Georgia vs. Florida- The Gators have tried to make the World's Largest Cocktail Party (let's just call it what it is) interesting by announcing that quarterback John Brantley will be back under center as the starter. They will also bring running back Jeff Demps to Jacksonville. Georgia said they will be without Malcolm Mitchell, who is blossoming into a true go-to target for Aaron Murray. The Dawgs boast a top ten defense and the Florida has hardly been competent on offense, but will having the senior leader back in the huddle make the difference? No. Georgia wins its fourth win in 22 tries against UF.
Michigan State at Nebraska- This game could be over in two hours as much as these teams like to run the football. The Spartans are coming off winning the best game of the season, where a Kirk Cousins Hail Mary pass barely crossed the goal line for a MSU win. State is also traveling to an intimidating Memorial Stadium, which has sold out since the mid-60s, for the first time. Husker quarterback Taylor Martinez will be forced to throw against a tough Michigan State defense in order to win their third Big 10 game. Until Martinez proves that he can throw the football consistently, Nebraska is tough to trust in big games. Sparty wins another.
Oklahoma at Kansas State- All season long the figure heads on the tube have gone against the Wildcats and they have proven them wrong time and time again. But this week the should go with their gut feeling because the Sooners will get the best of them. Under the control of coach Bob Stoops, Oklahoma does not lose again after losing the week before. The Sooner defense was embarrassed last week by Texas Tech and will not let that happen again on national television. Manhattan is one of those quirky places to play a football game on the road, but all quirkiness aside, Oklahoma wins big. Big props to KSU coach Bill Snyder who continues to make something out of little.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Arkansas at Vanderbilt- A slow start last week almost cost the Hogs their hopes of a BCS bowl bid. They will look to jump out early against a talented Commodore secondary.
Baylor at Oklahoma State- If you like points, don't miss this one. The Cowboys have a bigger goal on their mind, beating the Sooners four weeks away.
Ole Miss at Auburn- Will Houston Nutt lose his 11th straight SEC game as the Ole Miss coach? Yep. The Rebels showed hope last week and the future looks brighter.
Stanford at USC- This will be the best two quarterbacks on one field this season. Luck is clearly the better of the two, but the Trojans have the best chance at an upset this week.
Clemson at Georgia Tech- I'll be coming to you live from this game via Twitter. This will be my first time to see Clemson and ACC game in person. A shootout helps Clemson.
South Carolina at Tennessee
Purdue at Michigan
Arizona at Washington
Wisconsin at Ohio State
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
The Weekend That Will Be: Week 8
Wisconsin at Michigan State- A classic battle of offense versus defense. Wisconsin will be challenged unlike they have been all season by a top-ranked Spartan defense. The weak schedule the Badgers have played thus far was shown as they were ranked a little lower than expected in the first BCS rankings. MSU has won three of the last three home games against Wisconsin, but that streak stops here. Wisconsin will be a huge Spartan fan after Saturday because the Badgers need some help from the BCS computers, which put an added emphasis on strength of schedule and none on margin of victory. On Wisconsin!
Washington at Stanford- As a person who lives in the Eastern time zone, opportunities to see quality PAC-12 football before midnight are a rarity. I am looking forward to seeing two of the county's best quarterbacks going back and forth. On one side of the ball is the Mr. All-Everything, Andrew Luck, of whom you have heard plenty about. The visiting sideline will host Washington's (No it's not Jake Locker) Keith Price, who has saddled the tough job of replacing Jake Locker and done quite well. Some experts say when it is all said and done in Seattle the current QB may be better than the former. The Cardinal should win easily, but if like passing game... enjoy this prime time PAC-12 game.
Auburn at LSU- The only reason this game made the cut is that I like to at least preview all of the ranked teams versus other ranked teams. This game ought not be too much trouble even without two star LSU players. Auburn has started to show their losses on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball were tremendous. LSU is counting down the days until their trip to Tuscaloosa, The Tigers from Baton Rouge are too deep and will take care of business easily at home.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Arkansas at Ole Miss- The annual Houston Nutt Bowl is always one of my father's, and most Razorback fans, favorite games to watch all year. Bobby will show off all of his toys to the former Arkansas coach.
