Two times a year, you normally hear public service announcements regarding “changing your batteries.” In fact, I heard those words last week with the switch to Daylight Saving Time. As you “fall backwards”, make sure that you check the batteries in your smoke detectors – a good practice for safety’s sake.
Well, it is time to change your batteries again. However, this time, it is for your remote control. Saturday evening at 7:30 pm ET, your remote needs to be in great working order, as there are three games that are on that could play an important factor in the college football playoff system. The games are the following:
7:30 – (#7) Kansas State vs (#6) Texas Christian (Fox)
8:00 – (#5) Alabama vs (#16) Louisiana State (CBS)
8:00 – (#14) Ohio State vs (#8) Michigan State (Big 10)
If you like Big 10, Big 12, or SEC football, there will be a great game for you. If you love college football in general; there are three excellent games on at the same time representing some of the best football conferences in America.
Here is a breakdown of the games:
(#7) Kansas State vs (#6) Texas Christian (Fox)
In Fort Worth, two teams who have real aspirations of making it to the playoffs face off. TCU needs the win as they are one game behind Kansas State. TCU comes into the game with a 7-1, 4-1 record. While Kansas State is 7-1, 5-0. Both teams love to score. As, TCU is ranked #2 in the nation with 48 points per game and KSU is #15 in the nation with 38 points per game. Thus, there should be many points on the board in a fast pace game.
Players to watch
Trevone Boykin (TCU): He may not be the most accurate passer as he is only completing 57% of his passes. However, he puts up big yardage (2,472 yards, 309 per game) and he does not turn the ball over much, with a touchdown:interception ratio of 22:4. With the ratio and yards, he has a QB rating of 143.1. In addition to his arm, he has also shown capability with his legs, rushing for 423 yards (averaging 5.5 yards a carry).
BJ Catalon (TCU): TCU does not feature the run game. However, Catalon is the one who gets the ball out of the backfield, averaging 12 carries a game. He averages 61 yards a game and a modest 5.5 yards for each carry, but when TCU are in the red zone, they love to give him the rock and he is successful finding the end zone. He has 10 TD’s on the season.
Josh Doctson (TCU): Doctson is the featured receiver for Boykin, with 38 receptions for 602 yards and 7 TDs so far this season.
Jake Waters (KSU): Waters is the leader of the team and he does so in a quiet manner. KSU has a balanced offense and does not feature one aspect extensively. But behind center, he handles the game well. While his stats may not pop out, he does not lose games for KSU, coming into the game with a 62.5% completion percentage and 1878 yards (234.8 per game). He has 11 TDs and 3 INTs with a QB rating of 149.1.
Running Back Committee (KSU): KSU has a running back committee, including Waters. There are three players that carry the ball equally: Charles Jones has carried the ball 92 times for 431 yards, Waters 95 times for 404 yards, and DeMarcus Robinson 80 times for 332 yards. If you are looking for the most consistent back, you have to look at Jones. He has 11 TD’s but his long run is only 18 yards while averaging just under 5.0 yards per carry.
WR duo (KSU): The Wildcats have two WRs who are equally-talented. Tyler Lockett has 49 receptions for 682 yards and 5 TDs, while Curry Sexton has 49 receptions for 602 yards and 3 TDs.
Prediction: Kansas State wins 38-35, ending TCU’s playoff dreams.
(#5) Alabama vs (#16) Louisiana State (CBS)
Alabama comes into the game with a 7-1 overall and 4-1 conference record. They have a very difficult task with this game and the rest of their schedule. However, if they win out, they will be in the playoffs. LSU is 7-2, 3-2, and are still technically in the hunt for the SEC West championship. They do, however, need help from other teams to lose.
Players to watch
Anthony Jennings (LSU): He has taken over as the QB but he has not been overly impressive from a statistical standpoint. However, with the ball in his hands, you must look out for him and what he is capable of. His pass percentage is only 50% and his yards per game passing is only 132 yards, with a TD:INT ratio of only 8:5.
Leonard Fournette (LSU): He is the leader of the group that has amassed over 1,800 yards this season, getting the ball around 15 times a game and averaging around 75 yards a game. He has crossed the plane of the end zone the most with 7 scores.
Travin Dural (LSU): Dural is their leading WR. He only has 27 catches but he averages 75 yards a game with 7 TDs.
Blake Sims (ALA): It has become all about Sims. Over the last few games, he has become a team leader and they tend to put the ball in his hands instead of on the feet of their running backs. He is now averaging 254 yards a game, with his strength in his completion percentage (65%) and his TD:INT ratio (15:3).
T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry (ALA): Alabama’s two featured running backs. While watching, you never know whom Sims may hand the ball too. Henry has 103 rushes with 530 yards and Yeldon has 120 rushes for 618 yards.
Amari Cooper (ALA): Cooper may be the only WR on the Alabama team, or so it will seem. His name and number is called extensively, with 71 catches. DeAndrew White has the second-most catches on the team with just 23 catches. Cooper has more than 900 yards more than White, with an impressive 1,132 yards and 9 TDs.
Prediction: Alabama‘s offense will be way too much for the LSU defense and Alabama’s defense will overpower the average LSU attack. Alabama will roll and win big (38-10) and will be one step closer to the playoff spot that they seek, and LSU will drop back to the bottom of the SEC West.
(#14) Ohio State vs (#8) Michigan State (Big 10)
Michigan State and Ohio State are hoping to show the country that the Big 10 is for real. Many experts are discounting the Big 10 and do not believe that this conference’s winner deserves one of the top four spots. This game will probably be the third game on the clicker with the Big 12 and SEC game getting the first looks. Both of these teams are also trying to shatter the Big 10 stereotypes of inept offense, big defenses and playing for field position by putting points on the board. Ohio State is fourth in the nation in scoring average at 45.6 points, while Michigan State is fifth at 45.5.
Players to watch
J.T. Barrett (OSU): It has become the J.T. show, as he has 1,856 yards passing and 494 yards rushing, accounting for 29 touchdowns. He has six on the ground and 23 through the air with only 7 INTs.
Eziekel Elliot (OSU): He is their workhorse, carrying the ball over 20 times a game and 709 yards on 126 carries (88 yards per game).
There really is no dominant WR but Michael Thomas and Devin Smith are the guys whom Barrett will look for.
Connor Cook (MSU): He is the leader of the team at QB. Cook comes into the game averaging 235 yards through the air, and his strength lies in the fact that he does not turn the ball over very often. He has 17 TDs while only having 5 INTs.
Jeremy Langford (MSU): The premiere running back for the Spartans. He has 841 yards this season while crossing the goal line 10 times. They will look for him often to sustain their drives.
Tony Lippett (MSU): By far, Lippett is Cook’s favorite target, with 42 receptions for 889 yards and 9 TDs.
Prediction: Urban Meyer may be downplaying the MSU rivalry but he will have the team ready and pumped up. They have scored 50+ points five of the last six games since their Virginia Tech loss. Ohio State will win this game 48-34.
(Featured image: Reddit)