ShareThisBy JOHN LINDSAY
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Capsule previews for this week's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Coaches poll.
THURSDAY:
No. 3 WEST VIRGINIA (7-0) at No. 5 LOUISVILLE (7-0), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.
FAVORITE: Matthews/Scripps Howard power ratings say Louisville by 4.
COACHES: Rich Rodriguez (46-22 in fifth year at West Virginia) and Bobby Petrino (36-8 in fourth year at Louisville).
LAST WEEK: Both school were off.
SERIES HISTORY: West Virginia leads, 6-1.
LAST MEETING: West Virginia won, 46-44 in triple overtime, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since WVU RB Steve Slaton became starter last year in Week 5, Mountaineers have won 14 straight while Slaton has piled up 2,055 yards with 28 touchdowns.
GAME FACTS: First time that the Big East has had a top five matchup that didn't feature either former members Miami or Virginia Tech. Winner has inside track toward Big East title, certain BCS bowl bid and perhaps spot in BCS national title game Jan. 8. As great as Mountaineers ground game (leads nation in rushing at 319 yards per game), doubts persist over QB Pat White's passing (44-of-66, 563 passing, 3 TDs, 5 ints. in last four games). Improving defense (8th in nation in scoring, 12.7 ppg. 15 turnovers forced) needs to set tempo early. Cardinals want revenge for last year, when UL blew 24-7 lead with eight minutes left, thanks in part to strange call on onside kick that Big East officials later admitted was blown by officials. Petrino can only hope QB Brian Brohm is over thumb problem that inhibited him last two games (38-of-63, 527 passing, 1 TD, 2 ints.). WR depth, always needed in Cardinals' multiple offense (second in nation in total offense, 496.1 ypg, 10th in passing, 280.1 ypg) is now a concern with WRs Chris Vaughn, Scott Long suspended after they were accused of shooting woman with a paint ball gun. On plus side, defense (leads Big East with 29 sacks, 7th in nation in scoring, 12.6 ppg) should get starting CB Rod Council back from foot problem. DT Amobi Okoye (5 sacks, 9 tackles for loss) is force inside.
FRIDAY:
AIR FORCE (3-4) at ARMY (3-6), 8, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Air Force by 7.
COACHES: Fisher DeBerry (168-105-1 in 23rd year at Air Force) and Bobby Ross (9-22 in third year at Army).
LAST WEEK: Air Force lost at home to BYU, 33-14. Army lost at Tulane, 42-28.
SERIES HISTORY: Air Force leads, 26-13-1.
LAST MEETING: Army won, 27-24, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1997, Falcons have beaten Cadets nine of last including 4-0 mark at West Point.
GAME FACTS: Falcons need win here or second straight losing season looms, which is significant considering AFA had had only two losing years in DeBerry's first 20 years there. Since nearly stunning Tennessee in opener and wins over Wyoming and New Mexico, offense (third in nation in rushing) has faltered with only 67 points scored in losing three of last four. QB Sean Carney (956 total offense, 5 TD runs, 4 TD passes) has completed only 6 of 13 passes for 63 yards and 2 ints. in last two losses. Ross had finally had enough of Army's QB problems last week turning to hot shot freshman Carson Williams, who played well (16-of-24, 194 passing, 3 TDs, 2 ints.) hooking up often with TE Tim Dunn (career-highs with 4 catches, 113 yards, 2 TDs). Injury-riddled defense has given up 142 points in losses to last four Division I teams. On plus side, DT Tony Fusco has four blocked kicks, including pair of extra points last week.
SATURDAY:
PENN STATE (6-3) at No. 17 WISCONSIN (8-1), Noon, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Wisconsin by 7.
COACHES: Joe Paterno (360-120-3 in 41st year at Penn State) and Bret Bielema (8-1 in first year at Wisconsin).
LAST WEEK: Penn State won at Purdue, 12-0. Wisconsin beat Illinois, 30-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Wisconsin leads, 7-4.
LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 35-14, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2001, Nittany Lions have lost 10 straight to ranked teams on road.