North Carolina at Clemson- Some are calling this a "slip-up" game, but that will come a few weeks later for the Tigers. But watch Taj Boyd struggle a little more against a talented UNC defense.
Tennessee at Alabama- Just like LSU, the Tide wants to look forward the Nov. 5 match-up, but they have a coach that will have none of that. Saban will again prove why he is the greatest coach in the nation.
Penn State at Northwestern- Upset special. The Nittany Lions have gone unnoticed after their loss to Alabama, going undefeated since. But they also almost lost to Temple. It has to catch up at some point.
Georgia Tech at Miami
Oregon at Colorado
Maryland at Florida State
Author's note: I'm sorry for any spelling and/or grammatical mistakes, but I covered high school football until 1 a.m. tonight and have to be at FBC Gainesville to help cook for the youth's BBQ Rib Sale at 7 a.m. I did give it one thorough read, but time is of the essence.
Washington at Stanford- As a person who lives in the Eastern time zone, opportunities to see quality PAC-12 football before midnight are a rarity. I am looking forward to seeing two of the county's best quarterbacks going back and forth. On one side of the ball is the Mr. All-Everything, Andrew Luck, of whom you have heard plenty about. The visiting sideline will host Washington's (No it's not Jake Locker) Keith Price, who has saddled the tough job of replacing Jake Locker and done quite well. Some experts say when it is all said and done in Seattle the current QB may be better than the former. The Cardinal should win easily, but if like passing game... enjoy this prime time PAC-12 game.
Auburn at LSU- The only reason this game made the cut is that I like to at least preview all of the ranked teams versus other ranked teams. This game ought not be too much trouble even without two star LSU players. Auburn has started to show their losses on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball were tremendous. LSU is counting down the days until their trip to Tuscaloosa, The Tigers from Baton Rouge are too deep and will take care of business easily at home.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Arkansas at Ole Miss- The annual Houston Nutt Bowl is always one of my father's, and most Razorback fans, favorite games to watch all year. Bobby will show off all of his toys to the former Arkansas coach.
North Carolina at Clemson- Some are calling this a "slip-up" game, but that will come a few weeks later for the Tigers. But watch Taj Boyd struggle a little more against a talented UNC defense.
Tennessee at Alabama- Just like LSU, the Tide wants to look forward the Nov. 5 match-up, but they have a coach that will have none of that. Saban will again prove why he is the greatest coach in the nation.
Penn State at Northwestern- Upset special. The Nittany Lions have gone unnoticed after their loss to Alabama, going undefeated since. But they also almost lost to Temple. It has to catch up at some point.
Georgia Tech at Miami
Oregon at Colorado
Maryland at Florida State
Author's note: I'm sorry for any spelling and/or grammatical mistakes, but I covered high school football until 1 a.m. tonight and have to be at FBC Gainesville to help cook for the youth's BBQ Rib Sale at 7 a.m. I did give it one thorough read, but time is of the essence.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Les Miles Eats Grass. His Players Smoke It.
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| The Honey Badger |
In a sport where even getting to the championship game, much less winning it, is the toughest in all of sports, LSU's cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and running back Spencer Ware have shown an enormous amount of selfishness.
The two sophomores, along with Mathieu's backup Tharold Simon, have been suspended for the Bayou Bengals SEC West showdown with defending BCS Champion, the Auburn Tigers because all three tested positive for synthetic marijuana, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
Synthetic? Now I am no connoisseur of the ganja, but synthetic is never as good as the real thing right? If I was a recruit committed to or considering LSU this would be a red flag. The Baton Rouge Tigers are obviously not paying their players enough.
I digress... but in a conference where any one can win on any given Saturday it was a self-centered move to put the team at any sort of disadvantage. Granted, LSU is still a 21-point favorite over Auburn even without the trio, but why even risk it when your team is on a collision course to a Nov. 5 match-up with No. 2 Alabama, the most anticipated SEC game since I have been alive.
Ware is leading rusher with 512 yards and six touchdowns for the top-ranked team. Mathieu, or as Verne Lundquist loves to call him the Honey Badger has been arguably the most exciting player in the nation, but he can now kiss his Heisman hopes goodbye with this "incident."
