College football schedule and previews
Friday, October 10, 2008 11:25 AM PDT
Top 25 Schedule
All Times EDT
(Subject to change)
Saturday, Oct. 11
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 5 Texas at Dallas, 10 a.m.
No. 3 Missouri vs. No. 17 Oklahoma State, 6 p.m.
No. 4 LSU at No. 11 Florida, 6 p.m.
No. 6 Penn State at Wisconsin, 6 p.m.
No. 7 Texas Tech vs. Nebraska, 1 p.m.
No. 8 Southern Cal vs. Arizona State, 1:30 p.m.
No. 9 BYU vs. New Mexico, 4 p.m.
No. 10 Georgia vs. Tennessee, 1:30 p.m.
No. 12 Ohio State vs. Purdue, 1:30 p.m.
No. 13 Vanderbilt at Mississippi State, 12:30 p.m.
No. 14 Utah at Wyoming, Noon
No. 15 Boise State at Southern Miss., 6 p.m.
No. 16 Kansas vs. Colorado, 10:30 a.m.
No. 20 Auburn vs. Arkansas, 3 p.m.
No. 22 North Carolina vs. Notre Dame, 1:30 p.m.
No. 23 Michigan State at Northwestern, 1:30 p.m.
No. 25 Ball State at Western Kentucky, 5 p.m.
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Top 25 Preview Capsules
Saturday, Oct. 11
No. 1 Oklahoma (5-0, 1-0 Big 12) vs. No. 5 Texas (5-0, 1-0), noon (FSN)
Line: Oklahoma by 7.
Series Record: Texas leads 57-40-5.
Last meeting: 2007, Oklahoma won 28-21.
What’s at Stake
Everything, from the national title chase to the Big 12 to the matchup of Heisman Trophy contenders in quarterbacks Sam Bradford of Oklahoma and Colt McCoy of Texas. The 103rd meeting of cross-border rivals is the 10th time both teams have been ranked in the top five and the 12th time one of them has been No. 1.
Key Matchup
Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo vs. Sooners offensive tackle Phil Loadholt. Orakpo has seven of Texas’ 19 sacks. He’ll need all the strength in his 515-pound bench press to bullrush the 6-foot-8, 337-pound Loadholt, who hasn’t given up a sack this season.
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No. 17 Oklahoma State (5-0) at No. 3 Missouri
(5-0), 8 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Missouri by 14.
Series Record: Missouri leads 28-20.
Last meeting: 2005, Missouri 38-31.
What’s at Stake
Oklahoma State is seeking only its second 6-0 start since 1945 and first win over Top 5 school since beating Oklahoma in 2002. Missouri can’t afford to look ahead to next week’s showdown at No. 5 Texas. A 6-0 start would match 2006, but the last time before that was 1973.
Key Matchups
Oklahoma State surrenders 196 passing yards per game and is likely to be stretched by prolific pass attack averaging 375 yards and featuring multiple threats. Balance provided by tailback Derrick Washington (500 yards, nation-leading 13 touchdowns) increases difficulty factor. Missouri defense that held Nebraska below 30 points for first time all season in 52-17 rout will be tested by Oklahoma State ground game that’s second in nation at 315 yards.
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No. 4 LSU at No. 11 Florida, 8 p.m. (CBS)
Line: Florida by 6.
Series Record: Florida leads 28-23-2.
Last Meeting: 2007, LSU 28-24.
What’s at Stake
Probably Florida’s chances of winning the Southeastern Conference. The Gators already have one league loss, so another would leave them in a huge hole with four games remaining.
Key Matchup
LSU’s Charles Scott vs. Florida’s run defense. Scott has at least 100 yards rushing in every game this season and leads the conference with 133.8 yards a game on the ground. The Gators rank sixth in the league against the run, allowing 99.6 yards a game, but Arkansas’ Michael Smith gouged their defense for 133 yards and a touchdown last week.
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No. 6 Penn State (6-0) at Wisconsin (3-2) 8 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Penn State by 51⁄2.
Series Record: Wisconsin leads 8-5.
Last Meeting: 2007, Penn State 38-7.
What’s at Stake
Penn State needs to win at Wisconsin to keep pace with Ohio State to set up a big game in Columbus on Oct. 25 that will probably determine the Big Ten’s BCS team. Wisconsin must stop its two-game slide and be content to spoil someone else’s season.
Key Matchup
Penn State’s WRs against Wisconsin’s DBs. The Badgers’ defense is much better thanks to hard-hitting safety Jay Valai and others, but the unit will have to hold coverage a bit longer against playmakers WR Derrick Williams and WR Deon Butler.
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Nebraska (3-2) at No. 7 Texas Tech (5-0), 3 p.m. (Fox)
Line: Texas Tech by 201⁄2.
Series Record: Nebraska leads 7-2.
Last Meeting: 2005, Texas Tech 34-31
What’s at Stake
A victory would match Texas Tech’s longest win streak in nine seasons under Mike Leach. In 2005, the Red Raiders started 6-0 before getting drubbed 52-17 by instate rival Texas. Texas Tech has two road games after the Cornhuskers come to Lubbock before playing host to the Longhorns in what could be a pivotal contest in the race for the Big 12 South title.
