College Football Week 6: Week 7 Predictions

Utes:
What was supposed to be an easy game, turned into a frustrating nail-biter. With the chilly conditions, it was thought that this would be a close game but I didn't think it would be as close as it actually was. The Utes offense was atrocious in the first half. We had fumbles, interceptions, absolutely lousy play calling, and at the end of the half we were still tied 3-3 with how bad we had played. I felt like we weren't really into the football frame of mind coming off of the bye week. The second half was much better. Even though we didn't score until late in the third quarter, the Utes did a good job offensively. Down 17-3, they started playing with a sense of urgency and pretty much had to score and every possession to win the game. They did exactly that winning 24-17 thanks to two Eddie Wide scores and three Robert Johnson Interceptions. One of the best second half performances I have seen in a long time to secure the come from behind victory. One thing that is very evident to me is that lack of experience at play calling this year. The offense was moving the ball running Eddie Wide. Then when Colorado State showed they could not stop it, we try something else, it doesn't work. Okay, that is not a problem. If something doesn't work, go back to what does. But we didn't. We kept trying different things instead of going to what was working well and that was handing the ball off to Wide. Hopefully the Utes learn before it proves to be too costly to come back.

Cougars:
This one was a sleeper from the start. I underestimated how poor UNLV's defense was. BYU has a really good offense and it seemed as if UNLV knew they couldn't stop it. They couldn't tackle, they couldn't fill gaps, they couldn't pressure Max Hall. Consequently Max Hall threw his first interception free game. Therefore, the Max Hall Interception Watch stays at 10 for this week (Nation High 10 INT's). I have to hand it to the Cougars, they did a good job with UNLV and it looked as if they had their best offensive outing of the season. Things get even easier as they travel to San Diego State on Saturday.

Week 7 Predictions: Record (16-4 Overall, 3-2 Last Week)

Utah 38- UNLV 13- I am still waiting for the Utes to put together a complete game. This one should, and I say "should", be over early. However, if the Utes don't put them away early, and they allow the Rebels to hang around, it could get a little interesting in the second half.

BYU 42- SDSU 10- Not much to this game. Run the ball, don't turn it over, and play solid defense. The Aztecs are one of the three or four horrible teams at the bottom of the MWC. Another easy win for the Cougars as long as they don't look ahead to the matchup with TCU.

Boise State 31- Tulsa 24- A Wednesday night matchup, Tulsa may offer a little more resistance than other Bronco opponents have. Don't be surprised if Tulsa has the lead in the second half here. Nevertheless, I feel like the Boise State offense is very explosive and should win this game on the road.

TCU 27- Colorado State 10- TCU battled the cold and wind to hold on to the win against Air Force, with them returning home, they should win this one easily and get ready for BYU.

Nevada 24- Utah State 21- Gary Anderson is having a hard time getting his players to believe that they can win. They have a good team but always start the season off playing non-winnable games. They should keep this close but Nevada is too much for them.

Texas 33- Oklahoma 27- Sam Bradford is back but Texas has too much fire power behind Colt McCoy. With two losses and out of the National Championship picture, if OU falls behind early, they may get down on themselves and this one won't be close.