Now LSU coach Les Miles has not told any details about the situation, but did call the allegations "left of center. I know as well as you do if the "allegations" just come about involving illegal substances and two star players the only reason you would not come out and right these accusations is because they have truth to them.
On a positive note, backup quarterback Jordan Jefferson is the happiest person in Louisiana now that the attention has been turned away from his arrest for assault this summer.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Spurrier helps State, Remeber Richardson's Run, How 'bout them Dogs?
South Carolina was leading by four points with less than ten seconds left in the game against Mississippi State on Saturday. Instead of pulling a New York Giant-sized mistake, Steve Spurrier told quarterback Connor Shaw to run out the clock and take the safety to ensure victory. Confident Gamecock fans, more specifically USC bettors, may have been a little more upset with the Ol' Ball Coach's decision. Why you ask? With the two extra points given to the Bulldogs, Mississippi State covered the +3-point line. An estimated $30 million dollars was lost because Spurrier's decision. So betting Mississippi State fans kind of won, right?
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| USC's Marcus Lattimore |
Now there is no question Alabama's Trent Richardson is the best running back in the league and possibly player in the country. Don't believe it? Watch this juke and try to tell me differently. Ole Miss' Senquez Golson's ankles are officially broken. This will be Richardson's equivalent to Cam Newton's run versus LSU when T-Rich collects his Heisman.
Speaking of Newton... A team I pull for finally has defeated this tremendous athlete, as the Atlanta Falcons finally scored some second-half points and put the Carolina Panthers away 31-17 on Sunday. That guy was unreal in college and is not far off from it in the pros.
Newton's former team, the Auburn Tigers, have a date with my alma mater, the Samford Bulldogs on Nov. 19. Watch out Plainsmen. My beloved Dogs are on a roll. They collected their third consecutive win on Saturday as they beat Elon for the first time in school history 43-31 on Saturday. It moves the Red and Blue to 4-2 on the season and to 2-2 in the Southern Conference. Embarrassingly, it was Samford's first back-to-back wins as a member of the SoCon. However, it is good to see coach Pat Sullivan has the program headed in the right direction.
Let it be noted I correctly picked all but one game in my weekly "The Weekend That Will Be." It only took me a year, but I am finally getting the hang of this whole picking winners thing.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
The Weekend That Will Be: Week 7
Michigan at Michigan State- We will begin to see what the Wolverines and the Spartans (wearing these uni's) are made of this week in their first games against a ranked opponent of the season. This game starts a gauntlet of three games against ranked teams for MSU. The game within a game to watch in East Lansing will be Michigan quarterback against the nation's number one defense. The saying goes, "offense wins games and defense wins championships." I'm not crowning Sparty champion, but I will say they get their fourth consecutive win against Michigan for the first time in 49 years.
Baylor at Texas A&M- They only appeal for me to watch this game is to see how many yards Baylor quarterback and Heisman candidate Robert Griffin III can pile up on the fifth worst passing defense in the Bowl Subdivision. A&M's farewell tour from the Big 12 is not going how the Aggies thought it might. This team was thought to have an outside shot at the national championship and now they are struggling in their own division. Another high-scoring game here, but I am going against my gut (and my grandmother's Bears) and going with the home Aggies.
Arizona State at Oregon- You know it is a weak slate of games for a Saturday when ESPN's College Gameday crew is at a game with an 18-point favorite... Because of their struggles against LSU, people have forgotten about an explosive Oregon offense and sometimes LaMichael James, though averaging nine yards a carry, overshadows the quarterback Darren Thomas, who has over 1,000 yards and a 15 to 1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Autzen Stadium is another one of those places I will go to someday and watch a ballgame. The Ducks give the Sun Devils their first ever PAC-12 loss.
Florida at Auburn- A night game at Jordan-Hare, though it pains my father to hear this, is one of the best atmospheres to see a football game, especially if they win. The stadium and crowd will be full of orange and blue. To the game, these two offenses are anything but good. Hopefully, these two offenses will just run the ball. If not, we could see two freshman quarterbacks that are not ready for the big time quite yet. Also, both teams boast stud athletes at running back; Florida with a big-play Chris Rainey and Olympic fast Jeff Demps, and Auburn with thier scat-back Onterio McCaleb and bruiser Michael Dyer. This has been one of the toughest games to pick of the season. Auburn wins at home in a close game. Sounds familiar, huh?
