No. 2 Alabama (8-0, 5-0 SEC) vs. No. 1 LSU (8-0, 5-0), 8 p.m. (CBS).
Line: Alabama by 5.
Series Record: Alabama leads 45-24-5.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
A control-your-own-destiny path to the BCS national championship game. Both teams have obstacles after this game _ Alabama visits No. 25 Auburn and LSU faces No. 8 Arkansas _ before even playing for the SEC title. Those games would seem like speed bumps compared to this one at the moment.
KEY MATCHUP
LSU QBs Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson have been a formidable duo while avoiding costly mistakes. If either can target deep threats like WR Rueben Randle downfield, it might keep the nation’s No. 1 defense from loading up against the run. Jefferson’s running ability might be one way to land a couple of punches against stout front seven.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
LSU: CBs/Return men Morris Claiborne and Tyrann Mathieu. Claiborne has three interceptions and Mathieu has forced four fumbles. Both also handle returns in special teams. In a game this closely matched, a big return or timely turnover might just be the difference.
ALABAMA: RB Trent Richardson. The Heisman Trophy candidate has already scored 18 touchdowns and is nudging up against 1,000 rushing yards. The Tigers rank third nationally in rush defense, giving up 76.6 yards per game.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is the first regular season matchup of No. 1 versus No. 2 since Michigan played Ohio State in 2006 and only the 23rd in the 76-year history of the AP poll. … Alabama’s closest game thus far has been a 16-point victory at Penn State; LSU’s 13-point wins over Oregon and at Mississippi State pass for the Tigers’ nailbiters. LSU has trailed for just 6 minutes, 33 seconds this season and hasn’t been behind since the second quarter of the opener against Oregon. … The only other times Alabama and LSU have entered their November game unbeaten were in 1972 and 1973. … LSU is off to its best start since opening 9-0 in 1973. The Tigers have won 16 straight games at night, including six in a row on the road. The last p.m. loss was to No. 1 Florida at Tiger stadium in 2009. … Somewhat slow-starting Alabama has outscored opponents 243-25 in the final three quarters.
___
No. 3 Oklahoma State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) vs. No. 17 Kansas State (7-1, 4-1), 8 p.m. (ABC).
Line: Oklahoma State by 21.
Series Record: Oklahoma State leads 35-22.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Oklahoma State can match the best start in school history while staying on the path to the BCS national title game. After suffering its first loss last week, Kansas State needs to bounce back to stay in the thick of the race for the Big 12 title.
KEY MATCHUP
Kansas State rush offense vs. Oklahoma State defense. The Wildcats are averaging 210 yards rushing and will likely try to grind out a win with a ground-based offense that has committed only eight turnovers this season. The Cowboys’ 111th-ranked defense thrives on turnovers, leads the nation in takeaways (29), interceptions (17) and turnover margin (plus-2.34) and is tied for first in fumbles forced (12).
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma State: WR Justin Blackmon. The 2010 Biletnikoff Award winner is coming off his best game of the season, tying his career-high with 13 catches for 172 yards. Now, he faces a pass defense that just gave up 505 yards and ranks 103rd in the nation.
Kansas State: CB Nigel Malone. A semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, Malone leads the Big 12 and ranks second in the nation with six interceptions. He had his second two-interception game of the season last week against Oklahoma.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oklahoma State has only started a season 9-0 once _ and it finished that way, too. Known as the Oklahoma A&M Aggies back then, the school won all nine of its games, including the Sugar Bowl, in 1945. … A ninth straight win would also mark the second-longest winning streak for the program, behind a 13-game run from 1944-46. … Kansas State will go for its first three-game Big 12 road win streak since 2002.
___
No. 4 Stanford (8-0, 6-0 Pac-12) at Oregon State (2-6, 2-3), 3:30 p.m. (ABC).
Line: Stanford by 21.
