SnoTap CFB Picks Week 3: Tale of Two Scandals

This week in college football has not been about Texas A&M and Alabama truthfully. People were talking about it and sure, ESPN was at Kyle Field all week, Drake might be showing up tonight at Midnight Yell, it's a big game yet still not the top story. Sports Illustrated's Oklahoma State 'scandal' story and Yahoo! report on agents and SEC players dominated the headlines. Both of these stories are interesting, but not really eye-opening however Yahoo! showed how to cover a story such as this one.

While the layout of Yahoo! is tough to read, they source out all sorts of documents ranging from emails, text messages to Western Union transcripts providing the proof.  In recent investigating sports reporting, people beg for more information and finally a group of writers and editors nailed it. As for Oklahoma State, there are no documents, no emails, no real concrete evidence and they have came out with four parts with one still to go next week  But things seem to be falling in on Sports Illustrated.  

It all starts actually with ESPN. Brent McMurphy is one of the best college football reporters and he happens to be an Oklahoma State alum. McMurphy dug up all sorts of information proving Faith Carter, arguably SI's best sources, may have fabricated some of the things he said to Thayer Evans, the reporter of the SI story. Why is it important to mention McMurphy being an Oklahoma State alum?  Because he probably has much better sources there compared to other reporters in the sports media world. Even though they are a fan blog, Pistols Firing has done a great job with this all week and this outlines why everything could get real ugly, real quick. I feel like the criticism has gotten larger seeing what Yahoo! has done with all the different sources, documents, etc. Let's actually talk football now.

Grab Beers & Bros
1. Alabama at 6. Texas A&M 2:30 pm CBS - Oh baby. I cannot remember a September conference game with this much hype. It is weird the concerns I have for both Bama and A&M blend together pretty nicely.  The Crimson Tide's offensive line is still completely fresh. They did not look good at all against Virginia Tech and I cannot get out of my head they only had 14 offensive points against the Hokies. Now for the Aggies, they cannot play defense. They gave up 25-plus points to both Rice and Sam Houston State, and now we are talking about Alabama.  The Bama offense could look like revelation this week, but it could be a smoke and mirrors situation.

But is their a chance for a shootout?  I say yes because I believe Johnny Manziel is a better player than he was last season. He threw for 400 yards last week. I do not care if it is against a FBS team, that for Manziel is impressive and I truly believe Kevin Sumlin will have a new scheme for him to combat Nick Saban getting ready for them. My heart wants to take the Aggies, but my head tells me to never bet against Alabama and Saban in a revenge game. Alabama in a squeaker and classic we all talking about Monday. BAMA 38-34

16. UCLA at 23. Nebraska 11:00 am ABC - I am so puzzled by this game. Everything tells me take UCLA to win this one. They have a great offense and the Cornhuskers have not figured out the recipe for Tom Osborne's special defense. I keep coming back to the intangibles like this is an 11 am start time for the West Coast kids meaning they are usually getting up to get ready for their game in Los Angeles. Additionally, Lincoln is a tough place to play for any team and they will want revenge from last year's drubbing by the Bruins. I really really hate myself for doing this but I am taking Nebraska. Goddammit.  NEB 30-27

20. Wisconsin at Arizona State 9:30 pm ESPN - See my preview from earlier today on the game. I think this one should be a special one.

25. Ole Miss at Texas 7:00 pm Longhorn Network - I feature this game in our top section because Texas might be the most-watched team this weekend even if the game is on LHN. The reason is to see how Greg Robinson will run this defense.  I feel like this was the worst time to fire Manny Diaz. Texas has Ole Miss coming in with Bo Wallace, Laquon Treadwell, Donte Moncrief and Jeff Scott, all talented offensive players in their own right.  Sure, Diaz's defense looked as bad as spoiled milk on a hot day, but bringing in a new defensive coordinator to face a high-powered SEC offense does not sound like a great idea. I like the Rebels on the road. It will be shootout with a ton of points, but I really like this Ole Miss team. OLE MISS 41-35

