College football capsules

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Capsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.GEORGIA TECH (5-1) at CLEMSON (3-3), Noon, ESPN.FAVORITE: Georgia Tech by 2-1/2.COACHES: Paul Johnson (first year at Ga. Tech) and Dabo Swinney (interim Clemson coach).LAST WEEK: Georgia Tech beat Gardner-Webb, 10-7. Clemson lost at Wake Forest, 12-7.SERIES HISTORY: Georgia Tech leads, 46-24-2.LAST MEETING: Georgia Tech won, 13-3, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Teams have split last eight meetings with five decided by five points or less.GAME FACTS: Yellow Jackets barely survived against I-AA foe last week when DE Derrick Morgan tipped FG attempt with 3 seconds left. Johnson's option attack (8th in nation in rushing, 255 ypg) was stifled with only 79 yards rushing, 9 first downs to go along with 3 turnovers. Much had to with third-string QB Calvin Booker, who struggled replacing starter Josh Nesbitt (hamstring) and backup Jaybo Shaw, who missed game with concussion. Nesbitt figures to start here. 79 of Tech's 199 total yards came on Booker's 79-yard TD pass to RB Jonathan Dwyer. Former assistant Swinney takes over after Tommy Bowden stepped down under pressure Monday. Beginning of end for Bowden might have been last year's trip to Atlanta when then-13th-ranked Tigers were stuffed managing only 228 total yards (just 34 rushing) while giving up 6 sacks. After loss at Wake, Bowden had decided to bench struggling senior QB Cullen Harper (6 ints this season, matching last year's total) in favor of freshman backup Wily Korn. Harper then responded by saying Bowden's ouster "was what he deserved.'' How much this turmoil affects Tigers' play is anybody's guess, but it likely can't help. PURDUE (2-4) at NORTHWESTERN (5-1), Noon, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Northwestern by 4.COACHES: Joe Tiller (85-59 in 12th year at Purdue) and Pat Fitzgerald (15-15 in third year at Northwestern).LAST WEEK: Purdue lost at Ohio State, 16-3. Northwestern lost at home to Michigan State, 37-20.SERIES HISTORY: Purdue leads, 49-25-1.LAST MEETING: Purdue won, 35-17, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Tiller, Boilermakers are 8-2 vs. Wildcats while averaging 36 points per game.GAME FACTS: Riding 3-game losing skid, Boilermakers are not finishing strong for Tiller, who is retiring at season's end. Reeling offense has produced only 9 points, 549 total yards in last two losses to Penn State and Ohio State. Senior QB Curtis Painter (36-of-73, 340 passing, 2 ints. last two games) has struggled behind injury-riddled line, but did lead fourth-quarter rally past NU last year (24-of-38, 182 passing, 2 TDs). DT Ryan Baker (3 tackles for loss last week), rest of defense are still playing hard. It's homecoming in Evanston. Wildcats' first 5-0 start since 1964 disappeared last week amid 3 turnovers, including 2 ints. by QB C.J. Bacher, who launched 61 passes, completing 34 for 283 yards and TD. Falling behind 17-0 early didn't help. RB Tyrell Sutton (603 rushing, 9 TDs) has NFL ability. Young secondary (58th in nation vs. pass, 201.6 ypg, 4 TD passes given up, 4 ints.) has historically had problems dealing with Tiller's pass-happy, spread offense. Even sacking Painter five times last year wasn't enough.MISSISSIPPI (3-3) at No. 2 ALABAMA (6-0), 3:30, CBS.FAVORITE: Alabama by 13-1/2.COACHES: Houston Nutt (first year at Ole Miss) and Nick Saban (13-6 in second year at Alabama).LAST WEEK: Ole Miss lost at home to South Carolina, 31-24. Alabama was off.SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 44-9-3.LAST MEETING: Alabama won, 27-24, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Crimson Tide is 21-1 vs. Rebels in Tuscaloosa, with only loss coming in 1988.GAME FACTS: Nutt has young Rebels (only 7 senior starters) playing hard as upset at Florida three weeks ago proves. Sophomore QB Jevon Sneed, a transfer from Texas, has had his ups and downs (85-of-154, 1,272 passing, 9 TDs, 9 ints., 154 yards rushing, TD run). Freshman RB Brandon Bolden (297 rushing, 2 TDs, TD catch) has serious potential. Defense (leads SEC with 50 tackles for loss) swarms to ball. DE Greg Hardy led SEC with 10 sacks last year but has only 2-1/2 so far. Saban was not happy with Tide's lackluster 17-14 win over Kentucky Oct. 4 saying "We put on a clinic of how to keep the other team in the game.'' Problems included 3 turnovers, 10 penalties, secondary giving up 241 yards