Byu Cougars
NCAA Football Preview Week Eight
Iowa (+2) over Michigan State- The undefeated Hawkeyes are one of the biggest surprises in the country. Iowa has relied on a stout defense and plus-11 turnover margin to become #6 in the BCS standings. The Hawkeyes have held six of their seven opponents under 18 points. Iowa has played a number of low scoring games due to their pedestrian offense, ranked ninth in the Big Ten and 79th nationally. As a team, the Spartans are the complete opposites of the Hawkeyes. Michigan State is ranked32nd nationally in total offense, and Blair White is one of the best receivers in the Big 10 with 45 receptions and 5 touchdowns. However, the Spartans defense has struggled all season allowing 151 points and 15 TD passes. This will be a close game, but Iowa will win. They have shown themselves to be capable of winning close contests. Iowa’s good enough on offense to score the amount needed to win, and their defense is one of the best in the country. The Spartans will get shut down and suffer a tough loss at home. Iowa 17-14
Pittsburgh (+7) over South Florida- The biggest matchup on the season for both teams. Pitt has a dynamic offense with the tag team of freshman running back Dion Lewis and quarterback Bill Stull. Lewis is the nation’s third-leading rusher at 131.1 yards per game, and Stull’s 159.4 passer rating is seventh in the nation. The Bulls have also put up strong offensive numbers and are 39th nationally in total offense. Neither the Panthers nor South Florida has beaten a really good team. Pitt’s best win was over a decent UConn team, while the Bulls biggest victory was over Florida State. In their chance to make a national statement last weekend, South Florida came out flat and was blown out 34-17 by Cincinnati. The Panthers should win this matchup. They can both run and pass the ball, while I am not sure the Bulls can pass effectively with redshirt freshman B.J. Daniels. Pitt has looked strong at the start of Big East play with good wins against UConn and Rutgers, while South Florida has been less than stellar on offense in Big East play and has not beaten anyone of significance. The Bulls are not going to go into Heinz Field with a inconsistent freshman QB and win. The game should be high scoring, but the Panthers have the personal to outlast South Florida. Pitt 31-24
TCU (+3) over BYU- The best matchup of the weekend just happens to feature two non-BCS teams. TCU features a suffocating defense that is ranked fourth in the nation. They are especially tough against the run, having yielded only three rushing touchdowns. Their offense is also very strong, averaging 33.8 points per game. BYU is one of the elite offensive teams in the nation. Their average of 38.6 points per game is 6th in the nation, and their total offense is ranked 7th. However, the Cougars are weak on defense. They have permitted 159 points against a less than stellar schedule. The Horned Frogs should win this game because of their significant advantage on defense. BYU may be the best offense they have faced, but there is no reason to believe TCU cannot shut them down. The Cougars do not have the personal to shut down the Horned Frogs balanced offense. BYU has a significant home-field advantage, where they are 23-1 in their last 35 games, but TCU will be able to slow down the Cougars offense and win a close affair. TCU 24-21
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