Series Record: Stanford leads 49-25-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Cardinal have the nation’s longest winning streak at 16 games. Stanford’s ranking is the highest for the program since 1970, and a win Saturday would give the team its first 9-0 start since 1951. With a loss, the Beavers are guaranteed a losing season. Oregon State has lost four straight to ranked teams.
KEY MATCHUP
Stanford’s rush against Oregon State’s defense. Stanford is averaging 215-plus yards on the ground, second in the Pac-12 to Oregon, and the Cardinal have scored 24 rushing touchdowns. The Beavers are ranked eighth in the conference in rushing defense, allowing opponents just over 115 yards a game and 14 touchdowns. In a 27-8 loss to Utah last week, the Beavers allowed the Utes 225 yards rushing.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Stanford: Quarterback Andrew Luck, a leading Heisman candidate, has thrown for 23 touchdowns and needs nine more this season to break the school record he set last season. Stanford is 28-5 in his career starts. But over his career with the Cardinal, he hasn’t won in the state of Oregon.
Oregon State: Receiver James Rodgers has 206 receptions for third on Oregon State’s career list, and needs seven more to match James Newson (2000-2003). Rodgers, who sat out the first two games of the season after knee surgery, has yet to have a breakout performance in his final season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Stanford has scored 121 points over the last two games, 65 against Washington and 56 against USC. … The Cardinal have won seven straight road games. … After the Beavers, Stanford returns home to face Oregon in a game that will likely decide the Pac-12 North’s representative in the league’s inaugural championship game. … Mike Riley won his first conference game against Stanford back in 1998, during his first stint as Oregon State’s coach. … The Beavers have played 20 first-time starters this season, including 10 true freshmen. … Oregon State redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Mannion has passed for 200 yards or more in the past seven games.
___
No. 5 Boise State (7-0, 2-0 Mountain West) at UNLV (2-5, 1-1), 10:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network).
Line: Boise State by 41.
Series Record: Tied 3-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE:
Another win makes Kellen Moore the winningest quarterback in college football history. Moore is tied with former Texas standout Colt McCoy with 45 wins by a quarterback all-time. For the Rebels, it’s a chance to turn around a season, extend their winning streak to two games and give the undefeated Broncos their first setback as the newest members of the Mountain West Conference.
KEY MATCHUP
UNLV RB Dionza Bradford vs. the Boise State defensive line. Bradford, a freshman, has run for more than 100 yards in his last two games and led a Rebel ground game that rushed for 244 yards in last week’s 38-35 victory over Colorado State. Bradford faces a Broncos defense that was gouged two weeks ago by Air Force, which rolled up 264 yards on the ground, the most allowed all season by Boise State.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Boise State: RB Doug Martin: Martin is on a roll in his last four games, rushing for an average of 136.2 yards per game. during that span, he’s found the end zone seven times and in one game rushed for 200 yards. He could have another big day Saturday against a Rebels defense that gives up nearly 170 yards rushing per game.
UNLV: QB Caleb Herring. After being benched last month, Herring got a second chance last week against Colorado State and made the most of it. A threat with his arm and legs, Herring threw for two TDs and ran for another, which turned out to be the game winner and enough to get his starting job back.
FACTS & FIGURES
Boise State is pretty good coming off a bye week, and in six years under coach Chris Peterson the Broncos are 22-2 in games with more than 10 days to prepare. … The Broncos and Rebels haven’t met since 1977, when Boise State won 45-14 in the last of a string of six straight meetings between 1972-77. … Boise State played at UNLV’s Sam Boyd Stadium in December when the Broncos crushed Utah 26-3 in the MAACO Bowl in January. … The last time UNLV beat a ranked team came in 2008 when the Rebels upset No. 13 Arizona State.
___
No. 6 Oregon (7-1, 5-0 Pac-12) at Washington (6-2, 4-1), 10:30 p.m. (Fox Sports).
Line: Oregon by 16 1/2.
Series Record: Washington lead 58-40-5.
