Capsule previews for Saturday's top college games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
MINNESOTA (4-3) at No. 18 OHIO STATE (5-2), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Ohio State by 18.
COACHES: Tim Brewster (12-20 in third year at Minnesota) and Jim Tressel (88-21 in 9th year at Ohio State).
LAST WEEK: Minnesota lost at Penn State, 20-0. Ohio State lost at home to Purdue, 26-18.
SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads, 41-7.
LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 34-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1969, Buckeyes are 34-2 vs. Golden Gophers including 18-1 mark in Columbus.
GAME FACTS: Looking for first win over Buckeyes since 2000, Gophers need to make game competitive in fourth quarter first (outscored 57-10 in first half of losses last three years). And that won't be easy as offense (last in Big Ten, 114th in nation in total offense, 293.7 yards per game) including dismal 7-first down, 138-total yards clunker last week. Junior QB Adam Weber (15-of-31, 175 yards passing, 3 ints. in last two games) looks lost, though shaky protection (9th in Big Ten with 16 sacks allowed) hasn't helped. Buckeyes have same QB issues as sophomore Terrell Pryor imploded last week with 2 ints., 2 lost fumbles, though he did throw for 221 yards and a TD while running for another. Ground game managed only 66 yards, 34 of it by Pryor, who also questioned Bucks' intensity going into game. Some OSU fans even want Pryor, preseason Big Ten offensive player of year and No. 1 recruit in nation in 2008, benched in favor of sophomore backup Joe Bauserman, but Tressel is defending Pryor -- for now. Something's also gone really wrong in the secondary (shredded for 281 yards passing, 2 TDs last week, given up 531 passing last two games).
ILLINOIS (1-5) at PURDUE (2-5), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Purdue by 10.
COACHES: Ron Zook (19-35 in fifth year at Illinois) and Danny Hope (first year at Purdue).
LAST WEEK: Illinois lost at Indiana, 27-14. Purdue won at Ohio State, 26-18.
SERIES HISTORY: Illinois leads, 41-38-6.
LAST MEETING: Purdue won, 42-31, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Dating back to last year, Illini have lost eight straight games to D-I foes, including all five this season by combined score of 153-54.
GAME FACTS: With program floundering (4-14 vs. D-I foes since 49-17 loss to USC in 2008 Rose Bowl), Zook is feeling heat saying "I think we're better than how we're playing. It's going to fall on all of us, but obviously it's going to fall on me." Senior QB "Juice'' Williams returned from benching last week with excellent game (22-of-37, 258 passing, 2 TDs, 54 yards rushing) but defense again crumbled giving up 482 total yards. Meanwhile, Boilermakers snapped five-game losing skid with improbable upset with QB Joey Elliot (31-of-50, 281 passing, 2 TDs, int., 34 yards rushing), opportunistic defense (forced 5 turnovers) leading the way. DE Ryan Kerrigan was a terror all by himself with three sacks, forced fumble, recovered fumble while CB Brandon King grabbed 2 ints. Purdue hasn't won consecutive Big Ten games since beating Iowa and Northwestern in October, 2007.
TENNESSEE (3-3) at No. 1 ALABAMA (7-0), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Alabama by 16.
COACHES: Lane Kiffin (first year at Tennessee) and Nick Saban (25-8 in third year at Alabama).
LAST WEEK: Tennessee was off. Alabama beat South Carolina, 20-6.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 46-38-7.
LAST MEETING: Alabama won, 29-9, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Vols last two seasons, Crimson Tide has outscored UT, 70-26, while out-gaining them, 866 total yards to 535.
