College football capsules

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Capsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.EDITORS: Due to Hurricane Ike, Saturday's Arkansas-Texas game has been rescheduled to Sept. 27.No. 23 CALIFORNIA (2-0) at MARYLAND (1-1), Noon, ESPN.FAVORITE: Cal by 15.COACHES: Jeff Tedford (52-26 in 7th year at Cal) and Ralph Friedgen (57-32 in 8th year at Maryland).LAST WEEK: Cal won at Washington State, 66-3. Maryland lost at Middle Tennessee State, 24-14.SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Friedgen, Terps are 30-1 when scoring 20 points or more in College Park.GAME FACTS: After discouraging 2-6 slide to close last year, Bears seem to have righted themselves with explosive wins over Michigan State and Wash. State as offense has piled up 970 yards and 104 points. Speedy RB Jahvid Best ran wild with 80 and 86-yard TDs as part of 200-yard performance last week. Sophomore QB Kevin Riley (23-of-38, 253 passing, 3 TDs, TD run) has made few mistakes so far. Same can't be said for reeling Terps, who suffered arguably worst loss of Friedgen era last week, game in which UM astonishingly had the ball for just 20:11. With senior QB Jordan Steffy (thumb) out, last year's starter Chris Turner threw 3 costly ints., so junior Josh Portis might get a look here. RB Da'rel Scott's 63-yard TD run and WR Darrius Heyward-Bey's 80-yard TD burst on short pass were lone bright spots. Terps run defense was a real problem last year (9th in ACC, 53rd in nation vs. run, 147.3 ypg) and hasn't looked a whole lot better giving up combined 235 yards on ground to Delaware and MTSU. If front seven doesn't step up, Best could have another field day.FLORIDA ATLANTIC (1-1 ) at MICHIGAN STATE (1-1), Noon, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Michigan State by 17.COACHES: Howard Schnellenberger (42-43 in 8th year at Fla. Atlantic) and Mark Dantonio (8-7 in second year at Michigan State).LAST WEEK: Florida Atlantic beat Alabama-Birmingham, 49-34. Michigan State beat Eastern Michigan, 42-10.SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Dantonio, Spartans are 6-2 at home while averaging 37 points per game.GAME FACTS: After beating Minnesota last year, Owls go for second Big Ten win. But road has been unkind to FIU lately with 11 straight away losses to BCS foes by average score of 47-11. Schnellenberger thinks QB Rusty Smith (21-of-34, 325 passing, 3 TDs last week) gives them hope here, but defense (given up 985 yards, 86 points in two games) has been simply terrible so far. Dantonio must hope his players aren't looking ahead to Notre Dame next week. Bullish RB Javon Ringer rumbled for 135 yards, career-high 5 TDs vs. Eastern Mich. and should get plenty of carries here. Senior QB Brian Hoyer (28-of-60, 469 passing, TD, int.) can play better than he has so far. A week after Cal lit them up for 467 yards in 38-31 season-opening loss, Spartans defense clamped down a bit last week holding CMU to 11 first downs, 342 total yards..No. 2 GEORGIA (2-2) at SOUTH CAROLINA (1-1), 3:30, CBS.FAVORITE: Georgia by 7.COACHES: Mark Richt (74-19 in 8th year at Georgia) and Steve Spurrier (22-17 in fourth year at South Carolina).LAST WEEK: Georgia beat Central Michigan, 56-17. South Carolina lost at Vanderbilt, 24-17.SERIES HISTORY: Georgia leads, 44-14-2.LAST MEETING: South Carolina won, 16-12, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Richt, Bulldogs are 20-4 in SEC road games including 3-0 mark in Columbia.GAME FACTS: Playing a team as good as Dawgs is hardly the right tonic for Gamecocks, who just lost to Vandy for second straight season. After racing past Ga. Southern, Cent. Michigan by combined 101-38, Bulldogs look for some payback for awful performance vs. SC last year, game in which UGA did not manage a TD (first time that happened in six years). QB Matthew Stafford struggled mightily (19-of-44, 213 passing, int.) that night but has been a lot better since (31-of-49, 488 passing, 4 TDs in first two games). Sophomore RB Knowshon Moreno (227 rushing, 8.7 per carry, 6 TDs) has looked terrific thus far. Same can't be said for Spurrier's floundering offense, which has produced 7 turnovers and 6 TDs so far. So Spurrier says both QBs sophomore Chris Smelley (23-of-39, 233 passing, 2 TDs, 2 ints. last week), junior Tommy Beecher, who was banged up in 34-0 win over N.C. State in opener, will play. Loss of star WR Kenny McKinley, who is doubtful with hamstring problem, really hurts. So gritty RB Mike Davis (181 rushing, TD, 4 catches) must step up. After playing well in first half last week, defense lost its way in second half giving up 175 yards, 3 TDs.MICHIGAN (1-1) at NOTRE DAME (1-1), 3:30, NBC.FAVORITE: Michigan by 