Capsule previews for Saturday's college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
NORTHWESTERN (5-4) at No. 8 IOWA (9-0), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Iowa by 16.
COACHES: Pat Fitzgerald (24-22 in fourth year at Northwestern) and Kirk Ferentz (79-53 in 11th year at Iowa).
LAST WEEK: Northwestern lost at home to Penn State, 34-13. Iowa beat Indiana, 42-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Iowa leads, 46-21-3
.LAST MEETING: Northwestern won, 22-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Hawkeyes' 13-game winning streak dating back to last year is second longest in nation and also Iowa's longest since winning 20 straight from 1920-23.
GAME FACTS: Wildcats have been thorn in Hawkeyes' side lately winning 7 of last 12 games since 1995. QB Mike Kafka is questionable with hamstring problem and sophomore backup Dan Persa had decent numbers (14-of-23, 115 yards passing, 42 yards rushing) but offense didn't get much done in second half last week as NU was outscored, 24-0. WR Zeke Markshausen leads Big Ten with 67 catches. Some are calling Iowa the "Luckeyes', especially after last week when 21-7 third quarter deficit was overcome with 35-point, big-play outburst that included three TDs of 66 yards or more. QB Ricky Stanzi was mostly awful with career-high 5 ints., but hit WR Marvin McNutt with short pass that the senior turned into 92 yard TD, then hit WR Derrell Johnson-Koulianos for 66-yard score. In his first start, freshman RB Brandon Wegher rumbled for 118 yards, 3 TDs. Iowa owes its No. 4 ranking in this week's BCS rankings to computer rankings, which has Hawks second compared to 6th in Coaches Poll and 7th in Harris Interactive.
NAVY (6-3) at No. 19 NOTRE DAME (6-2), 2:30, NBC.
FAVORITE: .Notre Dame by 12.
COACHES: Ken Niumatalolo (14-9 in second year at Navy) and Charlie Weis (35-23 in fifth year at Notre Dame).
LAST WEEK: Navy lost at home to Temple, 27-24. Notre Dame beat Washington State, 40-14.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 71-10-1.
.LAST MEETING: Notre Dame won, 27-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1963, Fighting Irish are 44-1 vs. Midshipmen.
GAME FACTS: After breaking record 43-game losing streak to Irish with 46-44 win in 3 OTs in South Bend two years ago, Navy almost made it two in row last year, recovering pair of onside kicks in final 1:39 before ND stopped them. Niumatalolo would love to get junior QB Ricky Dobbs back after he's missed most of last two games with leg problem. With sophomore backup Kriss Proctor, offense managed only 254 yards last week and has only 27 yards passing total in last two games. S Wyatt Middleton had 2 ints. last week while LB Tony Haberer added 7 tackles (2 for loss). Having played eight foes with combined 28-29 record, who really knows how good ND is with last week's rout of hapless Washington State (out-gained by 592 total yards to 206) clarifying little. What is clear is superb play of junior QB Jimmy Clausen (second in nation in QB rating, combined 95-of-140, 1,196 passing, 8 TDs, int. in last four games). WR Michael Floyd returns after missing 6 games with broken collarbone. S Kyle McCarthy leads team with 63 tackles and is fifth in nation with 5 ints. Sophomore LB Darius Fleming is emerging star with 11-1/2 tackles for loss (8th in nation).
No. 9 LSU (7-1) at No. 3 ALABAMA (8-0), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Alabama by 9.
COACHES: Les Miles (49-12 in fifth year at LSU) and Nick Saban (27-8 in third year at Alabama).
LAST WEEK: LSU beat Tulane, 42-0. Alabama was off.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 44-23-5.
.LAST MEETING: Alabama won, 27-21 in overtime, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Tigers are 5-1 vs. Crimson Tide since 2003 while visiting team is 27-11-1 overall in series since 1970.