Other picks (winners in bold)
- I am picking the top four teams to win (LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Wisconsin), and I am going with the over of 120 points for the combined wins. Alabama covers 25 points at halftime.
South Carolina at Mississippi State- MSU's Chris Relf can not throw the football, and USC's Conner Shaw is from around my neck of the woods. I am admittedly pulling for him.
LSU at Tennessee- LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is having a homecoming of sorts to his former school. The only question is how many negative rushing yards with the Tigers hold the Vols to?
Ohio State at Illinois
Oklahoma State at Texas
Kansas State at Texas Tech
Georgia at Vanderbilt
Baylor at Texas A&M- They only appeal for me to watch this game is to see how many yards Baylor quarterback and Heisman candidate Robert Griffin III can pile up on the fifth worst passing defense in the Bowl Subdivision. A&M's farewell tour from the Big 12 is not going how the Aggies thought it might. This team was thought to have an outside shot at the national championship and now they are struggling in their own division. Another high-scoring game here, but I am going against my gut (and my grandmother's Bears) and going with the home Aggies.
Arizona State at Oregon- You know it is a weak slate of games for a Saturday when ESPN's College Gameday crew is at a game with an 18-point favorite... Because of their struggles against LSU, people have forgotten about an explosive Oregon offense and sometimes LaMichael James, though averaging nine yards a carry, overshadows the quarterback Darren Thomas, who has over 1,000 yards and a 15 to 1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Autzen Stadium is another one of those places I will go to someday and watch a ballgame. The Ducks give the Sun Devils their first ever PAC-12 loss.
Florida at Auburn- A night game at Jordan-Hare, though it pains my father to hear this, is one of the best atmospheres to see a football game, especially if they win. The stadium and crowd will be full of orange and blue. To the game, these two offenses are anything but good. Hopefully, these two offenses will just run the ball. If not, we could see two freshman quarterbacks that are not ready for the big time quite yet. Also, both teams boast stud athletes at running back; Florida with a big-play Chris Rainey and Olympic fast Jeff Demps, and Auburn with thier scat-back Onterio McCaleb and bruiser Michael Dyer. This has been one of the toughest games to pick of the season. Auburn wins at home in a close game. Sounds familiar, huh?
Other picks (winners in bold)
- I am picking the top four teams to win (LSU, Alabama, Oklahoma, Wisconsin), and I am going with the over of 120 points for the combined wins. Alabama covers 25 points at halftime.
South Carolina at Mississippi State- MSU's Chris Relf can not throw the football, and USC's Conner Shaw is from around my neck of the woods. I am admittedly pulling for him.
LSU at Tennessee- LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is having a homecoming of sorts to his former school. The only question is how many negative rushing yards with the Tigers hold the Vols to?
Ohio State at Illinois
Oklahoma State at Texas
Kansas State at Texas Tech
Georgia at Vanderbilt
Saturday, October 8, 2011
The Weekend That Will Be: Week 6
Oklahoma vs. Texas- One of the best atmospheres in college football is at the Cotton Bowl during the Texas State Fair, disgusting combinations of fried foods and Big Tex can be found at the Red River Rivalry. In the last two years the Longhorns have held a potent Sooner offense to 311 and 361 yards. This year's OU team is better than a year ago, but it is no doubt that Texas coach Mack Brown know how to play the Sooners. The more experienced Oklahoma team is able to come back home with an easy win.
Florida at LSU- One guy you should feel sorry for this week? Florida freshman starting quarterback Jeff Driskell.Really you should feel sorry for anyone on the offensive staff for the Gators, too. Last week it was the punishing Alabama defense and Saturday they have the Blitzin' Bengals. Simply put, it is cruel and unusual punishment. Do not doubt Florida too quickly. They did beat an eventual national champion LSU with a freshman quarterback in 2003. Granted, Chris Leak had three starts under his belt. Watching Tiger defensive back Tyrann Mathieu create turnovers is reason enough to watch this game when LSU starts to run away with it in the second half.
