College Football Week 3

Week 3! It is the time of season where we begin to see some separtation at the top and weed out the pretenders from the contenders. This week, we have the complete opposite slate that we did a week ago. We have top teams playing this week; something that we didn't see at all last time around. Here are three games to watch, and also our picks for the other games.

1.) Heisman Candidates Clash

At noon, we will be treated to a game that might decide the ACC race as Florida State travels north to take on the Fighting Lamar Jacksons. It will be a faceoff between two of the top three players in the conference featuring Jackson of Louisville and Dalvin Cook from Florida State. While the Seminoles have knocked off Mississippi and FCS Charleston Southern, the Cardinals have essentially had a cake walk with the likes of Charlotte and Syracuse. Lamar Jackson is putting up unheard of numbers. Can he keep it up as the Cardinals face their first real test?

Florida State 28, Louisville 24

2.) Will Lightning Strike Thrice?

If Nick Saban has lost to a team in back-to-back years, I haven't seen it. But a team to beat him three straight? That is unheard of! The last two meetings have each been decided by six points each with Ole Miss coming out on top. When the two teams face off tonight, it will be in Oxford where the Rebels have not lost hosting a ranked team since Auburn came in ranked 3rd in 2014. Alabama looks to hold onto their top ranking and control of the SEC West. Mississippi hasn't won a conference championship since 1963. Since that year, Alabama has won 19. It's obvious where the SEC runs through, and the Tide will run through Ole Miss tonight as they exact their revenge.

Alabama 38, Mississippi 21

3.) Second Best, or Last Chance?

Tonight in Norman, Ohio State travels to Oklahoma as two of the nation's best teams will face off. Both sides stand to benefit from a win that could shape the playoff race. If the Buckeyes pick up the win on the road, they might be stealing some first place votes from Alabama. If Oklahoma can pull it off, they will be right back in the talk for the playoff. Oklahoma stands to benefit the most. A loss here would all but assure that they will be missing out on the playoff. 

 Oklahoma 31, Ohio State 28

Other Games

TCU over Iowa State

Tennessee over Ohio

New Mexico over Rutgers

Marshall over Akron

Bowling Green over MTSU

Clemson over South Carolina State

Temple over Penn State

Memphis over Kansas

Iowa over North Dakota State

Wisconsin over Georgia State

Miami over Appalachian State

Georgia Tech over Vanderbilt

Connecticut over Virginia

Washington State over Idaho

Tulsa over North Carolina A&T

Kansas State over Florida Atlantic

Toledo over Fresno State

Central Michigan over UNLV

Ball State over Eastern Kentucky

UMass over Florida International

Michigan over Colorado

Nebraska over Oregon

San Diego State over Northern Illinois

Kent State over Monmouth

Western Kentucky over Miami (OH)

Virginia Tech over Boston College

North Carolina over James Madison

Oklahoma State over Pitt

South Florida over Syracuse

Kentucky over New Mexico State

East Carolina over South Carolina

Colorado State over Northern Colorado

Wyoming over UC Davis

Western Michigan over Illinois

Oregon State over Idaho State

Eastern Michigan over Charlotte

North Carolina State over Old Dominion

Georgia Southern over Louisiana-Monroe

Wake Forest over Delaware

Army over UTEP

Texas A&M over Auburn

LSU over Mississippi State

Texas Tech over Louisiana Tech

Southern Mississippi over Troy

Maryland over Central Florida

Navy over Tulane

SMU over Liberty

South Alabama over Louisiana-Lafayette

Notre Dame over Michigan State

Arkansas over Texas State

Florida over North Texas

Georgia over Missouri

Stanford over Southern Cal

Washington over Portland State

Duke over Northwestern

Nevada over Buffalo

UCLA over BYU

Utah over San Jose State

Texas over Cal

Arizona over Hawaii

Season Record

124-33 (.790%)

Picks Panel at Noon

-Dug

@chansm1th

And, we’re off! Last night, we had several entertaining games to tie us over until Saturday. We had blowouts, and we had drag outs. Two ranked teams were in action with one displaying power over an inferior opponent while the other showed multiple question marks. A “Way-too-Early” Heisman candidate put up ridiculous numbers in limited action, but it was a place kicker who might have won the night. Before we get into the Friday slate of games, let’s look at what you’re talking about this afternoon.

 

Crisis Averted!