GAME FACTS: PSU defense rose up with first shutout in four years last week as LBS Dan Connor, Paul Posluszny combined 21 tackles, 1 int. Posluszny needs 10 tackles to pass Greg Buttle for No. 1 on Lions' career list. RB Tony Hunt's 142 yards rushing, 1 TD were nice but turning 422 total yards of total offense into 12 points isn't great. Badgers needed furious comeback from 21-3 second quarter deficit to avoid embarrassing loss. With the Big Ten's leading rusher, freshman RB P.J. Hill sidelined with neck injury (questionable this week), QB John Stocco (15-of-26, 217 passing, 2 TDs) delivered in second half. LB Mark Zalewski (11 tackles, int.), DE Matt Shaughnessy (2 sacks) led defensive charge. If Hill can't go, backup Rance Smith (46 yards on 21 carries, 1 TD) gets start.
No. 25 MISSOURI (7-2) at NEBRASKA (6-3), Noon, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Nebraska by 3..
COACHES: Gary Pinkel (36-32 in 6th year at Missouri) and Bill Callahan (19-13 in third year at Nebraska)
LAST WEEK: Missouri lost at home to Oklahoma, 26-10. Nebraska lost at Oklahoma State, 41-29.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads, 62-34-3
LAST MEETING: Missouri won, 41-24, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Cornhuskers haven't lost to Tigers in Lincoln since 1978 winning 14 straight.
GAME FACTS: Despite disheartening losses last week, these two remain tied atop sorry Big 12 North (combined record of six schools is 25-28). Off to best start in 37 years, Tigers pretty much self-destructed with 4 turnovers, blocked punt and numerous penalties. QB Chase Daniel was hurt by ints. but still threw for 284 yards and ran for 75 more. MU's other ball-carriers totaled one yard rushing. S David Overstreet has 39 tackles in last three games, including 13, recovered fumble vs. Oklahoma. 'Huskers went belly-up defensively yielding 491 total yards (280 rushing), 8 plays of 15 yards or more to squander early 16-0 lead. QB Zac Taylor (second in Big 12 in QB rating, 143-of-231, 2,065 passing, 18 TDs, 3 ints.) is doing all he can with 1,117 yards passing, 10 TDs and only 1 int. in last five games. Ground game (third in Big 12 with 169.2 ypg) features four RBs with more than 250 yards rushing, the only team in nation that can say that.
MARYLAND (6-2) at No. 19 CLEMSON (7-2), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Clemson by 11.
COACHES: Ralph Friedgen (47-22 in 6th year at Maryland) and Tommy Bowden (58-35 in 8th year at Clemson).
LAST WEEK: Maryland beat Florida State, 27-24. Clemson lost at Virginia Tech, 24-7.
SERIES HISTORY: Clemson leads, 29-23-2.
LAST MEETING: Clemson won, 28-24, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1987, Tigers are 10-1 vs. Terps at Death Valley holding Maryland to just 54 points scored in the 10 wins.
GAME FACTS: Huge game in muddled ACC Atlantic race. Despite not beating a Division I team with a winning record, Terps 3-1 ACC mark ties them with Boston College and Wake Forest (who UM plays in November) atop division. QB Sam Hollenbach played with needed poise and efficiency last week (12-of-20, 131 yards, 3 TDs, 0 turnovers) as Terps won despite being out-gained 458 total yards to 223 (only 37 yards, 3 first downs in second half). CB Jeremy Navarre blocked potential game-tying FG with 42 seconds left to seal win. With path to division title open for them, Tigers picked wrong time for worst game of year last week. Vaunted running game had only 80 yards, 179 less than it averaged coming in. It was so bad Tigers had only three first downs after first quarter. QB Will Proctor (18-of-44, 191 passing, 1 TD, 2 ints., lost fumble in last 2 games) hasn't shown he can beat good teams through air. Banged-up defense is holding its own and got fine efforts last week from DE Gaines Adams (sack, 2 tackles for loss, forced fumble), LB Antonio Clay (14 tackles). Motivation is still there as Clemson can still earn Atlantic title if BC, Wake stumble.
