Week 3: Army Invades

Standings
1. Draper (5-3, 0-2 upset)
1. Hoying (5-3, 0-2 upset)
3. Schweinfuth (4-4, 0-2 upset)
4. Seeberg (4-4, 0-2 upset)

Clemson Tigers @ Louisville Cardinals
Draper: I remember this as one of the biggest game of last year as Lamar Jackson invaded Death Valley and emerged defeated (likely because they fell asleep during Clemson's bus ride around the stadium).  This game promises much of the same in my mind in terms of hype, but I'm not quite sold on the Cards this year.  Yeah, the defending Champs lost their QB and a ton of talent to the NFL, but it appears they've reloaded and are ready to defend.  Louisville has Lamar Jackson playing at a high level again but I don't know much about the rest of the team.  Allowing Purdue to hang around until the end makes me question how they'll handle the Tigers.  Papa Johns stadium has become a tougher place to play but the Cardinals simply don't have the horses.  The Clemson Dline holds serve and the Tigers keep rolling on.  Clem: 34 -- Lou: 24
Hoying: Last year's titanic struggle in Death Valley decided the course of the ACC Atlantic division, and ultimately the national championship. (Or so it seemed at the time. Louisville decided to sputter a bit down the stretch.) This year's matchup doesn't seem to have quite the hype and I'm not sure why. Lamar Jackson is still making special things happen for Louisville a year after he nearly beat Clemson on his own on the way to a runaway Heisman victory. And Clemson has stayed true to form, getting past a tough Auburn team on the road. I'm intrigued by a lot of angles here: the revenge factor for Louisville, the revenge factor for Jackson personally, the fact that Louisville couldn't block anyone at the end of last year while Clemson sacked Auburn ELEVEN TIMES last week. The smart money seems to point to riding with Clemson until I have a reason not to. But I picked Louisville last year and and I don't regret it. I still believe in Lamar Jackson.  Clem: 31--Lou: 34
Schweinfurth: Lamar Jackson is stating his case for a run at Archie Griffin's record. Seriously, the dude went for 6 total TDs and looked like a man among boys. It's time for his biggest test so far (if not biggest of the season). Can Louisville slow down Clemson's front 4. Auburn learned the hard way last week giving up 11(!) sacks. I'm pretty sure Jackson will be running for his life all game long. Louisville will score, just because Jackson is too dynamic. The Tiger defense is still just too good. Clemsoning Alert Meter for this game (1-10 Dabos): I say 2.5 Dabos. Clem: 35--Lou: 21 
Seeberg:  I'm not entirely sure what to make of this matchup.  With Francois hurt at Florida State, the winner of this game is vaulted into solid favorite status to win the ACC.  The Tigers have replaced basically all of their skill positions on offense, and it showed in a lackluster win against Auburn.  However, they also held Auburn without a touchdown, and Louisville had a curious performance against the mighty (or not) Boilermakers, surrendering 28 points and needing a comeback in the fourth quarter.  In short, I think the Clemson D will be the best unit on the field and hold Lamar Jackson in check enough to get another W.  Clem: 31--Lou:--23

Tennessee Volunteers @ Florida Gators
Draper: Must see viewing eh? Orange colored poo and...orange colored poo.  The Gators looked simply gross vs. the Wolverines.  While we can talk about the Michigan defense (and they are pretty good), Florida hasn't put together a competent offense since Tebow.  It's a little early for the Champions of Life to start their downward fall.  We're still in the 'maybe this is the year they turn the corner' phase (at least until they play Bama.  Playing in the Swamp is never easy, but I think even the Gator faithful are losing their faith.  This used to be a marquee matchup, but now, it's just something to pass time until the real teams play.  UT: 20 -- UF: 10
Hoying: *hurp* Sorry, I just threw up in my mouth a little. Yes, this is a ranked matchup, somehow, even though Florida's only showing this year was rolling over and dying against a Michigan team that was leading Cincinnati 17-14 in the second half at home last week. And the winner will be squarely in the driver's seat in the SEC East (with the loser ready to jump right ahead after the winner drops a few down the stretch). I'm hesitant to ever pick against Florida in this game (or ever believe in Tennessee for, well, anything), but I just can't believe that the Vols are incapable of outscoring...that. UT: 17--UF: 16
Schweinfurth: Even though both teams are ranked, this game is "meh" to me. Florida is awful and can't get out of their own way. Tennessee is still mediocre. Without going to far in depth, this game will be a derp-fest for the ages. UT: 13--UF: 6
Seeberg:  Ah yes, the game that hearkens back to a time when orange-clad SEC teams reigned supreme (that would be the mid-to-late 90s for those of you who didn't know).  In any event, I wouldn't expect this game to look a whole lot prettier than Florida's last effort against TTUN.  The Vols defense isn't THAT good, but the Florida offense is SO bad that it probably won't matter.  Silver lining?  At least the Gators won't be ranked anymore by Monday.  Now go find an actually entertaining game to watch.  UT: 20--UF: 13