Tennessee came into their opener as a three touchdown favorite, as the announcers kept reminding us. Appalachian State led the entire game until Tennessee scored on a 67-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. Later in the period, redshirt freshman kicker Michael Rubino, who had already missed an extra point, sent a 41-yard field goal wide right. The Mountaineers would win the toss before overtime, and elect to go on defense first. From the 3-yard line, Josh Dobbs rolled to his right, leaped, stretched, and took a hard shot at the goal line which in turned caused him to fumble the football forward. Quick thinking on the part of Jalen Hurd, who jumped on the ball, would give Tennessee the score they needed in overtime. App State was ineffective with their turn, and Tennessee’s defense sealed the game, 20-13.

This game will give Tennessee fans fits. It was an obvious letdown for a team that has such high expectations. Luckily for them, they have more than a week to prepare for Virginia Tech when they face the Hokies at Bristol Motor Speedway.

 

Early Heisman Showing

The Fighting Lamar Jacksons defeated lowly Charlotte last night in a rout, 70-14. Jackson only played one half, but in truth, he didn’t need that much time. Jackson completed 17 of his 23 passes for 286 yards while running for another 119. Of the eight touchdowns he was responsible for, six came from his arm while two from his legs. Granted, it was Charlotte playing the Cardinals, but where do we place all of the praise? Is Lamar Jackson that good? Did Bobby Petrino just run it up? Is Charlotte just that bad? Louisville takes the field again next Friday against ACC foe Syracuse. Maybe we’ll have a more clear picture then.

 

Pride of the SEC?

If we’re throwing out Heisman candidates already, what about jumping onto a band wagon? As early as the season is, South Carolina currently holds the path to it's own destiny in the SEC East...along with five other division opponents. However, for this night, the Gamecocks are on top of the standings. In Will Muschamp's return to head coaching, the Gamecocks rallied from being down 10-0 at the half to squeak by the Vanderbilt Commodores by a final of 13-10. The Player of the Game was the senior place kicker Elliot Fry. Fry nailed a 55-yard field goal with 0:35 left that would eventually be the difference. With a road win in the SEC, albeit Vandy, South Carolina will play next week in Starkville against a Mississippi State team they have beaten seven straight times. 

Other Scores from Last Night

Central Michigan 49, Presbyterian 3

Wake Forest 7, Tulane 3

Cincinnati 28, UT-Martin 7

UConn 24, Maine 21

North Carolina State 48, William & Mary 14

Indiana 34, Florida International 13

Utah 24, Southern Utah 0

Utah State 45, Weber State 6

Western Kentucky 46, Rice 14

Minnesota 30, Oregon State 23

New Mexico 48, South Dakota 21

Idaho 20, Montana State 17

UNLV 63, Jackson State 13

-Dug

@chansm1th

Halftime Report

Show Me

Tennessee finds itself trailing 13-3 to Appalachian State at the half. In my earlier post, I demanded that Tennessee show me that they deserved all of the hype that they were being given. Through the first 30 minutes of play, I am disappointed. App State has controlled the momentum since this game kicked off. Tennessee has caught several bad breaks though. On their first full offensive drive of the game, Tennessee had a touchdown overturned when a receiver dropped the ball while going to the ground. Instead of seven points, they settled for three. Not long after, the Vols' defensive leader, Cameron Reeves-Maybin was ejected on a targeting foul when he lowered his head into a Mountaineer who had signaled for a fair catch on a punt. After all of this, Tennessee found itself having the ball with under 5:00 to go in the first half. Josh Dobbs connected on a pass to Josh Smith over the middle for about a 25-yard gain. Dobbs then rushed the offense to the line to set off another play, which they got off. After Hurd's run up the middle, the play before was reviewed and determined that the ball hit the ground before the receiver caught it. Now, I have always been led to believe that if the next play gets off, the previous cannot be reviewed. It would appear that the rules have changed.


Butch Jones better give the speech of his life in the locker room. In most cases, when a team that is favored finds itself behind, they mount a ferocious comeback. From one half of play, I haven't seen an ounce of the type of fight that UT will need. The Mountaineers have a legitimate shot of pulling this off if something doesn't change in a hurry.




Let's take a look at other games going on right now. Early in the third quarter, Louisville leads Charlotte 56-0. Lamar Jackson has had a hand in all eight of Louisville's scores.


Two minutes before halftime, Vanderbilt is ahead of South Carolina 10-0.


7:00 left in the second quarter, Western Kentucky is on top of Rice 30-7.




Check back later for more updates.


