Week 4 Thoughts on Three: Predictions for #4 Florida State Seminoles, #8 West Virginia Mountaineers and #7 South Carolina Gamecocks
By Rich Lynch
As summer turns to fall there is a southern theme to the Thoughts this week. That being said, there is no SEC bias as the ACC, Big 12 AND SEC are all represented. As the seasons, change so do I. You need not wonder why. Sixties music trivia is not included in the college football analysis and predictions below.
#10 Clemson Tigers(3-0) v. #4 Florida State Seminoles(3-0)
When: 8pm EST
Where: Doak-Campbell Stadium | Tallahassee, FL
Weather: 80s, Humid
Results last season: FSU 35, Clemson 30
Final Score this Season: FSU 31, Clemson 17
Clemson has defeated all three of its opponents this season by a combined score of 119 to 53. This includes the game against Auburn, of course. The Clemson defense is ranked 34th in the country in points allowed per game with 17.7. The Tiger secondary has had five interceptions, which is the most in the ACC to date.
Offensively, Clemson has a stable of wide receivers and running backs who are directed by a solid quarterback in Tajh Boyd. Boyd has 63 completions on 86 attempts for 747 yards. That is impressive enough — however, he has thrown only ONE interception to his six touchdown tosses. The primary ball carrier is Andre Ellington, who has 53 carries for 328 yards and four touchdowns. Boyd has also been known to pass the pigskin to his wide receivers including DeAndre Hopkins, Martavis Bryant and Brandon Ford who combined account for 37 receptions, 486 yards, and seven touchdowns. Also, Tigers star receiver Sammy Watkins came back from suspension last week and had four receptions for 52 yards.
Florida State is also undefeated in its three games this season. The Seminoles have scored 176 points and ceded only THREE points. The Florida State defense is ranked NUMERO UNO in the country in points allowed per game with ONE. They are solid across the board and you have to wonder what the defense in Tallahassee would be like if safety Greg Reid were not jettisoned from the program in the summer.
The offense is balanced as well. ‘Noles quarterback EJ Manuel has thrown for 525 yards and six touchdowns to a plethora of receivers including: Kenny Shaw, Kelvin Benjamin, Rodney Smith and Greg Dent. The running game has been even more productive. SIX Florida State players have scored touchdowns running the ball. The running game accounts for 837 yards and 15 touchdowns. I did the math and it works out.
The offenses in this game are incredible. The Florida State defense has been impenetrable. My concern is that the Clemson defense, which gave up 27 points to Ball State and Clemson’s track record in important games. Florida State is at home. Florida State wins.
Maryland Terrapins(2-1) v. #8 West Virginia Mountaineers(2-0)
When: 12pm EST
Where: Mountaineer Stadium- Morgantown, WV
Weather: 60s, Rain
Results last season: WVU 37, Maryland 31
Final Score this Season: WVU 37, Maryland 9
Maryland has defeated College of William & Mary and Temple. The Terps lost to Connecticut in College Park, MD. The Maryland defense, in its now-annual new look, is allowing 19 points a game, which ranks it 38th in the country.
On offense, the Terps are led by their quarterback Perry Hills. Hills has thrown for 37 completions, 444 yards, three touchdowns and four interceptions. He has 38 carries and leads all Maryland runners with two touchdowns.
West Virginia won the first two games of the season against Marshall and James Madison by a combined score of 111-46. The Mountaineer defense has given up 23 points per game, which is ranked 60th in the country. The points per game total is a result of the West Virginia offense scoring so quickly and giving opponents more possessions, than it is an indication of a porous West Virginia defense.
Offensively, West Virginia is led by their version of the Big Three. The Mountaineer version includes: Heisman candidate and quarterback Geno Smith, running back Shawne Alston and wide receiver Stedman Bailey. Smith has accounted for 817 yards and ten touchdowns. Alston has run for 185 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. Bailey has caught 22 passes for 277 yards and five touchdowns.
This is a rivalry game — not in the same vein as West Virginia and Pittsburgh though — so Maryland should be pumped up for the contest. However, West Virginia is too skilled, fast and well-coached for Maryland. West Virginia wins.
Missouri Tigers(2-1) v. #7 South Carolina Gamecocks(3-0)
When: 3:30 pm EST
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium – Columbia, SC
Weather: 80s, Sunny
Results last season: N/A
Final Score this Season: South Carolina 24, Missouri 22
Missouri has wins over Southeast Louisiana and Arizona State, along with a loss to Georgia. The Missouri defense gave up 41 points to Georgia and is allowing 24 points per game, which ranks it 66th in the country.
The Tigers offense starts with quarterback James Franklin, who has 38 completions for 400 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. In the passing game, Franklin focuses on Wes Welker clone T.J Moe, Marcus Lucas and L’Damian Washington, who have combined for 37 receptions for 460 yards and three touchdowns.
In the running game back-up quarterback Corbin Berkstresser has run for two touchdowns. Senior running back Kendial Lawrence has scampered for 224 yards and four touchdowns on 34 carries.
Let’s be honest: South Carolina has two of the best college football players in America. Ironically, since Steve Spurrier is a passing guru, a running back and a defensive end are those best two and the backbone of the team complementing Spurrier’s impeccable play-calling and timing.
South Carolina has defeated Vanderbilt, East Carolina and UAB by a combined score of 114-29. The Gamecock defense is 7th in the country, allowing 10 points per game. Also, they it is allowing 1.5 yards per rush and seven yards per pass completion.
Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney has thirteen tackles and three sacks to set the tone.
The Gamecock offense is lead by running back Marcus Lattimore. He has 235 yards and four touchdowns on 38 carries. He has been averaging 16 carries per game, but will get more against Missouri.
According to Sports Illustrated, both quarterback James Franklin and South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw are scheduled to start despite shoulder injuries. This is the first road game for the Tigers. Williams-Brice Stadium will be rocking, and home field advantage will be the key for South Carolina. Gamecocks win.