Records: Kansas (2-0); South Florida (2-0)
Spread: South Florida –3.5

Game Matchup:
Kansas marches its 30th ranked (and highly powerful) offense into Tampa Friday night, but South Florida has the top ranked defense in the nation. South Florida’s defense ends are used to getting a good edge rush, but Jayhawks’ QB Todd Reesing gets the ball out of his hands quickly so he might be able to neutralize what the Bulls’ defense do so well. With how aggressive USF’s defensive front is, Kansas might employ a gash n’ go approach with its running backs. The Jayhawks could allow the Bulls’ defensive ends to get up field, and then the Kansas RBs can run at the edges for big gains. The Jayhawks also excel at avoiding bad down-and-distance situations. Offensively for South Florida, QB Matt Grothe isn’t as accurate as Reesing, but he makes plays with his feet and keeps drives alive with his mobility.

Prediction:
South Florida’s defense is outstanding, but Kansas has the weapons on offense to exploit what the Bulls do best. For the Jayhawks, coming out with a victory depends on how well their defense can contain Grothe and get off the field on third downs. This is a great machup and should be a close game throughout. Kansas 30, South Florida 28.

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Beanie Wells now doubtful for USC game

September 11, 2008 / Anthony Stalter

Ohio State head coach Jim Tressel said Thursday that running back Chris “Beanie” Wells (foot injury) is now doubtful to play against USC this Saturday. Just two days ago, Tressel said Wells would play this weekend.

Tressel said there was lingering soreness for Wells in his right foot after he worked out on Wednesday night. Wells did not practice with the team Thursday morning just before it departed for Los Angeles.
“We were hoping he’d wake up this morning and feel even better than yesterday,” Tressel said shortly before boarding the team bus to the airport. “But it didn’t happen. We’ll see from here.”
Tressel did not rule out the possibility of the junior seeing action, but did not sound optimistic.
“Beanie practiced about 20 carries yesterday, and maybe 20 percent of the practice,” Tressel said. “We didn’t have him work today. He had more soreness this morning than we had hoped for. A late afternoon practice followed by a morning practice, we’re hoping that’s a little bit of the reason why. So we’ll just have to play it by ear.”

Obviously this is a huge game, but Tressel has to keep Wells’ best interest in mind. If he plays hurt and further injures his leg, the Buckeyes could lose Wells for the entire season or worse, possibly screw up his career. But as a college football fan, it’s incredibly disappointing that Wells might not play Saturday night. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not Tressel sticks with Maurice Wells, who was incredibly ineffective last Saturday against Ohio.

College Football

Chris Beanie Wells Ohio State Buckeyes USC Trojans