ShareThisCapsule previews for Saturday's top college football games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
NAVY (7-4) vs. ARMY (3-8), in Philadelphia, Noon, CBS.
FAVORITE: Navy by 11.
COACHES: Ken Niumatalolo (first year at Navy) and Stan Brock (6-17 in second year at Army)
LAST GAME: Navy won at Northern Illinois, 16-0, on Nov. 25. Army lost at Rutgers, 30-3, on Nov. 22.
SERIES HISTORY: Navy leads, 52-49-7.
LAST MEETING: Navy won, 38-3, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In winning last six seasons over Cadets (longest winning streak ever in rivalry that dates back to 1899), Midshipmen have outscored Army by combined 272-71.
GAME FACTS: Already headed to inaugural Eagle Bank Bowl Dec. 20 in Washington, D.C., key to Midshipmen's dominance of Cadets has been option attack (leads nation in rushing, 292 ypg, 29 TD runs) running wild (553 yards rushing in last two wins over Army). Look for more of same with here the only question being whether Niumatalolo goes with sophomore QB Ricky Dobbs (124 rushing, TD run vs. Northern Illinois), or senior Jarrod Bryant. After throwing no passes in 34-7 win over SMU Oct. 25, Dobbs threw only one pass last week. Having already clinched 12th straight losing season, Cadets' hope for upset centers on improved run defense (32nd in nation vs. run, 124.2 ypg, 110 fewer than last year) led by LBs Stephen Anderson, Josh McNary (combined 21 tackles for loss). But offense (114th in nation in scoring, 16.1 ppg) isn't much of a threat with absolutely no passing game (3 TD passes, last in nation with 45.7 ypg, 18 fewer than Navy). Nation's worst 23 lost fumbles have often been killers while K Matthew Campbell is only 3-of-7 on FGs over last month.
PITTSBURGH (8-3) at CONNECTICUT (7-4), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: UConn by 3.
COACHES: Dave Wannstedt (24-22 in fourth year at Pitt) and Randy Edsall (57-59 in 10th year at UConn).
LAST WEEK: Pitt beat West Virginia, 19-15. UConn was off.
SERIES HISTORY: UConn leads, 3-1.
LAST MEETING: UConn won, 34-14, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of last season, Huskies are 15-0 when scoring 22 points or more and 2-8 when they don't.
GAME FACTS: With both headed bowling, this is for pride mostly. Panthers would love to avenge last year's shellacking when six turnovers led to rout. Terrific sophomore RB LeSean McCoy was hero of "Backyard Brawl'' last week with career-high 183 yards rushing including game-winning one-yard TD with 52 seconds left (his 35th career TD). QB Bill Stull has 3 ints. in last two games and must be careful vs. aggressive Huskies' secondary (leads Big East vs. pass, 166.7 ypg, 7 TD passes given, 16 ints.). If UConn was a little better, unheralded RB Donald Brown (leads nation with 1,633 rushing, 16 TDs) might be getting some Heisman buzz. His backup, junior Andre Dixon, will not play after Edsall suspended him indefinitely following drunk driving arrest Tuesday morning. DE Cody Brown (second in Big East with 9 sacks) is pass-rushing force. Since returning from foot injury, senior QB Tyler Lorenzen hasn't done much (17-of-39, 189 passing, TD in last two games).
Conference USA Championship Game
EAST CAROLINA (8-4) at TULSA (10-2), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Tulsa by 14.
COACHES: Skip Holtz (28-21 in fourth year at East Carolina) and Todd Graham (20-6 in second year at Tulsa).
LAST WEEK: East Carolina beat Texas-El Paso, 53-21. Tulsa won at Marshall, 38-35.
SERIES HISTORY: Tulsa leads, 5-2.
LAST MEETING: Tulsa won, 31-10, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Golden Hurricane leads nation in total offense (578.9 yards per game) but is 94th in total defense (400.6 ypg).