Last meeting: Oregon 53, Washington 16, Nov. 6, 2010.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
If Oregon wants to stay on the fringe of the national championship conversation, it can’t afford to see its seven-game win streak against the Huskies come to an end with next week’s showdown at No. 4 Stanford looming. Washington wants to send Husky Stadium out on a high note before a $250 million renovation that will modernize the aging facility, and they would love nothing more than doing it against the Ducks.
KEY MATCHUP
Oregon run game vs. Washington’s front seven. It’s been a clinic by the Ducks ground game the last five times they’ve played Washington. Oregon has run for 1,575 yards and averaged 6.2 yards per carry. The last two games in Seattle, Oregon rushed for 465 yards and 259 yards. And Washington is susceptible to the run, giving up 446 yards to Stanford just two weeks ago.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oregon: RB De’Anthony Thomas. The freshman is a touchdown machine, with 11 through his first eight college games. The 11 TDs is tied for the most by any true freshman in the country. Thomas’ versatility as a receiver and runner makes him arguably more of a threat than fellow backs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner.
Washington: RB Chris Polk. Their rivals from Washington State created a pretty good blueprint last week against the Ducks, holding possession for more than 40 minutes and keeping the game close into the fourth quarter. If the Huskies want to follow suit, they’ll do it relying on Polk. He scored 5 TDs and became the first Washington player with 100 yards rushing and receiving last week vs. Arizona.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oregon’s seven-game win streak is the longest in the series for either school. All seven Oregon wins have been by more than 20 points. … Oregon head coach Chip Kelly needs one win to move into fifth on Oregon’s all-time list. He has 29. … Washington will play this year’s Apple Cup and the entire 2012 season across town at CenturyLink Field _ home of the Seattle Seahawks _ while Husky Stadium is renovated. … Washington has just one win in its last 13 games against Top 10 opponents. That win was a 16-13 upset of No. 3 USC in 2009.
___
No. 7 Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) vs. Texas A&M (5-3, 3-2), 3:30 p.m. (ABC).
Line: Oklahoma by 13 1/2.
Series Record: Oklahoma leads 18-11.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Oklahoma is out for revenge after losing at Texas A&M last season, but more importantly needs wins to keep its Big 12 and revived national championship hopes alive. The Aggies are trying to bounce back again after blowing a double-digit lead in the second half for the third time this season.
KEY MATCHUP
Oklahoma offensive line vs. Texas A&M pass rush. The Sooners are tied for the Bowl Subdivision lead with only three sacks allowed in more than 350 pass attempts by Landry Jones but will be tested by Big 12 sacks leader Sean Porter and an A&M pass rush that’s second in the nation with 30 sacks _ behind only Oklahoma’s 34.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Oklahoma: RB Roy Finch. With starter Dominique Whaley out for the season with a broken ankle, the 5-foot-7 sophomore becomes more of a focal point although the Sooners will also use Brennan Clay and Brandon Williams in the backfield. Finch has averaged 144 yards from scrimmage the past two weeks.
Texas A&M: RB Cyrus Gray. One half of the Aggies’ potent running tandem with Christine Michael, Gray needs only 53 yards rushing to become the fifth A&M player to eclipse 3,000 in his career. He ran for 122 yards in the win over Oklahoma last year, and no opponent has had more against the Sooners since then.
FACTS & FIGURES
Oklahoma had the nation’s longest home winning streak at 39 games before losing to unranked Texas Tech two weeks ago. The Sooners are 75-3 at home under Bob Stoops and haven’t lost consecutive games on Owen Field since 1998, the year before he was hired. … Oklahoma ranks second in the nation in total offense. A&M is seventh. … Oklahoma expects C Ben Habern (forearm) and CB Jamell Fleming (knee) to return from injuries.
___
No. 10 South Carolina (7-1, 5-1 SEC) vs. No. 8 Arkansas (7-1, 3-1), 7:15 p.m. (ESPN).
Line: Arkansas by 5.
