ShareThisCapsule previews for Saturday's top college games. All times Eastern and all rankings Associated Press.
No. 9 OHIO STATE (9-2) at MICHIGAN (5-6), Noon, ABC.
FAVORITE: Ohio State by 12.
COACHES: Jim Tressel (92-21 in 9th year at Michigan) and Rich Rodriguez (8-15 in second year at Michigan).
LAST WEEK: Ohio State beat Iowa, 27-24, in overtime. Michigan lost at Wisconsin, 45-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 57-42-6.
LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 42-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Tressel, Buckeyes are 7-1 vs. Wolverines including series best 5-game winning streak (last two by combined 56-10).
GAME FACTS: Prior to Tressel, OSU had gone 7-17-1 vs. Michigan from 1976-2000. Maybe that's why most Buckeyes' fans will put up with his conservative offense, annoying red sweater vest, etc. Behind combined 200 yards rushing, 3 TDs from RBs Dan Herron, Brandon Saine, Buckeyes had comfortable 24-10 lead with 11 minutes left last week only to squander it. Tressel then sat on the ball playing for OT and was rewarded when backup K Devin Barclay won it with career-long 39-yard FG, giving Buckeyes Big Ten title, spot in Rose Bowl. Wolverines want revenge for last year (third worst loss to OSU, worst since 1968), but are really a mess right now (1-6 since 4-0 start with only win over I-AA Delaware State). Having given up average of 465 yards, 39 points in current 4-game losing streak (outscored 99-19 in second half during streak), UM fans are getting testy, especially after Rodriguez admitted to feuding with freshman QB Tate Forcier (81-of-103, 797 passing, 3 TDs, 2 ints. in last four losses). DE Brandon Graham (21 tackles for loss, most in nation) has been among few bright spots. Loss gives Wolverines, who had nation's best 33-year bowl streak snapped last year, consecutive losing seasons for first time since 1962-63.
MINNESOTA (6-5) at No. 15 IOWA (9-2), Noon, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Iowa by 10.
COACHES: Tim Brewster (14-22 in third year at Minnesota) and Kirk Ferentz (79-55 in 11th year at Iowa).
LAST WEEK: Minnesota beat South Dakota State, 16-13. Iowa lost at Ohio State, 27-24, in overtime.
SERIES HISTORY: Minnesota leads, 59-41-2.
LAST MEETING: Iowa won, 55-0.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Hawkeyes have beaten Golden Gophers seven of last eight including last year's rout, UI's biggest in series since 1916.
GAME FACTS: 103rd battle for Floyd of Rosedale pig trophy has added intrigue. Having lost 13 straight to ranked foes since October, 2005, Golden Gophers also are in midst of annual second-half fade (1-3 in last four Big Ten games, 0-8 overall vs. D-I opponents in November under Brewster) putting bowl hopes in peril. Last week's harrowing 16-13 win over I-AA team hardly inspired confidence as QB Adam Weber (10-of-21, 94 passing, int.) looked lost. Hawkeyes made nice comeback from 14-point, final-quarter deficit last week with WRs Marvin McNutt (6 catches, 2 TDs), Derrell Johnson-Koulianos (99-yard TD kickoff return) sparking rally. In first career start, freshman QB James Vandenberg (20-of-33, 233 passing, 2 TDs, 3 ints, one in OT on 4th-and-26) looked capable and could get boost with return of RB Brandon Wegher, who missed last week with rib injury. Win here might just put Hawkeyes into Fiesta Bowl.
NORTH CAROLINA (7-3) at BOSTON COLLEGE (7-3), Noon, ESPN2.
FAVORITE: BC by 3-1/2.
COACHES: Butch Davis (19-16 in third year at UNC) and Frank Spaziani (first year at BC).
LAST WEEK: UNC beat Miami, 33-24. BC won at Virginia, 14-10.
SERIES HISTORY: UNC leads, 3-2.
LAST MEETING: UNC won, 45-24, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Golden Eagles are 6-0 at home this season and 28-3 at Alumni Stadium since October, 2005.
