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Posts Tagged ‘top 25’

Week 14 Top 25 Forecasts

November 30th, 2011 1 comment

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 15-1 (94%) and so far this season I am 205-48 (81%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#1 LSU vs #12 GEORGIA

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
GEORGIA 100
170
16
2.6
-
LSU
170
145
30
2.3
•••
LAST 14 YEAR MATCHUPS
Georgia Dome, Atlanta. UGA leads the recent series 6-3 (L20Y). Both tms have been ranked in the Top 20 in each of the L/6 meetings. UGA is the only tm in the SEC that LSU HC Les Miles does not have a winning record against (1-2) but the Tigers did win the L/meeting in ‘09, 20-13 as #4 LSU benefitted from a controversial celebration pen on WR AJ Green which set up their GW TD (:46). This will be the 3rd meeting between these two tms in the SEC Champ gm as they split the prev 2 with LSU winning 34-13 in ‘03 and UGA winning 34-14 in ‘05. These two have six common opp’s TY and have had similar results with LSU going 6-0 outscoring foes on avg 38-7 (+192 ypg) while UGA is also 6-0 outscoring foes 27-12 (+184 ypg). LW LSU capped their best reg ssn in schl hist with a 41-17 win over #3 Ark as they finished SEC play 8-0 for the 1st time (trailed 14-0 w/6:00 left in 2Q). QB Jefferson has now played every meaningful snap for 3 str gms (155 ypg, 66%, 3-1 ratio L/3) and AA DB Mathieu was the star again with 8 tkls, 2 FF, 1 FR and a 92 yd PR TD in the 2Q that turned the momentum. The Bulldogs are also off a key win over rival GT, 31-17 and have now won 10 str gms for the first time S/’82 despite playing w/out their top 2 RB’s the last couple of wks. QB Murray is avg 225 ypg (61%, 32-10, TD schl rec’d) while super frosh RB Crowell, despite battling inj for most of the yr, leads with 832 (4.8) despite only 7 sts. The UGA D has been the story as they lead the SEC in sks (32) which is remarkable considering they had only 1 in the first 3 gms comb. off (LSU #13-15) and def (LSU #2-5) are basically even but LSU has the large ST’s edge (#19-81). This one could come down to the wire but it’s tough going against the Tigers who have met every challenge TY. LSU books their ticket to nearby New Orleans for the National Champ game.

PHIL’S FORECAST: LSU 27 GEORGIA 20

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Tonight’s Forecast!

November 22nd, 2011 1 comment
Phil Steele Wkly
Poll
Comp
PTS
Comp
Yds
 +/- Gm
Grade
Vegas
7:00 PM ET Miami (OH) at Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio Ohio
By 7 78% 24-21 394-288 By 2.5 By 7.88 By 9

Week 12 Top 25 Forecasts

November 16th, 2011 3 comments

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 13-7 (65%) and so far this season I am 176-39 (82%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#1 LSU at MISSISSIPPI

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
LSU 245
168
39
1.5
-
MISSISSIPPI
106
128
4
2.7
-
Six of the L/9 in have been decided by a FG or less. LY The lead changed 6 times and UM was up 36-35 but allowed a 51/8pl TD drive w/:44 left. LTH Miles’ clock mismanagement cost LSU in a 25-23 loss in ‘09. LW it was announced that this will be Nutt’s final yr and the Rebels after jumping out to a 7-0 lead all’d 27 unanswered in the loss to La Tech. QB Mackey had his worst game in his 6 sts w/106 yds (33%) and he and leading rusher Jeff Scott will be susp’d for this gm for violating team rules. LSU predictably after their “Game of the Century” slept thru the 1H LW (led just 14-7 at HT) before pulling away in the 2H in their 42-9 win over WKU. It was Miles 100th career win (72 at LSU) and the first time S/’58 that LSU is 10-0. QB Jefferson has gotten the majority of the snaps the L2W avg 118 ypg (58%) with a 1-0 ratio after Lee threw the 2 int’s at Bama. Clearly LSU has the edges on off (#20-87) and def (#2-73). Ole Miss as Houston Nutt has a reputation of knocking off Top 5 tms (4x in career) and is the only SEC coach who has beaten Miles 3 times in a row (at Ark) while LSU does have the all-everything gm vs Ark, a Friday game on deck. The Rebels keep it interesting for a half before the significant talent edges take over.