passing, 2 TDs. A backup coming into season, junior RB Terry Coffee (7.9 ypc) has exploded with 462 yards, 5 TDs in last three games. LB Rolando McClain (44 tackles), S Justin Woodall (3 ints, 1 returned for TD, 2 forced fumbles) lead sound defense (second in nation vs. run, 50.8 ypg). Last year's win over Rebels ended amid controversy when instant replay overturned Ole Miss' apparent completion to Alabama 4 with seven seconds left.No. 16 KANSAS (5-1) at No. 4 OKLAHOMA (5-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 19COACHES: Mark Mangino (42-37 in 7th year at Kansas) and Bob Stoops (102-23 in 10th year at Oklahoma).LAST WEEK: Kansas beat Colorado, 30-14. Oklahoma lost to Texas, 45-35.SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 66-27-6.LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 19-3, in 2005.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2002, Sooners have won 21 straight Big 12 home games by average score of 42-14..GAME FACTS: A former offensive coordinator to Stoops at Oklahoma from 1999-2001, Mangino's Jayhawks are 17-2 since early last season. But he has yet to beat his mentor losing in 2004-05 by combined 60-13. He's got more firepower this time around with QB Todd Reesing (fifth in nation with 2,081 total offense, 15 TD passes, 3 ints., 2 TD runs), who is playing at exceptional level. But defense (second in Big 12 in total defense, 308.8 ypg) has holes and has not played well on road (gave up combined 70 points, 813 total yards in loss at South Florida, narrow escape at Iowa State). Stoops is trying to figure out exactly what happened to his defense which gave up only 69 points in first five games but vanished giving up 42 points in final three quarters last week. Another super game by QB Sam Bradford (28-of-39, 387 passing, 5 TDs, 2 ints.) was wasted as running game (only 48 yards on 26 carries) never got going. Sooners haven't lost consecutive regular-season games since Stoops' first season in Norman in 1999.No. 12 OHIO STATE (6-1) at No. 20 MICHIGAN STATE (6-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: Ohio State by 3.COACHES: Jim Tressel (79-17 in 8th year at Ohio State) and Mark Dantonio (13-7 in second year at Michigan State).LAST WEEK: Ohio State beat Purdue, 16-3. Michigan State won at Northwestern, 37-20.SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads, 26-12.LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 24-17, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Buckeyes have beaten Spartans six straight overall and are 5-1 in East Lansing since 1992.GAME FACTS: After freshman QB Terrelle Pryor was ineffective (10-of-14, 97 passing, 27 yards rushing) last week (only OSU TD came on blocked punt), some Buckeyes players, most notably TE Jake Ballard, indicated senior backup Todd Boeckman, who has played little since a 35-3 loss at USC Sept. 13, should get some more time again. Tressel doesn't agree, but something has to be done to sputtering offense (10th in Big Ten, 94th in nation in total offense, 320.8 ypg). This could be milestone win for Spartans, who are riding 6-game winning streak since season-opening loss at Cal. RB Javon Ringer (second in nation with 1,112 rushing, third with 14 TDs) has bulled his way into Heisman race, but he isn't likely to find much room vs. stout Buckeyes front seven. So it may come down to erratic senior QB Brian Hoyer (41-of-70, 714 passing, 5 TDs, int. in last three games) making plays, avoiding key mistakes. K Brett Swenson (third in nation with 15 FGs, only 1 miss) is one of nation's best. Dantonio spent time on Tressel's OSU staff but has never beaten him (0-3).No. 6 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (4-1) at WASHINGTON STATE (1-6), 3:30, Fox Sports Net.FAVORITE: Southern Cal by 43.COACHES: Pete Carroll (80-15 in 8th year at Southern Cal) and Paul Wulff (first year at Washington State).LAST WEEK: Southern Cal beat Arizona State, 28-0. Washington State lost at Oregon State, 66-13.SERIES HISTORY: Southern Cal leads, 55-8-4.LAST MEETING: Southern Cal won, 47-14, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Cougars last five seasons, Trojans have outscored WSU by combined 205-77.GAME FACTS: Trojans would be wise to remember that they lost to 41-point underdog Stanford last year, a defeat that probably kept them out of BCS title game. Since 27-21 upset loss at Oregon State Sept. 27, defense has stepped it up allowing just 10 points and 467 total yards while forcing 