BAYLOR (4-5) at TEXAS TECH (5-4), Noon, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Texas Tech by 15.
COACHES: Guy Morriss (15-28 in fourth year at Baylor) and Mike Leach (52-32 in 7th year at Texas Tech).
LAST WEEK: Baylor lost at home to Texas A&M, 35-31. Texas Tech lost at home to Texas, 35-31.
SERIES HISTORY: Baylor leads, 32-31-1.
LAST MEETING: .Texas Tech won, 28-0, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1996, Red Raiders have beaten Bears 10 straight including six wins under Leach by average score of 47-10.
GAME FACTS: Bears move to spread offense has paid dividends as BU is averaging 25 points a game, four more than last season when BU was held to 20 points or less six times. QB Shawn Bell (241-of-383, 2,582 passing, 19 TDs, 10 ints.) has already completed 51 more passes than last season. P Daniel Sepulveda leads nation (46.3 ypp) and will be in NFL next year. Red Raiders choked away early 21-0 lead vs. Texas and squandered another terrific effort from QB Graham Harrell (42-of-62, 519 yards, 3 TDs, 1 int.). But Leach insisted that it was "best game we've played all year,'' until "some things, in particular in the second half, that were outside of our control that I'm not able to comment on. But I thought they were very detrimental to our effort. I think they speak for themselves.'' So much for taking defeat gracefully. No doubt some of those "things'' included 18 penalties, two late replay challenges that went against Tech.
NORTH CAROLINA (1-7) at No. 10 NOTRE DAME (7-1), 2:30, NBC.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Notre Dame by 26.
COACHES: John Bunting (25-43 in 6th tear at UNC) and Charlie Weis (16-4 in second year at Notre Dame).
LAST WEEK: North Carolina lost at home to Wake Forest, 24-17. Notre Dame won at Navy, 38-14.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 15-1.
LAST MEETING: Notre Dame won, 21-14, in 1975.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Dating back to last year, Tar Heels have lost eight straight to Division I foes by combined score of 246-80.
GAME FACTS: Dismissed last week but allowed to coach out season, Bunting saw his team responded with best effort of season taking 17-14 lead into fourth quarter and still had chance to win before QB Joe Dailey's pass from Wake 3 was intercepted in end zone with 41 seconds left. RB Ronnie McGill had 117 yards rushing and a TD but had only 17 yards in second half. Irish ran winning streak to five last week behind usual stellar effort from QB Brady Quinn (18-of-25, 295 passing, 3 TDs, 19-yard TD run). WR Rhema McKnight (46 catches) is tied for sixth in nation with 9 TD catches. Look for RB Darius Walker (682 rushing, 4 TDs) to have big day vs. porous UNC front seven (115th in nation vs. run, 205.1 ypg).
No. 13 LSU (6-2) at No. 8 TENNESSEE (7-1), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Tennessee by 5.
COACHES: Les Miles (15-5 in second year at LSU) and Phillip Fulmer (135-38 in 15th year at Tennessee).
LAST WEEK: LSU was off. Tennessee won at South Carolina, 31-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads, 20-5-3.
LAST MEETING: Tennessee won, 30-27 in overtime, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In wins over Louisiana-Lafayette, Arizona, Tulane, Mississippi State, Kentucky and Fresno State (combined record of 17-30), Tigers have averaged 46 points per game. In losses to Auburn and Florida (combined record of 15-2), LSU has averaged 6.5 points.