3.) Ohio State at California 6:00 pm FOX - Oh boy. When I saw this on the schedule, I thought the Buckeyes might be in for a challenge and I still think they will have their hands full. Berkeley should be at full tilt and Northwestern struggled with the 'Bear Raid' even if the Wildcats won the football game. Now, Ohio State has better athletes than Northwestern, but this is still an offense that is not used in the B1G. Braxton Miller is day-to-day and might not play in this one. That would be a concern, but the Buckeyes have Kenny Guiton, a guy I think could be the next Matt Cassel in terms of not playing much in college, but be a pro quarterback. Jared Goff is a freshman quarterback, and I cannot see him putting the Bears over the top against Ohio State.  Buckeyes by a field goal.  OSU 31-28

Channel Flip Worthy
Vanderbilt at 13. South Carolina 6:00 pm ESPN - South Carolina heads back to Columbia after losing their first one in Athens while Vandy tries not to go 0-2 to begin the SEC season.  The Dores bounced back last week by munching on a cupcake known as Austin Peay. If Vanderbilt wants to win this game, they need to control the ball and let Jordan Matthews work as much as he can. But I cannot trust an inexperienced quarterback to come into Columbia and win the game. I like the Cocks in a close game. SCAR 23-17

21. Notre Dame at Purdue 7:00 pm ABC - The Irish are trying to get back to the drawing board after losing to Michigan. Purdue does not get many night games given their current football culture, and they will be fired up for this one. Although Purdue needs to find a way to get some points and that is going to be hard on this Notre Dame defense. For reference, the Boilermakers only beat Indiana State by six points on Saturday scoring 20 points while their rival Indiana put 70 on the Sycamores the prior week. That's not good especially playing a team like the Irish. I feel Notre Dame comes up big in this one. ND 31-6

Tennessee at 2. Oregon 2:30 pm ABC - I do not know if enough was made of the Ducks heading to Charlottesville and beating the complete shit out of Virginia. They now have Tennessee who has won their first two games of the year. They are without Maurice Couch after the Yahoo! allegations, but the Vols have ran the ball well with Rajion Neal and Marlin Lane. Oregon picked up where Chip Kelly left them. Marcus Mariotta is off to a great start and once again, not many are talking about him. De'Anthony Thomas is becoming more a threat in the rushing game and their defense is doing fine yet unproven. I think the Vols could hang with this team for a half, but that's about it.  Mariotta and Thomas are too much. ORE 42-16

Nevada at 10. Florida State 2:30 pm ESPN - Best part of this game?  No, not Jameis Winston. It is Brock Hekking who has a GLORIOUS mullet. Like this is what we mean when we are talking about a mullet. This needs to be worn by at least one defensive lineman or linebacker with every FCS team. A mullet can only take you so far, the Noles and Winston will roll. FSU 39-21

Upset Special
Oregon State at Utah 9:00 pm FOX Sports 1 - This is something new from last year. I am going to just pick a Top 25 upset for the hell of it. If I believe no Top 25 team will lose in what I would deem an upset, I will find another game that smells like an upset.  I present you with this one. Utah is off to a good start with two wins, but one of those is against Weber State. I realize Oregon State lost to Eastern Washington but they were preseason ranked with a ton of talent. They are also very good as road underdogs in the past couple of years. Give me the Beavers on the road. OSU 34-29

A palate cleanser for your Netlix binge watch 
7. Louisville at Kentucky 11:00 am ESPN - This is a basketball rivalry, but people are both schools want this to be a football rivalry as well.  It might become a bigger rivalry in a couple years when Kentucky starts assembling the four-star talent they have been getting in recruiting recently. But right now, Louisville is clearly the better team. Look for another big Teddy Bridgewater game. LOU 45-17

