There's no clear premier matchup on the docket this week. Just a whole lot of really good ones.
It will be a particularly juicy Commonwealth Cup when No. 8 Virginia Tech and No. 24 Virginia square off on Saturday. Hokies fans are talking national title -- and with good reason -- but oh, the irony, if their hopes got snapped by their biggest rival. Just last year the Cavs accomplished their biggest comeback ever (down 29-7 to win 36-32) in this game.
Despite first-place Penn State having the week off, it's an important week in the Big Ten race with No. 11 Purdue traveling to Ann Arbor to play No. 4 Michigan and Ohio State hosting Wisconsin. Both are matchups of teams who haven't faced each other in three years.
No. 23 Oklahoma at Notre Dame will be especially interesting, what with Bob Stoops taking his new-fangled air show to South Bend for a game littered with themes, historic and current.
And as heavy as Oklahoma-Notre Dame is on tradition, No. 17 Marshall-Miami of Ohio is the definitive turn-of-the-millenium rivalry. It's the game MAC fans have been waiting all year for, but one the rest of the country has two reasons to keep an eye on: Travis Prentice and Chad Pennington.
| Week 6 Previews |
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| (1) Florida State (4-0) at Duke (0-3) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon
Game Preview |
54.1: FSU's average point total in seven consecutive defeats of Duke. |
| Player to Watch |
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Peter Warrick, WR, Florida State. Not a very original pick, but don't worry, he'll go and return a kickoff or run a reverse or something. |
| Analysis |
This series is so lopsided that FSU can't even justify a home-and-home with its conference colleague -- the game will again be played in "neutral" Jacksonville. You know what the 'Noles can do. Here's what Duke can't do: score, ever since starting QB Spencer Romine went down after the first game.
Trev Alberts' pick: Florida State
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| (21) Alabama (3-1) at (3) Florida (4-0) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (CBS)
Game Preview |
10: Alabama's turnovers in last two games against Louisiana Tech (four) and Arkansas (six). |
| Player to Watch |
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Robert Gillespie, RB, Florida. With Earnest Graham suffering from a bruised thigh, Gillespie looks to repeat last week's super sub job: 108 yards on 12 carries.
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| Analysis |
If the Gators can do to 'Bama RB Shaun Alexander (153.5 ypg) what they did to Tennessee's Jamal Lewis two weeks ago (15 yards in second half), the Tide will turn for the worse. 'Bama has been sloppy all season -- Alexander even fumbled twice against Arkansas -- and Florida rifle-man Doug Johnson is likely to pounce on the slightest slip up.
Trev Alberts' pick: Florida
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| (11) Purdue (4-0) at (4) Michigan (4-0) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon (ESPN)
Game Preview |
29: Games Joe Tiller has coached at Purdue without facing the Wolverines (or Ohio State). |
| Player to Watch |
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Anthony Thomas, RB, Michigan. If Wolverines are to keep Drew Brees off the field, Thomas must hit 100-yard mark for first time since first game.
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| Analysis |
Wolverines fans will tell you the secondary is a weakness, not a good sign with Brees coming to town, but guys like Tommy Hendricks and James Whitley are better athletes than Purdue receivers like Vinny Sutherland are accustomed to going against. The Boilers' defense showed its vulnerability last week against previously putrid Northwestern. UM will still look to set up the run, but watch for WR David Terrell to test Purdue's corners often.
Trev Alberts' pick: Michigan
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| (5) Texas A&M (3-0) at Texas Tech (1-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 7 p.m (Fox Sports Net)
Game Preview |
46.7: Average rushing yards allowed by Texas A&M. |
| Player to Watch |
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Sammy Morris, FB, Texas Tech. With Ricky Williams done, Morris needs to carry a big load offensively. |
| Analysis |
The intensity of this rivalry and the fact it's in Lubbock are Tech's only saving graces. The Raiders have been a disappointment, losing star Williams in the first game and losing to lowly North Texas its last time out. In addition to its superb run defense, the Aggies boast an offense averaging more than 40 points a game.
Trev Alberts' pick: Texas A&M
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| Oklahoma State (2-1) at (5) Nebraska (4-0) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
333: Nebraska rushing yards last week against Missouri, up from 114 and 119 its previous two games. |
| Player to Watch |
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Eric Crouch, QB, Nebraska. The Man who Almost Quit leading Huskers in passing, rushing and touchdowns. |
| Analysis |
The Huskers' offense finally found itself against Mizzou, with the Crouch-to-Newcombe tandem hooking up for a long TD and I-back Correll Buckhalter netting its first 100-yard game. In the Cowboys they face a squad whose offense was diminished by the loss of starting QB Tony Lindsay. His replacements, B.J. Tiger and Ben Bowling, have a capable target in Ethan Howell (12 catches for 237 yards) but will likely be overwhelmed by Nebraska's pressure.
