Associated Press
Associated Press
No. 1 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) at No. 5 LSU (7-1, 3-1), 2 p.m. (CBS)
Line: Alabama by 9.
Series Record: Alabama leads, 46-25-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
In what has become the norm this series, the winner lands an inside track to the Southeastern Conference championship game and a prime shot at the BCS title game. Alabama still made it to the final game a year ago despite losing to LSU during the regular season, and then routed the Tigers in New Orleans to finish No. 1. The Crimson Tide might be in position to pull off a similar feat if it loses Saturday, though public opinion would be strongly against two straight do-overs. LSU definitely has no room for error, having already lost to Florida.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama QB A.J. McCarron against LSU’s revamped secondary. McCarron has yet to throw an interception this season, and he doesn’t have to contend with defensive backs such as Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu and Morris Claiborne this time around. But the Tigers have still put up impressive numbers against the pass.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: Freshman T.J. Yeldon is the team’s leading rusher (649 yards, seven touchdowns, 7.0 yards per carry) as part of a tailback tandem with Eddie Lacy. LSU surrendered 146 yards and two touchdowns to Florida’s Mike Gillislee and can’t afford to give up those kind of yards to Yeldon.
LSU: Freshman RB Jeremy Hill has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of the last two games, giving the Tigers another option in a crowded backfield. Overshadowed at the beginning of the year by more experienced runners, Hill emerged as the leading threat with 127 yards vs. Texas A&M and 124 against South Carolina.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is the third straight times the teams have met with both ranked among top five. … LSU has the nation’s longest home field winning streak at 22 straight. The Tigers haven’t lost at home since a 13-3 setback to then-No. 1 Florida in 2009. … The teams combined for only one touchdown (by Alabama in the BCS championship game) in two meetings last season. … The Crimson Tide leads the nation in all four major defensive categories. LSU also ranks among the top 10 in points allowed, total defense, yards passing and rushing. … Alabama holds a 24-9-3 edge in Baton Rouge. … LSU coach Les Miles is 5-1 coming off schedules byes and 36-1 in Saturday night games at Tiger Stadium. … McCarron has gone 262 passes without throwing an interception, the longest streak in Alabama history and the second-longest run in SEC history. … Crimson Tide K Jeremy Shelley has yet to miss this season, going 9 for 9 on field goals and converting all 40 extra points.
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No. 2 Oregon (8-0, 5-0 Pac-12) at No. 18 USC (6-2, 4-2), 1 p.m. (Fox)
Line: Oregon by 8.
Series Record: USC leads 38-18-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Oregon brings its 12-game winning streak and three straight conference championships to Southern California, which hasn’t lived up to its preseason hype. The Ducks begin a tough November schedule at the Coliseum, which sold out in mid-August in anticipation.
KEY MATCHUP
Oregon CBs Terrance Mitchell and Ifo Ekpre-Olomu vs. USC WRs Marqise Lee and Robert Woods. The Trojans’ dynamic receiving duo combined for 15 catches and 240 yards during USC’s win at Eugene last year, and they’ve been just as good this season, capped by Lee’s 16-catch, 345-yard effort last week in a loss. Oregon’s two sophomore cornerbacks have their hands full.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oregon: RB De’Anthony Thomas. The playmaking sophomore who spurned his hometown Trojans to sign with the Ducks makes his first appearance at the Coliseum with ample motivation for a big game.
USC: LB Hayes Pullard. Thomas’ former teammate at Crenshaw High School talks to the Oregon tailback daily, and he’ll lead the USC defense’s effort to slow down college football’s most inventive offense for a second straight year.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Ducks haven’t lost since USC’s visit to Eugene last November, winning another league title and the Rose Bowl since. … Even with a loss Saturday, the Trojans still have a decent shot at getting a rematch with the Ducks in the Pac-12 title game next month if they win their final two Pac-12 games this month. … Lee, who strongly considered Oregon before picking USC, leads the Pac-12 in receptions, yards receiving, all-purpose yards and kickoff returns. … Oregon RB Kenjon Barner needs only 43 yards to become the third Oregon player with 5,000 all-purpose yards in his career. … The Ducks’ 53 points in their win at the Coliseum in 2010 were the most they’ve ever scored against USC. … Oregon has won 12 straight road games since Nov. 7, 2009, and has lost just one conference road game under coach Chip Kelly.
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Oklahoma State (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) at No. 3 Kansas State (8-0, 5-0), 2 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Kansas State by 8.
