ShareThisCapsule previews for Saturday's college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
No. 8 CALIFORNIA (2-0) at MINNESOTA (2-0), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Cal by 14.
COACHES: Jeff Tedford (61-30 in 8th year at Cal) and Tim Brewster (10-17 in third year at Minnesota).
LAST WEEK: Cal beat Eastern Washington, 59-7. Minnesota beat Air Force, 20-13.
SERIES HISTORY: Cal leads, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Cal won, 42-17, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2005,Golden Gophers have lost 10 straight to ranked opponents, falling by average score of 39-18.
GAME FACTS: Interesting spot here for Bears, considering they've lost last two trips East as ranked team falling at Maryland last year and at Tennessee in 2006. Then again, the road has been pretty bad no matter where Cal has gone lately (1-8 away mark since October, 2007). QB Kevin Riley (30-of-46, 446 yards passing, 5 TDs, TD run) must keep avoiding mistakes, which he has made in road losses. RB Jahvid Best (281 yards rushing on just 27 carries, 3 TDs) has breakaway speed. If UM wants to end skid vs. ranked teams, it must play better than squeaking past Syracuse, Air Force. In debut of $300-million TCF Bank Stadium last week, Gophers needed LB Nate Triplett's 52-yard fumble return for TD to spark 17-3 final-quarter rally. Triplett also had career-high 17 tackles. QB Adam Weber, WR Eric Decker have already hooked up for 19 catches for 296 yards, compared to 20 catches for 171 yards for everybody else.
EAST CAROLINA (1-1) at No. 24 NORTH CAROLINA (2-0), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: North Carolina by 7.
COACHES: Skip Holtz (30-23 in fifth year at East Carolina) and Butch Davis (14-13 in third year at UNC).
LAST WEEK: East Carolina lost at West Virginia, 35-20. North Carolina won at Connecticut, 12-10.
SERIES HISTORY: North Carolina leads, 8-2-1.
LAST MEETING: East Carolina won, 34-31, in 2007.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Tar Heels' 11-5 mark since November 29, 2007, is UNC's best run since similar mark from late 2000 to 2001 season.
GAME FACTS: Holtz must be concerned how Pirates have faded in second half of both games (outscored 31-2 by West Virginia, Appalachian State). Secondary was torched for 338 yards, 4 TD passes last week. Senior QB Patrick Pinkney (28-of-66, 306 passing, 2 TDs, 3 ints.) has not been sharp. After ripping off 261 yards rushing in season-opening win over The Citadel, Tar Heels managed just 35 yards on ground last week. That put pressure on QB Tyler Yates (23-of-32, 232 passing, TD, 2 ints.), who found TE Zack Pianalto with two-yard TD pass in fourth quarter, who dislocated right foot on play, yet Pianalto still hopes to play here. UNC won on safety called on UConn for holding DE Robert Quinn in end zone to cap 12-0 fourth-quarter rally. S Deunta Williams has ints. in each of first two games.
No. 19 NEBRASKA (2-0) at No. 13 VIRGINIA TECH (1-1), 3:30, ABC (regional or ESPN2 if USC-Washington is ABC game).
FAVORITE: Va. Tech by 3-1/2..
COACHES: Bo Pelini (12-4 in second year at Nebraska) and Frank Beamer (178-90-2 in 23rd year at Va. Tech).
LAST WEEK: Nebraska beat Arkansas State, 38-9. Va. Tech beat Marshall, 52-10.
SERIES HISTORY: Va. Tech leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Va. Tech won, 35-30, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In last year's win, Hokies out-rushed Cornhuskers 206 yards to 55..
