11/22/2008

by JOHN LINDSAY

Scripps Howard News Service

Capsule previews for today's top college football games.

Michigan (3-8) at No. 10 Ohio State (9-2)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m.

TV: ABC

COACHES: Rich Rodriguez (first year at Michigan) and Jim Tressel (82-20 in 8th year at Ohio State).

LAST WEEK: Michigan lost at home to Northwestern, 21-14. Ohio State won at Illinois, 30-20.

SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 57-41-6.

LAST MEETING: Ohio State won, 14-3, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Having won last four over Wolverines, Buckeyes have never beaten Michigan five consecutive times in rivalry that dates back to 1897.

GAME FACTS: Having already clinched worst season in UM's 129 years of football in Rodriguez's debut that also saw nation's best 33-year bowl streak ended, Wolverines really have nothing to lose here. Only bright spot is that four of the losses were by combined total of 17 points. QBs Steven Threet, Nick Sheridan floundered again last week (combined 12-of-36, 83 yards, int.) giving them 11 TD passes vs. 12 ints. for season. Threet likely won't play after separating shoulder last week. Expected romp would give Buckeyes share of Big Ten title, good shot at BCS at-large bowl bid. Senior RB Chris "Beanie" Wells had 143 yards rushing and freshman QB Terrelle Pryor added 110 as OSU bulled its way to 303 yards on ground last week. Defense gave up season-high 454 yards but considering way they stifled Michigan last year (91 total yards, 8 first downs), OSU should have no problem punishing downtrodden Wolverines. Tressel's 6-1 mark vs. UM would make Woody Hayes more than proud.

West Virginia (6-3) at Louisville (5-5)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN

COACHES: Bill Stewart (7-3 in first full year at West Virginia) and Steve Kragthorpe (11-11 in second year at West Virgnia).

LAST WEEK: West Virginia was off. Louisville lost at home to Cincinnati, 28-20.

SERIES HISTORY: West Virginia leads, 7-2.

LAST MEETING: West Virginia won, 38-31, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: After winning 18 straight home games from late 2003-2006, Cardinals are just 8-5 at home under Kragthorpe.

GAME FACTS: Win keeps Mountaineers alive in tight Big East race (tied with Pitt in second place, half-game behind Cincinnati). In 26-23 OT loss at home to Cincinnati Nov. 8, amazing rally from 13-point deficit in final 1:11 of regulation was squandered as WVU finished with 98 yards rushing (first time held under 100 since 2001). Though not the runner he was last year (586 yards rushing this year compared to 1,335 in 2007), QB Pat White has improved as passer (leads Big East in QB rating, 119-of-180, 1,104 passing, 15 TDs, 4 ints.). UL fans are simply not happy with Kragthorpe, who needs win here and at Rutgers on Thanksgiving to avoid UL missing bowl for second straight season, which hasn't happened since 1996-97. QB Hunter Cantwell has battled through ankle problem all year but has accuracy has suffered as he's thrown int. in seven straight games. Shifting James Bryant from LB to RB last month paid off with his first TD catch last week. RB Victor Anderson (5th in Big East with 973 rushing) is questionable after leaving Cincinnati game with apparent rib or back injury.

Indiana (3-8) at Purdue (3-8)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN2

COACHES: Bill Lynch (10-14 in second year at Indiana) and Joe Tiller (86-62 in 12th year at Purdue).

LAST WEEK: Indiana lost at Penn State, 34-7. Purdue lost at Iowa, 22-17.

SERIES HISTORY: Purdue leads, 68-36-6.

LAST MEETING: Indiana won, 27-17, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Tiller, Boilermakers are 9-2 vs. Hoosiers including perfect 5-0 mark in West Lafayette.

GAME FACTS: Battle for Old Oaken Bucket is just for pride. After rousing run to Insight Bowl last year (IU's first bowl since 1993), Hoosiers have regressed with poor defense (105th in nation in scoring, 32.8 ppg), leaky offensive line (last in Big Ten, 101st in nation with 27 sacks allowed) biggest problems. Lack of protection has really hindered talented QB Kellen Lewis (1,491 total offense, 5 TD passes, 6 ints., 3 TD runs). K Austin Starr was hero of last year's emotional win with 49-yard FG with 30 seconds left. Emotion will be on Boilermakers side this time as it is farewell for Tiller with offensive line coach Danny Hope taking over as head coach next year. Either senior QB Curtis Painter (189-of-352, 1,952 passing, 8 TD passes, 11 ints.) just peaked last year (29 TD passes, 11 ints. in '07) or Big Ten coordinators just caught up with Tiller's "basketball-on-grass" offense (last in Big Ten, 91st in nation in scoring, 21.3 ppg). RB Kory Sheets (fourth in Big Ten with 1,070 rushing, 13 TDs, 33 catches) has done his best.

