| Week 8 Previews |
| Matchup | Key Stat | Player to Watch | The Skinny |
(1) Ohio State (5-0) vs.
Minnesota (3-2)
Noon (ESPN)
Trev Alberts' pick: Ohio State
|
1 Rank of Ohio State's defense in passing efficiency -- 76.2 points. The Buckeyes have allowed just two TD passes and recorded seven interceptions.
Stat matchup
|
Joe Germaine, QB, Ohio State
Has three 300-yard career passing games and two this season, tying a school record. He passed for 307 yards and three TDs against Illinois last week. |
Ohio State continues its march through the Big Ten season and a possible Fiesta Bowl bid. The Buckeyes have a relatively easy schedule leading up to its annual showdown with Michigan at the end of the season. The Gophers started 3-0 but have faltered since entering conference play.
Game preview
|
(2) UCLA (4-0) vs.
(11) Oregon (2-3)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: UCLA |
49.4 Average points per game scored by the Oregon and UCLA offenses. They are ranked two and three respectively in the country in scoring offense.
Stat matchup
|
Cade McNown, QB, UCLA
Keeps on winning games for the Bruins despite putting up un-Heisman-like numbers. Was just 10-of-24 for 171 yards with two TD strikes in last week's win over Arizona. |
For the second straight week, the Bruins run into an undefeated and very hot Pac-10 foe. The Ducks are flying high after averaging more than 57 points in their last three games. The Bruins were very impressive in blowing out Arizona in Tucson last Saturday. Another strong outing by UCLA would help their hopes at a national title.
Game preview
|
(4) Kansas State (5-0) vs. Oklahoma State (2-3)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: Kansas State |
1 Rank of the Kansas State defense in rushing yards per game (66.6) and points allowed per game (6).
Stat matchup
|
Eric Hickson, RB, Kansas State
Rushed for 137 yards in last week's win over Colorado. He now has 2,122 career rushing yards, fourth in school history but just 143 yards away from the all-time school leader Michael Lawrence (2,265). |
The Wildcats defense continued its stifling ways against Colorado although the offense sputtered. Oklahoma State has struggled at times but did give a big scare to Nebraska two weeks ago. Kansas State could be on cruise control until its November 7 matchup against Nebraska.
Game preview
|
(5) Florida (5-1) vs. Auburn (1-4)
3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Trev's pick: Florida |
29-1 Florida's record at the Swamp against SEC foes in the 1990s. Its only loss was to Auburn in 1994.
Stat matchup
|
Doug Johnson, QB, Florida
Won the Gators starting QB job by default after Jesse Palmer went down with a broken clavicle. Was 13-of-22 for 156 yards and a TD after taking over for Palmer last week. |
Florida has many question marks after losing Palmer and defensive star Ed Chester to injuries against LSU. The Gators have struggled in recent weeks but should have few problems with an Auburn team ranked 106th in total offense.
Game preview
|
(6) Florida State (5-1) vs. Clemson (2-4)
6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Trev's pick: Florida State |
228.3 Average yards allowed by the FSU defense, third best in the country.
Stat matchup
|
Peter Warrick, WR, FSU
Tore apart Clemson to the tune of 372 all-purpose yards last season. |
The Seminoles have recovered well after an early-season loss to N.C. State. QB Chris Weinke has started to pick up his game in recent weeks. Clemson has a strong defense but its offense has disappointed on its way to a 2-4 start.
Game preview
|
(7) Virginia (5-0) at (25) Georgia Tech (4-1)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: Georgia Tech |
43.25 Average points per game scored by the Yellow Jackets in winning its last four in a row.
Stat matchup
|
Joe Hamilton, QB, Georgia Tech
Ranks eighth in the nation in passing efficiency (160.97 passing rating), throwing 10 TDs with just two interceptions. |
First place in the ACC is on the line. Virginia has been strong all season long behind the play of QB Aaron Brooks and DB Anthony Poindexter. The Tech offense has been clicking since an upset loss to Boston College to open the season.