GAME FACTS: Early chance for 'Huskers to get some mojo back considering recent problems vs. quality foes (0-7 vs. ranked teams since 2007 including four losses by 34 points or more). Defense dominated overmatched Arkansas State, Fla. Atlantic in first two games allowing just 12 points, but hasn't stepped up in recent road tests (344 points given up in last 9 away games). New QB junior Zac Lee was practically flawless (27-of-35, 340 passing, 4 TDs) last week as offense has put up 984 total yards in two games. After being held to just 155 total yards in opening loss to Alabama, Hokies went off for 605 last week, including 444 rushing as freshmen Ryan Williams (164 rushing, 3 TDs), David Wilson (165 rushing, TD) ran wild (first time pair of Tech players topped 160 yards rushing in single game). Maybe the less QB Tyrod Taylor (18-of-36, 252 passing, 2 TDs, int., sacked 7 times in two games) throws the ball, the better. Hokies have won 31 straight non-conference games in Blacksburg since 1995.
MICHIGAN STATE (1-1) at NOTRE DAME (1-1), 3:30, NBC.
FAVORITE: Notre Dame by 11.
COACHES: Mark Dantonio (17-11 in third year at Mich. State) and Charlie Weis (30-22 in fifth year at Notre Dame).
LAST WEEK: Mich. State lost at home to Central Michigan, 29-27. Notre Dame lost at Michigan, 38-34.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 44-27-1.
LAST MEETING: Mich. State won, 23-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: .Spartans haven't lost in South Bend since 1993 (6-0) and have won 9 of last 12 overall over Fighting Irish.
GAME FACTS: Home team is 1-7 last eight years in strange series. Spartans come in stinging over shocking collapse last week that saw them give up 9 points in final 32 seconds to lose a game they never trailed. Dantonio again played both soph. QBs Kirk Cousins, Keith Nichol, though Cousins (13-of-18, 164 passing, TD) was more effective and got more snaps. LB Greg Jones has 29 tackles (4 for loss) but pass defense was lit up for 352 yards, 3 TD passes. And that's bad omen considering how well Irish QB Jimmy Clausen (40-of-60, 651 passing, 7 TDs) is playing. He's looking for some payback after last year's struggles (24-of-42, 242 passing, TD, 2 ints., sacked three times) in East Lansing. WRs Michael Floyd, Golden Tate (combined 23 catches, 25.3 ypc, 6 TDs) would have even better numbers if not for some drops. S Kyle McCarthy has 28 tackles, 2 ints. so far and covers a lot of ground in secondary.
TENNESSEE (1-1) at No. 1 FLORIDA (2-0), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Florida by 28-1/2.
COACHES: Lane Kiffin (first year at Tennessee) and Urban Meyer (46-9 in fifth year at Florida).
LAST WEEK: Tennessee lost at home to UCLA, 19-15. Florida beat Troy, 56-6.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 19-19.
LAST MEETING: Florida won, 30-6, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Meyer, Gators are 41-3 when leading at halftime and have outscored Vols 67-23 in second half in wins over UT last four years.
GAME FACTS: Vols limp into what used to be critical SEC East showdown off discouraging loss that saw senior QB Jonathan Crompton again self-destruct (13-of-26, 93 passing, 3 ints., lost fumble), which is pretty much what he did in last year's loss to Gators (18-of-28, 162 passing, int., lost fumble both inside UF 10). S Eric Berry and defense held UF to season-low 243 yards last year, but figured to spend a lot of time on field with offense (only 208 total yards vs. UCLA) sputtering. Upon his hiring, Kiffin shot his mouth off often, among other things falsely accusing Meyer of violating NCAA recruiting rules. So this has potential to be UT's worst loss ever to Gators, replacing 59-20 beatdown at The Swamp two years ago and giving UF lead in all-time series for first time ever. QB Tim Tebow (tied career-high with 4 TD passes last week, 30th straight game with TD pass, longest streak in nation) has excelled vs. Vols (482 yards total offense, 4 TD passes, 2 TD runs last two years). WR Brandon James has broken game open with early punt returns for TDs last two years. In current 12-game winning streak dating back to last year, Gators have outscored opponents by average score of 49-11.
No. 3 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (2-0) at WASHINGTON (1-1), 3:30, ABC (regional or ESPN2 if Nebraska-Va. Tech is ABC game).
