| Week 6 Capsules |
| Matchup | Key Stat | Player to Watch | The Skinny |
(1) Ohio State (3-0) vs. (7) Penn State (3-0)
Noon (ABC)
Trev Alberts' pick: Ohio State |
23-4 Penn State's regular-season road record since 1993.
Stat matchup
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Michael Wiley, RB, Ohio State
Has raced into some Heisman consideration with 500 yards rushing through three games and a whopping 9.3 yards per carry. |
A young Penn State squad looks for more respect by knocking off the loaded Buckeyes. Ohio State will try to avenge last year's 31-27 loss in which the Nittany Lions racked up 316 rushing yards to erase a late 10-point deficit.
Game preview
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(2) Nebraska (4-0) vs. Oklahoma State (2-1)
in Kansas City, 7 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
Trev's pick: Nebraska |
$1.3 million Amount of money Oklahoma State will receive for moving the game from Stillwater to Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Stat matchup
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Bobby Newcombe, QB, Nebraska
Returned from a knee injury to rush for 3 TDs on Washington last week. |
The Cowboys lost any sort of a home-field advantage by moving the game to Kansas City. Nebraska finally got healthy and tore apart a very good Washington team.
Game preview
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(3) Tennessee (3-0) at Auburn (1-2)
3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Trev's pick: Tennessee |
2 Tennessee's rank in rushing defense, allowing just 57 yards per game.
Stat matchup
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Jamal Lewis, RB, Tennessee
Still putting up big numbers for the Vols, he rushed for 127 yards in last year's showdown in the SEC championship game. |
It's a rematch of last year's SEC title game, minus star QBs Dameyune Craig and Peyton Manning. However, while the Vols turned to Jamal Lewis and Tee Martin to pick up the slack, Auburn is still trying to find the answers on offense.
Game preview
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(4) UCLA (2-0) vs. Washington State (3-1)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: UCLA |
52 Number of points allowed by UCLA in its last six quarters.
Stat matchup
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Cade McNown, QB, UCLA
Probably would have put up bigger numbers had Hurricane Georges not put off the game against Miami. |
The Cougars' win over UCLA in the first game of 1997 eventually gave them the berth in the Rose Bowl. Washington State is stumbling after losing to Cal last week while the UCLA offense hopes to put up big numbers again after Hurricane Georges knocked out last week's game against Miami.
Game preview
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(6) LSU (3-0) vs. (12) Georgia (3-0)
7 p.m. (ESPN)
Trev's pick: LSU |
165-51-4 LSU's record in night games at Tiger Stadium since 1960.
Stat matchup
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Champ Bailey, DB, Georgia
He's doing his best Charles Woodson impression and has become one of the most consistent threats in the Georgia offense. He's already one of the best defensive backs in the country. |
A great SEC battle between two of the conference's best players, Bailey and LSU RB Kevin Faulk. Despite their undefeated records, both squads have struggled at times with turnovers and sloppy play.
Game preview
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(8) Florida (3-1) at Alabama (2-1)
12:30 p.m. (Jefferson Pilot)
Trev's pick: Florida |
11-103 Average penalties and penalty yardage rolled up by Alabama this season.
Stat matchup
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Doug Johnson, QB, Florida
Thought to be gone for the season with a shoulder injury, he threw 5 TD passes against Kentucky last week. |
These two have met in four of the six SEC title games with the Gators winning three times. However, the Gators are flying high after winning the air war over Tim Couch. On the other hand, Alabama is reeling after getting routed by Arkansas.
Game preview
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(9) Florida State (3-1) at Maryland (2-2)
1 p.m. (Sunshine Network)
Trev's pick: Florida State |
38.7 The Seminoles' average margin of victory in the six games of this series, all won by FSU.
Stat matchup
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Peter Warrick, WR, FSU
Second in the ACC in both receptions (22) and receiving yards (406) to go along with 5 TD catches. |
The Seminoles are starting to claw back into national championship contention with easy wins over Duke and USC. Maryland is still rebuilding and a few years away from contending in the ACC, never mind Florida State.
Game preview
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(10) Virginia (4-0) vs. San Jose State (2-2)
1 p.m.
Trev's pick: Virginia |
+2.75 Virginia's turnover margin, best in the country. The Cavaliers helped themselves by forcing eight against Duke.
Stat matchup
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Anthony Poindexter, DB, Virginia
Intercepted two passes, recovered two fumbles and caused another fumble against Duke. |
The Cavalier defensive was the big star in shutting out Duke last week, more than making up for a struggling offense. San Jose State has put up big numbers in wins over Stanford and New Mexico but also was demolished by a powerful Oregon offense.
Game preview
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(13) Wisconsin (4-0) at Indiana (2-1)
Noon (ESPN2)
Trev's pick: Wisconsin |
500 Average yards of total offense accumulated by the Hoosiers, good for second in the Big Ten.
Stat matchup
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Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin
Needs just 120 all-purpose yards to become Wisconsin's all-time leader in that category and set a 26th Badger record. |
The Badgers were impressive in all aspects of the game in dismantling Northwestern. The Hoosiers have put up big offensive numbers behind freshman QB Antwaan Randle El but will probably have significantly more troubles against a huge Wisconsin squad.