Series Record: Oklahoma State leads 36-22.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Everything is at stake for the third-ranked Wildcats. They moved up to No. 2 in the BCS standings, but unbeaten Notre Dame and Oregon are close behind. Kansas State also leads the Big 12, but the Cowboys can pull into a tie for first place with an upset win.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma State QB Wes Lunt vs Kansas State S Ty Zimmerman. Lunt returned from a knee injury sustained Sept. 15 to throw for 324 yards and a touchdown in the Cowboys’ 36-14 victory over TCU. The freshman quarterback will be facing a rapidly improving Wildcats secondary that has shut down Geno Smith and Seth Doege the past two weeks. Zimmerman has four INTs the last five games.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma State: RB Joseph Randle ripped off four straight 100-yard rushing games to start the season before he was stonewalled by Texas. He’s been back on track the past two weeks, going for 151 yards and two scores against Iowa State and 126 yards and a touchdown against TCU.
Kansas State: It’s always QB Collin Klein, isn’t it? The Heisman Trophy frontrunner has thrown for more than 550 yards the past two weeks, and he hasn’t thrown an interception since the third game of the season. He’s also topped 100 yards rushing twice this year, and has accounted for 16 touchdowns on the ground to go with the 12 he has through the air.
FACTS & FIGURES
Kansas State hasn’t beaten Oklahoma State since 2006. … The Wildcats are 8-0 for the first time since 1999, and their No. 2 spot in the BCS is the highest ranking in school history. Oklahoma State is No. 24 in the BCS. … The Cowboys are No. 1 nationally in total offense and sixth in scoring offense. … Kansas State has not allowed more than 24 points this season while scoring at least 50 five times. … Klein is 19-4 as a starting quarterback, including 13-3 in the Big 12. … Randle leads the Big 12 in rushing with 127.3 yards per game. Kansas State RB John Hubert is second at 90.2 yards, and Klein is fourth with 79.2 yards. … Kansas State LB Arthur Brown, a Butkus Award candidate, leads the team with 60 tackles. He returned an interception 37 yards for his first career TD last week. … Oklahoma State is 17-4 in Manhattan. The last five games in the series have been decided by an average of 5.4 points.
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Pittsburgh (4-4) at No. 4 Notre Dame (8-0) 9:30 a.m. (NBC)
Line: Notre Dame by 16 1-2.
Series Record: Notre Dame leads 46-20-1
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Fighting Irish are hoping to keep alive the chance of winning their first national championship since 1988. A win over the Pittsburgh would make Notre Dame 9-0 for the first time since 1993. The Panthers are seeking their biggest upset since beating second-ranked West Virginia 13-9 in 2007 to knock the Mountaineers out of the national championship game.
KEY MATCHUP
Pitt’s offensive line vs. Notre Dame’s defensive line. Pitt QB Tino Sunseri has completed 71 percent of his passes against the Irish the past two seasons for an average of 216 yards, but he’s been sacked eight times. The Panthers are ranked 90th in the nation in sacks allowed at 2.5 a game and are 77th in the nation in run offense. The Irish defense is 23rd in the country in sacks, led by DE Stephon Tuitt with 8.5, and is ninth in the nation against the run.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Pittsburgh: RB Ray Graham appears to be at 100 percent after tearing his ACL last season. He ran for 109 yards against Temple in a 47-17 victory and has rushed for 622 yards and seven touchdowns so far this season. He also ranks second all-time at Pitt with 4,427 career all-purpose yards. He had a career-high eight catches last season against Notre Dame.
Notre Dame: QB Everett Golson is coming off his best game in 30-13 victory against Oklahoma, making smart decisions and completing 13 of 25 passes for 177 yards and rushing for 64 yards on 11 carries. Coach Brian Kelly is looking for Golson to put together back-to-back strong games and get the Irish offense playing at a faster pace.
FACTS & FIGURES
The average margin of victory for the Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium is five points, away from the stadium it is 28 points. … Pittsburgh has won two of the last three games at Notre Dame Stadium. … Six of Notre Dame’s opponents have scored more than 40 points the week before playing the Irish; none has scored more than 17 against the Irish. Pitt scored 47 points last week against Temple. … Brian Kelly is 4-1 against the Panthers, winning the last four. None of the games have been decided by more than a touchdown.
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Illinois (2-6, 0-4 Big Ten) vs. No. 6 Ohio State (9-0, 5-0), 9:30 a.m. (ESPN)
Line: Ohio State by 27.
Series Record: Ohio State leads, 63-30-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
With no bowl game at the end of the season, Ohio State can still reach a huge goal — winning the Big Ten’s Leaders Division. A win by the Buckeyes and loss by Penn State at Purdue would clinch at least a tie. Illinois will be striving to end a 10-game conference losing streak at a stadium where it has had several watershed wins over the years.
KEY MATCHUP
Illinois QB Nathan Scheelhaase against Ohio State’s defensive line. The Illini are last in the Big Ten in sacks allowed, surrendering 17 in four conference games and 30 overall in eight games. Maybe because of that, they’re scoring 9.5 points a game in conference play. The Buckeyes are dead last in the conference in pass defense (278 yards per game). So every time Scheelhaase drops back, it’ll be weakness vs. weakness.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Illinois: LB Jonathan Brown, a Butkus Award semifinalist, has to come up big in containing Ohio State’s run game and limiting big gainers. DE Michael Buchanan, a Bednarik, Hendricks and Nagurski award candidate, will be critical in applying pressure and defending on pass plays.
