Just like a true college football fan, a large portion of the Top 25 this week takes to the road.
Penn State, Nebraska, Tennessee, Kansas State, Michigan State and Texas A&M all face some of their toughest -- and in some cases first -- tests away from home. Most intriguing are Tennessee's trip to Tuscaloosa to face the rejuvenated Tide and Nebraska's trip to Austin -- keep in mind the Huskers have already lost to the Longhorns at home and at a neutral site the last couple years.
Florida State has a road game as well, but it's more notable for what will be happening on the sidelines. The Seminoles' Bobby Bowden and Clemson's Tommy Bowden meet in the first-ever battle of father and son coaches. Bobby is also going for a historic 300th win.
If all that seems too good to be true, well, all is not perfect in the college football world. Among the games previewed below: Marshall at Buffalo.
| Week 9 Previews |
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| (1) Florida State (7-0) at Clemson (3-3) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Game Preview |
16 of 17: Career starts in which FSU's Chris Weinke has thrown for at least 200 yards. |
| Player to Watch |
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Woodrow Dantzler, QB, Clemson. In only his second start since replacing injured Brandon Streeter, Dantzler set a school record with 435 yards of total offense vs. Maryland. |
| Analysis |
OK, set aside all the coaching subplots for a second. This will be an interesting game on the field. Death Valley is sure to be electric, and if Dantzler and the Clemson offense can perform like they did last week, the Tigers may find success against the 'Noles' inconsistent defense. But that may not be enough. If Weinke and Co. are on -- and especially if Peter Warrick is back -- it's unlikely Clemson will be able to hold FSU under 40 points.
Trev Alberts' pick: Florida State.
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| (2) Penn State (7-0) at (16) Purdue (5-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ABC Regional)
Game Preview |
188.7: PSU's average passing yards allowed, 154 less than Purdue gains. |
| Player to Watch |
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Courtney Brown, DE, Penn State. Lions' sack master has 8.5, but can he get to Drew Brees, who's only gone down five times all season?
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| Analysis |
A week after demoralizing Michigan State, the rocket-armed Brees faces his most daunting challenge of the year against the Nittany Lions. It will be interesting to see whether Joe Paterno sends Brown and LaVar Arrington loose (PSU has 12 sacks in the last two games) on the quarterback or concentrates on stuffing Chris Daniels and Purdue's receiving corps. Meanwhile, the Boilers are vulnerable to the ground attack and could be in for a long day from PSU's Eric McCoo and Rahsard Casey.
Trev Alberts' pick: Penn State in a squeaker.
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| (3) Nebraska (6-0) at (16) Texas (5-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3:30 p.m. (ABC Regional)
Game Preview |
0-2: Huskers' record against Longhorns since joining Big 12 in '96 (they are 25-2 against the rest). |
| Player to Watch |
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Correll Buckhalter, RB, Nebraska. The I-back has excelled since DeAngelo Evans' departure, averaging 7.8 yards on 43 carries.
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| Analysis |
It's hard to pick against the Huskers the way they've been playing with Eric Crouch at quarterback. And their defense, led by Ralph and Mike Brown, is allowing fewer than 10 points a game. But keep in mind Texas QB Major Applewhite, always capable of a spectacular effort, walked into hostile Memorial Stadium last year as a freshman and threw for 269 yards and two TDs, including the game-winner. A strong game from RB Hodges Mitchell would allow Applewhite more freedom to make plays.
Trev Alberts' pick: Nebraska.
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| (5) Tennessee (4-1) at (10) Alabama (5-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3:30 p.m (CBS)
Game Preview |
69: Years since the two rivals have played in Tuscaloosa, despite meeting the last 56 straight years (Alabama played its home games vs. Tennessee in Birmingham). |
| Player to Watch |
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Jamal Lewis, RB, Tennessee. Would love to steal thunder from counterpart Shaun Alexander but hasn't broken 100 yards since first game of the season. |
| Analysis |
We finally saw the Vols of old in their 37-20 win two weeks ago over Georgia, with QB Tee Martin making the big plays and Deon Grant leading a spirited defense. The defense will be on the spot again Saturday, as Alexander has yet to be contained this season. He'll undoubtedly get his yards, but the key for the Tide is QB Andrew Zow overcoming Grant and the rest of the secondary. WR Freddie Milons has proven a dangerous target.
Trev Alberts' pick: Alabama.
