Oklahoma, Florida, Virginia Tech predicted to win
Last week was an appetizer. Now it is time for theentrée.
Oklahoma battles Oklahoma State for statewide supremacy, Floridatakes on Georgia in “The World’s Largest OutdoorCocktail Party,” and Virginia Tech hosts unbeaten Miami.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
If anyone has Bob Stoops’ number, it is Cowboy coach LesMiles, who has defeated the Sooners in the past two seasons. In2001, OSU stormed into Norman and shocked the world when theyderailed Oklahoma’s National Title aspirations. Is historydoomed to repeat itself?
Oklahoma State’s Keys to Victory
The Cowboys will have to stop the potent passing game of theSooners. Wow, that sounds weird, but it’s true. While OUquarterback Jason White will try to find wideout Mark Claytonthroughout the day, the Cowboys must pressure White with frequentblitzes from all directions.
Confusing White will be critical. If OSU can force him to guesswhere the pressure is coming from instead of where his receiversare going , Oklahoma State will do fine defensively.
On offense, the Cowboys will have to establish running backTatum Bell. With Oklahoma probably focusing on stopping receiverRashaun Woods, Bell will have room to run.
Oklahoma’s Keys to Victory
These are not the same Sooners that lost this in-state battletwo years in a row. That team had a one dimensional offense. The2003 version of OU is balanced, thanks to offensive coordinatorChuck Long.
Look for Long to call a lot of short, high percentage throwsearly to give Josh White confidence. The Sooners will also lookdown the field to Clayton and Brandon Jones.
Defensively, Oklahoma can’t let Rashaun Woods beat them.The minute the OU safeties start creeping close to the line ofscrimmage, Les Miles will call play action, and Woods will be doingtouchdown dances.
The Cowboys will come ready to play and make a game of it, butthe Sooners are just too tough.
Prediction: Oklahoma wins 31-27.
Florida vs. Georgia
This game will be played in neutral territory in Jacksonville,Fla. The Gators have won 12 out of the last 13 in this rivalry.
Florida’s Keys to Victory
Beating Georgia will be the biggest and toughest win of theseason for the Gators. They will have to divert the excellent passrush by using misdirection and throwing many screen passes. Oncethe Bulldogs start to back off, quarterback Chris Leak can stand inthe pocket and throw the ball down field, looking to get the ballto tight end Ben Troupe.
Defensively, Florida will have to get another big game fromfreshman linebacker Channing Crowder. He has been a force againstthe run. In the Gators’ most humiliating loss of the season,which came at the hands of ‘Ole Miss, Crowder did not play.Subsequently, the Rebels rushed for over 250 yards.
Georgia’s Keys to Victory
This team, despite its No. 5 ranking in the BCS, is struggling.Defensive end David Pollack must return to last season’sall-American form for Georgia to be successful. Getting in thebackfield and pressuring Chris Leak will be key. Leak is a rookieand could get flustered if the Bulldog pass rush is heavy.
On offense, Georgia will have to run the ball effectively. Headcoach Mark Richt loves to call play action passes, but he must getproduction out of the running game, or the Gator linebackerswon’t bite on the fakes. The Bulldog offensive line is alsoyoung and inexperienced. If they can’t protect quarterbackDavid Greene, it will be a long day.
Prediction: Florida wins 23-13.
Miami at Virginia Tech
This is supposed to be the game of the season. Head coach FrankBeamer has given them a “me-against-the- worldattitude.” So the ‘Canes better watch out.
Miami’s Keys to Victory
First and foremost, the ‘Canes cannot go into this gameoverconfident. If Miami trails late in this game, you can chalk upa “W” for the Hokies.
Quarterback Brock Berlin will have to come in and try to get theball to tight end Kellen Winslow.
Defensively, Miami needs to be prepared to stop the run. Hokietailback Kevin Jones has the best combination of speed and strengthin the country. Keeping him at bay will be critical.
Virginia Tech’s Keys to Victory
Frank Beamer must find a way to get Kevin Jones the ball in openspace. If Jones touches the ball 25 times, look for the Blacksburgcrowd to be dancing in the aisles because the Hokies will win. Ifhe doesn’t, the ‘Canes will start to blitz Randall onevery play and it could turn into a long night.
Look for redshirt freshman Marcus Vick, brother of former Hokiegreat Mike Vick, to see some action if Randall struggles early.
If Virginia Tech keeps this game close going into the fourthquarter, they will win. The crowd will support them, and Beamer isgreat at calling plays in important situations.
Prediction: Virginia Tech wins 17-16.