FAVORITE: USC by 21.
COACHES: Pete Carroll (90-15 in 9th year at USC) and Steve Sarkisian (first year at Washington).
LAST WEEK: USC won at Ohio State, 18-15. Washington beat Idaho, 42-23.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 49-26-4.
LAST MEETING: USC won, 56-0, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Huskies last seven years, Trojans have outscored UW by combined 282-122.
GAME FACTS: After freshman QB Matt Barkley helped gut out win at Ohio State, his bruised throwing shoulder doesn't seem to be getting better so sophomore Aaron Corp may get start here. If game is anything like last year (USC out-gained Huskies 485 total yards to 184), it won't matter. With clutch effort in late game-winning drive last week, junior Joe McKnight (212 rushing, 2 TDs on season) is emerging as go-to guy in deep backfield. After snapping nation's longest losing streak at 15 last week, Huskies would need huge upset to end 8-game Pac-10 losing streak (outscored by combined 345-146). Finally healthy after a run of injuries, junior QB Jake Locker showed what he's capable of last week (17-of-25, 253 passing, 3 TDs, TD run). But how much protection will he get from shaky offensive line. Sketchy defense has surrendered over 30 points to 12 of last 16 foes. Huskies did give 20-point favorite USC all they could handle in Seattle two years ago before falling 27-24.
TULSA (2-0) at No. 12 OKLAHOMA (1-1), 3:30, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 15.
COACHES: Todd Graham (23-7 in third year at Tulsa) and Bob Stoops (110-25 in 11th year at Oklahoma).
LAST WEEK: Tulsa won at New Mexico, 44-10. Oklahoma beat Idaho State, 64-0.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 15-7-1.
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 62-21, in 2007.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Sooners have won 25 straight home games, including 10 victories by 30 points or more.
GAME FACTS: Pass-happy Golden Hurricane are no layup for Sooners, even though OU is 9-1 against them since 1979. A transfer from Texas, QB GJ Kinne (37-of-55, 521 passing, 5 TDs, 128 yards rushing, TD run) has quickly adapted to Graham's no-huddle scheme and has multiple targets including WRs DaMarris Johnson, "Slick'' Shelly (combined 16 catches, 18.4 ypc, 2 TDs). Defense (held New Mexico Tulane to 23 points, first time they've held consecutive foes under 15 points since 2005) will be tested. With Heisman-winning QB Sam Bradford still out with sprained shoulder, freshman Landry Jones gets second start and had some fun (18-of-32, 286 passing, 3 TDs, int.) in last week's laugher in the rain, finding WR Ryan Broyles on all three of his scores. RB DeMarco Murray (101 rushing, 2 TDs last week) should get lots of work as OU wants to keep Tulsa offense off field. Young secondary could use some help with pass rush against Kinne and Co.
No. 18 UTAH (2-0) at OREGON (1-1), 3:30, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Oregon 4-1/2.
COACHES: Kyle Whittingham (39-14 in fifth year at Utah) and Chip Kelly (first year at Oregon)
LAST WEEK: Utah won at San Jose State, 24-14. Oregon beat Purdue, 38-36.
SERIES HISTORY: Oregon leads, 17-8.
LAST MEETING: Utah won, 17-13, in 2003.
STAT THAT MATTERS: During Utah's current nation's longest 16-game winning streak, Utes are 3-0 against BCS teams with wins over Michigan, Oregon State and Alabama.
