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Week's Games Are
Don't be tricked this Saturday, treat yourself to a Happy Halloween party without fear of missing some important college football game. The most intriguing games this week involve second-place teams trying to disguise themselves as Bowl Championship Series teams. But they're not. They are schools really fighting for the scraps left after the Fiesta Bowl is determined. Sure the games could be exciting, but it's just not must-see TV. The week's most-publicized game takes place at the "World's Biggest Cocktail Party" in Jacksonville, Fla., as No. 11 Georgia renews its rivalry with No. 6 Florida. Any time No. 6 and No. 11 meet its big; however, Georgia and Florida are just fighting for bragging rights and second place in the SEC East because both teams come in with a loss to Tennessee, who leads the division. Of course, bragging rights in this rivaly is big. Consider this quote from Gator coach Steve Spurrier found in an AP story this week, "This game is, to me, always the biggest game of the year for the Gators." I'm sure Florida State, Tennessee and Auburn would like to know that. It's a similar situation out west, where No. 12 Oregon travels to No. 13 Arizona. Both teams enter the game with only one loss, thanks to UCLA. However, intead bragging rights, these two Pac 10 teams could be playing for a spot in the Rose Bowl. Finally, a big Big East battle brews in Blacksburg, Va., as No. 21 West Virginia faces No. 20 Virginia Tech. This situation is different than the previous two in that while they are one loss behind Big East leader Syracuse, both teams play the Orangemen in successive weeks. As for the teams at the top of the Bowl Championship Series, none of the top five teams (UCLA, Ohio State, Tennessee, Kansas State and Florida State) is favored by anything less than 17 points. It's going to take a major upset to disturb those standings this week. What is definitely disturbing, though, is my record. Last week, I went 8-9, bringing my season record to 59-71-1. Brutal. Brutal. Brutal. (To see last week's Saturday Selections, click here. To look at this week's NFL games through AQB's unique Crystal Ball, click here.) Here are my previews and picks for all the games involving Top 25 teams. Remember, this is for amusement purposes only. (Generally, your amusement over how inept I am at picking the games.) Click on a particular game previewed or just scroll down the page. (All times Eastern. All rankings AP. Note: I don't pick games with odds over 30 points)
San
Diego State (4-0 WAC; 4-3 overall) at BYU (3-1; 5-3) Notes: BYU leads the series, 16-5-1, and has won the last three meetings. ... San Diego State and BYU are the top two teams in the WAC's Mountain division. The winner of this game has a clear road to the WAC Championship. ... Expect a lot of offense (or little defense, depending on how you look at it). In the past six meeting, San Diego State and BYU have averaged 81 points a game. ... BYU is 6-0 against the spread in the second of two or more straight games. ... San Diego State is 3-6 against the spread in the first of two or more road games since 1992. ... The last time these two teams met, in 1995, BYU won at home, 31-19. ... San Diego State and BYU are two of the eight teams leaving the WAC at the end of the year to form the Mountain West Conference. The other six are Colorado State, Air Force, Nevada-Las Vegas, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming. Stars to watch: San Diego, always a solid rushing team, is fourth in the WAC in rushing yards. The Aztecs divide its running game between Larry Ned (135 carries, 728 yards and 5.4 yards per carry), who is 22nd in the nation with an average of 104 yards a game and Jonas Lewis (85 carries, 490 yards and 5.76 yards per carry), who is eighth in the WAC with a 5.76 yards per carry average. ... BYU also has an exciting runner in Ronney Jenkins (154 carries, 782 yards, 5.1 yards per carry), who is 26th in the country with an average of 97.75 yards per game. Jenkins also is third in scoring in the WAC with 11 touchdowns. BYU also likes to hand the ball off to Junior Mahe (53 carries, 283 yards and 5.34 yards per carry), Sleepers to watch: San Diego State defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila won defensive player of the week honors in the WAC's Mountain division last week, after recording seven solo tackles and two sacks against Utah. ... BYU quarterback Kevin Feterik (108 of 182 for 1,512 yards and eight touchdowns) has a wonderful deep threat in receiver Margin Hooks, who is third in receiving yards with 537 on only 28 catches. What to watch: Will San Diego State, with the fourth-best rushing offense in the WAC, be able to run the ball against BYU, who has the best rushing defense in the WAC as well as the best total defense. The Aztecs will need a decent game on the ground to have any chance