ShareThisCapsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
No. 18 GEORGIA TECH (8-3) at No. 13 GEORGIA (9-2), Noon, CBS.
FAVORITE: Georgia by 8.
COACHES: Paul Johnson (first year at Ga. Tech) and Mark Richt (81-21 in 8th year at Georgia).
LAST WEEK: Ga. Tech beat Miami, 41-23. Georgia was off.
SERIES HISTORY: Georgia leads, 59-38-5.
LAST MEETING: Georgia won, 31-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Bulldogs have beaten Yellow Jackets seven straight times by average score of 26-13.
GAME FACTS: A dismal 5-17 in battle for Governor's Cup since 1986, Tech would love to snap jinx. After piling up 471 yards on ground last week, Johnson's well-schooled triple-option (leads ACC, fourth in nation in rushing, 270.8 yards per game) will test discipline of Bulldogs defense (15th in nation vs. run, 104.9 ypg). RB Jonathan Dwyer (leads ACC with 1,184 rushing) has been on tear lately with 440 yards rushing, 6 TDs on only 45 carries in last three games. Bulldogs have little to play for other than which New Year's Bowl they'll play in. Star power is impressive as QB Matthew Stafford (191-of-313, 2,802 passing, 17 TDs, 8 ints, 5 TD passes, 0 ints. in 51 passes last two games), RB Knowshon Moreno (1,244 rushing, 16 TDs) and WR A.J. Green (51 catches, 887 yards receiving, 7 TDs) all lead SEC in passing, rushing and receiving yards. No SEC team has had individual leaders in all three of those since 1966. They face formidable Tech defense (leads ACC, 9th in nation with 87 tackles for loss).
VIRGINIA (5-6) at VIRGINIA TECH (7-4), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Virginia Tech by 8.
COACHES: Al Groh (56-43 in 8th year at Virginia) and Frank Beamer (174-89-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech).
LAST WEEK: Virginia lost at home to Clemson, 13-3. Va. Tech beat Duke, 14-3.
SERIES HISTORY: Va. Tech leads, 46-37-5.
LAST MEETING: Va. Tech won, 33-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1999, Hokies are 8-1 vs. Cavaliers including wins last four years by combined score of 126-45.
GAME FACTS: After overachieving most of season, Cavs limp into annual Commonwealth Cup battle with three straight losses. QB Mark Verica (47-of-84, 439 passing, 6 ints., 2 TDs in last two games) is looking like guy who started season as third-stringer as rest of offense (last in ACC, 115th in nation in scoring, 16.3 ppg) is also sputtering (37 points scored in last three losses). Senior LB Clint Sintim (leads ACC, fourth in nation with 11 sacks) has feasted on Tech in with 23 tackles, 5 sacks in three games. Cup means a lot more for Hokies, who need win to make next week's ACC title game for second straight year (third time in last four). QB play has been problem for Tech (last in ACC, 109th in nation in total offense, 293.1 ypg) and wasn't much better last week with sophomore Tyrod Taylor getting pulled after committing four turnovers. Senior Sean Glennon (12-of-20, 132 passing, TD) was much better in relief, but Beamer says Taylor will start. Freshman RB Darren Evans has 407 yards rushing in last three games. CB Victor "Macho'' Harris had two ints. last week including 23-yard TD return to ice win and now ranks second in nation with 6 picks (2 returned for TDs).
SOUTH CAROLINA (7-4) at CLEMSON (6-5), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Clemson by 1.
COACHES: Steve Spurrier (28-20 in fourth year at South Carolina) and Dabo Swinney (interim Clemson coach).
LAST WEEK: South Carolina was off. Clemson won at Virginia, 13-3.
SERIES HISTORY: Clemson leads, 64-37-4.
LAST MEETING: Clemson won, 23-21, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1997, Tigers are 9-2 vs. Gamecocks holding SC to 16.5 points per game in the nine wins.
