#15 Texas A&M Aggies at #1 Alabama Crimson Tide Preview

The Crimson Tide are favored in this one by 13.5 points.

I think this one could definitely be a lot closer than what the experts are saying. Yes, Bama is loaded with talent in every single position. But Texas A&M has quite a few playmakers as well. Of course, the game is being played in Bryant-Denny Stadium, which gives the Crimson Tide an advantage.

Freshman TJ Yeldon has rushed for over 700 yards this season.

I did a simulation of this game on NCAA Football 13, and I've got to say, my XBox loves itself some Alabama. In the simulation Bama double Texas A&M's score, winning 42-21. AJ McCarron threw four touchdowns, and Eddie Lacy ran in two touchdowns. TJ Yeldon didn't even get a carry. That won't happen.

The Aggies are ranked 10th in the nation for rushing yards in a game. Alabama is ranked 24th. But Bama has quite an impressive duo of running backs. Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon are two amazing running backs that know how to get it done on the ground. Yeldon has over 700 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Lacy has 679 yards and 8 touchdowns. Both will definitely be a factor this Saturday at 3:30.

However, like I said before, the Aggies are ranked higher for rushing yards per game. That's because of two players. One, their senior running back Ben Malena. Malena has over 600 yards rushing and 6 touchdowns. Two, their FRESHMAN quarterback Johnny  Manziel. Manziel is a dual-threat quarterback, passing for over 2,500 yards and 16 touchdowns, and rushing for over 900 yards and 15 touchdowns.

Freshman QB Johnny Manziel has impressed this season.

Defense is a big key to this game. Alabama is only allowing nine points a game on average. Texas A&M is allowing about 21. If the Aggies defense can't shut down this high powered Alabama offense, they aren't going to win this game. The Aggies will also have to find a way to do something that most teams haven't been able to do this year...score points on Alabama! But if there is a player that can do it, it very well could be Manziel. He has been very impressive thus far.

This is a game that although one team is favored by quite a few points, I think it could go either way. If the offenses click, we could see a very high scoring game. Then again, if the defenses click, we may see a low scoring, one or two touchdown game. This is one I definitely won't be missing. If you are a fan of hard hitting college football, I encourage you to tune in to CBS at 3:30 to check this one out. You won't regret it.

Off topic a little, I am going to go on record saying that two players in this game will be up for the Heisman in a few years. And both are freshman. Johnny Manziel and TJ Yeldon. Both have had an amazing year and will continue to impress for years to come.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

Penn State Nittany Lions at #16 Nebraska Cornhuskers Preview

This Saturday at 3:30, the #16 Nebraska Cornhuskers will host the Penn State Nittany Lions. The Nittany Lions come into Lincoln, Nebraska with a 6-3 record (with a 4-1 record in the B1G). Nebraska is sporting a 7-2 overall record (with the same 4-1 record in the B1G).

Penn State didn't start the season off the way they had hoped. After all the drama and change of the offseason, Penn State began their season 0-2, losing to the Ohio Bobcats and the Virginia Cavaliers. However, since then, they've lost one more, against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Matt McGloin will look to air it out against the Cornhusker defense.

A big reason Penn State has been doing so well is their senior quarterback Matt McGloin. McGloin has went 211/340 for 2,436 yards and 18 touchdowns. And he's only thrown three picks. Quite impressive. One of his favorite targets is sophomore wide receiver Allen Robinson, who has caught 57 pass for 689 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Another factor on the Nittany Lion offense is sophomore running back Zach Zwinak, who has carried the ball this season 117 time for 545 yards and three touchdowns.

But if we get into the running game of this matchup Saturday, we can't ignore what the Nebraska Cornhuskers can do on the ground. Nebraska is ranked sixth in the nation for rushing yards in a game. That is thanks to two players. Junior quarterback Taylor Martinez, and sophomore running back Ameer Abdullah. Martinez, who has thrown for 1,941 yards and 18 touchdowns, has also rushed for 666 yards, and rushing in 8 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Abdullah has scored 8 rushing touchdowns as well, and carried the ball 151 times for 826 yards. This duo is incredible.

Taylor Martinez is a threat in the air, and on the ground.

