Well, the season is more or less at the half way point already. Some pivotal IC matchups this week, even for how early on in IC play it is.
Rutgers at Pittsburgh
An emotional game for The Scarlet Knights, as they return to the field after the horrific accident last week. They face a down spiraling Pitt team who could use a win to stay in contention in the BE. Rutgers is on the rise, and need this game as a stepping stone in their quest to take the conference.
Maryland at Boston College
BC has turned into a hapless team, with no QB play, a struggling Montel Harris (who ripped FSU AGAIN last week), and a WR corp that just seems lost. Maryland is surprising many, and is powered by the running duo of Meggett and Scott. This is a not a gimmie, as BC's defense, led by MLB Luke Kuechly, is very good, and held FSU in check most of the game last week.
Ohio at Miami (OH)
Most folks probably dont know that this is a rivalry game labeled The Battle of the Bricks, which expands beyond just football. Either way, this is an important divisional MAC game, as each is jockeying for the top spot in the East: Miami is atop, and Ohio wants it. Boo Jackson can be an electric player at times, but gets over anxious often. Miami counters with Armand Robinson, SR WR who has 599 yds already and is looking for more.
No. 6 LSU at No. 4 Auburn
LSU continues to get lucky, but it may just run out this week. Cam Newton has sprung to the top of the Heisman race, and rightfully so. He is fast, makes good decisions, and can outrun just about anyone on the field. LSU's D will have its hands full.
No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 15 Iowa
Why Wisconsin only jumped up 3 spots in the poll is beyond me, but they need to focus on a very tough task: Iowa at home. The Hawkeyes have one of the best DLmen in the nation Adrian in Clayborn, who is sure to be a 1st day draft pick. He and the rest of the Iowa D will have to find a way to slow down big John Clay, who only has one game this year under 100 yads....a loss to MSU.
No. 16 Nebraska at No. 14 Oklahoma State
The Big 12 is showcasing cross-divisional games this week, so none are very important in the way of the divisions shaping up. However, this is still a big time game. OSU has surpsied many people this year, but no one is surprised at what Kendall Hunter is doing. Nebraska is going to have to slow him down and find a way to deal with Weeden, who is near the top in many QB stat categories this year. Taylor Martinez struggled mightily in the loss to UT, and was eventually benched in favor of Lee. He will have to show back up if NU wants to win this game.
Houston at SMU
Keenum being out looks like trouble for Houston the rest of the way. SMU and UH tied in the CUSA West divisions last year, but UH got the nod because they won the head-to-head matchup. Padron and company hope to conquer them this year, and its going to be his arm that helps them get there. Ever since struggling against TCU, he has lit up the stat sheet, throwing for 9 TD's and posting a 70% completion percentage.
Hawaii at Utah State
Guess who is ontop of the WAC? No, its NOT BSU (2-0)...its Hawaii believe or not (3-0). If they want to stay at pace with BSU, they just need to win. Moniz leads the nation in TD passes and passing YDS. USU seems to fading, and Borel is struggling, only passing for one TD in the last 3 games.
North Carolina at Miami (FL)
UNC has been hit hard this year with legal trouble and have been short on some o ftheir best talent all year. Even with that said, they are 4-2 and in contention in the ACC Coastal division. TJ Yates is FINALLY looking like the QB he did in his FR campaign, including going for 325 yds last week vs. UVA. He will take on a UM team that isnt sure how good they are, and Harris has struggled again at times this year, most notably last week and looks like a groin injury may not be helping. Winner of this game stays on track to take the division, where VT is 3-0 at the moment and neither team has played yet.
Air Force at No. 5 TCU
AF lost last weekend in dramatic fashion to SDSU, which means they are looking for revenge against a very good defensive TCU team. Everyone talks about BSU being as BCS buster, and its seems that the Horned Frogs have flown under the radar. While they dont boast an offense that scores 60 points a week, they do have a SR QB in Dalton who is listed as one o the best NFL QB prospect in this the upcoming draft. They also bring SO RB Ed Wesley to the table, who can take the pressure off of Dalton. AF will counter with a very good ground game, lead by Clark, who can also play QB funny enough.
San Diego State at New Mexico
As mentioned, SDSU beat AF last week, the first win over a ranked team in 14 years for the Aztecs. That puts them in contention for the MWC, but the road wont be easy. However, it helps to play a patsy in UNM, who hasnt won a game yet this year. True FR Ronnie Hillman has been fantastic this year, and looks to have a huge game against a really bad run defense.
Washington at No. 18 Arizona
UW played its best game of the season last week on defense, giving Katz his first multiple INT game (3). They were intense, driven, and worked hard. Of course, not having James Rodgers on the other side of the ball didnt hurt either. They are in a similar situation this week, as Nick Foles is out and his replacement, who used to be the starter, Scott is in. UW is on the cusp of a bowl season for the first time in 8 years, and AZ is looking to stay in contention for the Pac-10 crown. A loss for either team could be devastating for each team's goals.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 11 Missouri
Oklahoma somehow got the #1 BCS slot, despite having some questionable games early this year. On the other side, Mizzou has quietly snuck near the top 10, with outstanding play coming from not only the defense, but from QB Gabbert, who had a very big and accurate arm. No doubt he will be looking for this big play threat in TJ Moe, who is near the 600 yd mark in reception yards. UO will counter with Landry, who continues to make people forget about Sam Bradford. DeMarco Murray is heading towards one of the best careers for a RB in Sooner history. While this isnt a divisional matchup, this is a big time game for a number of reasons, as a Mizzou victory would get them close to a top spot int he BCS and a Sooner win will put the pressure on the rest of the unbeaten's to remain so. You can bet all of Autzen will be watching this game.