GAME FACTS: Gamecocks come in still smarting from 56-6 debacle at Florida Nov. 15, Spurrier's worst loss ever as a coach. With freshman QB Stephen Garcia nursing a sore shoulder, sophomore Chris Smelley (fifth in SEC in QB rating, 131-of-224, 1,531 passing, 11 TDs, 11 ints.) will start and presumably go the distance. S Emanuel Cook leads SEC with 61 solo tackles while LB Eric Norwood tops league with 9 sacks for hard-hitting defense (third in SEC in total defense, 280.4 ypg). With 3-2 mark since Swinney took over for Tommy Bowden five weeks ago, win would send Tigers bowling, perhaps give Swinney, former offensive assistant, shot at permanent gig. In last two wins over Duke and Clemson, defense has yielded just 360 total yards, 25 first downs while forcing six turnovers, including int. from S Michael Hamlin (second in ACC with 5 ints.). Though he rushed for only 18 yards last week, RB C.J. Spiller did it with his arm hitting WR Tyler Grisham with 15-yard TD pass for only TD of game. QB Cullen Harper (192-of-306, 2,196 passing, 12 TDs, 12 ints.) has seen his int. total double from last year.
KANSAS (6-5) vs. No. 12 MISSOURI (9-2), in Kansas City, 12:30, Fox Sports Net.
FAVORITE: Missouri by 15.
COACHES: Mark Mangino (43-41 in 7th year at Kansas) and Gary Pinkel (58-39 in 8th year at Missouri).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: Missouri leads, 55-52-8.
LAST MEETING: Missouri won, 36-28, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In losing four of last five games, Jayhawks have been outscored 209-146.
GAME FACTS: Compared to last year when teams were ranked second and third respectively, this Border War at Arrowhead Stadium seems pretty tame. Not as soft as Jayhawks' secondary (11th in Big 12, 114th in nation vs. pass, 274.4 ypg, 22 TD passes, 13 ints.), which has keyed tumble from top-20 ranking in October. And now they have to deal with Missouri QB Chase Daniel (6th in nation in QB rating, 306-of-400, 3,592 passing, 30 TDs, 11 ints.), who absolutely destroyed KU last year (40-of-49, 361 passing, 3 TDs). Daniel would love to have one of his top targets, TE Chase Coffman, who is questionable with sprained toe and has missed last two games but is still finalist for John Mackey award for nation's top TE. Jeremy Maclin (79 catches, 10 TDs) is also finalist for Biletnikoff Award for nation's top WR. Tigers' defense (89th in nation in total defense, 392.7 ypg) is hardly dominating and could have hands full with underrated Jayhawks QB Todd Reesing (5th in Big 12 with 3,369 total offense, 24 TD passes, 10 ints., 4 TD runs).
AUBURN (5-6) at No. 1 ALABAMA (11-0), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Alabama by 15.
COACHES: Tommy Tuberville (85-39 in 10th year at Auburn) and Nick Saban (18-6 in second year at Alabama).
LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 38-33-1.
LAST MEETING: Auburn won, 17-10, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Tigers have beaten Crimson Tide six straight years and have never lost in Tuscaloosa (6-0).
GAME FACTS: Some think Tuberville may need unprecedented 7th consecutive Iron Bowl win to save his job. Utter collapse since 4-1 start has included five straight losses to D-I foes that has seen Tigers score only 72 points. QBs Kodi Burns, Chris Todd (combined 7 TD passes, 13 ints.) haven't been very good, but Burns did play a little better (16-of-30, 179 passing, including 52-yard TD pass to RB Marion Fanin) in 17-13 loss to Georgia Nov. 15. With date looming next week with Florida in SEC title game, Tide needs to snap frustrating Auburn jinx to hold on to top spot in BCS standings. Turnaround from last year's 7-6 mark has been led by defense (third in nation both vs. run, 75.1 ypg, 50 yards fewer than last year, and total defense, 255.6 ypg, 110 fewer than last year) featuring LB Rolando McClain (leads nation with 77 tackles), S Rashad Johnson (68 tackles, second in SEC with 5 ints., 2 TD returns), massive 365-pound NT Terrance Cody. After starting season as backup, RB Glen Coffee is third in SEC with 1,091 rushing while QB John Parker Wilson has thrown just 5 ints. in 252 passes after throwing 12 picks last year.