PHIL’S FORECAST: LSU 37 MISSISSIPPI 13 Read more…

Tonight’s Forecast!

November 10th, 2011 No comments

#10 VIRGINIA TECH at GEORGIA TECH

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
VIRGINIA TECH 183
160
16
1.8
GEORGIA TECH
267
105
21
2.4
-
Just the 9th meeting between these schools (1st gm in ‘90). GT is 2-5 in their ACC matchups. GT is off a stunning 31-17 win over Clemson holding the Tigers to ssn low 17 pts and 2nd lowest off output 396 yds. GT offense had a steady decline to a ssn low 211 vs UM but rushed for a ssn high 383 yds (5.7) as the triple option returned to it’s early form. . The defense has played well all’g just 20 ppg since NCSt gm and has all’d just 20 pts in the last 6Q and all’d just 122 rush UM and 95 to Clem. VT is off a 14-10 win over Duke and now have 3 wins by 7 or less which is not where they thought they’d be. QB Thomas avg 215 ypg (61%) 11-7 and RB Wilson has been rarely used in 1st half last 3 gms but still has managed 100+ yds LEADS FBS with 1185 YD (6.3). GT HC Johson recruited Wilson heavily. VT has been bitten by inj bug on losing 3 top defenders but despite Duke came away with just 3 pts in 5 tries inside the RZ. ST’s have uncharacteristically been a problem for Beamer incl LW losing kicker with quad injury (FR missed 1st att 29 yd’r. GT has the offense edge #27-38, VT the defense edge #11-34. GT is at Duke while VT has another Thurs night game at home vs NC on deck. LTH GT snapped a 17 gm winless streak at home vs Top 5 (Dodd beat Bear Bryant 1962) defeating #4 VT 28-23 (+3’), GT outgained 360-334 TOP 38 min. The Yellow Jackets, 5-0 at home, are attempting to stay unbeaten in Bobby Dodd Stadium for the first time since 1999. Under GT Johnson is 6-0 at home vs Top 25. Winner has gone to ACC Title game the L6Y. LY on Thurs night GT led 14-0 and lost QB Nesbitt in the 2Q as Washington made his debut. They were tied at 21 but GT all’d a 90yd KRTD by Wilson w/ 2:23 left and were int’d in the EZ from the VT16 w/ :08 left. VT does have the edge of a bye week to prepare for the option as Bud Foster gets his 4th look at it (have all’d 311 ypg rush, 5.7 ypc!).

PHIL’S FORECAST: VIRGINIA TECH 24 GEORGIA TECH 20

Week 11 Top 25 Forecasts

November 9th, 2011 2 comments

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 12-5 (71%) and so far this season I am 163-32 (84%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#1 LSU vs WKU

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
WKU 40
75
0
3.2
-
LSU
195
245
48
1.0
-
It’s obvious that one of these tms is in line for a huge letdown after enormous emotional victories by each LW. LSU won the “Game of the Century” over Bama 9-6 in OT. LSU has faced non-BCS tms the L/4Y’s after playing Bama and when they are off a win over the Tide, are 2-0 the next wk winning by a comb score of 109-10! These tms both played Kentucky TY and while LSU held the Cats to 13 FD’s and 155 ttl yds, WKU all’d just 11 FD’s and 190 ttl yds. WKU has now won 5 str as they also won on a FG on the final play besting FIU 10-9. RB Rainey is #4 FBS rushing avg 130 ypg but will find running difficult as LSU is #2 all’g only 79 rush ypg (2.6). The Hilltoppers goal here is to escape without any serious inj’s as they are very much in the SBC hunt, and LSU is 35-0 all time vs the SBC.

PHIL’S FORECAST: LSU 41 WKU 0 Read more…

Week 10 Top 25 Forecasts!