Game preview
|
(8) Nebraska (5-1) vs. Kansas (2-4)
7 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
Trev's pick: Nebraska |
1992 The last time the Huskers lost a conference game (against Iowa State) before being upset by Texas A&M last week.
Stat matchup
|
Bobby Newcombe, QB, Nebraska
Racked up 260 yards of total offense (204 passing, 56 rushing) in the loss to Texas A&M. |
The Huskers will be looking for revenge after their shocking loss to Texas A&M. Border rival Kansas is the unfortunate opponent. Nebraska needs to get its improve its now lackluster rushing attack if it has any hopes of repeating its national title.
Game preview
|
(9) Wisconsin (6-0) at Illinois (2-4)
Noon (ESPN2)
Trev's pick: Wisconsin |
1993 The last time the Badgers started 6-0. That year, they went to the Rose Bowl and knocked off UCLA.
Stat matchup
|
Ron Dayne, RB, Wisconsin
Took over the Big Ten rushing lead with a 127-yard effort against Purude last week. |
The Badgers used turnovers to knock out Purdue despite allowing 494 passing yards. Much like Ohio State, the Badgers could run the table leading into their battle against Michigan. Illinois is still struggling, getting blanked by No. 1 Ohio State last week.
Game preview
|
(10) Texas A&M (5-1) at Baylor (2-3)
7 p.m.
Trev's pick: Texas A&M |
14.5 Points per game allowed by the Texas A&M defense, 12th best in the nation.
Stat matchup
|
Dante Hall, RB, Texas A&M
Led the Aggies attack last week with 113 yards rushing on 32 carries with a TD. |
The Aggies are ecstatic after their stunning win over Nebraska. They'll try to avoid a letdown against a Baylor squad that knocked off N.C. State one week after upsetting Florida State. Texas A&M torched Nebraska with a handful of big plays to score the upset.
Game preview
|
(12) Penn State (4-1) vs. Purdue (3-3)
3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Trev's pick: Penn State |
9 Penn State's rank in pass efficiency defense (92.8 points).
Stat matchup
|
Drew Brees, QB, Purdue
Set an NCAA record with 83 pass attempts last week against Wisconsin. Tied an NCAA record with 55 completions. |
Brees went pass-happy against Wisconsin last week but also threw four interceptions. Penn State's defense shined last week against Minnesota to make up for the problems on offense.
Game preview
|
(13) Georgia (4-1) vs. Vanderbilt (0-5)
12:30 p.m. (Jefferson Pilot)
Trev's pick: Georgia |
21 Vanderbilt's current losing streak against SEC opponents.
Stat matchup
|
Quincy Carter, QB, Georgia
Showed some freshman jitters against a fierce Vols pass rush last week, going just 14-for-37 for 195 yards with two interceptions. |
Georgia will have plenty of motivation for its homecoming game after getting stomped by Tennessee last week between the hedges. Vanderbilt's vaunted defense is anything but, ranking 82nd in total defense this season.
Game preview
|
(14) Virginia Tech (5-0) vs. Temple (0-6)
1 p.m.
Trev's pick: Virginia Tech |
57 Number of kicks blocked by the Hokies this decade, best in the country.
Stat matchup
|
Keion Carpenter, DB, Virginia Tech
Among many players tied for second in the country with four interceptions. Also blocked a punt in last week's win over Boston College. |
The Hokies have won games with defense and special teams all season. Things shouldn't be much different against a struggling Temple squad. The Hokies should also get starting QB Al Clark back for the game.
Game preview
|
(16) Arizona (5-1) at Oregon State (4-2)
4 p.m.
Trev's pick: Arizona |
297 Rushing yards allowed by Arizona in last week's loss to UCLA, including 118 to DeShaun Foster and 91 to Keith Brown.
Stat matchup
|
Dennis Northcutt, WR, Arizona
Ninth in the country in all-purpose yards per game (183.3) and total receiving yards (653). |
The Wildcats were stunned by UCLA after giving up 28 straight second-half points, breaking open a very close game. They must now recover against an improving Oregon State squad that got its first win at Stanford in 30 years.
Game preview
|
(17) Arkansas (5-0) at South Carolina (1-5)
1 p.m.
Trev's pick: Arkansas |
69 Average rushing yards per game allowed by the Razorbacks defense, good for third in the nation. Arkansas allowed just 51 rushing yards to Memphis last week.
