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| Can Kenny Hill engineer an upset? (Photo Credit: Bleacher Report) |
Written By: Nathan Skinner
Canes Rising Contributor
The playoff picture is finally coming into focus, and some teams that were expected to be in, aren't, while some previously unknown teams are now in the driver's seat. It looks like a 8 team race at this point, with some teams being one loss away from elimination.
5. Texas A&M vs. Alabama--This game has all the hallmarks of an upset. A talented, flawed team in Texas A&M, and an exhausted, bickering favorite in the Crimson Tide. If Texas A&M can stop 'Bama, and if Kenny Hill can recapture the magic, this game may end up being a nailbiter. This game could also end in a rout, especially if Nick Saban is able to unleash his angry, frustrated team. Alabama needs to win convincingly if they want to have any shot of climbing back into the playoff picture.
4. Oklahoma State vs. TCU--These two Big XII teams are on the periphery of the playoff race, and both could use a major win. Oklahoma State is still an explosive offense with Daxx Garman taking over for J.W Walsh. Garman has been very good throwing 10 touchdown passes so far. TCU is coming off of a shocking collapse against Baylor, where they allowed 61 points. It's safe to assume that a Gary Patterson team will never allow anyone to score that many points again, so look for a great effort from the Frogs.
3. Stanford vs. Arizona State--This game is a contrast of styles. Physical, offensively limited Stanford battling the athletic, finesse Sun Devils. This game doesn't have any playoff implications, because both teams are out of the race, but it's going to be an interesting game, because of the aforementioned clash of styles. Arizona State continues to be a very exciting team, a team that can put up points in bunches. Coach Todd Graham has built an offense that can score on anyone, and do it with relative ease. Stanford's defense is as tough as ever, but it remains to be seen if the Cardinal can keep up with the Sun Devils.
2. Kansas State vs. Oklahoma--Bill Snyder has rebuilt Kansas State into a contender, and he's done it the same was as he did it the 90s: recruit JUCOs, and dominate teams at the line of scrimmage. Wildcat quarterback Jake Waters has been excellent this season, completing over 63% of his passes, and averaging almost 5 yards per rush. Waters, a former JUCO star, is a talented player, and will create problems for the Sooners. OU is looking to get back into the playoff race, and a win over KSU will get OU closer to the playoff table. Trevor Knight has to improve, he's been wildly inconsistent this season, and hasn't looked anywhere near the player who burst upon the scene last season.
1. Notre Dame vs. FSU-- This is the game of the week, and is another elimination game. It's hard to see a 1 loss FSU, or a 1 loss Notre Dame getting into the playoff, so there's no margin for error in this game. Everett Golson has improved mightily, but he isn't Jamais Winston. Winston continues to be one of the best players in the game, even though his name has become synonymous with horrible decision making. This game will come down to whether Notre Dame can successfully cope with FSU's athleticism. The last time the Irish faced a team with this type of talent, they were demolished by Alabama in the BCS National Championship Game.
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