Trev Alberts' pick: Nebraska
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| Auburn (3-1) at (7) Tennessee (2-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 7:30 p.m. (ESPN)
Game Preview |
65.0 Vols' average rushing yards in last two games against Florida and Memphis. |
| Player to Watch |
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Jeff Klein, QB, Auburn. Sophomore, who went 10-of-16 for 112 yards last week in place of injured Ben Leard, gets starting nod.
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| Analysis |
With the week they've been through, the Vols need a big win like Ricky Martin needs a new song. That could well come against the Tigers, who have lost their top two QBs in the past week -- not good for an already thin offense. It would be a shock if Tennessee RB Jamal Lewis doesn't rebound from consecutive bad outings with a big day.
Trev Alberts' pick: Tennessee
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| (8) Virginia Tech (3-0) at (24) Virginia (3-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game Preview |
7.0: Average points allowed by Virginia Tech. |
| Player to Watch |
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Dan Ellis, QB, Virginia. Came into his own last week in 40-34 defeat of BYU but will face significant pressure from Corey Moore and Co.
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| Analysis |
Should be a fantastic game, with both rivals coming off impressive wins. Tech's defense is everything it's cracked up to be, but so is Virginia's Thomas Jones, who has rushed for 1,584 yards and 16 TDs over his last 11 games. If Hokies QB Michael Vick doesn't improve on his 7-of-17, three-interception night against Clemson, Virginia could find itself in more trouble than most expect.
Trev Alberts' pick: Virginia Tech
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| LSU (2-1) at (10) Georgia (3-0) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
15: Consecutive completions by Georgia QB Quincy Carter to open last year's LSU game. |
| Player to Watch |
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Josh Booty, QB, LSU. Gets much-anticipated first start after 29-of-58 relief performance against Auburn. |
| Analysis |
It's been a long two weeks for LSU following a 41-7 loss to Auburn. It's been a tough week for Georgia following the death of assistant Pat Watson on Saturday. Still, don't expect the Bulldogs to come out flat -- they looked bad enough in a one-point win over Central Florida. Their talented defense should be able to at least shut down LSU on the run, and Georgia's own runner, sophomore Jasper Sanks, is getting better by the week.
Trev Alberts' pick: Georgia
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| Wisconsin (2-2) at (12) Ohio State (3-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ABC regional).
Game Preview |
19: Second-half points, through four games, allowed by Ohio State (compared with 60 in first half). |
| Player to Watch |
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Jamar Fletcher, CB, Wisconsin. Sophomore star gets supreme test against Buckeyes WRs Ken-Yon Rambo and Reggie Germany. |
| Analysis |
A week after Michigan put the clamps on UW's Ron Dayne, the All-American RB faces a team that held him to 65 yards on 21 carries the last time they played -- in 1996. Good news for Dayne and the Badgers: Everyone from Miami to Cincinnati has moved the ball on OSU this year. The bad news: Unlike Wisconsin, Ohio State did beat Cincinnati.
Trev Alberts' pick: Ohio State
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| (13) Kansas State (3-0) at (15) Texas (4-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ABC regional)
Game Preview |
17: Consecutive Big 12 wins for Kansas State (last loss: Nebraska, Oct. 4, 1997). |
| Player to Watch |
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Hodges Mitchell, RB, Texas. Has rushed for more yards in his last two games (319) than first 24 of his career.
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| Analysis |
The Longhorns have been inconsistent but are undisputedly talented, with QB Major Applewhite pacing the nation's No. 10 offense (471.2 ypg). But in the Wildcats, he faces a squad allowing only 130 yards a game through the air and with a penchant for creating the turnover. Texas' defense and special teams must clamp down on K-State weapons Frank Murphy and David Allen.
Trev Alberts' pick: Texas
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| Iowa (1-2) at (14) Michigan State (4-0) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon (ESPN2).
Game Preview |
15.8: Iowa's third-down conversion percentage. |
| Player to Watch |
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Bill Burke, QB, Michigan State. When he's on, the Spartans are unstoppable -- they average more than 400 yards of offense a game. |
| Analysis |
It's Homecoming in East Lansing -- and this year's Hawkeyes are the perfect opponent. Their leading receiver has seven catches. There is promise on the defensive front but probably not enough to slow down MSU's multi-faceted attack. RB Lloyd Clemons has broken 100 yards three out of four games, and WRs Gari Scott and Plaxico Burress could have field days.
Trev Alberts' pick: Michigan State
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| (16) Mississippi State (4-0) at Vanderbilt (3-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Game Preview
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28: Points allowed by Mississippi State through four games.
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| Players to Watch |
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Greg Zolman, QB, Vanderbilt. With little help from the running game, Zolman, 5-3 as the starter, has revived a dormant offense.
