Northern Illinois 45, Bowling Green 14
Toledo 66, Western Michigan 63
Temple 24, Miami (OH) 21
All of the above games were played prior to this entry, but had big impacts on the MAC. NIU controls its own destiny to win the Wast by simply not losing, while Temple needs to win out and Ohio needs to lose this weekend in order for The Owls take the East.
Ohio at Central Michigan
As mentioned, Ohio needs to simply keep winning, and the division is theirs. CMU has been out of it for a while, but they still have a great passing attack headed by Radcliffe. On the other side, Tyler Tettleton has been outstanding for the Bobcats, throwing ofr over 200o yards and 20 TD's so far. 44 of his completions have gone to SR LaVon Brazill, who has put it in the endzone 8 times.
No. 10 Virginia Tech at No. 21 Georgia Tech
How big is this game for the Coastal division? GT wins, they are not the leaders. VT wins, and they have to merely hold on. The triple-option is never easy to defend, but VT held them i check last year. Logan Thomas needs to play well and not let the big stage rattle him. Help relieving that pressure will be Wilson, who has ran for over 1100 yards so far this year.
No. 2 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
TTU can nto decide if they want to be the giant killer, or giant choker. They get another chance to prove they are the killer as they take on a Cowboys team that is giving up a lot of points, even though they are the leading scoring team in the nation. Doege should have a field day this week...but so should Weeden. This could be an old fashioned barn burner of epic proportions, which lots of yards and points.
Wake Forest at No. 9 Clemson
WF is only a game behind Clemson and a win would out them in a 2-way tie (3-way tie if FSU can win). Taj Boys and Sammy Watkins have been scary good, while an emerging star is rising at WF in Tanner Price. Playing in Death valley is no easy task and will be a big test for the young QB.
No. 19 Nebraska at No. 12 Penn State
Despite all of the controversy going on in the program, this game is big. NU already has two in conference losses, and a 3rd would for surely knock them out of the race. Meanwhile, PSU is undefeated in conference play, and has only lost to Alabama. They have a two game lead on UW, so this game isnt as critical for them as it is for the Huskers. PSU's offense has done very little this year, but their defense is outstanding.
No. 17 Michigan State at Iowa
MSU is sitting atop the Legends division, with UM and NU licing their chops to knock them down. They need to just win. Easier said then done, especially with a dangerous Iowa team hosting them this weekend. They knocked off UM last week, and would like nothing more than to play spoiler again. If the Hawkeyes win, they would be in the running for the division. James Vandenberg gives them the fire power to do so, with 18 TD's thrown and only 4 INTs. Marcus Coker is one of the best in the land, amassing over 1100 yards and 12 TD himself this year.
West Virginia at No. 23 Cincinnati
WVU needs to win to stay in contention in the BE and Cincy is quietly mowing down everyone in their path, and has snuck into the top 25. Geno Smith looks to spoil their fun, coming in tossing 23 TD's and only 5 INT's. Cincy counters with Calleros, who has had a down year to this point, but is still very dangerous.
Pittsburgh at Louisville
Louisville needs to keep winning to keep hope alive. Pitt is in the same position as WVU, and they need to win to stay in the race. Both offenses have struggled, UL more so than Pitts.
Wyoming at Air Force
Both teams are sitting at 5 wins, which means one of these teams will become bowl eligible this weekend. For AF, its nothing new. To the Cowboys, however, it would be the 2nd time in 3 years. It also would keep them in the race for the MWC, with TCU and BSU playing each-other this weekend. FR Brett Smith has done well this year, but may be sidelined due to a concussion last week against TCU.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Arkansas State
This could be the deciding game for the SBC. If ULL wins, it creates a 3-way tie between ArSU, WKU, and ULL. If ArSU wins, they can win out and take the crown.
TCU at No. 5 Boise State
Winner could take it all. If TCU wins, they can win out and its theirs. However, if BSU takes it and Wyoming wins, we get a showdown of Cowboys and Broncos that could get interesting. Kellen Moore has been outstanding this year, but what else is new?
Miami (FL) at Florida State
Rivalry game here, and a fierce one at that. There has been some dooseys in the history of these two playing one another. Both have been disappointments this year, but that wont dampen two teams that like to hit hard. FSU has won 4 in a row and is still a game behind Clemson for the Atlantic. However, a win coupled with a WF win still puts the Noles at a disadvantage, as they lost to both CU and WF in back-to-back games this year. They will need some help, but can win. FSu leads the nation in sacks, and that trend will need to continue to make Harris uncomfortable and prone to making mistakes.
