ShareThisCapsule previews for Saturday's top college games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
No,. 21 AUBURN (2-0) at CLEMSON (2-0), Noon, ABC.
Favorite: Clemson by 3-1/2.
Coaches: Gene Chizik (24-5 in third year at Auburn) and Dabo Swinney (21-15 in fourth year at Clemson).
Last Week: Auburn beat Mississippi State, 41-34. Clemson beat Wofford, 35-27.
Series History: Auburn leads, 34-11-2.
Last Meeting: Auburn won, 27-24 in OT, last year.
Stat That Matters: In current 17-game winning streak (longest in nation), Auburn has come from behind in 12 of those victories.
Game Facts: Battle of Tigers figures to be close, just like last year when Auburn rallied in final period to force OT for 14th straight win over Clemson dating back to 1951. AU's high-wire act continued last week when defense stopped Miss. State QB Chris Relf just short of goal line on final play - this after rallying from 10-point deficit in final 2:07 to escape Utah State, 42-38, in opener. So far junior QB Barrett Trotter (33-of-46, 407 yards passing, 5 TDs, int. in first two games) has come through while sophomore RB Michael Dyer (207 rushing, 6.5 ypc, 4 TDs) is solid on ground. Clemson Tigers looked real shaky last week giving up staggering 272 yards on ground to I-AA foe, 107 more than Week 1 win over Troy ranking CU 107th in nation vs. run (218.5 ypg). Fortunately last week, QB Tajh Boyd (18-of-28, 261 passing, 3 TDs, 31 yards rushing, TD run), RB Andre Ellington (165 rushing, TD) were there to take up the slack. They must do more with G David Smith (shoulder) out. Under Swinney, Tigers are just 2-7 vs. ranked foes.
PENN STATE (1-1) at TEMPLE (2-0), Noon, ESPN2.
Favorite: Penn State by 8.
Coaches: Joe Paterno (402-136-3 in 46th year at Penn State) and Steve Addazio (first year at Temple).
Last Week: Penn State lost at home to Alabama, 27-11. Temple beat Akron, 41-3.
Series History: Penn State leads, 36-3-1.
Last Meeting: Penn State won, 22-13, last year.
Stat That Matters: Nittany Lions haven't lost to Owls since 1941, going 35-0-1 over that span including 28 straight wins since 7-7 tie in 1950.
Game Facts: If nothing else, Paterno has got to get back to coaching on sideline after recovering from preseason collision with one of his players in practice. And he's also got to figure out the QB situation that has seen Robert Bolden, Matt McGloin go 24-of-58 for 258 yards, int. in first two games. Sophomore RB Silas Redd (169 rushing, 3 TDs) looks promising. For first time in decades, Temple pushed State into second half last year trailing only 13-6 well into third quarter, though Owls were pretty much pushed around throughout (outgained 439 total yards to 202). That wasn't case as Temple rolled Villanova, Akron by combined 83-10 so far. Junior RB Bernard Pierce has battered way for 297 yards, 6 TDs (second in nation) in those wins but was held to 43 yards on 10 carries last year in Happy Valley. With Lions sure to gang up on him, junior QB Mike Gerardi (7-of-17, 93 passing, TD last week) has got to play better.
PITTSBURGH (2-0) at IOWA (1-1), Noon, ESPN.
Favorite: Iowa by 3.
Coaches: Todd Graham (first year at Pitt) and Kirk Ferentz (90-61 in 13th year at Iowa).
Last Week: Pitt beat Maine, 35-29. Iowa lost at Iowa State, 44-41, in triple overtime.
Series History: Pitt leads, 3-1.
Last Meeting: Pitt won, 21-20, in 2008.
Stat That Matters: En route to 11-2 finish in 2009, Hawkeyes went 4-1 in games decided by 6 points or less. Since then, UI is 1-5 in such games.
