College football capsules

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Capsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.No. 15 EAST CAROLINA (3-0) at N.C. STATE (1-2), Noon, ESPN.FAVORITE: East Carolina by 7-1/2.COACHES: Skip Holtz (23-17 in fourth year at East Carolina) and Tom O'Brien (6-9 in second year at N.C. State).LAST WEEK: East Carolina won at Tulane, 28-24. N.C. State lost at Clemson, 27-9.SERIES HISTORY: N.C. State leads, 15-10.LAST MEETING: N.C. state won, 34-20, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since losing to Wolfpack last year, Pirates are 7-1 including three wins over ranked foes.GAME FACTS: Perhaps drained from successive upsets of Va. Tech and West Virginia, Pirates looked flat last week, escaping only on QB Patrick Pinkney's 24-yard TD pass to WR Jamar Bryant with 1:41 left. Special teams came up big with DE C.J. Wilson blocking FG attempt, LB Quentin Cotton returning it 44 yards for TD. But Cotton later injured his knee and is out for season weakening defense that gave up 236 yards passing to Tulane sophomore QB Kevin Moore. Looking for first consecutive wins over Pirates since 1981-82, Wolfpack offense (113th in nation in total offense, 250.3 ypg, 0 TDs in last three games vs. I-A foes dating back to last year) must improve in a hurry. QBs Harrison Beck, Russell Wilson (combined 15-of-29, 152 passing, 2 ints. last week) aren't going to scare anybody so it will be up to RBs Andre Brown, Curtis Underwood (combined 307 rushing, 2 TDs). LB Nate Irving gave State some momentum with 33-yard int. return for TD in first quarter last week. But K Josh Czajkowski promptly missed PAT, and then misfired on 26-yard FG try later on.IOWA (3-0) at PITTSBURGH (1-1), Noon, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Pittsburgh by 1-1/2.COACHES: Kirk Ferentz (64-49 in 10th year at Iowa) and Dave Wannstedt (17-20 in fourth year at Pitt)LAST WEEK: Iowa beat Iowa State, 17-5. Pittsburgh was off.SERIES HISTORY: Pitt leads, 2-1.LAST MEETING: Pitt won, 26-14, in 1952.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2006, Hawkeyes are 1-7 on road while averaging just 15.6 points per game.GAME FACTS: Disappointing 6-6 last year, are Hawkeyes for real? Last year, UI opened 2-0 lost consecutive road games and never really recovered. Optimism this time centers on improved defense (lead nation in scoring defense, 8 points given up in 3 games, 8 sacks, 8 turnovers forced) featuring DT Mitch King, LB Pat Angerer (2 ints.). Sophomore QB Ricky Stanzi (5-of-14, 95 passing, 2 ints.) struggled badly last week so junior Jake Christensen (2,269 passing, 17 TDs, 6 ints. last year) might see some time if problems persist. A sexy preseason choice to win Big East, Panthers really need this, as much as a team can need a non-conference game in September. That's because season-opening 27-17 loss to Bowling Green brought out more doubts about direction of program under Wannstedt, which were hardly quelled by 27-16 win over Buffalo Sept. 6. RB LeSean McCoy (164 rushing, 4 TDs), QB Bill Stull (512-of-84, 505 passing, 1 TD, 2 ints.) form good 1-2 punch. After leading nation with 151 tackles last year, LB Scott McKillop was at it again with 15 tackles vs. Buffalo.ARIZONA (2-1) at UCLA (1-1), 3, Fox Sports Net.FAVORITE: Arizona by 2.COACHES: Mike Stoops (19-30 in fifth year at Arizona) and Rick Neuheisel (first year at UCLA).LAST WEEK: Arizona lost at New Mexico, 36-28. UCLA lost at BYU, 59-0.SERIES HISTORY:.UCLA leads, 19-11-2.LAST MEETING: Arizona won, 34-27, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Bruins are 11-2-2 vs. Wildcats at home, including 6-1 mark since 1991.GAME FACTS: Both teams come in off deflating losses. Perhaps needing to get to UA's first bowl since 1998 to save Stoops' job, Wildcats took big step back giving up 221 yards rushing, turning it over five times in losing to New Mexico for second straight year. QB Willie Tuitama had nice numbers (27-of-50, 321 passing, 2 TDs) but also threw two costly ints. and made poor reads under pressure. He did light up Bruins (21-of-35, 341 passing, 3 TDs) in last year's win. Of course, that was nothing considering the astonishing ease with which BYU QB Max Hall (27-of-35, 271 passing, 7 TDs, int.) devoured UCLA secondary in Bruins' worst loss since 1929. Beating has pretty much dashed momentum of 27-24 season-opening upset of Tennessee. Injury problems continue with LB Kyle Bosworth, nephew of former Oklahoma All-American Brian, out with knee problem and RB Kahlil Bell (ankle) questionable. Since throwing 4 ints. in first half vs. Tennessee, QB Kevin Craft has shown potential going 41-of-64 for 423 yards, TD, int. in last six quarters. 