6 turnovers in wins over Oregon and Arizona State. QB Mark Sanchez (93-of-146, 1,248 passing, 14 TDs, 6 ints.) threw uncharacteristic 3 ints. last week, part of 5 SC turnovers that somehow didn't matter. Wulff can empathize with turnover woes (last in Pac-10, 116th in nation in turnover ratio, 21 given up, 9 forced) as last week he was down to third-string freshman QB Marshall Lobbestael, who pretty much floundered (6-of-16, 72 passing) before getting knocked out in fourth quarter with freshman Dan Wagner finishing up debacle at Oregon State. At least junior Kevin Lopina, who hasn't played since breaking bone in lower back Sept. 20, is expected to start here. But with his protection crumbling (116th in nation with 24 sacks allowed), you have to wonder how long Lopina will last. WR Brandon Gibson (38 catches, 2 TDs), has NFL talent but can't get the ball enough. Defense looks pretty hopeless (given up 159 points in last three losses, 117th in nation vs. run, 252.6 ypg).No. 18 NORTH CAROLINA (5-1) at VIRGINIA (3-3), 3:30, ABC (regional).FAVORITE: North Carolina by 4-1/2.COACHES: Butch Davis (9-9 in second year at UNC) and Al Groh (54-40 in 8th year at Virginia).LAST WEEK: North Carolina beat Notre Dame, 29-24. Virginia beat East Carolina, 35-20.SERIES HISTORY: North Carolina leads, 56-52-4.LAST MEETING: Virginia won, 22-20, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Cavaliers haven't lost to Tar Heels in Charlottesville since 1981 winning 13 straight.GAME FACTS: Tar Heels have struggled in what is billed as South's oldest rivalry dating back to 1892, dropping 8 of last 10 to UVA. And it hardly helps that Davis lost his game-breaking WR-KR Brandon Tate for season with knee injury last week. But whether by blocking punts (5 for season) or coming up with key turnovers (leads nation in turnover ratio, 18 gained, 7 lost), this UNC team is finding ways to win. With 200 yards rushing, TD in last two games despite not starting, look for more work for RB Shaun Draughn. After awful start, Cavs have amazingly gotten off deck with quality wins last over Maryland, East Carolina last two weeks. RB Cedric Peerman (283 rushing, 3 TDs, 15 catches last two weeks) has keyed resurgence with help from sophomore QB Marc Verica (50-of-66, 442 passing, 3 TDs, 2 ints., TD run last two games), who started season as third-stringer. LB Clint Sintim leads ACC with 7 sacks. K Yannick Reyering (4-of-7 on FGs) is questionable with sore leg, which might press into duty freshman Robert Randolph (made his only extra point try last week).MICHIGAN (2-4) at No. 3 PENN STATE (7-0), 4:30, ESPN.FAVORITE: Penn State by 23.COACHES: Rich Rodriguez (first year at Michigan) and Joe Paterno (379-125-3 in 43rd year at Penn State).LAST WEEK: Michigan lost at home to Toldeo, 13-10. Penn State won at Wisconsin, 48-7.SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 10-3.LAST MEETING: Michigan won, 14-9, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Nittany Lions haven't beaten Wolverines since 1996, losing nine straight, Penn State's longest losing skid to any foe under Paterno.GAME FACTS: This trip couldn't come at worse time for floundering Wolverines, still reeling from last week's shocking loss (first-ever to MAC team). Expected defeat would all but end to Michigan's NCAA record 40 straight winning seasons including 33 consecutive bowl trips. Personnel on hand just doesn't suit Rodriguez's spread attack (last in Big Ten, 109th in nation in total offense, 291.5 ypg) most notably QBs Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan (combined 15-of-26, 120 passing, TD, 3 ints., 36 yards rushing last week). Having trounced foes by combined 317-77, Lions are primed for payback for years of Michigan misery, stay on track for first Big Ten title since 1994. Darryll Clark (leads Big Ten in QB rating, 96-of-149, 1,360 passing, 10 TDs, 2 ints.), Evan Royster (second in Big Ten with 719 rushing, 9 TD runs) are best QB-RB combo in nation right now. Finally as senior, WR Derrick Williams (23 catches, TD, TD run, second in nation in kickoff returns, 33.4 ypr, 2 TDs, 61-yard TD punt return last week) has become impact player. CB Lydell Sargent's 2 ints., DE Aaron Maybin's 2 sacks led defensive charge last week.No. 11 MISSOURI (5-1) at No. 1 TEXAS (6-0), 8, ABC.FAVORITE: Texas by 6COACHES: Gary Pinkel (54-38 in 8th year at Missouri) and Mack Brown (108-25 in 11th year at Texas).LAST WEEK: Missouri lost at home to Oklahoma State, 28-23. Texas beat Oklahoma, 45-35.SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 15-5.LAST MEETING: Texas won, 51-20, in 2005.