GAME FACTS: Resilient Tar Heels have won three straight since blowing 24-6, second-half lead in 30-27 loss to Florida State Oct. 22. With starting RB Shaun Draughn (broken leg) out for year, junior backup Ryan Houston filled in admirably with 240 yards rushing in last two games. CB Kendric Burney was phenomenal with school-record 3 ints. last week, one he took back 77 yards for TD, another he fumbled but his roommate, S Melvin Williams, picked it up and went 44 yards for another score. Talk about making your own luck. In longtime defensive coordinator Spaziani's debut as head coach, BC has ridden the young-old combo of sophomore RB Montel Harris (third in ACC with 1,081 rushing, second in ACC with 14 TDs), 25-year-old freshman QB Dave Shinskie (109-of-204, 1,503 passing, 12 TDs, 9 ints.), a former minor-league baseball player who walked on last spring and won job. Freshman LB Luke Kuechly has surprised many with 109 tackles (second in ACC, 9th in nation). Win here and next week at Maryland coupled with Clemson loss to Virginia would give Eagles ACC Atlantic title, spot in ACC title game in Tampa Dec. 5.
CONNECTICUT (4-5) at NOTRE DAME (6-4), 2:30, NBC.
FAVORITE: Notre Dame by 6.
COACHES: Randy Edsall (62-65 in 11th year at UConn) and Charlie Weis (35-25 in fifth year at ND).
LAST WEEK: UConn was off. Notre Dame lost at Pitt, 27-22.
SERIES HISTORY: First meeting
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2007 season, Fighting Irish are 9-10 at home, which is only two fewer losses than ND suffered in South Bend in Lou Holtz's 11 seasons from 1986-96.
GAME FACTS: It's been cruel, tragic season for Huskies who suffered loss of starting CB Jasper Howard, who was stabbed to death in fight outside of dance following win over Louisville Oct. 17. Since then, injury-depleted UConn has lost to West Virginia, Rutgers, Cincinnati by combined total of 10 points. Now with Cody Endres (shoulder) still out, junior Zach Fraser, who transferred from Notre Dame, returns against Irish. If he gets hurt, untested freshmen Mike Box or Johnny McIntee are only choices. Could this be embattled Weis' farewell to Notre Dame Stadium? He says he doesn't think decision has been made yet, but last two losses to Navy, Pitt haven't helped. Only huge buyout (reports vary from $6 million to $18 million) may save him. Biggest problem has line play on both sides of ball which led to poor ground attack (84th in nation in rushing, 130.9 ypg), poor pass protection (nation's worst 105 sacks allowed last three years) problems stopping run (72nd in nation, 153.2 ypg). Through it all, junior QB Jimmy Clausen (fifth in nation in QB rating, 236-of-350, 3,053 passing, 21 TDs, 4 ints., 2 TD runs) has been outstanding but may be eying early departure to NFL.
No. 10 LSU (8-2) at OLE MISS (7-3), 3:30, CBS.
FAVORITE: Ole Miss by 3.
COACHES: Les Miles (50-13 in fifth year at LSU) and Houston Nutt (16-7 in second year at Ole Miss).
LAST WEEK: LSU beat Louisiana Tech, 24-16. Ole Miss beat Tennessee, 42-17.
SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads, 55-38-4
LAST MEETING: Ole Miss won, 31-13, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Rebels haven't beaten ranked team at home since Eli Manning and co. in 2003, losing 10 straight.
GAME FACTS: Teams battle for Magnolia Bowl trophy, which was instituted last year even though teams have met 97 times in series that dates back to 1894. Tigers hope to get sophomore QB Jordan Jefferson back from ankle problem, which would help considering backup Jarrett Lee hardly looked pretty (7-of-22, 105 passing, TD) last week. Fortunately, senior RB Keiland Williams came to rescue with 116 yards rushing, 2 TDs in first start of season. Nutt has been thorn in Tigers' side lately. His Arkansas team upset No. 1 LSU in late November two years ago, then handed Miles his worst loss ever in Baton Rouge last year. If it works like last week, Rebels will simply hand ball to senior RB Dexter McCluster and get out of the way after he personally destroyed Tennessee with school-record 282 yards, 4 TDs last week. Junior QB Jevan Snead (leads SEC, third in nation with 14 ints.) has gone from preseason Heisman candidate to pretty much of a caretaker for offense. Freshman WR Jesse Grandy is terrific on kickoff returns (second in SEC, 12th in nation, 28.6 ypr, 2 TDs).
No. 13 PENN STATE (9-2) at MICHIGAN STATE (6-5), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Penn State by 3.
COACHES: Joe Paterno (392-129-3 in 44th year at Penn State) and Mark Dantonio (21-15 in third year at Michigan State).
LAST WEEK: Penn State beat Indiana, 31-20. Michigan State won at Purdue, 40-37.
SERIES HISTORY: Penn State leads, 13-12-1.
LAST MEETING: Penn State won, 46-17, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2005, Spartans are 1-13 vs. ranked opponents including 0-2 mark vs. ranked Penn State teams.
