11/15/2008

by JOHN LINDSAY

Scripps Howard News Service

Capsule previews for today's top college football games.

Notre Dame (5-4) at Navy (6-3)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m. in Baltimore

TV: CBS

COACHES: Charlie Weis (27-19 in fourth year at Notre Dame) and Ken Niumatalolo (first year at Navy).

LAST WEEK: Notre Dame lost at Boston College, 17-0. Navy was off.

SERIES HISTORY: Notre Dame leads, 70-10-1.

LAST MEETING: Navy won, 46-44 in 3 OTs, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In scoring 124 points vs. Midshipmen last three years, Fighting Irish have not punted once.

GAME FACTS: Mired in 8-15 slide since late 2006 that includes no wins over team with a winning record, Weis might be feeling some heat. Accordingly, he's going back to calling plays, insisting that he's doing it because coordinator Mike Haywood missed practice to attend funeral this week. Irish offense couldn't have looked deader last week finishing with 292 total yards and five turnovers, including QB Jimmy Clausen's career-high 4 ints. In his defense, Clausen gets little help from inept running game (95th in nation in rushing, 115.6 ypg). After breaking 43-game losing streak to ND last year, Midshipmen look to make it two in a row. Rallying from 20-point fourth-quarter deficit, Navy edged Temple, 33-27 in OT, on Nov. 1 to become bowl eligible and accept bid to play in inaugural EagleBank Bowl in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 20. LB Clint Sovie's 42-yard fumble return for TD with 37 seconds left forced OT and QB Ricky Dobbs, in relief of starter Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Nhada, then won it with one-yard TD run. Two things you can count on with Navy, great running attack (second in nation in rushing, 308 ypg), not-so-great secondary (104th in nation vs. pass, 256.7 ypg, 16 TD passes given up, 11 ints.)

No. 10 Ohio State (8-2) at Illinois (5-5)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN

COACHES: Jim Tressel (81-18 in 8th year at Ohio State) and Ron Zook (18-28 in fourth year at Illinois).

LAST WEEK: Ohio State won at Northwestern, 45-10. Illinois lost to Western Michigan, 23-17.

SERIES HISTORY: Ohio State leads, 60-30-4.

LAST MEETING: Illinois won, 28-21, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since October, 2004, Buckeyes have won 14 straight Big Ten road games including eight by 20 points or more.

GAME FACTS: Needing win to stay alive in race for third straight Big Ten title, Buckeyes also want revenge for last year when, ranked No. 1, they fell at home and never had the ball the final eight minutes of the game. After hardly being accurate as passer all season, freshman QB Terrelle Pryor found big-play groove last week (9-of-14, 197 yards passing, 3 TDs) with RB Chris "Beanie" Wells doing his usual heavy-lifting with 140 yards, 2 TDs. Defense (7th in nation in total defense, 269.8 ypg, second in Big Ten with 24 turnovers forced) has given up only 5 TDs in last five games. With 2-3 skid that has put bowl hopes in jeopardy, Illini really fell hard last week with humbling loss to MAC member Western Michigan as offense was dismal 1-for-13 on third-down conversions. QB "Juice" Williams threw for 328 yards and a TD but also tossed pair of crucial ints. that set up WMU scores as he leads Big Ten with 14 ints. Williams has much better memory of last year when he completed only 12 passes but four that went for TDs as UI beat No. 1 team for first time in 48 years. LB Britt Miller leads Big Ten with 110 tackles.

Northwestern (7-3) at MICHIGAN (3-7)

KICKOFF: 11 a.m.

TV: ESPN2

COACHES: Pat Fitzgerald (17-17 in third year at Northwestern) and Rich Rodriguez (first year at Michigan).

LAST WEEK: Northwestern lost at home to Ohio State, 45-10. Michigan won at Minnesota, 29-6.

SERIES HISTORY: Michigan leads, 52-14-2.

LAST MEETING: Michigan won, 28-16, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1960, Wolverines are 18-1 vs. Wildcats in Ann Arbor and are 30-4 vs. NU overall during that span.