Ohio State: QB Braxton Miller is averaging 121 yards rushing a game and RB Carlos Hyde another 85. If the Illini can’t figure out how to put the brakes on either or both, it’ll be a long afternoon for the visitors.
FACTS & FIGURES
The winner of the game each year gets to keep a large, wooden turtle — the Illibuck trophy. The tradition began with a live turtle back in 1925. … In a battle of first-year coaches, Illinois’ Tim Beckman used to be a defensive assistant to Ohio State’s Urban Meyer at Meyer’s first head coaching job at Bowling Green (2001-2). … Amazingly, the Illini have won three of the last five and seven of the last 11 meetings in Ohio Stadium, including six over ranked Buckeyes teams. The biggest shocker was a 28-21 upset of top-ranked Ohio State in 2007. … While head coach at Toledo last year, Beckman led the Rockets to a near upset, falling 27-22 at the Horseshoe. … Illinois has turned the ball over 20 times, resulting in 12 touchdowns and two field goals. … Miller has run or passed for at least 20 yards on 33 plays; Scheelhaase has 14.
Mississippi (5-3, 2-2 SEC) at No. 7 Georgia (7-1, 5-1), 9:30 a.m. (CBS)
Line: Georgia by 14.
Series Record: Georgia leads 31-12-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Georgia, coming off a win over Florida, is trying to protect its control of the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division. By beating Ole Miss and winning at Auburn next week, Georgia would make a return trip to the SEC championship game in Atlanta. The Rebels are playing for their third straight win and their second straight road victory after beating Arkansas last week. With a win, Ole Miss becomes bowl eligible.
KEY MATCHUP
Ole Miss LB Denzel Nkemdiche vs. Georgia TB Todd Gurley in a matchup of freshmen. Nkemdiche, from Loganville, Ga., leads the Rebels with 52 tackles, including nine for losses. Gurley had 27 carries for 118 yards in the 17-9 win over Florida to become the first 100-yard rusher against the Gators this season. Gurley ranks third in the SEC with 740 yards rushing and 10 touchdowns, keeping the offense balanced with Aaron Murray’s 17 TD passes.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Ole Miss: QB Bo Wallace directs the fast-paced offense that is averaging 32.4 points, including a combined 71 points in back-to-back wins over Auburn and Arkansas. Wallace set career highs with 29 completions and 37 attempts while passing for 278 yards with a touchdown and an interception last week against Arkansas, signs of the sophomore’s continued growth.
Georgia: OLB Jarvis Jones needs more disruptive plays against the Rebels’ up-tempo attack after he had a career-high 13 tackles with three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries against Florida.
FACTS & FIGURES
Ole Miss defensive coordinator Dave Wommack faced Georgia for three straight years as the Georgia Tech defensive coordinator until he was fired after the 2009 ACC championship season. … Georgia has won nine straight in the series since the Rebels’ last win in Athens in 1996. … Ole Miss has lost to two ranked teams this year, Texas and Alabama. Its last win over a ranked team came against No. 18 Oklahoma State in the 2010 Cotton Bowl. … Georgia is 17-4-1 against Ole Miss in Athens. … Gurley and Keith Marshall have combined for 1,232 yards rushing and 15 TDs. The most yards rushing by a freshman tandem of running backs at Georgia is 1,567 by Thomas Brown and Danny Ware in 2004. Gurley is on pace to become the third Georgia freshman to rush for 1,000 yards, after Herschel Walker (1,616) in 1980 and Knowshon Moreno (1,334) as a redshirt freshman in 2007. … Georgia has played 13 freshmen this season, tied for sixth-most in the nation.
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Missouri (4-4, 1-4 SEC) at No. 8 Florida (7-1, 6-1), 6 a.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Florida by 17.
Series Record: Missouri leads 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
For Florida, maybe the Southeastern Conference’s Eastern Division. For Missouri, a chance to build on its first conference victory. Florida needs to win and have Georgia lose one of its remaining games against Ole Miss or Auburn to clinch the East.
KEY MATCHUP
Florida’s offensive line vs. Missouri’s defensive front. The Gators got whipped in the trenches in a 17-9 loss to Georgia last week, giving up five sacks and managing a season-low 81 yards rushing. The line has to play better, and the Tigers are no easy matchup. Mizzou has 19 sacks, most of them by a D-line that features Sheldon Richardson, Kony Ealy, Michael Sam and Brad Madison.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Missouri: QB James Franklin, who has missed time this season because of shoulder and knee injuries, came off the bench last week to help the Tigers beat Kentucky. Coach Gary Pinkel says Franklin will start against the Gators, but his mobility could be tested against Florida’s defensive speed.