Syracuse (2-8) at Notre Dame (6-4)

KICKOFF: 1:30 p.m.

TV: NBC

COACHES: Greg Robinson (10-36 in fourth year at Syracuse) and Charlie Weis (28-19 in fourth year at Notre Dame).

LAST WEEK: Syracuse lost at home to Connecticut, 39-14. Notre Dame won at Navy, 27-21.

SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 3-2.

LAST MEETING: Notre Dame won, 34-10, in 2005.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since start of 2007 season, Orange are 4-18 including 12 losses by 20 points or more.

GAME FACTS: Disastrous Robinson era mercifully came to an end earlier this week when he was fired. Outside of RB Curtis Brinkley (third in Big East with 1,060 rushing, 6 TDs), offense has been awful (114th in nation in total offense, 271.4 ypg) while the defense (104th in nation in total defense, 423 ypg) not much better. With Weis taking over play-calling last week, Fighting Irish didn't exactly march up and down the field (24 first downs but only 340 total yards), mostly because QB Jimmy Clausen (15-of-18, 110 passing, 2 ints.) couldn't get ball down field vs. soft Navy coverage. Crummy ground game did manage 230 yards (103 more than average, 84th in nation). LB Kyle McCarthy has 28 tackles in last three games. After rough start, kicker Brandon Walker has found his groove hitting eight of last nine FG tries.

Washington (0-10) at Washington State (1-10)

KICKOFF: 2 p.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net

COACHES: Tyrone Willingham (11-35 in fourth year at Washington) and Paul Wulff (first year at Washington)

LAST WEEK: Washington lost at home to UCLA, 30-6. Washington State lost at Arizona State, 31-0.

SERIES HISTORY: Washington leads, 64-30-6.

LAST MEETING: Washington State won, 42-35, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Cougars have won three of last four Apple Cups from Huskies with the combined score of those games Washington State 128, Washington 117.

GAME FACTS: With combined 1-21 record, this is worst mark ever for both teams in rivalry that dates back to 1900. With nation's worst 12-game losing streak, Huskies haven't won in over a year dating back to 37-23 win over Cal on Nov. 17, 2007. After QB Jake Locker went out for season with thumb injury in late September, offense pretty much went off a cliff (117th in nation in both scoring, 13.9 ppg, total offense, 263.5 ypg, 60 points scored in last six games) while defense (116th in nation in scoring, 39.9 ppg and vs. run, 228.5 ypg) hardly rose to occasion. But amazingly, Huskies defense looks like 1985 Chicago Bears compared to the woeful Cougars (next to last in nation in scoring, 48.5 ppg and vs. run, 266.5 ypg,), who have been outscored by a staggering 533-140 on season (523-92 excluding 48-9 win over I-AA Portland State). Sadly, Cougars are wasting player with NFL ability in WR Brandon Gibson (51 catches, 2 TDs).

No. 17 Michigan State (9-2) at No. 7 Penn State (10-1)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Mark Dantonio (16-8 in second year at Michigan State) and Joe Paterno (382-126-3 in 43rd year at Penn State).

LAST WEEK: Michigan State was off. Penn State beat Indiana, 34-7.

SERIES HISTORY: Tied, 12-12-1.

LAST MEETING: Michigan State won, 35-31.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since mid-2006, Nittany Lions are 14-1 at home including 6-0 this season by combined score of 264-75.

GAME FACTS: Upset here gives Spartans Land Grant Trophy, share of Big Ten title while Nittany Lions would also grab share of crown and likely trip to Rose Bowl if they win. Spartans haven't win in State College since 1965 (0-7). To snap that jinx, they'll need big games from RB Javon Ringer (third in nation with 1,458 rushing), QB Brian Hoyer, who rallied MSU from 24-7 deficit with 4 TD passes in win over PSU last year. Defense has not been dominant on road (24.5 ppg given up in four road games compared to 18 ppg in six home games, 12 ppg excluding 45-7 loss to Ohio State). Lions want revenge for last year and have throttled foes at home outscoring them 149-52 in first half. In poor conditions last two weeks at Iowa (high winds), Indiana (rain), QB Daryl Clark has struggled (29-of-59, 326 passing, 2 TDs, 2 ints., compared to 11 TDs, 2 ints. in first 9 games). Tough defense (leads Big Ten, fourth in nation in total defense, 258.6 ypg) must key on Ringer, but also get pressure (tied for Big Ten lead with 29 sacks) on Hoyer, which they didn't do in last year' s loss.

Ole Miss (6-4) at No. 17 LSU (7-3)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: CBS

COACHES: Houston Nutt (first year at Ole Miss) and Les Miles (41-9 in fourth year at LSU).