GAME FACTS: With RBs Tyrell Sutton (broken arm), Omar Contah (knee) both done for season, Wildcats are down to 5-8, 175-pound sophomore Steven Simmons (14 carries for 34 yards last week). QB C.J. Bacher could return from hamstring problem. If not, junior backup Mike Kafka (18-of-27, 177 passing, int., TD run last week) will start third straight game. LB Nate Williams had career-high 10 tackles last week, though defense continues to get pushed around (gave up 244 rushing last week). Wolverines snapped 5-game losing streak last week behind fine efforts from QB Nick Sheridan (18-of-30, 203 passing), CB Brandon Harrison (4 tackles, 2 for loss, sack), DE Tim Jamison (6 tackles, sack, forced fumble). K K.C. Lopota was perfect 5-for-5 on FGs. With 2-3 mark in Ann Arbor, win would avoid UM's first losing season at home since 1967.

No. 4 Texas (9-1) at Kansas (6-4)

KICKOFF: 11:30 a.m.

TV: Fox Sports Net

COACHES: Mack Brown (112-26 in 11th year at Texas) and Mark Mangino (43-40 in 7th year at Kansas).

LAST WEEK: Texas beat Baylor, 45-21. Kansas lost at Nebraska, 45-35.

SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 6-2.

LAST MEETING: Texas won, 66-14, in 2005.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In current 1-3 slide, Jayhawks have surrendered 174 points while Longhorns are fifth in nation in scoring (44.3 points per game).

GAME FACTS: Third in BCS this week, it wouldn't hurt if Longhorns won this one big. And it's hard to see awful KU secondary (last in Big 12, 116th in nation vs. pass, 276.3 ypg; 12 TD passes given up in last four games) slowing down Longhorns QB Colt McCoy (fourth in nation in QB rating, 244-of-313, 2,879 passing, 28 TDs, 7 ints., 7 TD runs). Line might have problem with C Chris Hall (knee) out and his backup Buck Burnett left the team after he posted racial slur about president-elect Obama on website. So freshman David Snow will start at center. DE Brian Orakpo (leads Big 12 with 8-1/2 sacks) could return from knee injury. After school-record 12 wins that included Orange Bowl triumph over Virginia Tech, Jayhawks have been disappointment. QB Todd Reesing (10th in nation with 2,942 total offense, 23 TD passes, 10 ints., 4 TD runs) has done all he can. But games like last week (outscored 31-21 in second half) show defense just isn't getting it done with senior LB James Holt (third in Big 12 with 13 tackles for loss) one of few bright spots. KU's 1-6 mark vs. top-10 teams since 2004 is hardly encouraging as well.

No. 24 South Carolina (7-3) at No. 3 Florida (8-1)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: CBS

COACHES: Steve Spurrier (28-19 in fourth year at South Carolina) and Urban Meyer (39-9 in fourth year at Florida).

LAST WEEK: South Carolina beat Arkansas, 34-21. Florida won at Vanderbilt, 42-14.

SERIES HISTORY: Florida leads, 21-4-3.

LAST MEETING: Florida won, 51-31, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since Gamecocks joined SEC in 1992, Gators are 15-1 vs. USC including 8-0 mark in Gainesville.

GAME FACTS: Gamecocks have never won regular-season game on CBS (0-10), though they came so close in UF icon Spurrier's return to The Swamp two years ago, falling 17-16 on blocked FG in final seconds. Excellent defense (leads SEC, third in nation in total defense, 256.5 ypg) has carried load so far, but depth could be problem here with LB Rodney Paulk (knee) questionable, S Chris Culliver out for first half after getting thrown out of last week's game for fighting. DE Jordan Lindsey (2 tackles, int.) was SEC defensive lineman of week last week. Spurrier went back to his favorite quirky tactic of alternating QBs Chris Smelley, Stephen Garcia last week. Those two will be challenged by tough UF defense (leads SEC, fourth in nation in scoring, 11.9 ppg, third in SEC with 14 ints.). Heisman QB Tim Tebow (leads SEC in QB rating, 126-of-194, 1,740 passing, 17 TDs, 2 ints., 10 TD runs) utterly dominated 'Cocks last year with Herculean performance, that included 422 total yards, 5 TD runs, 2 TD passes. Gators have steam-rolled foes by combined score of 199-24 in first half to sew up SEC East title, date with Alabama in SEC Championship Game Dec. 6 in Atlanta. UF has also blocked Gamecocks' kick in each of last four years. How tough is it to win at The Swamp? UF is 104-13 (57-9 vs. SEC) at home since 1990.