Florida: RB Mike Gillislee is averaging just 60 yards on the ground the last three weeks. The Gators need to get him going to spark a lackluster offense.
FACTS & FIGURES
The only meeting between the teams came in the 1966 Sugar Bowl. The Tigers led 20-0 before the Gators charged back in the fourth quarter. Steve Spurrier threw two TD passes and ran for a score in an 11-minute span. Florida probably would have won had coach Ray Graves called for extra points after those TDs. Instead, Florida failed to make all three 2-point conversions, and Missouri won 20-18. … Missouri is making its third road trip of the season and second to the Sunshine State. The Tigers beat UCF 21-16 in late September. Mizzou, which lost at South Carolina, finishes the SEC slate on the road against Florida, Tennessee and Texas A&M. … Florida is 4-0 at home this season and hasn’t allowed a touchdown in three SEC games at The Swamp.
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No. 10 Clemson (7-1, 4-1 ACC) at Duke (6-3, 3-2), 1 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Clemson by 13.
Series Record: Clemson leads 35-16-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Tigers haven’t lost since falling to Florida State in September and need to keep winning to have any chance of slipping past the No. 9 Seminoles in the Atlantic Division race. The Blue Devils are already bowl eligible for the first time since 1994 and are tied atop the Coastal Division standings in the chase for a spot in the ACC championship game.
KEY MATCHUP
Clemson WR Sammy Watkins vs. Duke’s secondary. Watkins had more than 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns receiving last year, but he’s managed just one TD catch this year. With fellow wideout DeAndre Hopkins closing in on 1,000 yards and has 10 touchdowns, the Blue Devils can’t afford to let Watkins get loose in this one. Duke’s secondary features three players — CB Ross Cockrell, and safeties Walt Canty and Jordan Byas — who have all been the ACC defensive back of the week this season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Clemson: RB Andre Ellington. Ellington is the ACC’s second-leading rusher at about 94 yards per game, providing a strong complement to Tajh Boyd and the Tigers’ air attack.
Duke: WR Conner Vernon. Vernon ranks among the league leaders in catches and yards receiving as the top target for senior QB Sean Renfree.
FACTS & FIGURES
Duke hasn’t beaten Clemson since winning on a 53-yard field goal at the horn in November 2004. … The Blue Devils are 5-0 at Wallace Wade Stadium, matching the single-season record for home wins. … Clemson hasn’t played at Wallace Wade since November 2007. … It’s the first time the teams are playing a night game. … The Tigers have won every game by at least 14 since falling to Florida State on Sept. 22.
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Temple (3-4, 2-2 Big East) at No. 12 Louisville, 8-0, 3-0), 6 a.m.
Line: Louisville by 15½.
Series Record: Temple leads 3-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Temple, losers of two straight, looks to bounce back from a 47-17 rout at Pittsburgh. Louisville wants to draw even with first-place Rutgers and beat the Owls for the third straight time.
KEY MATCHUP
Temple’s pass rush vs. Louisville’s offensive line. While the Owls have the Big East’s second-worst pass defense (246.6 yards per game), they’re third with 18 sacks. Louisville’s pass protection has improved a lot after allowing 41 sacks last season, but the Cardinals gave up three last week against Cincinnati and are third-worst in the Big East with 16. That might be Temple’s best hope of containing Louisville QB Teddy Bridgewater, who’s coming off a career-best 416-yard game against Cincinnati.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Temple: RB Montel Harris. The Atlantic Coast Conference’s career rushing leader (3,735 yards) at Boston College before transferring to Temple for his fifth and final season of eligibility, he has run for 463 yards and four touchdowns this season and ranks fifth in the Big East at 77.2 yards per game.
Louisville: MLB Preston Brown. The Cardinals’ second-leading tackler with 58, he has 30 over the past two games including 13 in last week’s win over rival Cincinnati. He also made his first career interception in that game and was named Big East defensive player of the week.
FACTS & FIGURES
It’s the first-ever Big East matchup between the schools and the first meeting since 2006, when Louisville won 62-0 in Philadelphia. … The Owls seek their first upset of a nationally-ranked opponent since 1998 (Virginia Tech) and third overall. … Louisville seeks its first 9-0 start in school history. … The Cardinals have come from behind to win their past five games.
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Arizona State (5-3, 3-2) at No. 13 Oregon State (6-1, 4-1 Pac-12), 4:36 p.m. (ESPN 2)
Line: Oregon State by 4 ½.
Series Record: Arizona State leads 25-12-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Despite suffering its first loss last weekend, Oregon State’s 6-1 start is its best under coach Mike Riley. The Beavers join Oregon and USC as the first schools in the Pac-12 to become bowl eligible. Last season Oregon State lost 35-20 to then-No. 25 Arizona State in Tempe, which snapped a three-game Beavers winning streak in the series. The Sun Devils have lost two straight, to Oregon and UCLA, following a three-game winning streak.