LAST WEEK: Ole Miss beat Louisiana-Monroe, 59-0. LSU beat Troy, 40-31,

SERIES HISTORY: LSU leads, 55-37-4.

LAST MEETING: LSU won, 41-24, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Tigers have beaten Rebels last six years, but four wins have been by 3 points or less.

GAME FACTS: Winner of game between neighboring states gets inaugural Magnolia Trophy. A dismal 10-26 under Ed Orgeron from 2005-07, Rebels have been inspired by Nutt, who went 70-49 in 10 years at Arkansas before biting parting of ways last November. A transfer from Texas, sophomore QB Jevan Snead (35-of-69, 519 passing, 7 TDs, int., 2 TD runs in last three wins) is a developing talent while WR Shay Hodge (31 catches, 17.6 ypc, 7 TDs) is one of SEC's best-kept secrets, but has been hampered by sore heel. Tigers made miraculous comeback from 31-3 deficit late in third quarter turning Death Valley fans' boos into cheers, outscoring Troy 30-0 in final quarter. Backup QB Jordan Jefferson's 3-yard TD run on fourth-and-goal started comeback and QB Jarrett Lee (20-of-34, 216 passing, TD, int.), WR Brandon LaFell (career highs of 12 catches for 126 yard, TD) took over from there. RB Charles Scott (third in SEC with 1,071 rushing, tied for SEC lead with 14 TDs) does not have fumble in 271 carries as no Tigers RB has lost a fumble in more than two years. DE Rahim Alem (6 sacks, second in SEC) is pass-rushing force.

Boston College (7-3) at Wake Forest (6-4)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Jeff Jagodzinski (18-6 in second year at BC) and Jim Grobe (52-43 in 8th year at Wake).

LAST WEEK: BC won at Florida State, 27-17. Wake lost at N.C. State, 21-17.

SERIES HISTORY: BC leads, 7-6-2.

LAST MEETING: BC won, 38-28, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Home team has won last four years with combined score being BC 101, Wake 96.

GAME FACTS: Winner stays alive in tight ACC Atlantic race. Eagles' clutch win last week featured 121 tough yards from freshman RB Montel Harris, S Marcellus Bowman's 87-yard TD int. return. Bowman and fellow S Paul Anderson (tied for ACC lead with 5 ints.) lead fantastic secondary (leads nation with 21 ints.). It's hard to see QB Chris Crane (last in ACC in QB rating, 166-of-303, 1,687 passing, 10 TDs, 13 ints.) repeating departed Matt Ryan's 400-yard passing games vs. Wake last two seasons. Demon Deacons' offense has managed less than 17 points a game in current 3-4 slide. QB Riley Skinner (21-of-33, 176 passing, int., TD last week) has struggled with poor protection (11th in ACC, 104th in nation with 25 sacks allowed). All-America K-P Sam Swank hasn't played since suffering thigh injury in early October, but freshman Shane Popham has filled in well.

Stanford (5-6) at California (6-4)

KICKOFF: 2:30

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Jim Harbaugh (9-14 in second year at Stanford) and Jeff Tedford (56-30 in 7th year at Cal).

LAST WEEK: Stanford lost at home to USC, 45-23. Cal lost at Oregon State, 34-21.

SERIES HISTORY: Stanford leads, 50-41-10.

LAST MEETING: Stanford won, 20-13, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Over last two seasons, Golden Bears are 2-5 in November and December games.

GAME FACTS: If Cardinal can upset Bears again in 102nd edition of the "Big Game" (Cal was favored by 13 last year), first bowl bid since 2001 will be clinched. LB Pat Maynor did not play last week and is questionable putting more pressure on suspect defense (gave up 42 points in final three quarters last week including 242 yards rushing in second half). S Bo McNally (70 tackles, 3 ints.) is terrific athlete. Bears need win to stop yet another late-season fade, which picked up steam in last week's lackluster effort (only 232 total yards, 11 first downs, gave up 203 total return yards). Sophomore QB Kevin Riley (11-of-25, 119 passing) threw game-clinching int. that was returned for TD. Senior Nate Longshore, who was benched last week after playing poorly in 17-3 loss at USC Nov. 8, had some success throwing vs. Stanford last year (22-of-47, 252 passing, TD, 2 ints.).

No. 20 Pittsburgh (7-3) at No. 19 Cincinnati (8-2)

KICKOFF: 6:15 p.m.

TV: ESPN2

COACHES: Dave Wannstedt (23-22 in fourth year at Pitt) and Brian Kelly (19-5 in second year at Cincinnati).

LAST WEEK: Pitt was off. Cincinnati won at Louisville, 28-20.

SERIES HISTORY: Pitt leads, 7-0.

LAST MEETING: Pitt won, 24-17, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In beating Bearcats last three years, Panthers have outscored UC by combined score of 95-52.