No. 2 FLORIDA (10-1) at No. 23 FLORIDA STATE (8-3), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Florida by 16.
COACHES: Urban Meyer (41-9 in fourth year at Florida) and Bobby Bowden (308-90-4 in 33rd year at FSU).
LAST WEEK: Florida beat The Citadel, 70-19. Florida State won at Maryland, 37-3.
SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 31-19-2.
LAST MEETING: Florida won, 45-12, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Seminoles last four years, Gators have outscored FSU by combined 120-46.
GAME FACTS: With Alabama on deck in SEC title game next week, Gators must remain focused to hold on to No. 4 spot in BCS rankings. Since 31-30 upset loss to Ole Miss Sept. 27, Gators have cruised to seven-game winning streak by combined 369-82 and has not been behind in any game. In last year's win over FSU (UF's biggest in series since 1983), QB Tim Tebow (leads SEC, fifth in nation in QB rating, 148-of-225, 2,114 passing, 22 TDs, 2 ints., 11 TD runs) basically clinched Heisman with 3 TD passes, 2 TD runs. RB Percy Harvin is equal threat running (525 rushing, 8 TDs) and receiving (35 catches, 7 TDs). LB Brandon Spikes (74 tackles, 3 ints., 2 returned for TDs) leads swarming defense (third in nation in scoring, 12 ppg, leads SEC with 28 turnover forced). Seminoles remained alive in ACC Atlantic race with excellent performance last week (held Maryland to 252 total yards while forcing four turnovers), led by DE Everette Brown, who was all over field with 3-1/2 sacks, forced fumble returned for TD. QB Christian Ponder had best game of season (19-of-24, 143 passing, TD, 81 rushing, TD run) and must make good decisions vs. UF pressure. RB Antone Smith (leads ACC with 15 TDs) has been slowed lately (64 yards on 23 carries last two games). WRs Greg Carr, Preston Parker (combined 67 catches, 5 TDs) need to make plays downfield vs. Gators' man-to-man coverage.
BAYLOR (4-7) at No. 7 TEXAS TECH (10-1), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Texas Tech by 20.
COACHES: Art Briles (first year at Baylor) and Mike Leach (74-38 in 9th year at Texas Tech).
LAST WEEK: Baylor was off. Texas Tech lost at Oklahoma, 65-21.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas Tech leads, 33-32-1.
LAST MEETING: Texas Tech won, 38-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Leach, Red Raiders are 8-0 vs. Bears, part of 12-game winning streak over Baylor (8 by 28 points or more).
GAME FACTS: A Tech graduate who worked under Leach in Lubbock from 2000-2002, Briles comes home trying to play spoiler. Freshman QB Robert Griffin (2,744 total offense, 14 TD passes, 11 TD runs, only 2 ints. in 252 passes) is wondrous talent but often can't overcome sieve-like defense (93rd in nation in total defense, 395.7 ypg, 264 points given up in 7 losses). Red Raiders try to pick up pieces after last week's embarrassing drubbing that likely cost Tech Big 12 South title, shot at BCS national title game. QB Graham Harrell had respectable numbers (33-of-55, 361 passing, 3 TDs, int.) but most of it came in garbage time (Tech trailed, 42-7, at half) as his Heisman hopes were pretty much dashed as well. Overmatched defense was shredded for 625 total yards, 32 first downs. After being no factor last week (6 catches, 62 yards), gifted WR Michael Crabtree (84catches, most in Big 12, 7th in nation with 18 TDs) figures to be mad here.
MARYLAND (7-4) at No. 20 BOSTON COLLEGE (8-3), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: BC by 7.
COACHES: Ralph Friedgen (63-35 in 8th year at Maryland) and Jeff Jagodzinski (19-6 in second year at BC)
LAST WEEK: Maryland lost at home to Florida State, 37-3. BC won at Wake Forest, 24-21.
SERIES HISTORY: BC leads, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: Maryland won, 42-35, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Eagles are fifth in nation in total defense (269.6 yards per game) while Terrapins are 81st in nation total offense (340.8 ypg).