Martinez will not only be looking to run over the Nittany Lion defense on Saturday, but he will also look to air it out against them. Most likely he will toss the ball to Kenny Bell a bit in Memorial Stadium. Bell, who is a sophomore, has 33 receptions on the year for 622 yards and 6 touchdowns. The Cornhusker passing game however, isn't ranked anywhere near their rushing in the nation, as their passing yards per game is averaging about 217 yards (making them ranked 80 in the nation).

Another big stat that we can't forget, is points scored on the teams. Although Penn State has lost one more game than Nebraska, their ranked 14th in the nation for points scored against them, with an average of only 17. Nebraska is ranked 54 in the same category, allowing an average of 25.

Keys to this game are simple. Penn State will be looking for Matt McGloin to have a big game, throwing the ball and spreading out that Nebraska defense. Meanwhile, they'll be keeping an eye on Taylor Martinez, and Ameer Abdullah. Penn State will need to shut down Nebraska's pass and rush, because Martinez is that dual-threat quarterback that can tire out a defense.

Nebraska is supposed to win this one by about eight points. I wouldn't be surprised if they did. However, I wouldn't be shocked if Penn State found a way to shut down the Cornhuskers, and pull this one out in Lincoln. Either way, I see this one being a good game. Make sure to tune in to ABC at 3:30 for this chess match!

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

#11 Oregon State Beavers at #14 Stanford Cardinal Preview

After two consecutive BCS appearances, the #14 ranked Stanford Cardinals now have a reputation to uphold. The University, the Fans, the Pundits, and everyone else, expect big things from the Cardinals. At 7-2, and after punting on the first two drives last week to 1-7 Colorado, Stanford Head Coach David Shaw benched starting QB Josh Nunes in favor of redshirt freshman Kevin Hogan. Hogan went on to lead 6 scoring drives and a rout of the Buffaloes, 48-0. While its easy for Stanford fans and players to get excited about this, they must be reminded that they were playing Colorado...and Colorado is no Oregon State. 

Saturday afternoon we are in for a treat with Oregon State vs Stanford

This feature match-up is taking place at "The Farm" at Stanford and will showcase the skills of young Stanford QB, Kevin Hogan. This game also features a battle between both of the teams sitting right behind Oregon in the PAC-12 and will more than likely be the odds on favorite to compete with Oregon for PAC-12 title. Additionally, the winner of this game could still be in line for a BCS birth, should Oregon play for the National Championship. The specifics of this game are really non-existent because the end result of the game is going to come down to the play of Hogan. While he looked great against Colorado, #11 ranked Oregon State is the 19th best team in the country for points allowed which means they will do their best to stifle the freshman QB. Conversely, Stanford could hold an advantage, because the only game tape that can be used for preparation against Hogan is last week's game against Colorado. Since he has played in no other games, this could pose a true challenge for the Beavers as they travel into Stanford. 

Either way, the fans all around are going to be treated to a great game and a true chess match as both teams need a victory in order to keep their hopes alive in both the BCS and PAC-12 contention. Stanford comes into this game holding a home field advantage and as a result Oddsmakers currently have them as a 4.5 point favorite (-4.5). With that being said, I honestly do not see any way that Oregon State finds a way to lose this game. They are tougher against the run which will put added pressure on the freshman QB. The score will remain low, but I definitely feel as though Vegas has this one wrong as Oregon State will leave the Farm with another victory.

The Sports Messiah's Prediction:  Oregon State wins and will cover (+4.5)

- The Sports Messiah

#21 Mississippi State Bulldogs at #7 LSU Tigers Preview

An intriguing matchup in the SEC. Mississippi State and LSU have the same overall record, as well as division record. Although division records really don't matter right now, as it seems Alabama has the SEC West all sewn up, but that's a different story.

MSU will be looking for a big game from Tyler Russell.

LSU has played well this year. Only losing two, one to Alabama, and another to Florida (in the Swamp). Mississippi State has played well also, losing their last two games, to Alabama (at Bama) and another to Texas A&M. MSU is going to be looking to end this losing streak, and get back to their winning ways. To do that, they're going to be looking for a big game from their junior quarterback Tyler Russell. Russell is 156/263 for 1,954 yards, 16 TDs, and only 3 interceptions.