Auburn at Arkansas- The one game I have been to in Fayetteville was a 9-7 snoozefest filled with field goals in 2007. How times have changed... Defense? Where? Not here. Last year the score was in favor of Auburn 62-45 and this year could be close to that because both teams have struggling defenses. Both teams are also coming off games in which they were not favored to win, but Donald W. Reynolds will be rocking on Saturday night and having DE Jake Bequette back on the field will be the difference for the Hogs.
Georgia at Tennessee- With South Carolina having serious issues on the offensive side of the ball, this game has become one of those games we will look back to at the end of the year as a difference maker for the Vols or Dawgs. Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray is the most efficient passer in the SEC but he will be going against a Todd Granthum 3-4 defense that continues improve every week. Georgia also boasts the NCAA leader in interceptions in safety Barari Rambo. The Vols need to get a running game going if they want to win; UGA needs Aaron Murray to step up if they want to have a shot. Based on recent history, Tennessee will blow out Georgia in Neyland. To take a line from Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend!" Dawgs win.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Georgia Tech at Maryland
Boston College at Clemson
Illinois at Indiana
Air Force at Notre Dame
Michigan at Northwestern
Texas A&M at Texas Tech
Ohio State at Nebraska
Florida at LSU- One guy you should feel sorry for this week? Florida freshman starting quarterback Jeff Driskell.Really you should feel sorry for anyone on the offensive staff for the Gators, too. Last week it was the punishing Alabama defense and Saturday they have the Blitzin' Bengals. Simply put, it is cruel and unusual punishment. Do not doubt Florida too quickly. They did beat an eventual national champion LSU with a freshman quarterback in 2003. Granted, Chris Leak had three starts under his belt. Watching Tiger defensive back Tyrann Mathieu create turnovers is reason enough to watch this game when LSU starts to run away with it in the second half.
Auburn at Arkansas- The one game I have been to in Fayetteville was a 9-7 snoozefest filled with field goals in 2007. How times have changed... Defense? Where? Not here. Last year the score was in favor of Auburn 62-45 and this year could be close to that because both teams have struggling defenses. Both teams are also coming off games in which they were not favored to win, but Donald W. Reynolds will be rocking on Saturday night and having DE Jake Bequette back on the field will be the difference for the Hogs.
Georgia at Tennessee- With South Carolina having serious issues on the offensive side of the ball, this game has become one of those games we will look back to at the end of the year as a difference maker for the Vols or Dawgs. Tennessee quarterback Tyler Bray is the most efficient passer in the SEC but he will be going against a Todd Granthum 3-4 defense that continues improve every week. Georgia also boasts the NCAA leader in interceptions in safety Barari Rambo. The Vols need to get a running game going if they want to win; UGA needs Aaron Murray to step up if they want to have a shot. Based on recent history, Tennessee will blow out Georgia in Neyland. To take a line from Lee Corso, "Not so fast, my friend!" Dawgs win.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Georgia Tech at Maryland
Boston College at Clemson
Illinois at Indiana
Air Force at Notre Dame
Michigan at Northwestern
Texas A&M at Texas Tech
Ohio State at Nebraska
Saturday, October 1, 2011
The Weekend That Wil Be: Week 5
Nebraska at Wisconsin- If I could could attend one game in the first half of the season, this is the one I would choose (I know... not an SEC game.). One day I'll get up to Camp Randall and jump around between the third and fourth quarters. I have only heard good things, where the people are kind and force you to try their cheese and slabs of meat. Throw in my Big 10 darling and it sounds like a dream weekend trip. The game is supposed to be good, but not in my eyes. Nebraska is the most overrated Top 10 team, and the environment is too much for the Huskers. "On Wisconsin" to victory.
Alabama at Florida- Two years is this was the most heated rivalry in college football, and it seems as if it is on its way back to claiming that spot with coach Will Muschamp at the helm for the Gators. If you have not done your homework, you may not know Florida has the top offense in the SEC. Bama has arguably the best defense with eight projected first and second round prospects for the NFL Draft. The Swamp will be rocking and holds close for a while before the Tide rolls away. Teacher (Nick Saban) beats (Muschamp) relatively easily in a battle of intensity.