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| (7) Kansas State (6-0) at Oklahoma State (3-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
18: Wildcats' current Big 12 win streak. |
| Player to Watch |
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Terance Richardson, KR, Oklahoma State. Everyone knows about K-State's David Allen, but OSU's return specialist is averaging 15 yards a punt return himself. |
| Analysis |
K-State enters its first real test since a 34-17 win at Texas three weeks ago wondering who its opponent will start at QB -- former starter Tony Lindsay, who has been shelved by injury most of the season, or replacement B.J. Tiger, who has come on of late. Either way, they can count on being blitzed relentlessly by the Wildcats' formidable front seven. K-State has been hit with injuries of its own, including to starting RB Frank Murphy. Expect a low-scoring game quite possibly decided by special teams.
Trev Alberts' pick: Kansas State.
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| Illinois (3-3) at (9) Michigan (5-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon
Game Preview |
16: Illini's average points scored in three Big Ten games (all losses), 23 less than in their three nonconference wins. |
| Player to Watch |
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Tommy Hendricks, SS, Michigan. Coming off an absolute torching of his secondary by Michigan State, look for the hard-hitting senior to come out particularly agitated.
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| Analysis |
The Wolverines have had a week off to recover from the Spartans shocker (and watching them lose to Purdue probably eased morale). The Illini showed promise early, particularly sophomore QB Kurt Kittner, but will struggle mightily against Michigan. After watching Minnesota's Thomas Hamner run all over Illinois last week, the Wolverines have to be confident Anthony Thomas can do the same.
Trev Alberts' pick: Michigan.
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| (11) Michigan State (6-1) at (17) Wisconsin (5-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon (ESPN2)
Game Preview |
13: Ron Dayne rushing touchdowns, tied for second nationally. |
| Players to Watch |
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Jamar Fletcher and Mike Echols, CBs, Wisconsin. Star tandem has shut down great ones before, but Plaxico Burress may be the greatest they've seen yet.
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| Analysis |
Michigan State needs to chalk up last week's Purdue demolition as a fluke and move on. But Wisconsin presents a different challenge -- an intimidating defense and run-happy offense that's getting more deadly by the week. Unfortunately for Dayne and the Badgers, the Spartans are surrendering only 40 rushing yards a game, tops nationally. MSU will put up points, and Badgers QB Brooks Bollinger will need to get in the air to keep pace.
Trev Alberts' pick: Michigan State.
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| LSU (2-4) at (12) Mississippi State (6-0) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 6 p.m. (ESPN2)
Game Preview |
7: Consecutive LSU wins over the Bulldogs. |
| Player to Watch |
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Rondell Mealey, RB, LSU. Needs to finally produce in SEC play in order for QB Josh Booty to succeed.
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| Analysis |
LSU couldn't be any colder yet holds out hope because of its recent domination of the Bulldogs, even last year, when the Tigers beat the eventual SEC West champ 41-7. But LSU is battered and bruised and will need an inspired effort from the offensive line to stay in it. The Bulldogs have an injury of their own, to QB Wayne Madkin, but Matt Wyatt has been more than capable as a replacement. MSU is going for its first-ever 7-0 start.
Trev Alberts' pick: Mississippi State.
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| (13) Texas A&M (5-1) at Oklahoma (3-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 7 p.m. (Fox Sports Net)
Game Preview |
6: Combined 300-yard passing games among the two teams. |
| Player to Watch |
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Josh Heupel, QB, Oklahoma. Sooners' record-setting arm (1,669 yards, 18 TDs) looks to get over the hump after coming up just short against Notre Dame and Texas. |
| Analysis |
In A&M's only loss, it fell victim to Texas Tech's running attack. Oklahoma presents the opposite challenge: a passing attack that never relents. But the Aggies have a fine offense of their own. QB Randy McCown and WRs like Chris Taylor can make the big plays, but Oklahoma's biggest problem may be trying to keep bruising Aggies FB Ja'Mar Toombs grounded.
Trev Alberts' pick: Texas A&M.
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| Kentucky (5-2) at (14) Georgia (5-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 1:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
530: Kentucky's total offense in last year's Georgia game, which the Bulldogs won 28-26. |
| Player to Watch |
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Quincy Carter, QB, Georgia. As the Bulldogs struggle, (losing to Tennessee, squeezing by Central Florida, LSU and Vanderbilt), so does their much-hyped QB. |
| Analysis |
We all know the difference between Georgia and Kentucky traditionally, but based on this year alone, the Wildcats should be the ones favored. QB Dusty Bonner has picked up right where Tim Couch left off, and the defense has been worlds better. Meanwhile, the 'Dawgs are 10th in the league in passing defense (258 ypg). Georgia will need a big rushing day to keep Bonner's production to a minimum.
