College football projections, Week 4: An homage to Yogi

“Congratulations. I knew the record would stand until it was broken.”  #3 TCU @ Texas Tech (which should be ranked, but isn’t). The Ft. Worth Purple Lizards travel to the Panhandle this week to dosey-doe with the Red Raiders. Last year, the Frogs put 82 on Tech, winning by 55.  It was only the 7^th time in the last 14 years a FBS team has scored 80+ in a game. It’s doubtful that Kliff Kingsbury and the Lubbock faithful have forgotten that.  The Raiders and the Frogs are both undefeated.  After last week’s win against Arkansas, Kingsbury talked about Brett Bielema and the Hogs “getting their asses beat,” a reference to a previous Bielema remark disparaging offenses that don’t use tight ends and fullbacks.  Revenge is a very powerful motivator.  Projected winner: Texas Tech.

 “It gets late early out here.”  #9 UCLA @ #16 Arizona.  Just about the time EDT and CDT fans begin to settle in for the back third of Saturday’s CFB games, things are just heating up out West.  The kids from Westwood head to Tucson with an intent on staying undefeated and getting their 1^st PAC-12 win of the year.  The Bruins have won the previous three meetings with the Wildcats.  But, this year, the boys from Tinsel Town will find Rich Rod and the ‘Cats with a more powerful running game and a defense that’s taken the ball away from opponents six times leading to 42 points.  Projected winner: Arizona.

 “No one goes there nowadays, it’s too crowded.  #18 Utah @ #13 Oregon.”  Long gone are the days when there were empty and cheap seats at Autzen Stadium.  $66.67 will get you a ticket 47 rows up in the corner for Saturday’s Utes-Beavers tussle.  The Utes are undefeated. The Ducks have one blemish—the loss to Sparty.  Two questions remain about the game: 1. What uniform configuration will the Ducks display?, and, 2. By how much will they win?  Projected winner:  Oregon.

“It’s like déjà vu all over again.”  #8 LSU @ Syracuse.  Gus Malzahn said post-game in Baton Rouge late last Saturday afternoon, when asked about the Tigers’ Leonard Fournette, “He’s pretty good.”   To this point, that may qualify as the understatement of the season.  Unless the Tigers’ team buses take a wrong pre-game turn and end up in Rochester, and barring any injuries, Yogi’s axiom will hold true again this week, as Leonard dazzles once again. Projected winner:  LSU.

“You can observe a lot by just watching.”   Is Auburn really that bad?  What about Texas?  Both are at home after tough losses.  Here are two teams that really need to answer the bell this weekend as they face a pair of states, Mississippi and Oklahoma, respectively.  But, I doubt they will.  Projected winners:  Mississippi State and Oklahoma State.

Now, some quick headlines…

“We made too many wrong mistakes.”  Both Bama and Ohio State each committed five turnovers last Saturday.  The Buckeyes got away with it, the Tide didn’t.  Both bounce back this weekend…but, against much lesser opponents.  Projected winners:  Bama over La-Monroe; Ohio St. over Western Michigan.

“Why buy good luggage, you only use it when you travel.”   Rice @ #5 Baylor.  Note to Owls fans: There is no need to pack an overnight bag so you can stay over and party in Waco after Saturday’s game.  And, spending money on new luggage is a waste.  Projected winner:  Baylor.

“It was impossible to get a conversation going, everybody was talking too much.”  Tennessee @ Florida. A buckskin clad Volunteer and his trusty dog Smokey travel to Gainesville this week to try to bag a Florida water lizard.  The Gators are quietly undefeated and unranked.  The Vols have only an OT loss to the Sooners. The only attention the teams are getting is from Verne, Gary and Allie.  Gators boss Jim McElwain will keep his cool on the sidelines long enough to send Vol fans heading to  the exits early.  Projected winner: Florida.