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2004, Longhorns are 12-4 vs. ranked foes including 5-1 mark at home.GAME FACTS: Chance for Tigers to get back into Big 12 North race and wipe away disappointing loss to Okla. State. Despite throwing for 390 yards, QB Chase Daniel's 3 ints. were costly and knocked him from lead in Heisman race. Growing up in Texas, he was a Longhorns fan yet was not recruited seriously by UT. Tigers' weak defense (82nd in nation in total defense, 380.3 ypg) must tighten up or it's curtains here. Ranked No. 1 in regular season for first time since 1984, Longhorns got there with stellar efforts last week from WR Jordan Shipley, who scored on 96-yard TD kickoff return and 2-yard TD catch, QB Colt McCoy (28-of-35, 277 passing, TD, int.), RB Chris Ogbonnaya (season-high 123 yards rushing). LB Roddrick Muckelroy (12 tackles) was all over field while DE Brian Orakpo's 2 sacks gives him 7-1/2 on season (leads Big 12, third in nation). But struggling pass defense (109th in nation, 267.5 ypg, 10 TD passes given up, 4 ints.) was torched for 387 yards, 5 TDs but did get pair of key ints. from freshman CB Earl Thomas. Comforting stat? Longhorns are 13-1 vs. Tigers since 1931.No. 13 LSU (4-1) at SOUTH CAROLINA (5-2), 8, ESPN.FAVORITE: LSU by 2.COACHES: Les Miles (38-7 in fourth year at LSU) and Steve Spurrier (26-18 in fourth year at South Carolina).LAST WEEK: LSU lost at Florida, 51-21. South Carolina won at Kentucky, 24-17.SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads, 15-2-1.LAST MEETING: LSU won, 28-16, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Spurrier, Gamecocks are 2-7 vs. ranked teams at home.GAME FACTS: Tigers haven't lost to Gamecocks since 1994 (3-0-1). Florida beat-down was Tigers' worst loss since 2002. Mistakes included 3 turnovers, 6 penalties, 4-of-13 on 3rd-and-4th down conversions. Big plays were killers (3 TDs given up from outside 40 yards). In his first SEC road start, QB Jarrett Lee (23-of-38, 209 passing, 2 TDs, 2 ints.) fought hard but didn't get much help from running game (season-low 80 yards). Upset here might just make 'Cocks a factor in SEC East race. CB Captain Munnerlyn was amazing last week with 81-yard TD on blocked FG return, 84-yard kickoff return to set up game-winning TD, QB Steven Garcia's 7-yard toss to WR Kenny McKinney with 7 minutes left. Spurrier yanked sophomore QB Chris Smelley in third quarter in favor of freshman Garcia (10-of-14, 169 passing) who responded moving team on all four of his possessions. Unfortunately, three ended with FG misses from struggling senior K Ryan Succup (2-of-7 on FGs last two games). Fine secondary (second in nation vs. pass, 132 ypg, 2 TD passes given up, 7 ints.) will challenge Lee with different looks.No. 17 VIRGINIA TECH (5-1) at BOSTON COLLEGE (4-1), 8, ESPN2.FAVORITE: BC by 2-1/2.COACHES: Frank Beamer (172-86-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech) and Jeff Jagodzinski (15-4 in second year at BC).LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.SERIES HISTORY: Va. Tech leads, 10-5.LAST MEETING: Virginia Tech won, 30-16, in the ACC Championship Game last Dec. 1.STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Jagodzinski, Eagles are 6-2 vs. ranked teams including 2-1 mark vs. Hokies.GAME FACTS: Third meeting in less than a year between these two radically different programs. Then second-ranked Eagles rallied past then-No. 8 Hokies, 14-10, in Blacksburg last Oct. 25 on QB Matt Ryan's TD pass in final minute. But Tech returned favor bouncing BC in ACC title game. This one seems to come down to exactly how Hokies' problematic offense (107th in nation in total offense, 292.8 ypg) moves ball vs. tough BC defense (leads ACC, 5th in nation in total defense, 253.4 ypg). Tech QB Tyrod Taylor (19-of-30, 296 passing, TD, 117 yards rushing, TD run in last two games) might have to create things on his own outside pocket. In 38-31 win at N.C. State Oct. 4, Eagles senior QB Chris Crane was hero going 34-of-51 for 428 yards, 2 TD passes, int. and also running for 3 TDs including game-winner from 13 yards out with 23 seconds left. He isn't likely to have as much success against aggressive Hokies defense (12 sacks, 14 turnovers forced), led by CB Victor "Macho'' Harris (3 ints., 19 tackles).(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)