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Cocktail parties, BCS bashes and conference showdowns galore ... this Saturday has it all. Who says they don't settle this thing on the field? Now that the BCS rankings have been released, everyone knows where it stands, even if Miami doesn't like the view from No. 4. But for however funny the numbers look now, they'll look a little less crooked after they've been processed, crunched and spit out again after this week's six matchups of ranked teams. There are seven undefeated teams from BCS conferences, and that number will shrink by at least one this week, since two of them play each other. As for the rest of the five unbeaten teams, three play Top 20 teams Saturday. Another (Virginia Tech) has its toughest game of the season against a team that should be ranked -- Syracuse. Only Miami isn't on the hook this week, getting a home game against uninspiring West Virginia. |
Games of Oct. 25-27 Best game No. 2 Oklahoma at No. 3 Nebraska Best matchup Oklahoma's defensive speed vs. Nebraska QB Eric Crouch Heisman climber Rex Grossman, Florida Rankings upset of the week Arizona State over No. 13 Washington This week's schedule |
Saturday's games
| No. 2 OKLAHOMA (7-0, 4-0 Big 12) at No. 3 NEBRASKA (8-0, 4-0) noon ET, Memorial Stadium, Lincoln, ABC | ||
| A myriad of storylines, but let's get right to it: It all comes down to Eric Crouch, right? Last season, he was forced to throw a career-high 27 times in a 31-14 loss to Oklahoma; Nebraska failed to score in the final 51 minutes. Cause and effect. Repeat after us: Crouch will have to pass to win. He's throwing more efficiently than at any time in his career, but can he do it against a team that allows foes to complete less than 45 percent of their passes? | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Oklahoma QB Jason White will be making his second career start -- that's 36 fewer than Crouch. His likely jitters could be costly for the Sooners. | With the way home winning streaks have fallen in the past two weeks (Florida State's 37, Oregon's 23, Fresno State's 17), Nebraska's 19 in a row doesn't look so imposing. | Oklahoma has won its past eight games against Top 10 teams, winning five of them by 10 points or more. Eric Crouch is 7-5 as a starter vs. ranked teams. |
| Bottom line: Crouch won't throw it well enough to win. Oklahoma, 24-17. | ||
| No. 4 UCLA (6-0, 3-0 Pac-10) at No. 20 STANFORD (4-1, 3-1) 3:30 p.m. ET, Stanford Stadium, Palo Alto, Calif., ABC | ||
| UCLA's push for the national title begins in earnest with a closing stretch of five games against teams with a combined 23-9 record (that includes 2-5 USC, but feel free to -- all together now -- throw out the records in a rivalry game). Perched at No. 3 in the BCS rankings, guaranteed to move up after either Oklahoma or Nebraska loses Saturday and boosted by that ending strength of schedule, UCLA is in perfect position to play for the national title. All it has to do is win 'em all. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| With so much supporting talent, UCLA QB Cory Paus just needs to not mess it up -- he hasn't thrown an interception this season. | For the third consecutive week, UCLA will be facing an opponent's second-string QB. But Stanford's Chris Lewis could be the nation's best backup other than Major Applewhite. | Stanford had the most, uh, exciting special teams in the nation last week, allowing TDs on a 69-yard punt return and a 96-yard kick return, and blocking two punts. |
| Bottom line: Even with the Stanford defense stacked against DeShaun Foster ... UCLA, 35-24. | ||
| SYRACUSE (6-2, 3-0 Big East) at No. 5 VIRGINIA TECH (6-0, 3-0) noon ET, Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, Va. | ||
| It's getting to be late October ... yeah, it's time for Virginia Tech to play someone. The Orange will do just fine. Syracuse hot-wired its season after an 0-2 start, and might be hitting top speed after winning six in a row since sophomore R.J. Anderson became the starting quarterback. If the 'Cuse can't stop Tech, no one will until the Dec. 1 game against Miami. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Six-foot-five sophomore receiver Johnnie Morant adds danger to the Syracuse passing game, averaging 24.8 yards a reception. | A defensive player for the Heisman? Syracuse end Dwight Freeney is worthy of mention, especially if he tacks on a few more sacks Saturday to his nation's best 13.5. | In each of the first three seasons of the BCS, the teams that played for the title were ranked in the top five in the year's initial rankings. Virginia Tech this season: No. 5. |
