Capsule previews of Saturday's top college games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
No. 20 OKLAHOMA (3-2) vs. No. 3 TEXAS (5-0), in Dallas, Noon, ABC.
FAVORITE: Texas by 4.
COACHES: Bob Stoops (112-26 in 11th year at Oklahoma) and Mack Brown (120-26 in 12th year at Texas).
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma beat Baylor, 33-7. Texas beat Colorado, 38-14.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 58-40-5.
LAST MEETING: Texas won, 45-35, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning three of last four over Sooners, Longhorns have averaged 40 points per game. In their previous five losses to OU from 2000-2004, UT averaged 11 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Since 1929, annual Red River Classic is played at Cotton Bowl as part of Texas State Fair. Sooners come in basically playing for their season as loss here coupled with one-pointers to BYU, Miami sentences them to lesser bowl at best. After missing three games with shoulder problem suffered in opener, Heisman-winning QB Sam Bradford returned last week and looked good (27-of-49, 389 passing, TD). He's had success throwing vs. Longhorns (combined 49-of-82, 616 yards passing, 8 TDs, 2 ints. in splitting games last two years). Defense (third in nation in scoring, 8.4 ppg) has got to slow down Longhorns QB Colt McCoy, who has also lit up Sooners (combined 48-of-79, 802 passing, 5 TDs, 2 ints. last three years) but finished second to Bradford in last year's Heisman race. His favorite target is speedy WR Jordan Shipley (second in nation with 47 catches, 3 TDs), who tied school record with third career punt return for TD last week (part of 273 all-purpose yards on game). They may have to work even harder with RBs Vondrell McGee (shoulder), Tre Newton (concussion) both doubtful. Strong defense (leads nation vs. run, 46.2 ypg, fourth in total defense, 233 ypg) is anchored by Acho brothers, sophomore LB Emanuel (6 tackles for loss), junior DE Sam (4 sacks).
No. 11 IOWA (6-0) at WISCONSIN (5-1), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Wisconsin by 3.
COACHES: Kirk Ferentz (76-53 in 11th year at Iowa) and Bret Bielema (33-12 in fourth year at Wisconsin).
LAST WEEK: Iowa beat Michigan, 30-28. Wisconsin lost at Ohio State, 31-13.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 41-41-2.
LAST MEETING: Iowa won, 38-16, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2004, Badgers are 34-3 at home
GAME FACTS: Gunning for 6th win over Badgers in last eight tries to equal best start since 1985, Hawkeyes' 10-game winning streak (second longest in nation) is UIl's longest since 1923. Hawks have come through in close games (wins over Northern Iowa, Arkansas State and Michigan by combined total of six points). Offense (9th in Big Ten in scoring, 25.7 ppg) got big boost last week with return of TE Tony Moeaki, who grabbed 6 passes for 105 yards including 34 and 42-yard TDs from QB Ricky Stanzi. Defense (third in Big Ten in scoring, 15.8 ppg, second in nation with 19 turnovers forced) is real deal. Badgers imploded last week squandering 368-184 total yardage edge as QB Scott Tolzien (27-of-45, 250 passing) was intercepted twice with both going back all the way for TDs. RB John Clay (leads Big Ten with 641 rushing, 7 TDs) must get going early. DE O'Brien Schofield leads nation with 14-1/2 tackles for loss (2-12 more than anybody else). But he and his mates weren't much last year in Iowa City when Hawkeyes flattened them for 254 yards on ground.
NORTHWESTERN (4-2) at MICHIGAN STATE (3-3), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Michigan State by 12-1/2.
COACHES: Pat Fitzgerald (23-21 in fourth year at Northwestern) and Mark Dantonio (19-13 in third year at Michigan State).
LAST WEEK: Northwestern beat Miami of Ohio, 16-6. Michigan State won at Illinois, 24-14.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan State leads, 33-16.
LAST MEETING: Michigan State won, 37-20.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Road team has won last four in this series while Wildcats are 5-2 on road since start of last season.
GAME FACTS: Wildcats' running game out of spread has bogged down (89th in nation in rushing, 122.8 ypg, 20 ypg less than last year), leaving QB Mike Kafka (110-of-164, 1,114 passing, 5 TDs, 3 ints. in last four games) to pick up the slack. Defense has turned up heat last two weeks with 11 sacks while forcing 10 turnovers. That could be big problem for Spartans (10th in Big Ten, 103rd in nation in turnover ratio, 6 forced, 11 given up). After hot start, sophomore QB Kirk Cousins has cooled off (32-of-55, 356 passing, 2 TDs, 3 ints. in last two games). LB Greg Jones leads Big Ten and his third in nation with 71 tackles. Last year in Evanston, Spartans never trailed racing to 17-0 lead after first quarter and cruised from there.