November 2nd, 2011 3 comments

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 17-2 (89%) and so far this season I am 154-25 (86%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#1 LSU AT #2 ALABAMA

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
LSU 90
85
18
1.6
-
ALABAMA
150
190
26
1.8
-
First #1 vs #2 matchup in the reg ssn S/’06 and the first matchup of the top 2 tms in Bryant-Denny Stadium history. This is Saban Bowl 5 and Bama and LSU have split the L/4 meetings since Saban took over at Bama. Both teams are off a bye and LY both tms were also off byes and LSU held AL to a ssn low 102 rush yds while LSU rushed for 225 yds and pulled out a 24-21 win. LSU has outgained the Tide in 4 of the last 5 and Miles is 4-2 vs AL (only LSU HC to ever beat AL 4x). The Tigers are led by QB Lee who is avg 156 ypg (63%) w/a 13-1 ratio (#12 NCAA pass eff) while Jefferson has played in the L/4 and is getting more reps each week. RB Ware leads with 512 (4.0) and after being susp vs Aub will be back here along with defensive star Mathieu. Bama’s young QB McCarron is becoming more than just a game-manager and is avg 208 ypg (67%) with a 10-3 ratio while RB Richardson 989 (6.6, #7 NCAA) and 17 TD’s could lock up a trip to NY for the Heisman with a big gm here. While LSU’s D gets alot of pub they are giving up 251 ypg (14.4 FD’s) while Bama’s D only allows 181 ypg (9.9 FD’s). Bama is also +280 ypg while LSU is +120 ypg. While it is well noted that LSU is 30-1 S/’01 in AG’s w/a start of 6:00 pm or later, Bama is 25-1 at home S/’07, has the better D, the better HC and the best player on the field in Richardson. Add it all up and Bama stakes their claim for the national title! Roll Tide!

PHIL’S FORECAST: ALABAMA 17 LSU 6

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Week 9 Top 25 Forecasts

October 26th, 2011 1 comment

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 17-2 (89%) and so far this season I am 120-19 (86%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#3 OKLAHOMA ST VS BAYLOR

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
BAYLOR 203
265
32
3.7
-
OKLAHOMA ST
207
440
56
1.5
•••
OSU has dominated winning 14 of 15. LY OSU had a schl record 725 yds in a 55-28 blowout (led 27-0 half) in what was supposed to be a B12 South showdown. Since their 3-0 Top 15 non-conf start the Bears have lost 2 of 3 in B12 play with the D allowing 39 ppg and 487 ypg in conf play. Two of the FBS’s best pitch-catch combos are on display in BU’s Griffin (#7 pass eff w/325, 78%, 22-2, 295 rush) to Wright (#5 FBS w/55, 13.8, 9 TD) and OSU’s Weeden (#17 pass eff with 348, 72%, 19-7) to Blackmon (61 rec, 10.9). BU is #78 pass eff D (240, 57%, 18-6). OSU won their 10th straight outside of Stillwater 45-24 over Missouri. HC Gundy said OSU could’ve had 40 by HT if not for the many dropped balls but the Cowboys feasted on 4 2H TO’s from MU QB Franklin which set up 3 TD’s for the win despite missing WR’s Blackmon (concussion) and Anyiam (OFY foot) in the 2H but RB Randle (690, 5.7, 12 TD) has continued to shine. The Cowboys have forced 22 TO in the L/5 gms. OSU has big edges on D (#39-88) and ST (#23-92). OSU is now my pick at this point to play Bama in the national title gm and since BU upset them in ‘05, OSU has won by 42, 31, 28, 27 and 27 and that trend continues here.

PHIL’S FORECAST: OKLAHOMA ST 59 BAYLOR 38

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Week 8 Top 25 Forecasts!!

October 19th, 2011 2 comments

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 13-4 (76%) and so far this season I am 103-17 (86%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the boDID ttom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#1 LSU VS #20 AUBURN

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
AUBURN 130
75
7
2.9
-
LSU
210
200
36
1.4
-
HT has won 10 of the L/11 games and Six of the L/7 gms (excluding ‘09) have been decided by a ttl of 26 pts and LSU hasn’t dropped B2B gms in this series S/’99-‘00. LY in the battle of Top 10 tms LSU tied it 17-17 early 4Q but all’d a 70 yd TD run w/5:05 left. LSU was SOD at its 32 and Aub ran out the L/3:20, 24-17. Aub did have a commanding 526-243 yd edge. LSU had outgained Auburn the previous 4 by 146 ypg and LTH won 31-10. This will be another day home gm for the LSU and while they are 9-4 in those gms under Miles, they are just 50% in those gms since 1960. LW LSU beat Tenn 38-7 as they outgained UT 383-289 and the 31 pt margin was the largest ever vs the Vols. While QB Jefferson continues to see more and more action Lee is still getting most of the snaps avg 155 ypg (62%) and a superb 11-1 ratio. LW Aub took adv of the young inexp UF QB’s by holding them to just 194 yds in the 17-6 win. With reg st’r Trotter struggling as of late, 3 diff Tiger QB’s got action incl Moseley who threw for 90 yds. RB Dyer is still the workhorse with 752 rush yd (5.1) and 8 TD’s. This is AU’s 3rd away game in 4 weeks and with a bye on deck for LSU, this will be the final time to make a statement before the showdown with Bama in two weeks vs a QB making his first start.