1.COACHES: Rich Rodriguez (first year at Michigan) and Charlie Weis (23-15 in fourth year at Notre Dame).LAST WEEK: Michigan beat Utah, 16-6. Notre Dame beat San Diego State, 21-13.SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 20-14-1.LAST MEETING: Michigan won, 38-0, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1980, Fighting Irish are 7-3-1 vs. Wolverines in South Bend.GAME FACTS: For second straight year, nation's two winningest programs (UM 870 wins, ND 825) meet as unranked teams. Prior to last season that had never happened since rankings started in 1930. Wolverines fans are hardly brimming with confidence after last week's hum-drum win as Rodriguez's spread offense managed just 15 first downs, 281 total yards and ranks 114th nationally in total offense (242 ypg). Combined QBs Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan were 10-of-18 for just 103 yards passing so both could play again. On the bright side, UM has outscored Utah and Miami of Ohio by combined 19-0 in fourth quarter. In first game since last year's 3-9 disaster (ND's most losses ever in a season), Irish didn't exactly wake up the echoes with 4 turnovers, 7 penalties, capitalizing on fortunate SDSU fumble at ND 1 early in final quarter. On plus side, Jimmy Clausen (21-of-23, 237 passing, 3 TDs, 2 ints.) wasn't sacked, no small achievement after ND QBs were hammered D-I record 58 times last year. Weis praised S Kyle McCarthy for being "all over field'' with 14 tackles in opener. Irish players no doubt remember last year's feeble effort in Ann Arbor where they managed only 8 first downs, were out-gained 379 total yards to 79 and gave up 8 sacks.No. 16 OREGON (2-0) at PURDUE (1-0), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Oregon by 7.COACHES: Mike Bellotti (108-52 in 14th year at Oregon) and Joe Tiller (84-54 in 12th year at Purdue).LAST WEEK: Oregon beat Utah State, 66-24. Purdue beat Northern Colorado, 42-10.SERIES HISTORY: Purdue leads, 1-0.LAST MEETING: Purdue won, 13-7, in 1979.STAT THAT MATTERS: Ducks lead nation in total offense (592 yards per game) and are fifth in scoring (55 ppg).GAME FACTS: So far, Bellotti, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have taken to playing 3 QBs, with sophomore Justin Roper (13-of-18, 173 passing, TD pass, int., TD run last week) starting but freshmen Chris Harper, Jermiah Masoli also getting snaps. RBs Jeremiah Johnson, LeGarrette Blount also split carries (combined 314 rushing, 4 TDs). Defense will need to generate pressure on Boilermakers senior QB Curtis Painter (15-of-28, 286 passing, 2 TDs in opener), latest technician of Tiller's "basketball on grass'' passing attack. Finally a starter as a senior, WR Desmond Tardy made most of 3 catches last week totaling 112 yards. RB Kory Street's 2 TDs in opener gives him 41 for career, one behind PU's all-time leader Mike Alstott. Boilermakers have lost 11 straight to ranked foes since a 27-14 win over No. 10 Iowa in 2003.No. 17 PENN STATE (2-0) at SYRACUSE (0-2), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Penn State by 27.COACHES: Joe Paterno (374-125-3 in 43rd year at Penn State) and Greg Robinson (7-30 in fourth year at Syracuse).LAST WEEK: Penn State beat Oregon State, 45-14. Syracuse lost at home to Akron, 42-28.SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads, 40-23-5.LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 27-21, in 1990.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Robinson, Orange are 1-11 vs. ranked foes including 0-5 mark at home.GAME FACTS: Paterno should be able to stay even with fellow senior citizen Florida State coach Bobby Bowden atop career wins list. Nittany Lions looked terrific vs. Oregon St., shaking off loss of starting DE Maurice Evans, DT Abe Koroma, both suspended after police found marijuana in Evans' apartment last week. Sophomore Evan Royster (205 rushing, 8.2 per carry) is upholding PSU's tradition of great tailbacks with 6 TDs so far (first Lion to score 6 TDs in first two games since Lydell Mitchell in 1971). QB Daryll Clark (25-of-38, 361 passing, 3 TDs, TD run in two games) is making good decisions with ball. Even with huge upset here, hapless Robinson may be first D-I coach fired. His expertise -- defense -- has been a disaster (111th in nation in total defense, 481 ypg, 112th vs. run, 243.5 ypg) while offense just can't produce enough to compensate. QB Cameron Dantley (13-of-20, 135 passing, 3 TDs, int.), RB Curtis Brinkley (career-high 143 yards rushing, TD) were bright spots. Too bad they can't play defense, too.GEORGIA TECH (2-0) at VIRGINIA TECH (1-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Va. Tech by 7.COACHES: Paul Johnson (first year at Ga. Tech) and Frank