GAME FACTS: Vols are 2-7 all-time vs. No. 1 teams losing five straight since 1985 by combined score of 157-62. It doesn't look like Kiffin's first team has firepower (averaged 19 ppg in last 11 SEC games dating back to last year) to shock Tide. Yet in 45-19 win over Georgia on Oct. 10, previously beleaguered senior QB Jonathan Crompton finally played well (20-of-27, career-high 310 passing, 4 TDs, int.). RB Montario Hardesty (fourth in SEC with 672 rushing, 6 TDs) is running strong. Star S Eric Berry's ints. are down (1 this year after leading nation with 7 in '08) while his tackles are up (50 this year after 72 all last season). Aiming for first three-game winning streak over UT since winning 7 in row from 1986-92, Tide got tremendous effort last week from RB Mark Ingram (leads SEC, fourth in nation with 905 rushing, 8 TDs) who burst for career-high 246 yards (third highest total in nation this year). After great start, senior QB Greg McElroy has cooled off (combined 25-of-54, 237 passing, 2 ints. last two games). Awesome defense (leads nation in total defense, 226.5 ypg, third vs. the run, 63.3 ypg, fourth in scoring, 11.6 ppg) is led by LBs Rolando McClain (49 tackles), Eryk Anders (4 sacks), 365-pound DT Terrence Cody (5 tackles for loss), S Mark Barron (3 ints. on year, 77-yard return for TD last week).
BOSTON COLLEGE (5-2) at NOTRE DAME (4-2), 3:30, NBC.
FAVORITE: Notre Dame by 8.
COACHES: Frank Spaziani (first year at BC) and Charlie Weis (33-23 in fifth year at Notre Dame).
LAST WEEK: BC beat N.C. State, 52-20. Notre Dame lost to USC, 34-27.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 9-9.
LAST MEETING: BC won, 17-0, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2001, Golden Eagles have beaten Fighting Irish six straight with four of the wins by 7 points or less.
GAME FACTS: Eagles used "Bazooka'' form of "Wildcat'' formation to astounding success last week as RB Montel Harris galloped for school-record 264 yards rushing (most in D-I game this season), 5 TDs. WR Colin Larmond Jr. added 59-yard TD catch from QB Dave Shinskie, a 25-year-old freshman-former minor league baseball player. BC has looked awful in road losses at Va. Tech, Clemson (outscored by combined 73-21). Irish nearly pulled off miracle comeback last week, cutting 20-point fourth-quarter deficit to 34-27 before QB Jimmy Clausen (24-of-43, 260 passing, 2 TDs) fired incomplete from USC 4 on final two plays of game. WR Golden Tate caught 8 passes for 117 yards, 2 TDs including spectacular, diving 45-yard score despite double coverage. Defense (104th in nation in total defense, 419.5 ypg) looked outclassed at times giving up 501 total yards. In last year's shutout win at Chestnut Hill (first shutout for either team in series), BC defense harassed Clausen relentlessly intercepting him four times as ND finished with only 66 yards rushing.
No. 13 PENN STATE (6-1) at MICHIGAN (5-2), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Penn State by 5.
COACHES: Joe Paterno (389-128-3 in 44th year at Penn State) and Rich Rodriguez (8-11 in second year at Michigan).
LAST WEEK: Penn State beat Minnesota, 20-0. Michigan beat Delaware State, 63-6.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 10-4.
LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 46-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1996, Wolverines are 5-0 vs. Nittany Lions in Ann Arbor, with four wins coming over Penn State teams ranked No. 15 or higher.
GAME FACTS: Still alive in race for Big Ten title, Lions must solve jinx at Michigan Stadium to stay there. Usual combo of QB Darryl Clark (21-of-32, 287 passing, TD), RB Evan Royster (23 carries, 137 yards) got job done last week. Defense (second in nation in scoring, 8.7 ppg, only 5 TDs given up in last five games) stepped it up again yielding just 7 first downs 138 total yards. Last week's ludicrous rout vs. foe that never should have been on schedule, Wolverines have ridden high-wire act with four of other six games decided by six points or less (wins over Notre Dame and Indiana, losses at Michigan State and Iowa). Freshman QB Tate Forcier (1,207 total offense, 9 TD passes, 4 ints., 2 TD runs) has UM fans excited. Defense has fair numbers until you realize that minus last week and season-opening 31-7 win over Western Michigan, UM is giving up 28 points and 404 yards per game. P Zoltan Mesko not only has good name but can actually kick, too (leads Big Ten, 7th in nation in punting, 45.6 ypp).
CLEMSON (3-3) at No. 8 MIAMI (5-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Miami by 5.
COACHES: Dabo Swinney (7-6 in second year at Clemson) and Randy Shannon (17-14 in third year at Miami).