GAME FACTS: Win gives Crimson Tide, third in this week's BCS rankings, the SEC West title, date to face No. 1 Florida in SEC Championship Game on Dec. 5. Tigers' upset would put them in control of own destiny to win West. Since Tigers offense was snuffed in 13-3 loss to Florida Oct. 10, offense has gotten better with 73 points in wins over Auburn, Tulane. But can sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson (32-of-48, 405 passing, 4 TDs, int., TD run in last two games) keep it up vs. terrific Tide defense (second in nation vs. run, 64.9 ypg, fourth in total defense, 240.9 ypg, 1 TD allowed in last three games)? With 3-0 mark vs. ranked teams this year and 6-2 over past two seasons, Tide has a bit of a QB issue itself with junior Greg McElroy not exactly lighting it up (43-of-83, 359 passing, 2 ints. in last three games). Look for lots of RB Mark Ingram (leads SEC, fifth in nation with 1,008 rushing, 8 TDs) vs. stout LSU front seven (15th in nation in total defense, 293 ypg). If game comes down to crucial FG try, Tigers must figure out way to block Bama's massive, 6-5, 365-pound DT Terrence Cody, who swatted down pair of fourth-quarter FG attempts (including one on game's final play) to save 12-10 win over Tennessee on Oct. 24.
No. 15 OHIO STATE (7-2) at No. 11 PENN STATE (8-2), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Penn State by 4.
COACHES: Jim Tressel (90-21 in 9th year at Ohio State) and Joe Paterno (391-128-3 in 44th year at Penn State).
LAST WEEK: Ohio State beat New Mexico State, 45-0. Penn State won at Northwestern, 34-13.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 12-12
.LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 13-6, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2005, Buckeyes are 17-1 in Big Ten road games.
GAME FACTS: Win would keep alive Buckeyes' hopes of gaining share of fifth consecutive Big Ten title. Since pep talk from NBA star LeBron James following dismal effort in 26-18 loss at Purdue, Oct. 17, sophomore QB Terrelle Pryor has picked his game up (561 yards total offense, 3 TD passes, 2 TD runs, int. in wins over Minnesota, New Mexico St.). A native of Pennsylvania, Pryor is sure to hear it from 108,000-plus at Beaver Stadium. With K Aaron Pettrey (knee) done for year, OSU is down to 26-year-old junior Devin Barkley, a former pro soccer player who hit went 1-of-3 on FGs last week. Since collapsing in final quarter of 21-10 loss at home to Iowa Sept. 26, Nittany Lions have steamrolled to five straight wins by combined score of 176-43. PSU actually trailed, 13-10, at halftime last week but erupted for three TDs, including RB Evan Royster's 69-yard run, in less than four-minute span early in final quarter to break game open. Senior QB Daryll Clark (22-of-31, 274 passing, TD pass, TD run) was again model of efficiency. DT Jared Odrick had one of Lions' 6 sacks last week while LB Sean Lee (team-high 10 tackles) seems to finally be over knee problem that hampered him for much of season. PSU ground out tough win in defensive battle last year as two teams combined for only 32 first downs with neither team cracking 290 yards of total offense.
No. 18 OKLAHOMA STATE (6-2) at IOWA STATE (5-4), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Oklahoma State by 8.
COACHES: Mike Gundy (33-25 in fifth year at Oklahoma State) and Paul Rhoads (first year at Iowa State).
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma State lost at home to Texas, 41-14. Iowa State lost at Texas A&M, 35-10.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma State leads, 24-17-3.
.LAST MEETING: Oklahoma State won, 59-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2006, Cyclones have lost 13 straight to ranked teams including eight by 23 points or more.
GAME FACTS: With Big 12 and BCS bowl hopes gone after last week's crushing loss, Cowboys must pick up pieces quickly vs. Cyclones team they've lost three of last five to. Under brutal pressure, QB Zach Robinson had worst game of his career (15-of-28, 143 passing, TD, 4 ints.) with two picks run back for backbreaking TDs. LB Andre Sexton's 7 tackles moved him to 290 for career (15th in school history). With QB Austen Arnaud (bruised hand) expected to start and RB Alexander Robinson (groin) also back, maybe Cyclones' offense (10th in Big 12, 91st in nation in scoring, 22.7 ppg, 563 total yards, 1 TD last two games) will start producing again. LB Jesse Smith's 100 tackles lead Big 12, rank 6th in nation. Upset would make ISU, a dismal 9-27 last three seasons, bowl eligible for first time since 2005.
WAKE FOREST (4-5) at No. 10 GEORGIA TECH (8-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Georgia Tech by 16.
