College football caps with TCU-Utah, Va. Tech-Maryland

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Capsule previews for this week's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.THURSDAY:No. 23 MARYLAND (6-2) at VIRGINIA TECH (5-3), 7:30 p.m., ESPN.FAVORITE: Virginia Tech by 3-1/2.COACHES: Ralph Friedgen (62-33 in 8th year at Maryland) and Frank Beamer (172-88-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech).LAST GAME: Maryland beat N.C. State, 27-24, on Oct. 25. Va. Tech lost at Florida State, 30-20, on Oct. 25.SERIES HISTORY: Maryland leads, 15-13.LAST MEETING: Virginia Tech won, 28-9, in 2005.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1998, Hokies are 13-2 in Thursday night games including pair of wins over Terps by combined score of 83-15.GAME FACTS: Thanks to wins over Wake Forest and N.C. State, Terps lead ACC Atlantic but are only 2-3 in last five ACC road games including 31-0 humbling at Virginia Oct. 4. Son of former NFL player Dave Meggett, RB Davin Meggett stepped in for starter Da'Rel Scott (shoulder) and led game-winning drive vs. N.C. State setting up K Obi Egekeze's game-winning 20-yard FG with 6 seconds left. QB Chris Turner (57-of-95, 680 yards passing, 2 TDs, int. in last three games) must avoid crucial mistakes. Beamer really doesn't know who will be playing QB with starter Tyrod Taylor, backup Sean Glennon both gimpy with high ankle sprains. Senior Cory Holt was listed as WR before being pressed into QB duty at Florida State (3-of-6, 28 yards passing) and might have to go with starting TE Greg Boone as the backup if Taylor and Glennon can't go. In any event, look for lots of RB Darren Evans (519 rushing, 8 TDs) as Hokies are 86-8 since 1999 when out-rushing opponent. Defense, special teams may have to take matters into their own hands and score that way (69 return TDs since 1999, most in nation).No. 11 TCU (9-1) at No. 10 UTAH (9-0), 8, College Sports TV.FAVORITE: TCU by 3.COACHES: Gary Patterson (71-26 in 8th year at TCU) and Kyle Whittingham (33-14 in fourth year).LAST WEEK: TCU won at UNLV, 44-14. Utah won at New Mexico, 13-10.SERIES HISTORY: Utah leads, 4-1.LAST MEETING: Utah won, 27-20, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Dating back to last year, Utes' 10-game winning streak is tied for second longest in nation while Utah has also won 9 straight in Salt Lake City.GAME FACTS: Winner has inside track on Mountain West title, shot at BCS at-large bowl berth. Defenses could dominate led by Horned Frogs' impressive unit (leads nation vs. run, 38.9 ypg, and with 38 sacks, second in total defense, 214.5 ypg, third in scoring, 10.8 ppg) featuring DE Jerry Hughes (leads nation with 14 sacks, 3 more than anyone else), LB Jason Phillips (60 tackles). Since returning from ankle problem, QB Andy Dalton has been flawless (44-of-70, 655 passing, 9 TDs, TD run in last three games). He wants to atone for last year when he had career-high 4 ints. (one returned for TD). Utes QB Brian Johnson (second in MWC in QB rating, 160-of-240, 1,820 passing, 14 TDs, 8 ints.) must stand in vs. pressure, get ball down field as running game may not find much room. Utah defense is no slouch (7th in nation in total defense, 266.2 ypg) led by DE Paul Kruger (second in MWC with 14-1/2 tackles for loss), CB Sean Smith (30 tackles, 3 ints.). Impressive kicking game is anchored by K Louie Sakoda (leads MWC, seventh in nation with 17 FGs, only 2 misses), WR David Reed (leads MWC in kickoff returns, 26.5 ypr)FRIDAY:NEVADA (4-4) at FRESNO STATE (5-3), 9, ESPN2.FAVORITE: Fresno State by 3.COACHES: Chris Ault (142-57-1 in 24th year at Nevada) and Pat Hill (90-58 in 12th year at Fresno State).LAST GAME: Nevada lost at Hawaii, 38-31, on Oct. 25. Fresno State lost at Louisiana Tech, 38-35, on Nov. 1.SERIES HISTORY: Fresno State leads, 24-14-1.LAST MEETING: Fresno State won, 49-41, last year.STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1998, Bulldogs are 8-1 vs. Wolf Pack including 4-0 mark at home.GAME FACTS: With both teams still facing WAC leader Boise State later this month, loser here is probably not going bowling. Wolf Pack's "Pistol'' offense piles up yards on ground (second in nation in rushing, 35.6 ypg, 27 TD runs) behind QB Colin Kaepernick (leads WAC with 2,273 total offense, 12 TD runs, 12 TD passes, 4 ints.), RB Vai Taua (896 rushing, 10 TDs). Kaepernick was brilliant in defeat vs. Fresno last year (444 total offense, 4 TD passes, TD run). But as usual, defense failed to slow Fresno down (gave up 475 total yards, 4 TDs of more than 54 yards). Bulldogs weak front seven (106th in nation vs. run, 208 ypg) could get pistol-whipped by Nevada -- especially considering defense has given up 215 points in last six games. QB Tom Brandstaeter (48-of-74, 553 passing, 5 TDs, int. in last two games) is doing all he can to keep FSU in games. RB Ryan Mathews (593 rushing, 8 TDs) ran wild vs. Nevada last year finishing with 171 yards on just 14 carries, 3 TDs including 67 and 54-yard TDs.(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)