-Dug
@chansm1th

A Look at the Red's Farm System Part 1

Not that Kind of Farm

Baseball season is a full month old. It feels like just yesterday that everyone was getting hyped for Opening Day. Currently, Cincinnati is in 4th out of the 5 Central Division teams. Before the year began, that was the idea. No one expects the Reds to be above the three powers of the Central. Cincinnati has been pegged by many "experts" as a team who could lose 100 games. A writer for a prominent newspaper in Cincinnati even went as far as to say this team would lose upwards of 120 games, which is insane.

With so much "optimism" around the team this year, it is never a bad thing to look to the future. Cincinnati has loaded up through the draft and also through trades during recent years, and the fruits of those labors are being seen throughout the farm system. We will be looking at the current Top 10 prospects that the Reds are betting on for the future. A future that might not be so far away. Let's take a look at a few of the centerpieces for this franchise.

1.) Jesse Winker, OF

Jesse Winker is currently the Red's top prospect in their system. He also clocks in at #30 in the Major's Prospect List. Winker is currently an outfielder for the Louisville Bats (AAA Affiliate). He was drafted in the first round of the 2012 draft. Winker has not made his debut yet, but he was invited to Spring Training and played 7 games before getting injured. 2016 begins his first season of Triple-A ball. In his first season, he is currently batting .306.

Winker takes a Joey Votto type approach to the batting box. He works the count and makes the opposing pitcher really work to get him out. The Reds are hoping that he will be the left fielder of the future. The future is expected to be some time this season. Look for Winker to come up when injuries arise, but to fall back down. He should find a spot when rosters expand in September.

2.) Robert Stephenson, RHP

Robert Stephenson has been the Red's top prospect for a couple of years now until Winker knocked him out of the top spot. Stevenson was drafted in the first round of the 2011 draft. He was the first high school player drafted in the first round by the Reds since Devin Mesoraco (2007). Stephenson has the normal pitching arsenal, but sports a nasty curve, and a much improved changeup. He also has very good command of his fast ball. The Reds have taken a slow approach with bringing him up because they did not want to rush him like they did in Homer Bailey's situation.

Stephenson has already made two starts in the majors this year. He has won both while holding down a 3.00 ERA. After each start, he was sent back to AAA Louisville. Expect to see him in spot starts for most of this season.

3.) Cody Reed, LHP

Cody Reed came over from Kansas City last year in the Johnny Cueto trade. The Royals were really high on him, and the Reds really wanted him. Reed was taken by the Royals in the 2nd round of the 2013 draft. Reed is one of two top 10 LHP Prospects that the Reds have the rights to. One of the reasons he is considered so high is the improvement of both his command and control.

Reed isn't expected to help Cincinnati this season, but do not be surprised if he shows up for a start or two here and there. Currently at AAA Louisville, he owns a 2-0 record with a 1.62 ERA. He has struck out 17 batters in just 16.2 innings so far this season.

4.) Amir Garrett, LHP

Amir Garrett might be my personal favorite on this list. Garrett was drafted in the 22nd round of the 2011 draft by the Reds. One tidbit about Garrett: he was a 4-Star basketball recruit in high school. The high school Garrett attended did not offer baseball, but his father talked him into giving it another shot in what was a tryout in front of major league scouts. Garrett was drafted and allowed to play basketball for St. John's. When basketball fell through, Garrett stuck with baseball.

One know on Garrett is that his secondary pitches are inconsistent. His slider is shaky, and his frame (6'5") does not help with his changeup. His fastball is in the mid-90's, and can dial it up to around 97. His size is not the worst of things. It offers him great extension that allows him to really come at the hitters.

Garrett will not be able to help Cincinnati this year. He is at least another year or two away which should provide him with much needed improvement on his second and third pitches. In five starts for AA Pensacola, Garrett is 2-2 with a 1.52 ERA. He has also struck out 32 batters while only walking 6.

5.) Jose Peraza, 2B/OF

Jose Peraza is one of the many prospects that Cincinnati picked up through their trades this past year. Peraza signed out of Venezuela with Atlanta in 2010. He was one of the Braves' top prospects before the emergence of Andrelton Simmons. In December, he was moved to Los Angeles in a three team trade that involved the Marlins. When the Reds moved Todd Frazier, he came over.

Originally a SS, Peraza has been set back at the position in Louisville this season. Peraza could move up to the big leagues at some point this season. Look for him to be an extra infielder when rosters expand in Septemeber.



So far we have looked at the Top 5 Prospects in the Reds' farm system. In my next post, I will close out the remaining players that make up the Top 10.

Until next time,

-Dug
@chansm1th