KEY MATCHUP
Oregon State’s passing attack against Arizona State’s pass defense. The Beavers are ranked 15th nationally in passing offense, with an average of nearly 312 yards a game, but the Sun Devils’ pass defense is yielding just 148.4 average yards passing, third nationally. Oregon State will also be going with QB Cody Vaz, after starter Sean Mannion struggled in a 20-17 loss to Washington last weekend.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ARIZONA ST: DT Will Sutton: Coach Todd Graham says he is “very encouraged” after seeing Sutton in practice this week, and hopes he’ll play on Saturday in Corvallis. Sutton, considered one of the top defensive players in the Pac-12 injured his right knee early in the Sun Devils’ 43-21 loss to Oregon on Oct. 18 and hasn’t played since.
Oregon State: Vaz. The junior backup started in two games for Mannion when the sophomore starter injured his left knee and won them both. Mannion returned, but struggled with four interceptions last Saturday against the Huskies before Vaz came in and replaced him.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oregon State WR Markus Wheaton, who suffered a concussion in the loss to Washington, was not allowed to practice this week until Thursday and his status for the game was uncertain. Riley says he thinks the apparent helmet-to-helmet hit on Wheaton was a missed call, and the team did not contact the league. … The Sun Devils have lost three straight at Reser Stadium. … Arizona State and Oregon State are ranked first and second, respectively, in the Pac-12 when it comes to defense. The Sun Devils are allowing just 322 yards a game, while the Beavers are allowing an average of 344.1. … Oregon State is allowing opponents to convert on third down just 24.2 percent of the time (23-of-95 attempts), second in the nation.
No. 14 Oklahoma (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) at Iowa State (5-3, 2-3); 6 a.m. (ABC)
Line: Oklahoma by 11
Series Record: Oklahoma by 11
WHAT’S AT STAKE
This would be the one of the biggest wins yet for Iowa State under fourth-year coach Paul Rhoads, considering the Cyclones have just one victory over the Sooners in 42 years. Oklahoma likely needs to run the table for a shot at a BCS bowl bid.
KEY MATCHUP
Iowa State QB Steele Jantz vs. Oklahoma’s pass defense. Jantz threw five TD passes in last week’s win over Baylor, but he also spent a month on the bench because of sloppy play. The Sooners are an opportunistic bunch, and Jantz has thrown eight picks in just 188 attempts.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma. RB Damien Williams, if he is healthy enough to play. Iowa State is a respectable 37th nationally against the run, but Williams is averaging 6.7 yards per carry with seven TDs. He injured an ankle against Notre Dame and how much he’ll be able to play against the Cyclones is questionable.
Iowa State. LB Jeremiah George. All-Big 12 linebacker Jake Knott is gone with a shoulder injury, leaving more responsibility on George.
FACTS & FIGURES
Iowa State’s last win over Oklahoma came in 1990, when it beat the Sooners 33-31. The Cyclones also tied Oklahoma in 1981, but the Sooners have taken every other game in this series since 1960 … Oklahoma is 57-1 under coach Bob Stoops when allowing 10 points or less, and seven of those wins came against Iowa State … The Cyclones and Sooners both lost to No. 3 Kansas State at home by less than a touchdown … Stoops played at nearby Iowa and got his start in coaching as an assistant with the Hawkeyes.
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No. 15 Stanford (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) at Colorado (1-7, 1-4), 8 a.m. (FX)
Line: Stanford by 27½.
Series Record: Stanford leads 4-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Stanford needs to avoid a stumble against a heavy underdog to keep up with Oregon and Oregon State in the North Division. All three of those teams play each other this month. The Cardinal is nearly a four-touchdown favorite against a Buffaloes team that’s been outscored 213-51 since its 35-34 comeback at Washington State. Colorado has lost its last two games, to USC and Oregon, by a combined 120-20.
KEY MATCHUP
Stanford’s tight ends against Colorado’s depleted defense. Buffaloes strong safety Terrel Smith has his work cut out for him after junior safety Parker Orms suffered a second concussion in the Buffaloes’ 70-14 loss at Oregon last weekend. Orms, one of the most physical hitters at Colorado, also suffered a concussion the previous week in a 50-6 loss at USC. He might miss the rest of the season.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stanford: RB Stepfan Taylor is 96 yards from his third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season. He’d join Darin Nelson as the only Stanford players to accomplish that feat, and 12th player to do so in Pac-12 history. Taylor gained just 58 yards on 21 carries last week against Washington State.
Colorado: DE Will Pericak has started each of a possible 45 games since arriving on campus and owns the Buffaloes record for consecutive career starts. His 45 overall starts are two shy of the mark set by OL Ryan Miller from 2007-11. Pericak moved from DT to the edge earlier this season and has been one of the few bright spots on a young team that’s overmatched most weeks.
