The middle day of games from week 3 is upon us and we have a couple of very interesting matchups. The first game features two teams who are not used to being on the bottom in Notre Dame and Texas. The second game gives a first year program off to a hot start in Alabama taking on the Michigan Wolverines in Ann Arbor. Let’s get to the previews.
NOTRE DAME VS. TEXAS
This is one of the more interesting matchups that we have seen in recent memory. Both teams are perennial contenders. Both teams own CFSL titles. Coming in to this one, both teams find themselves at 0-2 and looking to get in the win column for the first time this season. Notre Dame has got off to a slow start on offense as they have tried, but failed, to get freshman stud running back Vidar Lund rolling. Teams have stacked the box against Lund and quarterback Leo Asiata is struggling to put the game on his shoulders. Notre Dame’s defense has had to be on the field a lot the past two games and have run out of gas late in the game and the games have got away from them. Three-time All-American linebacker Aaron Davis leads the league in tackles and has been on of the lone bright spots on this Irish team.
Texas is also struggling on both sides of the ball as they are still trying to build their offense around veteran signal-caller Walker Mills. Mills has always been known as a runner and teams are keying on that and making him throw, something he has struggled with in the first two weeks. the Texas defense features a projected top five pick in safety Jimbo Smithers who has been surprisingly quiet recently.
The Irish have changed schemes and will bring a new, pistol look into Austin to try and beat the Longhorns for the third straight time. Which ever team figures it out first in this one will come out as the winner. On paper, Texas is the better team, but don’t count out the Irish just yet. This one will come down to the more productive offense. Until Notre Dame proves that they can score, I have to give the nod to the Longhorns.
Notre Dame 21, Texas 31
ALABAMA vs. MICHIGAN
Alabama has got off to a quick 2-0 start with an impressive win against a good Nebraska team. Michigan got their first win of the season after escaping Florida with a 36-35 win.
Alabama features the best rushing attack that we maybe have ever seen in the CFSL. Freshman signal-caller Balion Siege and transfer tailback Joe Pantoja are the two leading rushers in the CFSL and have given opposing defenses fits so far. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it will be the Tide’s mantra in this one against the Wolverines. The Alabama defense has been pretty average so far, but they have got the job done. 3 star linebacker Buddy Wells has been a nice surprise for the Tide and is a big reason the Tide are rolling.
Michigan has struggled offensively, only averaging just over 21 points per game and have yet to get highly ranked quarterback Dewey Ainge on track. Big time transfer at receiver, Anthony Robertson III, has yet to make an impact, so the Wolverine’s need to figure that one out quickly. The Wolverine’s defense is the reason that they have a win this season. Senior defensive end Atlas Zervos has been the best defensive player in the league thus far, led by eight sacks through his first two games.
Can Alabama continue their hot start? Can they neutralize Zervos? Can the Wolverines figure their offense out and get their playmakers involved? The matchups favor the Tide, so that’s who I’ll take in this one.
Alabama 35, Michigan 27