PHIL’S FORECAST: LSU 34 AUBURN 10 Read more…

Week 7 Top 25 Forecasts

October 13th, 2011 2 comments

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 19-2 (90%) and so far this season I am 109-15 (88%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

 

#1 LSU AT TENNESSEE

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
LSU 167
158
29
1.2
•••
TENNESSEE
49
268
18
2.5
-
The past 4 and 6 of the L7 have been decided by 8 or less. LSU has won 3 straight and has outgained the Vols by 189 ypg . LY LSU had a 434-217 yd edge but 4 TO’s had Tenn up late and they “won” the gm but had too many men on the field which gave LSU one more chance and they got a TD to escape 16-14 at home. Tenn’s young tm (8 ret st’rs) went 0-3 LY at home vs ranked teams but in all 3 losses they were competitive early and were worn out in the 2H (13-13 Oreg, 3-7 Fla, 10-13 Bama). The same thing happened LW as the Vols were tied w/UGA 6-6 at HT but wore down in the 2H in a 20-12 loss as they were outgained 366-270. On UT’s TD drive late in the 4Q, QB Bray (316 ypg, 66%, 14-2 ratio) hurt the thumb on his throwing hand (out 4W) and was replaced by Simms. The UT rush off continues to struggle avg just 85 ypg (2.5) and will find it tough sledding vs an LSU run D all’g just 69 ypg (2.3). LW the Tigers took advantage of the Gators starting their 3rd string QB and rolled to a 41-11 win with 20-9 FD and 453-213 yd edges. QB Lee continued his efficient play and is now avg 158 ypg (60%) but most importantly an 8-1 ratio. Jefferson, back from susp the L/2W, has been used on occasion to take advantage of his running ability. LSU has the edges on off (#22-37), D (#2-25) and ST’s (#16-87) but they have a big gm vs Bama looming in the distance and Aub on deck.

PHIL’S FORECAST:  LSU 23 TENNESSEE 16 Read more…

Week 6 Top 25 Forecasts

October 5th, 2011 2 comments

Every week I will post my forecasts of all the games involving Top 25 teams. As usual, it includes my computer’s projected box score for each game. Last week the Top 25 Forecasts went 14-4 (78%) and so far this season I am 90-13 (87%).

Last year the Top 25 forecasts went 205-60 (77%)! On the bottom of the forecasts, I have also listed some Upset Specials for this week.

#1 LSU VS #17 FLORIDA

Rushing
Passing
Points
TO’s
ST
FLORIDA 95
165
19
2.9
LSU
145
190
29
1.8
-
LY when LSU faked a 53 yd FG w/:35 left down 3. The holder tossed the ball over his head and K Jasper caught it after it hit the turf (review upheld) and ran 5 yds for a FD. Four plays later LSU scored the GW TD w/:06 left. Despite needing that lucky play for the win LY LSU did have a 385-243 yd edge in the Swamp. Will Muschamp spent 2001-’04 as the DC/LB cch at LSU. Gators are off a big HG vs Bama in which they were dominated after their first play from scrimmage (65 yd TD pass). The key play happened late in the 1H with the Gators trailing 24-10 and driving when QB Brantley was hurt (knee). Bkp Driskel came in but the UF off did not cross midfield from that point forward. The duo of Rainey/Demps who came in avg 275 all-purpose ypg were held to 8 yds rush (0.6 combined). LSU dominated UK and all’d only 55 yds until the Wildcats final two drives. QB Lee continues his efficient play avg 159 ypg (59%) with a 7-1 ratio. LSU S/’60 is 220-60-4 in night gms (28-1 under Miles) and just 25-25-3 in day games (9-4 UM). With UF’s uncertainty at QB and the possibility of a true frosh making his first career start, the Tigers get the win.

PHIL’S FORECAST:  LSU 27 FLORIDA 13 Read more…