Trev Alberts' pick: Kentucky.
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| (15) Marshall (6-0) at Buffalo (0-6) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon
Game Preview |
111: Buffalo's national ranking, out of 113, in offense allowed (466 yards a game). |
| Player to Watch |
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Drew Haddad, WR, Buffalo. Hey, they aren't making it back in this grid any time soon.
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| Analysis |
To answer your questions, yes, Buffalo is new to Division I-A, yes, it's in the MAC, and yes, this will be an ugly, ugly blowout. Marshall QB Chad Pennington will put up big numbers in the first half then sit the second, assuming Herd coach Bob Pruett is the sensible guy we all think.
Trev Alberts' pick: Marshall.
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| (19) BYU (5-1) at UNLV (3-3) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 10:30 p.m.
Game Preview |
454: Bulldogs' total offense last week against Vanderbilt. |
| Player to Watch |
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Jeremi Rudolph, RB, UNLV. JC transfer has put spark in Rebels' once-dead offense, rushing for 149 yards against Wyoming last week. |
| Analysis |
Don't look now but John Robinson has UNLV competing at the same level as the rest of the Mountain West, just one year after the Rebs didn't beat anyone. But Saturday they meet the class of the conference in BYU, where QB Kevin Feterik looks to put up points fast and furious. What will ultimately make the difference for the Cougars is the presence of freshman running back tandem of Lucas Staley and Fahu Tahi.
Trev Alberts' pick: BYU.
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| Tulane (3-3) at (20) East Carolina (5-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 4 p.m.
Game Preview
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52: Green Wave's average pass attempts per game.
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| Players to Watch |
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Pernell Griffin, LB, East Carolina. Leads Pirates with a whopping 79 tackles.
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| Analysis |
ECU has taken over Conference USA darling honors from Tulane this year, but the Green Wave are still doing their thing. At the helm of their frenetic offense this year is Patrick Ramsey, who has thrown for 2,124 yards and 16 TDs, but has also been picked off 11 times. Tulane is also not what we'd call a defensive-minded club, which is bad news when the opposition possesses two stars in QB David Garrard and RB Jamie Wilson.
Trev Alberts' pick: East Carolina.
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| Cincinnati (2-4) at (21) Southern Miss (4-2) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, 3 p.m. (ABC regional)
Game Preview |
210: Cincinnati's average rushing yards allowed, ranking 99th nationally. |
| Player to Watch |
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T.J. Slaughter, LB, Southern Miss. Leads Eagles with 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. |
| Analysis |
The Bearcats have disappeared since their stunning upset of Wisconsin, but not without trying. They put up 525 yards against Ohio State and went to the wire against Houston and UAB before falling. But Southern Miss simply plays at a higher level on both sides of the ball. Expect RB Derrick Nix to be the workhorse yet again.
Trev Alberts' pick: Southern Miss.
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| (22) Ohio State (4-3) at (24) Minnesota (5-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon (ESPN)
Game Preview |
242.7: Gophers' average rushing yards, tied for ninth nationally. |
| Player to Watch |
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Thomas Hamner, RB, Minnesota The heart of the Gophers' offense averaging 149 yards in Big Ten play.
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| Analysis |
It's a statement game for both teams, with the Gophers seeking to gain respect and the Buckeyes seeking to avoid complete disaster. Hamner will get his yards on the suspect OSU line. The question is whether the Bucks' Michael Wiley can find his game (fumbles have put the senior in John Cooper's doghouse) and whether the Gophers defense has the athletes (besides All-American safety Tyrone Carter ) to put the clamps on receivers Ken-Yon Rambo and Reggie Germany.
Trev Alberts' pick: Minnesota.
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| (23) Miami (2-3) at Boston College (5-1) |
| Preview |
Key Stat |
Saturday, Noon (CBS)
Game Preview |
20.5: Yards per catch by Miami WR Santana Moss. |
| Player to Watch |
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Chris Hovan, DT, Boston College. Big East Defensive Player of the Week had two sacks against Pitt. |
| Analysis |
This game pits quite possibly both the best 2-3 team and worst 5-1 team in the country. The Eagles have skirted by on an easy schedule, winning most impressively on last week's rally to beat Pitt. QB Tim Hasselbeck shows flashes of greatness. But the Hurricanes, who played both of the top two teams in America for four quarters, have too many weapons. Chief is QB Kenny Kelly, who was last seen throwing for 370 yards on Florida State.
Trev Alberts' pick: Miami.
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