LAST WEEK: Clemson beat Wake Forest, 38-3. Miami won at Central Florida, 27-7.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads, 5-2.
LAST MEETING: Miami won, 36-30 in triple overtime, in 2005.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2007, Tigers have lost eight straight to ranked opponents including 0-3 mark under Swinney.
GAME FACTS: Thanks to 2-2 league mark in muddled ACC Atlantic race, Tigers are still very much alive for making first ACC title game appearance. They looked up to making run last week as RB C.J. Spiller burst for 66 and 14-yard TD runs and freshman QB Kyle Parker (10-of-17, 131 passing, TD pass, TD run) was efficient for a change. Defense seemed to respond to players-only meeting last week with physical effort (178 total yards given up, 5 sacks). Off to best start since 2005, Hurricanes are somehow only fourth in ACC Coastal Race (2-1 league mark), despite being highest rated league team in this week's BCS standings (10th). Despite poor protection (15 sacks given up last four games including 6 last week), QB Jacory Harris (second in ACC in QB rating, 105-of-162, 1,518 passing, 11 TDs, 7 ints.) remains productive. LBs Colin McCarthy (38 tackles, int.), Sean Spence (2 sacks last week) anchor capable defense that still misses S Randy Phillips, who has missed last three games but vows to play through painful shoulder injury.
No. 12 OREGON (5-1) at WASHINGTON (3-4), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Oregon by 8.
COACHES: Chip Kelly (first year at Oregon) and Steve Sarkisian (first year at Washington).
LAST WEEK: Oregon was off. Washington lost at Arizona State, 24-17.
SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads, 58-38-5.
LAST MEETING: Oregon won, 44-10, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Ducks have beaten Huskies five straight times by average score of 41-17, UO's longest winning streak in rivalry that dates back to 1900.
GAME FACTS: On 5-game winning streak since season-opening loss at Boise State, Ducks must avoid looking forward to next week's showdown with No. 4 USC in Eugene. After missing 24-10 win at UCLA Oct. 10 with knee problem, junior QB Jeremiah Masoli should return. RB Kenjon Barner had 100-yard TD kickoff return vs. UCLA. Freshman RB LaMichael James (third in Pac-10 with 581 rushing, 4 TDs) has done fine job filling in for suspended senior LaGarrette Blount. In Sarkisian's debut, Huskies have been dangerous at home with 3-1 mark including upset of USC with only loss to No. 9 LSU. Junior QB Jake Locker (combined 849 total offense, 5 TD passes, 3 ints., 2 TD runs last three weeks) has attention of NFL scouts. Pass protection (71st in nation with 15 sacks allowed) has hardly helped. Defense (9th in Pac-10, 106th in nation in total defense, 424.6 ypg, 8th in Pac-10, 110th in nation vs. pass, 262.1 ypg, 8 TD passes allowed, 5 ints.) has pretty much struggled all over the field
No. 25 OKLAHOMA (3-3) at No. 24 KANSAS (5-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 7.
COACHES: Bob Stoops (112-27 in 11th year at Oklahoma) and Mark Mangino (50-42 in 8th year at Kansas).
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma lost to Texas, 16-13. Kansas lost at Colorado, 34-30.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 67-27-6.
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 45-31, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1965, Sooners are 32-6 vs. Jayhawks including 5-0 mark under Stoops.
GAME FACTS: Off to worst start since 2005, Sooners are resigned to moving forward minus Heisman-winning junior QB Sam Bradford, who went down again last week with shoulder problem and faces likely season-ending surgery. Freshman Landry Jones (24-of-43, 250 passing, TD, 2 ints. last week) has stepped in capably but offense has faltered in red zone. Looking for first win over Sooners since 1998, Jayhawks nearly rallied from 27-10 second-half deficit last week behind QB Todd Reesing (30-of-51, 401 passing, 2 TDs, int.). In last year's loss in Norman, WR Dezmon Briscoe set school record with 269 receiving yards on 13 catches (2 TDs). Offense (second in nation in total offense, 503.3 ypg) features two of top six WRs in nation in terms of catches in WR Kerry Meier (second with 54 catches, 6 TDs), Briscoe (6th with 38 catches, 4 TDs, leads nation with 671 receiving yards). Defense was obliterated for 674 total yards by OU last year. That figure needs to be cut in half to have chance here.
