SB Nation Chicago: All Posts by Bryan Crawford

Miami vs. Notre Dame 2012: The Hurricanes take their high-powered offense to Chicago

2012-10-02T16:00:18Z

On Saturday, the No. 9 Notre Dame Fighting Irish will take on the Miami Hurricanes in Chicago at Soldier Field. The Hurricanes are coming off a huge 44-37 victory over the N.C. State Wolfpack and a record passing performance by quarterback Stephen Morris.

Morris completed 26-of-49 passes against N.C. State and racked up 566 yards (an ACC record) and five touchdowns in the game. Notre Dame is coming off a bye week, with its last game being in a 13-6 defensive struggle over the Michigan Wolverines in Week 4. But the biggest question in this contest will be if Notre Dame can slow down Miami's high-powered offense?

The Hurricanes have scored at least 40 points in four of its five games, and it seems unlikely that Notre Dame will be able to survive a shootout with Miami. The Irish have scored no more than 20 points in their last three games. If Miami can force Notre Dame to play at its pace, it should have a very good chance to win this game.

Florida State vs. N.C. State 2012: Seminoles go for their sixth consecutive victory on Saturday

2012-10-02T15:22:56Z

When the No. 3 Florida State Seminoles travel north to take on the N.C. State Wolfpack this Saturday, they face a difficult task in limiting the effectiveness of quarterback Mike Glennon.

Glennon is a prototypical pocket passer with a rocket arm. He's completing 62 percent of his passes this season and has thrown for 1,422 yards and 10 touchdowns. But the good news is he isn't very mobile when forced outside of the pocket. If the Seminoles cornerbacks can apply pressure on Glennon's receivers, while utilizing their pass rush and make him uncomfortable, Florida State will give themselves a very good chance to win on Saturday.

A victory would give the 'Noles a six-game winning streak this season. Florida State has scored no less than 30 points in any game in 2012 and has blown out four of its last five opponents. With a few more convincing wins, it could turn into a BCS National Championship contender.

Jake Locker injury: Titans QB expected to miss Week 5

2012-10-02T14:14:25Z

Tennesee Titans quarterback Jake Locker suffered a second dislocation of his non-throwing shoulder this season during his game against the Houston Texans last Sunday. As a result, Locker will miss the Titans' Week 5 road contest with the Minnesota Vikings.

According to a report in The Tennessean, Locker could miss multiple games.

The second-year quarterback first injured his shoulder in the Titans' season-opener against the New England Patriots on Sept. 9 trying to make a tackle. In last Sunday's game against the Texans, he suffered another dislocation after being sacked.

An MRI has shown no structural damage after his latest shoulder dislocation. Locker had been wearing a shoulder harness underneath his uniform since Week 1. Although rest is the immediate solution, this could be a recurring injury for Locker would mean he'd need surgery in order to make a full recovery.

The Titans play two games in the next 10 days -- Sunday at Minnesota and then Oct. 11 for a Thursday night game when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Georgia Tech Vs. Clemson: Yellow Jackets could have three veteran players back on Saturday

2012-10-02T13:38:16Z

After last Saturday's upset loss at the hands of the Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have to prepare for an even tougher opponent in the Clemson Tigers on Saturday. But Georgia Tech could have some veteran leadership back on the field to help their chances in redeeming Saturday's loss.

According to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution report, junior linebacker Jeremiah Attaochu, junior offensive lineman Will Jackson and junior cornerback Louis Young all practiced on Monday and could be ready to go on Saturday. Both Attaochu and Jackson were forced to sit out against MTSU with injuries, while Jackson played, but sat out the second half with an illness.

Head coach Paul Johnson does not expect sophomore safety Fred Holton to play against Clemson. Holton has missed all of Georgia Tech's game this season with a foot injury.

Georgia Tech faces a tough task on the road against the No. 15 Tigers who will be looking to avenge last seasons 31-17 loss to the Yellow Jackets in Atlanta.

Christopher Owens injury: Falcons' DB set to return to practice

2012-10-02T13:02:23Z

Christopher Owens, the Atlanta Falcons' third-year cornerback, has been cleared to resume practicing with the team after he suffered a concussion in Atlanta's Monday Night Football victory over the Denver Broncos on Sept. 17. Owens was placed in the NFL's concussion protocol program and as a result, missed Atlanta's games against the San Diego Chargers and Carolina Panthers.

Owens suffered the injury in the first quarter against the Broncos and was forced to leave the contest after starting at nickel back. He was replaced by Dominique Franks, who finished the game. In Atlanta's Week 4 game against the Panthers, Robert McClain took over at the nickel back spot, taking 55 percent of the snaps and making three tackles.

Owens will have to win his job back from Franks in practice, as the team prepares to take on Robert Griffin III and the Washington Redskins on Sunday and hopes move to 5-0 for the first time in team history.

Keith Marshall, Todd Gurley, Sanders Commings earn SEC weekly award

2012-10-02T12:32:15Z

The Georgia Bulldogs are coming off an impressive 51-44 victory over the Tennessee Volunteers last weekend. The win brings them to 5-0 on the season, and three Bulldog players were given SEC player of the week honors for their performances in the win.

Tailbacks Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley were named SEC freshmen of the week. Marshall carried the ball 10 times against the Volunteers and rushed for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Gurley had 24 carries and racked up 130 yards and three touchdowns.

Senior defensive back Sanders Commings was named the co-defensive player of the week in the SEC. Commings had five tackles against the Volunteers on Saturday -- four of those solo -- while also making two interceptions in the game. His last pick was the biggest as it came with seven seconds left in regulation and sealed the victory for Georgia.

The Bulldogs are preparing to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks on Saturday, with the winner giving itself an advantage in the SEC Division race.

Bengals vs. Jaguars: Game time, TV schedule, odds and more

2012-09-30T12:00:45Z

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday at EverBank Field, with a win bringing their record this season to 2-2. The Jaguars are coming off a huge victory over the Indianapolis Colts last Sunday and will be trying to ride that momentum to a second consecutive victory.

Jacksonville has lost their last two meetings against the Bengals, including last season's disappointing home loss where they gave up 17 points in the fourth quarter and allowed Cincinnati to walk away with a 30-20 comeback victory. Jacksonville will have a golden opportunity to avenge that loss this Sunday.

Blaine Gabbert will need to do all he can under center to help improve on the Jaguars AFC worst, 17.3 points per game average, while Maurice Jones-Drew could be poised for a great game as the Bengals defense ranks 31st in the NFL, allowing 155 rushing yards per game.

Game Date/Time: Sunday, Sept. 30 at 4:05 p.m. ET

TV: CBS, DirecTV channel 712, NFL RedZone

Odds: Bengals -2.5

MTSU vs. Georgia Tech final score: Yellow Jackets shocked in 49-28 loss

2012-09-29T19:50:41Z

The Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders pulled off a major upset as they went into Bobby Dodd Stadium and handily beat the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Saturday afternoon, 49-28. The game was essentially a back-and-forth affair in the first half as both teams went into the intermission tied 21-21.

But the second half was a much different story as MTSU held Georgia Tech scoreless in the third quarter while scoring two touchdowns of their own, giving themselves a two touchdown lead at 35-21 heading into the final quarter.

In the fourth, it was all MTSU as they put two more scores on the board while holding the Yellow Jackets to just one and when the dust settled, the Blue Raiders emerged victorious while Georgia Tech was left hanging their heads. MTSU racked up 510 yards of offense in the game to the Yellow Jackets 425, while also forcing Georgia Tech into committing four turnovers.

Follow @SBNationCFB