Series: Arkansas leads 12-7.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The loser of this game leaves with its BCS bowl game hopes likely crushed, while the winner’s hopes remain alive. Alabama and LSU have earned their spots as the conference’s top two teams this season. However, a surprising loss by the loser of that mega-matchup later in the season could open the BCS door for the Razorbacks. A win would move the Gamecocks a step closer to a second straight appearance in the SEC title game, something they can secure with wins over Arkansas and Florida to close out the SEC play.
KEY MATCHUP
South Carolina DE Melvin Ingram vs. Arkansas’ offensive line. Ingram has terrorized SEC offenses this season, earning the conference’s Player of the Week honors three times. The senior leads the SEC’s best defense not named Alabama or LSU, one that leads the conference with 16 interceptions. Also, Ingram and fellow defensive lineman Jadeveon Clowney have combined for 10.5 sacks this season. The Razorbacks, meanwhile, have struggled all season to slow opposing pass rushes _ resulting in quarterback Tyler Wilson taking one hit after another. Wilson has remained standing so far, but Arkansas must improve its pass blocking against the Gamecocks for that to remain the case.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
South Carolina: RB Brandon Wilds. With Marcus Lattimore out for the season with a knee injury, Wilds stepped in last week to lead the Gamecocks to a 14-3 win over Tennessee with 137 yards rushing on 28 carries. South Carolina is second in the SEC in rushing with an average of 202 yards per game, and Wilds’ performance as a true freshman allowed coach Steve Spurrier to stick with the game plan that’s worked so far this season.
Arkansas: WR Jarius Wright. Wright has emerged from a talented group of receivers on the Razorbacks to become the top target in the SEC. The senior leads the conference in receptions (44) and receiving yards per game (101.3), but he’ll have his work cut out for him against a South Carolina defense that allows only 135.9 yards passing per game.
FACTS AND FIGURES
The game is only the second time since 1979 that two top-10 teams have met in Fayetteville … Last season, No. 10 Arkansas lost to No. 1 Alabama in Fayetteville … It’s the first time South Carolina has been involved in a matchup of two top-10 teams since the 1987 Gator Bowl when No. 7 LSU defeated the No. 9 Gamecocks 30-13 … The Razorbacks have been outscored 87-59 in the first half of their last four games … They are 4-0 in those games thanks to outscoring opponents 82-17 in the second half during that stretch … Arkansas is 4-1 vs. the Gamecocks in Fayetteville since the two teams joined the SEC in 1992, 7-2 overall at home against South Carolina.
___
No. 9 Nebraska (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) vs. Northwestern (3-5, 1-4), 3:30 p.m. (Big Ten Network).
Line: Nebraska by 17 1/2.
Series Record: Nebraska leads 3-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Big Ten Legends Division co-leader Nebraska can’t afford to slip after its big win over Michigan State. The Cornhuskers want to be on a four-game win streak when they hit the road for back-to-back games at Penn State and Michigan. Northwestern needs to win three of its last four games to become bowl eligible.
KEY MATCHUP
Northwestern receivers vs. Nebraska secondary. The Huskers will go against a spread offense like the ones they used to see in the Big 12. Alfonzo Dennard and his fellow defensive backs have never been more confident after shutting down Michigan State star B.J. Cunningham. But Northwestern presents more threats than the Spartans, with receivers Jeremy Ebert and Kain Colter and tight end Drake Dunsmore leading the way.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Northwestern: QB Dan Persa, after missing the first three games with lingering problems from his ruptured Achilles tendon, is playing at the level he did in 2010 when he completed an NCAA-record 73.5 percent of his passes. He’s hitting on better than 75 percent this season.
Nebraska: RB Rex Burkhead ran a career-high 35 times for 130 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan State. It’s a bad sign for Nebraska if he’s asked to carry that big a load this week. The Huskers are going to need him fresh for what figure to be rugged games at Penn State and Michigan.