No. 6 USC (4-1) at No. 25 NOTRE DAME (4-1), 3:30, NBC.
FAVORITE: USC by 10.
COACHES: Pete Carroll (92-16 in 9th year at USC) and Charlie Weis (33-22 in fifth year at Notre Dame).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 42-33-5.
LAST MEETING: USC won, 38-3, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Trojans' seven-game winning streak over Fighting Irish is longest in series that dates back to 1926 with last two victories by combined score of 76-3.
GAME FACTS: How much have Trojans dominated Irish lately in battle for Shillelagh? Last two years, the total yardage edge is 891-256 as Irish didn't make first down until end of third quarter last year. Still, it's important to remember that four years ago, 12-point favorite No. 1 Trojans needed the famous (illegal) "Bush Push'' on final play to salvage 34-31 win. ND's only hope this year is how well QB Jimmy Clausen is playing (leads nation in QB rating, 100-of-148, 1,544 passing, 12 TDs, 2 ints.) with SC countering with freshman Matt Barkley (33-of-57, 530 passing, 2 TDs, int. in last two games). Problem is Irish defense (100th in nation in total defense, 403.2 ypg) doesn't scare anybody while Trojans are ranked in top eight of all statistical categories including fourth in scoring (8.6 ppg), fifth vs. run (64.8 ypg), 6th in total defense (238.6 ypg). One last gloomy note for Clausen. Trojans lead nation with 21 sacks (6 belonging to freshman DE Nick Perry) while Irish are 62nd in nation having given up 9 sacks.
ARKANSAS (3-2) at No. 1 FLORIDA (5-0), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Florida by 24.
COACHES: Bobby Petrino (8-9 in second year at Arkansas) and Urban Meyer (49-9 in fifth year at Florida).
LAST WEEK: Arkansas beat Auburn, 44-23. Florida won at LSU, 13-3.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 7-1.
LAST MEETING: Florida won, 38-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In Gators' current 15-game winning streak (longest in nation), no game has been closer than 10 points with UF outscoring foes by average score of 44-11.
GAME FACTS: Razorbacks flunked only other road test in 35-7 loss at Alabama Sept. 26, which doesn't bode well here. Transfer from Michigan, sophomore QB Ryan Mallet was again superb last week (24-of-37, 274 passing, 2 TDs, int., TD run). But poor defense (95th in nation in total defense, 398.6 ypg, 100th in nation, last in SEC vs. pass, 253.4 ypg, 10 TD passes allowed, 3 ints.) may be overwhelmed. Gator Nation had collective sigh of relief last week as QB Tim Tebow returned from concussion with workmanlike effort (11-of-16, 134 passing, TD, int., 38 yards rushing) as defense (leads nation in scoring, 6.4 ppg, 2 TDs given up) dominated LSU (gave up only 162 total yards, 12 first downs) with LB Brandon Spikes collecting career-high three of UF's five sacks. LB A.J. Jones added career-high 10 tackles. With Tebow's running a huge factor, Gators are best in nation over last three years in red zone TD percentage (72.7 pct. with 120 TDs scored out of 165 trips inside opponents' 20).
MINNESOTA (4-2) at No. 14 PENN STATE (5-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Penn State by 17.
COACHES: Tim Brewster (12-19 in third year at Minnesota) and Joe Paterno (388-128-3 in 44th year at Penn State).
LAST WEEK: Minnesota beat Purdue, 35-20. Penn State beat Eastern Illinois, 52-3.
SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads, 6-4.
LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 28-27 in overtime, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2005, Golden Gophers have lost 12 straight to ranked teams.
GAME FACTS: Gophers want to avoid second-half collapse such as last year when 7-1 start collapsed into 7-6 finish. Injury concerns are mounting with C Trey Davis (ankle) doubtful and star LB Nate Triplett bothered by neck stinger. Offense ground out 207 yards rushing last week, which helped considering struggles of usually capable QB Adam Weber (5-of-9, season-low 74 passing, 2 ints., TD run). Having crumbled in only real test of season vs. Iowa, Nittany Lions are hard to figure and might be product of 71st-toughest schedule in nation. After stellar season last year, senior QB Daryll Clark (1,367 passing, 10 TDs, 3 TD runs) has been somewhat of a disappointment (7 ints. after throwing 10 all last year). Led by DE Jack Crawford (4-1/2 sacks), defense (6th in nation in scoring, 10.2 ppg, 8th in total defense, 255.7 ypg) has done fine but could use return of senior LB Sean Lee, out for the last month with knee problem.