GAME FACTS: 7-3 against BCS schools at Utah, Whittingham knows his team must play better than last week's mistake-filled effort (7 points scored in first three quarters, 11 penalties, 2 turnovers, 269 passing yards given up). Bright spot has been play of junior QB Terrence Cain (38-of-69, 534 passing, 3 TDs, int., 91 yards rushing) in first two career starts. Senior RB Matt Asiata is questionable with shoulder injury. After flopping in 19-8 season-opening loss at Boise State, Ducks offense improved to 356 total yards last week. But that's still 129 yards less than last year's average. Defense did much of the work with 2 TDs including CB Walter Thurmond's 18-yard int. return for TD. With senior RB LaGarrette Blount suspended for season after punching Boise player after game, Kelly went with trio of LaMichael James, Andre Crenshaw and Kenjon Barner (combined 113 rushing, 2 TDs). For second straight game, QB Jeremiah Masoli's numbers (11-of-21, 163 passing, 84 yards rushing, TD run) were ordinary. Ducks have won 28 of last 30 non-conference games at raucous, 54,000-seat Autzen Stadium.
No. 17 CINCINNATI (2-0) at OREGON STATE (2-0), 6:45, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Oregon State by 2.
COACHES: Brian Kelly (24-6 in third year at Cincinnati) and Mike Riley (58-42 in 9th year at Oregon State).
LAST WEEK: Cincinnati beat SE Missouri State, 70-3. Oregon State won at UNLV, 23-21.
SERIES HISTORY: Cincinnati leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: Cincinnati won, 34-3, in 2007.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2004, Beavers are 24-1 when scoring 30 points or more and 16-19 when they don't.
GAME FACTS: An impressive 28-8 since October, 2006 (7-4 vs. ranked teams), maybe it's time to start taking these Bearcats (averaging 58 points and 571 total yards) seriously. QB Tony Pike (44-of-67, 591 passing, 6 TDs, int., TD run) is off to fast start , but faces legit pass OSU pass rush here. WR Mardy Gilyard (14 catches, 3 TDs) has already caught, rushed and run back kick for TD this season. Beavers looked ragged in surviving scare last week winning on K Justin Kahut's 33-yard FG with 7 seconds left. Just 5-7 and 193-pounds, sophomore RB Jacquizz Rodgers (166 rushing, TD, 6 catches, TD catch last week) is best little guy nation. Senior Sean Canfield (33-of-44, 356 passing, 3 TDs) has taken over for fellow senior Lyle Moeavo at QB. Hosting first ranked, non-Pac-10 opponent since 1977, Beavers shouldn't be afraid of close games (14-2 in games decided by 7 points or less since start of 2006 season).
FLORIDA STATE (1-1) at No. 7 BRIGHAM YOUNG (2-0), 7, Versus.
FAVORITE: BYU by 7.
COACHES: Bobby Bowden (310-92-4 in 34th year at FSU) and Bronco Mendenhall (40-13 in fifth year at BYU).
LAST WEEK: FSU beat Jacksonville State, 19-9. BYU won at Tulane, 54-3.
SERIES HISTORY: FSU leads, 2-0.
LAST MEETING: FSU won, 29-3, in the 2000 Pigskin Classic.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Cougars have won 17 straight in Provo while averaging 41 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Hard to figure which Seminoles will show up here, one that played well in exciting 38-34 loss to Miami in opener or one that needed two TDs in final 35 seconds to avoid upset of staggering proportions vs. I-AA foe last week. Comedy of errors vs. Jacksonville State included 3 turnovers, 3 missed kicks, 6 penalties. QB Christian Ponder did throw for career-high 324 yards. Outside of LB Dekoda Watson (4-1/2 sacks), rest of pass rush has been AWOL and that's bad news vs. gifted Cougars senior QB Max Hall (8,403 career yards passing, 64 TDs, 29 ints.), who completed passes to 12 different receivers last week. With senior RB Harvey Unga still easing back after hamstring problem, sophomore Bryan Kariya (105 rushing, TD, 6 catches, TD catch) has filled in well. S Scott Johnson is questionable after suffering second concussion in two months at Tulane.
No. 23 GEORGIA (1-1) at ARKANSAS (1-0), 7:30, ESPN.
FAVORITE: The game is even.
COACHES: Mark Richt (83-23 in 9th year at Georgia) and Bobby Petrino (6-7 in second year at Arkansas).