GAME FACTS: After shocking pummeling last week, it's hard to figure how much motivation Terps will have here. Four turnovers, five sacks given up were big part of worst loss since 2004. QB Chris Turner (16-of-30, 149 passing, 2 ints.) struggled but was brilliant in upset of then-No. 8 BC last year (21-of-27, 337 passing, 3 TDs). Needing win to lock up ACC Atlantic title, trip to ACC title game next week, Eagles have QB issues of their own with senior Chris Crane (broken collarbone) out. Freshman Dominique Davis relieved last week and had pair of costly fumbles run back for TDs, but then led game-winning drive and scored himself on 1-yard sneak with 1:12 left to win it. LB Mark Herzlich (92 tackles, 5 ints., 2 returned for TDs) was ACC defensive player of week after 9-tackle, 2-int. performance last week. Sophomore WR Billy Flutie is nephew of famous BC alum and 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug.
KENTUCKY (6-5) at TENNESSEE (4-7), 6:30, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Tennessee by 4.
COACHES: Rich Brooks (31-40 in 6th year at Kentucky) and Phillip Fulmer (151-52 in 17th year at Tennessee).
LAST WEEK: Kentucky was off. Tennessee won at Vanderbilt, 20-10.
SERIES HISTORY: Tennessee leads, 71-23-9.
LAST MEETING: Tennessee won, 52-50 in 4 OTs, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Vols' 23 straight wins over Wildcats is longest streak of one team over another in Division I-A football.
GAME FACTS: Wildcats have come close to ending UT jinx each of last two years. Win would mean something to freshman QB Randall Cobb (303 total offense, 3 TD runs, 3 ints. last two games in first two career starts), a native of Alcoa, Tenn., just outside Knoxville. This farewell for Fulmer, who was fired earlier this month with Vols on way to most losses ever in 112 years of football. UT and Ohio State are only D-I teams to have never lost 8 games in a season. Main problem has been utterly wretched offense (last in SEC, 114th in nation in scoring, 16.4 ppg, 116th in nation in total offense, 264.9 ypg, both UT worst outputs since 1965). How bad has quarterbacking been? In last three games, Vols have thrown 1 TD pass while throwing 3 ints. returned for TDs. QBs Jonathan Crompton, B.J. Coleman were combined 4-of-9 for 21 yards with 2 ints. last week, but at least running game woke up with 222 yards. To think last year vs. UK, former Vols QB Erik Ainge set school record with 7 TD passes, same number that UT has this season. CB Eric Berry (leads nation with 7 ints., 2 TDs, 67 tackles) is finalist for Jim Thorpe award.
No. 24 OREGON (8-3) at No. 21 OREGON STATE (7-3), 7, Versus.
FAVORITE: Oregon State by 3-1/2.
COACHES: Mike Bellotti (114-57 in 14th year at Oregon) and Mike Riley (55-41 in 8th year at Oregon State).
LAST WEEK: Oregon was off. Oregon State won at Arizona, 19-17.
SERIES HISTORY: Oregon leads, 55-46-10.
LAST MEETING: Oregon State won, 38-31 in 2 OTs, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1998, home team is 10-1 in annual "Civil War'' battle for Oregon.
GAME FACTS: Win gives Beavers Pac-10 title, first trip to Rose Bowl since 1964. But Ducks would love revenge for last year's tough loss, when Ducks were down to third-string QBs. This time, freshman QB Jeremiah Masoli has emerged and was terrific in 55-45 win over Arizona Nov. 15 throwing for 298 yards, including 65-yard TD to WR Jeff Maehl and 44-yard score to WR Terrence Scott. Masoli also ran for 89 yards and 3 TDs. Lost in all the giddiness for Masoli was defense giving up 26 points or more for sixth time this season. It may be fatigue after being on field for most snaps in nation with Oregon last in nation in time of possession (24:56). In biggest home game in decades, OSU may have to rely on its tough defense (second in Pac-10 in total defense, 289.6 ypg, 27 sacks, 20 turnovers forced) with freshman RB Jacquizz Rodgers, the Pac-10's leading rusher with 1,253 yards, and QB Lyle Moevao both questionable with shoulder injuries. Junior QB Sean Canfield started for Moevao last week and went 20-of-32 for 224 yards including 7-yard TD strike to WR Sammie Stroughter with 3:54 left that should have tied game. Only K Justin Kahut missed PAT, but got to be hero at end with 24-yard FG on final play to cap stirring comeback.