Game Facts: Hard to figure what to make of Panthers considering struggles against I-AA Maine, Buffalo (combined 610 yards passing given up, 3 turnovers on offense). RB Ray Graham does lead the nation with 322 yards rushing, 6 TDs (second in nation). But in give road games last year, Graham averaged just 44.6 ypg. In 15 career starts, junior QB Tino Sunseri has 17 TD passes, 11 ints. Trying to avoid first 0-2 start since 2007, Hawkeyes must pick up pieces after bitter loss last week that saw UI give up lead on TD in final 1:17 before falling in OT. Defense had huge problems giving up 473 total yards (most since last October), 4 TD passes. RB Marcus Coker (140 rushing, 2 TDs) did all he could. WR Marvin McNutt needs two catches to reach 100 for his career. Sophomore LB Christian Kriksey was all over field last week with 13 tackles, sack, forced fumble. K Mike Meyer has been perfect so far (6-of-6 on FGs, 7-of-7 on PATs).
No. 15 MICHIGAN STATE (2-0) at NOTRE DAME (0-2), 3:30, NBC.
Favorite: Notre Dame by 4-1/2.
Coaches: Mark Dantonio (35-19 in fifth year at Michigan State) and Brian Kelly (8-7 in second year at Notre Dame).
Last Week: Michigan State beat Florida-Atlantic, 44-0. Notre Dame lost at Michigan, 35-31.
Series History: Notre Dame leads, 45-28-1.
Last Meeting: Michigan State won, 34-31, in overtime.
Stat That Matters: Since 1997, Spartans are 6-1 vs. Fighting Irish in South Bend.
Game Facts: Spartans played virtually perfect game last week rolling up 27 first downs, 434 total yards while giving up just 48 total yards, one first down. Senior QB Kirk Cousins (34-of-42, 405 passing, 3 TDs on season) could play himself into Heisman contention with strong effort such as last year in East Lansing (23-of-33, 245 passing, 2 TDs, int.). But real story of that one was Dantonio's call of a fake FG in OT with it working for game-ending TD. Drama increased later that night when Dantonio was hospitalized after suffering heart attack. Irish fans must have felt like that at Michigan as ND let 17-point second half lead slip away only to seemingly grab win when QB Tommy Rees hit WR Theo Reddick with 29-yard TD pass with 30 seconds left. Yet somehow, ND defense (gave up 452 total yards on game, 28 points in fourth quarter) let Michigan get down field and lost on TD pass with two seconds left. Five more turnovers give ND 10 on season (most in nation). WR Michael Floyd is tied for lead in nation with 25 catches and had two TD grabs last year in East Lansing. Loss would give Irish its third 0-3 start since 2001. ND had never started 0-3 prior to that.
TENNESSEE (2-0) at No. 16 FLORIDA (2-0), 3:30, CBS.
Favorite: Florida by 8.
Coaches: Derek Dooley (8-7 in second year at Tennessee) and Will Muschamp (first year at Florida).
Last Week: Tennessee beat Cincinnati. Florida beat Alabama-Birmingham, 39-0.
Series History: Florida leads, 21-19.
Last Meeting: Florida won, 31-17, last year.
Stat That Matters: Gators have beaten Vols six straight years including last three in Gainesville by combined score of 98-40.
Game Facts: Young Vols (only three seniors starters, 0 on offense) really believe they have chance to end UF's dominance. It centers on terrific starts by sophomore QB Tyler Bray (34-of-41, 407 yards passing, 4 TDs, TD run last week) working with WRs Justin Hunter, Da'Rick Rogers (combined 31 catches on season, 502 yards, 5 TDs), who became first UT receivers to both catch at least 10 passes in same game last week. Defense has been vulnerable to big play (65-yard TD run given up last week, 80-yard TD pass in opener over Montana). Since 1990, Gators are 143-9 vs. unranked foes, including 94-4 at home. Former defensive coordinator at Texas, Muschamp's Gators have responded giving up only three points, 349 total yards in wins over Florida Atlantic, UAB. And UF is first ranked team Bray has faced. New Gators offensive coordinator Charlie Weis hasn't worked miracles yet with his senior QB John Brantley (33-of-49, 424 passing, TD, 2 ints. on season). RB Chris Rainey had career high 16 carries for 119 yards last week. Normally pass-happy Gators ground out win last year in Knoxville rushing for 150 yards on 49 carries (most by UF vs. UT since 1996).
