Week 5 Thoughts on Three Predictions for: #17 Clemson Tigers, #5 Georgia Bulldogs and Oklahoma State Cowboys
By Rich Lynch
The Thoughts on Three this week covers rivalries in the ACC, SEC and Big 12. Here is a breakdown of the big matchups happening today in Chestnut Hill MA., Athens, GA. and Stillwater, OK.
#17 Clemson Tigers(3-1) v. Boston College(1-2)
When: 3:30 pm EST
Where: Alumni Stadium – Chestnut Hill, MA
Weather: 60’s, Rainy
Results last season: Clemson 36, Boston College 14
Final Score this Season: Clemson 36, Boston College 24
Clemson has played well this season however, they are going into Chestnut Hill having lost to Florida State in a matchup that had MAJOR implications in terms of respect in the ACC and national recognition.
The Clemson offense is orchestrated by quarterback Tajh Boyd. Boyd has had a very productive and mature season. Statistically to date Boyd has completed 68 percent of his passes for 984-yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions. Boyd has three primary wide-receivers in DeAndre Hopkins, Brandon Ford and Martavis Bryant who account for 46 receptions, 643 yards and 10 touchdowns. In terms of receivers for Clemson the beleaguered Sammy Watkins is not playing in the game against the Eagles. Boyd is supported by running back Andre Ellington who has carried the ball 67 times for 383-yards and five touchdowns.
The Tigers defense gave up 49 points to Florida State last weekend. The Tiger defense has been allowing an average of 26 points per game, which ranks them 70th nationally.
Boston Collegehas had two weeks off since its 22-13 loss to Northwestern. The Eagles are led on offense by quarterback Chase Rettig. Rettig is completing 56 percent of his passes for 951-yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Several of Rettig’s passes have been dropped this season however, his favorite target Bobby Swigert of Louisville, OH is back in the lineup today for the first time this season. Wide-receivers Alex Amidon, Tajh Kimble and Jonathan Coleman have done well and have combined for 45 catches, 662-yards and four touchdowns. In the running game Andre Williams, Rolandan Finch and Tajh Kimble have 78 carries, 296-yards and one touchdown as a group.
Defensively, the Eagles play a bend-but-don’t-break style and look to capitalize on any mistakes that an opponent makes. The Eagles defense allows 22 points per game which ranks them 49th nationally.
The trip to Boston from Clemson, South Carolina is not easy, the weather will be dreary and the crowd will be lackadaisical(except for me). Look for Clemson to have a slow start on both sides of the ball and then intensify as the game progresses. Clemson wins on the road.
#5 Georgia(4-0) v. Tennessee(3-1)
When: 3:30 pm EST
Where: Sanford Stadium – Athens, GA
Weather: 80s, Rainy
Results last season: Georgia 20, Tennessee 12
Final Score this Season: Georgia 34, Tennessee 22
Georgia has outscored it’s four opponents to date by a combined sum of 190-66. Bulldogs quarterback Aaron Murray continues to fly under the radar in terms of national recognition. He leads the Bulldogs and has amassed a 66 percent completion rate, 1092-yards and 10 touchdowns. In the passing game Michael Bennett, Tavarres King and Marlon Brown have combined for 49 receptions, 808-yards and eight touchdowns. The Bulldogs have two beasts in the running game with Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. Gurley and Marshall have combined for 86 carries, 670 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
The matchup today against Tennessee will be the most difficult of the season for Georgia to date. The Bulldogs have allowed 17 points per game on defense which ranks them 30th in the nation.
Tennessee is led by another underrated quarterback Tyler Bray. Bray has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1301 yards and 12-touchdowns. Bray has three primary targets including: Justin Hunter, Cordarrelle Patterson and Mychal Riveria who have combined for 60 receptions, 842-yards and eight touchdowns this season. The Volunteers have a balanced offense with running back Rajjon Neal who has 80 carries, 356 yards and three touchdowns.
Defensively, Tennessee is coming into the game having allowed its opponents to score an average of 24 points per game. If Tennessee holds Georgiato 24 points then the Volunteers have a good chance to win.
Both the Georgia and Tennessee offenses will score a lot of points. The difference in this game will be the Georgia defense. The Bulldogs will cause turnovers and/or produce sacks that put its offense in prime field position. Aaron Murray will take advantage of the field position and a relatively weak Tennessee defense. Georgia wins at home.
#12 Texas(3-0) v. Oklahoma State(2-1)
When: 7:50 pm EST
Where: Boone Pickens Stadium – Stillwater, OK
Weather: 60s, Cloudy
Results last season: Oklahoma State 38, Texas 26
Final Score this Season: Oklahoma State 35, Texas 33
Look up Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy online and inevitably the first thing you will see is a video of his 2007 tirade against the local Stillwater media in which he exclaims “I’m a man.” Contrast that with Texas head coach Mack Brown, who most likely knows that he is a man however, doesn’t have to let everyone know it. SO, this game is a matchup of coaches with different personalities and teams with different strengths.
Texas is led by quarterback David Ash, who has completed 76 percent of his passes for 703 yards and seven touchdowns. In terms of receiving, SEVEN different Longhorns have caught a touchdown pass from Ash this season. The running game is the focal point of the offense with Malcolm Brown and Joe Bergeron having combined for 74 carries, 445 yards and six touchdowns.
Defensively, the Longhorns have played well this season, especially along the front seven. Texas has allowed its opponents to score an average of 16 points per game, which ranks them 28th nationally.
Oklahoma State is leading the country in scoring. The Cowboys are AVERAGING 62 points per game. Quarterbacks Wes Lunt and J.W. Walsh have combined to complete 67 percent of their passes for 1086 yards, 10 touchdowns and four interceptions. Receivers Blake Jackson, Josh Stewart and Tracy Moore together have 97 receptions, 668 yards and 12 touchdowns. Running backs Joseph Randle, Jeremy Smith and Desmond Roland between them have 42 carries, 553 yards and seven touchdowns.
The Cowboys Defense is Ying to the Cowboys offense Yang. The defense has allowed 28 points per game which ranks them 81st in the nation.
There will be a lot of points scored in this game. Texas SHOULD run the ball to keep possession and keep the Cowboys offense on the sideline. If Texas approaches the game like they should then it will be close at the end. I STILL think that Oklahoma State wins at home with the night game crowd on their side.