GAME FACTS: Still hanging around in SEC West race, Tigers really need win here and especially want revenge for last year when LSU blew 21-0 halftime lead to Vols, who eventually crashed to 5-6 finish. QB JaMarcus Russell has 14 TDs, 1 int. in Tigers' wins, 1 TD, 3 ints. in LSU losses. Terrific defense leads nation in total defense (211.6 ypg) and is second in scoring (8.2 ppg) with DE Tyson Jackson (6 sacks), DT Glenn Dorsey (7 tackles for loss) leading way. Vols also need win to stay on heels of Florida in SEC East but are 2-6 vs. ranked teams at home since 2002. UT has showed great finishing kick lately, outscoring foes 85-20 in final quarter of last four wins. QB Erik Ainge (22-of-30, 301 passing, 3 TDs, 0 ints. in fourth quarter of last three wins) should play despite spraining ankle last week. WR trio of Robert Meachem (45 catches, 6 TDs), Brett Smith (23 catches, 4 TDs in last four games), Jayson Swain might be nation's best. S Jonathan Hefney has burst for 176 yards on eight punt returns in last two weeks while CB Jonathan Wade (SEC defensive player of week last week, leads SEC with 10 passes defensed) anchors secondary (5th in SEC vs. pass, 167.8 ypg, 11 ints., 8 TDs given up).
No. 1 OHIO STATE (9-0) at ILLINOIS (2-7), 3:30, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Ohio State by 27.
COACHES: Jim Tressel (59-13 in 6th year at Ohio State) and Ron Zook (4-16 in second year at Illinois).
LAST WEEK: Ohio State beat Minnesota, 44-0. Illinois lost at Wisconsin, 30-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads, 59-24-4.
LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 40-2, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Dating back to 34-22 win over No. 25 Ohio State on Nov. 17, 2001, Illini have lost 18 straight to ranked opponents.
GAME FACTS: Riding nation's longest winning streak at 16 games, only this and next week's trip to Northwestern stand between Buckeyes and epic showdown with No. 2 Clemson on Nov. 16. QB Troy Smith (leads Big Ten, fifth in nation in QB rating, 145-of-214, 1,898 passing, 22 TDs, 2 ints.) appears to have Heisman Trophy all but sewn up with help from do-it-all WR Ted Ginn Jr. (1,012 all-purpose yards), who has caught, run, thrown and returned TDs this year. Illini might have played best game of season last week, racing to 24-10 halftime lead before fading. Freshman QB Isiah "Juice'' Williams (224 yards total offens, TD pass last week) is one of more exciting young players in nation. If Zook just could have gotten team to hold on to ball better (116th in nation in turnover ratio, 14 forced, 25 given up), UI would probably have two more wins. Last time this high a ranked OSU team came to Champaign in 2002, Buckeyes narrowly escaped with 23-16 win. But those Buckeyes hadn't won last four games by combined 161-17 like this year's bunch.
KANSAS STATE (5-4) at COLORADO (1-8), 3:30, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say K-State by 6.
COACHES: Ron Prince (5-4 in first year at K-State) and Dan Hawkins (1-8 in first year at Colorado).
LAST WEEK: K-State beat Iowa State, 31-10. Colorado lost at Kansas, 20-15.
SERIES HISTORY: Colorado leads, 43-17-1.
LAST MEETING: Colorado won, 23-20, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since starting last season 7-2, Buffaloes have lost 12 of last 13 games while being held to 13 points or less eight times.
GAME FACTS: Win would make somewhat surprising Wildcats bowl eligible under rookie head coach Prince, former KSU alum and former offensive coordinator at Virginia. Juco-transfer RB James Johnson has sparked ground game with 242 rushing, 2 TDs in last two games. LB Brandon Archer (10 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries last week) earned Big 12 special teams player of week honors. Loss assures Buffs of worst season since 1-10 finish in 1984. Eight losses are already one more than Hawkins endured the last four years at Boise State as the offense (108th in nation in scoring, 269.7 ypg) has pretty much gone no where scoring 71 of 126 points in 34-31 OT loss to Baylor Oct. 7 and 30-6 win over Texas Tech Oct. 14. Bright spots include DE Adam Wright, who leads Big 12 (fourth in nation) with 10-1/2 sacks, CB Terrence Wheatley, who leads Big 12 with 5 ints. and K Mason Crosby (15-of-21 on FGs, 4 outside 50 yards).
WASHINGTON (4-5) at No. 22 OREGON (6-2), 3:30, TBS.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Oregon by 16.
COACHES: Tyrone Willingham (6-14 in second year at Washington) and Mike Bellotti (96-44 in 12th year at Oregon).
LAST WEEK: Washington lost at home to Arizona State, 26-23 in overtime. Oregon beat Portland State, 55-12.
SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads, 58-35-5.
LAST MEETING: Washington won, 45-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Having won last two over Huskies, Ducks are looking for first three-game winning streak over UW since winning four straight from 1928-31.
GAME FACTS: Hard-luck Huskies have dropped four straight by combined total of 23 points, including last two in OT. Last week's heartbreaker was set up when backup QB Johnny DuRocher hit Sonny Shackelford with 5-yard TD pass with four minutes left after replacing starter Carl Bonnell, who should start despite suffering concussion. Ducks rebounded from disappointing 34-23 upset loss at Wash. State Oct. 23 with pounding of I-AA Portland State last week, a game significant only in that Bellotti chose to burn freshman QB Nathan Costa's redshirt season by playing him. The future Ducks QB went 3-for-3 and may split time again with senior Dennis Dixon (1,694 passing, 11 TDs, 7 ints.), junior Brady Leaf. With RB Jonathan Stewart (sprained ankle, abdominal strain, sore ribs) still hurting, look for lots of work for backup Jeremiah Johnson, who bulled for 90 yards, 3 TDs last week.
No. 16 BOSTON COLLEGE (7-1) at No. 23 WAKE FOREST (7-1), 7, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say BC by 4.
COACHES: Tom O'Brien (72-44 in 10th year at BC) and Jim Grobe (33-33 in 6th year at BC).
LAST WEEK: BC beat Buffalo, 41-0. Wake Forest won at North Carolina, 24-17.
SERIES HISTORY: BC leads, 6-5-2.
LAST MEETING: BC won, 35-30, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In current four-game winning streak Golden Eagles have outscored foes, 109-22.
GAME FACTS: Both tied atop Atlantic Division, shocking this is biggest game of year so far in the ACC. O'Brien rested QB Matt Ryan (144-of-240,1,661 passing, 9 TDs, 4 ints.) in win over lowly Buffalo to try to get the junior's lingering ankle injury well. Blazing fast freshman WR Jeff Smith is third in nation in kickoff returns (34.1 ypg, 1 TD) and could give slower Demon Deacons fits. Wake is looking for first 8-win season since 1979 as Groves Stadium (capacity 31,500) will actually be filled. S Jon Abbate came to rescue last week with int. in end zone to snuff out North Carolina rally on game's next-to-last play. Since stepping in for injured starter Ben Mauk in Week 2, freshman QB Riley Skinner (1,001 passing, 5 TDs, 1 int. in 117 passes, TD catch on trick throwback pass) has been phenomenal. P-K Sam Swank (second in ACC in punting, 42.1 ypg, hit 10 of last 11 FGs) gives Deacons big edge if game comes down to field position or a place kick. Opportunistic defense (16 turnovers forced, 18 sacks) has set up offense for 14 scores off turnovers (second in nation).
No. 9 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (6-1) at STANFORD (0-8), 7, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say USC by 28.
COACHES: Pete Carroll (60-11 in sixth year at USC) and Walt Harris (5-14 in second year at Stanford).
LAST WEEK: USC lost at Oregon State, 33-31. Stanford was off.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 57-24-3.
LAST MEETING: USC won, 51-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: So far this year, Cardinal has been outscored 276-83, scoring more than 10 points only once, a 35-34 loss at San Jose State Sept. 9.
GAME FACTS: After losing in regular season for first time in three years and seeing their record 27-game Pac-10 winning streak fall last week, Trojans figure to be angry here. Four turnovers, other miscues doomed them last week though QB John David Booty (24-of-39, 406 passing, 3 TDs, 1 int.), WR Steve Smith (11 catches, 2 TDs, 258 yards receiving, two short of USC record) nearly completed miracle rally from 33-10 fourth-quarter deficit before Booty's 2-point conversion pass was swatted down with 7 seconds left. Clearly little has worked for Cardinal, who scored a grand total of 30 points in five Pac-10 losses and might go down as one of worst offenses in league history. 15-game losing skid to ranked teams is sure to reach 16. With QB Trent Edwards (broken foot) done for season, senior backup T.C. Ostrander didn't exactly wow folks with 7-of-25, 66 passing, int. effort in first start, a 38-3 loss at Arizona State Oct. 21.