LAST WEEK: Georgia beat South Carolina, 41-37. Arkansas was off.
SERIES HISTORY: Georgia leads, 8-3.
LAST MEETING: Georgia won, 23-20, in 2005.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2005 season, Bulldogs are 12-2 in SEC road games.
GAME FACTS: After clunker in 24-10 loss at Oklahoma State in opener, Bulldogs scored a bunch last week, but offense (308 total yards) still wasn't really clicking. RB Branden Smith had 61-yard TD run and QB Joe Cox threw pair of TD passes, but then threw costly int. run back for TD in final quarter. LB Rennie Curran finally sealed wild win deflecting South Carolina pass on 4th-and-goal from Ga. 7 with 22 seconds left. Richt must have spent week working on discipline after 13-penalty, 3-turnover effort. With win here, Petrino could take first step in justifying lavish contract UA gave him to abandon NFL's Atlanta Falcons in December, 2007. Transfer from Michigan, sophomore QB Ryan Mallet threw for 309 yards in 48-10 blasting of I-AA Missouri State in opener Sept. 5. RB Michael Smith (1,072 rushing, 8 TDs last year) is latest of Hogs' fine backs.
WEST VIRGINIA (2-0) at AUBURN (2-0), 7:45, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Auburn by 6.
COACHES: Bill Stewart (11-4 in second year at West Va.) and Gene Chizik (first year at Auburn).
LAST WEEK: West Va. beat East Carolina, 35-20. Auburn beat Mississippi State, 49-24.
SERIES HISTORY: West Va. leads, 1-0.
LAST MEETING: West Va. won, 34-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Tigers are second in nation in rushing (345.5 ypg) while Mountaineers are 29th in nation vs. run (75.5 ypg).
GAME FACTS: Finally starting after three years of mostly backup duty, Mountaineers senior QB Jarrett Brown (8th in nation in QB rating, 24-of-31, 334 passing, 4 TDs, int. last week) is making up for lost time. 5-8 bolt of lightning RB Noel Devine burned Tigers for 207 yards on ground last year, part of WVU's 445 total yards. Tigers want revenge for that with 8 starters back on defense including LB Craig Stevens (3-1/2 tackles for loss). More importantly after scoring 109 points in 1-6 skid to end season that sent Tommy Tuberville packing, Tigers have already put up 86 in two wins. RB Ben Tate leads SEC with 274 yards rushing, just 390 less than he had all last year. QB Chris Todd (27-of-49, 441 passing, 2 TDs) will have to prove to foes that he can get ball down field.
TEXAS TECH (2-0) at No. 2 TEXAS (2-0), 8, ABC.
FAVORITE: Texas by 16.
COACHES: Mike Leach (78-39 in 10th year at Texas Tech) and Mack Brown (117-26 in 12th year at Texas).
LAST WEEK: Texas Tech beat Rice, 55-10. Texas won at Wyoming, 41-10.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 43-15.
LAST MEETING: Texas Tech won, 39-33, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2002, Red Raiders are 1-13 vs. ranked teams on the road.
GAME FACTS: Longhorns want big-time revenge for last year's thrilling game of the year when No. 1 UT fell on WR Michael Crabtree's TD catch in final seconds, Red Raiders' first win ever over top-ranked team. Junior Taylor Potts (36-of-47, 456 passing, school-record 7 TD passes last week) is latest QB to flourish in Leach's no-huddle, throw-it-around system. LB Marlon Williams (5 tackles for loss) is part of defense that has been abused on road vs. top competition (185 points given up in last four road games vs. ranked teams). Longhorns are still searching for running game to compliment talents of QB Colt McCoy (9th in nation with 695 total offense, 5 TD passes, TD run). WR Jordan Shipley (15 catches, TD) is his go-to guy. Pass defense had problems last year and hasn't really been tested so far, but 5 sacks in first two games does help. They've got to slow down Leach's attack which has put up 760 yards passing, 82 points on 'Horns in splitting last two games.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