Rutgers at Pittsburgh
An emotional game for The Scarlet Knights, as they return to the field after the horrific accident last week. They face a down spiraling Pitt team who could use a win to stay in contention in the BE. Rutgers is on the rise, and need this game as a stepping stone in their quest to take the conference.
Maryland at Boston College
BC has turned into a hapless team, with no QB play, a struggling Montel Harris (who ripped FSU AGAIN last week), and a WR corp that just seems lost. Maryland is surprising many, and is powered by the running duo of Meggett and Scott. This is a not a gimmie, as BC's defense, led by MLB Luke Kuechly, is very good, and held FSU in check most of the game last week.
Ohio at Miami (OH)
Most folks probably dont know that this is a rivalry game labeled The Battle of the Bricks, which expands beyond just football. Either way, this is an important divisional MAC game, as each is jockeying for the top spot in the East: Miami is atop, and Ohio wants it. Boo Jackson can be an electric player at times, but gets over anxious often. Miami counters with Armand Robinson, SR WR who has 599 yds already and is looking for more.
No. 6 LSU at No. 4 Auburn
LSU continues to get lucky, but it may just run out this week. Cam Newton has sprung to the top of the Heisman race, and rightfully so. He is fast, makes good decisions, and can outrun just about anyone on the field. LSU's D will have its hands full.
No. 13 Wisconsin at No. 15 Iowa
Why Wisconsin only jumped up 3 spots in the poll is beyond me, but they need to focus on a very tough task: Iowa at home. The Hawkeyes have one of the best DLmen in the nation Adrian in Clayborn, who is sure to be a 1st day draft pick. He and the rest of the Iowa D will have to find a way to slow down big John Clay, who only has one game this year under 100 yads....a loss to MSU.
No. 16 Nebraska at No. 14 Oklahoma State
The Big 12 is showcasing cross-divisional games this week, so none are very important in the way of the divisions shaping up. However, this is still a big time game. OSU has surpsied many people this year, but no one is surprised at what Kendall Hunter is doing. Nebraska is going to have to slow him down and find a way to deal with Weeden, who is near the top in many QB stat categories this year. Taylor Martinez struggled mightily in the loss to UT, and was eventually benched in favor of Lee. He will have to show back up if NU wants to win this game.
Houston at SMU
Keenum being out looks like trouble for Houston the rest of the way. SMU and UH tied in the CUSA West divisions last year, but UH got the nod because they won the head-to-head matchup. Padron and company hope to conquer them this year, and its going to be his arm that helps them get there. Ever since struggling against TCU, he has lit up the stat sheet, throwing for 9 TD's and posting a 70% completion percentage.
Hawaii at Utah State
Guess who is ontop of the WAC? No, its NOT BSU (2-0)...its Hawaii believe or not (3-0). If they want to stay at pace with BSU, they just need to win. Moniz leads the nation in TD passes and passing YDS. USU seems to fading, and Borel is struggling, only passing for one TD in the last 3 games.
North Carolina at Miami (FL)
UNC has been hit hard this year with legal trouble and have been short on some o ftheir best talent all year. Even with that said, they are 4-2 and in contention in the ACC Coastal division. TJ Yates is FINALLY looking like the QB he did in his FR campaign, including going for 325 yds last week vs. UVA. He will take on a UM team that isnt sure how good they are, and Harris has struggled again at times this year, most notably last week and looks like a groin injury may not be helping. Winner of this game stays on track to take the division, where VT is 3-0 at the moment and neither team has played yet.
Air Force at No. 5 TCU
AF lost last weekend in dramatic fashion to SDSU, which means they are looking for revenge against a very good defensive TCU team. Everyone talks about BSU being as BCS buster, and its seems that the Horned Frogs have flown under the radar. While they dont boast an offense that scores 60 points a week, they do have a SR QB in Dalton who is listed as one o the best NFL QB prospect in this the upcoming draft. They also bring SO RB Ed Wesley to the table, who can take the pressure off of Dalton. AF will counter with a very good ground game, lead by Clark, who can also play QB funny enough.
San Diego State at New Mexico
As mentioned, SDSU beat AF last week, the first win over a ranked team in 14 years for the Aztecs. That puts them in contention for the MWC, but the road wont be easy. However, it helps to play a patsy in UNM, who hasnt won a game yet this year. True FR Ronnie Hillman has been fantastic this year, and looks to have a huge game against a really bad run defense.
Washington at No. 18 Arizona
UW played its best game of the season last week on defense, giving Katz his first multiple INT game (3). They were intense, driven, and worked hard. Of course, not having James Rodgers on the other side of the ball didnt hurt either. They are in a similar situation this week, as Nick Foles is out and his replacement, who used to be the starter, Scott is in. UW is on the cusp of a bowl season for the first time in 8 years, and AZ is looking to stay in contention for the Pac-10 crown. A loss for either team could be devastating for each team's goals.
GAME OF THE WEEK
No. 1 Oklahoma at No. 11 Missouri
Oklahoma somehow got the #1 BCS slot, despite having some questionable games early this year. On the other side, Mizzou has quietly snuck near the top 10, with outstanding play coming from not only the defense, but from QB Gabbert, who had a very big and accurate arm. No doubt he will be looking for this big play threat in TJ Moe, who is near the 600 yd mark in reception yards. UO will counter with Landry, who continues to make people forget about Sam Bradford. DeMarco Murray is heading towards one of the best careers for a RB in Sooner history. While this isnt a divisional matchup, this is a big time game for a number of reasons, as a Mizzou victory would get them close to a top spot int he BCS and a Sooner win will put the pressure on the rest of the unbeaten's to remain so. You can bet all of Autzen will be watching this game.