No. 17 North Carolina (7-2) at Maryland (6-3)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Butch Davis (11-10 in second year at UNC) and Ralph Friedgen (62-34 in 8th year at Maryland).

LAST WEEK: North Carolina beat Georgia Tech, 28-7. Maryland lost at Virginia Tech, 23-13.

SERIES HISTORY: UNC leads, 35-32-1.

LAST MEETING: UNC won, 16-13, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since September 29, 2007, Terps have won five straight games over ranked opponents, three of team coming in College Park by combined score of 103-62.

GAME FACTS: Huge game for both schools locked in race for ACC title game. Tied with Miami atop ACC Coastal Division, Tar Heels haven't won in College Park since 1997 (0-3). In last two wins over Boston College, Ga. Tech, QB Cameron Sexton has thrown for 338 yards with 5 TD passes with 0 ints. in 46 passes. WR Hakeem Nicks (50 catches, 8 TDs, 17.1 ypc) needs one more TD grab to ties school record for most in season. Slipping to third in ACC Atlantic, Terps laid serious egg at Va. Tech finishing with miserable -minus 12 yards rushing as offense line got manhandled. Meanwhile, defense let Hokies freshman RB Darren Evans rip through them for school record 253 yards and now ranks 11th in ACC (74th in nation) vs. run (152.3 ypg). LB Rick Costa is suspended after allegedly punching police officer last weekend. QB Chris Turner (19-of-31, 240 passing, TD) was effective at Va. Tech early but got little done in second half aside from 63-yard TD strike to WR Darrius Heyward-Bey. Turner also would like to forget last year at Chapel Hill when he made mental blunder throwing ball away under pressure on fourth-down from UNC 41 with 36 seconds left.

California (6-3) at No. 23 Oregon State (6-3)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Jeff Tedford (56-29 in 7th year at Cal) and Mike Riley (53-41 in 8th year at Oregon State).

LAST WEEK: Cal lost at USC, 17-3. Oregon State won at USC, 34-6.

SERIES HISTORY: Cal leads, 33-27.

LAST MEETING: Oregon State won, 31-28, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1999, Beavers are 7-2 vs. Bears including last year's upset of No. 2-ranked Cal.

GAME FACTS: Bears want revenge for last year, when QB Kevin Riley nearly sparked final-period rally only to scramble and get tackled inside OSU 10 as clock ran out before Bears could try tying FG. Having won 17 of 20 coming into that game, Cal is just 8-8 since that crushing loss. Offense that was stifled last week finishing with 165 total yards (27 rushing) while giving up four sacks. Tedford continues to play both Riley and senior Nate Longshore. If Beavers can win here then at Arizona and Oregon in season-finale, OSU would win first Pac-10 title since 1964. All of 5-6 and 180 pounds, RB Jacauizz Rodgers has already darted his way to Pac-10 freshman record 1,089 yards, 10 TDs while also catching 27 passes. Riley loves pressure defense (second in Pac-10 with 65 tackles for loss, fourth with 22 sacks). Injury problems include QB Lyle Moeavo (shoulder), WR Shane Morales, who strained hip muscle trying to dunk football over goalpost's crossbar during the walkthrough at UCLA last Friday. Junior QB Sean Canfield gets start and has been effective (16-of-22, 222 passing, 2 TDs, int. last week).

Minnesota (7-3) at Wisconsin (5-5)

KICKOFF: 2:30 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Tim Brewster (8-14 in second year at Minnesota) and Bret Bielema (26-10 in third year at Wisconsin).

LAST WEEK: Minnesota lost at home to Michigan, 29-6. Wisconsin won at Indiana, 55-20.

SERIES HISTORY: Minnesota leads, 59-50-8.

LAST MEETING: Wisconsin won, 41-34, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: In racing to 7-1 start, Golden Gophers averaged 28 points per game. In losing last two home games to Northwestern, Michigan, UM managed just 23 points.

