Neyland Stadium 1PM ET TV: CSTV PPV
This is a rare non conference matchup late of the year, but htis is a rent-a-win for Tennessee while Wyoming gets their annual check to fund their football team. Both teams have under achieved, and both could see new coaches next season with Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer stepping down at the end of the season.
Wyoming who has played the quarterback carousel game as of now will be starting Chris Stutzriem for this weeks game, but do not be surprised if others get some playing time. The actual game most likely will not be close, because Wyoming can not score and their pass defense is terrible, but they have a decent rush defense.
Neither team is an offensive power, with Wyoming finally getting above 10 points per game average by getting 35 against San Diego State, and Tennessee averages at 17. This game may not have many points because neither can score, but Tennessee has the edge in the passing game to take advantage of a weak Wyoming secondary, but the starting quarterback for Tennessee has been similar to Wyoming with two getting significant playing time and this Saturday's game looks to be Nick Stephens who has had only one 200 yard passing game. That 200 yard passing game was against Georgia, but that was due to the Vols playing catchup.
Wyoming will need to limit picks since Tennessee is one of the top teams in the nation in interceptions, so whoever gets playing time for Wyoming needs to be careful. Wyoming will need to rely on the running game with Devin Moore and Wynel Seldon who are good backs and need to try to establish a running game and control the clock. If Wyoming can do that they might be able to stay close, also turnovers are a factor which Wyoming needs to limit those.
Tennessee most likely will create at least two turnovers and have short fields to work with to get easy points. Tennessee has an ok running game that is similar to Wyoming because their players get good average yards per carry, but they have to abandon the run to play catch up in pass.
This game could be ugly because neither team is really that good, and both teams need this win to avoid a losing record and no bowl game to go to as well.
Final Score: Tennesee 28 Wyoming 12
(1-8)
#15 (8-1)
This game is just what BYU needs to get their team confidence back, especially for their defense. There might be some new extra motivation for BYU this week, because with Utah defeating TCU now BYU has a chance if they win out a chance to earn a three way tie with TCU and Utah for the conference title and an outside shot of a BCS game.
San Diego State could have a shot in this game because the only really good player on the Aztecs is quarterback Ryan Lindley who could take advantage of the weak BYU secondary. San Diego State should be able to put up points, but not sure if they could keep pace with the BYU offense.
On offense BYU's Max Hall is looking for his 8th straight 100 yard game which should happen in this game. BYU on offense should have no problem, especially since San Diego State gave up 35 to Wyoming last week who has an inempt offense.
Just look for Max Hall to have plenty of time looking for Collie, tight end Dennis PItta, or any other receiver to rack up the yards,
Final Score: BYU 42 San Diego State 28
(4-5)
(7-2)
This is an underrated rivalry game because the two schools are withing one hour driving distance of each other and this is a huge game for both schools. For Colorado State it gets them one win closer to going to their first bowl game since 2005, and for the Falcons they are three wins away from their first 10 win season since 1998 when Air Force went 12-1.
The Rams blew up last week agaisnt BYU and really could have won that game but came up short, but they did score a season high 42 points in the loss. Colorado State needs to continue starting with their running game to keep the ball away from the Falcons rush heavy offense.
With the way Air Force plays offense they shorten the game and limit possessions for each team, so Colorado State needs to make these possessions count. Colorado State quarterback Billy Farris was finally allowed to be unleashed to pass the ball around and make big plays. Look for Colorado State try to test the Falcons secondary to get big plays.
The key to this game for both schools is the Air Force running game. Colorado State needs to try to hold the Falcons under 200 yards a game and try to create turnovers which Air Force has been known to suffer this year. The Rams defense has not been too great by allowing 32 points per game, so Colorado State must slow down that rushing offense.
Final Score: Air Force 24 Colorado State 18
(4-6)
(3-6)
UNLV is without quarterback Omar Clayton who tore his MCL last week against TCU and may not return this year. The replacement is going to be redshirt freshman Mike Clausen, who has played time this year and he did do well agaisnt BYU in a few series he manned. UNLV is still looking for thier first conference win of the year after a stellar 3-1 start, and New Mexico is looking to get to another bowl game and must win their next two games.
For the entire game Clausen most likely will not put up the stats that Clayton, that is because he is the bacck up for the Rebels. If Clausen is able to get wide recievers Casey Flair and Ryan Wolfe involved then he will have success in the game. In addition to those two running back Frank Summers needs to step it up and have a huge rushing game to help out Clausen in this game.
New Mexico's defense should bring pressure to see what UNLV quarterback Mike Clausen is capable of doing when under pressure. Given this situation New Mexico should be able force UNLV into turnovers and the Lobos should get good field position.
On offense New Mexico should use Rodney Ferguson and just run over the Rebel defense and then use the stratigic pass to beat the Rebel defense. If New Mexico can play like they did against Utah at home they should win this game, but the Lobos need to make some big plays in the passing game to win this.
Final Score: New Mexico 24 UNLV 20