FACTS & FIGURES
Huskers QB Taylor Martinez jammed his right thumb against Michigan State but has practiced all week…Nebraska’s Brett Maher is 14 for 17 on field goals, with all three of his misses coming from 50-plus yards… Burkhead is 118 yards shy of 1,000 yards for the season… The 59 points against Indiana last week were the most by Northwestern since scoring 61 against Illinois in 2000… Ebert needs 81 receiving yards to become the fifth receiver in Northwestern history to reach 2,000 for his career… The Wildcats have scored in double figures in 55 straight games.
___
No. 13 Michigan (7-1, 3-1 Big Ten) vs. Iowa (5-3, 2-2), 12 p.m. (ESPN).
Line: Michigan by 4.
Series Record: Michigan leads 40-12-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Michigan is looking to keep pace with Michigan State and Nebraska for the Legends Division lead, and the Spartans and Cornhuskers both have home games they should win handily. Iowa needs to bounce back in a big way after losing to Minnesota last week.
KEY MATCHUP
Michigan RB Fitzgerald Toussaint vs. Iowa’s defensive line. Toussaint had a breakout game in last week’s 36-14 win over Purdue, rushing for 170 yards and two touchdowns. Iowa’s defensive line, which has struggled, needs to stuff the Wolverines at the line and force obvious passing situations
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Michigan: QB Denard Robinson. Is this the year Robinson beats the Hawkeyes? He threw a late pick in a loss at Iowa in 2009 and was knocked out of the Hawkeyes’ win in Ann Arbor last season.
Iowa: WR Marvin McNutt. Iowa might need to outscore the Wolverines, and McNutt leads the Big Ten with nine receiving touchdowns.
FACTS & FIGURES
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz is 4-4 against Michigan. … Michigan’s Brady Hoke was the head coach at Ball State when the Hawkeyes crushed the Cardinals 56-0 in the 2005 season opener. … Both Iowa and the Wolverines have scored on 29 of 33 possessions in the red zone. But the Hawkeyes were held scoreless inside Minnesota’s 20-yard line three times last week, and Michigan leads the nation in red zone defense.
___
No. 14 Houston (8-0, 4-0 Conference USA) at UAB (1-7, 1-4), 7 p.m. (CBSSN).
Line: Houston by 28.
Series Record: UAB leads 4-3.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Houston can move to 9-0 for the first time in school history, while the Blazers could get a nice pick-me-up with a big upset. Cougars QB Case Keenum also has the NCAA career passing record in sight.
KEY MATCHUP
Keenum vs. the nation’s 115th-rated defense. Houston receivers like Tyron Carrier and Patrick Edwards could have big days because the Blazers have allowed 284.9 yards a game and 18 touchdowns passing.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
HOUSTON: QB Case Keenum. Keenum, the nation’s leader in passing yards and touchdowns, needs 267 yards to break the NCAA’s career mark held by Timmy Chang of Hawaii.
UAB: QB Jonathan Perry. He’s been up and down since taking over for an injured Bryan Ellis, who’s out for the season with a wrist injury. Perry has completed 56 percent of his passes but thrown for just two touchdowns while getting intercepted six times. FACTS & FIGURES
This is the first meeting between these two Conference USA teams since 2008, and Houston has won three of the last four. … Keenum has thrown for 3,219 yards and 32 touchdowns with just three interceptions. … The Cougars are averaging 52.2 points per game, compared to UAB’s 14.9-point average. Houston has scored 136 points with only 118 offensive plays against Marshall and Rice, breaking loose for 192 points collectively over the last three games. … The Cougars are tied with Tulsa atop the C-USA West Division standings.
____
No. 15 Michigan State (6-2, 3-1 Big Ten) vs. Minnesota (2-6, 1-3), 12 p.m. (Big Ten Network).
Line: Michigan State by 28.
Series Record: Michigan State leads 26-17.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Michigan State is tied with Nebraska and Michigan atop the Legends Division, and the Spartans appear to have an easier schedule down the stretch than those other two teams. They’ll need to take care of business against a Minnesota team that lost its first three conference games by a combined 113 points before upsetting Iowa last weekend.