Beamer (168-86-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech).LAST WEEK: Georgia Tech won at Boston College, 19-16. Virginia Tech beat Furman, 24-7.SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads, 3-2LAST MEETING: Virginia Tech won, 27-3, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2004, Hokies are 15-1 in ACC road games.GAME FACTS: After passing first tough test in impressive win at BC, Johnson's option attack gets even tougher assignment in fast, athletic Hokies' defense. Yellow Jackets RB Jonathan Dwyer's 43-yard TD run in final quarter was the difference, but real star was sophomore QB Josh Nesbitt (123 yards total offense, TD run), who executed option masterfully. Led by DE Derrick Morgan (2-1/2 sacks so far), underrated defense gave up just 262 total yards while forcing 3 key turnovers. Beamer can't be pleased with what he's seen from his offense (only 207 yards passing in two games). So with senior QB Sean Glennon struggling (17-of-41, 181 passing, TD, 3 ints.), plans to redshirt sophomore Tyrod Taylor were scrapped and he rushed for 112 yards last week. They'll both probably play, again. Senior CB "Macho'' Harris will play despite sore foot and has excelled vs. Ga. Tech before with 3 career ints. DE Jason Worilds (shoulder), LB Cam Martin (shoulder) are both questionable.UCLA (1-0) at No. 18 BYU (2-0), 3:30, Versus.FAVORITE: BYU by 8.COACHES: Rick Neuheisel (first year at UCLA) and Bronco Mendenhall (30-10 in fourth year at BYU)LAST WEEK: UCLA was off. BYU won at Washington, 28-27.SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads, 7-2.LAST MEETING: BYU won, 17-16, in last year's Las Vegas Bowl.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2006 season, Cougars have won 13 straight home games by average score of 37-12.GAME FACTS: In bizarre scheduling twist, teams face off for third time in a year. As rousing as Bruins' 27-24 OT upset of Tennessee in opener Sept. 1, last Decmeber's bowl loss to Cougars when 28-yard FG try on final play was tipped just wide was that deflating. After nightmarish first half vs. Tennessee when he threw 4 ints. (one run back for go-ahead TD), QB Kevin Craft somehow gathered himself and led comeback with stellar second half (18-of-25, 193 yards, TD). Injury woes continue with RB Kahlil Bell (high ankle sprain) doubtful, WR Marcus Everett (dislocated toe), TE Logan Paulsen (broken foot) both out. Cougars lucked out at Washington with controversial celebration penalty leading to 35-yard PAT try that DE Jan Jurgensen blocked to seal win with two seconds left. Lost in that brouhaha was another superb game from QB Max Hall (30-of-41, 338 passing, 3 TDs, int.), who leads nation with 824 yards passing. Cougars like versatility as WR Austin Collie has been working as backup QB and RB Harvey Unga (64 rushing, 2 TDs, 6 catches, TD catch last week) is dual threat. LB Vic So'oto (broken foot) will not play.No. 9 AUBURN (2-0) at MISSISSIPPI STATE (1-1), 7, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Auburn by 11.COACHES: Tommy Tuberville (82-33 in 10th year at Auburn) and Sylvester Croom (18-31 in fifth year at Miss. State).LAST WEEK: Auburn beat Southern Miss, 27-13. Mississippi State beat Southeast Louisiana, 34-10.SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads, 56-23-2.LAST MEETING: Mississippi State won, 19-14, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1978, Tigers are 11-2 vs. Bulldogs in Starkville including last three wins by combined score of 119-28.GAME FACTS: This may not be easy for Tigers due to inexperience at QB. Junior Chris Todd finally stepped up to grab job in first career start last week, going 21-of-31 for 248 yards. But offense still sputtered due to 4 turnovers. AU also coughed up 5 turnovers in last year's loss to Bulldogs. Croom's offense has its own troubles, improving only slightly last week (401 total yards) after disastrous 5-turnover performance in 22-14 loss at Louisiana Tech in opener. At least sophomore QB Wesley Carroll settled down a bit (15-of-23, 158 passing, 2 TDs) after throwing 4 picks in opener. RB Anthony Dixon (2 TD runs last week) has to find room to keep Tigers honest or they'll just tee off on Carroll and this could get ugly. Bulldogs S Derek Pegues is also fine kick returner (812 return yards last year) and usually rises to occasion in big games.No. 3 OKLAHOMA (2-0) at WASHINGTON (0-2), 7:45, ESPN.FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 20.COACHES: Bob Stoops (98-22 in 10th year at Oklahoma) and Tyrone Willingham (11-27 in fourth year at Washington)LAST WEEK: Oklahoma beat Cincinnati, 52-26. Washington lost at home to BYU, 28-27.SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 37-20, in 