Game preview
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(14) Arizona (4-0) at (20) Washington (2-1)
10:15 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
Trev's pick: Arizona |
58-28 Score of last year's contest won by the Huskies that was 41-14 at the half.
Stat matchup
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Brock Huard, QB, Washington
After an amazing opener against Arizona State, he has struggled against BYU and Nebraska, throwing four interceptions and just two TDs. |
It doesn't matter who's at QB, Arizona will score plenty of points. However, they should have a few more problems against the Huskies. Washington is still stinging after getting demolished by Nebraska in Lincoln.
Game preview
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(15) Colorado (4-0) vs. Oklahoma (2-1)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: Colorado |
90 Colorado QB Mike Moschetti's streak of passes without an interception that was broken on the first play of the Buffaloes' win over Baylor.
Stat matchup
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Demond Parker, RB, Oklahoma
One of the top returning weapons in the Sooner offense, he is averaging just 89 yards per game with just one TD this season. |
The Buffaloes eked out a win over Baylor thanks to some last-minute heroics by backup QB Adam Bledsoe. The Sooner offense has really gotten off the ground after a big opening win against North Texas.
Game preview
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(16) West Virginia (2-1) at Navy (1-2)
Noon (Fox Sports Net)
Trev's pick: West Virginia |
261.6 Average passing yards per game by West Virginia, best in the Big East.
Stat matchup
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Amos Zereoue, RB, West Virginia
Starting to find his groove after rushing for 192 yards and 3 TDs in a win over Tulsa last week. |
West Virginia has developed a very balanced offensive attack the past couple of weeks in wins over Maryland and Tulsa. That should pose many problems for a Navy squad ranked 97th in total defense.
Game preview
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(18) Texas A&M (3-1) at Kansas (2-2)
12:30 p.m. (Big 12 Network)
Trev's pick: Texas A&M |
11.3 Points per game allowed by Texas A&M, good for 10th in the country.
Stat matchup
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Randy McCown, QB, Texas A&M
Gets the start after a solid 11-for-13, 2-TD performance against North Texas. |
The Aggies found another aspect of their offense behind McCown's passing last week. They will still rely heavily on running backs Dante Hall and Sirr Parker. The Jayhawks are recovering from an exhausting 4-OT performance against UAB.
Game preview
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(21) USC (3-1) vs. Arizona State (2-2)
7 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: USC |
23 Passing yards mustered up by the Trojans in a loss to the Seminoles.
Stat matchup
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R. Jay Soward, WR, USC
Expect him to improve on his one-catch, five-yard performance against Florida State. |
The Trojans were outmatched last week by Florida State but now have to face a streaking Arizona State that has improved since dropping its first two. This will be a battle between two of the Pac-10's most exciting players, Soward and Arizona State's J.R. Redmond.
Game preview
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(22) Arkansas (3-0) vs. Kentucky (3-1)
6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Trev's pick: Arkansas |
239 Average yards of total offense allowed by the Arkansas defense, 10th in the nation.
Stat matchup
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Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
The Heisman contender is second in the country with 1,577 passing yards and first with 16 TD passes.
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Arkansas vaulted into the Top 25 after butchering Alabama and Shaun Alexander. They will have their hands full with a Kentucky team that rolled up plenty of offense, but very little defense during a wild shootout against Florida.
Game preview
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(23) Missouri (2-1) vs. Northwestern State (4-0)
2 p.m.
Trev's pick: Missouri |
55.0 Average rushing yards allowed by the Northwestern State defense, fifth in Division I-AA.
Stat matchup
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Devin West, RB, Missouri
Currently ranked sixth in the country with 530 yards rushing, he is averaging an amazing 7.6 yards per carry. |
Northwestern State is ranked seventh in the Division I-AA poll, but it may not make a lot of difference against a very talented, run-happy Missouri squad.
Game preview
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(23) Notre Dame (2-1) vs. Stanford (1-3)
2:30 p.m. (NBC)
Trev's pick: Notre Dame |
34 First downs recorded by Stanford in last year's contest, the most ever allowed by Notre Dame.
Stat matchup
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Autry Denson, RB, Notre Dame
Rushed for 143 yards last week against Purdue. In last year's game against Stanford, he rushed for 106 yards but was held to just 10 in the second half. |
The Irish revenge tour continues along with Stanford, who beat them 33-15 in Stanford. However, while it took a miraculous finish to avenge the Purdue loss, it could be a bit easier to knock out Stanford, which has struggled since QB Chad Hutchinson bolted to play baseball.
Game preview
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(25) Michigan (2-2) at Iowa (2-2)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: Michigan
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8-35-4 Iowa's record against the Wolverines, including dropping the last five in a row.
Stat matchup
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Tom Brady, QB, Michigan
Starting to turn the corner after a rough start, passing for 208 yards and a TD in a win over Michigan State. |
Most of the offensive stars from last year's game have headed off to the NFL while the defenses are still intact. However, both teams have struggled at times this year but seem to be turning things around heading into the Big 10 season.
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MULTIMEDIA
Joe Germaine (7) passed for 378 yards and two TDs in last year's 31-27 loss to Penn State 