No. 24 TEXAS (2-0) at UCLA (1-1), 3:30, ABC.
Favorite: Texas by 3-1/2.
Coaches: Mack Brown (135-34 in 14th year at Texas) and Rick Neuheisel (16-23 in fourth year at UCLA).
Last Week: Texas beat BYU, 17-16. UCLA beat San Jose State, 27-17.
Series History: UCLA leads, 3-2.
Last Meeting: UCLA won, 34-12, last year.
Stat That Matters: Since 1999, Longhorns are 62-20 in road, neutral-site games, the best record in the nation over that span..
Game Facts: Both teams come in with QB issues. After QB Garrett Gilbert's two ints. last week, Brown benched the junior and turned to sophomore Case McCoy, younger brother of Longhorns legend Colt, and freshman David Ash. The duo wasn't exactly stellar (9-of-11 for 92 yards, 36 yards rushing) but didn't commit any turnovers. Both had hand in 8-play, 52-yard drive that climaxed with RB Cody Johnson's four-yard TD run that was game-winner. LBs Emmanuel Acho, Jordan Hicks combined for 21 tackles while CB Quandre Diggs turned in key int. late to seal win. 3-1 vs. Longhorns in his coaching career, Neuheisel isn't saying whether Kevin Prince (missed last week sore shoulder) or Richard Brehaut (12-of-23, 145 passing, TD, 44 yards rushing last week) will start at QB. Last year in Austin, Bruins ran wild for 264 yards on ground with RBs Jonathan Franklin, Derrick Coleman combining for 212 yards, 2 TDs in loss Brown called "embarrassing for me.'' Bruins are just 3-7 vs. ranked foes under Neuheisel.
WASHINGTON (2-0) at No. 11 NEBRASKA (2-0), 3:30, ESPN.
Favorite: Nebraska by 17.
Coaches: Steve Sarkisian (14-13 in third year at Washington) and Bo Pelini (32-12 in fourth year at Nebraska).
Last Week: Washington beat Hawaii, 40-32. Nebraska beat Fresno State, 42-29.
Series History: Tied, 4-4-1.
Last Meeting: Washington won, 19-7, in the Holiday Bowl last Dec. 30.
Stat That Matters: Under Pelini, Cornhuskers are 11-1 in non-conference home games winning by average score of 39-13.
Game Facts: Somehow this is third meeting of non-conference Huskies and Cornhuskers in less than a year. Teams split last year with 'Huskers routing UW, 56-21, during season but then turning in horrid effort in Holiday Bowl rematch. Best example of the difference in those games was NU QB Taylor Martinez, who dominated in Seattle rushing for 137 yards, 3 TDs, throwing for 150 more and another score. But in Holiday Bowl, he got little help rushing 14 times for 43 yards with token passing effort (7-of-9, 53 yards, TD int.). That was real story of both games, the stunning turnabout of Huskies defense, that got trampled for 533 total yards (383 rushing) in regular season but then held 'Huskers to just 189 yards, 14 first downs in bowl win. They'll be challenged again by Martinez (third in nation with 301 rushing, 4 TDs, 21-of-43, 335 passing, TD, 2 ints. in wins over Fresno State, Chattanooga). Taking over for Jake Locker, sophomore QB Chris Polk has looked promising (35-of-50, 417 passing, 7 TDs, int.) but how well he hold up amid hostile din of 81,000 Big Red fans?
NAVY (2-0) at No. 11 SOUTH CAROLINA (2-0), 6, ESPN2.
Favorite: South Carolina by 18.