8 turnovers in two games has to concern Neuheisel.No. 4 FLORIDA (2-0) at TENNESSEE (1-1), 3:30, CBS.FAVORITE: Florida by 8.COACHES: Urban Meyer (33-8 in fourth year at Florida) and Phillip Fulmer (148-46 in 17th year at Tennessee).LAST WEEK: Florida was off. Tennessee beat Alabama-Birmingham, 35-3.SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads, 19-18.LAST MEETING: Florida won, 59-20, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: In dealing Vols worst loss ever under Fulmer by biggest margin in history of series that dates back to 1916, Gators out-gained UT 554 total yards to 298.GAME FACTS: Bitter SEC East rivals have split last two games in Knoxville by combined total of three points. This is first time both haven't been ranked when playing since 1984. Gators had no problem last year as QB Tim Tebow launched his Heisman campaign with stellar game (360 yards total offense, 2 TD passes, 2 TD runs). Meyer wants him to run less this year, utilizing RBs, gifted WR Percy Harvin, who says he's now 100 percent following offseason heel surgery. Star LB Brandon Spikes this week repeated his charge that UT players quit trying in final quarter last year. More significant has been that n losing last three years to Gators, Vols have managed just 92 yards rushing, part of overall rivalry trend that has had team rushing for more yards winning 16 of last 18 games. If UT RB Arian Foster (196 rushing, 7.8 per carry) can't find some room, erratic QB Jonathan Crompton (38-of-72 for 429 passing, 2 TDs, 3 ints.) will be in for long day. WR Gerald Jones (2 TD catches last week) may also see some snaps at QB. Defense certainly wants revenge, but looked so clueless vs. Tebow and co. last year that it's hard to figure what adjustments can be made, particularly with pass rush (2 sacks, only 24 in 14 games last year) virtually non-existent. Senior LB Rico McCoy, play-making S Eric Barry must have huge games.NOTRE DAME (2-0) at MICHIGAN STATE (2-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Michigan State by 8-1/2.COACHES: Charlie Weis (24-15 in fourth year at Notre Dame) and Mark Dantonio (9-7 in second year at Mich. State).LAST WEEK: Notre Dame beat Michigan, 35-17. Michigan State beat Florida-Atlantic, 17-0.SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 44-26-1.LAST MEETING: Michigan State won, 31-10, last year.STATS THAT MATTER: Road team has won last six games in rivalry, though Spartans are 8-3 vs. Fighting Irish overall since 1997.GAME FACTS: Since starting last year 1-9, Irish have won four straight -- albeit not with many style points. Defense hounded Michigan into 6 turnovers last week that helped set up 21-0 first quarter lead. Then again, ND was actually out-gained 388 total yards to 260. QB Jimmy Clausen was only 10-of-21 for 147 yards (2 TDs, 2 ints.) and his decision-making must get sharper. WR Golden Tate (4 catches, 127 yards, TD last week) has shown moves to get open downfield. Weis, who got plowed into on sidelines by one of his players and tore two knee ligaments last week, says he won't have surgery for a while. Spartans RB Javon Ringer (third in nation with 498 rushing, leads nation with 9 TDs) has bulled through ND for 220 yards on 40 carries last two years. If he gets going again, QB Brian Hoyer can play-action Irish secondary looking for his big-play target, WR Mark Dell (13 catches, 24.6 ypc, TD). Hoyer hardly had fun in driving rain last week, fumbling three times and throwing pair of ints. But it didn't matter as defense delivered first shutout since 1999.MIAMI (1-1) at TEXAS A&M (1-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Miami by 4.COACHES: Randy Shannon (6-8 in second year at Miami) and Mike Sherman (first year at A&M).LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.SERIES HISTORY: Miami leads, 2-0.LAST MEETING: Miami won, 34-17, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Shannon, Hurricanes are 1-5 on road losing by average score of 35-18.GAME FACTS: After managing only 140 total yards in 26-3 loss at No. 4 Florida on Sept. 6, Shannon has to wonder where the offense is going, especially with RB Javarris James (high ankle sprain) unlikely to play. Freshman QB Robert Mavre (10-of-18 for only 69 yards vs. Florida) may have to make some plays on his own. Defense (17 tackles for loss) will fly to ball and has experience in senior starters DE Eric Moncur, LB Glenn Cook, DT Antonio Dixon. 