Stat matchup
|
Clint Stoerner, QB, Arkansas
Has had a very solid year so far, passing for 1,225 yards and 11 TDs in five games this season. |
Arkansas has used a very strong defense to stay undefeated and in the hunt for an SEC West title. South Carolina has been a major disappointment this season, recording its only win against MAC also-ran Ball State.
Game preview
|
(19) Colorado (5-1) vs. (22) Texas Tech (6-0)
12:30 p.m. (Big 12 TV)
Trev's pick: Colorado |
19 Consecutive games in which Colorado has trailed. The Buffaloes would hope not to continue the streak. However, they are 11-8 in those last 19 games.
Stat matchup
|
Ricky Williams, RB, Texas Tech
No, not that Ricky Williams over in Austin. This Ricky Williams has quietly rushed for 1,026 yards this season, second only to his namesake with the Longhorns. He also has 10 rushing TDs this season. |
Colorado is still smarting after a surprisingly close loss to Kansas State. The Buffaloes now have another big task ahead of them -- stopping Texas Tech's Ricky Williams. The Red Raiders are 6-0 for the first time since 1976.
Game preview
|
(20) Missouri (4-1) vs.
Oklahoma (2-3)
1 p.m.
Trev's pick: Missouri |
296.4 Missouri's average rushing output this season, second in the country behind Air Force and the only non-academy school in the top four.
Stat matchup
|
Devin West, RB, Missouri
Ranks third in the country with 958 rushing yards, trailing only the two Ricky Williams. West rushed for 252 yards with three TDs against Iowa State last week.
|
Missouri has been relying heavily on the ground game to stay undefeated in the Big 12. West has overtaken QB Corby Jones as the Tigers' top Heisman candidate. For the second straight week, the Sooners have to face one of the country's best rushers. Last week, Texas' Ricky Williams marched over Oklahoma.
Game preview
|
(21) LSU (3-2) vs. Kentucky (4-2)
9 p.m. (ESPN2)
Trev's pick: LSU
|
5,757 Career all-purpose yards by LSU RB Kevin Faulk, setting an SEC record. His career totals include 3,889 rushing yards, 474 receiving yards, 634 kickoff return yards and 760 punt return yards.
Stat matchup
|
Tim Couch, QB, Kentucky
Continuing his Heisman chase, ranking second in the country with 2,391 passing yards and 22 TDs. Had his second lowest passing output last week against South Carolina -- just 315 yards to go along with three TD passes. |
A battle between two of the SEC's top players in Faulk and Couch. The Wildcats would like more wins to move into bowl contention and help Couch's Heisman chances. The Tigers are trying to break a two-game slide and move back into the SEC West race.
Game preview
|
(23) (23) Syracuse (3-2) at Boston College (3-2)
3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Trev's pick: Syracuse |
175.87 Quarterback rating of Syracuse's Donovan McNabb, second best in the country.
Stat matchup
|
Mike Cloud, RB, Boston College
Ranks fourth in the country with 862 rushing yards. Had 186 yards in a losing effort against Virginia Tech last week. |
Look for plenty of offensive fireworks between two of the Big East's most explosive offenses. Syracuse rebounded nicely by beating up on a bad Cincinnati team. The Eagles look to get back on track after losing two straight to Louisville and Virginia Tech.
Game preview
|
(24) Tulane (4-0) vs. Louisville (3-3)
3:30 pm. (Fox Sports Net)
Trev's pick: Tulane |
49.7 Average points scored by Louisville, led by QB Chris Redman, in three wins this season. Unfortunately, they've allowed an average of 56.3 points in their three losses.
Stat matchup
|
Shaun King, QB, Tulane
Ranked sixth in the nation in passing efficiency with a 170.78 rating. He has thrown 11 TDs and just four interceptions this season. |
Tommy Bowden has done a good job in turning around the Tulane program and has his team ranked for the first time since 1979. Louisville has improved from a 1-10 mark last season but is very inconsistent looking very good in three wins and very awful in three losses.
Game preview
|
High score expected: Bob Toledo and his Oregon Ducks take on UCLA in a battle of the No. 2 and No. 3 ranked scoring offenses in the country 