for an upset. ... Can BYU hold onto the ball. BYU has the worst turnover margin, by far, in the WAC at a minus 14. The Cougars have an astounding 17 fumbles and 24 total turnovers this year. ... How much damage can BYU's passing offense do against San Diego State's weak passing defense, ranked 13th in the WAC. ... Fatigue. Both teams are playing on four days rest, after winning tough games Saturday. BYU beat San Jose State, 46-43, while San Diego State beat Utah in overtime, 21-20. Prediction: Somehow San Diego State, an above-average team at best, has managed to stay undefeated in the WAC so far this year. But like the school's stadium mates, I think the Aztecs are going to fall quickly once they play tougher competition. BYU is home, the better team and will cover. BYU 44, San Diego State 24.
No.
21 W.Virginia (1-1 Big East; 4-2 overall) at No. 20 Va. Tech (3-1;
6-1) Notes: The favorite has covered four straight in this series, as the winning margin in the last four games has been more than 10 points. ... Virginia Tech is 8-2-1 against the spread in the past 11 games vs. West Virginia. ... West Virginia is 4-7 as an underdog in the Big East over the past four years. ... Virginia Tech is 2-5-1 against the spread before a bye week since 1991. ... One of these two teams has won the Big East Conference in three of the past five years. This year, they trail Syracuse - although they take their turns against the Orangemen over the next two weeks. ... Last year, West Virginia won 30-17. Stars to watch: West Virginia quarterback Marc Bulger (134 of 197, or 68%, for 1,769 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions), the leading passer in the Big East, really impressed me last week against Miami. Bulger, who has a terrific touchdown-interception ratio of 15-3, will need to be at his sharpest against the Hokies' passing defense. ... Virginia Tech running back Lamont Pegues (131 carries, 642 yards, 4.9 yards per carry and six touchdowns) has averaged 147 yards over the past three games. Sleepers to watch: Bulger's job is a lot easier because of his three excellent receivers, David Saunders (41 catches for 439 yards and four touchdowns), Shawn Foreman (31 catches for 436 yards and five touchdowns) and Khori Ivy (22 catches for 361 yards and three touchdowns). ... Virginia Tech safeties Pierson Prioleau and Keion Carpenter are the best duo in the Big East, if not the nation. Carpenter is tied for ninth in the country with four interceptions, including one that he returned for a touchdown. The play of the safeties is one of the reasons why the Hokies defense is second in the nation in scoring defense and third in total defense. What to watch: Who has the best passing offense in the Big East? Miami? No. Syracuse? No. It's West Virginia, who averages 301.2 passing yards per game. The Mountaineers, though, are facing the best passing defense in the Big East and the fourth-best passing defense in the nation. Virginia Tech allows only 139.70 passing yards a game and has 12 intereceptions to six passing touchdowns allowed. ... Virginia Tech's stifling defense, which is second in the country in scoring, has allowed only 58 points in seven games. Of course, 28 of the 58 points were scored by Temple at the Hokies' homecoming. That upset is still unbelievable. ... Can West Virginia's defense rise to the challenge? Kuwait has a better defense than the Mountaineers, who are 91st in total defense (408.0 yards a game) and 105th against the run (227.5). ... For someone who was suppose to be Heisman candidate, Amos Zereoue (117 carries, 612 yards, 5.2 yards per carry and seven touchdowns) has had a fairly quiet season, some of that because of injuries. If the passing game falters, West Virginia is going to need a big game from Zereoue, who can re-establish himself with a good outing. ... Zereoue needs 26 yards to break to break the Big East rushing record of 3,114 yards, held by Rutgers' Terrel Willis. Boston College's Mike Cloud needs 92 yards to break the same record. ... The effectiveness of Virginia Tech quarterback Al Clark, who is expected to start after missing four games with a sprained right foot. Third-string quarterback Nick Sorensen, who has started the past three games, will be Clark's backup, while backup quarterback Dave Meyer, who is recovering from a separated shoulder, is the third quarterback. Prediction: I think Temple's upset two weeks ago smacked Virginia Tech across the face, as it should have, and the Hokies are now playing with renewed vigor. Last week, they mercifully shut out Alabama-Birmingham 41-0. In West Virginia's two biggest games so far this year - home losses to Ohio State and Miami - its defense has given up 34 points. While Virginia Tech doesn't have offensive firepower of Ohio State or Miami, the Hokies will be able to move the ball against West Virginia's leaky defense. Virginia Tech 20, West Virginia 7. Back
to the list No.
