ShareThisCapsule previews for Thanksgiving week's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
THURSDAY:
TEXAS A&M (2-7) at No. 4 TEXAS (10-1), 8 p.m., ESPN.
FAVORITE: Texas by 34.
COACHES: Mike Sherman (first year at Texas A&M) and Mack Brown (113-26 in 11th year at Texas).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 73-36-5.
LAST MEETING: Texas A&M won, 38-30, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Longhorns are sixth in nation in scoring at 43.4 points per game while Aggies are last in Big 12, 112th in nation in scoring defense (36.4 ppg).
GAME FACTS: With Longhorns angry for revenge for two straight losses to Aggies and needing blowout to impress BCS poll voters, this could get ugly quickly. Mired in Sherman's debut (worst A&M record since 2003), Aggies defense has been blasted for 43.1 points per game in Big 12 play, including combined 107 points in last two losses to Oklahoma and Baylor (yikes!). Sophomore QB Jarrod Johnson (2,373 yards passing, 20 TDs, 10 ints., 3 TD runs) had been bright spot until regressing lately (6 ints., 2 TD passes in last two losses). It's a long shot, but Longhorns win coupled with Oklahoma loss at Oklahoma State and Baylor upsetting Texas Tech would give UT Big 12 South title. Battling for Heisman votes, QB Colt McCoy (fourth in nation in QB rating, 268-of-347, 3,134 passing, 30 TDs, 7 ints., 8 TD runs) has not had fun last two years vs. Aggies (combined 34-of-60, 389 passing, 1 TD, 4 ints.) including getting carried off field two years ago following brutal hit late in game. WRs Quan Crosby, Jordan Shipley (combined 147 catches, 18 TDs) are dangerous weapons. Wicked UT pass rush (tied for lead in nation with 38 sacks) will tee off on Johnson early and often.
FRIDAY:
WEST VIRGINIA (7-3) at PITTSBURGH (7-3), Noon, ABC.
FAVORITE: West Virginia by 2-1/2.
COACHES: Bill Stewart (first year at West Virginia) and Dave Wannstedt (23-22 in fourth year at Pitt).
LAST WEEK: West Virginia won at Louisville, 35-21. Pitt lost at Cincinnati, 28-21.
SERIES HISTORY: Pitt leads, 60-37-3.
LAST MEETING: Pitt won, 13-9, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Mountaineers lead Big East, are 10th in nation in rushing (231 yards per game) while Panthers are third in Big East, 24th in nation against the run (115.2 ypg).
GAME FACTS: In what many in preseason viewed as game for Big East title, 101st meeting of "Backyard Brawl'' now simply has Mountaineers bent on revenge for last year's shocking loss that knocked WVU out of BCS national title game. After rough 1-2 start, Mountaineers have recovered nicely with 6-1 surge with only blemish 26-23 OT loss to Big East leader Cincinnati. Bursting for 200 yards rushing, 3 TDs last week, senior QB Pat White (2,014 total offense, 17 TD passes, 4 ints., 7 TD runs) set NCAA career record for rushing by QB with 4,292 yards. His 2 TD passes also set new Big East mark for TDs accounted for with 98. But White would really like to make up for last year's loss to Pitt when he played but was severely limited by thumb injury. Once again under Wannstedt, Panthers came up short in big game last week, managing only 264 total yards with pair of turnovers while giving up 309 yards passing to Cincy QB Tony Pike, who was playing with broken forearm, in loss that knocked Pitt out of Big East title race. QB Bill Stull (18-of-28, 229 passing, TD, int.) played well considering abuse he took (sacked 7 times while Panthers never got to Pike). Bright spot was LBs Greg Williams, Nate Nix blocking kicks giving Panthers school-record 9 for season. K Connor Lee (second in nation with 18-of-20 on FGs) needs one FG to set new Pitt record for a season.
LSU (7-4) at ARKANSAS (4-7), 2:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: LSU by 6
COACHES: Les Miles (41-10 in fourth year at LSU) and Bobby Petrino (first year at Arkansas).
LAST WEEK: LSU lost at home to Ole Miss, 31-13. Arkansas lost at Mississippi State, 31-28.
SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads, 33-18-2.
LAST MEETING: Arkansas won, 50-48 in 3 OTs, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Miles, Tigers are 13-4 in road games including five wins over ranked teams.
GAME FACTS: Soon-to-be-ex-national-champion Tigers are wheezing to finish line on 2-3 skid. Offense simply gave out last week yielding four sacks, managing only 37 yards rushing as freshman QBs Jarrett Lee, Jordan Jefferson struggled (combined 14-of-32, 178 passing, TD, 2 ints.). Motivation here for better bowl might be in question for nine senior starters with national title rings. Another year like Petrino's debut could try patience of Razorbacks' fans that are hardly thrilled with prospect of first 8-loss season since 1952. Hogs have been outscored 218-136 in losing six of seven SEC games, including all three at home (by combined 110-42). RB Michael Smith (second in SEC with 1,072 rushing, 8 TD runs) has been bright spot but has tailed off in recent weeks (152 yards on 44 carries, 2 TD runs) as defenses gang up on him. Senior QB Casey Dick (14 ints., 11 TD passes) was benched last week in favor of his brother, freshman Nathan, who played well (25-of-43, 333 passing, 3 TDs, int.) in defeat.
