Thoughts on Three Week 9 Predictions for: #2 Florida Gators, #8 Oklahoma Sooners and Boston College Eagles
By Rich Lynch
In Week 9 here we have analysis on four of the top 10 ranked teams in the country. The SEC is on display with the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail party going on in Jacksonville, Florida. We have one of the best late season non-conference match-ups of the year in Norman, Oklahoma. Finally, we have an ACC conference clash in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
#2 Florida Gators(7-0) vs. #10 Georgia Bulldogs(6-1)
When: 3:30 ET, CBS
Where: Everbank Field – Jacksonville, Florida
Weather: 60’s, cloudy/rainy
Results last season: Georgia Bulldogs 24, Florida Gators 20
Final Score this Season: Florida Gators 30, Georgia Bulldogs 20
Florida has defeated four ranked teams this season to date and in Jacksonville seeks its fifth such victim. The Gators are scoring an average of 30 points per game. The Gators are led by low key yet effective dual threat quarterback Jeff Driskell. In the passing game Driskell has completed 67 percent of his passed for 929 yards, eight touchdowns and one interception. As a runner Driskell has 66 carries for 321 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Mike Gillislee is the primary option for the Gators and he has 652 yards and seven touchdowns. Receivers Jordan Reed, Frankie Hammond and Quinton Dunbar have combined for 53 receptions, 675 yards and eight touchdowns. Also, kicker Caleb Sturgis has been successful on 12 of his 14 field-goals. He is four of four on kicks over 40-yards.
The Gators defense is a story unto itself. As a unit it is allowing opponents to score 12 points per game, 4th fewest in the nation.
Georgia is very good offensively. Next season’s Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Aaron Murray has completed 65 percent of his passes for 1914 yards, sixteen touchdowns and four interceptions. Running backs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall have combined for 1110 yards and ten touchdowns this season as freshmen. The Bulldogs have a stable of receivers including: Tavarres King, Michael Bennett, Marlon Brown and Arthur Lynch who have accumulated 80 receptions, 1362 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, though Bennett was lost to injury after the Tennessee game.
The Bulldogs defense is not as stout as it has been traditionally. Georgia is allowing opponents to score 24 points per game, ranking 50th in the country.
This annual match-up was moved off campus several years ago to maximize revenue. On offense look for Florida to run directly at Georgia to maximize time of possession. This will be toughest test of the season for the Florida defense, which will give up more points on Saturday than it has to any team all season. Look for Florida to win by outscoring Georgia when capitalizing on making defensive stops in the clutch.
#8 Oklahoma Sooners(5-1) vs. #5 Notre Dame Fighting Irish (7-0)
When: 8pm ET, ABC
Where: Oklahoma Memorial Stadium – Norman, Oklahoma
Weather: 40’s, clear
Results last season: N/A
Final Score this Season: Oklahoma Sooners 27, Notre Dame Fighting Irish 18
Quarterback Landry Jones is leading Oklahoma to 45 points per game on offense. Jones has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1653 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Running backs Damien Williams and Brennan Clay have scampered for 763 yards and ten touchdowns as a tandem. The Sooners have a posse of receivers including: Kenny Stills, Justin Brown, Sterling Shepard and Trey Millard who have combined for 94 receptions, 1223 yards and 10 touchdowns. The receiving also added transfer Jalen Saunders, a speedy slot option from Fresno State. Sooners kicker Michael Hunnicutt is eight of nine on field goal attempts this season but is only one of two on kicks over 40 yards.
The Sooners defense is allowing 15 points per game, which ranks 12th in the country. Fifteen points per game is a great figure in the high scoring Big 12; defensive coordinator Mike Stoops is clicking back in the mix.
Notre Dame is led on offense by quarterback Everett Golson, who has completed 58 percent of his passes for 968 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. Last season’s starting quarterback Tommy Rees also sees spot duty. Notre Dame has three running backs, Theo Riddick, Cierre Wood and George Atkinson III, who have combined for 1145 yards and nine touchdowns. The primary receivers for the Irish are Tyler Eifert(who will be on full display on Saturday) and T.J. Jones who have combined for 40 receptions, 594 yards and five touchdowns.
The strength of this Notre Dame team this season is on defense. The Irish are allowing only 9 points, second fewest of any defense, behind Heisman contender Manti Te’o.
The weather will have a negative impact on the offenses in this game. As a result the final score will be closer than many believe. Oklahoma will ruin Notre Dame’s perfect season, though, at home in Norman.
Boston College Eagles (1-6) vs. Maryland Terrapins (4-3)
When: 3pm ET
Where: Alumni Stadium – Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts
Weather: 60’s, cloudy
Results last season: Boston College 28, Maryland 17
Final Score this Season: Boston College 23, Maryland 22
Boston College is headed toward the worst season in school history. The Eagles are led on offense by stalwart quarterback Chase Rettig, who has completed 56 percent of his passed for 1912 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions. Andre Williams is the primary running back and has accounted for 524 yards and four touchdowns. Receivers Alex Amidon and Johnathan Coleman have combined for 66 receptions, 1085 yards and eight touchdowns. Kicker Nate Freese has connected on 10-11 field goal attempts.
The Eagles defense has been weak, allowing 33 points per game, No. 99 in FBS.
Maryland is in shambles offensively. The Terrapins will be led by third string quarterback Caleb Rowe since Perry Hills and Devin Burns are injured. Maryland running backs Wes Brown and Justus Pickett have combined for 413 yards and five touchdowns. The receivers are the strength of the Terrapin offense with Stefon Diggs and Marcus Leak having combined for 50 receptions, 907 yards and five touchdowns. Kicker Brad Craddock has been successful on 8-13 field goals. He is 4-6 on kicks 40 yards and greater, however.
Defensively, the Terrapins are allowing opponents to score 20 points per game to rank 31st in the country.
Boston College is horrible this season but Maryland is playing without its starting quarterback. Home field advantage takes over in this game. Boston College gets its second win of the season.