11 Georgia (4-1 SEC; 6-1 overall) at No. 6 Florida (4-1; 6-1) Notes: The "World's Biggest Cocktail Party" returns. The game is called that for the throngs of fans of both schools who make the trip each year to the neutral site of the Gator Bowl (now Alltel Stadium) in Jacksonville, Fla. ... Florida is 6-2 against the spread and 7-1 straight-up against Georgia in the 1990s. Last year, though, Georgia was a 20-point underdog and beat Florida by 20 points, 37-17. ... Georgia leads the all-time series 44-29-2. ... This year's game is one of the most important meetings in years because the winner will remain a game behind SEC East leader Tennessee (4-0 SEC; 6-0 overall). Although both teams do have a loss against Tennessee. ... In the past nine games after a bye week, Florida is 6-3 against the spread. ... With a win, Florida coach Steve Spurrier can tie Barry Switzer's modern record of 90 wins in his first nine seasons as Division 1-A head coach. ... Who are the only two teams ranked nationally in the top 10 in total offense and defense? Ohio State and Florida (sixth in total defense, allowing 259.4 yards a game on average, and 10th in total offense, averaging 470.57 yards a game) Stars to watch: Because Georgia and Florida have been featured so much this season, most of these names undoubtedly are quite familiar to you. ... The biggest star in the game undoubtedly is Georgia's Champ Bailey, who is an All-American cornerback and receiver (27 catches, 497 yards and five touchdowns) ... Florida linebackers Jevon Kearse and Johnny Rutledge are two of the 10 finalists for the Butkus Award, given to the nation's best linebacker. Sleepers to watch: Georgia quarterback Quincy Carter has received a lot of attention this year, and rightfully so, but he wouldn't have been able to do what he has done without the best tackle duo in the SEC - All-American candidates Matt Stinchcomb on the left and Chris Terry on the right. Carter (93 of 150 for 1,361 yards, 10 touchdowns, four interceptions), is 12th in the nation in passing efficiency with a 154.9 rating. Last week, he had 261 yards of total offense against Kentucky - 114 on the ground and 147 in the air. ... Florida has three no-name receivers who each have five or more touchdowns each - Travis McGriff (40 catches, 854 yards and six touchdowns), Nafis Karim (23 catches, 383 yards and five touchdowns) and Travis Taylor (19 catches, 397 yards, seven touchdowns). What to watch: Will Georgia's bend but don't break defense hold up against Florida? Georgia's defense allows on average 70 more yards a game (330.8 to 259.4) but yet leads the SEC in scoring defense, giving up an average of 13.7 points per game. Florida is second at 14 points a game. ... As with most games, turnovers will be key here as both teams have poor turnover ratios. Georgia is at minus two, while Florida is minus seven. ... Can Florida's junior quarterback Doug Johnson (69 of 123 for 1,041 yards, eight touchdowns and three interceptions) lead to a win in a big game? ... Will Florida be fresher or out of sync after the bye last week? ... How will the freshman Carter do against arguably the best defense in the country? Prediction: Florida is coming off a bye and has revenge on its mind after last year's loss cost it the SEC East title. Georgia, though, is coming off an impressive win against Kentucky last week and is a much better team than the one that won last year. I think this game will come down to if Johnson and the Gator offense can break the Georgia defense. Last week, Georgia's defense made the big play when it needed one. This week, it makes enough big plays to cover. Florida 24, Georgia 17. Back
to the list No.
