The Foreshadow League, Week 10: November Marks Beginning of the End

 

#2 FLORIDA STATE at #25 LOUISVILLE

The only person who can relate to the polarizing nature of Jameis Winston that’s currently involved with college football is Bobby Petrino.

This is a transitional year for Louisville in every sense of the word. These Cards still carry Charlie Strong’s DNA.

Todd Grantham is the first-year coordinator, but his switch to a 3-4 has resulted in a defense that ranks first in total defense, first in rushing defense, fourth in scoring defense and seventh in sacks.

When you see how Louisville has squashed opposing running backs, it makes you think maybe playing against Louisville’ is part of Karlos William’s punishment.

Meanwhile, Florida’s defense has fallen off somewhat minus Jeremy Pruitt, who departed FSU to replace Grantham on UGA’s staff.

A dozen years ago, unranked Louisville defeated fourth-ranked FSU at home. The win helped propel Louisville’s burgeoning profile forward. This win would hold less significance in the grand scheme, but it would knock FSU down a peg. At a time when they’re becoming one of the nation’s most detested programs.

Michael Dyer is rounding into form after rushing for 173 yards in his first start two weeks ago against NC State while Devante Parker reeled in nine catches for 132 yards.

Jameis Winston should be ready after practicing in a public park near a Joe’s Crab Shack all week. 

FSU wins.

#3 AUBURN at #4 OLE MISS

The SEC West’s cannibalization is in full swing.

This week, two of the college football playoff’s top four will clash and at the end of it, one team will feel like Bob Stookey and the winner will express remorse while they feast on the bones of their fallen division foe.

Bo Wallace needs to get out of his own head while everyone’s lost theirs over Auburn.

Auburn was underwhelming against Kansas State in little Manhattan back in September. I’ve seen with more life than Auburn against Mississippi State  and they barely crept past South hors d'oeuvre Carolina You never know what type of performance Nick Marshall will be asked to deliver. One week, he’ll pass 35 times and complete fewer than 50 percent. Another he’ll throw just 14 and complete 12. The one constant is that he’ll get his yards on the ground.

When Wallace is on, he’s a quick-strike lightning bolt. When he’s not, he's a toaster in the tub.

Ole Miss wins.

 

#10 TCU at #20 WEST VIRGINIA

The world is backwards. Aside from Alabama, no other top-10 team has altered its offensive DNA as drastically as TCU.

TCU’s offense has always been a sturdy, reliable SUV. Capable, but never one to burn rubber on the freeway. Presumably, they bought former Texas Tech quarterback and Red Raider assistant coach Sonny Cumbie in to pimp their offense.

The results have been awe-inspiring and has them on the brink of the College Football Playoff’s top four.

Purple hasn’t been this hot since Prince & the Revolution dropped Purple Rain.

Naturally, West Virginia is waiting to rain on the parade. Two weeks ago, Clint Trickett and Kevin White euthanized Baylor’s national title hopes.

However, that was on a day when Bryce Petty played like a burning couch.

Or at least that's what you tend to chalk it up to when you see a quarterback struggle against a Dana Holgerson team. However, the Mountaineers pass defense is not one to be reckoned with. They allow the third-fewest yards per game in the Big 12, but have been thrown on every team besides Oklahoma.

TCU purifies West Virginia.

 

 

STANFORD at #5 OREGON

It’s been three years since Oregon put more than 20 up on the scoreboard against Stanford. Although, Stanford appears to have fallen off the pace as they rebuild, the Cardinal remain a threat. However, Oregon always finds a way to implode against the Cardinal. Their offense operates better in space, but Stanford’s power scheme crams everyone into an elevator like Tupac in Juice and overpower the Ducks with brute strength.

The difference is that Derek Mason, the heralded architect of Stanford’s Duck spread option killing has moved on to become the head coach of Vanderbilt.  However, the principles remain.

Without, a punishing running attack, the Cardinal will have to rely on Kevin Hogan more than they have in year’s past.

Stanford's running backs ran for a total of 474 yards in their previous two matchups, keeping Oregon's offense off the field for 42 minutes in 2013 and 37 minutes in 2012. Remound Wright and Barry Sanders Jr. are solid between the 20s, but can’t punch it in from the goal line as well as Stepfan Taylor, Tyler Gaffney or Toby Gerhart circa 2009.

Oregon wins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FLORIDA at #11 UGA

We all know by now that the memorabilia dealer who sold out Todd Gurley was a Florida fan in Georgia.

For the past four years, UGA has had their own mole in Gainesville. Since former UGA walk-on Will Muschamp took over as Florida’s head coach, the Gators haven’t beaten UGA. It’s a far cry from the dominance Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer had over the Bulldogs. If the Bulldogs win, their senior class would be the first to end their careers without losing to

After witnessing two Florida defenders grappling one another, would it really be all that surprising for Muschamp to turn heel in a close game, trip up Treon Harris on the sideline, rip off his jacket to reveal a red and black Georgia t-shirt?

UGA wins.

Will Muschamp joins by halftime.

ARKANSAS at #1 MISSISSIPPI STATE 

When you’re number one in the nation facing a coach who has never won an SEC contest, bbut has been close, the odds are in your favor. But every game is a trap game in November. So how can this go wrong for Mississippi State?

For one, the SEC’s best workhorse back tandem could ram the ball down the middle of the field against Mississippi State’s flimsy defense and keep the ball out of Dak Prescott and Josh Robinson’s hands for most of the afternoon.  

However, Mississippi State’s secondary is their soft spot. Witnessing Brandon Allen exploit that is less likely than pigs flying. Dan Mullen’s boys turns the Razorbacks into pulled pork.

MISSISSIPPI STATE WINS, WISCONSIN WINS.

 

#17 UTAH at #14 ARIZONA STATE

Utah punter Tom Hackett leads the nation with 13 punts inside the the 10-yard line. He also leads the nation in total punts. Todd Graham noticed and called attention to his powerful leg.

“I think their punter is phenomenal.” – Graham said to the media.

When another coach compliments another team’s punter that’s worse than telling another man, his daughter’s not a little girl anymore. It comes across as a compliment, but we know what you mean—perv.

Unfortunately, facts are facts.

Arizona State wins.

 

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