TEXAS TECH (4-2) at No. 15 NEBRASKA (4-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Nebraska by 10-1/2.
COACHES: Mike Leach (80-41 in 10th year at Texas Tech) and Bo Pelini (14-5 in second year at Nebraska).
LAST WEEK: Texas Tech beat Kansas State, 66-14. Nebraska won at Missouri, 27-12.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads, 7-3.
LAST MEETING: Texas Tech won, 37-31 in overtime, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2002, Red Raiders are 1-12 vs. ranked teams on the road.
GAME FACTS: Leach makes history here choosing which QB who threw 7 TD passes in a game to start. Junior backup Steven Sheffield, who did the trick last week in first career start subbing for junior starter Taylor Potts (7 TD passes vs. Rice, Sept. 12), who missed last week with concussion. Leach says it will be game-time decision. Whoever it is faces challenge considering Cornhuskers held Tech to season-low 284 yards passing last year in Lubbock. 'Huskers pulled off amazing rally last week scoring final 27 points -- all in fourth quarter. QB Zach Lee's TD passes of 56 and 13 yards to WR Niles Paul sparked things and defense (three turnovers forced, 225 total yards given up) did the rest. Massive 300-pound DT Ndamukong Suh (6 tackles, sack, tackle for loss, forced fumble) has been wrecking havoc. RB Rex Burkhead, a key guy on kick returns, is out with foot injury. NU is 31-1 in conference home openers since 1977.
CALIFORNIA (3-2) at UCLA (3-2), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Cal by 3.
COACHES: Jeff Tedford (62-32 in 8th year at Cal) and Rick Neuheisel (7-10 in second year at UCLA).
LAST WEEK: Cal was off. UCLA lost at home to Oregon, 24-10.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads, 49-28-1.
LAST MEETING: Cal won, 41-20, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: After opening season with three straight wins, Golden Bears were battered by Oregon and USC by combined 72-6.
GAME FACTS: Home team has dominated winning all nine games this decade. Bears must pick up pieces quickly or another second-half collapse looms. After bursting into Heisman race with 412 yards rushing, 8 TDs in first three games, Bears junior RB Jahvid Best has been stuffed (combined 102 yards, 0 TDs last two games). Predictably, erratic junior QB Kevin Riley (27-of-71, 322 passing, int., sacked 7 times last two games) hasn't been good enough to compensate. Bruins' offense also vanished last week with QBs Kevin Prince, Richard Brehaut (combined 18-of-35, 145 passing, 2 ints.) both floundering. Defense did its job (303 total yards given up) with LB Akeem Ayers' int. in Oregon end zone accounting for only TD. Look for more frustration as under Neuheisel, Bruins offense has averaged 18 ppg topping 30 points in just two of 17 games.
COLORADO STATE (3-3) at No. 12 TCU (5-0), 4, Versus.
FAVORITE: TCU by 21.
COACHES: Steve Fairchild (10-9 in second year at Colo. State) and Gary Patterson (78-27 in 9th year at TCU).
LAST WEEK: Colorado State lost at Utah, 24-17. TCU won at Air Force, 20-17.
SERIES HISTORY: TCU leads, 5-1.
LAST MEETING: TCU won, 13-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since September, 2006, Horned Frogs are 16-1 at home while averaging 44 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Rams' 3-0 start has crumbled into three-game skid where defense has given up 97 points. Poor secondary (104th in nation vs. pass, 258.8 ypg, 11 TD passes given up, 9 ints.) has been exposed repeatedly. QB Grant Stucker had problems last week (12-of-24, 184 passing, 3 ints., TD). Pushing for first BCS bowl bid ever and first New Year's Day game since 1959, Frogs must avoid looking ahead to next week's Mountain West showdown at BYU. Junior QB Andy Dalton (1,012 passing, 6 TDs, only 3 ints. in 119 passes) is making better decisions. Patterson's nasty pressure defense (7th in nation in total defense, 249.2 ypg) is what makes TCU go. Senior DE Jerry Hughes (leads MWC, 5th in nation with 6 sacks) has NFL scouts drooling and had two of Frogs' 6 sacks in Fort Collins last year as TCU held CSU to 11 yards rushing.
No. 4 VIRGINIA TECH (5-1) at No. 19 GEORGIA TECH (5-1), 6, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Va. Tech by 3.
COACHES: Frank Beamer (182-90-2 in 23rd year at Va. Tech) and Paul Johnson (14-5 in second year at Ga. Tech)
LAST WEEK: Va. Tech beat Boston College, 48-14. Ga. Tech won at Florida State, 49-44.
SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads, 4-2.
LAST MEETING: Virginia Tech won, 20-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Yellow Jackets lead ACC, are fourth in nation in rushing (277 ypg) while Hokies are fifth in ACC, 48th in nation vs. run (123.8 ypg).
GAME FACTS: Key ACC Coastal showdown sees two teams that have combined for eight straight wins since early-season losses. Hokies have won four of last five over Jackets but make only second trip to Atlanta since 2005. Staying in pocket more instead of taking off to run, Hokies junior QB Tyrod Taylor is finally maturing as passer (40-of-68, 743 passing, 8 TDs in last four games) with only 1 int. in 104 passes. Sophomore RB Ryan Williams has been surprise, leading ACC, 6th in nation with 734 rushing (9 TDs). Since 33-17 loss at Miami Sept. 17, Jackets junior QB Josh Nesbitt has played as well as anybody in nation (776 yards total offense, 5 TD runs, 2 TD passes) -- even saving last week's win by stealing fumble away from Florida State defender in fourth quarter. Despite playing in Johnson's ground-oriented option attack, WR Demaryius Thomas has hauled in 26 catches (4 TDs) and leads ACC with 620 yards receiving. Some Ga. Tech players felt they got jobbed in Blacksburg last year when two personal foul penalties helped Hokies drive to game-winning FG with four minutes left.
No. 22 SOUTH CAROLINA (5-1) at No. 2 ALABAMA (6-0), 7:45, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Alabama by 17.
COACHES: Steve Spurrier (33-23 in fifth year at South Carolina) and Nick Saban (25-8 in third year at Alabama).
LAST WEEK: South Carolina beat Kentucky, 28-26. Alabama won at Ole Miss, 22-3.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 11-2.
LAST MEETING: Alabama won, 37-14, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Spurrier, Gamecocks are 6-12 vs. ranked teams while Crimson Tide have won five of last seven over ranked foes.
GAME FACTS: Chance for Spurrier to break through with first real marquis win as SC coach. For that to happen, QB Stephen Garcia (65-of-103, 807 passing, 7 TDs, int., 3 TD runs in last four games) must avoid mistakes, strong defense (6th in nation vs. pass, 151 ypg, 6 TDs given up, 3 ints.) keep up its good work. Freshmen helped avert disaster last week as WR Alshon Jeffrey grabbed 3 TD passes while RB Kenny Miles added 100 yards rushing. Tide are doing on both sides of ball with defense (second in nation in total defense, 220.5 ypg, 7th vs. run, 65.7 ypg) taking control of line of scrimmage while offense (12th in nation in scoring, 37 ppg) settled for steady, workmanlike effort last week (held below 34 points for first time this season). RB Mark Ingram (third in SEC with 659 rushing, 7 TDs) has emerged as perfect compliment to QB Greg McElroy (fourth in SEC in QB rating, 93-of-153, 1,233 passing, 9 TDs, int.). Fans keep waiting for talented sophomore WR Julio Jones (13 catches) to bust out. CB Javier Arenas (31 tackles, 3 sacks, int., leads SEC in punt returns, 16.9 ypr) is making plays everywhere.
MISSOURI (4-1) at No. 16 OKLAHOMA STATE (4-1), 9:15, ESPN2, .
FAVORITE: Oklahoma State by 7.
COACHES: Gary Pinkel (63-42 in 9th year at Missouri) and Mike Gundy (31-24 in fifth year at Oklahoma State).
LAST WEEK: Missouri lost at home to Nebraska, 27-12. Oklahoma State won at Texas A&M, 36-31.
SERIES HISTORY: Missouri leads, 28-21.
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma State won, 28-23, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning nine of past 11 home games since start of last season, Cowboys have averaged 48 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Tigers must shake off disheartening Nebraska loss in rain that saw 12-point, final-quarter lead vanish. Tigers are 5-2 vs. Cowboys since Big 12's inception in 1996. After sensational first four games, junior QB Blaine Gabbard came down with a thud (17-of-43, 134 passing, first 2 ints. of season) and looked bothered by foot or ankle problem. 8 penalties for 100 yards didn't help matters. Cowboys come in battling cloud of uncertainty. Star WR Dez Bryant was suspended for lying about dealings with Deion Sanders' marketing firm. OSU is appealing and RB Kendall Hunter's ankle problem adds further uncertainty. QB Zac Robinson took care of business last week (14-of-25, 279 passing, 2 TDs, TD run). Responding to new coordinator Bill Young's pressure philosophy, defense had four sacks moving to 11 for season, only four fewer than OSU had all last season.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
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