12 Oregon (3-1 Pac 10; 6-1 overall) at No. 13 Arizona (3-1; 7-1)
Notes: Oregon has won six of the last seven against the spread vs. Arizona. ... Oregon coach Mike Bellotti is 3-0 against Arizona. ... Oregon is 12-5 against the spread on grass over the past five years. ... Arizona is 3-8-1 against the spread hosting artificial turf teams. ... If UCLA goes to the Fiesta Bowl, this matchup of second-place teams could determine a berth in the Rose Bowl. ... Oregon, with its 16-9 win last season, leads the series, 12-11. Stars to watch: I can't say enough about Oregon quarterback Akili Smith (103 of 185 for 1,870 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions), who is fifth in the country with a 169.1 rating. ... Meanwhile, Arizona has gotten similar numbers of their two quarterbacks. Keith Smith (74 of 113 for 1,064 yards, nine touchdowns and four interceptions) and Ortege Jenkins (56 of 111 for 825 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions) have combined to complete 130-of-224 passes for 1,889 yards and 14 touchdowns with six interceptions. Sleepers to watch: Smith's favorite two receivers are Damon Griffin (33 catches for 642 yards and five touchdowns) and Tony Hartley (26 catches for 505 yards and five touchdowns). ... Arizona stud cornerback Chris McAlister certainly isn't a sleeper but he cruised past a sleeping Northeast Louisiana team last wek, when he returned his first career punt 68 yards for a touchdown. What to watch: Oregon's running game. Two weeks ago against UCLA, Oregon lost its best running back, Reuben Droughns, and hasn't been able to run the ball since. In the first-half last week against USC, the Ducks had minus-seven yards on 18 carries and a fumble. Tailback Derien Latimer, who finished last week with 87 yards on 24 carries, has to be better this week against the best rushing defense in the Pac-10. If not, Arizona will gear up on stopping Arizona's passing game. ... See if Arizona running back Trung Canidate (105 carries for 494 yards, or 4.7 yards a carry, and three touchdowns) will have a big game against a mediocre Oregon rush defense ranked fifth in the Pac-10. ... Turnovers. Oregon is ninth in the Pac-10 at minus 3 (12 turnovers, 9 takeaways), while Arizona is fourth at plus 4 (13 turnovers, 17 takeaways). Prediction: I like the Ducks. I like their quarterback. I like their coach. And I like their uniforms. I hate Arizona. I hate how they fold every year. I hate their attitude. And I hate their uniforms. Unfortunately, I like the Wildcats against Oregon this week. Despite the win last week, the Ducks aren't the same without Droughns. And without a running game, it's awfully hard to beat Arizona in Arizona. Arizona 23, Oregon 20. Back
to the list
No. 23 Georgia Tech (-12) at Maryland - Noon, Jefferson Pilot - Georgia Tech (4-1 ACC, 5-2 overall) needs to get healthy and quickly. Hello, Maryland, the doctors of the ACC. The Terps (0-4, 2-5) make every team feel better. Not only did Georgia Tech lose the game and ACC first place to Florida State last week, it may have lost quarterback Joe Hamilton and receiver/running back Charlie Rogers. Hamilton left the game with a hip pointer and is listed as questionable for this game, while Rogers - who is second on the team in rushing and receiving - also is questionable with a bruised left shoulder. For what's worth, the game is at the new NFL Stadium at Camden Yards. Maryland is terrible on offense, ranked 105th in the country, and will have a tough time on defense against the Yellow Jackets offense. Georgia Tech covers, barely. Georgia Tech 24, Maryland 10. Pittsburgh at No. 17 Syracuse (-24 1/2) - Noon, ESPN Plus - Pittsburgh comes into the game with the 10th-best defense in the nation. Plus, last year, Syracuse needed a Quinton Spotwood touchdown with 28 seconds left to avoid an upset. And now Spotwood is gone for the season with a torn ACL. However, Pittsburgh does have the 76th best offense in the country, while Syracuse has Donovan McNabb (96 of 136, or 70.6, for 1,259 yards, 13 touchdowns and two fumbles). McNabb, who leads the country in passing efficiency with a 177, is one of five finalists for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation's top senior collegiate quarterback. Syracuse also has the home field and another win. Syracuse 35, Pittsburgh 10. Back