Tulsa at 14. Oklahoma 11:00 am ESPN2 - I am not sold on the Sooners yet. They put up 16 points on an inept West Virginia defense and Blake Bell is back in the saddle at quarterback, a man who does not throw the football much at all. For this career, he has thrown 26 passes in two years and some change. Oklahoma needs to be more run-orientated with Bell behind center. I will take Oklahoma in one that looks like a blowout but it is not. OK 27-10

19. Washington at Illinois  (Played at Soldier Field) 5:00 pm Big Ten Network - Somehow Illinois is 2-0, they win another game, they are three away from being bowl eligible. Washington had a week off against being Boise so they have had a week to prepare for the Fightin' Illini. I feel like Illinois comes down to earth this week; Bishop Sankey has a big game. WASH 34-21

5. Stanford at Army 11:00 am CBS Sports Network - Could this be an upset in the making? Probably not, but it is still commendable to see Stanford head to West Point for a game. My assumption is they are doing it for recruiting purposes.  I will take the Goofy Tree

Sleep off your hangover
Kent State at 8. LSU 6:00 pm ESPNU - LSU 52-14
Akron at 11. Michigan 11:00 am Big Ten Network - MICH 49-6
Lamar at 12. Oklahoma State 6:30 pm No TV - OK State 63-10
Western Michigan at 17. Northwestern 8:00 pm Big Ten Network - NW 55-7

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First Taste: Grading UCLA 'Hollywood Nights' Uniforms

These are absolutely icy. I think I made a stink last season when UCLA went to dark blue because I did not like them changing them from their pure powder blues that are great, but I am a complete sucker for black uniforms. I like the combination of black, gold and baby blue. It strangely works in a weird way. I like the shoulders along with the new addias half-sleeve undershirts that the kids seem to be rocking these days. As for a grade, I will knock it down to a B+ in honor of my friend and an absolute puritan Eric because UCLA does not have black in their original color scheme.

Charlie.  

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SnoTap College Football Preview: Pac-12 South

People do not talk enough about the Pac-12. For my money, it is the second or third-best conference in college football behind the SEC and in a good year, the Big 12. It is truly because some of their best games do not start until 10:30 pm Eastern time, but God bless em for those games. Nothing is better than a good Pac-12 game at the bar to avoid all social interaction.\

The Pac-12 South is more unpredictable than an episode of Homeland. Every time you seem to have things figured out in this conference, another team slides into the top spot unexpectedly.  Therefore you should know any picks in this division are pretty meaningless.


FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH
LB Anthony Barr (UCLA) -  He is probably the player not named Jadeveon Clowney that you should pay attention to defensively. Barr is such a playmaker whether it be stuffing the run, rushing the quarterback or covering a tight end, he can do it all. Barr is a surefire top ten draft pick next season and he will definitely create some nightmares for Pac-12 offenses.

WR Marqise Lee (USC) -  One of the best young receivers in the game. He is primarily a possession receiver, but honestly, he can fly for a deep ball as well. Lee is a dynamic receiver who will make whomever is starting at quarterback, a better player. It will be interesting to see how many more double teams Lee gets now that Robert Woods is in the league.

DT Will Sutton (Arizona State) - Another player like Barr whose an absolute freak on the defensive side of the football. Sutton will get into the trenches with the best of em.  Sutton would have been a first round pick in this year's draft but decided to come back for his senior season. Even as a 4-3 defensive tackle, Sutton getting 12.5 sacks last year is truly impressive. I would not be surprised if Barr and Sutton are battling for the top defensive player of the year awards by December.

RB Ka'Deem Carey (Arizona) - In a lot of ways, Carey's offseason was far worse than a Johnny Manziel but he is ready for his junior year. He figures to be a major NFL Draft prospect as Carey rushed for 1,926 yards last season with 23 touchdowns. Carey did not have one game under 50 yards of rushing and only three times did he not reach the 100 yard plateau. One concern with Carey might be his 303 carries last season is quite high for a sophomore running back.