GAME FACTS: Winner grabs control of Big East race and BCS bowl bid and also takes home "River City Rivalry" trophy. Panthers are in second place with 3-1 league mark, half-game behind Bearcats. After chewing up UC for 427 total yards (260 rushing) in last year's win, look for more of Panthers fine RB duo of LeSean "Shady" McCoy (second in Big East with 1,043 rushing, leads Big East, third in nation with 16 TDs), LaRod Stephens-Howling. In 41-7 romp over Louisville Nov. 8, QB Bill Stull returned from concussion and played well (15-of-27, 216 passing, TD). K Connor Lee (second in nation with 18 FGs on 20 tries) has been deadeye all season. This is probably biggest game in UC football history with all 35,000 seats at Nippert Stadium filled for a change. There is a possibility of distraction, though, has Kelly has been linked to the soon-to-be vacant Tennessee job. Right now, Kelly is more concerned about QB Tony Pike (1,479 passing, 12 TDs, 4 ints.) being able to start despite suffering bruised sternum last week. If not, senior Dustin Grutza, who played last week for first time since breaking his leg in Sept. 6 loss at Oklahoma, will start. After hitting 11 of 12 FGs in first nine games, K Jake Rogers went 0-for-3 last week, though two misses were in rain.

Florida State (7-3) at No. 22 Maryland (7-3)

KICKOFF: 6:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN

COACHES: Bobby Bowden (307-90-4 in 33rd year at FSU) and Ralph Friedgen (63-34 in 8th year at Maryland).

LAST WEEK: FSU lost at home to Boston College, 27-17. Maryland beat North Carolina, 17-15.

SERIES HISTORY: FSU leads, 14-2.

LAST MEETING: FSU won, 24-16, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In series' 16 games, Seminoles have outscored Terps by average score of 43-16.

GAME FACTS: Terps could clinch ACC Atlantic with win and Boston College loss at Wake Forest. Seminoles need victory and some more help next week. After mostly pounding Terps in first 12 games of series, FSU has split last four with losses in College Park in both 2004 and '06. With five receivers suspended after campus fight with fraternity members, QB Christian Ponder floundered last week (15-of-31, 183 passing, 3 ints.). To make matters worse, S Darius McClure won't play after injuring his knee celebrating after grabbing an int. last week. K Graham Gano (leads nation with 18 FGs vs. only two misses) has been superb, even more stunning considering FSU's woeful kicking history. First visit to ACC title game is there for taking for Friedgen and Terps, who are bizarre 4-0 vs. ranked teams, 3-3 vs. unranked. For second time in three weeks last week, K Obi Egekeze made game-winning FG in final two minutes, this one 26-yarder with 1:42 left. RBs Da'Rel Scott (129 rushing, TD), Davin Meggett (86 rushing, TD) were impressive 1-2 punch. After getting trampled for 254 yards in loss at Va. Tech Nov. 6, run defense tightened up surrendering only 75 yards while forcing two turnovers.

No. 2 Texas Tech (10-0) at No. 5 Oklahoma (9-1)

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: ABC

COACHES: Mike Leach (75-37 in 9th year at Texas Tech) and Bob Stoops (106-23 in 10th year at Oklahoma).

LAST WEEK: Both schools were off.

SERIES HISTORY: Oklahoma leads, 11-5.

LAST MEETING: Texas Tech won, 34-27, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Sooners have not lost to Red Raiders in Norman since 1996, winning five straight by average score of 34-16.

GAME FACTS: Mega-showdown with BCS national title implications. Snapping Norman jinx and win over Baylor next week would give Red Raiders first ever Big 12 South Division title, spot in Big 12 title game Dec. 6 in Kansas City. Heisman might just be there for taking for sizzling Tech QB Graham Harrell (110-of-145 for 1,316 passing,13 TDs in last three games, leads nation with 4,077 total offense), who torched OU with 47-of-72, 420-yard, 2-TD effort last year. WR Michael Crabtree (5th in nation with 78 catches) is getting open at will (27 catches, 6 TDs in last three games). But how will Raider defense (third in Big 12 with 26 sacks, 98th in nation vs. pass, 244 ypg, 11 TDs given up, 16 ints.) hold up vs. Sooners QB Sam Bradford (90-of-145 for 1,374 passing, 15 TDs, int. last four games), who went out early with injury last year? Sooners (third in nation with 34 sacks) never sacked Harrell last year and paid for it. Now it's up to DT Gerald McCoy (6 sacks), DE Auston English (4-1/2 sacks) to get job done this time. One streak will end, either Texas Tech's 12-game winning streak dating back to last year (tied with Alabama and Utah for longest in nation) or Sooners' 22-game home winning streak (longest in nation).

-- Scripps Howard News Service