to the list Illinois at No. 10 Penn State (-34) - Noon, ESPN Plus - Illinois is playing a ranked team for the third time in four games. The Illini are trying to break a three-game losing streak in which it has been outscored 120-12. Penn State, meanwhile, is coming off a bye and looking to extend its four-game winning streak over Illinois. It should with ease. No. 22 Michigan (-12 1/2) at Minnesota - Noon, ESPN - Michigan probably sees the battle for the Little Brown Jug as nothing more than an exhibition to what is a brutal close to its Big 10 season - No. 10 Penn State, No. 8 Wisconsin and at No. 1 Ohio State. For the past 20 years, this game has been an exhibition for the Wolverines, who have won 19 of the past 20 games against Minnesota. The Golden Gophers' only win in that span was a 20-17 victory in Ann Arbor in 1986. Michigan is 7-0 at the Metrodome and has outscored Minnesota there, 339-75. Minnesota, though, is coming off its biggest win in recent memory, at home last week against Michigan State, 19-18. I'm not exactly sure why, but I think Minnesota will keep it close enough to cover. Michigan 27, Minnesota 20. Back
to the list No. 3 Tennessee (-17) at South Carolina - 12:30 pm, Jefferson Pilot - South Carolina has lost seven straight this season and five straight to Tennessee. Tennessee didn't look particularly sharp last week in its win against Alabama, although neither did South Carolina in its loss at Vanderbilt, which ended the Commodores 22-game SEC losing streak. South Carolina coach Brad Scott said this week that the Gamecocks don't have the "firepower" to get into a high-scoring game against Tennessee. Unfortunately, South Carolina doesn't have the firepower to stop Tennessee either. Tennessee 28, South Carolina 10. No. 4 Kansas State (-24 1/2) at Kansas - 12:30 pm, Big 12 TV - Kansas State is 7-0, has scored at least 48 points in all but one game, including 52 points in the last two, and has beaten Kansas five straight times. Kansas, though, did beat Colorado last week at home, 33-17; however, the Jayhawks lost to Nebraska 41-0 two weeks ago. And for Kansas State, this season is all about beating Nebraska, which it faces Nov. 14. Look for Kansas State to try to send an early message to the Cornhuskers by beating Kansas by more than Nebraska's 41-0. I think they'll succeed. Kansas State 48, Kansas 0. Back
to the list No. 18 Missouri at Texas Tech (-1) - 1 pm - This game features two teams who nearly pulled off a big conference upset on the road last week, but instead lost by seven points. Missouri to Nebraska, 20-13, and Texas Tech to Texas A&M, 17-10. This game also showcases the third- and fourth-best rushers in the country. Missouri's Devin West (190 carries for 1,123, or 5.9 yards per carry) is third with an average of 160.43 yards a game, while Texas Tech's Ricky Williams (235 carries for 1,262 yards, or 5.4 carry), the other one, is fourth averaging 157.75 yards a game. With that much talent in the backfield, rushing defense is going to be key. Texas Tech, 16th in the nation and third in the Big 12, has the statistical advantage in that category, allowing just 102.9 rushing yards per contest. Missouri is 60th in the country and eighth in the Big 12 with a 152.1-yard average. Texas Tech won the only previous meeting between the schools, 41-14, in Lubbock, Texas in 1995. This is the schools' first game as conference foes. This game should