Washington at USC
UW has not faired well on the big stage this year, losing all 3 of their games to ranked opponents thus far. No, USC is not ranked in the AP, but they are in the Coaches poll and are as good as a ranked team. Matt Barkely has been the best QB not named Luck in the Pac this year, getting help from Woods and Lee at WR. Sark and UW has beaten USC the last 2 years, each by a last second FG from Nick Folk. They would love to keep that tradition going and jockey for a good bowl game in December.
Tennessee at No. 8 Arkansas
While the "Gem of the Century" occurred last week with LSU and LAA facing off, another huge SEC game is brewing in the SECE. If Arkansas wins out, and LSU remains unbeaten, we could see another top 5 match-up, which could possibly make a mess of the division. ALA has already beaten ARK, and if the Razorbacks can beat UT and keep rolling into LSU, we could see a 3 way tie going on.
Florida Atlantic at Florida International
Rivalry game. FAU stinks, FIU doesn't. Nothing really to see here outside of battling for instate recruits. This game has gotten ugly in the past between players, so who knows.
UNLV at New Mexico
Why is the here? Because this will be the best shot for UNM to NOT go winless this year. UNVL is bad at football, even though they have found a way to win 2 games.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 7 Oregon at No. 4 Stanford
Sure, the SEC had a huge game last week, but this one is just as big, becuase it more or less could decide the conference, and either propel a team into NCG contention, or knock one completely out. Luck and James are both Heisman candidates, but both teams are so much more than those two. Stanford's pro-style, grind em down offense against Oregon's crazy-paced score-in-one-minute-and-30-seconds offense will be completely contrasting, and taxing on these very good defenses. One is big and physical, the other could be seen as fast and finessed. Either way, an X-factor for each team could be the difference here: DeAnthony Thomas for Oregon, and Coby Fleenor for Stanford. Also, the battle in the trenches are critical: if Stanford can turn the Ducks one-dimensional, this could be a uphill battle for Chip Kelly. If Oregon can put pressure on Luck, they stand a good chance of corralling him and causing minimal damage.
Toledo 66, Western Michigan 63
Temple 24, Miami (OH) 21
All of the above games were played prior to this entry, but had big impacts on the MAC. NIU controls its own destiny to win the Wast by simply not losing, while Temple needs to win out and Ohio needs to lose this weekend in order for The Owls take the East.
Ohio at Central Michigan
As mentioned, Ohio needs to simply keep winning, and the division is theirs. CMU has been out of it for a while, but they still have a great passing attack headed by Radcliffe. On the other side, Tyler Tettleton has been outstanding for the Bobcats, throwing ofr over 200o yards and 20 TD's so far. 44 of his completions have gone to SR LaVon Brazill, who has put it in the endzone 8 times.
No. 10 Virginia Tech at No. 21 Georgia Tech
How big is this game for the Coastal division? GT wins, they are not the leaders. VT wins, and they have to merely hold on. The triple-option is never easy to defend, but VT held them i check last year. Logan Thomas needs to play well and not let the big stage rattle him. Help relieving that pressure will be Wilson, who has ran for over 1100 yards so far this year.
No. 2 Oklahoma State at Texas Tech
TTU can nto decide if they want to be the giant killer, or giant choker. They get another chance to prove they are the killer as they take on a Cowboys team that is giving up a lot of points, even though they are the leading scoring team in the nation. Doege should have a field day this week...but so should Weeden. This could be an old fashioned barn burner of epic proportions, which lots of yards and points.
Wake Forest at No. 9 Clemson
WF is only a game behind Clemson and a win would out them in a 2-way tie (3-way tie if FSU can win). Taj Boys and Sammy Watkins have been scary good, while an emerging star is rising at WF in Tanner Price. Playing in Death valley is no easy task and will be a big test for the young QB.
No. 19 Nebraska at No. 12 Penn State
Despite all of the controversy going on in the program, this game is big. NU already has two in conference losses, and a 3rd would for surely knock them out of the race. Meanwhile, PSU is undefeated in conference play, and has only lost to Alabama. They have a two game lead on UW, so this game isnt as critical for them as it is for the Huskers. PSU's offense has done very little this year, but their defense is outstanding.