COACHES: Jim Grobe (58-49 in 9th year at Wake) and Paul Johnson (17-5 in second year at Tech).
LAST WEEK: Wake Forest lost at home to Miami, 28-27. Wake Forest won at Vanderbilt, 56-31.
SERIES HISTORY: Ga. Tech leads, 20-8.
.LAST MEETING: Wake Forest won, 9-6, in the 2006 ACC Championship Game.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Yellow Jackets lead ACC are second in nation in rushing (304.1 yards per game) while Demon Deacons are 8th in ACC, 63rd in nation vs. run (141.7 ypg).
GAME FACTS: Deacs pretty much have backs to wall here if they want to extend bowl streak to school-record four straight years. You get the feeling that last week's loss, which saw Wake blow 27-14 lead in final quarter, was season-wrecker. QB Riley Skinner was brilliant (29-of-43, 329 passing, 2 TDs, int.) in defeat as offense rolled up 33 first downs, 556 total yards. But secondary collapsed late giving up season-high 330 yards passing. Currently leading ACC Coastal Division, Tech has won six straight as option attack has averaged 39 ppg during streak. In those six wins, QB Josh Nesbitt has piled up 1,255 yards total offense with 12 TD runs, 4 TD passes only 1 int. in 61 passes. While DE Derrick Morgan (leads ACC with 8-1/2 sacks) gets lots of attention, S Morgan Burnett (44 tackles, tied for second in ACC with 4 ints.) is underrated talent.
No. 7 OREGON (7-1) at STANFORD (5-3), 3:30, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Oregon by 5.
COACHES: Chip Kelly (first year at Oregon) and Jim Harbaugh (14-18 in third year at Stanford).
LAST WEEK: Oregon beat USC, 47-20. Stanford was off.
SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads, 43-28-1.
.LAST MEETING: Oregon won, 35-28, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Ducks have won seven straight games (tying longest winning streak since 2000), the last five by combined score of 208-58.
GAME FACTS: Ducks may be hottest team in nation right now as offense looks unstoppable. Just USC (worst loss since 1997) after Trojans got flattened for 391 yards rushing as junior QB Jeremiah Masoli, freshman RB LaMichael James (combined 347 yards, 2 TDs) burst into secondary at will. With 1,154 career rushing yards, Masoli (22-of-31, 222 passing, TD pass vs. USC) needs 55 more yards to break Dennis Dixon's career UO rushing mark for QB. Cardinal nearly pulled upset last year when Ducks punched in TD run with six seconds left to pull out win, their 7th straight over Stanford. At 6-1 and 237 pounds, Cardinal RB Toby Gerhart (leads Pac-10 with 994 rushing, fourth in nation with 13 TDs) is type of physical back Oregon has not faced this season. Freshman QB Andrew Luck (38-of-63, 659 passing, 3 TDs, int. in last two games) is improving each week. Big question is how will LB Clint Snyder (61 tackles) and defense (fourth in Pac-10 in total defense, 366.2 ypg) slow down Ducks' spread option?
OREGON STATE (5-3) at No. 23 CALIFORNIA (6-2), 7, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Cal by 7.
COACHES: Mike Riley (61-45 in 9th year at Oregon State) and Jeff Tedford (65-32 in 8th year at Cal).
LAST WEEK: Oregon State beat UCLA, 26-19. Cal won at Arizona State, 23-21.
SERIES HISTORY: Cal leads, 33-28.
.LAST MEETING: Oregon State won, 37-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2005, Golden Bears area 5-9 in November games.
GAME FACTS: Upset would make Beavers bowl eligible for 8th time in last 11 years, which is no small feat considering OSU went to a total of four bowl games in its history prior to this run. Just another day at the office (24 carries, 112 yards; 7 catches, 92 yards) for sensational sophomore RB Jacquizz Rodgers (tied for second in nation with 15 TDs) last week. After piling up 44 sacks last year, defense has just 8 this year (last in Pac-10, 114th in nation). Bears still have outside shot at BCS at-large bid. QB Kevin Riley (53-of-85, 785 passing, 8 TDs, int. in last three games) has been on roll lately, which helps prevent teams from keying on RB Jahvid Best (fourth in Pac-10, with 838 rushing, tied with Rodgers with 15 TDs). Riley probably has bad memories of Beavers from two years when in his first career start in Berkeley, he nearly led Bears back from 10-point fourth-quarter deficit only to be tackled on scramble at OSU 10 with 12 seconds left and clock expired before then-second-ranked Cal could kick game-tying FG
VANDERBILT (2-7) at No. 1 FLORIDA (8-0), 7:15, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Florida by 32.
