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| Everett Golson (mail.com) |
Time: 7:00 PM (CST)
Where: Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium
TV: ABC
Spread: Oklahoma (-11)
Preview: This is probably the best game this week nationally and with College GameDay in town, you can expect an electric crowd in Norman. Notre Dame is trying to prove that they are worthy of the #5-ranking and the Sooners can get back into the National Championship picture with a win over the Golden Domers. This should be a great game between two national powerhouses.
Notre Dame is undefeated this year, but not many think they are a legit top 5 team. Stanford, Michigan, and Purdue are decent teams, but the Irish haven't faced an elite team yet this year. Another reason for skepticism: four of their wins have come by a possession or less.
Oklahoma on the other hand is playing their best football of the season. After self-destructing against K-State which may cost them a conference championship, they have steam-rolled Texas Tech, Texas, and Kansas by a combined score of 156-48. The offense is clicking and the defense did a great job against two potent offenses in Tech and Texas.
Everett Golson will start this week for the Irish after missing last week's action against BYU due to a concussion. Everett Golson may not be as smart as Tommy Rees, but he is a much better athlete and is a threat on the ground. Golson's biggest weapon on offense is his tight end; Tyler Eifert. Eifert will be the best TE available in the upcoming NFL Draft.
Key for Oklahoma: Landry Jones. What Landry Jones will Oklahoma get this weekend? One of the best QBs in the nation or the one that fails in pressure-packed situations? It all comes down to Jones.
Notre Dame's weak spot on the defense is their secondary. The secondary hasn't faced a team that can really spread it out like OU and they will also be starting a freshman in the secondary on Saturday. Jones should be able to pick apart ND's secondary.
Key for Notre Dame: The front seven. I just stated above that Jones should be able to have success against the back of Notre Dame's defense. However, if Notre Dame can get pressure on Jones with their front seven, it can be a completely different game. Notre Dame's front seven is undoubtedly one of the best in the nation and their defensive line has the advantage over OU's offensive line. Also, if you've followed college football at all this year, you know about Heisman contender and Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o. Notre Dame can't give time for Landry to pick apart their defense.
Prediction: I like the Sooners in this one. With College GameDay being there and the fact that they are hosting Notre Dame will make Gaylor Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium a very tough place for the Irish. I don't think Everett Golson will be able to handle the pressure of keeping Notre Dame's National Championship hopes alive in Norman.
Notre Dame: 17
Oklahoma: 27
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