GAME FACTS: Winner earns trip to Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Jan. 2. After promising 3-0 start that included upsets of Va. Tech and West Va., Pirates are just 5-4 including three wins by a total of 9 points. Encouraging signs last week included senior RB Brandon Simmons' career-high 111 yards rushing, 3 TDs, senior QB Patrick Pinkney's sharp effort (17-of-23, 228 passing, 2 TDs). DE C.J. Wilson leads C-USA with 9 sacks and he and rest of front seven had better get after UT QB David Johnson (leads nation in QB rating, 220-of-333, 3,671 passing, 42 TDs, 11 ints.), who is running co-offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn's wide open attack beautifully. Weapons everywhere include WRs Brennan Marian (39 catches, 8 TDs), who averages astounding 27 yards per catch, Damaris Johnson, Slick Shelley (combined 76 catches, 16 TDs), RB Tarrion Adams (1,196 rushing, 9 TDs) with even FB Charles Clay (32 catches, 9 TDs) joining in the fun. Defense (142 points given up in last four games) has been showing serious cracks including giving up 641 total yards in 70-30 loss at Houston Nov. 15.
ACC Championship Game, in Tampa, Fla.
No. 18 BOSTON COLLEGE (9-3) at VIRGINIA TECH (8-4), 1, ABC.
FAVORITE: BC by 1.
COACHES: Jeff Jagodzinski (20-6 in second year at BC) and Frank Beamer (175-89-2 in 22nd year at Va. Tech).
LAST WEEK: BC beat Maryland, 28-21. Va. Tech beat Virginia, 17-14.
SERIES HISTORY: Va. Tech leads, 10-5.
LAST MEETING: BC won, 28-23, on Oct. 18.
STAT THAT MATTERS: After going 18-4 in away games from 2004-2007, Hokies went 2-4 on road this year including three straight ACC losses to BC, Florida State and Miami.
GAME FACTS: With winner likely headed to Orange Bowl, teams meet for staggering fourth time in just over 13 months. Eagles have won two of three but Hokies got one that really mattered with 30-16 victory in last year's ACC Championship Game. After Tech jumped out to 10-0 lead back in October, BC stormed back taking lead for good on WR Rich Gunnell's 65-yard TD punt return. In win over Maryland, Gunnell also had 45-yard TD catch from freshman QB Dominique Davis, who looked good (12-of23, 134 passing, 2 TDs) in first start filing in for senior Chris Crane (broken collarbone) who will not play. Hokies overcame injuries, inexperience, often sputtering offense (10th in ACC, 103rd in nation in total offense, 301.3 ypg) to win Coastal Division title for third time in last four years. QB Tyrod Taylor bounced back from ugly four-turnover game vs. Duke Nov. 22 to lead critical win over Virginia with balanced 137 yards rushing and 137 passing, including 3-yard TD toss to WR Jarrett Boykin. 280-pound junior TE Greg Boone had 4-yard TD run from "Wild Turkey'' formation and K Dustin Keys atoned for earlier miss hitting 24-yard FG with five minutes left for winning points. In loss at BC back in October, Hokies had only 240 total yards, 14 first downs. CB "Macho'' Harris and LB Brett Warren returned ints. for TDs but offense managed just nine points on its own.
No. 5 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA (10-1) at UCLA (4-7), 4:30, ABC.
FAVORITE: USC by 33.
COACHES: Pete Carroll (86-15 in 8th year at USC) and Rick Neuheisel (4-7 in first year at UCLA).
LAST WEEK: USC beat Notre Dame, 38-3. UCLA lost at Arizona State, 34-9.
SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 42-28-7.
LAST MEETING: USC won, 24-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Trojans' current 8-1 run against Bruins is USC's best streak in cross-town rivalry that dates back to 1929.
GAME FACTS: Cementing his image as players' coach, Carroll went to bat this week asking if USC can wear its cardinal red jerseys at UCLA for first time since 1982. NCAA said OK but it could cost Trojans a timeout in the first half. So Neuheisel said he'll call one quickly to make things even. Does jersey obsession mean Trojans are overconfident in battle for Victory Bell, even though win gives them record 8th consecutive Pac-10 title, trip to Rose Bowl to face Penn State? Probably not, since ridiculously good defense (lead nation in scoring defense, 7.8 ppg SC's best mark since 1952) should dominate. Trojans have given up just 5 TDs in current 8-game winning streak. And talk about a finishing kick, USC has outscored foes in second half 185-22. Then there's Bruins who have mostly struggled since season-opening upset of Tennessee. With 3 ints. last week, QB Kevin Craft has thrown 12 vs. 0 TD passes in last four games but Neuheisel stands by the struggling junior. "Unfortunately, we've had to put too much on his shoulders.'' DT's Brian Price, Brigham Harwell (combined 19 tackles for loss) have NFL-type ability and anchor respectable defense (second in nation vs. pass, 158.4 ypg, 17 TD passes, 10 ints.).