GAME FACTS: In battle for Land-Grant Trophy, win gives Nittany Lions 21st 10-win season under Paterno, outside shot at BCS at-large bowl bid. Strangely, senior QB Darryl Clark has played better on road (5 TD passes, 0 ints. in three games) than at home (14 TD passes, 10 ints. in 8 games) and needs 203 yards to break Kerry Collins' single-season school-record of 2,679 yards passing in 1994. Junior Navarro Bowman (74 tackles, 12 for loss, int. and fumbles returned for TDs) is the latest to uphold PSU's Linebacker U. reputation. Having rallied from 1-3 start, win clinches Spartans' third straight bowl trip, which hasn't happened since 1995-97. Sophomore QB Kirk Cousins (leads Big Ten in QB rating, 33-of-60, 561 passing, 5 TDs in last two games), junior LB Greg Jones (leads Big Ten, third in nation with 126 tackles) are part of bright future in East Lansing. K Brett Swenson (leads Big Ten with 18 FGs, only two misses on season) was clutch again last week with 4 FGs, including pair of 52-yarders, game-winner from 21 yards with 1:51 left.
VIRGINIA (3-7) at No. 18 CLEMSON (7-3), 3:30, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Clemson by 20.
COACHES: Al Groh (59-51 in 9th year at Virginia) and Dabo Swinney (11-6 in second year at Clemson).
LAST WEEK: Virginia lost at home to Boston College, 14-10. Clemson won at N.C. State, 43-23.
SERIES HISTORY: Clemson leads, 36-8-1.
LAST MEETING: Clemson won, 13-3, last year.
STATS THAT MATTER: In current four-game winning streak, Tigers have averaged 43 points per game. In current four-game losing streak, Cavaliers have averaged 13 points per game.
GAME FACTS: Win gives Tigers ACC Atlantic title, spot in ACC title game Dec. 5 in Tampa. Cavs can only hope to play spoiler as Groh's future in Charlottesville looks bleak. Offense (last in ACC, 118th in nation in total offense, 266.7 ypg) has struggled behind awful line (last in ACC, 113th in nation with 32 sacks allowed, 11th in ACC, 110th in nation in rushing, 93.6 ypg). K Robert Randolph (15-of-17 on FGs) is only player on roster who ranks in top 50 nationally in anything. In last four wins, Tigers senior RB C.J. Spiller has surged into Heisman race by doing a bit of everything (370 rushing, 6.2 ypc, 3 TDs, 12 catches, 3 TD catches in streak, threw 17-yard TD pass last week) and has 7 career TD kick returns (4 this season to lead nation) while 1,952 all-purpose yards are third in nation. Freshman QB Kyle Parker has also settled down (30-of-48, 425 passing, 6 TDs, int. in last two games).
CALIFORNIA (7-3) at No. 14 STANFORD (7-3), 7:30, Versus.
FAVORITE: Stanford by 7.
COACHES: Jeff Tedford (66-33 in 8th year at Cal) and Jim Harbaugh (16-18 in third year at Stanford).
LAST WEEK: Cal beat Arizona, 24-16. Stanford won at USC, 55-27.
SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads, 55-45-1.
LAST MEETING: Cal won, 37-16, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Tedford, Bears are 6-1 vs. Cardinal including 4 wins by 21 points or more.
GAME FACTS: 103rd edition of "The Big Game'' finds Cardinal favored for first time since 2001. Playing without star RB Jahvid Best (out after severe concussion vs. Oregon State Nov. 7), Bears gritted out impressive win last week behind backup RB Shane Vereen's career-best 159 yards rushing including 61-yard TD scamper. Defense also showed up holding Arizona to 274 total yards, 3-of-15 conversions on 3rd and 4th downs. That unit will be more than tested by surging Stanford, which has won three straight over Arizona State, Oregon, USC by combined 139-77. Senior RB Toby Gerhart (second in nation with 19 TDs, third in nation with 1,395 rushing) has bulled his way into the Heisman race with 401 yards rushing, 6 TDs in last two games. Freshman QB Andrew Luck is improving by leaps and bounds. Cardinal hasn't won four straight Pac-10 games since 2001.
KANSAS STATE (6-5) at NEBRASKA (7-3), 7:45, ESPN.
FAVORITE: Nebraska by 16.
COACHES: Bill Snyder (142-72-1 in 18th year at K-State) and Bo Pelini (17-7 in second year at Nebraska).
LAST WEEK: K-State lost at home to Missouri, 38-12. Nebraska won at Kansas, 31-17.