FACTS & FIGURES
Stanford has won three straight, including last year’s 48-7 whipping with John Elway and Tiger Woods watching from the sideline. … Three of Stanford’s final four games are on the road. … The Cardinal hasn’t played in Boulder since 1990. … Stanford owns the conference’s top turnover differential at plus-8, and the Buffaloes own the league’s worst at minus-8. … The Cardinal defense ranks first in the NCAA with 9½ tackles for loss per game and is second in rushing defense at 65.1 yards a game. Stanford held Washington State to minus-18 yards rushing last week while recording a school record 10 sacks. The Cardinal has allowed a net of minus-13 yards rushing over the last two games. … Colorado is 3-0 against Stanford at Folsom Stadium, with all three games decided by a touchdown or less.
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No. 16 Texas A&M (6-2, 3-2 SEC) at No. 17 Mississippi State (7-1, 3-1), 5 a.m. (ESPN)
Line: Texas A&M by 6½.
Series Record: Mississippi State leads 3-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Texas A&M is trying to continue its successful first season in the Southeastern Conference. The Aggies are putting up big offensive numbers, averaging more than 45 points per game. Mississippi State wants to bounce back from its first loss of the season — a 38-7 setback against No. 1 Alabama.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel against Mississippi State’s secondary. The redshirt freshman Manziel has enjoyed a breakout season, leading the SEC with 99.1 yards rushing per game and 376.1 yards of total offense. He’ll go against a Mississippi State defense that’s picked off 12 passes this season and returned two for touchdowns.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas A&M: DE Damonte Moore. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior is having an absolute monster season for the Aggies. He leads the SEC with 18 tackles for a loss and 10½ sacks. He has a team-high 65 tackles, which is the most for a defensive lineman in all of the Football Bowl Subdivision.
Mississippi State: DB Johnthan Banks. The 6-foot-2 senior cornerback is the leader of Mississippi State’s veteran secondary. He has four interceptions that he’s returned for a total of 124 yards and leads the defense with five pass breakups.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is only the second time the two programs have met since 1940. The other meeting was in the 2000 Independence Bowl, which Mississippi State won 43-41 in overtime. The game was played in a rare snowstorm in Shreveport, La., and Mississippi State is wearing all-white uniforms during this Saturday’s game to commemorate the meeting. … Mississippi State is ranked No. 15 in the latest BCS standings. Texas A&M is No. 16. … Mississippi State QB Tyler Russell has thrown 15 touchdown passes and just two interceptions this season. … This will be the first time since 2001 that two nationally-ranked teams have played at Davis Wade Stadium. … First-year Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin has a 4-3 career record against teams in the AP Top 25. The Aggies are 1-2 against Top 25 opponents this season, beating Louisiana Tech but losing to Florida and LSU. … The Aggies have scored first in 13 straight games dating back to last season.
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San Diego State (6-3, 4-1 Mountain West) at No. 19 Boise State (7-1, 4-0), 4:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
Line: Boise State by 14.
Series Record: Boise State leads 1-0
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Boise State has won seven straight and elbowed their way back into the BCS bowl game sweepstakes. But hopes of getting to one of those prized postseason games hinges on winning the rest of the way. For the Aztecs, an upset in Bronco Stadium would go a long way in building momentum for the program and a shot at winning the conference title.
KEY MATCHUP
Boise State’s running backs vs. the San Diego State front six. The Aztecs play a 3-3-5 scheme on defense and the front six creates blocking problems for opposing offensive lines. The front six for the Aztecs will need to do more than create confusion to hold the Broncos backfield tandem of D.J. Harper and Jay Ajayi in check. The duo is a big reason the Broncos are averaging 165 yards per game on the ground.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
San Diego State: QB Adam Dingwell. Starting the season as the backup, the sophomore has had a hand in the last two Aztec wins, an overtime victory over Nevada and last week’s 24-13 win over UNLV. He has a pass efficiency rating of 145.6 in those games and has thrown five touchdowns and just one interception.
Boise State: QB Joe Southwick: After some struggles and bumps early, Southwick appears to be easing into the offense, making smart decisions and critical throws in recent weeks. In last week’s 45-14 rout over Wyoming, he had one of his best games, going 20 of 28 passing for 192 yards and led an offense that was 12 of 14 on third downs.
FACTS & FIGURES
Boise State won the first and only matchup of the two schools last year 52-35. … Boise State ranks tied for third nationally in sacks allowed, giving up just a half a sack per game. … Boise State has trailed opponents for a total of 25:02 minutes in games this season and the last time the Broncos played from behind was late in the first half in the second game of the season against Miami (Ohio). … The Aztecs became bowl eligible with a win last week, marking the third straight year of being bowl eligible, the first time that has happened in school history. … The Aztecs defense allows just 125 rushing yards per game, tops in the Mountain West. … San Diego State has scored 318 points in the last eight games, the highest point production since midway through the 1996 season.