Coaches: Ken Niumatalolo (29-14 in fourth year at Navy) and Steve Spurrier (46-33 in 7th year at South Carolina).
Last Week: Navy won at Western Kentucky, 40-14. South Carolina won at Georgia, 45-42.
Series History: South Carolina leads, 4-3.
Last Meeting: South Carolina won, 19-8, in 1988.
Stat That Matters: Since September, 2008, Gamecocks are 16-3 at home including 8-0 mark vs. non-conference foes.
Game Facts: Plucky Midshipmen rarely back down in opportunities vs. BCS big boys (7-6 vs. BCS foes since start of 2008). That's because marvelously tricky spread option (leads nation in rushing, 400.5 ypg) reduces number of possessions for more gifted opponents. 11 different Mids carried ball in rolling up 403 yards rushing last week while QB Kriss Proctor threw only seven passes, but completed three for 100 yards with pair of TDs. But I-AA Delaware, Western Ky. bears little resemblance to SEC talent level Navy sees here. Gamecocks have put that on display already with five non-offensive TDs including DE Melvin Ingram racing 68 yard for TD on fake punt last week then adding 3-yard fumble return TD. Replacing sophomore Connor Shaw who struggled in season-opening win over East Carolina, senior Stephen Garcia wasn't exactly great last week (11-of-25, 142 passing, TD, 2 ints., TD run), which wastes super talents of WR Alshon Jeffrey (10 catches, 17.1 ypc on season). As if that's not enough, Spurrier is also miffed at defense (10th in SEC in total defense, 390.5 ypg) saying "Our guys are getting a lot of publicity but need to start doing something.'' Sophomore RB Marcus Lattimore (288 rushing, 4 TDs) has the NFL in his future.
No. 17 OHIO STATE (2-0) at MIAMI (0-1), 7:30, ESPN.
Favorite: Miami by 2.
Coaches: Luke Fickell (first year at Ohio State) and Al Golden (first year at Miami).
Last Week: Ohio State beat Toledo, 27-22. Miami was off.
Series History: Ohio State won, 3-1.
Last Meeting: Ohio State won, 36-24, last year.
Stat That Matters: Since October 22, 2005, Buckeyes are 23-3 on road.
Game Facts: Call this the offseason scandal bowl with both programs likely facing some form of NCAA probation. Win here might just go long way in getting Fickell, named as interim replacement when Jim Tressel resigned in May, a long-term deal. He gets boost in return of RB Jordan Hall, CB Travis Howard, LB Jordan Whiting, DE Corey Brown from various NCAA-related suspensions. Hall will start after ground game sputtered to 112 yards on 34 carries last week. Hurricanes get even bigger suspension- return boost with QB Jacory Harris, LB Sean Spence, WR Travis Benjamin and DT Marcus Forston, who all missed season-opening 32-24 loss at Maryland for involvement in illegal payments from booster-turned-prisoner Nevin Shapiro. Whether having Harris (14 TDs, 15 ints. last year) back at QB is better than sophomore Stephen Morris (19-of-28, 195 passing, 2 ints., TD run vs. Maryland) is debatable. RB Lamar Miller looked good in opener with 119 yards, TD and will look for holes behind huge line that averages 319 pounds.
No. 1 OKLAHOMA (1-0) at No. 5 FLORIDA STATE (2-0), 8, ABC.
Favorite: Oklahoma by 3.
Coaches: Bob Stoops (130-31 in 13th year at Oklahoma) and Jimbo Fisher (12-4 in second year at FSU).
Last Week: Oklahoma was off. FSU beat Charleston Southern, 62-10.
Series History: Oklahoma leads, 5-1.
Last Meeting: Oklahoma won, 47-17, last year.
Stat That Matters: Since start of 2009 season, Sooners are 4-5 on road while giving up 27.5 points per game.