No. 10 TCU (6-0) at No. 16 BYU (6-1), 7:30, Versus.
FAVORITE: TCU by 2.
COACHES: Gary Patterson (79-27 in 9th year at TCU) and Bronco Mendenhall (44-14 in 5th year at BYU).
LAST WEEK: TCU beat Colorado State, 44-6. BYU won at San Diego State, 38-28.
SERIES HISTORY: BYU leads, 5-3.
LAST MEETING: TCU won, 32-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Patterson, Horned Frogs are 57-1 when holding foes to 17 points or less including 5-0 this season.
GAME FACTS: With highest ranking this point in season since 1956, Frogs (8th in BCS standings) could take huge step toward Mountain West crown, first New Year's Bowl trip since 1959 with win here. Only 6-6 vs. ranked foes under Patterson, TCU needs to avoid mistakes in hostile environment, and that starts with junior QB Andy Dalton (second in MWC in QB rating, 93-of-142, 1,223 passing, 8 TDs, 3 ints.). DE Jerry Hughes (25 career sacks, third most in school history) is likely first-round NFL pick. Having outscored foes by combined 203-82 this season, TCU's 8-game winning streak dating back to last year is fourth longest in nation. Riding four-game winning streak of their own, Cougars want revenge for last year's beat down in Fort Worth when they were never in it after trailing 23-0 at halftime. QB Max Hall (leads MWC, fourth in nation in QB rating, 152-of-219, 2,069 passing, 16 TDs, 10 ints.) had miserable time of it throwing 2 ints. and getting sacked six times. After early season leg problem, senior RB Harvey Unga (461 rushing, 8 TDs in last four games) is finding his stride. Secondary has had problems lately giving up 322 yards passing, 3 TD passes last week.
No. 2 FLORIDA (6-0) at MISSISSIPPI STATE (3-4), 7:30, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Florida by 23.
COACHES: Urban Meyer (50-9 in 5th year at Florida) and Dan Mullen (first year at Miss. State).
LAST WEEK: Florida beat Arkansas, 23-20. Mississippi State beat Middle Tennessee, 27-6.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 32-18-2.
LAST MEETING: Florida won, 35-9, in 2005.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Meyer, Gators are 39-1 when scoring first.
GAME FACTS: Still No. 1 in BCS rankings, Gators barely survived last week, rallying from 20-13 deficit with 8 minutes left. After Arkansas missed earlier FG try, K Caleb Sturgis won it with 27-yard FG with :09 left. QB Tim Tebow (leads SEC, third in nation in QB rating, 72-of-11, 1,032 passing, 8 TDs, 2 ints., 6 ints. in last 398 passes) off 6 sacks to make plays when it mattered. Tebow's next rushing TD will tie Herschel Walker's all-time SEC record of 49. Star LB Brandon Spikes (groin) is questionable after missing most of Ark. game. An assistant under Meyer at Bowling Green, Utah and Florida and Tebow's QB coach last two seasons, this is homecoming of sorts for Mullen. Bulldogs' offense (6th in SEC in total offense, 390.3 ypg, up 52 ypg from last year) is improving, though SEC games remain a huge challenge (2-9 in SEC play since start of last season while averaging 16 ppg). RB Anthony Dixon (third in SEC with 696 rushing, 7 TDs) has been on roll lately with 269 yards, 4 TDs in last two games.
AUBURN (5-2) at No. 9 LSU (5-1), 7:30, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: LSU by 8.
COACHES: Gene Chizik (first year at Auburn) and Les Miles (47-12 in 5th year at LSU).
LAST WEEK: Auburn lost at home to Kentucky, 21-14. LSU was off.
SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads, 23-19-1
LAST MEETING: LSU won, 26-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 31-28 loss to Michigan in the 2000 Citrus Bowl, Auburn has won 50 consecutive games when scoring 25 points or more including 5-0 mark this season.