Texas (6-2, 3-2 Big 12) at No. 20 Texas Tech (6-2, 3-2), 9:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Texas Tech by 7½.
Series Record: Texas leads 46-15.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
A win by Texas could help chill the hot seat beneath Mack Brown and talk about his future with the Longhorns. Brown is hoping for a strong defensive performance to extend the Longhorns win streak to three. Texas Tech wants to avoid a second straight loss to quell fears of a repeat of last year’s five-game skid that closed its worst season in two decades. The two teams are tied for third in the Big 12.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas Tech RB Kenny Williams vs. Texas linebackers Steve Edmond and Dalton Santos. Any time the Longhorns have faced teams who can put up points they give up oodles of rushing yards. Texas has allowed more than 230 yards rushing four times this season. Williams leads the Red Raiders in rushing (63 ypg) but two other running backs, SaDale Foster and Eric Stephens, also have made strong contributions. Texas Tech is averaging 149 yards rushing, but against the Longhorns the trio could get much more.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas: QB David Ash. He has struggled of late, throwing only one touchdown pass in the last three games. He had two interceptions against Kansas last week and was pulled late in the game. Backup Case McCoy’s 1-yard touchdown pass to D.J. Grant with 12 seconds left gave Texas a 21-17 win. Brown said he “would not hesitate” to pull Ash again if he doesn’t play well Saturday.
Texas Tech: QB Seth Doege. Texas Tech’s senior may have lost traction in his shot at the Heisman Trophy but he’s still one of the nation’s best, having thrown for 30 TDs and 2,540 yards. Doege’s day against Kansas State wasn’t his best showing but he had 13 touchdowns in the previous two weeks, including one to beat TCU in triple overtime.
FACTS & FIGURES
Texas has won the last three games against Texas Tech. The Red Raiders last beat the Longhorns in 2008 when Graham Harrell hit Michael Crabtree for a touchdown in the final seconds of the game… . Mack Brown is 11-3 against Texas Tech, with all three losses coming in Lubbock… . Ten or more receivers have caught at least one pass in seven of eight Red Raiders games this season… . A win over the Longhorns would be the first time the Red Raiders have won consecutive Big 12 home games since 2009… . Texas has won all three of its true road games this season.
No. 21 Nebraska (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) at Michigan State (5-4, 2-3), 9:30 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Nebraska by 2.
Series Record: Nebraska leads, 6-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Cornhuskers took the inside track to a spot in the Big Ten title game by beating Michigan, but they could give it away just as easily by losing to the Spartans. Michigan State has had a disappointing season but is coming off a victory over Wisconsin and is certainly capable of a big win at home this weekend.
KEY MATCHUP
Nebraska QB Taylor Martinez against Michigan State’s defensive front. Martinez is set to break 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch’s school career total-offense record Saturday. The Spartans top the Big Ten in total defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Nebraska: LB David Santos. The redshirt freshman made 10 tackles last weekend in his first start, helping the Cornhuskers to a 23-9 victory over QB Denard Robinson and Michigan.
Michigan State: RB Le’Veon Bell. With 1,061 yards on 247 carries, Bell is one of the nation’s true workhorses. Michigan State’s offense hasn’t really clicked this year, but if the game is close late, the Spartans have a running threat they can lean on.
FACTS & FIGURES
Martinez has 7,801 career yards of total offense. Crouch had 7,915. … Nebraska is No. 1 in the Big Ten and No. 7 nationally with 264.1 yards rushing per game. … Michigan State has won seven straight games in November. … Nebraska beat Michigan State 24-3 last year for the Spartans’ only conference loss of the regular season. … Michigan State’s three Big Ten losses this year were by a combined six points.
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UTSA (5-3, 1-2 WAC) at No. 22 Louisiana Tech (7-1, 2-0, 10 a.m.
Line: Louisiana Tech by 32.
Series Record: First meeting.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Coming off of a 28-14 win at New Mexico State, Louisiana Tech returns home with its highest ranking ever and with a win will continue on the path toward its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference Championship. Texas-San Antonio, a program in only its second season, can even its league record and notch a landmark victory in its first game against a nationally ranked FBS opponent.
KEY MATCHUP
Louisiana Tech WR Quinton Patton vs. UTSA CB Erik Brown. Patton continues to be the main target of the prolific Bulldog offense as he leads the team with 65 catches for 848 yards to go along with eight touchdowns and is only two games removed from an impressive 21-catch, 233-yard performance against Texas A&M in Shreveport. Brown has been the Roadrunners best pass defender this season with four interceptions, good for a fifth-place in the country.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Louisiana Tech: QB Colby Cameron has been running one of the nation’s top offenses. The senior has completed 225 of 319 passes for 2,598 yards and 21 touchdowns and has yet to throw an interception this season. He is on the Davey O’Brien, Maxwell and Manning Award watch lists for the nation’s top QB.
