Northwestern (Miami) vs. Carroll (Southlake, Texas)

Carroll's Riley Dodge looks to spearhead the Dragons' 50th straight victory Sat. night. Darren Carroll/SI

Who: No. 2 Northwestern (Miami, Fla.) vs. No. 1 Carroll (Southlake, Texas)

Where: SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium (capacity: 32,000)

When: Sat., Sept. 15, 7 p.m. ET

TV/radio: ESPNU; ESPN-FM 103.3

Northwestern outlook: Deemed as speed versus system, the matchup between the nation's top two teams pits Northwestern's athleticism against Carroll's tradition of winning, namely its 49-game streak.

Boasting a tall, athletic quarterback in Miami recruit Jacory Harris (6-foot-4, 200) and a bull rushing defensive lineman in fellow Miami recruit Marcus Forston, the Bulls' roster is lined with talent on both sides of the ball. In their two wins, they have averaged 33 points and 442 yards.

On the down side, a six-turnover performance in last week's 28-18 win over Homestead (Fla.), almost cost the Bulls. In order to slay the Dragons, interceptions and fumbles will have to be limited.

Northwestern, which is making its first road trip out of state in school history, will also have to adjust to the hostile setting. Though SMU is a "neutral" site, the Friday Night Lights shine brightest in Texas. While the Bulls won last year's class 6A Florida title, this is an even bigger stage.

Carroll outlook: Quarterback Riley Dodge and the Dragons opened with a 42-10 win last week against Lake Highlands (Texas), but their spread system will be challenged by the Bulls.

New coach Hal Wasson replaced Dodge's father, Todd, after he took the head coach position at North Texas last winter. Carroll still runs the same offense, but this will be Wasson's first big test

What he has to work with is a senior-laden team that features Tre Newton (5-11,190) in the backfield. The Texas-bound tailback can carry the load for Carroll, but it's more likely that the spread's effectiveness against an inexperienced Northwestern defensive secondary (four new starters this season) will be more fruitful.

Leading Carroll's defensive backfield will be senior strong safety Luke Anderson, who collected 83 tackles and three fumble recoveries a year ago. He will be kept busy by Northwestern's receiving corps, which includes Miami recruit Aldarius Johnson (6-4, 195) and Tommy Streeter (6-6, 200).