| Bottom line: A nice test for the Hokies, but not one they should fail. Virginia Tech, 35-20. | ||
| No. 6 FLORIDA (5-1, 3-1 SEC) vs. No. 15 GEORGIA (5-1, 4-1) 3:30 p.m. ET, AllTel Stadium, Jacksonville, Fla., CBS | ||
| Florida retains its shot at the national championship, just as Georgia still has the SEC title targeted ... alas, one of those dreams dies in J'ville. Georgia has been trying to break through since Herschel Runner routinely walked into SEC end zones -- and a victory over Florida (to match with the win over Tennessee) would put this ballclub in great shape for the SEC title and potential Sugar Bowl spot. The Gators? They can't afford any more losses, but the voters have them tops among one-loss teams. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Georgia's 6-foot-4 freshman Fred Gibson has become David Greene's big-play buddy. He's had 4 TD catches over the past three games; 17 receptions, 377 yards. | OK, Gators: Uga watched your Auburn film and knows you were minus-36 yards rushing that day. Better find a way to not be one-dimensional, or you can get ready for the Citrus or Outback bowl. | Rex Grossman remains the most efficient passer in these United States. His 185.3 rating has him on track to break the NCAA record. |
| Bottom line: Gators score a point for every 2 yards they get rushing. Florida, 36-20. | ||
| No. 7 TEXAS (6-1, 3-1 Big 12) at MISSOURI (3-3, 2-2) 2 p.m. ET, Memorial Stadium, Columbia | ||
| While teams above them in the BCS rankings knock each other silly in the next month, the Longhorns will be playing a few games that barely register a blip -- Missouri, Baylor, Kansas before finishing with Texas A&M. The quieter the better for Texas. As long as it doesn't make news by being upset, it's in a nice position for an attractive BCS at-large bid. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Other than Oklahoma, no one can stop the Texas WRs. Here's another who is emerging: Sophomore Sloan Thomas (9 catches, 145 yards, 4 TDs in past two weeks). | Texas' rooting interest in Oklahoma-Nebraska? Nobody, really, but it wants the winner to also be victorious in the likely rematch in the Big 12 title game, making the 'Horns second-best in the eyes of the bowl-pickers. | The Longhorns have scored at least 41 points in every game this season ... well, every one except that for that game against Oklahoma when they scored three. |
| Bottom line: Chris Simms is just fine against teams not named Sooners. Texas, 44-17. | ||
| No. 8 MICHIGAN (5-1, 3-0 Big Ten) at IOWA (4-2, 2-2) 3:30 p.m. ET, Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, ABC | ||
| Is anybody going to challenge Michigan in the Big Ten? The Wolverines have already beaten closest pursuers Illinois and Purdue. Ohio State? What ... with Steve Bellisari at quarterback? Don't think so. The Bland Ten absolutely belongs to Michigan, especially if it can get by what looks like its toughest remaining test, against resurgent Iowa. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Iowa RB Ladell Betts rushed for 172 yards last week against Indiana. Ladell, meet Michigan linebacker Larry Foote. | If the Wolverines falter down the stretch, the Big Ten might not have a Top 20 team this season. Oh, the parity. Oh, the humanity. | The Hawkeyes have allowed a kick return TD, a punt return TD, had a field goal blocked, two punts blocked and aren't quite averaging 34 yards per punt. |
| Bottom line: Hawkeyes improving, but Michigan still just beyond their reach. UM, 27-21. | ||
| No. 12 SOUTH CAROLINA (6-1, 5-1 SEC) at No. 9 TENNESSEE (4-1, 3-1) 6 p.m. ET, Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, ESPN2 | ||