be a lot closer, but I like Texas Tech's rushing advantage and the home field. Texas Tech 20, Missouri 17. No. 14 Arkansas (-3 1/2) at Auburn - 2 pm - Gee, let's see, what can I write about this game... How about that the game includes two of the better defenses in the SEC. Auburn is second in the conference, allowing 275 yards a game, while Arkansas is fourth at 301 yards. ... Or how about the fact that Arkansas has the third-best offense in the SEC, averaging 412.17 yards a game. Auburn, meanwhile, is last (behind Vanderbilt for chrissake!), getting only 257.57 yards a game. ... Or that Arkansas is tied with Tennessee for the SEC lead in turnover margin at plus 8. ... You know, Arkansas is the only undefeated team in the West Division ... The Razorbacks, who had a bye last week, come into the game with two healing running backs. Madre Hill has a bruised knee, while Chrys Chukwuma has a sprained ankle. ... Oh yeah, Auburn coach Terry Bowden quit last week, and this is game two of the Bill Oliver era. The renewed enthusiam at Auburn gives the Tigers enough to cover. Arkansas 19, Auburn 17. Back
to the list Baylor at No. 16 Notre Dame (-15) - 2:30 pm, NBC - Notre Dame has won four of its last five, while Baylor has lost four of its last five. Although the Irish didn't look that impressive last week, when it barely beat Army, 20-17. Notre Dame ran for only 123 yards rushing, almost a 100 yards below its average, while Army ran for more than 200 yards in the final three quarters. Notre Dame won't be so lucky this week with a similar effort. This game is a homecoming for Baylor coach Bob Roberts, who was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Notre Dame from 1994-96. Does he remember enough to pull an upset? Unless he can fix his rushing defense in a week, I don't think so. Baylor's rushing defense is ranked 92nd in the country, allowing nearly 274 yards a game, while Notre Dame's rushing offense is 21st in the nation, averaging 212.6 yards a game. Look for Autry Denson, who needs 364 yards to break Alan Pinkett's school record of 4,131, to have a big day. He won't get the record, but Notre Dame will get the cover. Notre Dame 31, Baylor 14. No. 1 Ohio State (-24) at Indiana - 3:30 pm, ABC - Indiana has played well this year under coach Cam Cameron, including a 2-1 record at home, with its only loss being a 24-20 defeat to Wisconsin. On the road, they have lost tight games at Kentucky, Michigan State and Michigan. Overall, Indiana's margin of defeat in its four losses is 26 points, or less than a touchdown a game. However, the Hoosiers will be facing an angry Ohio State, upset that it is No. 2 in the Bowl Championship Series despite being No. 1 all year in the writers and coaches polls. This year, Ohio State has averaged more than 500 yards of offense a game (506.5 to be exact), and its average margin of victory has been 29. While Indiana's freshman quarterback Antwaan Randle El has played well, this is by far the toughest defense he has faced. Plus, Randle El hasn't been the same since a mild concussion in the Michigan State game Oct. 10. Ohio State gives its opinion on the BCS poll, and Indiana isn't going to like what it hears. Ohio State 44, Indiana 10. Back
to the list Texas at No. 7 Nebraska (-17) - 3:30 pm, ABC - Despite both teams being 3-1 in the Big 12, more separates Texas and Nebraska than just Oklahoma and Kansas. Nebraska is playing for the Sears Trophy, given to the National Champion, while Texas is playing for the Heisman Trophy. Nebraska is sixth in the Bowl Championship Series, while Texas isn't in the AP Top 30. Finally, Nebraska is the defending national co-champion, while Texas hasn't been national champion, since sharing it with Nebraska in 1970. This game isn't about the Big 12 standings or the BCS, it's about Ricky Williams improving his Heisman chances. Let's face it - Nebraska is going