Clemson at Virginia Tech- The real question here is if the Tigers can stay focused for the third week in a row, as they travel for their first road contest of the season. Clemson has had its program's biggest two wins in the Swinney era. The host Hokies have not played a big-time game yet this season. Blacksburg is no easy place to travel to and the under-the-radar Virginia Tech team handles a young Tiger squad.
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M- Both schools are coming off losses, have explosive offenses, are old South West Conference members, have played the role of little brother to Texas and next season both teams will play in the SEC. All these reasons are reasons to watch the Southwest Classic from the Jerry Dome in Arlington, Texas. The Aggies will and slow down the Hogs by attacking the Arkansas offensive line with an A&M defense that leads the nation in sacks. The pressure on the quarterback comes at a cost. A&M had 60 pass attempts thrown its way last week and came up with no INTs. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino likes to throw the rock around a little bit. A&M has not beat an SEC team since 1995 either. Take the Hogs in a mild upset.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Mississippi State vs. Georgia- Battle of the Dawgs will get intense. A loss puts Georgia at two SEC losses and a hard hole to dig out of for any chance at the East title. A loss for MSU will start these Dawgs out at 0-3 and huge disappointment for the season will ensue.
Kentucky at LSU- The last time Kentucky played a No. 1 LSU team? Answer I do not think the Tigers will cover the 31.5-point spread, but finally they relax a little after their tough September.
Auburn at South Carolina- If Auburn can come with any sort of defense they might could win. They do not and Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia has a big game.
New Mexico State at New Mexico- Maybe the worst two offenses and defenses in the game on one field, what a rivalry! Perennially bad teams go at it in this heated match-up.
Notre Dame at Purdue- The Irish show off an explosive offense and have only three turnovers.
Alabama at Florida- Two years is this was the most heated rivalry in college football, and it seems as if it is on its way back to claiming that spot with coach Will Muschamp at the helm for the Gators. If you have not done your homework, you may not know Florida has the top offense in the SEC. Bama has arguably the best defense with eight projected first and second round prospects for the NFL Draft. The Swamp will be rocking and holds close for a while before the Tide rolls away. Teacher (Nick Saban) beats (Muschamp) relatively easily in a battle of intensity.
Clemson at Virginia Tech- The real question here is if the Tigers can stay focused for the third week in a row, as they travel for their first road contest of the season. Clemson has had its program's biggest two wins in the Swinney era. The host Hokies have not played a big-time game yet this season. Blacksburg is no easy place to travel to and the under-the-radar Virginia Tech team handles a young Tiger squad.
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M- Both schools are coming off losses, have explosive offenses, are old South West Conference members, have played the role of little brother to Texas and next season both teams will play in the SEC. All these reasons are reasons to watch the Southwest Classic from the Jerry Dome in Arlington, Texas. The Aggies will and slow down the Hogs by attacking the Arkansas offensive line with an A&M defense that leads the nation in sacks. The pressure on the quarterback comes at a cost. A&M had 60 pass attempts thrown its way last week and came up with no INTs. Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino likes to throw the rock around a little bit. A&M has not beat an SEC team since 1995 either. Take the Hogs in a mild upset.
Other picks (winners in bold)
Mississippi State vs. Georgia- Battle of the Dawgs will get intense. A loss puts Georgia at two SEC losses and a hard hole to dig out of for any chance at the East title. A loss for MSU will start these Dawgs out at 0-3 and huge disappointment for the season will ensue.
Kentucky at LSU- The last time Kentucky played a No. 1 LSU team? Answer I do not think the Tigers will cover the 31.5-point spread, but finally they relax a little after their tough September.
Auburn at South Carolina- If Auburn can come with any sort of defense they might could win. They do not and Gamecock quarterback Stephen Garcia has a big game.
New Mexico State at New Mexico- Maybe the worst two offenses and defenses in the game on one field, what a rivalry! Perennially bad teams go at it in this heated match-up.
Notre Dame at Purdue- The Irish show off an explosive offense and have only three turnovers.
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