GAME FACTS: College football's most-played rivalry convenes (117 games dating back to 1890) to claim Paul Bunyon's Ax trophy (first awarded in 1950). Gophers offense lacked zip last week minus star WR Eric Decker, who is doubtful with ankle problem. QB Adam Weber threw for 10 TDs with 3 ints. in 7-1 start and 1 TD with 2 ints. in last two losses. DE Willie VanDeSteeg is fifth in Big Ten with 15 tackles for loss. Having seized Ax last four years and 11 of last 13, Badgers will be challenged trying to get it this time -- especially after UM piled up 501 total yards in last year's loss in Minneapolis. Running game ran wild last week as Gophers piled up 441 yards on ground with RBs P.J. Hill (126 yards) and John Clay (112) both topping 100 yards and WR David Gilreath bursting for 168 more on reverses including 90-yard TD burst. Senior OT Eric Vanden Heuvel (leg) is doubtful.

No. 6 Southern Cal (8-1) at Stanford (5-5)

KICKOFF: 6 p.m.

TV: Versus

COACHES: Pete Carroll (84-15 in 8th year at USC) and Jim Harbaugh (9-13 in second year at Stanford).

LAST WEEK: USC beat Cal, 17-3. Stanford lost at Oregon, 35-28.

SERIES HISTORY: USC leads, 58-25-3.

LAST MEETING: Stanford won, 24-23, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Under Carroll, Trojans are unbeaten 25-0 in November games..

GAME FACTS: Trojans are ready for some payback for last year when stunning loss to 41-point underdog Cardinal probably kept SC out of national title game. In current 6-game winning streak, USC has outscored foes 231-23 as defense (leads nation in total defense, 206.4 ypg, scoring, 6.7 ppg and vs. pass, 128.7 ypg, 2 TD passes, 13 ints.) has given up just two TDs. LB Rey Maualuga had 10 tackles last week and has big NFL future. In last four games, QB Mark Sanchez has thrown 10 TD passes vs. 1 int. Cardinals needs another big upset here or at Cal next week to become eligible for first bowl since 2001, which would be no small feat for Harbaugh. Close games have been Stanford's calling card (3-3 mark in games decided by 8 points or less), including last week's heartbreaker on TD run with six seconds left. RB Tony Gerhart needs 69 yards to become Cardinals' first 1,000-yard rusher since 1991 but is questionable with hamstring problem. Hero of last year's USC upset with TD pass in final minute, QB Tavita Pritchard has struggled to find consistency (6 TD passes, int. in five wins, 3 TD passes, 8 ints. in five losses).

Mississippi State (3-6) at No. 1 Alabama (10-0)

KICKOFF: 6:45 p.m.

TV: ESPN

COACHES: Sylvester Croom (20-36 in fifth year at Mississippi State) and Nick Saban (17-6 in second year at Alabama).

LAST WEEK: Mississippi State was off. Alabama won at LSU, 27-21, in OT.

SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads, 71-18-3.

LAST MEETING: Mississippi State won, 17-12, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Crimson Tide is second in SEC, 7th in nation in scoring defense (13.1 points per game) while Bulldogs are 11th in SEC, 114th in nation in scoring offense (16.1 ppg).

GAME FACTS: Under Croom, Bulldogs have been thorn in Tide's side winning last two years (first time MSU has done that since winning three straight from 1996-98) and holding UA offense without a TD since 2004. But that jinx holding up is unlikely as putrid offense has scored just 59 points in losing four of five SEC games. CB Derek Pegues (38 tackles, int., forced fumble) has NFL-type ability. Needing win to stay atop BCS standings, Tide has already clinched SEC West, date with Florida in SEC Championship Game Dec. 6. Saban had to like way team gutted its way through last week, twice rallying from deficits, then surviving having Leigh Tiffin's potential game-winning 29-yard FG on final play of regulation blocked. But CB Rashad Johnson simply wouldn't let Tide lose, intercepting 3 passes including 54-yard TD return that tied game in second quarter, then picking off pass in second play of OT. After connecting with freshman WR Julio Jones for seventh time on day, QB John Parker Wilson snuck in for 1-yard TD for clutch win. RB Glen Coffee did much of the heavy lifting with 126 yards on 26 carries with TD.

Boston College (6-3) at No. 20 Florida State (7-2)

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Jeff Jagodzinski (17-6 in second year at BC) and Bobby Bowden (307-89-4 in 33rd year at FSU).

LAST WEEK: BC beat Notre Dame, 17-0. FSU beat Clemson, 41-27.

SERIES HISTORY: FSU leads, 4-2.

