Top 5 Games Football Week 5 Breakdown
South Florida at Pittsburgh (Thursday)
Pittsburgh has lost two straight close games and the offense’s struggles adapting to a new system are a big reason why. Quarterback Tino Sunseri was sacked six times by Notre Dame. His hesitancy in making decisions is causing him to hold the ball too long and that is a trait he needs to break against a South Florida defense that has speed and big-play ability. Bulls quarterback B.J. Daniels, on the other hand, has enjoyed smooth sailing. He has completed 66 percent of his passes, with eight touchdowns and only one interception. Daniels can also do a lot of damage with his feet, but Pitt kept him bottled up in last year’s 17-10 Panthers victory. This year’s Pitt defense does not have the same bite, however, so Daniels and the Bulls should take an important step towards the Big East championship with a win. Score: South Florida 22, Pittsburgh 19
#17 Arkansas at #15 Texas A&M
Both programs are licking their wounds after conference losses last week. One could consider this Texas A&M’s first SEC game after the conference officially welcomed the school as its 13th member (although the Aggies will not actually compete in the SEC until next year). Before they look ahead to the future the Aggies must come to terms with the recent past. Texas A&M disappeared in the second half of its Big 12 showdown with Oklahoma State, blowing a 20-3 halftime lead. Cowboys quarterback Brandon Weeden completed passes at will, something which Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino no doubt noted. The Razorbacks enjoyed a big day through the air in last year’s 24-17 win over A&M and quarterback Tyler Wilson has the weapons at his disposal to rip holes in the Aggies’ struggling secondary. It adds up to a disappointing SEC “debut” for Texas A&M. Score: Arkansas 34, Texas A&M 26
#11 Clemson at #13 Virginia Tech
Clemson continues its brutal early-season schedule with perhaps its toughest challenge yet. After knocking off Auburn and Florida State at home, the Tigers must venture to Blacksburg to tussle with the defending ACC champs in what very well could be a preview of the conference championship game on Dec. 3. Clemson has used a powerful offense to win its first four games. The Tigers have scored at least 35 points every time behind freshman receiver Sammy Watkins, who has exploded on the scene with six touchdowns and at least 175 all-purpose yards in the last three games. But if there is one thing Frank Beamer teams are known for it is defense. This year is no exception. Virginia Tech ranks sixth in the country allowing only 10 points per game. The Hokies already have seven interceptions and opponents are completing only 47 percent of their passes. Perhaps more importantly, Clemson’s defense has been gouged on the ground (176 yards allowed per game, 4.8 yards per carry) and that fits right in with what Tech likes to do on offense. If these teams do meet in December, it looks like Clemson will be playing for revenge. Score: Virginia Tech 38, Clemson 24
#1 Alabama at #12 Florida
Another week, another monumental SEC game. This Florida team is much different than the one Alabama got used to facing under former head coach Urban Meyer. New boss Will Muschamp has brought a renewed vigor to the Gators defense, while offensive coordinator Charlie Weis has reemphasized the running game with outstanding results. Florida ranks ninth in the country with 259 yards per game on the ground and the two-headed backfield of Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps has averaged an eye-popping 7.6 yards per carry. Of course, that was against defenses that are a far cry from Alabama’s. The Crimson Tide are third in the nation at stopping the run and are coming off a game in which they held Arkansas to just 17 yards rushing. There does not appear to be a good reason to pick the Gators in this one. Alabama easily won the last two meetings, including a 31-6 thrashing last year that saw Florida quarterback John Brantley struggle with the Tide’s quick secondary. But this is a different Gators staff and a frenzied Swamp should give Florida a needed boost. Score: Florida 17, Alabama 13
#5 Nebraska at #4 Wisconsin
If you love to watch teams run the ball, your picture-in-picture will get a workout on Saturday night. While Alabama and Florida grind it out in the trenches in Gainesville, the Cornhuskers and Badgers will be practicing their specialty in Madison in Nebraska’s Big Ten bow. The Huskers (eighth in the country in rushing) and the Badgers (13th) have combined for 518 rushing yards per game, so if nothing else this battle should move along quicker than your typical college game. What has been atypical is Nebraska’s defense, which ranks a mediocre 52nd in the FBS and only 56th at stopping the run. The Huskers’ last three opponents all had some success moving the ball on the ground, and none of them are in Wisconsin’s class in that area. Montee Ball and James White might each go over the 100-yard mark and Nebraska will return home longing for the good ol’ days in the pass-happy Big 12. Score: Wisconsin 33, Nebraska 14