to win. The question is Will Williams run well enough to legitimize his Heisman candidacy. He already has the numbers - 227 carries for 1,484 yards, or 6.5 yards per carry, and 24 touchdowns. His 1,484 yards is more than all but 18 Division I-A teams. With 444 more rushing yards, he will become the all-time leading rusher in NCAA history. With one more two-touchdown game, he will break the record for most multitouchdown games. Williams already holds NCAA records with 71 total touchdowns, 69 rushing scores and 428 points. A good game will not be easy against the Cornhuskers, who rank 17th in the nation and fourth in the Big 12 against the run, allowing more than 106 yards per game. Nebraska also is sixth in the country in scoring defense, giving up just 12.8 points a game. Offensively, Nebraska has some injury issues, most notably at quarterback, where Bobby Newcombe won't play because of a knee injury. Either senior Monte Christo or freshman Eric Crouch will replace Newcombe. Crouch start two games earlier in the year when Newcombe was hurt, while Monte Christo (ya just can't say Christo) ran for two touchdowns and 67 yards in a 20-13 win over Missouri.' No matter who is quarterback, expect Nebraska to be jacked up because this is the first meeting since Texas, a big underdog, upset Nebraska in the 1996 Big 12 title game. I see a decent game from Williams, good enough to satisfy Heisman voters and good enough to cover. Nebraska 27, Texas 14. No. 15 Virginia (-10) at Wake Forest - 3:30 pm, ABC - Virginia beat North Carolina last week but lost safety Anthony Poindexter for the rest of the season. The All-American tore the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee in the fourth quarter of the 23-13 victory. Poindexter is tied for the team lead with 73 tackles and three interceptions. Poindexter's coverage skills will be missed against Wake Forest receiver Desmond Clark (50 catches for 705 yards and seven touchdowns), who is the conference's all-time leader with 207 receptions and is sixth with 2,673 yards. Virginia will try to use its running attack of Thomas Jones (145 carries for 860 yards, or 5.9 a carry, and 10 touchdowns) and Antwoine Womack (81 carries for 594 yards, or 7.3 a carry, and three touchdowns). Wake Forest is ranked seventh in the ACC against the run, allowing 152 yards a game. For some reason - I'm not sure why - I like Virginia to win, but Wake Forest to cover. Virginia 21, Wake Forest 13. Back
to the list SW Louisiana at No. 19 Tulane (-36 1/2) - 3:30 pm - Who is the top-rated passer in the nation? That's right, it's Tulane's Shaun King (106 of 160, or 66.3%, for 1,573 yards, 18 touchdowns and five interceptions), who has a rating of 179.6, two-tenths of a point higher than Central Florida's Daunte Culpepper.. In last week's 52-24 win against Rutgers, King enjoyed a perfect second quarter, completing all 10 of his passes for 194 yards and four touchdowns. King's primary targets are P.J. Franklin (41 catches, 672 yards and seven touchdowns) and Jajuan Dawson (38 catches, 514 yards and five touchdowns). King and Tulane should have no problem against independent Rajin Cajuns, who have struggled all season long and have failed to reach 20 points in all but two of their contests. Boston College at No. 25 Miami, Fla. (-15) - 6 pm, ESPN2 - Miami impressed me last week by beating West Virginia on the road. Even more impressive was the play of running back Edgerrin James (season: 105 carries, 577 yards, 5.5 yards per carry and six touchdowns) and quarterback Scott Covington (season: 90 of 153 for 1,295 yards and an excellent touchdown-to-interception ration of 14-2), who were responsible in one way or another for all four Miami touchdowns. This week, James and Covington will lead Miami against a struggling Boston College squad that has lost four straight, including last week to Navy. The lone B.C. bright spot is running back Mike Cloud (195 carries, 1,152 yards, or 5.9 yards a carry, and 11 touchdowns). Cloud needs 92 yards to break the Big East rushing record of 3,114 yards, held by Rutgers' Terrel Willis. West Virginia's Amos Zereoue needs 26 yards to break the same record. The last time Boston College beat Miami was in 1984 on Doug Flutie's famous "Hail Mary" pass. And with Flutie's NFL comeback this year, could it.... Nah, Miami wins and covers. Miami 29, Boston College 10. Back