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| Analysis |
For our money, this is the game of the week in the SEC. It's time to find out whether Vandy is for real, and whether the Bulldogs are not -- shutting out South Carolina is not exactly a novelty. In a contrast from previous years, watch for both teams to go to the air often. Bulldogs QB Wayne Madkin is highly underrated and has benefited from the experience of leading last year's SEC West title team.
Trev Alberts' pick: Mississippi State
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| (17) Marshall (4-0) at Miami of Ohio (3-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 2 p.m.
Game Preview |
2.2: Opposing rushers' average yards per carry against Marshall. |
| Players to Watch |
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Travis Prentice, RB, Miami and Chad Pennington, QB, Marshall. The MAC's marquee players have each torched the other the past two years -- Prentice with 203 yards in '97, Pennington with 307 last year. |
| Analysis |
It's the unofficial MAC championship, and while Marshall has looked every bit as good as its ranking indicates, the RedHawks have provided West Virginia with its only win, and this week lost prolific WR Sly Johnson to a torn ACL. Pennington will get his numbers; the question is will the Herd's stingy defense be able to slow down Prentice?
Trev Alberts' pick: Marshall
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| (19) East Carolina (4-0) at Army (1-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon (Fox Sports Net)
Game Preview |
15: Army pass completions, through three games. |
| Player to Watch |
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Jamie Wilson, RB, East Carolina. A budding star after last week's Miami game, Wilson is averaging 7.3 yards per carry.
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| Analysis |
Assuming they aren't completely brainwashed by the recent attention, this should be a cakewalk for the surging Pirates. Army was beaten badly by Wake Forest and Tulane, neither of which is East Carolina. The only concern is that Army runs the wishbone and Miami was able to run on the Pirates despite losing both of its top two running backs.
Trev Alberts' pick: East Carolina
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| (20) Arkansas (2-1) at Kentucky (2-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
47-of-67, 499 yards, three TDs: Tim Couch's line last year in a losing effort against Arkansas. |
| Player to Watch |
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Anthony Lucas, WR, Arkansas. Senior now has 15 career catches of 40 yards or more. |
| Analysis |
The Razorbacks can't be encouraged after losing to Alabama despite six Tide turnovers. But QB Clint Stoerner and RB Cedric Cobbs should have more luck scoring on Kentucky's porous defense. Kentucky's own QB, Dusty Bonner, has been extremely consistent, even completing 36 of 48 passes in the loss to Florida last week.
Trev Alberts' pick: Arkansas
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| Tulane (2-1) at (22) Syracuse (3-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
66-of-98, 851 yards: Tulane QB Patrick Ramsey's stats over last two games. |
| Player to Watch |
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Ian McIntosh, S, Syracuse. Orangemen's stud in the secondary should prove key against pass-happy Green Wave. |
| Analysis |
Syracuse has cracked the Top 25 despite averaging less than 200 yards of total offense the last two weeks against Michigan and West Virginia. Paul Pasqualoni continues to use both Madei Williams and Troy Nunes at QB. The high-powered Green Wave have looked much better since an opening-game debacle against Southern Miss, but Syracuse showed against Michigan it can play some defense.
Trev Alberts' pick: Syracuse
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| (23) Oklahoma (3-0) at Notre Dame (1-3) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 2:30 p.m. (NBC)
Game Preview
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399.7: The new "West Coast" Sooners' average passing yards, tops nationally.
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| Player to Watch |
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Josh Heupel, QB, Oklahoma. JC transfer has flourished under ex-Kentucky coordinator Mike Leach's multiple-receiver sets, with his 13 TDs already ranking second all-time at OU. |
| Analysis |
Only in South Bend could a 1-3 team be favored against an undefeated, Top 25 team. Like Purdue, which beat Notre Dame three weeks ago, Oklahoma's philosophy under Bob Stoops is pass, pass, pass. The Irish will need to get significantly better pass rushing than it has thus far. The Sooners' "D" quieted Louisville's Chris Redman last week but faces a different task altogether in the more athletic Jarious Jackson.
Trev Alberts' pick: Notre Dame
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| (25) Oregon (3-1) at Washington (1-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
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Saturday, 10:15 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
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31: Oregon's rushing yards allowed, on 31 carries, in last week's triple-overtime victory over Washington . |
| Player to Watch |
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Herman Ho Ching, RB, Oregon. Will have to assume primary tailback duties with Reuben Droughns nursing a ribs injury. |
| Analysis |
Much will be made of the documented antagonism between Rick Neuheisel and Mike Bellotti, but this is an important game on the field. The Ducks have hardly missed a beat from last year but are physically beaten after the USC contest. The Huskies performed well in the clutch to knock off Colorado last week and have an imposing defensive front but need to add some dimension to the offense to win this one.
Trev Alberts' pick: Oregon
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