| Man, this game has nails written all over it. It's a great tough-guy game, with a field full of big-play receivers for good measure. This game can become part of a knotty problem for the SEC and its bowls. USC beat Georgia, UGa beat UT, and if UT beats USC, the various bowls will be arm-wrestling with commissioner Roy Kramer for weeks. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Tennessee DT John Henderson and South Carolina OLB Kalimba Edwards will rally the defenses -- and show us what we'll be watching on Sundays next year. | Casey Clausen gives UT the more-exciting quarterback, and Lou Holtz gives USC the more-exciting coach, but their opposite numbers -- Phils Petty and Fulmer -- are just as effective. | South Carolina has never won in Neyland Stadium. That's 0-for-10. USC's most recent victory was nine games ago (1992) ... before that, it was 1903. |
| Bottom line: Gamecocks will get a lot of hits, but won't score many runs. Vols, 24-10. | ||
| No. 10 MARYLAND (7-0, 5-0 ACC) at No. 19 FLORIDA STATE (4-2, 3-1) 3:30 p.m. ET, Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, ABC | ||
| OK, Terps. This is no time to crawl back into your shell. Before the season it would have been inconceivable for this game to pit the No. 10 and No. 19 teams in the country -- and even less likely that Maryland would be the Top 10 team. And a QB controversy at Florida State? Bobby Bowden isn't even sure who he'll start. Strange days, indeed (most peculiar, mama). | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| FSU's redshirt frosh Chris Rix has eight turnovers in the past two games ... in the process fumbling half the practice time to true frosh Adrian McPherson. Either/both bear watching. | Ralph Friedgen knows better than to think of what might happen with a victory. So we'll do it for him: A win here almost cinches a BCS bowl for the Terps. | Bruce Perry has gotten increasing attention as the Terps' big ground gainer (sixth nationally, 135.6 ypg), but don't forget that the defense has allowed nobody more than 21 points. |
| Bottom line: They're still the Terps, and they're still the 'Noles. Florida State, 27-14. | ||
| No. 11 OREGON (6-1, 3-1 Pac-10) at No. 14 WASHINGTON STATE (7-0, 4-0) 7 p.m. ET, Martin Stadium, Pullman, ABC | ||
| By this point, Washington State was supposed to be exposed as the pretender, as Oregon was getting down its steps for a run at the Pac-10 and possibly even the national championship. But Oregon's misstep last week against Stanford -- not entirely shocking due to its generally subpar defense at times this season -- has reversed the roles. After this, the teams take turns unloading on UCLA. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| With Washington State's uneven coverage teams, watch for Oregon's Keenan Howry to do something special. Last week he accounted for 338 all-purpose yards (tying the UO record). | With apologies to Florida-Georgia, this is the week's No. 1 quarterback showdown, with Oregon's Joey Harrington and WSU's Jason Gesser, who both move well, throw well, lead well. | The BCS computers love the Cougars -- they're ranked a composite fourth by the eight computers, and a win in this one might convince the humans, who have them 14th and 15th. |
| Bottom line: Ducks lost shootout at Autzen last week, Martin Stadium this week. WSU, 42-37. | ||
| No. 13 WASHINGTON (5-1, 3-1 Pac-10) at ARIZONA STATE (4-2, 1-2) 10:15 p.m. ET, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, FOXSN | ||
| The Huskies keep dipping into their bag of magic dust, pulling out miraculous fourth-quarter victories -- nine of 'em since the beginning of last season. Man, you gotta figure that the potion runs out sometime, and after barely getting by Arizona last week, Rick Neuheisel's fellas might be in over their heads against Arizona State, which has a more-than-competent offense and is playing its first home game of importance under Dirk Koetter. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Washington's run defense is wobbly and ASU RB Delvon Flowers appears fully recovered from knee problems, going for 226 last week vs. Oregon State. | ASU has spent most of the season in anonymity so far, which is why sophomore defensive end Terrell Suggs isn't getting his proper due (Pac-10 best nine sacks, four forced fumbles). | Not bad for a former walk-on: ASU's Jeff Krohn ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency with a Pac-10-best rating of 164.9. |
| Bottom line: Devils actually favored, but this still smells like an "upset." Arizona State, 31-24. | ||
| No. 16 BRIGHAM YOUNG (7-0, 3-0 MWC) at SAN DIEGO STATE (2-5, 1-2) 9:05 p.m. ET, Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, Calif. | ||