No. 3 OKLAHOMA (10-1) at No. 11 OKLAHOMA STATE (9-2), 8, ABC.
FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 7.
COACHES: Bob Stoops (107-23 in 10th year at Oklahoma) and Mike Gundy (27-21 in fourth year at Oklahoma State).
LAST WEEK: Oklahoma beat Texas Tech, 65-21. Oklahoma State won at Colorado, 30-17..
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 78-17-7.
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 49-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Sooners have won last five years over Cowboys by average score of 41-19.
GAME FACTS: High stakes "Bedlam'' game for Sooners, currently third in BCS standings behind Alabama and Texas. OU has dominated OSU as its 78 wins are most by one team over another with both teams from same state. Sooners looked awesome last week scoring on all six first-half possessions in racing to 42-7 lead en route to topping 60 points for third straight game to lead nation in scoring (52.6 ppg). In making late push for Heisman, QB Sam Bradford (second in nation in QB rating) has been sensational (101-of-164, 1,658 passing, 19 TDs, int., 2 TD runs in last five games). Defense (leads nation with 38 sacks) must turn up heat on Cowboys QB Zac Robinson (third in nation in QB rating, 17 TD passes, 3 ints. in 6 home games), who floundered vs. Sooners last year (8-of-20, 105 passing, TD). Sophomore RB Kendall Hunter (leads Big 12, fifth in nation with 1,434 rushing, 14 TDs) can make OU front seven pay if they try to just tee off on Robinson. WR Dez Bryant (68 catches, leads Big 12, fourth in nation with 1,222 yards receiving) has been much more effective at home (15 of 16 TD catches have come in Stillwater). With 1-5 mark vs. top-10 teams, Gundy could really use a landmark win here. But is defense (105th in nation vs. pass, 259.3 ypg, 23 TD passes given up, 11 ints., last in Big 12, 102nd in nation with 13 sacks) really up to task?
NOTRE DAME (6-5) at No. 5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (9-1), 8, ESPN.
FAVORITE: USC by 32.
COACHES: Charlie Weis (28-20 in fourth year at Notre Dame) and Pete Carroll (85-15 in 8th year at USC).
LAST WEEK: Notre Dame lost at home to Syracuse, 24-23. USC was off.
SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 42-32-5.
LAST MEETING: USC won, 38-0, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning last six games over Fighting Irish (USC's longest streak in rivalry that dates back to 1926, Trojans have outscored ND by combined 246-92.
GAME FACTS: After last week's debacle (ND's first loss ever to an 8-loss team), Weis' future is, at best, up in the air. Only reportedly massive buyout may keep him around next year. That's what 13 losses in two years (most for ND since 1959-60) will do. Inexplicable loss last week saw Irish blow 23-10 fourth quarter lead and now injuries are piling up with WR Michael Floyd (knee), LB Brian Smith (knee) both out and star CB Terrail Lambert (ankle) questionable. Trojans look like lock to claim Shillelagh trophy for 7th straight year, run November winning streak to 27. Awesome defense (lead nation in scoring, 8.3 ppg, 3 TDs given up last six games, leads Pac-10, fifth in nation with 81 tackles for loss, leads nation in pass defense, 132.3 ypg, 3 TD passes, 14 ints.) is anchored by nation's top LB trio of Rey Maualuga, Clay Matthews, Brian Cushing (combined 171 tackles, 18 for loss, 3 ints.). QB Mark Sanchez leads Pac-10 in QB rating (173-of-267, 2,258 passing, 26 TDs, 7 ints.) and has been on target lately (12 TD passes, 1 int. in last five games). Only ominous sign is Trojans' 9-11-1 career mark vs. unranked Irish teams.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