KEY MATCHUP
Minnesota’s MarQueis Gray vs. Michigan State’s defensive line. Gray has thrown for 940 yards and run for 500 this season, and he provided just enough offense for the Golden Gophers in their 22-21 win over Iowa. Thanks in part to an imposing pass rush, the Spartans are No. 1 in the country in pass defense and No. 2 in total defense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Minnesota: DB Kyle Henderson. Had nine tackles and forced a fumble with a sack against Iowa. He and the rest of the Minnesota secondary will try to confound Spartans quarterback Kirk Cousins the way Nebraska did in its 24-3 win over Michigan State last weekend.
Michigan State: RBs Edwin Baker and Le’Veon Bell. The Spartans may try to re-establish their running game against a Minnesota team that is allowing 5.3 yards per rush on the season.
FACTS & FIGURES
Michigan State beat Minnesota 31-8 last season. … The Spartans’ 2011 senior class is 32-15. The 2010 class holds the school record with 33 victories. … Minnesota has come from behind in each of its last 11 victories. … Michigan State has 36 tackles for loss and 19 sacks in four Big Ten games. … Thanks to a successful onside kick, Minnesota had the ball for 13:25 in the final quarter against Iowa.
___
New Mexico State (3-5, 1-2 Western Athletic Conference) at No. 18 Georgia (6-2, 5-1 Southeastern Conference), 12:30 p.m. (CSS).
Line: Georgia by 33.
Series Record: Georgia leads 3-0.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Georgia’s six-game winning streak could be threatened by a sudden shortage of tailbacks. Leading rusher Isaiah Crowell and two other tailbacks were suspended for one game this week. Georgia also lost top backup Richard Samuel, who had ankle surgery on Tuesday. The drama may help Georgia avoid a letdown after last week’s 24-20 win over Florida. New Mexico State, which won 28-21 at Minnesota on Sept. 10 for its first victory against a Big Ten team, is trying to end its 0-13 drought against SEC schools.
KEY MATCHUP
Tailback Brandon Harton vs. New Mexico State’s defense. Harton, who walked on as a receiver last year before moving to tailback and being awarded a scholarship in August, is the likely starter. He has only 11 carries for 33 yards, all against Coastal Carolina.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
New Mexico State: WR/KR Taveon Rogers returned seven kickoffs for 145 yards against Nevada last week and could be a dangerous weapon on returns again this week. Georgia gave up a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and another long return that set up a field goal in last week’s win over Florida, and the Bulldogs are last in the SEC in kickoff coverage.
Georgia: QB Aaron Murray will be in the spotlight as he’ll attempt to keep the offense moving despite the severe shortage at tailback. Murray struggled with his accuracy in the second half of the win over Florida and will be missing top receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury.
FACTS & FIGURES
Aggies quarterback Matt Christian set a career high with 432 yards passing and three touchdowns in last week’s 48-34 loss to Nevada, including seven passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns to Rogers. … New Mexico State has not played in the postseason since the 1960 Sun Bowl. … New Mexico State lost at Auburn 52-20 in 2007 in its last game against a team from the SEC. … Georgia’s defense has given up only six offensive touchdowns and held both Florida and Tennessee to negative yards rushing in the six-game winning streak. … Georgia is looking to win seven straight for the first time since the end of the 2007 season.
___
Purdue (4-4, 2-2 Big Ten) at No. 19 Wisconsin (6-2, 2-2), 3:30 p.m. (ABC).
Line: Wisconsin by 26 1/2.
Series Record: Wisconsin leads 41-29-8.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Wisconsin’s shot at a national championship probably evaporated with a last-second loss at Michigan State two weeks ago. Then the Badgers lost at Ohio State in similarly gut-wrenching fashion, and now must scramble _ and get some help _ to earn a spot in the Big Ten title game. Purdue, surprisingly, is in a three-way tie with Wisconsin and Ohio State for second place in the Leaders division. But the Boilermakers haven’t won a road game this season, and it would be surprising if that were to change as a wounded but dangerous Wisconsin team returns home Saturday.