No. 17 Michigan State at Iowa
MSU is sitting atop the Legends division, with UM and NU licing their chops to knock them down. They need to just win. Easier said then done, especially with a dangerous Iowa team hosting them this weekend. They knocked off UM last week, and would like nothing more than to play spoiler again. If the Hawkeyes win, they would be in the running for the division. James Vandenberg gives them the fire power to do so, with 18 TD's thrown and only 4 INTs. Marcus Coker is one of the best in the land, amassing over 1100 yards and 12 TD himself this year.
West Virginia at No. 23 Cincinnati
WVU needs to win to stay in contention in the BE and Cincy is quietly mowing down everyone in their path, and has snuck into the top 25. Geno Smith looks to spoil their fun, coming in tossing 23 TD's and only 5 INT's. Cincy counters with Calleros, who has had a down year to this point, but is still very dangerous.
Pittsburgh at Louisville
Louisville needs to keep winning to keep hope alive. Pitt is in the same position as WVU, and they need to win to stay in the race. Both offenses have struggled, UL more so than Pitts.
Wyoming at Air Force
Both teams are sitting at 5 wins, which means one of these teams will become bowl eligible this weekend. For AF, its nothing new. To the Cowboys, however, it would be the 2nd time in 3 years. It also would keep them in the race for the MWC, with TCU and BSU playing each-other this weekend. FR Brett Smith has done well this year, but may be sidelined due to a concussion last week against TCU.
Louisiana-Lafayette at Arkansas State
This could be the deciding game for the SBC. If ULL wins, it creates a 3-way tie between ArSU, WKU, and ULL. If ArSU wins, they can win out and take the crown.
TCU at No. 5 Boise State
Winner could take it all. If TCU wins, they can win out and its theirs. However, if BSU takes it and Wyoming wins, we get a showdown of Cowboys and Broncos that could get interesting. Kellen Moore has been outstanding this year, but what else is new?
Miami (FL) at Florida State
Rivalry game here, and a fierce one at that. There has been some dooseys in the history of these two playing one another. Both have been disappointments this year, but that wont dampen two teams that like to hit hard. FSU has won 4 in a row and is still a game behind Clemson for the Atlantic. However, a win coupled with a WF win still puts the Noles at a disadvantage, as they lost to both CU and WF in back-to-back games this year. They will need some help, but can win. FSu leads the nation in sacks, and that trend will need to continue to make Harris uncomfortable and prone to making mistakes.
Washington at USC
UW has not faired well on the big stage this year, losing all 3 of their games to ranked opponents thus far. No, USC is not ranked in the AP, but they are in the Coaches poll and are as good as a ranked team. Matt Barkely has been the best QB not named Luck in the Pac this year, getting help from Woods and Lee at WR. Sark and UW has beaten USC the last 2 years, each by a last second FG from Nick Folk. They would love to keep that tradition going and jockey for a good bowl game in December.
Tennessee at No. 8 Arkansas
While the "Gem of the Century" occurred last week with LSU and LAA facing off, another huge SEC game is brewing in the SECE. If Arkansas wins out, and LSU remains unbeaten, we could see another top 5 match-up, which could possibly make a mess of the division. ALA has already beaten ARK, and if the Razorbacks can beat UT and keep rolling into LSU, we could see a 3 way tie going on.
Florida Atlantic at Florida International
Rivalry game. FAU stinks, FIU doesn't. Nothing really to see here outside of battling for instate recruits. This game has gotten ugly in the past between players, so who knows.
UNLV at New Mexico
Why is the here? Because this will be the best shot for UNM to NOT go winless this year. UNVL is bad at football, even though they have found a way to win 2 games.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 7 Oregon at No. 4 Stanford
Sure, the SEC had a huge game last week, but this one is just as big, becuase it more or less could decide the conference, and either propel a team into NCG contention, or knock one completely out. Luck and James are both Heisman candidates, but both teams are so much more than those two. Stanford's pro-style, grind em down offense against Oregon's crazy-paced score-in-one-minute-and-30-seconds offense will be completely contrasting, and taxing on these very good defenses. One is big and physical, the other could be seen as fast and finessed. Either way, an X-factor for each team could be the difference here: DeAnthony Thomas for Oregon, and Coby Fleenor for Stanford. Also, the battle in the trenches are critical: if Stanford can turn the Ducks one-dimensional, this could be a uphill battle for Chip Kelly. If Oregon can put pressure on Luck, they stand a good chance of corralling him and causing minimal damage.