UCLA Bruins @ Memphis Tigers
Draper: When I asked my cobloggers for a 4th game, this is what came up...woof.  While Hurricane Irma postponed the Noles and Canes, we get the Bruins and MORE Tigers.  Honestly, no real clue about these teams except that Josh Rosen guy is pretty good.  I'll ride with the Wizards of Westwood (seriously, they're travelling to Memphis?) UCLA: 38 -- Mem: 20
Hoying: Finally, the real marquee matchup of the week. Which UCLA do we get the see? The one that got pantsed by A&M in the first half or the one making Josh Rosen look like a god among men? Or both again? Well, probably the second. Yeah. UCLA: 45--Mem: 27
Schweinfurth: This game comes down to one player: Josh Rosen. He plays for UCLA and that's enough to pick the Bruins.
UCLA: 38--Mem: 21
Seeberg:  Way to go, Bruins, scheduling one of those SUPER tough home and homes with a marquee program.  Oh, wait a minute, this isn't basketball.  Why is this game happening again?  Your guess is as good as mine, but I guess a good(?) road win never hurt anybody.  Bruins roll.  UCLA: 49--Mem: 24

Army Black Knights @ THE Ohio State University Buckeyes
Draper: Guess what Buckeye Nation...this game is going to drive. you. crazy.  I do believe that we'll see the offense get a little fat on the backs of the poor West Point defenders.  Dobbins and Weber should both eclipse 100 and I wouldn't be shocked if JT does as well.  I also expect 250 through the air and decent (not great offensive showing for the next 3 'get-right' weeks.  The defensive side is going to be interesting.  The good news is that Army has thrown 2 passes this year (2 FREAKING PASSES) so the defensive secondary should have to be too concerned with the air raid.  But the option just plain sucks to defend.  I can easily see Army running for 300+ yards and driving the Buckeye fans crazy as defenders look stupid.  Here's a heads up, we're gonna look stupid sometimes because that's what the option does to defenses when run correctly.  It's going to be very frustrating, but the Bucks win easy.  Army: 17 -- OSU: 52
Hoying: After a lifeless effort in last year's playoff, the Ohio State coaches promised that this time...WOULD BE DIFFERENT! BUT IT'S NOT DIFFERENT AT ALL, IS IT, STEVE? Week 3 once again provides the Buckeye faithful with more questions than answers, and unfortunately this week will tell us nothing. Yeah, we'll probably run all over Army's defense, and yeah, they'll probably run all over us with their dang triple option, and we'll break a few more big ones than they do and that'll be the difference. It would be nice to see if JT and Zone Six could connect a few times this week against Army's limited secondary talent, or else the heat is really going to get turned up. Army: 14--OSU: 38
Schweinfurth: Why, oh why, do you schedule a service academy in the middle of the non-conference schedule (or ever really). Nothing good ever comes out of these games. Cut blocks are no joke and you have to prepare a special game plan just to stop the triple option. The defensive line is good, but they have to be patient or will get taken out of the play quickly. This game is really more about the offense for me. Dear coaching staff, you have two great RBs...GIVE THEM THE DAMN BALL!!! Let's see if the coaching staff learned their lesson from last week and actually tries to run some different, more creative plays. There is no longer any room for error. Buckeyes put up points, but this game is close at halftime. Army: 14--OSU: 28
Seeberg:  The odd part about last week's effort is that it actually did provide the answers to the Buckeyes' offensive woes.  Just hammer the ball with Dobbins, Weber, Barrett and Co. until they crowd the box, THEN try to throw.  Using the pass to set up the pass (again) made no sense in week one and it made no sense in week two.  I have no idea what Kevin Wilson is being paid but I'll gladly take 1/3 of his salary to call more running plays.  In any event, I doubt this game will be a complete run away as Army's triple option will play keep away with the ball and drain the clock (to their benefit).  The only question is whether or not ANYbody can run Urban's offense and feature the RB and not the QB run or the never-open short-to-intermediate passing routes.  We won't find out until the B1G season gets going again, so let's just get this W, stay healthy, and move on.  Army: 17--OSU: 38

Upset Special
Draper: CLANGA over LSU
Hoying: Texas over USC
Schweinfurth: Air Force over TTUN (Go Falcons)
Seeberg:  Central Michigan over Syracuse