COACHES: Bobby Johnson (29-63 in 8th year at Vanderbilt) and Urban Meyer (52-9 in fifth year at Florida).
LAST WEEK: Vandy lost at home to Georgia Tech, 56-31. Florida beat Georgia, 41-17.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 30-9-2.
.LAST MEETING: Florida won, 42-14, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Gators' 18 consecutive wins over Commodores is third longest streak in nation of teams that play each other every season.
GAME FACTS: Off to 0-5 start in SEC play for first time since 2003, it's hard to figure what kind of resistance Vandy can put up here. Freshman RB Warren Norman was outstanding last week scoring on TD run, TD catch and taking kickoff back 80 yards for TD, his third TD kickoff return of season (first SEC player to do that since 1980). 8-0 for first time since 1996 team won UF's first national title, Gators have also enjoy 18-game winning streak (longest in nation). After video caught him gouging eyes of Georgia player in pile last week, LB Brandon Spikes will not play, though this comes after Meyer initially said he would only sit out first half. Aggressive, swarming defense (second in nation in both total defense, 236.6 ypg, and scoring, 11 ppg, 4 ints. last week, 16 sacks last four games) isn't likely to miss him much. QB Tim Tebow (leads SEC in QB rating, 99-of-153, 1,323 passing, 10 TDs, 4 ints.) dominated in Nashville last year with striking efficiency, throwing 3 TD passes (in just 12 completions) and running for two more scores (out of 11 carries) and should pad his Heisman resume some more.
FLORIDA STATE (4-4) at CLEMSON (5-3), 7:45, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Clemson by 8.
COACHES: Bobby Bowden (313-95-4 in 34th year at FSU) and Dabo Swinney (9-6 in second year at Clemson).
LAST WEEK: FSU beat N.C. State, 45-42. Clemson beat Coastal Carolina, 49-3.
SERIES HISTORY: FSU leads, 16-6.
.LAST MEETING: FSU won, 41-27, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2007, Seminoles are 11-9 in ACC play, which is three more losses than FSU suffered in first 12 years in league from 1992-2002.
GAME FACTS: Latest chapter of turmoil in Tallahassee had Bowden's longtime defensive coordinator Mickey Andrews on Monday announcing his resignation effective at season's end with FSU D in utter disarray (109th in nation in total defense, 428.8 ypg, 146 points given up last four games). And now Bowden, who is not assured of returning for final year of his contract, says he'll pick new coordinator, not coach-in-waiting offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. And QB Christian Ponder (third in nation with 2,453 total offense, 13 TD passes, 3 ints., 2 TD runs) has been bothered by sore ribs, bum ankle. It all adds up well for Tigers, winners of three straight while averaging 42 ppg as Clemson has also beaten FSU three of last four. Senior RB C.J. Spiller (second in nation in kickoff returns, 38.2 ypr, 3 TDs) is true game-breaker as his 10 TDs have come in four different ways (run, catch, punt return, kickoff return). S DeAndre McDaniel is tied for lead in nation with 7 ints. He and rest of defense (second in ACC with 22 sacks) figure to turn up heat on Ponder.
CONNECTICUT (4-4) at No. 4 CINCINNATI (8-0), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Cincinnati by 16-1/2.
COACHES: Randy Edsall (62-64 in 11th year at UConn) and Brian Kelly (30-6 in third year at Cincy).
LAST WEEK: UConn lost at home to Rutgers, 28-24. Cincinnati won at Syracuse, 28-7.
SERIES HISTORY: Cincy leads, 4-1.
.LAST MEETING: UConn won, 40-16, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Bearcats haven't lost regular season game since loss at UConn last year, winning 14 straight by average score of 34-14.