to the list Stanford at No. 2 UCLA (-28 1/2) - 6:30 pm, FX - Husak for Heisman! Husak for Heisman! Who's Husak? Husak is Stanford quarterback Todd Husak (161 of 304 for 2,107 yards, 13 touchdowns and six interceptions), who has had a better year statwise than Cade McNown (96 of 176 for 1,607 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions). Husak leads the Pac 10 in passing efficiency, while McNown is third, behind Oregon's Akili Smith. So if Husak is better than McNown, and McNown is a candidate for the Heisman, then... Well, of course, the big difference between the quarterbacks is that UCLA has won all of its six games, while Stanford has lost all but one of its seven games. This is Stanford's fourth road game in five games, while this is UCLA's first game after being named No. 1 in the Bowl Championship Series standings. How both teams react to those facts will determine if Stanford cover. Because let's face it, whether Stanford covers is the only question remaining about the outcome of this game. Stanford played Arizona State tough last Thursday, while UCLA is ending a rough, emotional three-game winning streak over Arizona, Oregon and California. I think UCLA relaxes enough against Stanford to let the Cardinal cover. UCLA 38, Stanford 17. No. 8 Texas A&M (-5 1/2) at Oklahoma State - 7 pm, Fox Sports Net - Simply put, Texas A&M does it with rushing and defense. The Aggies have a three-headed rushing attack, led by Dante Hall (161 carries for 750 yards, or 4.7 yards per game, and eight touchdowns) with support from true freshman Ja'mar Toombs (38 carries for 234 yards, or 6.2 yards per carry, and two touchdowns) and Sirr Parker (55 carries for 162 yards, or 2.9 yards per carry, and one touchdown). On the other side of the ball, the Aggies' "Wrecking Crew" defense is led by linebackers Dat Nguyen and Warrick Holdman, and safety Rich Coady. Among the 10 Butkus Award semifinalists, Nguyen is the leading tackler with 78. [Texas A&M is 7-1, excluding a forfeit to Louisiana Tech for using an ineligible player. Including forfeit, Texas A&M is 6-2.] Recently, the usually conservative Aggies have mixed in a few gadget plays, such as the fake field goal last week against Texas Tech. Will Oklahoma State be treated to more Texas A&M tricks on Halloween? Possibly, but I still like Oklahoma State to cover. Texas A&M 23, Oklahoma State 20. Back
to the list North Carolina at Florida State (-27) - 7:30 pm, ESPN - This was suppose to be a great game at the beginning of the year, but North Carolina's 0-3 start changed all that. I guess it still could be - North Carolina has been preparing for this game since the end of last year. But I doubt it. Florida State is 6-0 over North Carolina in the 1990s, outscoring them 161-53 this decade. And if Florida State's offense plays like it did in the second half last week, they are unstoppable. North Carolins has won three in a row, but Clemson, Pittsburgh and Wake Forest don't impress me. With much hesitance, I lay the 27. Florida State 42, North Carolina 13. Back
to the list The Associated Press, SportsTicker, The Sporting News College Football yearbook, Preview Sports College Football preview, Phil Steele's 1998 College Football Preview, Sportsform and Petersen's Bob Griese's College Football contributed information for this article. |
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