SEC Championship Game, in Atlanta
No. 1 ALABAMA (12-0) vs. No. 2 FLORIDA (11-1), 6, CBS.
FAVORITE: Florida by 9-1/2.
COACHES: Nick Saban (19-6 in second year at Alabama) and Urban Meyer (42-7 in fourth year at Alabama).
LAST WEEK: Alabama beat Auburn, 36-0. Florida won at Florida State, 45-15.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 20-13.
LAST MEETING: Florida won, 28-13, in 2006.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Meyer, Gators are 33-2 when holding opponents to 21 points or less including 11-0 this season.
GAME FACTS: Winner of mega-showdown is headed to Miami for BCS national title game Jan. 8 in Miami. The uglier the game, the better for Crimson Tide, who do it with defense (second in nation vs. run, 73.6 ypg, third in both total defense, 248.5 ypg, and scoring, 11.5 ppg), solid running game led by RB Glen Coffee (1,235 yards rushing, most in SEC). QB John Parker Wilson has just one TD pass in last five games and might have to get ball downfield if Gators load up to stop run. Fast starts have boosted both teams with Tide blowing past foes by combined 234-47 in first half and Gators even more impressive at 304-41. Riding eight-game winning streak (last seven scoring 42 points or more, longest streak in nation), Meyer's concerns here center on injuries with star RB Percy Harvin, questionable after spraining ankle last week with DT Brandon Antwine (knee) out for season and fellow DT Matt Patchan (knee) also questionable. If Harvin can't go, speedy backups Chris Rainey, Jeff Demps (combined 1,183 rushing, 10 TD runs) will pick up slack. In many ways, QB Tim Tebow (leads SEC, fifth in nation in QB rating, 25 TD passes, 12 TD runs, 2 ints. in 246 passes) has been even better than last year when he became first sophomore to win Heisman. In four wins over top-25 teams, UF defense (fourth in nation in scoring, 12.2 ppg) has picked off 11 passes and rank second in nation with 23 ints.
Big 12 Championship Game, in Kansas City, Mo.
No. 19 MISSOURI (9-3) at No. 4 OKLAHOMA (11-1), 8, ABC.
FAVORITE: Oklahoma by 17.
COACHES: Gary Pinkel (58-40 in 8th year at Missouri) and Bob Stoops (108-23 in 10th year at Oklahoma).
LAST WEEK: Missouri lost to Kansas, 40-37. Oklahoma won at Oklahoma State, 61-41.
SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 65-23-5.
LAST MEETING: Oklahoma won, 38-17, in last year's Big 12 Championship Game.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1984, Sooners are 18-1 vs. Tigers including five straight wins by average score 34-17.
GAME FACTS: To pull another memorable Big 12 title game upset (four teams ranked in the top three have lost since its inception in 1996), Tigers need to play nearly perfect game, get some breaks from Sooners. That isn't likely as poor secondary () fell apart again last week (gave up 375 passing, 4 TD passes) -- hardly a good sign facing a QB as hot as Sooners Sam Bradford. In two losses to OU last year, Tigers QB Chase Daniel had decent numbers (combined 60-of-86, 560 passing, 2 TDs) but 3 ints. were a problem. Despite painful toe injury, TE Chase Coffman (leads Big 12 with 79 catches) gutted his way through last week and had 2 TD catches. After somehow passing Texas in BCS rankings, despite 45-35 loss to Longhorns Oct. 11, not many neutral observers will be rooting for Sooners. Bradford (second in nation in QB rating, 23 TD passes, 1 int. in Sooners' 6-game winning streak since loss to Texas) will be playing with torn ligaments in left (non-throwing) thumb, so he may be exclusively in shotgun formation. It will be interesting if that affects needed balance provided by RB DeMarco Murray (482 rushing, 7 TDs in last five games). Leading nation in scoring (53.3 ppg), Sooners have put up 60 or more points in each of last four wins (school record). Pass rush (third in nation with 39 sacks) sacked Daniel only once last year and needs to do better here.
SOUTH FLORIDA (7-4) at WEST VIRGINIA (7-4), 8, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: West Virginia by 7.
COACHES: Jim Leavitt (60-24 in 12th year at South Florida) and Bill Stewart (first year at West Va.)
LAST WEEK: South Florida was off. West Virginia lost at Pitt, 19-15.
SERIES HISTORY: South Florida leads, 2-1.