GAME FACTS: Huskies' bowl streak appears destined to end at two amid vortex of misfortune. First was tragic stabbing death of CB Jasper Howard on Oct. 18, followed by consecutive, brutal 28-24 losses at West Virginia, Rutgers with last week's game ending season for both QB Cody Endres, RB Robbie Frey who both suffered shoulder injuries. Junior QB Zach Fraser came off bench and had his moments (21-of-46, 333 passing, TD) but threw 3 costly ints. Fifth in this week's BCS standings, Bearcats might get junior QB Tony Pike back this week after missing last two games with recurring arm injury. Not that backup Zach Collaros has stumbled going combined 37-of-45 for 548 yards with 7 TDs in last two wins. Kelly knows team must do better than 30 yards rushing it managed in last year's loss. Bearcats' domination is such that UC ranks in top 10 in nation in both scoring (fifth at 39.1 ppg) and scoring defense (9th, 12.9 ppg).
No. 12 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (6-2) at ARIZONA STATE (4-4), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: USC by 10.
COACHES: Pete Carroll (94-17 in 9th year at USC) and Dennis Erickson (19-14 in third year at Arizona State).
LAST WEEK: USC lost at Oregon, 47-20. Arizona State lost at home to California, 23-21.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 16-9
.LAST MEETING: USC won, 28-0. last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Carroll, Trojans are 8-0 vs. Sun Devils including six wins by 20 points or more.
GAME FACTS: Coming off worst loss ever under Carroll (and back to 1997) with little hope of making a BCS game, Trojans' focus will be tested here. At least history is positive as USC is 23-0 under Carroll in November. Run defense was utterly humiliated last week giving up 391 yards, 4 TDs as yardage total approached what Trojans had given up on ground all season (559 yards) coming in. Hounded repeatedly, QB Matt Barkley (21-of-38, 187 passing, 2 TDs, int.) looked like a freshman for a change. Fortunately for Troy, ASU does not run Oregon's spread option. In fact, ASU offense isn't real good (77th in nation in total offense, 354.6 ypg, 82nd in rushing, 132.7 ypg). Sun Devils battled back from early 14-0 deficit last week only to fall on FG with 21 seconds left. Senior QB Danny Sullivan (16-of-29, 244 passing, TD , 2 ints.) battled gamely through knee problem. After allowing combined 89 sacks in 2007-08, ASU line is finally doing better job of pass protection (47th in nation with 13 sacks allowed).
No. 20 OKLAHOMA (5-3) at NEBRASKA (5-3), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 5-1/2.
COACHES: Bob Stoops (114-27 in 11th year at Oklahoma) and Bo Pelini (15-7 in second year at Nebraska)
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma beat Kansas State, 42-30. Nebraska won at Baylor, 20-10.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 44-37-3
.LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 62-28, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Sooners' 62 points last year was most in series' 84 games dating back to 1912.
GAME FACTS: This used to be game of the year in the old Big Eight. Now loser might be in peril of making a bowl. After discouraging 16-13 loss to Texas Oct. 17, Sooners have bounced back with wins over Kansas, K-State. Moving to more of pass-orientated spread attack, offense put up 77 points as freshman QB Landry Jones (52-of-75, 648 passing, 7 TDs, int. in last two games) looks more and more comfortable. Defense (third in nation vs. run, 80 ypg, 8th in scoring, 12.6 ppg, leads Big 12 with 27 sacks) has held up its end but giving up 30 points (most in 13 games dating back to last year) is troubling. After terrible run down stretch last year that saw them give up 177 points in last five games, Pelini has shored up defense (leads Big 12, fourth in nation in scoring, 11.2 ppg, third in Big 12 with 25 sacks) with help from DT Ndamukong Suh, who was cited for negligent driving early Sunday morning when his SUV rammed into three parked cars (sustaining $10,000 damage). Pelini says his playing time won't be affected. That's good news for DT Jared Clack, who was one-man wrecking crew last with 5 sacks, 13 tackles. Freshman QB Cody Green was functional (12-of-21, 128 passing, 43 yards rushing) in first career start at Baylor after taking over for struggling junior Zac Lee, who bottomed out with disastrous 3-int. performance in 9-7 loss to Iowa State in Lincoln on Oct. 24.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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