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

STAT THAT MATTERS: Seminoles lead ACC, are fifth in nation in total defense (265.6 yards per game) while Eagles are seventh in ACC, 95th in nation in total offense (324.8 ypg).

GAME FACTS: Key battle in jumbled ACC Atlantic race. Eagles are in fourth, well behind Seminoles who are tied with Wake Forest atop division. BC defense was dominant last week, holding Notre Dame to just 292 total yards with four sacks while forcing five turnovers including S Paul Anderson's 76-yard int. TD return. On down side, offense continues to struggle managing only 13 first downs, 246 total yards, 120 of it rushing by RB Montel Harris. FSU beat second-ranked Eagles last year and are playing with confidence. Win over Clemson last week was fine 79th birthday present for Bowden (his 380th career triumph). Behind power running game (266 yards rushing), FSU roared back from 10-0 deficit, putting game away in final quarter on pair of TD runs by Antone Smith, the last a 41-yarder with 1:49 left. Menacing DE Everette Brown (second in ACC with 9 sacks) is leader of aggressive defense (leads ACC with 28 sacks).

No. 11 Oklahoma State (8-2) at Colorado (5-5)

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: ABC (regional)

COACHES: Mike Gundy (26-21 in fourth year at Oklahoma State) and Dan Hawkins (13-22 in third year at Colorado).

LAST WEEK: Oklahoma State lost at Texas Tech, 56-20. Colorado beat Iowa State, 28-24.

SERIES HISTORY: Colorado leads, 26-17-1.

LAST MEETING: Colorado won, 34-0, in 2005.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Since 1989, Buffaloes are 11-2 vs. Cowboys including 5-1 mark in Boulder.

GAME FACTS: Gundy has to be wondering what happened to his defense last week as Texas Tech riddled 'Pokes for 629 yards (516 passing) and 7 TD passes. What's more surprising was high-powered offense (7th in nation in total offense, 497.6 ypg) didn't exactly do much, either, outside of RB Kendall Hunter (117 rushing, 2 TDs). WR Dez Bryant has 40 catches, 15 TDs in 6 home games and 24 catches with 0 TDs in four road games. Buffs snapped out of 1-5 skid last week when Hawkins yanked struggling freshman QB Tyler Hansen in second half in favor of his son, former starter Cody who was phenomenal (20-of-29, 226 passing, 4 TDs) in leading comeback win. His 5-yard TD strike to WR Cody Crawford was game-winner. Dan Hawkins had better hope this one doesn't come down to a FG as Jamison Davis misfired twice last week making CU kickers 1-for-10 in last 7 games. And now Davis has sore knee so Aric Goodman may have to handle placements.

Vanderbilt (5-4) at Kentucky (6-4)

KICKOFF: 7 p.m.

TV: ESPN2

COACHES: Bobby Johnson (25-54 in 7th year at Vandy) and Rich Brooks (31-39 in 6th year at Kentucky). LAST WEEK: Vanderbilt lost at home to Florida, 42-14. Kentucky lost at home to Georgia, 42-38.

SERIES HISTORY: Kentucky leads, 39-37-4.

LAST MEETING: Kentucky won, 27-20, last year.

STAT THAT MATTERS: Wildcats have beaten Commodores four straight by combined total of 25 points.

GAME FACTS: Vandy needs win here, or vs. Tennessee or Wake Forest in final two games to be eligible for first bowl bid since 1982 (longest postseason drought in SEC). Since start of last season, Vandy is 0-8 when trying to get magical sixth win for postseason eligibility. Last week was first time all year 'Dores were not competitive falling behind, 35-0, at halftime. After finishing pair of scoring drives with TD passes in second half, QB Chris Nickson will likely start with Mackenzi Adams (hip) a bit banged up. Wildcats got good effort from freshman QB Randall Cobb (187 yards total offense, 3 TD runs) in his first start last week, though hopes for upset vanished when Cobb's screen pass was picked off at Georgia 15 in final minute. Secondary was torched for 376 yards passing, 3 TDs as defense three times gave up leads in the second half, the final on TD pass with 1:54 left. P Tim Masthay (third in nation in punting, 45.9 ypp) is field-position weapon. UK has already all but clinched third straight bowl trip, something that hasn't happened since Paul "Bear" Bryant took Wildcats to Orange, Sugar and Cotton Bowls from 1949-51.

(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)