Texas San-Antonio: Redshirt freshman QB Ryan Polite has taken over as quarterback for the Roadrunners and will be making his third consecutive start under center. In his first career start against San Jose State, he set a school-record with 302 yards passing and completed 20 of 32 passes to 11 different players. He will be looking for his first career victory as the UTSA quarterback.
FACTS & FIGURES
The game marks homecoming for the Bulldogs and they will be after their ninth consecutive WAC victory. … Louisiana Tech is coming off of its best defensive effort of the year last week, giving up only 14 points to New Mexico State, but also scored a season-low 28 points in the victory. … UTSA is one of the nation’s youngest teams with a national low six seniors on their 104-man roster. Nearly 78-percent of the squad is made up of underclassmen (42 sophomores/39 freshman). … While this is a WAC game for both schools, UTSA and Louisiana Tech will continue their rivalry as members of Conference USA next season.
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TCU (5-3, 2-3 Big 12) at No. 23 West Virginia (5-2, 2-2), 9 a.m. (FOX)
Line: West Virginia by 6.5
Series Record: West Virginia 1-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
One team will become bowl eligible. The other will be saddled with a third straight loss, which would be a first for either TCU coach Gary Patterson or West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen. It hasn’t happened at TCU since the Horned Frogs lost four straight under Dennis Franchione in 1998. West Virginia last lost three straight to finish the 2004 season under Rich Rodriguez.
KEY MATCHUP
TCU QB Trevone Boykin against West Virginia’s defense. The Mountaineers are giving up an average of 53 points over their last four games. Boykin, a redshirt freshman, is 47 of 84 for 617 yards with five touchdowns and three interceptions in his last two games. Boykin hurt a knee late in last week’s loss to Oklahoma State but coach Gray Patterson said he expects him to play Saturday.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Virginia: QB Geno Smith. The senior is looking to rebound after two subpar games. He’s thrown 26 touchdown passes and only two interceptions this season. Both interceptions came in a 55-14 loss to No. 3 Kansas State two weeks ago and Smith has two total TD tosses in his last two games.
TCU: RB B.J. Catalon. The freshman has a team-high 319 rushing yards and has led the Horned Frogs on the ground the past four games. He was limited to 43 yards on six carries last week against Oklahoma State and has had fumble problems this season.
FACTS & FIGURES
West Virginia won the only meeting between the schools 31-14 in the 1984 Bluebonnet Bowl. … In a 36-14 loss at Oklahoma State last week, TCU’s streak of scoring at least 20 points ended at 33 games, which had been the nation’s longest such run. … TCU is 1-3 since suspending starting QB Casey Pachall after he was arrested on suspicion of drunk driving. Pachall left school for the rest of the semester to enter an inpatient rehabilitation facility.
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No. 24 Arizona (5-3, 2-3 Pac-12) at No. 25 UCLA (6-2, 3-2), 4:30 p.m. (Pac-12 Networks)
Line: UCLA by 3 1/2.
Series Record: UCLA leads 19-15-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
UCLA and Arizona have several similarities as two programs with high-profile first-year coaches who might be a bit ahead of schedule in contending for Pac-12 success. The Bruins are trying to extend their best start since 2005, while the Wildcats attempt to build on last week’s upset of USC heading into their very winnable November schedule.
KEY MATCHUP
UCLA RB Johnathan Franklin vs. Arizona LB Jake Fischer. Franklin needs just 21 yards to become the Bruins’ career rushing leader, and UCLA has been at its best when the senior tailback is running regularly. Fischer is the Wildcats’ leading tackler and the well-rounded middle linebacker at the center of their 3-3-5 defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Arizona: WR Austin Hill. Although he was overshadowed by Marqise Lee’s 345-yard day, Hill’s 10 catches for 259 yards were the second-best receiving day in college football last Saturday — and a major reason for Arizona’s win over USC. He’ll be a key to the Wildcats’ passing game against UCLA, which already has 12 interceptions this season.
UCLA: LB Anthony Barr. The Bruins will go hard after QB Matt Scott or whoever is taking the snaps for Arizona, and Barr has been a revelation since his move to defense, leading the team with 8 1/2 sacks and 12 tackles for loss.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Wildcats have won five straight in the rivalry. … Arizona blew out UCLA 48-12 last season, an embarrassing loss that contributed to Bruins coach Rick Neuheisel’s dismissal. UCLA lost four WRs to suspensions for a brawl during that defeat after the Bruins’ bye week. … Franklin has 3,711 yards rushing in his career, just behind 1980s star Gaston Green (3,731). … UCLA QB Brett Hundley grew up in the Phoenix area as an ardent Wildcats fan thanks to his father, former Wildcats defensive back Brett Hundley Sr. … UCLA’s defense ranks sixth nationally in sacks. … Arizona coach Rich Rodriguez is looking for his first road victory with the Wildcats.