Non-BCS Football Week 8 Breakdown
Southern Methodist versus Southern Mississippi
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
Southern cookin’ all the way. These two are 5-1 and feeling really good about their chances to win Conference USA. Look at a comparison of these two within the conference:
TOTAL OFFENSE: Southern Miss - #2; SMU - #3
TOTAL DEFENSE: SMU - #2; Southern Miss - #3
SCORING DEFENSE: SMU - #2; Southern Miss - #3
PASSING OFFENSE: SMU - #2; Southern Miss - #4
These are four major categories that find these two programs neck-and-neck. SMU packs a 1-2 punch in quarterback J.J. McDermott (1,840 yards, 10 touchdowns) and running back Zach Line (665 yards, 13 touchdowns). Southern Miss counters with quarterback Austin Davis (1,558 yards, 13 touchdowns) and wide receiver Ryan Balentine (435 yards, 4 touchdowns). There is plenty of talent on both sides of the ball for each team in a conference that doesn’t get too much attention nationally. This may end up being one of the better games of the weekend overall. It should be a gritty, tight game all the way.
Colorado State versus UTEP
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
Much like the game above, these are evenly matched small conference foes. Neither appears to really be in a race for their respective conferences, but there is value in trying to out-duel a similar team to see how a team competes moving forward. UTEP has three wins that impress no one and have not done very well in Conference USA to this point. Nationally, they are average on both sides of the ball, but rank better than where Colorado State does. CSU has also beaten no one of consequence and were blown out of the water by Boise State. In their defense, most teams lose to Boise. But their leading rusher, Chris Nwoke, only has 305 yards on the season. He is averaging 4.0 yards a carry, but to win games they need to increase the rushing production. It’ll be evenly matched and offensive execution is the key. The team that sticks to their game plan will win.
Army versus Vanderbilt
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
Army is an extreme contrast on offense. As a service academy, you can expect a triple-option rushing attack. After seven weeks, Army has leap-frogged Georgia Tech for the best running team in the land. If they switch to an aerial attack, they are in trouble. The Black Knights are last in all of the FBS in throwing the ball. They average 58.2 passing yards per game. It is a funny formula to use when playing against strong competition. They have not won many games using it. They already have losses to teams like Northern Illinois and Miami (OH). Facing an SEC opponent seems like a daunting task. Especially one that is fourth in the conference in stopping the run. However, if there were a winnable game for Army against an SEC foe, it would be this one. The Commodores have a hard time passing themselves at just over 130 yards per game average. They also have a tough time finding the end zone. They have poor quarterback play. Under first-year coach James Franklin, it seems like that would be impossible. He is trying to build something and just doesn’t quite have the horses yet. Here’s your chance, Army. Seize it.
Central Michigan versus Ball State
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
This is a MAC conference matchup that could propel Ball State or give Central Michigan a little life. Last week, Central Michigan lost to its directional rival, Eastern Michigan, by a touchdown. The Chippewas are 2-5, and are doomed to go into a downward spiral if they lose this game. Their record is no reflection of their quarterback. Despite their poor win total, Ryan Radcliff is putting up great numbers. He has 13 touchdowns and nearly 1,750 yards in the air. The downside is that he has 11 interceptions as well. Even so, Radcliff is a bright spot on a team that isn’t great at scoring or preventing scores. They need this one against a team with a winning record to prove their worth.
Ball State is a respectable 4-3. Two of their three losses were to ranked teams (South Florida and Oklahoma). More importantly they are 2-1 in the MAC. Their only conference loss is to Temple who is a quality team this year and a favorite to win the MAC. The Cardinals have a decent quarterback themselves in sophomore Keith Wenning who shows promise for the future. This game is in Muncie, Ind. so it will be a tough out for Central Michigan. But they gotta have it. Lose and the season is essentially over.
Miami (OH) versus Toledo
WHY YOU’LL WATCH
To see if Toledo remains undefeated in the MAC. Toledo has ripped through the conference and bludgeoned opponents. That includes a gigantic win against Temple, 36-13, the leader of the Eastern Division. It appears Toledo is on a collision course to face Temple for the conference title down the line. Miami (OH) does not appear to be a test for the Rockets. Miami is dead last in the FBS in rushing. They do, however, have one conference victory. Regardless of how they won (the score was 9-3), a win is a win. A victory over undefeated Toledo would keep the RedHawks only one game behind Temple in the Eastern Division. Despite their scoring woes, Miami is still in the mix. A triumph here against Toledo would seriously put them in contention. It is early still in conference play, but early wins help going into November. It’ll be a difficult task.