One of Russell's biggest targets, is senior wide receiver Chad Bumphis. Bumphis leads the Bulldogs with 34 receptions, 536 yards, and 7 touchdowns. He needs to bring it Saturday night against this Tigers defense, who is only giving up an average of 15 points a game.

Mississippi State also has Ladarius Perkins in the backfield. Perkins has carried the ball 153 times for 804 yards and 8 touchdowns. Perkins is a good running back, but LSU has two very good running backs (who are also very young), in Jeremy Hill who is a freshman and Kenny Hilliard who is a sophomore. Both backs have over 70 carries for over 400 yards rushing, and six touchdowns. It's a duo that Mississippi State is going to have to key on, and stop. If they can't shut LSU's two stud running backs down, the Bulldogs very well could taste defeat for the third time in a row this season inside Tiger Stadium.

LSU's two stud HB's will be looking to run over the Bulldogs.

LSU's offense doesn't stop there. They also have a junior quarterback named Zach Mettenberger, who has thrown for over 1,700 yards and 8 touchdowns, although he has 4 interceptions, one more than Tyler Russell (with half as many touchdowns thrown as Russell). LSU also has a sophomore wide receiver by the name of Odell Beckham who is nearing 500 yards receiving, and has reeled in two touchdowns.

The big keys to this game, is Mississippi State's passing game, LSU's rushing game, and LSU's defense, who is ranked 13 higher in the nation than Mississippi State.

Both defenses are strong. Both offenses are strong. Just in very different ways. I think this one is going to be a very entertaining game folks. Look for Tyler Russell to be a big key in MSU's gameplan. Same goes for LSU's running back duo. I'd hate to have to make a pick in this game. It's going to be a good one in Tiger Stadium. Make sure to tune in to ESPN at 7:00 ET on Saturday night. If not, you could very well miss one of the best games of the year.

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle

#10 Florida State Seminoles at Virginia Tech Hokies Preview

Virginia Tech started their season out 2-0. The season looked promising. However, their current record is 4-5. The Hokies need two more wins to at least become bowl eligible, and this Saturday, they take on the #10 ranked Florida State Seminoles.

EJ Manuel looks to lead FSU to a 9-1 record

The Seminoles are led by their senior quarterback EJ Manuel. Manuel has had an impressive season thus far, going 161/230 for 2,315 yards and throwing 16 touchdowns and only 4 interceptions. He has also rushed for over 200 yards and scored one rushing touchdown. Not a great rushing showing, but he's gotten it done through the air, why risk injury scrambling?

Manuel has two very capable options at wide receiver in Kelvin Benjamin and Rodney Smith. Both with over 20 receptions for over 400 yards this season. Benjamin has reeled in four touchdown catches while Smith has caught three.

Logan Thomas hopes for the upset on Saturday.

As far as Virginia Tech goes, they are led by Logan Thomas. Logan had a lot of hype at the beginning of the season. His numbers aren't terrible this year, but he lacks control needed to be an elite quarterback. He has thrown 152 passes for 2,109 yards, 13 touchdowns, and 12 picks. His wide receivers Marcus Davis and Corey Fuller have both reeled in over 500 yards and four touchdowns a piece.

The teams obviously aren't all about their quarterbacks, or their passing game. Florida State is currently ranked 14th in rushing yards while Virginia Tech is ranked 60th. The Hokies lack greatly in the rushing game compared to the Seminoles, with Seminoles running back Chris Thompson almost doubling JC Coleman's rushing total for the season (687 yards to 361).

Defense is another thing that the Seminoles are leading Virginia Tech in. In the category of points for and points against, Florida State is ranked third in each. Virginia Tech is 70th and 52nd. Things aren't looking good for the Hokies.

For Virginia Tech to win this game, which will be played in Lane Stadium, Logan Thomas, his receivers, and JC Coleman are all going to have to step up big time, along with the defense. Florida State is favored in this game, and I can see exactly why. Florida State has the better team, hands down. But upsets can always happen. And with Virginia Tech having home field advantage, you never know what's going to happen.

Florida State is coming into this game 8-1 in the season. Odds are, they'll leave Lane Stadium 9-1, but never say never. Stranger things have happened in the sport of college football. That's why it's the best sport in the world!

- Matt Lytle

@mattlytle