KEY MATCHUP
Purdue DT Kawann Short vs. Wisconsin’s interior line. For all the angst about the two decisive late-game touchdowns the Badgers defense allowed in back-to-back losses, they might not have been in position to lose if their offense had been more productive earlier in both games. Wisconsin’s offensive line is massive but has been humbled of late, allowing QB Russell Wilson to be sacked five times in two games. The Boilermakers aren’t exactly a pass-rushing force, but Short leads them with 3 1/2 sacks and 11 1/2 tackles for loss.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wisconsin: WR Nick Toon. When healthy, he’s a legitimate NFL prospect. But Toon missed the Badgers’ Oct. 15 victory over Indiana because of a sore left foot and hasn’t been the same since. He hasn’t caught a touchdown pass in either of the past two games; he caught two passes for 58 yards against Michigan State and three passes for 39 yards against Ohio State.
Purdue: LB Joe Holland. The senior leads Purdue with 64 tackles and could have his chances against a Wisconsin running game that has been dominant but was slowed slightly by tough defenses the past two weeks. Ohio State did a decent job containing Montee Ball, holding him to 85 yards and a touchdown.
FACTS & FIGURES
Wisconsin and Boise State are the only two teams in the nation to rank among the top 10 in both scoring offense and scoring defense. … RB Montee Ball leads the nation with 21 TDs. … Wisconsin has won 14 straight home games, the fifth-longest current streak in the country. … WR Jared Abbrederis leads the Badgers with 36 catches for 595 yards; he had six catches for 113 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Ohio State. … Purdue led 10-6 at halftime in last year’s matchup with the Badgers in West Lafayette, but had three second-half turnovers and ended up losing 34-13. Ball had 127 yards rushing with two touchdowns. … Purdue has lost only three fumbles this season, none by rushers. A total of 16 players have run the ball for Purdue this season, and not one has coughed it up on 317 carries. … Sophomore CB Ricardo Allen leads Purdue with three interceptions. … Purdue QB Caleb TerBush has thrown at least one touchdown pass in five straight games and in seven of eight games this season. … Purdue is the second-most penalized team in the Big Ten behind Indiana, with 63 penalties in eight games. … Purdue punter Cody Webster is 10th in the nation with an average of 45.5 yards per kick.
___
No. 20 Arizona State (6-2, 4-1 Pac-12) at UCLA (4-4, 3-2), 7:30 p.m. (Versus).
Line: Arizona State by 9.
Series Record: UCLA leads 16-10-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
First place in the Pac-12 South Division. Arizona State is trying to take a two-game lead over UCLA, while the Bruins are trying to pull even with the Sun Devils and take the tiebreaker.
KEY MATCHUP
Arizona State linebacker Vontaze Burfict vs. UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince. The personal foul-prone Burfict has struggled through an inconsistent season and has only 21 unassisted tackles and four sacks in eight games. Prince ran for 163 yards and was 9 of 18 passing for 92 yards last week in the Bruins’ victory over California.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ARIZONA STATE: QB Brock Osweiler came on in relief of Steven Threet (head injury) last season against UCLA and led the Sun Devils to 55-34 comeback victory. He was 27 of 36 for 380 yards and four touchdowns and also ran for a score. UCLA led 17-0 when Threet was hurt. … Cameron Marshall ran for 114 yards last week against Colorado and has rushed for 632 yards this season. Last year against UCLA, he ran for 147 yards.
UCLA: Last week against Cal, Prince became the first UCLA quarterback to run for at least 100 yards in a game since Jeff Dankworth in 1976. It was the most rushing yards for a quarterback since John Sciarra had 178 against Tennessee in 1974. … Freshman safety Tevin McDonald had three interceptions against California.
FACTS & FIGURES
Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson is 6-3 against UCLA in his career, including a 3-1 mark with Arizona State. He’s 3-2 at the Rose Bowl. In his first meeting against the Bruins in 1988, he led Washington State into the Rose Bowl and stunned then-No. 1 UCLA 34-30. … UCLA tailback Johnathan Franklin has rushed for 565 yards this season. He’s averaging 5.9 yards per carry. … UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel has one year remaining on the five-year contract he signed before the 2007 season. He is 19-26 with the Bruins.