2006.STAT THAT MATTERS: Sooners are sixth in nation in scoring (54.5 points per game) while Huskies are 101st in scoring defense (36 ppg).GAME FACTS: Sooners have struggled lately away from Norman (2-3 in last five road and neutral site games) and visit Seattle for first time. For only second time in 16 career starts, sophomore QB Sam Bradford threw 2 ints. last week. Of course, he also threw for 395 yards and 5 TDs, including one to freshman WR Ryan Broyles (7 catches, 143 yards last week). RB DeMarco Murray (212 rushing, 7.1 per carry, 3 TDs) is one of most productive players in nation. DE Joe Alexander is doubtful and still recovering from being stabbed in nightclub altercation on Aug. 30. Huskies got hosed last week when officials hit QB Jake Locker with senseless excessive celebration penalty for throwing ball in air after scoring TD with two seconds left. K Ryan Perkins' 35-yard extra point try was then blocked as protection broke down. Locker (17-of-32, TD pass, 2 TD runs) accounted for 266 of the Huskies' 337 total yards. Bitter loss on top of taking on powerhouse OU here has Willingham on even shakier ground, though UW president Mark Emmert pleaded for fans to show patience earlier this week. No. 5 OHIO STATE (2-0) at No. 1 USC (1-0), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: USC by 11.COACHES: Jim Tressel (75-16 in 8th year at Ohio State) and Pete Carroll (77-14 in 8th year at USC).LAST WEEK: Ohio State beat Ohio, 26-14. USC was off.SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 11-9-1.LAST MEETING: USC won, 35-26, in 1990.STATS THAT MATTER: Trojans have won 14 consecutive September games while Buckeyes have won 13 straight road games (six over ranked teams).GAME FACTS: Combined these two have 18 national titles (11 for USC, 7 for OSU). This is the biggest underdog Ohio State has been since 1999, when John Cooper's Buckeyes lost to both Penn State and Michigan as 11-point underdogs. Sluggish effort vs. Ohio (trailed 14-12 going to final quarter), RB "Beanie'' Wells doubtful with foot problem are at core of the large spread. QB Todd Boeckman (combined 38-of-65, 368 yards, 2 TDs, 3 ints. vs. last 3 D-I foes) has to play a lot better than he has been. If not, freshman Terrelle Pryor might get a shot. Critics insist that Butkus Award-winning LB James Laurinaitis is soft. Having not lost to OSU since 1973 Rose Bowl (5-0), Trojans usually excel on this kind of national stage. Junior QB Mark Sanchez (26-of-35, career-high 338 passing, 3 TDs, int. in 52-7 season-opening win at Virginia) seems to have shaken off freakish dislocated knee injury suffered in August. Sophomores Joe McKnight, C.J. Gable (33-yard TD run at Virginia) lead deep stable of RBs while WRs Patrick Turner, Vidal Hazelton will test OSU secondary. Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing, Clay Matthews (6 tackles, sack, 2 fumble recoveries, forced fumble at Virginia) form best LB trio in nation. How dominant have Trojans been lately? Since trailing at Oregon State, 33-10, in October, 2006, USC has outscored its foes by combined 679-279 in winning 17 of last 20 games No. 10 WISCONSIN (2-0) at No. 21 FRESNO STATE (1-0), 10:30, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Wisconsin by 1-1/2.COACHES: Bret Bielema (23-5 in third year at Wisconsin) and Pat Hill (86-55 in 12th year at Fresno State).LAST WEEK: Wisconsin beat Marshall, 51-14. Fresno State was off.SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.LAST MEETING: Wisconsin won, 23-21, in 2002.STAT THAT MATTERS: Despite reputation as giant-killers, Bulldogs are just 2-7 vs. BCS conference foes since 2005.GAME FACTS: Kudos to Badgers for playing this game as UW is one of 20 BCS schools traveling to non-BCS schools to play. Bielema likes to use 5-11, 230-pound B.J. Hill (267 rushing, 6.1 per carry, 4 TDs) to wear down defenses late. Transfer from Kansas State, QB Allan Evridge (24-of-36. 383 passing, 2 TDs, int.) has looked good so far. Sophomore CB Niles Brinkley had first two career ints. last week. If Bulldogs want to follow path of WAC champ Hawaii who broke through to BCS game last year, this is a must. In 24-7 season-opening win at Rutgers Sept. 1, Bulldogs did some rumbling of their own led by RB Ryan Matthews' 163 yards rushing, 3 TDs. He's not likely to find as many holes vs. Badgers so QB Tom Brandstater (11-of-24, 216 passing in opener) may have to take some chances downfield. He has weapons to do so including WR speedy WR Seyi Ajirotutu (3 catches, 116 yards vs. Rutgers), All-WAC TE Bear Pascoe. LB Nick Bates (arm) will not play as FSU defense must make sure tackles vs. Hill and co.(E-mail John Lindsay at lindsayj(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)