GAME FACTS: Road team has won key SEC West battle of Tigers in six of last seven years. In puzzling loss last week, usually potent Auburn offense broke down (305 total yards, 16 first downs) as QB Chris Todd (10-of-24, 80 passing, int.) had worst game of season. The won't find things any easier vs. stout LSU defense (fourth in SEC, 14th in nation in scoring, 14.5 ppg). Unfortunately, Bayou Bengals' offense was stuck in neutral with only 162 total yards, 12 first downs in 13-3 loss to No. 1 Florida on Oct. 10. Miles doesn't seem to want sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson (29-of-44, 308 passing, 2 ints. in last two games) taking chances downfield, which wastes talented WR Brandon LaFell (7 catches for 101 yards last two games). Getting RB Charles Scott (327 rushing, 2 TDs) going vs. suspect Auburn front seven (11th in SEC, 99th in nation vs. run, 181.4 ypg, gave up 282 yards, 3 TD runs last week) makes sense.
No. 3 TEXAS (3-0) at MISSOURI (4-2), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Texas by 10.
COACHES: Mack Brown (121-26 in 12th year at Texas) and Gary Pinkel (63-43 in 9th year at Mizzou).
LAST WEEK: Texas beat Oklahoma, 16-13. Missouri lost at Oklahoma State, 33-17.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 16-5.
LAST MEETING: Texas won, 56-31, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Pinkel, Tigers are 7-22 vs. ranked foes including 0-4 mark vs. ranked Longhorns teams.
GAME FACTS: No. 3 in BCS standings, Longhorns could use some style points here -- which they didn't get in last week's ugly win. For some reason, QB Colt McCoy's numbers are down (1,437 passing, 11 TD passes, 7 ints., 1 TD run vs. 1,561 passing, 15 TD passes, 3 ints., 4 TD runs after 6 games last year). But McCoy did light up Tigers in Austin last year with phenomenal performance (29-of-32 passing, 337 passing, 2 TD passes, 2 TD runs). After outscoring first four opponents 147-62 and leading Nebraska, 12-0, going to final quarter Oct. 8 in Columbia, Tigers have been outscored 60-17 in last five quarters. After looking great his first four games (87-of- 131, 1,261 passing, 11 TDs,), QB Blaine Gabbert has struggled trying to play on sprained ankle (39-of-87, 461 passing, 5 ints. in last two losses). Just 12 days after undergoing athroscopic knee surgery, LB Will Ebner is determined to play here. That would boost defense that is last in Big 12 with 8 turnovers forced and 9 sacks.
OREGON STATE (4-2) at No. 4 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (5-1), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: USC by 21.
COACHES: Mike Riley (60-44 in 9th year at Oregon State) and Pete Carroll (93-16 in 9th year at USC).
LAST WEEK: Oregon State was off. USC won at Notre Dame, 34-27.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 58-10-4.
LAST MEETING: Oregon State won, 27-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Trojans have won 11 straight home games, including 8 over Pac-10 foes by average score of 30-5.
GAME FACTS: With wins over top-three Trojans teams in two of past three seasons, Beavers are thorn in SC's side, but still haven't won in Los Angeles since 1960 (0-21). RB Jacquizz Rodgers (leads Pac-10, second in nation with 13 TDs, second in Pac-10 with 697 rushing) was hero of last year's win in Corvallis with 186 yards rushing, 2 TDs. With pass rush AWOL (last in Pac-10, 116th in nation with 4 sacks), secondary (9th in Pac-10, 114th in nation vs. pass, 275.3 ypg) has had a tough time. Trojans nearly coughed up 20-point fourth-quarter lead last week, holding ND on final two plays from 4-yard line. Freshman QB Matt Barkley was almost flawless (19-of-29, season-high 380 yards, 2 TDs, int.) with WR Damion Williams hauling in 41 and 20-yard TDs as offense piled up 501 total yards. 27 points given up by defense (leads Pac-10, 5th in nation in scoring, 11.7 ppg) was most in 16 games dating back to loss to Beavers last year. With 5 more last week, Trojans continue to lead nation with 26 sacks as freshman DE Nick Perry (leads Pac-10 with 7 sacks), junior LB Mike Morgan (3 sacks) are wrecking havoc.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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