COLORADO (5-6) at NEBRASKA (7-4), 3:30, ABC.
FAVORITE: Nebraska by 17.
COACHES: Dan Hawkins (14-23 in third year at Colorado) and Bo Pelini (first year at Nebraska).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads, 46-18-2.
LAST MEETING: Colorado won, 65-51, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Hawkins, Buffaloes are 2-12 on road including 0-4 this season losing by combined score of 151-52.
GAME FACTS: Once a showdown for Big Eight supremacy, this one is now for little more than pride, though CU would have outside shot at bowl game with upset. After going 1-15 in Lincoln from 1969-2000, Buffs have actually won two of last three in Memorial Stadium Sea of red. In rolling up 518 yards of offense on Cornhuskers last year, Hawkins' son, sophomore QB Cody played well (17-of-29, 241 passing, 2 TDs, TD run) and has had hot hand lately (39-of-66, 397 passing, 5 TDs in last two games) since Dan went back to him after mid-season benching. 'Huskers want a little payback for last year and have firepower to do so (9th in nation in total offense, 462.9 ypg) including QB Joe Ganz (12th in nation with 3,103 total offense, 21 TD passes, 10 ints., 5 TD runs), RB Roy Helu Jr. (366 rushing, 5 TDs, 10 catches in last three games), WR Roy Swift (58 catches, 8 TDs, second in Big 12 in punt returns, 15.6 ypr, TD). Pelini has improved defense somewhat (68th in nation in total defense, 367.9 ypg, 110 yards fewer than last year) but still lacks playmakers (last in Big 12, 117th in nation with 11 turnovers forced, fifth in Big 12 with 25 sacks) to implement his pressure philosophy.
FRESNO STATE (7-4) at No. 9 BOISE STATE (11-0), 6, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Boise State by 20.
COACHES: Pat Hill (92-59 in 12th year at Fresno State) and Chris Petersen (34-3 in third year at Boise State)
LAST WEEK: Fresno State won at San Jose State, 24-10. Boise State won at Nevada, 41-34.
SERIES HISTORY: Boise State leads, 6-4.
LAST MEETING: Boise State won, 34-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Bulldogs last two seasons by combined 79-42, Broncos have piled up 920 total yards including 582 of it rushing.
GAME FACTS: Usually one of WAC's best games but Broncos have already clinched league title. Bulldogs looked dead in water last week until WR Chastin West's 49-yard punt return TD sparked life. Then offensive line woke up as FSU ran ball on 24 of last 25 plays, including two 2 TD runs from RB Anthony Harding (99 yards on 17 carries). Shaky run defense (101st in nation vs. run, 192.9 ypg) has finally stood up last two weeks (held San Jose St, New Mexico St. to combined minus-14 yards rushing), but remains a problem and has been trampled lately by Boise. Winners of 48 straight regular season home games since 2001, Broncos would love to pass Utah in BCS standings, though No. 9 and trailing Utes by two spots, that will be virtually impossible. QB Kellen Moore (leads WAC, 13th in nation in QB rating, 242-of-347, 3,051 passing, 23 TDs, 9 ints.) is one of nation's top freshmen and found WR Austin Pettis for 2 TDs last week, part of his 9-catch, 126-yard day. RB Ian Johnson's 66-yard TD was the 55th TD run of his career, most in nation. Defense gave up season-high 34 points last week, 31 in second half as BSU had to hold on for dear life after leading 31-10 in third quarter.
UCLA (4-6) at ARIZONA STATE (4-6), 9:30, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Arizona State by 10.
COACHES: Rick Neuheisel (first year at UCLA) and Dennis Erickson (14-9 in second year at Arizona State).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: UCLA leads, 15-8-1.
LAST MEETING: Arizona State won, 24-20, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since starting last year 8-0 and reaching No. 7 in nation, Sun Devils are just 5-9 including 4-4 mark at home.
GAME FACTS: Both have the faintest of bowl hopes, though this one is likely merely for pride as well. Bruins haven't exactly been road warriors (2-7 on road including four losses by 20 points or more since September, 2007). Junior QB Kevin Craft has been a wreck lately (50-of-99, 520 passing, 9 ints. last three games) but Neuheisel just doesn't have anybody else. Hampered by injuries, RB Kahlil Bell (7 TD runs) has done his best running behind porous offensive line. Sun Devils just haven't gotten job done up front either, giving up 28 sacks (9th in Pac-10, 108th in nation), which is actually improvement over last year (55 allowed, second most in nation). Bottom line is that without protection or running game (107th in nation in rushing, 101 ypg), QB Rudy Carpenter (third in Pac-10 in QB rating, 187-of-294, 2,268 passing, 15 TDs, 7 ints.) is a shell of what he could be. At least Erickson can count on K Thomas Weber (40-of-47 on FGs last two years).
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