SERIES HISTORY: Nebraska leads, 76-15-2.
LAST MEETING: Nebraska won, 56-28, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1969, Cornhuskers are 35-5 vs. Wildcats with all five of KSU's wins coming under Snyder from 1998-2003.
GAME FACTS: Unquestionable make-or-break game for Wildcats. Win and KSU takes Big 12 North crown, date to face Texas in Big 12 title game Dec. 5 in Arlington, Tex. Loss means no bowl for KSU thanks to two wins over I-AAs Massachusetts, Tennessee Tech, 17-15 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette on Sept. 12. Last week's debacle included 3 turnovers, defense giving up 433 total yards. Senior WR Brandon Banks' 118 career catches is 8th on K-State list while his five career kickoff return TDs tops list. Since horrendous 9-7 home loss to Iowa State Oct. 24 when offense imploded with 7 turnovers, 'Huskers have won three straight with defense (leads Big 12, third in nation in scoring, 11 ppg) yielding just 30 points. RB Roy Helu's 156 yards rushing, 3 TDs were impressive last week as was senior QB Zac Lee playing mostly error-free game (13-of-21, 196 passing). Monstrous NT Ndamukong Suh is among 13 seniors playing final game at Memorial Stadium. Win puts UN into Big 12 title game with shot at first Big 12 championships since 1999.
KENTUCKY (6-4) at GEORGIA (6-4), 7:45, ESPN2, .
FAVORITE: Georgia by 9.
COACHES: Rich Brooks (36-45 in 7th year at Kentucky) and Mark Richt (88-26 in 9th year at Georgia).
LAST WEEK: Kentucky won at Vanderbilt, 24-13. Georgia beat Auburn, 31-24.
SERIES HISTORY: Georgia leads, 49-11-2.
LAST MEETING: Georgia won, 42-38, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1991, Bulldogs are 16-2 vs. Wildcats and haven't lost to UK in Athens since 1977 (15-0).
GAME FACTS: With D-I wins over Miami of Ohio, Louisville, Louisiana Monroe, Vanderbilt and Auburn (combined record of 14-29), Wildcats don't exactly scare folks. But they do have some talent including RBs Randall Cobb, Derrick Locke (combined 243 yards rushing, 3 TDs last week). Passing game (11th in SEC, 112th in nation in passing, 147.7 ypg, 9 TD passes, 11 ints.) remains a mess. One of nation's glaring underachievers, Bulldogs have won three of last four, rallying for 24 points in second half last week with RB Caleb King's 24-yard TD run with 6:52 left proving decisive. Since throwing 3 ints. in ugly 41-17 loss to Florida Oct. 31, senior QB Joe Cox has steadied himself a bit (19-of-30, 313 passing, 3 TDs last two games) with Richt pretty much putting wraps on taking shots down field. With trip to No. 7 Georgia Tech looming next week, loss here would put first non-winning regular season since 1996 close at hand.
KANSAS (5-5) at No. 3 TEXAS (10-0), 8, ABC (regional).
FAVORITE: Texas by 28.
COACHES: Mark Mangino (50-46 in 8th year at Kansas) and Mack Brown (125-26 in 12th year at Texas).
LAST WEEK: Kansas lost at home to Nebraska, 31-17. Texas won at Baylor, 47-14.
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 7-2.
LAST MEETING: Texas won, 35-7, last year.
STAT THAT MATTERS: Longhorns 14-game overall winning streak is second longest in nation behind Florida while UT has also won 14 straight home games since October, 2007.
GAME FACTS: Jayhawks not only drag in 5-game losing skid (outscored 159-91) but also program in absolute turmoil after player complained of verbal and physical abuse by Mangino. AD Lew Perkins is conducting in-house investigations with rumors swirling of Mangino's pending dismissal or buyout, which would reportedly cost the school less than $600,000. In last five losses, senior QB Todd Reesing just hasn't been right with 5 ints., 5 TD passes compared 13 TD passes, 3 ints. in 5-0 start. No. 3 in this week's BCS rankings, mighty Longhorns and Texas Memorial Stadium fans say goodbye to senior QB Colt McCoy (98-of-128, 1,091 passing, 8 TDs, 2 ints. in last four games), who last week tied D-I career record for victories by a starting QB with 42. McCoy is also only QB in D-I history to lead his team to four consecutive 10-win seasons. Terrific defense (leads nation in total defense, 232.3 ypg) has given up only 72 points in last seven games.
(E-mail John Lindsay at lindsayj(at)shns.com. Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