___
No. 23 Cincinnati (6-1, 2-0 Big East) at Pittsburgh (4-4, 2-1), 7 p.m. (ESPNU).
Line: Cincinnati by 2 1/2.
Series Record: Pittsburgh leads 8-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The surprising Bearcats have won five straight and are looking to take another step toward a Big East title. Pitt is coming off a dominant victory over Connecticut to vault back into the conference race. A win and the Panthers control their own destiny. A loss and there’s a chance the school fails to make a bowl game at all.
KEY MATCHUP
Pittsburgh defense vs. Cincinnati quarterback Zach Collaros. The Panthers lead the Big East in sacks, averaging 3.38 per game. They’ll have to get pressure with their front three if they want to contain Collaros, who is second in the conference in pass efficiency and third in yards per game and touchdowns while leading the Big East’s highest-scoring offense.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cincinnati: RB Isaiah Pead. The senior is third in the conference in yards rushing per game and leads the Big East in touchdowns with 10.
Pittsburgh: QB Tino Sunseri. The junior seemed to figure things out against the Huskies, throwing for a career-high 419 yards, the fourth-highest total in the program’s history. Consistency has been an issue, however, and with star back Ray Graham out for the year with a knee injury, Sunseri will have to prove he can get it done as the team’s top weapon.
FACTS & FIGURES
The Bearcats won 45-44 in their last trip to Heinz Field in 2009, rallying from a 21-point deficit to earn the Big East title and a trip to the Sugar Bowl. … The Panthers, who have allowed the most sacks (37) in the country, have started five different line combinations in their first eight games. … Cincinnati is second in the country in rushing defense, allowing 72.7 yards per game. … The Bearcats are bowl eligible for the fifth time in the past six years. … Pitt won last year’s game 28-10 behind 261 yards rushing from Dion Lewis. … Pitt’s 529 yards of total offense against the Huskies were the program’s most since piling up 584 yards against Boston College in 2000.
___
Louisville (4-4, 2-1 Big East) at No. 24 West Virginia (6-2, 2-1), 12 p.m. (Big East Network).
Line: West Virginia by 13 1/2.
Series record: West Virginia leads 10-2.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The game pits Louisville, a team left out of Big 12 expansion plans, against West Virginia, the school that last week accepted the conference’s invitation. The winner can forge a first-place tie if Cincinnati loses at Pittsburgh, while the loser will need to make up lost ground with three regular-season games remaining.
KEY MATCHUP
West Virginia QB Geno Smith vs. Louisville’s defense. The Cardinals have the Big East’s top defense, allowing 296 yards per game, while Smith leads the conference’s top offense and is averaging 339 yards passing. The junior has thrown for 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions, including TD tosses to seven receivers.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
West Virginia: WRs Stedman Bailey, Tavon Austin and Ivan McCartney. The trio are among the conference leaders in receptions, with Bailey leading the league with 815 yards. Austin has a team-high 56 catches and is the league’s top punt returner at 14.5 yards per attempt.
Louisville: QB Teddy Bridgewater. The freshman had two first-quarter scoring tosses and completed 17 of 24 passes for 198 yards in a 27-10 win over Syracuse. He took over starting duties from Will Stein in the fourth game of the season and has thrown for seven TDs with six interceptions.
FACTS & FIGURES
Louisville coach Charlie Strong is looking for his first win against a ranked opponent. … The Cardinals are last in the Big East in scoring offense at 17.6 points per game. … West Virginia’s Tyler Bitancurt leads the Big East in kick scoring but has missed extra-point tries in each of the last two games. … West Virginia limited Louisville to 171 total yards and nine first downs in a 17-10 win last year. Louisville’s last win in the series came at home in 2006 when the Cardinals earned the league’s Bowl Championship Series berth.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.