OKLAHOMA STATE (5-3) at No. 4 TEXAS (8-1), 7, TBS.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Texas by 18.
COACHES: Mike Gundy (10-10 in second year at Okla. State) and Mack Brown (91-20 in 9th year at Texas).
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma State beat Nebraska, 41-29. Texas won at Texas Tech, 35-31.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 18-2.
LAST MEETING: Texas won, 47-28, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Brown, Longhorns are 9-0 vs. Cowboys while averaging 36 points per win.
GAME FACTS: Gundy believes Cowboys have speed on offense (11th in nation in total offense, 431 ypg, 7th in scoring, 37.9 ppg) to at least keep up with 'Horns. OSU QB Bobby Reid (leads Big 12, third in nation in QB rating, 94-of-157, 1,616 passing, 19 TDs, 7 ints., 311 rushing, 3 TD runs) has quietly been one of best in nation with junior WR Adarius Bowman (39 catches, 22.5 per catch, 10 TDs, third in nation with 877 receiving yards) emerging as Big 12's best big-play target. Shaky defense (77th in nation in total defense, 355.4 ypg) doesn't scare anybody. 'Horns freshman QB Colt McCoy was superb (21-of-31, 256 passing, 4 TDs, 1 int., 68 rushing) in rallying UT from 21-0 deficit. Brown has to be concerned about pass defense, which has plummeted to last in Big 12 and 112th in nation (254.8 ypg, 15 TDs given up, 9 ints.) after giving up 514 yards to Texas Tech. But rushing defense (second in nation, 41.2 ypg) remains rock solid, one reason UT has won 19 consecutive Big 12 games.
No. 12 ARKANSAS (7-1) at SOUTH CAROLINA (5-3), 7:45, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Power ratings say the game is even.
COACHES: Houston Nutt (64-41 in 9th year at Arkansas) and Steve Spurrier (12-8 in second year at South Carolina).
LAST WEEK: Arkansas beat Louisiana-Monore, 44-10. South Carolina lost at home to Tennessee, 31-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Arkansas leads, 8-6.
LAST MEETING: South Carolina won, 14-10, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2002, Gamecocks are 3-12 vs. ranked foes including 2-8 mark in Columbia.
GAME FACTS: Since 50-14 loss to Southern Cal in season-opener, Razorbacks have ripped off seven straight wins by combined score of 227-72 en route to best start since 1998. Sophomore RB Darren McFadden (leads SEC with 819 rushing, 8 TDs) played sparingly in that loss but is now best back in SEC, and even threw TD pass from shotgun formation last week. That helps freshman QB Mitch Mustain's growing pains (38-of-78, 463 passing, 5 ints., 6 TDs in last five games). After spotting Tennessee early 14-0 lead, 'Cocks roared to 17-14 lead heading into fourth quarter but then gave up 17 points in next 10 minutes to end upset bid. Since moving back to QB from WR in Week 3, Syvelle Newton (1,555 total offense, 12 TD passes, 7 ints., 3 TD runs) has risen to third in SEC in QB rating and did all he could last week (16-of-29, 230 passing, 2 TDs, 85 rushing, 2 TD) but was done in by 3 ints. RB Cory Boyd (479 rushing, 6 TDs, 15 catches) is elusive in open field. K Ryan Succop has made 7 straight FGs including 50-yarder with plenty to spare last week.
No. 24 VIRGINIA TECH (6-2) at MIAMI (5-3), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Virginia Tech by 4.
COACHES: Frank Beamer (152-82-2 in 19th year at Virginia Tech) and Larry Coker (58-12 in 6th year at Miami).
LAST WEEK: Va. Tech beat Clemson, 24-7. Miami lost at Ga. Tech, 30-23.
SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads, 16-7.
LAST MEETING: Miami won, 27-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since starting 8-1 last year, Hurricanes are 6-5 including wins over Duke, Florida International and Florida A&M to go along with an 0-4 mark vs. ranked teams.