Game Facts: Sooners have stumbled on this big a stage lately. Stoops is hoping defense is improved from unit that gave up 32.2 points per game in five road games last year (OU went 3-2 in those games). In 47-14 win over Tulsa in opener, QB Landry Jones (35-of-47, 375 passing, TD), WR Ryan Broyles (14 catches, 158 yards, TD) were in midseason form while junior RB Dominique Whaley shook loose for 131 yards, 4 TDs in his first game as a Sooner. Second on the team with 61 catches last year, WR Kenny Stills returns after missing opener as suspension for offseason DUI arrest. Seminoles haven't beaten top-five team since 2007 and are 5-8 vs. ranked teams since then. Fisher will use the athleticism of QB E.J. Manuel (24-of-35, 329 passing, 4 TDs, int. last week) to challenge Sooners on edge. Talented WR Bert Reed (ankle) is questionable. Last year in Norman, Jones was deadly (30-of-40, 380 passing, 4 TDs) finding Broyles for 12 catches while Seminoles disintegrated with mistakes (3 turnovers, 12 penalties) and wound up giving up 487 total yards. CB Greg Reid leading team with 10 tackles, many downfield, tells you how miserably FSU played.
UTAH (1-1) at BYU (1-1), 9:15, ESPN2.
Favorite: BYU by 5.
Coaches: Kyle Whittingham (58-21 in 7th year at Utah) and Bronco Mendenhall (57-22 in 7th year at BYU).
Last Week: Utah lost at Southern Cal, 23-14. BYU lost at Texas, 17-16.
Series History: Utah leads, 54-34-4.
Last Meeting: Utah won, 17-16, last year.
Stat That Matters:
Game Facts: The 91st meeting of the "Holy War'' is first time since 2001, " is not final regular season contest for both schools. Utes, Cougars each are coming in off tough losses. Utes were lined up for potential game-winning FG from 41 yards but K Colem Petersen's kick was blocked run back 68 yards for TD to end game. That squandered QB Jordan Wynn's 238 yards passing, including 11 catches for 136 yards, TD by WR DeVonte Christopher. Last year in Salt Lake City, it was déjà vu the other way as Utes rallied from 13-0 hole to win on blocked FG on final play. Cougars let 13-0 second quarter lead evaporate last week as running game did little (43 yards) putting too much burden on QB Jake Heaps (22-of-38, 192 passing, TD, 2 ints.), numbers eerily similar to his performance in Provo last year (22-of-37, 228 passing, TD, int.) when Cougars blew 16-0 final quarter lead.
No. 6 STANFORD (2-0) at ARIZONA (1-1), 10:45, ESPN.
Favorite: Stanford by 10.
Coaches: David Shaw (2-0 in first year at Stanford) and Mike Stoops (41-46 in 8th year at Arizona).
Last Week: Stanford won at Duke, 44-14. Arizona lost at Oklahoma State, 37-14.
Series History: Arizona leads, 14-12.
Last Meeting: Stanford won, 42-17, last year.
Stat That Matters: In current 14-1 run since start of last season, Cardinal has averaged 41.6 points per game.
Game Facts: Cardinal's current 10-game winning streak (second longest in nation) is school's longest since winning 13 straight from 1939-41. That's pretty much a testament to brilliant QB Andrew Luck (37-of-54, 461 passing, 6 TDs, int., 38 TDs passes, 9 ints. since start of last season), though he does have plenty of help in WR Chris Owusu (14 catches, TD), TE Coby Fleener, who has seen three of his five catches go for TDs. LB Shayne Skov (18 tackles, 4 for loss) anchors defense. Wildcats were never really in it last week (trailed 21-0 at half) as defense got pushed around for 593 yards. Offense was one-dimensional with QB Nick Foles (398 passing, TD) constantly firing to WRs Dan Buckner, Austin Hill (combined 18 catches, 270 yards, TD), though they did miss WR Juron Criner, who missed trip last week after undergoing appendectomy and is questionable here. Non-existent running game (115th in nation in rushing, 58 ypg) puts too much pressure on Foles, defense
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