Key Matchup
Nebraska run game vs. Texas Tech run defense. The Huskers desperately need to establish the run if they hope to keep the ball out of the hands of Graham Harrell, who last week completed passes to 10 different receivers. The Red Raiders are No. 24 in the nation against the run (102.6 yards a game).
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Arizona State (2-3) at No. 8 Southern California (3-1), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Line: USC by 271⁄2.
Series record: USC leads 15-9.
Last meeting: 2007, USC 44-24.
What’s at Stake
Probably a realistic shot at the Pac-10 title for both teams, who finished last season tied atop the conference standings although USC played in the Rose Bowl game by virtue of its victory over ASU. The Trojans and Sun Devils were picked to finish 1-2 this year, but USC was shocked by Oregon State 27-21 on Sept. 25 and ASU has lost three straight games.
Key Matchup
ASU’s struggling offense against USC’s powerful defense. The Sun Devils scored 71 points in winning their first two games of the season, but only 44 in losing their last three — to UNLV, No. 10 Georgia and California — and are gaining just 2.9 yards per rushing attempt. The Trojans have been superb defensively in three of their four games, holding Virginia, No. 12 Ohio State and Oregon to a combined 20 points. USC leads the Pac-10 in rushing defense (84.8 yards per game) and scoring defense (11.8 points per game).
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New Mexico (3-3) at No. 9 BYU (5-0), 6 p.m.
(The Mtn.)
Line: BYU by 23
Series Record: BYU leads 42-14-1
Last Meeting: 2007, BYU 31-24.
What’s at Stake
BYU tries to remain unbeaten and not get sidetracked by the big test looming next week — a visit to TCU. New Mexico is trying to avoid a 1-2 start in the Mountain West Conference.
Key Matchup
BYU’s defense vs. New Mexico’s running game. The Lobos have run for 614 yards in the last two games, which helped offset the 88-yard passing total in wins over New Mexico State and Wyoming.
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Tennessee (2-3) at No. 10 Georgia (4-1), 3:30 (CBS)
Line: Georgia by 12.
Series Record: Tennessee leads 20-15-2.
Last Meeting: 2007, Tennessee, 35-14.
What’s at Stake
Tennessee, coming off a shaky 13-9 win over Northern Illinois, is trying to salvage its season. Georgia, coming off a devastating home loss to Alabama, is trying to salvage its Southeastern Conference and national championship hopes. Tennessee already has two SEC losses. Georgia can still control its fate in SEC East, but it can’t afford a second conference loss.
Key Matchup
Georgia will be without middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, putting more pressure on run-stopping linebacker Rennie Curran to lead the defense against Tennessee running back Arian Foster. Foster has scored six touchdowns in his last two games against Georgia.
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Purdue (2-3) at No. 12 Ohio State (5-1), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Line: Ohio State by 19.
Series Record: Ohio State leads 36-12-2.
Last Meeting: 2007, Ohio State, 23-7.
What’s at Stake
Purdue coach Joe Tiller’s legacy. Having lost three of four, the Boilermakers can’t fall much further and hope to gain their 11th bowl game in his 12 years. Ohio State still is chasing an unprecedented third consecutive outright Big Ten title and fourth in a row overall.
Key Matchup
Purdue QB Curtis Painter and Ohio State’s defensive line. Painter is coming off a rough start against Penn State in which he was pulled in the fourth quarter. One of the most prolific passers in Big Ten history, he’ll need time to find receivers. Ohio State DL Lawrence Wilson, Cameron Heyward, Doug Worthington and Thaddeus Gibson have a combined four sacks and have largely been ineffective in pressuring anybody.
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No. 13 Vanderbilt (5-0) at Mississippi State (1-4), 2:30 p.m.
Line: Vanderbilt by 21⁄2.
Series Record: Mississippi State leads 10-7-2.
Last Meeting: 2004, Vanderbilt 31-13.
What’s at Stake?
The Commodores can strengthen their grip on first place — yes, first place — in the Southeastern Conference with a win and clinch a likely bowl berth with their sixth straight victory. For the Bulldogs, it’s now or never in a season that’s slipping away.
Key Matchup
Mississippi State QB Tyson Lee vs. the Vanderbilt secondary. On the Commodores’ last trip to Mississippi, S Ryan Hamilton had three of his team’s four interceptions in a 23-17 win over Ole Miss three weeks ago. Lee, a walk-on who earned a scholarship last spring, will be making his second start for the quarterback-cursed Bulldogs. So far, he’s been turnover free. He’ll need to stay that way if his team has a chance against the opportunistic Commodores.
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No. 14 Utah (6-0) at Wyoming (2-4), 2 p.m.
Line: Utah by 231 ⁄2.
Series Record: Utah leads 48-31-1.
Last Meeting: 2007, Utah 50-0.
What’s at Stake
Utah needs to stay undefeated to keep up its BCS-busting hopes — as well as preserving a showdown with also-undefeated BYU in November. At 0-3 in the conference, Wyoming is pretty much reduced to playing the role of spoiler.
