College Football Week Three Preview
We’re coming up on week three and there are still quite a few questions facing our local teams. Below I have run down all the questions that are expected to be answered this Saturday.
Tulsa
Is TU a legit threat to Houston for CUSA title?
After Houston took down a ranked opponent on the road last week, they became the clear favorite to win CUSA. We’ll see if TU can answer Houston and make it a two team conference race in the minds of the experts.
Are they a contender to receive a BCS at large?
When Tulsa sees OU on the schedule I’m sure they assumed this was not their year to go undefeated and get a BCS birth. However, this game does not look as difficult as it did before the season. Under Bob Stoops, Oklahoma is 61-2 in Norman. If BYU became a national title contender when they beat OU on a neutral field, then TU will at least become a candidate for a BCS at-large spot if they get a win.
Is G.J. Kinne a big time QB?
So far it seems like Tulsa has hit another home run at the quarterback position. Kinne is more mobile than his predecessors as he’s leading the team in rushing. If he can have a good game against OU, he’ll start to turn some heads around the nation.
Oklahoma State
Is there something wrong with Zac Robinson and the OSU offense?
This week Oklahoma State plays Rice. The quarterbacks who played Rice in the first two weeks of the season (Joe Webb of UAB, and Taylor Potts of Texas Tech) have accounted for 872 yards and 11 TDs. If Zac Robinson and the OSU offense can’t get on track against Rice, then Zac is hurt.
Oklahoma
Can Landry Jones move the ball and avoid turnovers?
Jones had a good game against Idaho State, he had one interception and another interception that was dropped. He needs to avoid turnovers and make Tulsa go the length of the field against their defense to score.
Is DeMarco Murray all the way back from his knee cap injury?
For the first time since his knee injury in 2007, Murray looked explosive. It’ll be interesting to see if he can continue that against a FBS opponent.
Does Oklahoma still have a problem covering kick returns?
If there are still any lingering problems with covering kicks then we’ll notice on Saturday. Tulsa’s kick returner Damaris Johnson will let us know.
Arkansas
Is the Arkansas defense any good?
The Razorbacks surrendered 30 points a game last year. This will be their first test of the year. With their poor defense and really good offense, It seems Arkansas would fit in more with the Big 12 than the SEC.
Exactly how good is Ryan Mallett?
We’ve all heard the tall tales about Ryan Mallett’s strong right arm. But how good can he be? We’ll find out Saturday
By the way, here are my favorite Ryan Mallett legends.
1. Once in high school he ran for a TD, spiked the ball, and struck oil.
2. During a game he tried to complete a pass by throwing it towards his own end zone. He threw the ball all the way around the earth and into the hands of his receiver. But the play was called back by a holding penalty.
3. Ryan Mallett doesn’t bring a gun when he’s bird hunting. Just a football.
How much work can Michael Smith expect?
In his first eight games, Arkansas’ 5’9” 180 pound RB Michael Smith averaged 28 touches per game. He struggled the final four games due to injuries. The Hogs recruited well in the backfield and intend on limiting Smith’s carries, so exactly how many touches he’ll get is not known.
Picks
Rice at Oklahoma State
This CUSA team from Houston won’t be as much of a challenge as the last one.
Oklahoma State 63 Rice 14
Georgia at Arkansas
Georgia is 3-0 in Fayetteville and they’ve got a running game that will give the Hogs trouble. However, Arkansas has been preparing for this game since spring football and they’re much healthier than Georgia.
Arkansas 38 Georgia 31
Tulsa at Oklahoma
There are several things that have to go right for Tulsa to win in Norman. They need to get turnovers and a few good kick returns because I don’t see the OU defense giving up too many yards. However, Damaris Johnson has the ability to have a Wes Caswell type game.
Oklahoma 31 Tulsa 24
Tulsa
Is TU a legit threat to Houston for CUSA title?
After Houston took down a ranked opponent on the road last week, they became the clear favorite to win CUSA. We’ll see if TU can answer Houston and make it a two team conference race in the minds of the experts.
Are they a contender to receive a BCS at large?
When Tulsa sees OU on the schedule I’m sure they assumed this was not their year to go undefeated and get a BCS birth. However, this game does not look as difficult as it did before the season. Under Bob Stoops, Oklahoma is 61-2 in Norman. If BYU became a national title contender when they beat OU on a neutral field, then TU will at least become a candidate for a BCS at-large spot if they get a win.
Is G.J. Kinne a big time QB?
So far it seems like Tulsa has hit another home run at the quarterback position. Kinne is more mobile than his predecessors as he’s leading the team in rushing. If he can have a good game against OU, he’ll start to turn some heads around the nation.
Oklahoma State
Is there something wrong with Zac Robinson and the OSU offense?
This week Oklahoma State plays Rice. The quarterbacks who played Rice in the first two weeks of the season (Joe Webb of UAB, and Taylor Potts of Texas Tech) have accounted for 872 yards and 11 TDs. If Zac Robinson and the OSU offense can’t get on track against Rice, then Zac is hurt.
Oklahoma
Can Landry Jones move the ball and avoid turnovers?
Jones had a good game against Idaho State, he had one interception and another interception that was dropped. He needs to avoid turnovers and make Tulsa go the length of the field against their defense to score.
Is DeMarco Murray all the way back from his knee cap injury?
For the first time since his knee injury in 2007, Murray looked explosive. It’ll be interesting to see if he can continue that against a FBS opponent.
Does Oklahoma still have a problem covering kick returns?
If there are still any lingering problems with covering kicks then we’ll notice on Saturday. Tulsa’s kick returner Damaris Johnson will let us know.
Arkansas
Is the Arkansas defense any good?
The Razorbacks surrendered 30 points a game last year. This will be their first test of the year. With their poor defense and really good offense, It seems Arkansas would fit in more with the Big 12 than the SEC.
Exactly how good is Ryan Mallett?
We’ve all heard the tall tales about Ryan Mallett’s strong right arm. But how good can he be? We’ll find out Saturday
By the way, here are my favorite Ryan Mallett legends.
1. Once in high school he ran for a TD, spiked the ball, and struck oil.
2. During a game he tried to complete a pass by throwing it towards his own end zone. He threw the ball all the way around the earth and into the hands of his receiver. But the play was called back by a holding penalty.
3. Ryan Mallett doesn’t bring a gun when he’s bird hunting. Just a football.
How much work can Michael Smith expect?
In his first eight games, Arkansas’ 5’9” 180 pound RB Michael Smith averaged 28 touches per game. He struggled the final four games due to injuries. The Hogs recruited well in the backfield and intend on limiting Smith’s carries, so exactly how many touches he’ll get is not known.
Picks
Rice at Oklahoma State
This CUSA team from Houston won’t be as much of a challenge as the last one.
Oklahoma State 63 Rice 14
Georgia at Arkansas
Georgia is 3-0 in Fayetteville and they’ve got a running game that will give the Hogs trouble. However, Arkansas has been preparing for this game since spring football and they’re much healthier than Georgia.
Arkansas 38 Georgia 31
Tulsa at Oklahoma
There are several things that have to go right for Tulsa to win in Norman. They need to get turnovers and a few good kick returns because I don’t see the OU defense giving up too many yards. However, Damaris Johnson has the ability to have a Wes Caswell type game.
Oklahoma 31 Tulsa 24
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