GAME FACTS: Hokies hope this road trip goes better than last one _ a humbling 22-3 loss at Boston College Oct. 5 that was marred by personal fouls, players squabbling on sideline and dancing around on field despite getting blown out on scoreboard. In last two wins over Southern Miss, Clemson, RB Brandon Ore has bolted for consecutive 200-yard-plus games (a first in Tech history), 4 TDs. If QB Sean Glennon (36-of-60, 362 passing, 1 TD, 3 ints., 2 fumbles in last three games) has more struggles, Beamer might turn to more mobile freshman Ike Whitaker. Though it may already be too late, Coker pretty much has to win here or unemployment beckons at season's end. Despite job security, Coker has turned to freshman such as RB Javarris James (529 rushing, 3 TDs, 5.8 per carry), cousin of former UM star Edgerrin now with NFL's Arizona Cardinals, WR Sam Shields (26 catches). Senior WR Ryan Moore is expected to make season debut after being suspended for first eight games. LB Jon Beason should start despite sore knee.
UCLA (4-4) at No. 11 CALIFORNIA (7-1), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Cal by 21.
COACHES: Karl Dorrell (26-19 in fourth year at UCLA) and Jeff Tedford (40-18 in fifth year at Cal).
LAST WEEK: UCLA lost at home to Washington State, 37-15. Cal was off.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads, 48-26-1.
LAST MEETING: UCLA won, 47-40, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since falling behind Tennessee, 35-0, in season-opening loss Sept. 2, Bears have outscored foes 347- 118 in seven-game winning streak.
GAME FACTS: As losing streak reached three vs. Wash. State, Bruins seemed unable to recover from emotional hangover of brutal 20-17 loss at Notre Dame Oct. 18. Struggles of sophomore QB Pat Cowan (49-of-100, 591 passing, 3 TDs, 4 ints. in last three losses) show how much offense misses junior Ben Olson, who will miss fourth straight game after knee surgery. 10th in this week's BCS standings, win would keep Bears atop Pac-10 and on track for first Rose Bowl trip since 1959. RB Marshawn Lynch (leads Pac-10 with 907 rushing, 11 TDs), QB Nate Longshore (leads Pac-10 in QB rating, 140-of-224, 1,877 passing, 17 TDs, 7 ints.) are Pac-10's best 1-2 punch, though Lynch will be challenged by Bruins' run defense (leads Pac-10, . CB Daymeion Hughes (second in nation with 7 ints.) is playing as well as any DB in America.
No. 18 OKLAHOMA (6-2) at No. 21 TEXAS A&M (8-1), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Power ratings say Oklahoma by 2.
COACHES: Bob Stoops (91-18 in 8th year at Oklahoma) and Dennis Franchione (24-20 in fourth year A&M).
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma won at Missouri, 26-10. Texas A&M won at Baylor, 31-21.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 14-10.
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 36-30, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Stoops, Sooners are 6-1 vs. Aggies while averaging 44 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Key contest in Big 12 South as third-place Sooners (3-1 in Big 12) trail second-place Aggies (4-1) by half-game. Sooners are getting by decently without star RB Adrian Peterson (out with broken collarbone) as QB Paul Thompson (1,634 total offense, 13 TD passes, 5 ints., 2 TD passes) remains efficient and junior RB Allen Patrick has 272 yards in his first two starts subbing for Peterson. Since 28-10 loss to Texas, defense has yielded only 22 points in three consecutive wins. Last time A&M started 8-1 was in 1998 when they won Big 12 title stunning No. 2 Kansas State in title game. But there have been no such landmark wins under Franchione (1-5 vs. ranked teams at home). With 0 ints. in last 134 passes, QB Stephen McGee (144-of-225, 1,753 passing, 11 TDs, 1 int.) has taken great care of ball and often hands to 270-pound battering ram RB Jovorskie Lane (554 rushing, second in nation with 17 TDs) in red zone. 6-7 TE Martellus Barrett (5 catches, 133 yards, 2 TDs last week) also plays for Aggies basketball team.