QB Brett Hundley (UCLA)  - Big Brett the Bossman should be his nickname. I would not say he gets slept on, but people forget he is there. After watching him last year progress, I thought the Bruins finally have their quarterback to build on after so many years of players going down with injury. Hundley is the real deal who can do it with both his arm and his legs.

FIVE GAMES TO WATCH
Saturday September 28th - USC at Arizona State - A good game to set the tone of the Pac-12 South in late September. After winning 11 straight matchups, Arizona State notched their first win against the Trojans in 2011 at Sun Devil Stadium and they will hope for much of the same this year.

Saturday October 19th - UCLA at Stanford - Kevin Hogan found a way to beat this team twice last season. Once in the regular season and then again in the Pac-12 Championship. UCLA is the favorite in the Pac-12 South and they will be looking for revenge. This is one of the best Pac-12 games on the schedule.

Saturday October 19th - USC at Notre Dame - This is one of my favorite games of the year. I like seeing two of the best programs face off against each other and it brings back memories of the 'Bush Push' at South Bend. This could be a job decider for Lane Kiffin.

Saturday November 30th - Arizona at Arizona State - As we mentioned, this conference tends to be crazy so you never know what game could be the one that decides the division. This is a rivalry game and one that could so we will leave it there.   

Saturday November 30th- UCLA at USC - Right now on August 22nd, little brother (UCLA) is looking better than big brother (USC). Who knows if that will be the same come late November, but both teams will likely be contending for a spot in the Pac-12 Championship. Fun fact, the Bruins have not won at USC since 1997.

FIVE QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1-10, how unpredictable is this division? - 8, only because Utah and Colorado will not contend for the spot of the top dog in this division. It could be UCLA for the second straight year, but there will be many going after the throne. I expect this coming down to the final weekend.

Who will throw Marqise Lee the ball? - There is great unknown as to who will be pegged as the next USC quarterback. It does not seem like Max Wittek made the most of his time behind the center.  It seems to be between Cody Kessler and Wittek.  The decision will be made soon and ESPN Los Angeles Arash Markazi is putting his money on Kessler.

Breakout year for Brett Hundley? - Yes without question. I think he has a chance to be involved in being picked in the top five. Hundley is that good of a passer and runner something NFL teams are salivating over with the success of Robert Griffin III, Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson. Hundley should be one of the best quarterbacks in the Pac-12.

Sun Devils to surprise people? - I have a hard time believing it with their schedule. They have to play Wisconsin, Stanford and USC in a row in September. Granted, two of those games are at home but still it will be challenge. To add to that, they start October with Notre Dame. I have no idea how this team will string together enough wins to contend for the crown.

Does Lane Kiffin have a job next year? - Maybe I am sucker but I think he will still be employed by the Trojans. This is the year when there are zero expectations and pressure on Kiffin therefore they will some games they are not supposed to this season.

PROJECTED FINISH
1.) USC
2.) UCLA
3.) Arizona State
4.) Arizona
5.) Utah
6.) Colorado

Basically, USC beats UCLA on the final week of the season to get the Pac-12 South division title. A Stanford-USC rematch is fine by me.

Charlie.  

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SnoTap Buzz: Wednesday July 31st

Action Bronson performs 'Stricly 4 My Jeeps' at an old folks home. Action Bronson is the absolute best. (Noisey, @runthedive) 

Oregon Football has a brand spanking new facility and I would live to live there for the rest of my life. Just fantastic. (The Big Lead) 

The NCAA is letting Eddie Vanderdoes, a five-star defensive lineman freshman, play at UCLA after transferring from Notre Dame in April. Brian Kelly is not pleased. I would not be either, bad precedent. (Chicago Tribune) 

NBCSN is adding a couple new shows featuring prominent sports writers. I have no idea if it is going to work because writers are always different with the camera in front of them. Pat Forde is usually a good interview though. (Awful Announcing) 

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton greets a fan in the stands rocking a six-pack in his beard. This is a must-see, what a visionary (Deadspin) 

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