LAST MEETING: South Florida won, 21-13, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Mountaineers last two seasons, Bulls have held WVU to combined 320 yards rushing while forcing five turnovers.
GAME FACTS: Having beaten a top-10 Mountaineers team last two seasons, Bulls go for far-less-meaningful hat trick here. In 2-4 slide, USF hardly brings in a lot of momentum though fourth straight bowl trip looms. QB Matt Grothe (leads Big East with 2,486 total offense, 15 TD passes, 12 ints., 3 TD runs) has buckled under pressure to do it all (7 ints. vs. 1 TD pass in last three games). After setting Big East record with 31-1/2 tackles for loss last year, DE George Selvie has just 11 this year. Following tough losses to Pitt and Cincinnati in last three weeks, look for this to be more about honoring WVU senior QB Pat White (2,248 total offense, 17 TD passes, 6 ints., 8 TD runs), who has already set career rushing record for QB with 4,385 yards, than revenge vs. Bulls. Speedy 5-8 RB Noel Devine (third in Big East with 1,138 rushing, 3 TDs) was stifled for season-low 17 yards on 10 carries. K Pat McAfee (14 of 16 on FGs) is Mountaineers all-time leading scorer with 370 points.
ARIZONA STATE (5-6) at ARIZONA (6-5), 8, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Arizona by 11.
COACHES: Dennis Erickson (15-9 in second year at Arizona State) and Mike Stoops (23-34 in fifth year at Arizona).
LAST WEEK: Arizona State beat UCLA, 34-9. Arizona was off.
SERIES HISTORY: Arizona leads, 44-36-1.
LAST MEETING: Arizona State won, 20-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2002, Sun Devils are 5-1 vs. Wildcats, ASU's best run since going 6-1 from 1975-81.
GAME FACTS: Battle of Arizona is for Territorial Cup, the oldest college rivalry trophy in nation dating back to 1899. Recent Sun Devils dominance has been fueled by defense, such as last year's win when ASU gave up only 316 total yards (only 44 rushing) with four sacks. D carried the day last week as well with four TDs including S Troy Nolan's 100-yard int. return for TD while LB Mike Nixon added 45-yard "pick six'' and LB Morris Wooten had two of ASU's five sacks. Inept offense managed only 122 total yards, 10 first downs. Likely headed for Las Vegas Bowl (UA's first postseason trip since 1998), Stoops could use this one to fend off critics that howled after Wildcats' blew late lead in 19-17 loss to Oregon State in Tucson Nov. 22. QB Willie Tuitama (second in Pac-10 in QB rating, 210-of-327, 2,479 passing, 19 TDs, 7 ints.) has not fared well in three losses vs. ASU (combined 49-of-83, 457 passing, 4 TDs, 3 ints., lost fumble, knocked out of game with concussion two years ago).
No. 13 CINCINNATI (10-2) at HAWAII (7-5), 11:30, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: Cincinnati by 8.
COACHES: Brian Kelly (21-5 in second year at Cincinnati) and Greg McMackin (first year at Hawaii).
LAST WEEK: Cincinnati beat Syracuse, 30-10. Hawaii beat Washington State, 24-10.
SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 1-1.
LAST MEETING: Hawaii won, 20-19, in 2002.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 2002, Warriors are 1-11 vs. ranked foes losing by average score of 43-18.
GAME FACTS: Trip to Honolulu is nice reward for Bearcats, one of nation's best stories with surprising run to Big East title (5-0 in games decided by 8 points or less) and likely Orange Bowl trip. Remember this program didn't even go to a bowl from 1952-97 and UC got even bigger boost this week when Kelly said he's sticking around despite talking to Washington about their coaching vacancy. Despite playing with broken left (non-throwing) forearm last two weeks, QB Tony Pike is an impressive 54-of-76 for 581 yards with 5 TDs vs. 1 int. Bound for Hawaii Bowl win or lose, Warriors have not fared well vs. quality competition lately, though UH does bring 3-game winning streak in, albeit over lowly Washington State, Idaho and New Mexico State (combined record of 7-30). Since taking over for injured junior Inoke Funaki, juco-transfer QB Greg Alexander has been on fire (59-of-90, 867 passing, 7 TDs, 1 int., 2 TD runs). Overly aggressive defense (73rd in nation both vs. run, 148.7 ypg and in scoring, 27.2 ppg) has plenty of holes, though DE David Veikune (15 tackles for loss, 8 sacks) is difference maker.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