Key Matchup
Wyoming S Chris Prosinski vs. Utah QB Brian Johnson. Prosinski has two interceptions and eight passes defended. Johnson has 10 TD passes and six INTs.
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No. 15 Boise State (4-0) at Southern Miss (2-3), 8 p.m.
Line: Boise State by 11.
Series Record: Boise State leads 1-0.
Last Meeting: 2007, Boise State 38-16.
What’s at Stake
Boise State can’t afford a loss if it wants to be the first non-BCS school to make a second appearance in a BCS bowl game. Southern Miss is 2-3 with two straight losses and another one could make it hard to continue a streak of 14 winning seasons.
Key Matchup
Southern Mississippi ranks 97th in the nation in total defense, giving up over 406 yards per game. The Golden Eagles will have to stop Boise State’s balanced offense which ranks 9th in the nation in passing. Boise State has had 10 different players to score touchdowns this season. The Broncos are averaging 36 points per game.
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Colorado (3-2) at No. 16 Kansas (4-1) 12:30 p.m. ESPN2
Line: Kansas by 14.
Series Record: Colorado leads 41-23-3.
Last Meeting: 2007 Kansas 19-14.
What’s at Stake
Kansas barely escaped Iowa State’s upset bid in Ames last week and faces a tough road if it wants to have anything close to last year’s 12-1 Orange Bowl season. Still looming on a brutal schedule are No. 1 Oklahoma, No. 5 Texas, No. 7 Texas Tech and No. 3 Missouri. A win over rebuilding Colorado is an absolute must.
Key Matchup
Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins vs. Kansas’ experienced but unexpectedly inconsistent linebackers. Hawkins, the son of the Buffaloes’ coach, has already piled up 3,573 career yards of total offense while throwing 23 touchdowns and only one interception in the red zone. Kansas LB Mike Rivera, who got a preseason push for All-American, was actually benched for a time for inconsistency, though he has since revealed he’s been playing hurt. He performed well in last week’s comeback win over Iowa State.
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No. 20 Auburn (4-2) vs. Arkansas (2-3), 5 p.m.
Line: Auburn by 181⁄2.
Series Record: Auburn leads 10-6-1.
Last meeting: 2007, Auburn won 9-7.
What’s at Stake
The teams’ moods after disappointing starts. Preseason favorite Auburn is now on the outside looking in on the SEC West race. Arkansas could use a big win to bolster Bobby Petrino’s rebuilding project.
Key Matchup
An Auburn offense that has struggled badly enough that offensive coordinator Tony Franklin was fired this week goes up against a defense that has given up 49, 52 and 38 points in its last three games.
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Notre Dame (4-1) at No. 22 North Carolina (4-1), 3:30 p.m. (ABC)
Line: North Carolina by 71⁄2.
Series Record: Notre Dame leads 16-1.
Last Meeting: 2006, Notre Dame 45-26.
What’s at Stake
North Carolina is ranked for the first time in seven years and is playing its first home game as a ranked team in a decade. Notre Dame is unranked as a 4-1 team for the first time in its history, and is making its first trip to Chapel Hill since 1975.
Key Matchup
Notre Dame’s passing offense vs. North Carolina’s defense. Jimmy Clausen has thrown for six touchdowns with no interceptions in the past two games for the Fighting Irish. That air attack will provide a stiff test to North Carolina’s pass defense, which leads the nation with 12 interceptions this year — including three last week against previously unbeaten Connecticut.
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No. 23 Michigan State (5-1) at Northwestern
(5-0), 3:45 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Michigan State by 11⁄2.
Series record: Michigan State leads 33-15.
Last meeting: 2007, Northwestern 48-41, OT.
What’s at Stake
Most likely, a spot in the AP Top 25 to go along with keeping pace in the Big Ten. Michigan State is No. 23 after beating Iowa last week, while Northwestern’s perfect start has it just outside the Top 25. The Spartans will look for their sixth straight win to stay even in the conference with Ohio State and Penn State. The Wildcats face their toughest opponent to date while trying to continue the school’s best start in 46 years.
Key Matchup
Northwestern’s run defense against Michigan State RB Javon Ringer. The Wildcats have had mixed results stopping the run, limiting Ohio to four yards while allowing 178 to Duke and 169 to Iowa. However, Northwestern hasn’t faced a back of Ringer’s caliber. Ringer rushed for only 81 yards in MSU’s season-opening loss to Cal. Since then, he’s averaged 181.4 yards and scored 10 touchdowns.
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No. 25 Ball State (6-0) at Western Kentucky (2-4)
Line: Ball State by 151⁄2.
Series Record: Tied 1-1.
Last Meeting: 2007, Ball State 35-12.
What’s at Stake
Ball State is hoping to extend its first visit to the Top 25 while the Hilltoppers are hosting a ranked team for the first time in school history.
Key Matchup
Ball State quarterback Nate Davis against the Western Kentucky defense. Though the Hilltoppers have struggled on offense, the defense has continued to improve.