'Canes held A&M to 24 total yards in racing to 24-0 halftime lead in last year's win at home. After humbling 18-14 loss to Arkansas State in Sherman's debut Aug. 30, Aggies rebounded with 28-22 win at New Mexico Sept. 6. But that was clouded by sprained shoulder suffered by senior QB Stephen McGee, who is questionable. Sophomore backup Jarrod Johnson (10-of-19, 124 passing, 3 TDs) looked terrific in relief at New Mexico, and might be better fit in Sherman's pro-style offense. Veteran defensive coordinator Joe Kines has his work cut out for him as "Wrecking Crew'' defense has shown holes (113th in nation vs. run, 235.5 ypg, only 3 sacks).VIRGINIA TECH (2-1) at NORTH CAROLINA (2-0), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: North Carolina by 1-1/2.COACHES: Frank Beamer (169-86-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech) and Butch Davis (6-8 in second year at North Carolina).LAST WEEK: Virginia Tech beat Georgia Tech, 20-17. North Carolina won at Rutgers, 44-12.SERIES HISTORY: Virginia Tech leads, 15-9-6.LAST MEETING: Virginia Tech won, 17-10, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating North Carolina last four seasons, Hokies have outscored Tar Heels by combined 109-47.GAME FACTS: Hokies have been uneven so far, so this is critical test for Beamer and his staff. After saying before opening loss at East Carolina that he would red-shirt sophomore QB Tyrod Taylor, instead Beamer played him in Week 2 win over Furman and Taylor went the route last week, but hardly got anything done passing (9-of-14, 48 yards). Freshman RB Darren Evans (94 rushing, TD last week) looks like real deal but Beamer is sticking with sophomore Kenny Lewis as starter. DT John Groves has been force blocking a kick in first three games (first player ever to do that under Beamer). After resounding win last week, Tar Heels are anxious to prove they are ACC contenders. UNC clearly has edge at QB with sophomore T.J. Yates (second in ACC in QB rating, 29-of-48, 442 passing, 5 TDs, int.), who will look to senior WR Brandon Tate (8 catches, 29.1 per catch, 2 TDs) to exploit Tech's man coverage deep. Tate is also tremendous kick returner (second in nation in punt returns, 36.5 ypr, TD, fifth in kickoff returns, 38 ypr). Tar Heels out-gained Hokies last year (306 total yards to 241), but lost thanks to 2 turnovers, int. that set up Tech TD and fumble VT 5.No. 20 UTAH (3-0) at AIR FORCE (3-0), 4, Versus.FAVORITE: Utah by 8.COACHES: Kyle Whittingham (27-14 n fourth year at Utah) and Try Calhoun (12-4 in second year at Air Force).LAST WEEK: Utah won at Utah State, 58-10. Air Force won at Houston, 31-28.SERIES HISTORY: Air Force leads, 14-10.LAST MEETING: Air Force won, 20-12, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Calhoun, Falcons are 7-0 at home while averaging 33 points per game.GAME FACTS: A tricky MWC test for Utes, who have aspirations for first at-large BCS invitation since Urban Meyer led Utah to Fiesta Bowl back in 2004. After holding off Michigan, 25-23, in opener, Utes have blasted UNLV, Utah State by combined 100-31. Standouts include DE Paul Kruger (fourth in nation with 4-1/2 sacks), QB Brian Johnson (727 yards total offense, 5 TD passes, 3 ints., TD run), K Louie Sakoda (7-of-7 on FGs, second in nation). Utes were stopped on AF 1 twice in final two minutes of last year's loss. That kind of determination is what Calhoun has brought to Falcons, who were combined 13-21 in Fisher DeBerry's final three years from 2004-06. Senior QB Shea Smith (317 yards total offense, 5 TD runs, TD pass, int.) has option attack running smoothly (second in nation in rushing, 358 ypg) with help from speedy RB Kyle Halderman (238 rushing, 11.9 ypc, TD). Defense (third in nation with 11 sacks) must turn up heat on Johnson, but did give up 362 yards passing (534 total yards) and nearly blew 31-7 lead in second half last week.No. 18 WAKE FOREST (2-0) at No. 24 FLORIDA STATE (2-0), 7, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Florida State by 4.COACHES: Jim Grobe (48-39 in 8th year at Wake) and Bobby Bowden (344-113-4 in 33rd year at FSU).LAST WEEK: Wake Forest was off. Florida State beat Chattanooga, 46-7.SERIES HISTORY: Florida State leads, 21-4-1.LAST MEETING: Wake Forest won, 24-21, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2006 season, Seminoles