| The Cougars try to remain perfect -- even though they seem to be lost in the Wahsatch Mountains, as far as the BCS radar is concerned. Their 111th-ranked schedule has everything to do with that, but coach Gary Crowton and BYU know the system. They'd better just concentrate on their own task (unlike Fresno State) and hope some bug lands in the computer chips ... and in the laps of the AP voters. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| You can't watch a BYU game without watching QB Brandon Doman, who ranks fourth nationally in total offense (318 yards a game), fourth in passing efficiency, with 20 TDs, 2 picks. | It's interesting to see that the voters in the coaches poll love BYU, ranking the Cougars No. 10 ... but the media (16th) and computers (17th) show them no love whatsoever. | Of all the great offenses in BYU history, this one is on pace to outscore any of them. The 48.9-point average is ahead of the school-record of 46.6 points a game. |
| Bottom line: Gutsy Aztecs defense keeps Cougs under season average. BYU, 48-20. | ||
| No. 17 AUBURN (6-1, 4-0 SEC) at ARKANSAS (3-3, 1-3) 12:30 p.m. ET, Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville | ||
| In the wild SEC West, nothing is unbelievable, so we'll just say we find it extremely unlikely that Auburn is in the lead with essentially a two-game lead over second-place Mississippi, which lost to the Tigers way back in early September when no one noticed. But after being nearly set on their ears by Louisiana Tech last week, the Tigers are far from bulletproof, so you can't rule out more SEC wackiness in this one. | ||
| Players to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Prepare for more late-game drama: Auburn's Damon Duval has kicked three game-winning field goals. Arkansas' Carlos Hall has blocked one. | Redshirt freshman Jason Campbell is Auburn's future, but the Tigers need the maturity of senior Daniel Cobb, which is why he'll make his second start. | Auburn is the only team to go through the SEC unscathed so far, but will finish with three of four on the road, including Georgia and LSU. |
| Bottom line: Duval missed last week at the end of regulation. Not this week. Auburn, 21-20. | ||
| NORTHWESTERN (4-2, 2-2 Big Ten) at No. 24 PURDUE (4-1, 2-1) noon ET, Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind., ESPN2 | ||
| When Penn State, with just about the worst darned offense in America, puts up 38 points and more than 500 yards in its first victory of the season at your expense ... well, it's time to go back to class, Northwestern. The Wildcats' defense continues to be kicked around, and it probably won't get better this week as Northwestern's defensive line is thin and not altogether healthy. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Purdue coach Joe Tiller says his running game can be "adequate." Against the worst rushing defense in the Big Ten, RB Montrell Lowe can be spectacular for a day. | Remember when Purdue had Drew Brees and Northwestern had Damien Anderson? All those points, all those yards ... say what? Anderson is still around? | With erstwhile Heisman fave Anderson not being able to reach 100 yards in four consecutive games, it's safe to say defenses have caught up to NU's spread offense. |
| Bottom line: Two spread offenses, one good defense. Purdue, 38-28. | ||
| No. 25 COLORADO (5-2, 3-1 Big 12) at OKLAHOMA STATE (2-5, 0-4) 7 p.m. ET, Lewis Field, Stillwater, FOXSN | ||
| Colorado took a kick in its rankings after an ugly loss to Texas, but don't kick dirt on the Buffs just yet. The bottom line hasn't changed for CU: Win the rest of its games, notably that final one against Nebraska, and the team will be off to Dallas for the Big 12 title game. If Craig Ochs, who sat out against the Longhorns because of a concussion, can keep a clear head, that's possible. | ||
| Player to watch | Random thought | Fast fact |
| Ochs could play this Saturday, but Bobby Pesavento was passable last week and could probably do the trick against the Cowboys. | It was kinda funny earlier in the season when Gary Barnett called Ochs "Johnny Fullback" for the way the QB enjoyed contact. One word of advice, Craig, buddy: Slide. | Here's why CU's offense should get back on track: Okie State has yielded an average of 38 points and 446 yards in the past three games. |
| Bottom line: Give the Colorado offense a standing Ochs. Colorado, 37-27. | ||