are only 4-4 in ACC home games -- this after winning 54 straight ACC home games in Tallahassee from 1992-2005.GAME FACTS: If Wake wants to win its second ACC title in last three years, Grobe and co. must keep up hex on FSU, which had beaten Demon Deacons 14 straight times (9 by 23 points or more) before Wake won last two seasons. QB Riley Skinner has played well vs. FSU (combined 32-of-50, 353 passing, 3 TDs, 2 ints. last two years) and uses WR D.J. Boldin (18 catches) well in short passing game. As always, defense has excelled in taking ball away (8 turnovers forced in two games). Seminoles have pummeled I-A softies Chattanooga, Western Carolina by combined 115-7. But is program that has lost 12 games last two years (only one less defeat than FSU suffered in the entire 1990s) really even close to being back? Bowden rolled dice going into season dropping senior QB Drew Weatherford to third team and going with sophomores Christian Ponder, D'Vontrey Richardson (combined 38-of-59, 550 passing, 8 TDs, 154 rushing, 3 TD runs). If it comes down to FG, Deacs have huge edge with K Sam Shade (5-of-5 on FGs, including 41-yard with 3 seconds left to beat Ole Miss, 30-28, on Sept. 6) a whole lot better than FSU's Zach Hobby (1-of-4 on FGs, missed PAT).No. 6 LSU (2-0) at No. 10 AUBURN (3-0), 7:45, ESPN.FAVORITE: LSU by 3.COACHES: Les Miles (36-6 in fourth year at LSU) and Tommy Tuberville (83-33 in 10th year at Auburn).LAST WEEK: LSU beat North Texas, 41-3. Auburn won at Mississippi State, 3-2.SERIES HISTORY: Auburn leads, 21-20-1.LAST MEETING: LSU won, 30-24, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: .GAME FACTS: Winner of Battle of Tigers has gone on to win SEC West crown six times in last eight years. Home team has won last eight in rivalry, including LSU's dramatic win on WR Demetrius Boyd's TD catch with one second left last year. Serious step up in competition for LSU, which blitzed Appalachian State, North Texas by combined 81-16 and had game with Troy postponed after Tiger Stadium was damaged by Hurricane Gustav. RB Trindon Holliday had school-record 92-yard TD punt return last week. DT Charles Alexander returned from knee problem last week but LB Darryl Beckwith hurt his knee and is out. Miles is likely to play both freshman QB Jarrett Lee, junior Andrew Hatch, figure out which can hold up vs. wicked Auburn defense (25 tackles for loss, only 1 TD, 13 points given up in three games, opponent converting only 3 of 46 3rd-down tries) in brutally hostile environment. In first year in new coordinator Tony Franklin's spread attack, Auburn offense looked atrocious last week in first 3-2 game in SEC history. Lowlights included 3 fumbles lost, 3-of-16 on 3rd-down conversions, 12 penalties. QB Chris Todd (472 passing, 1 TD, int., ) must make quicker decisions to get rid of or hand off ball. RB Brad Lester is questionable after being carted off field in ambulance last week following nasty fall on his head.No. 3 GEORGIA (3-0) at ARIZONA STATE (2-1), 8, ABC.FAVORITE: Georgia by 6-1/2.COACHES: Mark Richt (75-19 in 8th year at Georgia) and Dennis Erickson (12-4 in second year at Arizona State).LAST WEEK: Georgia won at South Carolina, 14-7. Arizona State lost at home to UNLV, 23-20, in overtime.SERIES HISTORY: First meeting.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2004, Sun Devils are 1-12 vs. ranked foes while Bulldogs are 13-7 over same span.GAME FACTS: New test for Road Warrior 'Dawgs (24-4 in away games under Richt) going to high-energy desert environment. QB Matthew Stafford injured foot late in fourth quarter last week but Richt says he's OK. RB Knowhson Moreno (leads SEC with 306 rushing, 7 TDs) should find room vs. so-so ASU run defense (62nd in nation vs. run, 129 ypg). LB Rennie Curran (20 tackles, 2 sacks, forced fumble) has been one-man gang on defense. Sun Devils got caught looking ahead last week, and lost to 30-point underdog UNLV when K Thomas Weber's 35-yard FG try was blocked in OT after ASU had squandered 20-10 fourth-quarter lead. QB Rudy Carpenter (leads Pac-10, 9th in nation in QB rating, 62-of-87, 975 passing, 6 TDs, 2 ints.) threw pair of TD passes but also had key int. late in first half set up UNLV TD that came back to haunt ASU at end. Line has given up 5 sacks so far and will be tested by UGA's blitz packages. With trips to Cal and No. 1 USC on deck, another defeat here could have Sun Devils' season coming apart quickly.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)